I Pit Local News

[gonzomax]

Local news in Detroit is getting worse and worse. What the hell a chef cooking a meal has to do with news I don't know. They cover practically nothing yet spend time cooking. They should include a laugh track. How they can chuckle at the vapid witticisms they banter back and forth amazes me.
But that is not my biggest bitch. It is the announcements that they use to hook viewers into watching later.
Big story the weather is turning dangerous and there are things you can do to stay safe. Story at 11.
Now we have one, The 4 pains you should never ignore. These are pains that could signal a life threatening condition. Story Monday at 11.
If peoples lives are actually threatened ,tell them. If a storm is going to kill us all ,I want to know now. Man that pisses me off.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Dude, if you live in Detroit, your local news is as follows. Every day.

-Man robbed at gunpoint
-Man charged with armed robbery pleads not guilty
-Woman robbed at gunpoint
-violent crime up, report says
-Mayor accused of _______!
-Gas station robber strikes again
-Ford/GM/Chrysler forecasts weak Xth-quarter sales
-Weather: cold with a chance of showers

[elbows]

Let me just jump right on this band wagon. I'm so with you on this.

I live 2 hrs from Detroit and watch Canadian local news but it's just the same I assure you. I spend half the broadcast screaming at my tv; "How is this news?"

My favorite pet peeve at the moment is how drug companies produce slick newsy look alike features disguised as news of some medical breakthrough when really it's just selling new drugs. And the tv stations run them, grrr. It's very slick and well done, but you'll know it next time you see it, I promise.

And world news? Not much, some days not any. WTF? There are wars, rebellions, open oppression and I'm hearing about a cat caught up a tree?

Bite me local news!

[elmwood]

Dude, if you live in Detroit, your local news is as follows. Every day.

-Man robbed at gunpoint
-Man charged with armed robbery pleads not guilty
-Woman robbed at gunpoint
[snip]

Beats Cleveland.

- Sex offender
- Sex offender
- Sex offender
- Protecting your children from potential sex offenders
- Sex offender
- Some minor thing about the Browns or Indians, even in the off-season
- EXTREME DOPPLER 3000 RADAR STORM TRACKER WEATHER CENTER ALERT: Cold, with a chance of showers. Highs in the mid-50s, low in the low-40s

[D_Odds]

Local news, by definition, will not carry news of wars, rebellions, open oppressions, etc. occurring a world away. Their focus is local.

I just wish that I would get some local news. It would be nice to find out who is running for local office, and what their stances are. Sounds like a job for local news. Instead I get a news copter over yet another fire, a tale about the day's most interesting crime, editorials disguised as news, and cross-promotions also disguised as news. They've given up all pretense on the newscasters, and especially the ancilliary team, having the slightest bit of brains.

[gonzomax]

They also rum a segment showing the movie box office hit or TV program for our pleasure. The fact that the conglomeration that owns them also owns the station or movie studio is just coincidence. That is advertising.

[Otto]

Local news, by definition, will not carry news of wars, rebellions, open oppressions, etc. occurring a world away. Their focus is local.
Not true. Shitty local news will not carry such news. Halfway decent local news will devote at least one segment to national and/or international news, probably infusing it with a local flavor. For instance, "fighting was heavy in Blahgdad today, where the Fooian National Guard unit from Nearbytown is stationed."

[wring]

Hell - did you live through the agony during the Jimmy Hoffa gig? For weeks, every goddam night the news tease was "More on the Jimmy Hoffa disappeance". For weeks every single goddam night. and every single goddam night, it would be the same, some reporter sticking the microphone into some ones face who then said "we still don't know anything".

Huh.

Wonder why they stopped? they could still use that same trick now.

[kaylasdad99]

I gave up watching all news on television, back before cable was ubiquitous.

D_Odds, have you considered picking up the local newspaper?

[Really Not All That Bright]

Hell - did you live through the agony during the Jimmy Hoffa gig? For weeks, every goddam night the news tease was "More on the Jimmy Hoffa disappeance". For weeks every single goddam night. and every single goddam night, it would be the same, some reporter sticking the microphone into some ones face who then said "we still don't know anything".

Huh.

Wonder why they stopped? they could still use that same trick now.
You know, there's something to be said for progress.

At least nowadays when they decide to go all out covering a missing persons case, they usually pick a pretty girl instead of a burly union thug.

