VIDEO COMPILATION: Anna Nicole Smith And Our National Media Embarassment
VIDEO COMPILATION: Anna Nicole Smith And Our National Media Embarassment
The death of Anna Nicole Smith yesterday was a feeding frenzy for the national media, and coverage of the war was drowned out: NBC’s Nightly News devoted 14 seconds to Iraq compared to 3 minutes and 13 seconds to Anna Nicole. CNN referenced Anna Nicole 522% more frequently than it did Iraq. MSNBC was even worse — 708% more references to Anna Nicole than Iraq.
The lop-sided coverage largely ignored many key developments in Iraq, including the sixth downing of a U.S. helicopter in the past three weeks, the allegations that a deputy Iraqi health minister was aiding a Shiite militia in its attacks against U.S. troops, and the death of four Marines.
ThinkProgress has collected some of the many, many lowlights of yesterday’s coverage (i.e., Larry King: “The death of Anna Nicole Smith is the number one story around the world tonight”), along with a lone highlight provided by CNN’s Jack Cafferty. Watch it:
References to Anna Nicole and Iraq on Cable Networks After 3PM ET:
NETWORK ANNA NICOLE IRAQ CNN 141 27 FOX NEWS 112 33 MSNBC 170 24
Time Of Segments Devoted to Anna Nicole and Iraq on Broadcast Networks:
NETWORK ANNA NICOLE IRAQ NBC 3:13 0:14 CBS 2:00 2:17 ABC 2:21 2:58
UPDATE: Will Bunch and Greg Mitchell have more on another young woman who has died tragically.
Transcript:
LARRY KING: The death of Anna Nicole Smith — it’s the number one story around the world tonight.
BILL O’REILLY: Hi, I’m Bill O’Reilly. Thank you for watching us tonight. The talking points memo will be in our second segment this evening. It concerns how the left sees Americans killed in Iraq. But first, 39-year old Anna Nicole Smith dead in Florida.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: For better or for worse, would you call Anna Nicole Smith an American icon of the early 21st Century?
ANDERSON COOPER: Jennifer, you met Anna Nicole back in the early-90s through Playboy. You saw her at the Playboy mansion. What was she like back then?
GUEST: Back then…I remember coming home from college and everyone was talking about this really hot woman and um…
RITA COSBY: Although it’s interesting — we talked to a friend earlier today and he was saying she was dumb like a fox.
GUEST: Exactly.
ANDERSON COOPER: ‘Cause a lot of women become Playboy Playmates, but they don’t end up with long careers — certainly not in the spotlight.
MSNBC GUEST: But you know everytime we saw Anna Nicole, the reason people are watching is to see what she said or what she was trying to say through some of her slurred words.
GRETA VAN SUSTERN: Anna Nicole did not live anonymously in the Bahamas. People there knew she was living there.
RITA COSBY: So what was the charismatic blonde like behind the lens, and why was she so intriguing to so many people?
LARRY KING: Larry, this story will have a lot of legs, won’t it?
GUEST: Oh absolutely.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: David, why the obsession with Anna Nicole Smith? Why have the cable shows and even the broadcast news shows — and certainly the morning shows tomorrow — why have they all focused in on this story? And why are they going to be providing a lot more time to Anna Nicole Smith than the war in Iraq and the possible coming war with Iran?
GUEST: Well, you know, America has fallen in love with Anna Nicole Smith.
JACK CAFFERTY: Is Anna Nicole Smith still dead, Wolf?
WOLF BLITZER: Yes, We’re going to be updating our viewers shortly on –
CAFFERTY: Can’t wait for that.
BLITZER: — the mysterious circumstance surrounding that. Jack, thank you.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
Am I surprised they devoted more time to her than Iraq? No.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:03 amgod help us when paris hilton kicks the bucket
February 9th, 2007 at 11:04 amTo defend the MSM, the Iraq war will still be there tomorrow, ANS will not.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:07 amOne of the best moments in the history of TV journalism…Well done, Jack Cafferty!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JgiwkcZxj7c
February 9th, 2007 at 11:07 amThe Dumbing Down of America.
Live! Tonite at 8:00!
What war? We want to see American women with augmented breasts too high on drugs to speak clearly. Now, that’s real news.
Pathetic, just like her.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:08 amBTW on #3: In case you can’t tell, that was sarcasm.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:09 amGood. That’s one fat ugly whore down.
Paris Hilton’s next…You can’t carry around that much plastic bullshit for very long.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:09 amHow much time did you spend obsessing over the amount of time the media was obsessing over ANS?
I agree with Mugsy on this… Iraq will still be there tomorrow. It’ll probably be as bad as it always is.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:14 amand blitzer didn’t even get the cafferty snark.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:15 amIt’s too bad the network that mentioned Iraq the most is the one almost certain to misrepresent it grossly.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:15 amI noticed this yesterday and it annoyed the hell out of me. At least my local newspaper didn’t give it a top headline. I didn’t even realize the 6th chopper had been shot down because I couldn’t wade past all this inane news. Also, “America has fallen in love with Anna Nicole Smith”?! No, they haven’t. I’d wager most people didn’t give a rats ass about it anymore than we did.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:16 am“is she still dead?”
buahahahahahahaha
February 9th, 2007 at 11:18 am“Is Anna Nicole still dead, Wolf?”
LOL!
Cafferty rocks.
It looked like Wolf was trying reeaaalll hard not to laugh, so there may be some hope left for the Blitzter yet….
February 9th, 2007 at 11:20 amWe shouldn’t be surprised. Networks are all about ratings and not about the news. They are all guilty.
The woman was famous for being famous. If that doesn’t tell us something about the culture, nothing will.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:23 amMeanwhile, back in the real world …
President Putin Losing Patience : Raising Russian Military Spending …
February 9th, 2007 at 11:25 amIT don’t matter people. The war is over. I just read that the Sunnis are giving up and want peace! Damn, I’m so proud of our troops for staying the course. Victory is right around the corner. Check it out at raw.com!
