Tonight's Grades for Evening Newscasts

It's an unusual event to sit down to watch the 6:30 evening newscasts. Especially with the arrival of Diane Sawyer and recent rumors of an Anderson Cooper hire to replace Katie Couric, I wanted to see what has changed. Thirty minutes later... I wished I had gone to the gym instead.

I started on ABC and watched Diane Sawyer breathlessly debrief three reporters in the A-block. It struck me as very odd. What did the reporter's do all day (sarcasm intended)? Where was the depth and perspective? Jeffrey Kaufman and Sawyer's debrief did not deliver depth or perspective. It was heavily scripted and very poorly edited. The scripted, read 'fake', toss to Jake Tapper at the While House was just as tough to watch. Sawyer tossed with a set-up question for a calendar. Sure enough... Tapper talked over a graphic calendar which was slow to reveal and awkward at best. I've seen this too often lately. Sawyer has been my favorite news anchor in the morning for a decade. I wish she and Matt Lauer anchored together. I was excited with the possibilities of what she would bring to 'World News'. She promised no change for six month. Well... there has been change for the worse. Sawyer seems more scripted, again read fake, than ever. She is a genuine, experienced, top-notch journalist. THAT'S the Diane I want to see. THAT'S the Diane I want to trust to bring quality, substance and her own great style to 6:30. Message to my favorite Mrs. Sawyer: fix it now... or it can quickly fall apart.

I switched to CBS. If you have read much of my blog at all, you know that I believe that 'Evening News' often has the most substance and real value for a news consumer. Katie Couric's troubled transition and continued struggles to sincerely communicate the stories she's presenting can be put aside... IF the content is strong. Tonight, it was. It was such a relief to stop... and watch Harry Smith subbing for Couric. He tossed to great pieces including a great piece from a WCBS reporter about three abused boys. If you give me great content, I can sit through dramatic readings or awkward anchors. The 'Evening News' delivered tonight. I believe the content in this newscast has long been over-shadowed by Couric high-profile personality and salary.

Brian Williams' 30 minute showcase airs at 7pm in my market. I watched tonight... and saw more of what I have seen for a while. By the way, I am a life-long NBC News watcher. My parents' TV was ALWAYS on EVERY NBC News product. I grew up with Deborah and Anne on 'Early Today', Jane and Bryant on 'Today' and Tom at 6:30. I still default to NBC News. However, I am increasingly annoyed by the wasted words Williams' uses.
."When we come back here tonight..."
":... our own XXXX"
":...here on our broadcast..."
I suggest that Williams could delete one of every 10 words in his newscast. We would not miss a meaning. Writing may be sharper. Don't get me wrong, he's number one for a number of reasons. That carries great strength and power.

So... what was the point of these ramblings? Evening news is not dead... yet. Quality, depth and perspective on the day's news can keep it alive. No matter how technology changes the way and time we consume news, the basics of quality reporting and storytelling will remain the most critical need.
Tonight's grade:
CBS Evening News - B+ for it solid reports
NBC Nightly News - C because it was... just O.K. I only remember the lead story. That's trouble.
ABC World News - D because I want more substance, more 'real' Diane and less fake delivery.


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