[D_Odds]

D_Odds, have you considered picking up the local newspaper?Every morning. Almost as bad regarding local politics, unless someone is having sex with someone they shouldn't. One page once a week dedicated to local and state politics. Nothing on any local elections. But at least the stories they cover (bought from AP) have more depth than the news programs. Occasionally, the one remaining staff reporter will write something original and local.

[kaylasdad99]

Oh. Well, at least you get Sudoku.

[D_Odds]

Oh. Well, at least you get Sudoku.
That and Cryptoquip. Would be wasting my 50 cents otherwise.

[Hung Mung]

Former news intern here.

TV news is essentially a vehicle for advertising dollars to reach the larger companies and corporations that own the stations. It can be quite lucrative.

My own theory on the universally poor quality of local news is threefold:

1) T'ain't much happening. Local news is essentially boring. Bored people change the channel, thus the old adage, "If it bleeds, it leads." Violent crime, sexual misconduct and other raunchy material simply keep folks watching. It works on the same principle as so-called "reality" tv and interstate rubbernecking: it's hard for most folks to not watch. Thus, higher ratings and more advertising dollars.

2) The talent pool's thin. Good reporters often end up in one of several different places: management, national news, or lucrative teaching positions. Local news stations, especially in the lower third of America's markets, are constantly bringing in new reporters and camera ops. Good people move up and out and it leaves a big talent gap, even in big markets like Orlando, D.C., Detroit, etc.

3) The "Ooooh, shiny!" mentality. No matter how fancy your graphics, no matter how sophisticated your radar, no matter how perfect your set is, the content of stories and personalities of anchors and reporters are what attract or drive away viewers. If stations spent a little more money on their video editors (or "cave dwellers," as some say) and maintaining talent and less on graphics packages and unnecessary tools, then their product would likely improve. For example, Nashville doesn't need to have a tv station with a helicopter reporter, but we've got one. Now we can see more pictures of poor bastards caught in traffic even though all the tv stations are linked up to the Department of Transportation's highway camera system.

I, too, share the frustration with local news. It's simply a cash cow for larger corporations. Thus, idiotic teasers for stories that rarely come close to representing their actual impact, high-falootin' gadgetry that does nothing whatsoever to enhance the content of the news and little attention to talent and the quality of the product.

[Slithy Tove]

I never cared for the middle-class co-anchors as they report about higher gas prices, higher latte prices, the dead rattlesnake in the middle school toilet, etc. as "what's happening in YOUR world," while shootings in the 'hood or tornadoes in trailer parks are presented as vaugley disturbing yet exotic occurances among distant lifeforms. News as social reassurance.

[gonzomax]

Network had it right. They should have soothsayers and horoscope readers on. They accomplish nothing. Although the Freep did get the Kwame information out via the freedom of information act. But successes are few .
We do have complete coverage of Paczki Day though.I love that the onair people refer to themselves as newsman or reporters. They are news readers.

[zenith]

Local news in Detroit is getting worse and worse. What the hell a chef cooking a meal has to do with news I don't know. They cover practically nothing yet spend time cooking. They should include a laugh track. How they can chuckle at the vapid witticisms they banter back and forth amazes me.
But that is not my biggest bitch. It is the announcements that they use to hook viewers into watching later.
Big story the weather is turning dangerous and there are things you can do to stay safe. Story at 11.
Now we have one, The 4 pains you should never ignore. These are pains that could signal a life threatening condition. Story Monday at 11.
If peoples lives are actually threatened ,tell them. If a storm is going to kill us all ,I want to know now. Man that pisses me off.

Just the opposite here. Our TV has TOO MUCH weather.

EVERY onset of precipitation requires a break-in and a shrinkage of the program image to half-size so we can look at a radarscope that shows us that there's a piddling-small "green echo" (green being the color they use for mist or heavy dew)over the Omaha area. This is generally preceded by an annoying "boop-boop-boop" sound.

Additionally, nobody has ever told Omaha that Lincoln, Sioux City, St. Joseph, MO, and Des Moines also have TV stations now; and have had them since the '50s. We get "boop-boop-boop"-ed for stuff occuring 150 miles away!

As children,these idiots were obviously never read "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" by their Mommies and Daddies.

People become inured to excessive "boop-boop-boops" and could easily pass off a tornado warning as just more mist in Des Moines.

[elbows]

Two wild turkeys duking it out on an highway ramp!

