Posted on 06/08/2004 2:37:02 PM PDT by Libertarian Jim
WHEN ABC News broke the sad news of Ronald Reagan's death Saturday afternoon, it sent its competitors into a frenzy. The press corps traveling with President Bush in Normandy first heard the news when ABC's White House reporter Terry Moran began doing a live report in their midst. The reaction, according to one eyewitness, was "total chaos — people running ev erywhere, knocking into things." CNN's John King yelled into his cellphone that CNN had been beaten and was so upset he threatened to quit. King ended his tan trum by throwing his cellphone to the ground. Bad move: his meltdown was captured on tape. So just how did ABC get such a big jump? The network refused com ment, but insiders credit ABC News chief David Westin. Apparently, work ing the phones produces better results than throwing them.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Can tell King is a liberal -- threatens and never follows through just like Baldwin and Streisand who threatened to move abroad if Pres Bush were elected.
I hope someone got this on tape. Moments like this should be treasured forever.
threat, you say?
John King wants Aaron Brown's job. Problem is that King's mouth looks like it got hit with a Louisville Slugger. I can't stand to watch him.
King is totally humorless. At least Brown cracks a smile now and then.
Ironically, King almost took a job with ABC a few years ago...probably regretting he didn't now.
I had to go over to the clinton news network website (I dont watch that channel any more, I couldnt remember who this looser is) and damed if they dont have that french poodle kerry going to President Reagans viewing as lead story...
Lord I hate that channel...
It just sickens me, and it serves the guy right to lose out on the story, no pity from me
"When rat flip out!" Film at 11. Hee hee hee!!!!
I checked ifilm.com...nothing there.
King needs a mouth implant. He'll never make it with the one that he has.
I know the feeling -- used to get CNN updates but I cancelled them all -- don't watch CNN at all now since they became even more liberal!
ABC couldn't afford to be beaten on this story...remember: they were asleep at the switch when space shuttle disintegrated, and they were caught flat-footed (again) when the War in Iraq began--in fact, they started their coverage late, told their affiliates that they would stay with coverage through the night, then arbitrarily cut it short at 11 pm, leaving most local stations unprepared for the late local news. If ABC had blown this one, Westin would have lost his job, pure and simple. Still, I'd like to see the cable ratings for Saturday afternoon. After word of President Reagan's passing became public, I'll bet there was a huge migration to Fox News...
Did you know Peter Jennings went to the Hamptons for the weekend, even though he knew Reagan was dying? He didn't make it back into the city until 7 p.m. Saturday night.
However, Jennings shouldn't get too comfortable. Before I regained my sanity and opted for a career in the military and intelligence, I worked in broadcast news for almost five years. It is easily the most vicious, cut-throat business I've ever seen; in the words of Hunter Thompson, it's a place "where good men die like dogs and theives and pimps run free." Elizabeth Vargas anchored the early Reagan coverage because (in fairness) she's an attractive, competent TV performer, and she's been lobbying like crazy to expand her horizons at ABC. The networks are always looking for someone younger and more charismatic who can make the ratings jump, and if Peter keeps opting for a long weekend at the beach, he may find himself being pushed aside by Vargas, Diane Sawyer, or someone else.
If I were President of ABC News, I would have made it very clear to Jennings. We expect a major news event this weekend. If you elect to leave town, don't show up when the story breaks--we'll see you on Monday. Anchors need airtime like a drunk craves booze. Given that choice, I'll bet Pe-tah would have stayed in town....
If I were President of ABC News, I would have made it very clear to Jennings. We expect a major news event this weekend. If you elect to leave town, don't show up when the story breaks--we'll see you on Monday. Anchors need airtime like a drunk craves booze. Given that choice, I'll bet Pe-tah would have stayed in town....
I think you're right!
Interesting post (#15). I remember Elizabeth Vargas when she was here in Phoenix way back when.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.