CNN's Bob Costas refuses to host show about Natalee Holloway (wtg Bob Costas)

AP ^ | August 19, 2005 | AP

[af_vet_rr]

Don't have a high opinion of the man in any case but the media needs to know that concentrating on one person when a larger number are missing monthly without comment is not kindly viewed.

It's definitely not kindly viewed, especially among Conservatives.

Many of us hear a story about a local person going missing, and we don't hear about multiple FBI agents being sent in by President Bush, we don't hear about F-16s being sent in, we don't see the national media flocking in droves to Podunk, USA, vowing to conduct their own investigations and interviewing anybody with a pulse...

[unsycophant]

A large proportion of Americans are interested in tabloid trash and seedy details, including "Natalee".

A larger proportion are not interested in anything of the kind.

Repeat all you want. You still aren't right.

[eleni121]

Finding this young woman is not a trash story...no matter what you say. It may be being reported in a "trashy" way, but the event itself is certainly a story that millions are interested in.

Costas is more comfortable reporting the "real" world of sports: drugs, women, stats, and al the other assorted BS of corporate sports.

[yankeedoodledandy]

Costas has got to be better than this!

Not even Larry King would shirk his duty when the water gets above luke warm.

This is not how pros are supposed to act.

[unsycophant]

You lost this debate as soon as you began deliberately misinterpreting what I wrote.

I did not say that 'finding this girl is trashy', and it's absurd and disingenous for you to keep saying so.

I'm glad Costas did not want to participate in perpetuating the Jerry Springer-like aspects of the Aruba case. Rehashing every lewd detail of her last hours over and over for 90 days is not helping to find her.

It's only about ratings, and says a lot about the lowest common denominator of viewers and what they are willing to settle for. (not much)

Hope this helps!

[eleni121]

"...tabloid trash and seedy details, including "Natalee"."

"...Jerry Springer-like aspects of the Aruba case."

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It's clear to me what you meant to say because you said it - see it above?

It doesn't help to weasel out of perfectly clear comments regarding the young woman's case. Equating Springer with the questioning done on these talk shows demonstrates a disconnect on your part. Costas had an opportunity to delve into this criminal investigation and he blew it. Had it been his daughter, I am quite sure he would welcome the attention.

[Pop Fly]

Being a TV host sometimes means covering topics that you don't like but the audience wants to hear about. This move just shows Costas's disdain for the audience, and reflects very poorly on CNN.

[Constitution Day]

Excellent news!

[bmwcyle]

Bob is a worthless liberal just like most NYC TV people who lived on NBC.

[eleni121]

"...Costas's disdain for the audience"

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That's it exactly! Disdain...for the adequate flow of infomraiton, a symptom of many liberals who would do lots better working for the old Pravda or Gramma where they get to pick how and what stories to cover.

[Pop Fly]

Agreed. IF you serve as a newsman or TV host, you need to have respect for what your audience wants to hear. You don't have to like what you're reporting on, but you need to respect your audiences wishes. That's been CNN's issue all along, they try and tell people what they SHOULD like, instead of giving them what they DO like, as Fox does.

[yankeedoodledandy]

Funny how people develop a "conscience" when it suits their interests.

Costas just sees himself bigger than the stories he covers.

Prima-dona.