Anyways, while I have found that the venerable "Today" continues to hold its own, and that "The Early Show" seems to be a formidable alternative (as unadulterated garbage goes), I have found that they have done a FANTASTIC job in milking a story to its dying breath: The Death of Michael Jackson.
When I say "milk", I mean the cow's udders are squirting air. As in: there is nothing there.
For the last few mornings, it has been the lead story. The toxicology report. The crazy doc. The druggie patient, who just happens to be not only one of the world's greatest performers, but a rich-as-shit "alleged" pedophile, who "allegedly" had enough prescription drugs in his system, that he makes Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse look like minor weekend potheads. I mean, who the hell names their kid Blanket?
And it's the lead story. Every morning. Not the 9.5% unemployment rate (as of June 2009). Not Obama's idea to use health insurance to further turn the U.S. into a Socialist state. Not the continued debate in the Senate on the next justice to the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor (because, let's be honest, her confirmation is inevitable - just give the GOP a bit more time to show off their extreme lack of influence in the Senate).
No, it is the latest updates on the custody discussion for the kids, complete with Matt Lauer throwing repeated softball questions to Katherine Jackson's lawyer, who was doing his best impression of Johnny Cochran. The latest run-ins with Debbie Rowe, who is sure to be the newest trailer-trash multi-millionaire by next week. The key interviews with Harvey Levin, of TMZ (because, of course, the former field reporter for The People's Court is DEFINITELY a credible source).
When all is said and done, it is clear what network TV has become. A farce. What happened to the days when the morning news, as well as news in general was relevant? Of course, I do understand the need to appease to advertisers, and put a popular product on display, but is this what American society has become? Pardon me for being a bit naive, but we, as a people look like veritable dunces!
'Here's a concept: dismiss such blithering garbage to the entertainment portion of the newscast. Hell, hire Harvey Levin as a consultant. Connect it to TMZ! Cross-advertise! But, please, don't turn such supermarket-tabloid blabber into hardcore, front-page news on a national morning newscast. You're making us (Americans) look dumb.