I swear to you it was just now on the local evening news.
::::::::::very heavy sigh::::::::::::::

[Patty O'Furniture]

Up next on Fox 5 News at 10 - American Idol is down to three finalists! Who will be voted off next? Our celebrity panel of washed-up radio jockeys will give you their picks right after these words from our sponsors.

[HazelNutCoffee]

Heh. Here's a blog entry of mine, where I rant about Fox local news:

Yesterday night, as I was watching House, FOX News kept popping up during each commercial break to gleefully inform us that the weather currently sucks and is only going to get worse. "Details at 9! The weather's gonna come first, we promise! None of our usual coy teasing, where we give you little hints but save the real stuff for AFTER the stories about the dead puppies and kidnapped white chicks. Really! Cross our hearts!" Only FOX could turn the weather forecast into this huge deal, where they say "Will the seven plagues revisit us tomorrow? We'll find out, but first, look! A kitteh! A mime with no hands! A picture of Jesus in a jelly doughnut!" and then when they FINALLY get to the weather it's all, "Well, maybe the plague analogy was a little over the top, but it's still going to rain a little. But there is a 0.0000000137% chance that it'll turn into the second Flood. So we recommend you make your peace with Jesus tonight. Because YOU NEVER KNOW."

Anyway, I usually don't bother waiting for the weather forecast, because I don't think it's worth listening to all the local news that comes before it, unless I feel particularly masochistic that night. But if they were going to tell me the weather first, I might as well stick around, so I did, and FOX amazingly kept their word. The extreme temperature drop and pending snowstorm made the forecaster very happy, as she grinned at us evily and predicted that the world would end in ice.

[Jamaika a jamaikaiaké]

My local NPR news station is really quite good (WNYC-820AM). Also, the Jersey City Reporter is not bad.

*re-reads the OP*

Wait, you're pitting TV news? As if there is a chance that it is anything other than crap?

[SomeUserName]

Beats Cleveland.

- Sex offender
- Sex offender
- Sex offender
- Protecting your children from potential sex offenders
- Sex offender
- Some minor thing about the Browns or Indians, even in the off-season
- EXTREME DOPPLER 3000 RADAR STORM TRACKER WEATHER CENTER ALERT: Cold, with a chance of showers. Highs in the mid-50s, low in the low-40s

You forgot to mention the Medical Mart and the downtown water main problems.

[GuanoLad]

And world news? Not much, some days not any. WTF? There are wars, rebellions, open oppression and I'm hearing about a cat caught up a tree?A couple of months ago, our News broadcast - for the entire state of Victoria, which combines international, national, and local news - had an item, with reporter on the scene, of literally a cat stuck up a tree. It was a living breathing cliché right in front of me! I couldn't believe it!

And then the next night, they had a followup story of how the cat got out of the tree!

What the flying fuck???

[panache45]

Beats Cleveland.

- Sex offender
- Sex offender
- Sex offender
- Protecting your children from potential sex offenders
- Sex offender
- Some minor thing about the Browns or Indians, even in the off-season
- EXTREME DOPPLER 3000 RADAR STORM TRACKER WEATHER CENTER ALERT: Cold, with a chance of showers. Highs in the mid-50s, low in the low-40s
You left out 15-minute coverage of last night's reality shows on their station.

I stopped watching local news a few years ago, and I don't think I'm missing anything. I switched to "hard news" channels like CNN. Unfortunately, even these channels have gone soft. The anchors/reporters sit around doing mindless babbling on inane subjects, interrupted by commercials.

[guizot]

I gave up watching all news on television, back before cable was ubiquitous.

D_Odds, have you considered picking up the local newspaper?The "California" section (local and state news) of the LA Times is generally very good, but sometimes, there are just too many random shootings and decomposing babies (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=462044).Oh. Well, at least you get Sudoku.And the bridge column.

[Sigmagirl]

Yesterday night, as I was watching House, FOX News kept popping up during each commercial break
As long as they do it DURING the commercial break. Interrupt House, I'm coming to get you.
You forgot to mention the Medical Mart and the downtown water main problems.
And casino gambling.

[Solfy]

I gave up on local television news a while ago, opting to get my info from the local NPR affiliate and the newspaper.