February 9th, 2007 at 11:26 amAt times like these, I turned off cable news and listen to NPR ot C-span - I doubt they spend more than 30 seconds on her.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:28 amAnna Nicole Smith was a walking tragedy. It is sad. But I wonder how many other people died yesterday in tragic situations that we’ll never hear about? That’s sad too.
They might as well rename the Cable News Network and call it the Celebrity Nonsense Network. That would be more accurate. But I guess they’re not about accuracy, are they?
February 9th, 2007 at 11:28 am“Consensus reality” is “TV reality” which = unreality…the pathologic condition of a brainwashed populace.
Yesterday, where I work, as well as any number of places where people are gathered for whatever reason, a large percentage of them discussed this national “news” story…while the PNAC plan has its gun sights set on Iran, and domestic dissidents, matters of life and death on a grand scale - yet by and large, the people haven’t a clue or a concern beyond their programmed ‘cult of celebrity.’ It’s so easy to see how the fascists have been able to do whatever they want without accountability or outpourings of moral indignation from the majority of US sheeple.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:33 amI have the same feeling about the whole media frenzy. There is always a sorrow when someone dies..but in this big country many other people die everyday too ,people who contributed more to the country than Nicole from defending the country,to scientific achievements and many other useful fields in art and others; people the media never give them so much time when they die ,not even two minutes of the networks airwaves.
While we have enormous problems concerning deficit, trade, wars , the
hours spent on Nicole’s death is way above average.
Looking at the total hours that major tv. networks spent on the story, you can see that they are all fighting for ratings….and nothing else.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:36 am…uh… Don’t say “lop-sided”…
February 9th, 2007 at 11:37 amI actually agree with ThinkProgress for once!! What a disgrace!!!
February 9th, 2007 at 11:40 amAt times like these, I turned off cable news and listen to NPR ot C-span - I doubt they spend more than 30 seconds on her.
— Robert
TV off and web surf news sites and I get to pick the stories. MSN has always been stupid, overdoing “the big story” of the moment. Remember when Reagan was shot? I got sick of seeing that video after seeing it 100 times the first day.
There was no other news, the world stood still while they just reported the big story.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:42 amThis is to feed the ignorant masses. Welcome to the Matrix.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:44 amWell… yuhhh… Why shouldn’t Anna Nicole Smith’s sudden death attract attention? Weren’t she and Corn-doll-eezza Rice involved in a lesbian tryst and didn’t Corn-doll smother poor Anna with her own, bountiful, beautiful boobies? I swear to God, that’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it!
February 9th, 2007 at 11:46 amIf people would simply look into who actually owns the mainline media outlets, the reality of the situation becomes blatantly obvious. F*ck celebrities…why don’t people huddle around to discuss the hundreds of thousands - if not millions by now, given the sanctions throughout the 1990s - of dead Iraqis, many of them children and the elderly, slaughtered in their own names? In what’s ostensibly a rep form of democracy, the actions of a servant govt are carried out in the people’s interests.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:48 amBut my first bought playboy was Nicole´s … Heh…kids.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:51 amWe live in a country infested with hopelessly lowbrow ignorant masses. How dreadful and pathetic. Trashy nation indeed.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:52 amNBC’s Nightly News devoted 14 seconds to Iraq compared to 3 minutes and 13 seconds to Anna Nicole.
What the f*ck did the say about Iraq in just 14 seconds anyway?
“Now, news about Iraq. That was a country Anne Nicole Smith never went to”.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:54 amYou make it clear you think these news outlets should not give any time to her death and then you turn around and post your comment devoting more time to her. If you don’t think anyone should talk about it as you seem to indicate, then why did you post a note at all?
February 9th, 2007 at 11:54 amNetwork News is little more than a distraction from what is important.
America is no more - it’s the North American Union now.
The New World Order - One Government - One Religion - One Economy = Global Tyranny!
Climate Change is real but beware the agenda of the Globalists. They always tell half truths and then offer solutions designed to enslave us all.
Crisis - Reaction - Solution
February 9th, 2007 at 11:54 amturn off the damn TV !!
it is not a source of news.
plain and simple.
an electronic billboard, yes.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:55 ama propaganda machine, yes.
a news source, not since Reagan.
Comment by Unidentified
Good post, Unidentified. For example, on 9/11, 25,000 kids die to hunger and curable diseases. Not a word about them, not a banner, not a note, no nothing. Every 3 seconds somebody dies of hunger in this planet…not a word, not a banner, not a god damn thing. Poor people are simply unexistent.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:58 amPeople die every day and that is sad nomatter the cirumstances, drugs, war, or murder. But I keep thinking of that little baby that is left without the love of her mother. And it shakes me know how everyone is acting like this is the best thing to happen and laughing and making jokes. She may not have acted like a level headed adult, but I dont think it is something anyone should be laughing at. She wasnt going around killing and seeing how far she could spread her negativity like a lot of people in this world.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:58 amOf course, ThinkProgress’s justified criticism of the media’s over-coverage of this story would carry a tad more weight if TP had not devoted not one, not two, but three posts this week to “Veronica Mars.”
February 9th, 2007 at 11:59 amAnd this on the same day they were all over the Pelosi non-story.
Nice one TP, now let’s see how the media covers todays report into Doug Feith’s intellligence chop-shop.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:59 amThe media is simply a reflection of the culture. We can throw around percentage comparisons of coverage and babble on about how terrible it is that so much attention is given to it. And all these feelings are valid and justified. But, really, I think you are working yourself up into a frenzy over a blip on the radar screen. Celebrity crap, like feel-good animal stories, missing young white women, and Bill Clinton’s sex life are simply irresistible for our punditocracy and the majority of our semi-literate populace. Why can’t we just accept that?
This momentary attention to all things celebrity will fade away shortly and the American public will still have to face the stark realities that young Americans will still be dying in Iraq, their fellow citizens will still be imprisoned indefinitely without charge, rendered to other countries for torture, habeas corpus will still be suspended, the government will still be spying on them without a warrant, the Geneva Convention will still be considered “quaint” by this administration and the rich will still be getting richer while the rest of us get poorer.
