Why do people subject themselves to Katie Couric when a loved one dies?

[Cubsfan]

Katie does it again.

Today on the today show she was "interviewing" Craig Kelly's mom and sister in law just 2 days after he died in an avalanche that killed 6 other people. It only took about 30 seconds for Katie to move into "poking for tears" territory. After a minute of talking about what happened she dives into questions about what craig loved and how did they feel when they heard the news. Did they cry? Did it hurt? Ill bet it hurt!? What was his wifes reaction? Was she hurt? Did she cry? etc...

And then for the icing on the cake she says "He has a little baby girl doesn't he? Isn't she two? I heard he took that girl eveyrwhere. He carried her around in his backpack when he went hiking."etc.. She is saying all this shit to his mom. Two days after he died.

Who decided that she should switch from talking about the latest movies or styles into trying to be a real reporter or interviewer? And haven't people watched enough today show to know that they will have the knife twisted by going on this show?

At the end she says "Thanks for coming on the show today. We really appreciate it. We know this must be hard for you. Thanks for talking about it" Then his mom starts talking aobut the other families for a few seconds before Katie cuts her off because they are not famous snowboarders.

What a fucking douche bag.

[BoBettie]

I"m baffled by people who subject themselves to that treatment after a loved one died AND by the audience who wants it/watches it. Grief is private, IMHO, and it's just bizzare to consent to an interview 2 days after a death.

[JohnT]

The question really is, Stinkpalm, why do YOU subject yourself to Katie Couric?

[Broomstick]

I have this totally sick and vindictive fantasy.

You know how not only does KC dig about how much it hurts when some dies, but often has some comment about how dangerous certain activities are, and she asks if maybe people should be stopped from doing the things they love because they aren't perfectly safe?

OK, here's the set up: a dear friend has died horribly in a plane crash (which is my "dangerous hobby") and somehow the grief has driven me insane enough to appear on the Today Show.

KC: "How did you feel when you heard the news?"

Me: (suppressing a sob) "Well, Katie, it was very" sob, gasp "it was very upsetting."

KC: "You are no doubt aware that flying in a small airplane is dangerous. Do you think private citizens should be doing this? Isnt' it better left to the professionals, like the military and airlines?"

Me: "Well, katie, I guess I feel that it's important to do the things that give you joy, even if there's some risk, because we all die sometime of something. I mean, my friend could have lived a very safe life without risks and died of something like colon cancer. By the way, Katie - how did you feel when your husband died? Did it hurt?"

[Duck Duck Goose]

I find it helpful, when watching those "poking for tears" interviews, to remind myself that nobody is forcing those people to sit there and let KC poke them. A flunky called them up, asked them if they'd be willing to be interviewed, and for whatever reason, they agreed. It's probably very hard to resist the temptation to have the whole world "feel your pain", even if it's only for two minutes of air time.

So I don't feel *too* sorry for them when Katie makes them cry.

[Cubsfan]

Originally posted by JohnT
The question really is, Stinkpalm, why do YOU subject yourself to Katie Couric?

I get off work at 7am. I can choose between listening to rap hour on Mtv, some dragon tale cartoon, or pick up pieces of the new and weather from the Today show before I go to bed.

I think I may have mentioned it in another thread a while back but I will say it again...

MATT LAUER WHO THE FUCK TOLD YOU TO DO THAT TO YOUR HAIR AND WHY HAVEN"T YOU FIRED THEM YET?

[DeskMonkey]

What is she supposed to talk to them about? They agreed to be interviewed about a loved one's death, so should Katie say "Sorry to hear about your son/mother/dog. Man, is it cold enough for ya'! Sheesh, is it ever cold out. I can't wait for the Superbowl, how about you? Got any good chili recipes? I do. I think Brad Pitt is cute, how do you feel about that?"

There are a bunch of little buttons on the remote control that would help ease your pain in the future. They make the channel go away when Katie asks obvious questions.

[Baldwin]

What the Hell is the point of such an interview in the first place? I really don't get it.

[johnboy]

The point is, most IDIOTS are clamoring to be seen on television and cast off any shred of dignity when they do so.

My parents told me that the only times my name should appear in the paper are when I get married and when I die!

[World Eater]

Originally posted by Baldwin
What the Hell is the point of such an interview in the first place? I really don't get it.

Neither do I.

[FairyChatMom]

I'm still trying to figure out why newsfolk consider "How do you feel?" to be newsworthy. Maybe it's just me, but if I tune in the news, I want facts and perhaps a little analysis. I don't care in the least how someone feels after a disaster or a triumph.

Yeah, it's a peeve of mine. And I can't stand Katie either...

[Oblong]

I once read letters in people magazine from people talking about how courageous Katie was because her husband died.

huh?

[DeskMonkey]

It was weird, they were on all the morning shows this morning. I was at the gym and they have a bunch of TVs lined up, so you can see this family go from one TV to the other.

Unless they were dancing with glee and cheering about these people dying, it's most definitely not newsworthy. Such a ridiculous waste of time. They could have all talked to Simon from American Idol for longer if they hadn't wasted so much time with the sad people!

