Dictum Ridiculum - 12/17/2001: "This is ... CNN?"

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This is ... CNN?

It must be just me, right? I mean, the war in Afghanistan is a pretty serious thing. And CNN is a pretty serious thing. So why, on CNN Headline News, do they think it's acceptable or appropriate in any way to use an over-the-shoulder graphic with a big picture of Osama, and the caption "Where's Osama bin Hidin'?"
Nice. Sorry, CNN, "cutesy" is not the right approach for war graphics. The man is directly responsible for the murder of more than 3,000 innocent people. This is not "Where's Waldo?"
Then again, down there on the CNN Ticker was yet another example of how the network is trying to appeal to a new generation of viewers. A story about a new, clean burning energy use for chicken manure was titled "It Happens." See how clever that is? They've taken a popular saying, "Shit Happens," and replaced "shit," with "it," hoping that you, the home viewer, would chuckle and laugh. "Oh, CNN," they hope you would say, "your near curse in a clever ticker caption makes me want to watch your network -- and support your advertisers -- more than ever!"
It's apparent to me what happened with the "shit" they took out of that "shit happens" saying. It's recycled, and put straight on the air.

Transmitted: 09:46 AM PST 12/17/2001

Replies: 3 comments

what do you expect? The dumbing down of America has been a process not only created, but enhanced by continual exposure to media! As TV created more and more idiotic "entertainment"... the public was no longer required to know anything important. Who shot JR? and Where's the beef? Were the beginning.. now we have TI2 and THE WEAKEST LINK!... Maybe.. just maybe there are intelligent people at CNN - but when they do good, solid reporting (like they did in the late 80's) the dumbed-down american public doesn't understand. "Where's Osama Bin Hidin'" is something a Frito-eatin, Winerschnitzel-lovin, pants-bustin' American can understand.
If you want real news, watch the BBC. If you want entertainews, watch CNN. If you want a soap opera, watch the LA Daily news stations.
Posted by Morgan @ 12/17/2001 11:28 AM PST

And if you want Mexican Soap Opera there's...Saaaaabaaado GIGANTE!
Posted by Gavin @ 12/18/2001 04:16 PM PST

Here's my latest additions:
While the anchor was reading out the latest on the Moussaoui Trial TV coverage question, there was a graphic over her right shoulder that read:
" I want my Moussaoui TV"
Not seconds later, there's a typed graphic (the ticker stuff) that says:
" Grossology in Singapore: Exhibition on human body functions a success"
What? I hate the TV-talk show format, too. Who comes up w/ this stuff? CNN Headline news sucks.
Posted by Morgan @ 01/09/2002 06:20 PM PST

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