News Anchors are Weighing Me Down
Television news ain’t what it used to be. It’s the day after the hurricane. Most of us are breathing a sigh of relief that we didn’t lose power or suffer any major catastrophe. But the producers of television news can’t seem to move on. They continue to sensationalize the storm, reporting from their various outposts making, for the most part, a big deal out of nothing. “The sea continues to toss and churn!” shouts an intrepid, young reporter standing on the beach. (Yes! And the tide goes in and out, too!) A tree fell down in Wellesley. Some vinyl siding came off of a house in Scituate.
But what else is there to report? Can we stand any more talk about the election? Or any more ads for the candidates?
I recently returned from Naples, Florida, where we spent a week visiting with my mother-in-law, who lives in a retirement community there. Every day at 5:00, cocktail hour commences in the den and we watch the evening news together. Two things struck me about their local news reporting. First, it was such a blessed relief to not have to listen to Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown ads. Second, and most significantly, was the news anchors themselves. The difference between theirs and ours was striking.
Here, and I mean on all networks, ours news anchors are Barbies and Kens-and mostly Barbies. It seems to be a contest to see which network can show the most T & A, the most leg, the poutiest, sexiest, Angelina Jolie-lips. We see big hair, big boobs, nice butts. Even on the coldest days, the women wear short skirts, sleeveless, skin-tight dresses and low-cut blouses. Their shapely silhouettes are outlined for the world to see against the national weather maps. Did you ever wonder what happened to the Natalie Jacobsen look? She was always so well put-together. Well, it’s still alive and well in southwest Florida.
Maybe the south is just more conservative, or maybe the high number of seniors living there demand some decency. But their news anchors are normal people. They are not all of the Barbie and Ken physique. They wear well-styled suit jackets, dresses that fit-the kind of clothes you would consider appropriate for the corporate world, or church. Many of them are “older”, meaning something north of 35. Some of them are larger than size 4. They don’t all have movie-star good looks. And they deliver the news quite nicely.
Soon the election will be over. Instead of incessant political ads, we can return to our regular nausea-provoking line-up of Bernie and Phyl (haven’t you missed them and their lovely children in your face every morning?), Herb Chambers, and the endless stream of “Ask Your Doctor” ads. All of which may cause dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, loss of memory, an erection lasting longer than four hours and an uncontrollable urge to gamble. Barbie and Ken will continue their skin show and claims of “as seen ONLY on this channel!” Since it’s almost Halloween, we must next brace ourselves for the steady stream of Christmas music in the ads that start November 1st.
Fortunately, the solution is simple. Turn off the T.V. Or, hit the road to Florida.
Anchors away!!
Ed Bertorelli
12:38 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Thanks Deb great blog post...today these 'news' people are repeaters not reporters- even Fox 25 has gone the route to air-head central.....the tip off should be when they announce the newsman or newswoman's hairdresser at the end of the program..good grief
Jim O'Connor
2:33 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Where have you gone Don Kent and Shelby Scott?
Kira Gagarin
6:13 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Amen. Having lived in Europe for a while the news here is really shameful. Viral kittens, children after dentist appointments, who won on the X factor, and these weather reporters yelling while storms pour buckets on their heads. Sigh. I didn't know Florida was better and thats surprising. Still not a reason to move to Florida though :)
Elliott Moses
10:04 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
I am in full agreement !! I always watched channel 5 but will no longer watch
them until there dress is more appropriate.
EM
Hawk's Mom
1:00 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Couldn't agree more!! It's like our local networks are in a contest to get the youngest, cheapest (looking and salary) anchors. No one has informed them that they are there to report the news either, I'm not interested in their two cents after every story and what they think is witter banter.
I've stopped watching Fox because the morning show only has one grownup on it and the new people think they're stand up comedians. It's unwatchable. Every other network is full of peroxide blondes in clothes two sizes too small. I want someone to inform me of the days events around the world, and I want them to be credible and professional.
