Posted on 08/19/2005 8:20:51 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
(NY-AP) August 19, 2005 - The story of a missing Alabama teenager in Aruba had CNN searching for a plan-'C' last night. Bob Costas, the occasional fill-in on the network's "Larry King Live," refused to anchor Thursday night's show because it was primarily about the search for Natalee Holloway.
Costas has released a statement saying that he suggested alternatives for the show, but that "producers preferred the topics they had chosen." His manager would not say what Costas didn't like about the topic.
The show's senior executive producer says that Costas was uncomfortable with the subject matter, and that the decision was mutual because of that.
Chris Pixley had to fill in at the last minute on a show where seven of the ten guests talked about the missing girl.
I don't know, and quite frankly, I'm at the point where I don't care any more.
The girl is most likely dead; at this point, everything that the news networks (And Greta - I blame her probably more than anyone for prostituting the story to begin wtih) have to say is simply "porn." People are leering at this like it's some kind of surreal peep show.
What the heck did Costas think he was going to be doing filling in for Larry King? Serious topics? NOT.
Mind you, the murder of this girl is a serious topic, but it is not being treated as such by the news channels; they have made it into a rather exploitative spectacle.
I'm not enthused with their lionization of Sheehan, but I am proud of the work I did there; plus I know some good guys who still work there. (unfortunately they are outnumbered by the bad guys...)
His not wanting to do this show was ALL about Costas and his own ego -- NOT principle.
Great rant! Ditto!
"Costas has released a statement saying that he suggested alternatives for the show"
He probably preferred a fluff piece on Cindy Sheehan
Bob deserves kudos. I feel for Natalee's family, but the media reaaly should just find something else to do.
Good rant but sadly half our country is anti-war and TV shows are all about ratings. They stick with whatever pulls in the crowd but most of us get tired of the same thing all the time.
I saw a quick shot of Greta walking the street talking about some couple that disappeared in a van or something. Looks like that may be the next hot story!!!
Sheesh. Just watching FOX tabloid, er news, tonite.
They cut off Senator Weldon as he was discussing Able Danger to go onto a story about Natalee Holloway.
Just terrible.
LOL, I didn't realize you used to work there. Sorry my criteria was broad enough to snare you.
Back in the 80s, I used to watch the network. FoxNews wasn't available in my area and shows like Crossfire weren't too bad. Yes there were lefties, but they were fairly well counterbalanced by Novak and Buchanan.
I don't watch much CNN these days, hardly at all. Every time I turn on the network for a minute or two I am more or less shocked by what I see.
Look, all organizations have some good people working for them. Sorry to have offended you.
Costas is a sycophant---a nerdy nobody talking head. When he interviewed Hilliary Costas wished for her to impart her wisdom and asked the b***h:
“How, from where you sit, have you maintained your dignity and how can you be so controlled under circumstances that would be trying for the best of us?”
If he can interview an evil psycho like Hiliary he could devote some time to the search for Natalee.
Yeah the story is old, stale, hackneyed and relying on pure speculation- however- Greta's numbers have skyrocketed with this story (2nd on cable news behind O'-f'n- Reilly). Costas does not get paid to produce or direct programming- maybe he ought to do a story on The Olympics as Anachronism.
Just terrible.
I know... it's bizarre, isn't it? That's why I've been watching a LOT less of Fox News lately (except for Brit Hume and a couple of other shows). And I run FR's "FoxFan" list...
Costas' offered alternatives:
1. The blasphemy of the DH rule in baseball.
2. Pete Rose - villain or hero?
3. A tribute to Vin Scully
4. The infield fly rule - a historical perspective.
nutmeg I have to confess I've not watched FoxNews in a while... I get the NH updates from freeper texkat and it's just repeating information I've already read about.
Remember, its FEMALE VIEWERS who are driving this Natalee Holloway BS, just as they drove the Scott and Lacey Peterson story.
Good for him----now if only Greta would find something else to do.
The coverage of this case has been an absolute disgrace and I have been switching the channel for the last month when anything about it comes on.
Why the hell should I give more of a damn about Natalee Holloway than the hundreds of folks who go missing all over the country? What the hell kind of name is "Jug" Twitty anyway?
Ah, another woman sticking up for the nonstop coverage of Natalee.
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