Since their Prime Directive is money (as determined by audience share), I would guess they are giving us what we appear to want.
In order to shut down this sort of banal trivia, we should probably stop patronizing it–don’t read it, don’t watch it, don’t talk about it.
Agreed, I’ve stopped buying both those daily NY rags.
The trend does seem to be getting worse though (over the last 50 years), and I don’t see anything changing the course.
No or about it, World Eater.
Way back when I was a student in Journalism, the following was augered into our heads by way of curriculum: In order to enjoy the inestimable benefits that the liberty of the press ensures, it is necessary to submit to the inevitable evils that it creates. - Alexis de Tocqueville
Perhaps pedantry breeds licentiousness.
Profit and loss, my friend.
News outlets (mostly) are for-profit organizations. They have to make as much profit as possible while keeping costs as low as possible.
Profits are generated almost exclusively from advertising income. Advertisers only buy space/time if they feel confident the outlet can deliver the desired demographic.
Outlets know that this kind of “news” pays off. You watched it, didn’t you?
It’s also profitable because it’s cheap.
No expensive investigative journalists to pay for.
Hell, few journalists to pay for period. Just cannabalize what everyone else is saying. Just pull it from the wire.
And further in the arena of risk, it’s “safe” news. Everybody covers what everybody else is covering because it’s potentially risky - from an economic and a reputational standpoint - to go out on a limb and actually cover anything beyond the status quo.
Plus, if you know you have a 24 hour news cycle with a deadline at 4:00 everyday, with a whole half hour or paper that has to be filled, what are you going to do? The easy, cheap thing. The thing that costs you as little as possible in time and resources, and brings you in the most profit as possible.
What’s cheap, quick, and easy??? Celebrity news!!!
Turn it off.
Good points, I need a drink.
Yes.
For Letterman fans, his becoming a father at his age is just about the most unlikely thing imaginable. It is as if someone has been able to get the ultimate practical joke over on him for a change.
A couple of months ago he spoke of being in “negotiations” about getting married, but let something slip about “future in-laws.”
So many of these old guys are suckers from the little kids. I suspect he is going to fall head over heels.
One thing that I like about it is that just a few years ago he almost checks out. Then 9/11 seemed to make him more sensitive and serious in a lot of ways. Now this. You just never know.
Oops! I guess I care.
His penis works. Attention America: DAVID LETTERMAN’S PENIS WORKS. Also He did not marry his kid’s mom. What’s up with THAT? All in all, The entire thing is creepy. At least marry the vessel.
Ah yes, all those important things that have to do with my life.
I would like to amend that wasn’t meant to be a cheapshot at you Zoe, although I guess it was.
I would like to amend that wasn’t meant to be a cheapshot at you Zoe, although I guess it was.
My apologies.
I’m a huge Letterman fan, and I think part of the buzz about knowing this information is because he’s such a mysterious person. You literally know nothing about his personal life, he shuns cameras and most media attention, never mentions the girlfriend/wife in any capacity, so any insight as to what he’s up to when he’s not begin the Late Show desk is a little intriguing.
But World Eater keeps hogging it all for his corn flakes!
I don’t give a flyin’ fuckaroo.
Letterman’s 57.
His Dad died at 58, worked himself into an early grave.
He’s been able to take better care of his health than his Dad could, and he’s already had the warning shot…the heart attack. If this kid makes him take even better care of himself, great. If the choices were Leno or Conan O’Brien, i’d go to bed early.
He’s a person. You don’t like the person, don’t click the link.
Did you know?
Conan O’Brien just had a baby girl!
Personally, or did a spouse or spousal equivalent do the labor and delivery??
I’m suspecting neither of these guys birthed a baby on their own.
Ewww, red haired baby with big ears??