So let them have their little celebrity roller coaster ride for the time being. They cannot run away from reality forever. As much as they try, reality will not let them escape. America, the day is coming to pay the piper. And it is not going to be pretty. There aren’t enough dead celebrities in the world to keep the day of reckoning at bay.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:00 pmms katy, bring-down-this-thread.
no one should EVER have known that woman’s name, let alone conduct this sick circus
February 9th, 2007 at 12:05 pmKilling and exploitation of innocent civilians and peoples in foreign countries all over the world has always happened throughout history and has never been questioned, until this past century. Before , we were always led to believe by our governments that whatever was done, was done for the good of the country and for the good of the leadership; the end justified the means. Maybe now we have moved past that primitive way of thinking and see most forms of government and even religion, the oldest form of government there ever was, for the corrupt systems they have become and really are. It’s time for a change, I think. At least I know I’m ready for one.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:05 pmIt would be interesting to see a similar comparison to the prior “hot” story in the news, the astronaut woman who wore a “Depends” for 900 miles and was accused of attempted murder. Every time I turned on the Teevee, I heard about that story, which, in fact, would not be reported if this woman had not been astronaut.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:07 pmWell to be totally fair, there is PLENTY of time to cover Iraq since it has been going on for years and shows no sign of ending. The Anna Nicole Smith story has a shelf life of MAYBE a couple days.
What is truly stupid though is all these stories acting as if her death was a tragedy. I mean, ANS is the perfect example of an idiot who had every chance handed to her and chewed it up, shiat it out, and flushed it all down the toilet. The media has spent years mocking her, and rightfully so, but now that she’s dead they are trying to make her america’s sweetheart and the victim of a mysterious tragedy.
Mysterious? Please. Her own family members have flat out said it wasn’t a surprise, due to her lifestyle, and that it is most likely from drugs. Yet STILL the media is painting it as a mystery and a tragedy for their own ratings self-interest. They are now hyping up someone they have spent years mocking to get ratings and that is low.
It tragedy isn’t that she died…it’s how she lived. The perfect example of someone who has everything but deserves nothing.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:09 pmAt least I know I’m ready for one.
Comment by Liberal in New Mexico
The big question: Would you willingly give up all your commodities for a better society?
February 9th, 2007 at 12:10 pmOf course, ThinkProgress’s justified criticism of the media’s over-coverage of this story would carry a tad more weight
February 9th, 2007 at 12:14 pmComment by Exley — February 9, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Uhhh, pointing out the hypocrisy of the media does carry a ton of weight, and in no way needs to be justified by a previous, and unrelated thread.
three posts this week to “Veronica Mars.â€
Huhhh. and here I thought the threads were about misinformation and the misleading storyline regarding “the morning after pill” and RU486.
If you don’t think anyone should talk about it as you seem to indicate, then why did you post a note at all?
Comment by Layne — February 9, 2007 @ 11:54
When pointing out a state of hypocrisy, one must be able to mention the actual subject matter.
Hello?
February 9th, 2007 at 12:16 pmANS,
Died from pills. Thanks, have a nice day.
NEXT.
The first night, she was refridgerated before the morning’s autopsy. And you know a guy was working there….
February 9th, 2007 at 12:18 pmI agree with some of the comments above - the Iraq war will be there tomorrow - Anna Nicole will not. Through the media, we have learned that Anna Nicole lived a hard life. While I do not believe her morals were in the best interests of those she surrounded her self with at all times, she still was human and had an impact on the lives of today’s youth.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:23 pmThe moral of the story:
2 poeple spent much of their lives fighting over money, which they both died, and did not recieve. Was it worth it?
February 9th, 2007 at 12:24 pmhad an impact on the lives of today’s youth.
Comment by Jazzy — February 9, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Yeah, and guess what kinda impact on those teenage boys? Heh!
February 9th, 2007 at 12:27 pmI’m not defending it, but of course it got more coverage than Iraq. It’s a human interest story…and people can’t turn away from it. To be honest, I didn’t mind the day off from constant negative news coverage on Iraq.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:28 pmTake it easy, she JUST died. It also seems to me that the Anna Nicole segments wound up being shorter than the Iraq ones on two of the three networks you watched - that’s pretty surprising seeing as the death was on that day and the war has been and will be going on for a long time.
This is one of the few things that annoys me about liberals - they’re so incredibly obsessed with being serious that they can’t take a second and feel bad for Anna Nicole Smith. Sure, if she hadn’t married a millionaire we wouldn’t be talking about her death but what’s so terribly wrong with saying “that’s really sad, I feel bad for her new baby.”?
It’s not like the coverage of the war would’ve been honest anyway.
If they cover Anna Nicole more than the war TODAY, however… Then that’s probably quite stupid.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:29 pmWhile I do not believe her morals were in the best interests of those she surrounded her self with at all times, she still was human and had an impact on the lives of today’s youth.
Comment by Jazzy
This is our culture: superflous, greedy, empty and dumb. Our idols are sport people, actors, rockstars and models. There was one poll made here in Mexico where people were shown two pictures: one was Leonardo Da Vinci, the other one was Leonardo Di Caprio and asked them which one they recognize…I assume you know the poll results.
Check this list of 1000 most important people in the millenium and see how many can you detect according to your knowledge.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:31 pmWe all shoulddrop Jack Cafferty a line and thank him for his snark.
Here’s what I sent him:
February 9th, 2007 at 12:32 pmAnna Nicole still the headline story on CNN.com. If you really squint you can see the headline for the article about us shoring up more ‘evidence’ we need to go to war with Iran.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:34 pmWe need to take a moment of silence for large breasts, fake or not…
*tearing up*
Thank you.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:36 pmKevin its difficult for me to buy into “evidence”, I still have a bad taste from nonexistent yellowcake.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:37 pmThe media chase for a flashy story never ends…Just 3 days ago all the media chase was after the Astronaut Lisa Nowak story.
Now Nicole story tops all other stories…Remember these stories:
February 9th, 2007 at 12:42 pmJon Bonnet Ramsey killer , the Runaway bride, Aruba missing teenager, the cruise ship crime, the Michael Jackson trial………etc. etc…and how the media got frenzy over these stories. But no frenzy ever will match Clinton/Lewinsky scandal,the story ended in impeaching the President….for lying about dropping his pants…!!
shoring up more ‘evidence’ we need to go to war with Iran.