Things that drove me away:
Sally: OMFG! It's RAINING!!!! We're all going to DIE! Let's cut to Joe Shmoe who is live on the scene on the north side. Joe?
Joe: Well, Sally, I'm here live on the north side where just about half an hour ago it was really coming down. It's not raining here right now, but you can see there is a tree behind me. When it was raining, that tree was really waving around in the wind!*
Sally: Do you see any signs of damage from the storm?
Joe: The parking lot we're standing in has a lot of puddles. There appear to be some leaves that have fallen off of the tree, along with some small branches.
Sally: Thanks, Joe. Stay tuned to this local station while we bring you continuing coverage of the RAINSTORM OF DOOM '08 for the next three hours. Coming up next, we evaluate the latest gadget being hawked on late night cable television. Does it really do that? Stay tuned to find out!
Cue four minutes of commercials, one minute of teaser for the "Does it really do that?" story, and four more minutes of commercials.
Sally: We're back with continuing coverage of the RAINSTORM OF DOOM. Joe Shmoe is still live on the scene. Joe?
Joe: Well, Sally, it's dark out here right now, so there's absolutely no point to my standing out here. If it were light out, you could see that about 100 yards beind me, a woman's porch furniture blew off her deck in the fierce winds that gusted up to almost 25mph. I'll continue to stand out here in the dark, pointing out nothing of importance. Back to you, Sally.
Sally: Thanks, Joe. Now Susan has our "Does it really do that?" story. Susan?
Susan: I tested the latest gizmo. It sort of works, but not really well. Back to you, Sally.
Sally: Thanks, Susan. Coming up next, a ten minute story about Brittney Spear's latest breakdown. A story which is neither news, nor is it local, but the Steelers didn't do anything newsworthy today so it's all we've got. But first, back to Joe with the weather.
Joe: It's still not raining out here, but we've seen some possible light precipitation over by Columbus on our Super Radar 2000. I'm going to stand outside with my feet in a puddle some more and hype up this terrible dangerous spring shower, preempting the national news and half of Entertainment Tonight.

*This tree waving report really happened last summer.

[Gfactor]

It's not Detroit unless the lead is something like: Today Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick denied fellating attorney Mike Stefani, who is known to have a wooden penis, but was unable to explain the splinters in his lips. We'll hear federal indictee Geoffrey Fieger's views on this recent non-development after some stupid banter and more commercials.

[Miss Bianca]

Local news, by definition, will not carry news of wars, rebellions, open oppressions, etc. occurring a world away. Their focus is local.

Here in Boston, we get stuff that's both non-news AND non-local.

Just in the past few days, we had a CHILD IN JEOPARDY ZOMG!!!111one! story about a car that got towed with a baby inside...in freakin' New Orleans.

To make it even more titillatingly outrageous, THE CAR SEAT WAS INSTALLED FACING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION ZOMG!!!111one! I could barely contain my recreational outrage. Only not really.

We also heard about an ADORABLE TINY KITTEN RESCUE ZOMG!!!111one! from a storm drain...in freakin' Florida.

This is why I go out of my way to avoid watching TV news, but I'm not always in control of the remote. I think my husband actually enjoys yelling at the TV, "Are you aware that THERE'S A FUCKING WAR ON, YOU MORONS?!?!? And here you're talking about counterfeit jeans?"

Personally, I don't think it's good for his blood pressure.

[Dr. Woo]

I would just like our shit-for-brains TV news guys to understand one very simple thing: Their station's programming is NOT FUCKING NEWS. These features about what happened on American Idol or Survivor or whatever the fuck need to stop right now. You guys have 35 minutes, less 15 for the stupid sports report so just stop that crap and report the NEWS. Hint: "News" almost always happens somewhere outside your fucking TV station.

Also, the ridiculous panic they seem to undergo every time a winter storm approaches the California coast. [Eddie Izzard voice]"Giant Frogs, heading our way!"[/E.I. voice]

Christ, get a grip.

[Smeghead]

Every. Single. Night. on Fox they spend, and this is an honest estimate, at least 7-8 minutes of the 30-minute broadcast talking about American Idol. It's only on once, maybe twice a week! EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!! That's why I don't watch it.

[Punoqllads]

Hell - did you live through the agony during the Jimmy Hoffa gig? For weeks, every goddam night the news tease was "More on the Jimmy Hoffa disappeance". For weeks every single goddam night. and every single goddam night, it would be the same, some reporter sticking the microphone into some ones face who then said "we still don't know anything".

Huh.

Wonder why they stopped? they could still use that same trick now.
Breaking news! Generalissimo Francisco Franco ... is still dead.

[ivylass]

Solfy, that was brilliant.