It's amazing to watch all those morning "news" shows next to each other with no sound. They all have exactly the same tripe, just a couple of minutes apart. At least CNN doesn't have the crowd of idiots standing outside with signs and screaming for a weatherman's attention.

[Cervaise]

Originally posted by Broomstick
By the way, Katie - how did you feel when your husband died? Did it hurt?OMFG. Genius.

[SpoilerVirgin]

Remember people, you need to make sure that your loved ones are aware of your last requests:

1. Do you want to be kept on life support?
2. Do you want to donate your organs?
3. Do you want your relatives weeping over your death on talk shows?

Have that conversation today, because tomorrow it may be too late!

Seriously, I have told my parents many times that I do not care how gruesome or newsworthy my death is, they are NOT to discuss me with reporters once I'm gone. My Mom thinks I'm a wacko, but at least she knows what I want.

[jayjay]

Originally posted by DeskMonkey
They could have all talked to Simon from American Idol for longer if they hadn't wasted so much time with the sad people!


Or even better, have Simon interview the bereaved.

"I have to tell you, ma'am, after watching the video of your husband dying, that it has to have been the worst-performed fatal tumble off a mountain that I've ever seen in my entire career. Do you have any idea what he was thinking, trying to pull off a dramatic death which he was so ill-prepared for?"

[LurkMeister]

Originally posted by SpoilerVirgin
Remember people, you need to make sure that your loved ones are aware of your last requests:

1. Do you want to be kept on life support?
2. Do you want to donate your organs?
3. Do you want your relatives weeping over your death on talk shows?

Have that conversation today, because tomorrow it may be too late!

Seriously, I have told my parents many times that I do not care how gruesome or newsworthy my death is, they are NOT to discuss me with reporters once I'm gone. My Mom thinks I'm a wacko, but at least she knows what I want.
After watching one of those "how do feel" interviews on the news one night, my wife turned to me and said, "If I die in a horrible accident and someone tries to interview you, please try to restrain yourself. Shoving the microphone and camera so far up the interviewer's ass that their proctologist can't get it out will not bring me back."

[jayjay]

Originally posted by LurkMeister
"...Shoving the microphone and camera so far up the interviewer's ass that their proctologist can't get it out will not bring me back."

Well, no. But you'll have performed a valuable public service and feel a bit better for it.

[Honey]

Originally posted by Stinkpalm
I get off work at 7am. I can choose between listening to rap hour on Mtv, some dragon tale cartoon, or pick up pieces of the new and weather from the Today show before I go to bed.

There are 2 hours of Buffy reruns on every morning at that time on FX.

[jeevmon]

Originally posted by JohnT
The question really is, Stinkpalm, why do YOU subject yourself to Katie Couric?

As someone once pointed out, she's the cutest succubus in broadcast news.

[Rilchiam]

Originally posted by SpoilerVirgin
Seriously, I have told my parents many times that I do not care how gruesome or newsworthy my death is, they are NOT to discuss me with reporters once I'm gone. My Mom thinks I'm a wacko, but at least she knows what I want.

Mr. Rilch says that if I'm ever brutally murdered, he will go on TV. Not on any of the fluff shows, but in a press conference, where he will tell the perpertrator(s) to give themself/ves up, and anyone who knows anything to speak up, because they'll fare far better at the hands of the authorities than they will if he has to find them himself.

But that's hardly what people are ranting about here. There's no way he'd let himself be manipulated by Katie Couric, or anyone of that ilk.

[Ranger]

Originally posted by Broomstick
a dear friend has died horribly in a plane crash (which is my "dangerous hobby")

Your hobby is crashing planes? :eek:

[Intaglio]

I wish someone would say to Katie Couric when she is interviewing someone who lost a loved one.

KC - How do you feel, you must be in alot of pain and grief.

Interviewee - It hurts, but I get a really good life insurance pay out so I should be able to deal with the grief once the money rolls in. Thanks Dear

[Harborwolf]

A while ago, the man whose wife was killed and was himself nearly killed and a tragic killer bee attack was on the today show being interviewed by either Ann Curry or Katie Couric (like it matters, they're both the same) and he stated passionately that everyone watching should go out and destroy any bee hives they came across or else, and I'm not kidding, we would lose the war against bees.

In the spirit of that uneducated hillbillys confused rant, I have instructed my family to go on television and proclaim a war against whatever killed me, no matter how inane.

"We need to go to war against all folding lawn chairs before they crush another man to death just like they done did my poor Bubba!"

[Harborwolf]

sorry, meant "in a tragic killer bee attack" now who is unedumacatedest

[Broomstick]

Originally posted by Ranger
Your hobby is crashing planes? :eek: >cough< >cough<

Although the local airport mechanic accused me of that last time I had a hard landing, no, my hobby consists of throwing myself at the ground and missing. :D

[Mangetout]

Originally posted by Stinkpalm
I get off work at 7am. I can choose between listening to rap hour on Mtv, some dragon tale cartoon, or pick up pieces of the new and weather from the Today show before I go to bed.You should have paid a little extra for a TV set that can be switched off.