Comment by Kevin — February 9, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Kevin, this statement of yours scares the hell out of me. A few Iranians are possibly supplying a handful of insurgents weapons, and you’re ready for war???
Yeah, and we know the WMD are here, here, here, and somewhat here
Those mobile Winnebagos? Nuclear weapon carriers!
If you’re still sportin’ a chub for war with Iran, the military is going to need many a volunteer. Have you signed up?
February 9th, 2007 at 12:45 pm…but Iraq is bad news for republicans and infotainment such Smith’s mysterious death are what ‘Myurkans shouls be really concerned with.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:46 pm.
RIP
February 9th, 2007 at 12:51 pmTO BAD
February 9th, 2007 at 12:52 pmLarry King is a bottom feeder: witness the poor NASA lady and now the Marilyn Monroe wannabe & professional gold-digger being given so much attention.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:52 pmHey, look at the bright side–according to this guy, the Anna Nicole mediastorm is a sign that the terrorists have lost!
February 9th, 2007 at 12:54 pmhttp://www.culturecloud.com/ Articles/ 00001896/ The_terrorists_have_.aspx
Have you seen the trashy bimbo’s front and center on the cover of the latest Newsweek?
February 9th, 2007 at 12:54 pmI scanned the 3 network morning shows and CNN between 7 and 7:20 this morning and could not find any discussion of the Scooter Libby case, even though the prosecution rested yesterday.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:56 pmGod so many of you people are so smug. And brutal. The problem isn’t ANS (and like it or not she achieved “something” and impacted pop culture and the fact of the matter is she may well have been a very sweet person who got caught up in a game she couldn’t handle) nor is it the amount of coverage her death received. The problem is our society’s willingness to be educated about what is going on in the world. One day (or one week for that matter) of coverage of ANS’ death is NOT going to make or break our understanding or appreciation for what is going on in Iraq or in any other current events situation that really does have a personal impact on our lives. Those who care about the current state of the world will still continue to follow world events as they unfold whether CNN reports them or not. So for christ’s sake show some humanity in the things you say.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:59 pmJust the latest example of the media’s fixation with “Faux National Tragedies.”
February 9th, 2007 at 1:05 pm708 percent as frequently is not 708 percent more frequently. It is 608 percent more frequently. And that is bad enough. There is no need to inflate numbers to make the point.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:06 pmI agree that Iraq has been going on for years and will go on for a while longer. The ANS story should be compared instead to the Libby trial; what attention has the MSM paid (or not paid) to it? Very little, from what I’ve seen.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:13 pmThanks for sticking up for her, Jeff. Showing some respect for a fellow human being means a lot and costs nothing.
People may not have liked her, but she was still somebody’s daughter and was still the mother of a little girl that is now, for the time being, without a parent.
If so many of you need a constant intravenous drip of IRAQ information, change the freaking channel. God knows it’s out there.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:15 pmWhat was also ignored by the media was the stunning decision by the judge who was presiding in the trial of Lt. Ehren Watada, one of the most vociferous critics of the Iraq War, to declare a mistrial. Even Keith Olbermann, whom liberals love to proclaim as one of their own [despite the protestations of Olbermann himself], led off his program with Anna Nicole Smith while totally ignoring the mistrial of Lt. Watada. So much for the media clearly establishing which news story carries the most weight.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:17 pmThe big question: Would you willingly give up all your commodities for a better society?
Comment by Juan C
Yes.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:21 pmbut she was still somebody’s daughter and was still the mother of a little girl that is now, for the time being, without a parent.
Comment by Danny — February 9, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
Here, I’ll help you Danny boy! (Great first name, by the way!)
But they (the dead soldiers of a misguided, deceitful occupation of Iraq) were still somebody’s daughter or son, and many were still the mother or father of children, who forever will be without their biological mom or dad.
But hey, a former playmate and druguser was found dead! Stop the friggin’ presses!!!
February 9th, 2007 at 1:21 pmYes.
Comment by Zooey
I would too…but then again it requires only the best of people to do anything like this. :)
February 9th, 2007 at 1:38 pmIf you’re still sportin’ a chub for war with Iran, the military is going to need many a volunteer. Have you signed up?
Comment by DRxJ
If Kevin is so mad about some small iranian group fundind insurgency in Iraq, I would bet he was really mad when the US supported with some BIG F*CKING MONEY the Taliban when soviets were occupying Afghanistan. If Kevin is not a hypocrite, he would have supported the bombing of the US by the Soviet Union, right, Kev?
February 9th, 2007 at 1:46 pmAnna Nicole Smith is not news…it’s anaesthetic.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:47 pm#53 Juan C
Thank you so much for that link. Although I recognize a large amount of the names there are many I don’t. I’m looking forward to going through it and learning about these people. When you have a teenager it’s wonderful to be able to talk about influential people who are not just those she sees in gossip mags.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:49 pmElle. Thanks.
I found it yesterday when I was googling for some info about Gutenberg, and guess who is number one for these authors? Newton is number 6, for example, and I cant find James Watt. But yeah, it is really a good source for us to know more about people who changed this world and we werent aware of that.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:54 pmI wrote to CNN and MSNBC yesterday — they have been mocked and criticized very often for their single topic focus on superficial and sensational news stories, yet they continue to make fools of themselves. The ANS story was a news item, yes, but it certainly didn’t deserve 4+ hours of straight coverage. A helicopter crashed in Iraq, more soldier died, there were hearings in Congress, a trial involving White House liars, not to mention other international news, and they spend their time on Smith.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:56 pmIt’s no wonder the public is so ill-informed about government, and issues that affect us and our future.
No surprise. The mainstream media is a commercial entity and, like it or not, coverage of Anna Nicole Smith gets more ratings, and therefore, more money than coverage of Iraq.
Sad, but true.
Should the media balance “hollywood” news better with current world events just for the sake of being responsible? Yes. Is it obligated to? No.