I think it also is the We Have to Be First On the Scene In Case It Turns Into Something phenomenon. You see this with hurricanes...not only the local affiliates, but NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, etc, all send the reporters down, sometimes with comical results. Remember the woman in the canoe post-Katrina, talking about the flooding, and then two guys wade past behind her, with the water no higher than their shins? Or Al Roker on a hotel balcony, falling over because of the wind? Meanwhile, those of us caught in the hurricanes (summer of '04, the time of three hurricanes through Orlando(ish)) can't see it because we have no power! But by Og, our reporters were there, and we'll show you in the coming weeks as we edit together the most compelling footage into promos to milk it for all it's worth.

[gonzomax]

All our programming is taken over by a fire right now, It is an old people home. They all were quickly rescued. We have a bunch of cameras including chopper cameras showing the building burn. On sight reporters are pointing out to us that it is burning. Sometimes they go back to the studio where another first class reporter is assuring us the building is on fire. With all that expertise I guess I can believe my eyes and admit there is a fire.

[initech]

I've been working in local news for 18 years, and I still do. Hung Mung has it exactly right. If your local news actually did what you wanted them to (cover the news and not the fluff), you wouldn't watch. Sure, you say you will. But you don't. No one ever does.

Instead, local TV news is nothing but a machine designed to manipulate you into watching commercials. That's all. Everything else, every bit of utility or public service was picked clean long ago. If you're watching local news, you're wasting your time.

There is usually one local news web site that is good in each market--often several. Find that site, and get your news, weather and traffic there. Get comfortable with RSS feeds, and subscribe to good ones.

You have the technology available to easily gather your own news. You don't need these idiots to do it for you. Not anymore.

[gonzomax]

I watch PBS and read internets everyday.But the weather and local sports are on the local news. It is maddening slow ,broken into segments with commercials and useless maps.

[initech]

I watch PBS and read internets everyday.But the weather and local sports are on the local news. It is maddening slow ,broken into segments with commercials and useless maps.

Weather forecasts are easy to find online--just go to your favorite station's site. Sports is another story. Sports is usually the lowest rung on the local TV ladder, so the site info is often not updated well. Just tune in five minutes before the end of the newscast for sports--that's where it's all quarantined.

Bonus weather tip: if you're looking for the 5-day forecast (or 7 or 10 or whatever), tune in right after the 15 minute mark. The 5-day is what most viewers are waiting for, so stations usually wait until the second quarter-hour to reveal it (ratings are measured on the quarter-hour, so it's important to keep you around long enough to be counted in both quarters).

[Fiveroptic]

gonzomax, I'm with you in spirit but I can't work up any vitriol over local Detroit news. I get home from work around 5:30AM every morning and turn on Fox2 News solely to amuse myself, since WJR-AM has already given me a heads-up on anything important I might want to know. Fox2 News, though, well they've got Deena Centofanti (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=2536764&version=8&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.3.1) and Ben Bailey (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=2609741&version=10&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.3.1), my local news crushes. Plus, how can I hold a grudge against any market that is willing to keep Al Allen (http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=518150&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=5.3.1) on the payroll so that his family doesn't have to put him into Senile Elder Daycare?

Hey, can you imagine the fun we could have here if Bill Bonds and Sonny Eliot were still on every night? (To be fair, I have a lot of respect for Sonny Eliot -- but his weather segments were just embarrassing 35 years ago.)

[Jamaika a jamaikaiaké]

I've been working in local news for 18 years, and I still do. Hung Mung has it exactly right. If your local news actually did what you wanted them to (cover the news and not the fluff), you wouldn't watch. Sure, you say you will. But you don't. No one ever does.

Technically, you are right, because I wouldn't watch any TV no matter what happens. (I'm addicted to TV, so it's no TV at all for me.)

However, I have to call Bullshit. I listen to my local NPR affiliate and get good local news. If I still watched TV, I would watch PBS for news and wouldn't go near any of the pablum on the TVNews stations, local or national. You may be right that most people wouldn't watch real news, but I don't know, and neither do you. Has any station tried to be a real local news station in the current market? (I'm not talking about 30 years ago, of course.) Maybe it would work.
Instead, local TV news is nothing but a machine designed to manipulate you into watching commercials. That's all. Everything else, every bit of utility or public service was picked clean long ago. If you're watching local news, you're wasting your time.
I couldn't agree more, but really I have to ask: Are you ashamed of your job? I really don't mean that as an attack, but you do seem pretty derisive of your own industry.

