While Others Reported Accident, NBC Stuck to Sunny Re-Broadcast of Last Year's M&M's

The New York Times ^ | November 25, 2005 | ANDY NEWMAN

[Erik Latranyi]

NBC did not interrupt its broadcast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade yesterday to bring viewers the news that an M&M balloon had crashed into a light pole, injuring two sisters. In fact, when the time came in the tightly scripted three-hour program for the M&Ms' appearance, NBC weaved in tape of the balloon crossing the finish line at last year's parade - even as the damaged balloon itself was being dragged from the accident scene. At 11:47 a.m., as an 11-year-old girl and her 26-year-old sister were being treated for injuries, the parade's on-air announcers - Katie Couric, Matt Lauer and Al Roker - kept up their light-hearted repartee from Herald Square, where the parade ends.

[pepperdog]

Oh, so this means it didn't happen? Is there ANY honesty left in the MSM?

[EDINVA]

not to mention the reporterette last month "boating" her way down that street in New Jersey's flooding!

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

I hate today's parade coverages! When I was growing up I loved hearing the bands, the drum cadences, seeing the floats...
Now its all about who the commentators are. Bogus.

[14erClimb]

I would expect this from CBS, but I'm shocked NBC would do anything like this. /sarcasm off

[The South Texan]

Another fake, but accurate moment for the MSM. Just another inch of dirt put over their graves.

[sgtbono2002]

I watched a little bit of the parade on CBS, I cant stand to watch Matt and Katie.

[conservative in nyc]

CBS covered the parade too, at least here in New York. They were based in Times Square, where the accident occurred, and showed the aftermath. I don't think they got footage of the balloon moving over toward the lamp post, though.

NBC shouldn't be using its "news" people in an entertainment show and then duck reporting real news that was occurring during the parade. It lessens the credibility of their "news" people - if they had any to start with.

[jmaroneps37]

Old media managing the news, not much of a story.

[ActionNewsBill]

We would never hear about it again except that a multi million dollar law suit will be filed.

Nope...not this time.

The family of the injured people are saying there will be no lawsuit.

Sorry, no link...but I heard the news on ABC's GMA today.

[mikrofon]

NBC: "When News Breaks, We 'Fix' It."

[DustyMoment]

At 11:47 a.m., as an 11-year-old girl and her 26-year-old sister were being treated for injuries, the parade's on-air announcers - Katie Couric, Matt Lauer and Al Roker - kept up their light-hearted repartee from Herald Square, where the parade ends.

And, this is a surprise to whom? These people are proven liars and yesterday they proved it again.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Nope...not this time.

I hope you're right, stuff happens in life, but lets give the ambulance chasers a week or two and see what happens.