Write them. Let them know how you feel. Threaten to stop watching their station/program (and more importantly, follow through)
But keep in mind this is nothing new. This has happened many many times in the past and will continue to happen many many times in the future.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:08 pm@57 and 59: I put evidence in quotes for a reason, I’m definitely not for a conflict with Iran. I was just mad to see the way our gov’t is methodically moving closer to a war with Iran get pushed out of public view because of some dead ex-model.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:09 pm@76 as well, you guys are juuuust a little trigger happy, I definitely think we have no reason to use our military in Iran (or Iraq, etc) and wasn’t meaning to sound that way at all. CNN’s front page: Huge ass picture of ANS, tiny headlines of:
Madam speaker’s big luxury plane wasn’t her idea
Pentagon report: Prewar intelligence manipulated
Gates: U.S. has evidence of Iran aiding Iraq fighters
All definitely more newsworthy stories, 2 of which are follow ups to blatant lies - follow ups that a lot of non-informed voters will never hear to the right wing lies that were spread (much more loudly) in the past few days.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:14 pmTo try (again) to make myself more clear, I’m comparing today’s situation to the Amish school shooting on the same week of the passing of the Military Commissions Act. I’d wager most citizens don’t even know what the Military Commissions Act is or what it allows for, and therefore can’t make their criticisms heard. Even among the less informed, surely there would be some outcry with a headline that says “Legal Torture Signed Into Law” instead of rehashing the same school shooting info day after day on the front page. The longer the media keeps chasing after useless stories like ANS, the longer the Bush psychos can fly under the radar with their posturing in the Middle East without the (deserved) criticism.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:27 pmI put evidence in quotes for a reason, I’m definitely not for a conflict with Iran. I was just mad to see the way our gov’t is methodically moving closer to a war with Iran get pushed out of public view because of some dead ex-model.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:27 pmComment by Kevin — February 9, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
My bad. I interpreted the statement of “we need to go to war against Iran” as a sign of support from you.
My apologies, as you state you’re not for a conflict!
Just goes to show you where are priorities lie as a country. Shameless.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:36 pmIt doesn’t take the death of Anna Nicole Smith to realize how bad cable news has become.
My favorite was when Gibson (FOX News) called Howard Stern — Howard K. Smith. Geraldo stepped in with the correction.
While you’re at it, here’s a “fun” video of Anna:
February 9th, 2007 at 3:36 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cawDKdepR-c
Here is a question, is she really dead?
With all the crap surrounding her, maybe she faked her death so she could live in peace with Dannilyn…..
Just a thought!
February 9th, 2007 at 3:44 pmMarilyn Monroe died at 36. Anna Nicole Smith died at 39. Both were tortured individuals who were more intelligent that the general public believed them to be. The news media, especially television, has its finger UP, not on the pulse of America with regard to larger-than-life celebrities. Ghoulish, you say? Well, as sure as my name is Boris Funamoto, THIS IS A THRILLER!!!!! Unfortunately for both Marilyn and Anna, the news media regarded both as their bread and butter, their fodder, their manna from heaven, their staff of life(although there were some in the media who would have liked to stuff their staffs into either Marilyn or Anna, no doubt), and their weekly, bi-weekly or monthly paychecks unless they were on salary! SCUM, the whole bunch of news hell-hounds!!!!!
February 9th, 2007 at 4:03 pmIf iraq had bigger tits it would get more coverage.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:08 pmCNN-Our news Leader.
This was on their website just a few minutes ago:
CNN-Breaking News!!!
Wow, the breaking news from CNN is “We don’t know shit yet!”
What a bunch of dickheads.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:12 pmIraq does have big tits…. they are called Oil wells
February 9th, 2007 at 4:13 pmBut like all boobs, they are only as good as the men who know how to play with them. Sadly, not enough men know what they are doing, right girls!
Sadly, not enough men know what they are doing, right girls!
February 9th, 2007 at 4:22 pmComment by DMom — February 9, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
but some men are willing to learn!
Since the topic is salacious celebrity news why isn’t this being discussed:
TRIAL SEPARATION; The full Explosive Story
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/node/1700
According to the Globe Laura and George are separted. Is he drinking or snorting again?
February 9th, 2007 at 4:26 pmComment for DRxJ…
We know you are willing to learn….. we are just tired of teaching men who only retain a 1/4 of what we say!
February 9th, 2007 at 4:40 pmWhile CNN is waiting for another piece of information about ANS’s death perhaps they could go back and cover all the stories they intentionally avoided the past 7 years such as:
1) Downing Street Memos (confirmed yet again today)
2) Media Ownership (deregulation)
3) Disappearance of Habeas Corpus
4) Fairness Doctrine no longer enforced
5) Freedom of Information Act ratcheted up
6) Bush family close relationship with Bin Ladins
7) Bush family close relationship with the recently departed (yeah right) Ken Lay (Enron)
8) The strategic importance of running that oil pipieline thru Afghanistan
9) Congress working to draft legislation to strangle internet (net neutrality)
10) Military Bases in Iraq
11) All the old Iran-Contra players currently working for Bushco
February 9th, 2007 at 4:46 pm12) The danger posed by a 7 trillion dollar national debt
13) The danger posed by unregulated hedge funds
14) Why labor gets almost no TV time and management dominates the airwaves
Makes you want to play some Green Day and turn it up loud enough to drown out the ’stupid box’
February 9th, 2007 at 4:46 pmI just checked the drudge report - I do believe that is the biggest heading he’s ever used for a news article. I guess the right wing wants this story to top all the bad newso n their policies?
February 9th, 2007 at 5:02 pmmen who only retain a 1/4 of what we say!
Comment by DMom — February 9, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
I’m sorry. What exactly where we discussing again?
Oh yeah, BOOBIES!! Huh Huh
(Just kiddin’, of course!)