[initech]

I have to call Bullshit. I listen to my local NPR affiliate and get good local news.
OK, commercial local TV news. There's plenty more qualifying I could do, if you like. It's not all crap. There's some good work being done. It's just not worth the time spent waiting for it. Station websites are often a good place to pull out just the real reporting from good reporters.
You may be right that most people wouldn't watch real news, but I don't know, and neither do you. Has any station tried to be a real local news station in the current market? (I'm not talking about 30 years ago, of course.) Maybe it would work.
Well, you pointed out that NPR does good, serious news. And it has a relatively small audience.

WBBM in Chicago tried something like what you describe in the 90s. It failed, which caused the entire industry to decide that "no frills" newscasts don't work. A dumb conclusion, yes, but that's the TV business. The problem is that viewers who might want a real news program left local TV news a long time ago, and convincing them to come back would be an uphill battle. In this climate, you'll be hard pressed to find a station manager who's willing to take that kind of risk.

Are you ashamed of your job? I really don't mean that as an attack, but you do seem pretty derisive of your own industry.
I'm very derisive of my industry, but I love my job.

[Jamaika a jamaikaiaké]

OK, commercial local TV news. There's plenty more qualifying I could do, if you like. It's not all crap. There's some good work being done. It's just not worth the time spent waiting for it. Station websites are often a good place to pull out just the real reporting from good reporters.


Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was calling bullshit on the idea that no one would watch real news. I was saying I listen to NPR, and if I still watched TV, I would watch only real news and none of the crap news.

In fact, I agree that TV news is all crap.
The problem is that viewers who might want a real news program left local TV news a long time ago, and convincing them to come back would be an uphill battle. In this climate, you'll be hard pressed to find a station manager who's willing to take that kind of risk.
However, this makes sense to me, as I am one of these people....

[SomeUserName]

As long as they do it DURING the commercial break. Interrupt House, I'm coming to get you.

And casino gambling.

True.

And now we have the bus incident that seems to have taken importance over all other news.

[Beware of Doug]

Here in Boston, we get [...]
CHILD IN JEOPARDY ZOMG!!!111one! [...]
THE CAR SEAT WAS INSTALLED FACING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION ZOMG!!!111one! [...]
ADORABLE TINY KITTEN RESCUE ZOMG!!!111one!ALL THIS AND LESS ON ZOMG!!! NEWS 111one!

[Beware of Doug]

I've been working in local news for 18 years, and I still do. Hung Mung has it exactly right. If your local news actually did what you wanted them to (cover the news and not the fluff), you wouldn't watch. Sure, you say you will. But you don't. No one ever does.You meaning "advertisers"; watch meaning "cough up."

[initech]

You meaning "advertisers"; watch meaning "cough up."

Advertisers don't care what you do, as long as it delivers demographically attractive viewers and doesn't damage their brand by association.

[Missy2U]

This is why I go out of my way to avoid watching TV news, but I'm not always in control of the remote. I think my husband actually enjoys yelling at the TV, "Are you aware that THERE'S A FUCKING WAR ON, YOU MORONS?!?!? And here you're talking about counterfeit jeans?"

Personally, I don't think it's good for his blood pressure.

Mine is the exact same way. Sometimes I find myself reminding him that the little people in the box can't actually HEAR him. (He's the same way during football season.)

As for news in general, I come from a town that calls Walter "Skippy" Jacobsen a legitimate reporter - I have NO room to talk about how awful the news is. To top it off, we can also boast "Al Capone's Vault". :rolleyes:

[Cluricaun]

Our local Fox affiliate also started this new thing, for no good goddamn reason that I can tell called "The Ten". What's that you ask? Well after the 9:00pm news is over, they rehash the same fucking stories for 35 minutes until they put the Simpsons on. If that's what they really want to do, whatever, but please for the love of god fire Darien Trotter or at least make him buy some suits that fit so he doesn't look like he's about to burst through his clothing.

[Leaffan]

Hmmm. The local CTV news in Ottawa is actually pretty decent. Mind you we've had the same anchor for about 80 years now.

Really though, the local news, sports, weather along with actual good news stories and community spirit is well represented, without the dangling carrots at the beginning of each commercial break.

Mind you, in this day and age, who needs TV to find out the weather report, the sports scores or the top stories at city hall?