When Is News Not News
November 18th 2008 11:07
When stations dress up new television series as stories on their current affairs programmes. I was once told by a senior television journalist that they are told to write their stories like they are talking to 14 year olds. Well, they might write their stories that way, but that doesn't mean the viewers have an equivalent IQ. Most people who watch the news and current affairs programmes are pretty astute.
Channel 7's Gladiators is back on screen. Yippee!! Well, not really - not from me anyway. Just not my cup of tea. But how do I know it is back on TV? Commercials during the break? Ads in the print media? Radio spots? Nope. It was a segment on Today/Tonight. In a day where Kevin Rudd is overseas doing business on behalf of Australians, interest rate hikes are an ongoing bane, Sydney's infrastructure is futterly ucked, and a plethora of crime going on, this is the best you guys could come up with?
Thing is, you could possibly give an argument that it is news worthy. I don't think it is, but mine is just one opinion. However, what I find more annoying is not so much the story itself, but it reeks of lazy, lazy, lazy. Both producer and reporter need a kick up that butt for trying to sell it as news (as does the exec producer of Gladiators, who I bet set the ball rolling).
Then last night Channel 7 had some television "expert" on telling us how television stations are pulling the plug on shows left, right and centre. In for most criticism were - you guessed it Channel's 9 and 10. To be fair, he did mention a couple of 7's cancelled shows, however the last question asked was "and what are you favourite shows?" Our “expert” went with Dancing with the Stars and Gladiators. Which, just as it happens, are shown on 7. Sychophant. Tell me Channel 7, do you really think you got any converts after that blatant piece of advertorial?
Ferg Tries to Sell Me Snake Oil
Another example of dumbing down TV. In a recent promo, Channel 9 talking head Mark Ferguson tried to convince viewers that Channel 9's news team tries to report the most important stories, with in-depth coverage. Excuse me!! In-depth?? Both seven, ten and nine's 30-minute news bulletins have about as much depth as George Bush's IQ. In other words, not much. How about once-over lightly? That's a more apt description. I realise it's not Ferguson's fault - he's only doing what he's told, and certainly comes across and one of TV's nice guys. But promo writers, stick to your programme's strengths (whatever they are), and stop treating us, the viewer, as idiots. Ferg, if you want to see in-depth news, switch the dial to SBS or ABC....
Channel 7's Gladiators is back on screen. Yippee!! Well, not really - not from me anyway. Just not my cup of tea. But how do I know it is back on TV? Commercials during the break? Ads in the print media? Radio spots? Nope. It was a segment on Today/Tonight. In a day where Kevin Rudd is overseas doing business on behalf of Australians, interest rate hikes are an ongoing bane, Sydney's infrastructure is futterly ucked, and a plethora of crime going on, this is the best you guys could come up with?
Thing is, you could possibly give an argument that it is news worthy. I don't think it is, but mine is just one opinion. However, what I find more annoying is not so much the story itself, but it reeks of lazy, lazy, lazy. Both producer and reporter need a kick up that butt for trying to sell it as news (as does the exec producer of Gladiators, who I bet set the ball rolling).
Then last night Channel 7 had some television "expert" on telling us how television stations are pulling the plug on shows left, right and centre. In for most criticism were - you guessed it Channel's 9 and 10. To be fair, he did mention a couple of 7's cancelled shows, however the last question asked was "and what are you favourite shows?" Our “expert” went with Dancing with the Stars and Gladiators. Which, just as it happens, are shown on 7. Sychophant. Tell me Channel 7, do you really think you got any converts after that blatant piece of advertorial?
Ferg Tries to Sell Me Snake Oil
Another example of dumbing down TV. In a recent promo, Channel 9 talking head Mark Ferguson tried to convince viewers that Channel 9's news team tries to report the most important stories, with in-depth coverage. Excuse me!! In-depth?? Both seven, ten and nine's 30-minute news bulletins have about as much depth as George Bush's IQ. In other words, not much. How about once-over lightly? That's a more apt description. I realise it's not Ferguson's fault - he's only doing what he's told, and certainly comes across and one of TV's nice guys. But promo writers, stick to your programme's strengths (whatever they are), and stop treating us, the viewer, as idiots. Ferg, if you want to see in-depth news, switch the dial to SBS or ABC....
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