February 9th, 2007 at 5:02 pmcomment for DRxJ
Thank you, that was good. Very typical but cute…
February 9th, 2007 at 5:07 pmminitrue operations memo:
put anything else on instead of information that will put the administration in a bad light, rinse, repeat
February 9th, 2007 at 5:11 pm#53 - Juan C,
February 9th, 2007 at 5:31 pmI scanned that list and Edwin Howard Armstrong seems to be missing. Time to copy the list to an Excel work sheet and do some searches. Armstrong developed the initial set of receiver technologies that fueled radio, television and radar for the first seventy years of the 20th century (Starting with 1914.). It was not until National Semi came up with a practical implementation of the phase-locked loop in the mid 1970s that he dropped out of the picture. His circuits are still employed in top of the line gear.
Comment by WaltTheMan
Walt.
After you let me know the existence of this electrical engineering I began reading, not much, about his life. Yeah, it seems like a real tragedy, pretty much like Julius Robert Mayer, Boltzmann and Gutenberg to a lesser degree. Watt could have faced the same fate but he associated with Boulton who was a righteous man.
My opinion is that, pretty much as always, engineers are not considered as part of the scientific elite like physicists or chemists. Although on a quick glance I managed to see in the list Goddard and Lilienthal.
February 9th, 2007 at 6:23 pmWTF would a 25yo bimbo marry a 90yo guy Jeez, the guy was old enough to be her great grandfather. When she hooked up with the oil tycoon, you could see/hear the $$ ca-ching ring up in her eyes. A gold-digging bimbo with big boobs.
February 9th, 2007 at 7:40 pmThat 25 yo Bimbo made that 90 yo die with a smile on his smacker. I may go for that in 23 years. I just am a bit less rich. And then again, my spouses mom and lineage seems to live to like to 100. Looks like I will have to live with the present arangement.
February 9th, 2007 at 7:52 pmwalt; my condolences :(
February 9th, 2007 at 8:00 pm#53 - Juan C,
February 9th, 2007 at 8:24 pmLooks like the list lacks entries from #701 to #800. Maybe E H Armstrong, Johnny Carson, Jack Paar, Tom Watson(Sr and Jr), Andy Grove and I appear in that range.
Anna Nicole Smith is not news…it’s anaesthetic.
Comment by Xenon — February 9, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
good point… with the added bonus of distraction…
makes me a little sad though… many can identify with certain tragedies… this one has so many juicy parts, it’s almost unreal…
anyone listen to randi rhodes today? her hypothesis of this story is quite intense… if it is true, the press is gonna hit a new level of bazarro…
February 9th, 2007 at 8:25 pm.
DMom - sure hope i’m around when/if you get a chance to set straight a certain jason character… heh…
good to have you and your attitude here! …
February 9th, 2007 at 8:28 pmjust once … once … I’d like to see one of the “news” networks take the high road and really minimize a story like this, and focus on something more important.
maybe take 90% of the time being spent on ANS and use it to talk to the families of the poor souls killed in Iraq this week
February 9th, 2007 at 10:39 pmTabloid TV @ its finest hour
February 9th, 2007 at 10:49 pmI’m going to be nice to my pointed head little liberal friends, because, I’m new on the sight. I have 4 Dishnetwork horns on the roof powering 4 gigantic 24 hr. a day never turned off Plasma’s. There is no one on this planet that studies more news from our courageous battle in Iraq against Islamic terrorism; but, I must say that it was about time for a break, unfortunately, it was the tragic death of NAS whom I admired very much. I would just be willing to bet that the swinging dicks on the ground in Iraq were also touched and saddened…………………………
February 9th, 2007 at 10:52 pmThe writers for the TV soaps could not have concocted a story like this one.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:11 pmThis F*ing sucess speak by itself of the state of the union and the status quo, I cant belive that this is a discussion topic
February 9th, 2007 at 11:19 pmWe are an autohipnotized society. We like peanuts and circus
I have to agree.The media has made fun of this woman time and again. Now she’s being compared to Marylyn Monroe. Pleeeeeese, give me a break. I don’t remember all this hoopla when Mother Theresa died or other’s of her calibur. It’s a sad day for America all right. There’s something sad about it’s priority’s.
February 10th, 2007 at 12:14 amWell why is mentioning the war less a BAD thing? The war is the same damn thing everyday, people die, the end, next story. I don;t wanna hear in depth about how 20 more people died, really. I’d RATHER hear about Anna Nicole. I mean like or hate her, ok she was a pop figure and fame provides interest, so it does become kind of a big deal and of course they’re going to mention her more, since they don’t talk about her every day .
February 10th, 2007 at 12:31 amWhy couldn’t it have been Ann Coulter.
February 10th, 2007 at 1:23 amAfter a long day of work, I’m not sure what I’d hear more about, the war or Anna Nicole Smith. Either way, it’s pretty depressing, in my honest opinion. I know the public feeds off of bad, disastrous news and the like, but why must we be fed this much coverage of Anna Nicole Smith. Was this some huge blow on the world? No. The loss her family is feeling is definitely a sadenning thing, however is she REALLY someone who’s changed the world, America, or even one street corner so much that we need this much coverage? Again, no.
As far as her being compared to Marilyn Monroe, sure, I see it. She was blonde. Wow. Big deal. My neighbor is blonde. I don’t know her name or anything, but when she passes away, unless it’s some huge tragic accident or something, we’re not going to hear about her the entire day and for what I’m sure are the weeks to come.
February 10th, 2007 at 1:40 amCan’t believe they missed this one… http://bigbignews.net/ 2007/ 02/ anna-nicole-smith-dead-at-39.html
February 10th, 2007 at 1:41 amThis is really for # 53 and 78 (JUAN) and #67(JEFF)
I really do not care one way or another about ANS, I hate it that so many people are so insensitive to people, no matter who they are and what they have done, (we all know she wasn’t the queen of goodness) but does that make her bad? Each and every person should be thinking about that poor baby that will have to grow up without a mother.Furthermore, as far as your little polls go the news actually did more on Iraq, (which I guess you love to hear about all the Americans dieing, because I sure do not) Your list of people to know, anyone that has a high school education and went to college (that is if you went at all) should know these people, a lot of literary people on that list. Jeff I agree 100 % with what you had to say, I don’t think half these people would be griping if…..say it were a star like, Ashley Judd, Denzel Washington….etc. Come on people we do live in the real world, GET OVER IT!