Deb Schradieck
3:36 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Well, I feel better since venting about this on Patch and getting all the great feedback. But how do we get the message to anyone who cares or can do anything? That's what is so frustrating! We could all boycott the TV news but who would know?
The banter during "news" also makes me crazy...the giggling and small talk..UGH! Yes- unwatchable is what it is!
I used to watch "O'Reilly" ("the spin stops here"), but his guests are all buxom, pouty blondes in tight dresses now, too! Good thing for the Telegram & Gazette. Most of the news is too depressing anyway. I'll just read the comics.
Judy Rollinson
6:46 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
On Monday, while watching Channel 5, I was so taken a back by the newswoman's outfit that I actually emailed the station to let them know I thought her dress was over the top and that she looked like a porn star. Was it that red dress that got to you too Deb!?
Kira Gagarin
7:12 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Judy, they were probably glad to be getting feedback and an audience. No publicity is bad publicity. I wouldn't even care if a porn star brought me the news, I would just like to actually get NEWS at this point. Sigh.
Hawk's Mom
9:19 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
I've read they're trying to keep peoples attention in the age of smart phones and ipads...but I've stopped watching. If the station managers are pandering to the young crowd don't they realize most Americans age 18-30 get their news from the Daily Show? They don't get that it's on COMEDY CENTRAL for a reason! Sigh, the future of America
kate f
9:54 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
They must be desperate as most of us get our news online/CNN, and the rest of the Boston channels, and they are updated every minute possible....But, there are PLENTY of people at home or just enjoy actually watching the half hour news show...as someone above said, they are 'pandering' to the wrong audience for sure, with some of the newswomen anchors in New Year's Eve party wear at 6:00 PM on an exhausting week such as we all have had so far...Loved your aricle..;)
Chris M
8:33 am on Friday, November 2, 2012
Networks, O&O's and local affiliates are in the business these days of shaping the news, not reporting it.
carl berke
7:55 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Why watch? This is not news! Read my dear. TV exists to sell crap that you do not need OR want. In our complex society, you are indulging in the cocktail hour and after one or two, you are DUI. No wonder Americans think that there is a difference between candidates and that any meaningful issues are reported on the TV that you are watching . Bread and Circus for all of the above !
carl berke
11:21 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Read.TV is an appropriation of thepeople's resource . It is a used to sell, not inform.
carl berke
11:41 am on Saturday, November 3, 2012
American's are so extremely narcotized by TV that they actually believe,not KNOW, that red is the color of the right. All that did was make them the continual butt of worldwide jokes!
MrMilford
12:37 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Carl, as an American yourself, your comment applies to you as well? If not, please enlighten us as to what qualities you display which we must watch for in others so we can understand when your gross generalization should be applied, or when we must ignore it.
carl berke
2:03 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
As usual, Mr.M you are completely irrelevant. Who is so self centered as to refer to themselves as you do.
MrMilford
10:41 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Carl for President. I am going to write your name into the Ballot!!
Dave Lenane
5:24 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Just curious...To all those that think the news anchors dress too sexy....and please be honest...Do you watch and enjoy "Dancing with the Stars?"
Kira Gagarin
5:33 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Dave: Nope. But what does that have to do with news anchors? I watch America's Next Top Model (shhh, thats a secret), but thats when I want to zone out and watch crap TV not be informed, by eloquent and professional news people, about the news of the day.
Dave Lenane
6:17 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Kira....my point being that real ballroom dancing was done in dresses and gowns. Now its all about skin and boobs....now being a red blooded American guy, I really don't have a problem with that...LOL! But other than Maria Stephanos, I have NO idea who anyone is referring to in this blog. The only other female anchor that even comes close to pushing the envelope is Sera Congi who seems to love her cleavage. Boston is a major market and a stepping stone to national TV (Money) so these twits are going to do anything to get noticed.
carl berke
3:55 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
It is all about boobs and butts. That is for those not seeking info. Just TITillation.