February 10th, 2007 at 3:14 amOh YES and juan i guess since your from mexico and , hey nothing agianist you all but why do you all try and move and moving here close to where i am from, the first of that GREAT video you call by Jack Cafferty, was talking about homeland security, do you have on your little list one of the greatest men, James Lee Witt, or do you even know who that is, well i know him , might have dinner with him every night, oh could it be my dad? NO maybe an uncle? Lets see just how smart you are. sorry i just can not stand ignorant people
February 10th, 2007 at 4:01 amShe reminds me of a stripper I used to screw Basically a Oversexualized EmotionallyOverwrought HugeFakeBreasted
February 10th, 2007 at 4:02 amManipulatorofMen ATantalizingCombinationOfIntimidatingSexualityAndwhiteTrashStupidityThatKindofRemindsofyouSomeoneWhoLooksFamous
Yet, despite my free form vitriol, I still feel sorry for her.
Everyone thought they were going to save her.
Has anyone noticed how many shows Larry King has devoted to American Idol in the last few weeks?You’d think after 6 seasons they would have found one by now.
February 10th, 2007 at 4:27 amRita Cosby is such an airhead that it is embarassing. “Dumb as a fox”? Foxes are dumb? Cosby is dumb as a post.
February 10th, 2007 at 11:01 am14 Seconds.
That’s how much time NBC devoted to Iraq.
14 Seconds.
No matter how much you’re sick of the war, and we all are. There is a LOT going on there, and there are new revelations in congress emerging on the intelligence, and the money. 12 billion in shrink-wrapped 100 dollar bills was shipped and then lost in Iraq. That money no doubt went directly to buy weapons to kill US soldiers. Who are dead by the thousands right now, btw. Blackhawks: In only a couple weeks there has been a shocking rash of aircraft shot down. THIS is not news? This does not deserve more than 14 seconds?
February 10th, 2007 at 1:48 pmyou should see the conan o brian show with her, it’s absolutely the funniest thing ever to happen on tv.
February 10th, 2007 at 1:50 pmLMFAO! @ “…the mysterious circumstance surrounding that. Jack, thank you.”
Do I sense sarcasm? :P
February 10th, 2007 at 2:11 pmTwo words:
GOOD RIDDANCE
Anyone who cares more aint worth my time. Shame on the media.
February 10th, 2007 at 5:19 pmIraq story is same ole, same ole…..
The Anna Nicole saga is everchanging and far more interesting.
Wish the politically correct snobs would get off their high horses and be honest.
February 12th, 2007 at 1:22 pmBoth issues disgust me. The Anna Nicole thing…tragic, no. Sad, yes. The war in Iraq…tragic for the US who is losing valuable men and women for a cause that only one man believes in.
The truely tragic thing is that there are so many other issues around the world that need attention and that aren’t getting it. Aids in Africa? Children made to soldier in wars throughout the world…So much else to throw our tears towards.
I can’t believe that so many people really care about ANS. I didn’t even know she was blond. And I don’t care about the father of her child. What a country we live in. I love it and hate it all at once. Where else do people have the freedom to ignore poverty, epidemics, starvation, rape, violence - and focus on the questionable death of a pop diva. It’s just gross.
February 12th, 2007 at 3:07 pm[…] From a few days ago: “The death of Anna Nicole Smith yesterday was a feeding frenzy for the national media, and coverage of the war was drowned out: NBC’s Nightly News devoted 14 seconds to Iraq compared to 3 minutes and 13 seconds to Anna Nicole. CNN referenced Anna Nicole 522% more frequently than it did Iraq. MSNBC was even worse — 708% more references to Anna Nicole than Iraq.” (link) […]
February 12th, 2007 at 8:55 pmWhat she lacked was more a part of her legacy than what she had to offer.
BTW, new song, telling the story of Anna Nicole Smith’s life from the point of view of a psychologist, the one who wrote and recorded the song, has been officially released to internet blog sites and radio stations.
The Hole in the Soul (of Anna Nicole)
February 13th, 2007 at 1:31 amDr. BLT
words and music by Dr. BLT (c)2007
http://www.drblt.net/music/AnaNicole.mp3
Does this insanity really come as a huge surprise ? NOT!!!!!
Americans have been trivialized to the point of American Idol
and Reality programming that is anything but reality. Hundreds
of Iraqi’s are dieing every day, and they amount to little more
than a statistic on the idiot box. But if a well worn Ho drops
dead from drug abuse and excess, its wall to wall coverage.
The mainstream media should be ashamed of themselves, but
unless they are payed to be so, forget it.
Disgusting.
February 13th, 2007 at 5:07 pmdam usa suck they said the troops of irag are dieng with respect but their not this is the example that girl is nothing she didnt do anything to portect usa but the troops they helped us to be safe but there is no chanell that shows the soldiers name that died
February 13th, 2007 at 7:48 pm[…] Joanne Laurier: To put things into perspective, Thinkprogress.com tallied up the minutes spent on the media’s coverage of Anna Nicole Smith [US ex Playboy model and widow of a […]
February 14th, 2007 at 6:13 amEveryone so quick to judge… Don’t jude the pretty lady. You have no idea what the person sitting next to you at church has done!
February 14th, 2007 at 7:09 am[…] VIDEO COMPILATION: Anna Nicole Smith And Our National Media Embarassment The death of Anna Nicole Smith yesterday was a feeding frenzy for the national media, and coverage of the war was drowned out: NBC’s Nightly News devoted 14 seconds to Iraq compared to 3 minutes and 13 seconds to Anna Nicole. CNN referenced Anna Nicole 522% more frequently than it did Iraq. MSNBC was even worse — 708% more references to Anna Nicole than Iraq. Click through to watch the video. Why do they do it? See below. […]
February 14th, 2007 at 10:28 amW
February 15th, 2007 at 2:24 pmWhat war you mean there is still a war going on,with all the nosy people around the nation okay she’s gone let her rest now let’s get back to the real stories?What about our troops and the troops we loose to death everyday how about some coverage on the heros of america and how they loose thier lives and what no coverage on that where are americans hearts at in the playboy books come on enough anna nicole coverage let’s snap back to the real of our crisis.
February 15th, 2007 at 2:30 pmAnna Nicole Smith is a very sad situation, All she wanted in life was to be loved, No matter what anyone thinks, there is a little baby without a mother, that in itself is a sad situation. The war is an ongoing thing and I think the people need a break. But on the other hand, the family of those men and women fighting for us don’t see it that way. I think both are very sad situations. I hated Anna Nicole Smith until she died and I started seeing how unhappy she REALLY was. Anyone who has gone through any part of her life in their own, can relate, those who have had the perfect life, can not understand. I feel so sad about her death and wish everyone would have fought this hard to keep her alive as they are to burry her. I hope she is burried next to her son where she wants to be.
February 16th, 2007 at 2:37 amshe was a human being.
February 16th, 2007 at 6:31 pmnot a human doing so just let her rest now.
and stop calling a whore. as you may be one yourself.
hey people whats going with u americans…why u talking so much shits about Anna Nicole S. She was legende and very atractive and she is icon and to be an icone its not easy…
February 17th, 2007 at 2:23 amMaybe she done a big mistakes during her life but who care about that..someone says that,, who didnt do any mistake in his life it means he didnt try nothing new…,,
And i hope that egzist heaven and hope that she is there …she really was beautiful and strong woman and yes she lived her life like qe just could dream…..
who cares about iraq..ans is dead no matter what ANS done ..its enough let she let us beautiful photos to remind that the beauty could make us famous and is god gift….rest in peace ANNA..
February 17th, 2007 at 2:56 amok I think you all are crazy ok so she may not of been the smartest person alive and so what shes dead and everyone has something to say about her oh shes stupid she slurrs her words she was on drugs why does everyone have something to say now why put all that in the media now. shes dead and she cant even stand up for herself. and all this will be here for little dannie lynn hope to read when she grows up instead of trying to leave her bad memories of her daughter we should try and give her good ones………. Anna Nicole Smith was her own person she didnt care what others thought she was always who she was wether you liked it or not. She was never afraid to say what she thought or how she felt. She wasnt fake …. she wouldnt say something to keep from hurting your feelings she just said what was on her mind no matter what … that is just honest why is everyone having such a trouble with that …….. as far as her getting more attention than the war dont she deserve it she is dead they cant just put her on hold cause she is no longer here the war is here and i dont see it ending any time soon so what does it hurt to give her a few days the war will still be going on when the death of ANNA cools down and we can continue to talk about it then ……. Just give Anna Nicole the respect she deserved and if you didnt respect her when she was alive repect her now… That girl had been through alot the death of a child is never easy no matter who you are being famous dont make it better and maybe she just needed to be with her son who knows i dont think we will ever know how she really died or why but who cares she did and now we should all just let her rest in piece……. one more thing before i go I think that her mom should back off she should be buried by her son that is what she would want and howard stern is just trying to make her last wishes come true ………..
February 17th, 2007 at 12:08 pmNETWORKS PUT ON WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO WATCH. ITS COMIC RELIEF ON THE WORLD STAGE.
February 20th, 2007 at 11:01 am[…] on MSNBC and NBC News. The battle continued yesterday as Scarborough’s production team took a page from Think Progress and tracked the relative importance O’Reilly has been placing on two issues: NBC and the war […]
February 21st, 2007 at 2:49 pmHell I would like to hear ANYTHING about ANYTHING! This IRAQ bullshit has gotten on my last nerve anyways, SHUT UP about your war!
February 25th, 2007 at 4:21 amPeople that are talking bad about a deceased person no matter who it is certainly does not have a heart. I am sure that if your loved one passed away reguardless of why, I am sure you would want the respect for them the way you are speaking about Anna?
February 26th, 2007 at 1:28 am[…] But one blonde dies and another cuts her hair, and the whole thing just disappears from the news. Think Progress covers the atrocities, pointing out that when a SIXTH helicopter went down it went down in silence. […]
February 26th, 2007 at 7:33 am[…] ThinkProgress has documented, the death of Anna Nicole Smith was a feeding frenzy for the national media. While many cable news […]
February 26th, 2007 at 12:36 pm[…] to Anna Nicole Smith, but we do believe that referencing her 300 percent more than Iraq — as Fox News did — betrays your obligation to present balanced coverage on the important matters of the day. […]
February 27th, 2007 at 7:41 pmDoes it ever occur to anyone that we accept the conventional consensus that it is perfectly acceptable to spit on this woman like she was dirt. I understand she loved her son and he died while laying next to her in her hospital bed. She loved her daughter and painted pictures for her nursery walls. Despite her image, this was a human being–who suffered pain when she read what other people said about her. Her life was a tragedy and she is just another stoned woman.
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:45 pmWhat is there to understand re: the Anna Nicole/Danny Smith deaths? It’s SO plain that Howard Stern used and exploited her for his own gain…he’s a leach and a parasite, as Mark Furman says, “a snake in a suit” He even LOOKS like common depictions of Satan. all that’s missing are the horns. It’s obvious he murdered Danny, to get him out of the way first (as he was beneficiary on estate, with himself second) It’s also obvious that he “pushed” drugs on Anna Nicole..when she was under the influence it was easy to minipulate her mind. She remained relatively sober when he was not on the scene. He’s will not submit to a paternity test as he hoping for Bahama law to declare him legal father. He only wants control of baby because of possible inherritance of billions through her dead mother’s estate of which he conveniently made himself executor. This man is the epitomy of evil! Investigate him for MURDER!
March 8th, 2007 at 12:07 amARREST HOWARD K STERN FOR MURDER ! BOTH SON AND MOTHER!
March 8th, 2007 at 12:09 amGood! Very good.Welcome to China.
March 18th, 2007 at 5:09 amThe only reason the media covered this stream of events so much is because Anna was “pretty”. You can compare this to the huge amount of coverage Reagan’s death got back in 2004. My CBS affiliate even had a Reagan STATION ID. I feel disgusted sometimes to live in a country where the 6 o’ clock news is ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’S LEAD-IN.
March 18th, 2007 at 7:57 pm