Sunday, January 07, 2007
Sunday Talk Shows Scorecard - January 7
Notes on the Shows: As the shows mostly continue to give the Republican administration equal time concerning Iraq, it's become clear to almost everyone (with the notable possibility of NBC's Tim Russert) that important policy decisions are going to be made by the Congress.
Once again, we see that the only network that really "gets it" is the one built on the back of a cartoon mouse, ABC. George Stephanopoulos, the show producers and his panelists seem to have a much better handle on the public mood and have lately been choosing more guests with progressive agendas than the other networks. The show comes across as more thoughtful, better organized and more in the public interest.
What's become evident in the undercurrent of debate is that the president's administration is spoiling for a Constitutional showdown with the Congress and the Iraq "surge" policy will be its centerpiece. By promoting a policy (supposedly to be announced this week) that is at odds with the wishes of the majority of American people and the Congress, the president isn't fomenting a strategy for a realistic end to the conflict, but more of a continuation of it.
Bush's actions, as we have seen repeatedly, have an ulterior motive and that has been and is always an assault on the Constitution and a push for unitary executive power. Such an assault will drive the Congress towards more investigations and hearings concerning the use - and abuse - of presidential power. The response from Congress will be (and it should have been in the previous Congresses) to protect the Constitution and the co-equal power of the legislative branch.
January 7 Sunday Talk Shows Scorecard
Week 9 - January 7
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
Once again, we see that the only network that really "gets it" is the one built on the back of a cartoon mouse, ABC. George Stephanopoulos, the show producers and his panelists seem to have a much better handle on the public mood and have lately been choosing more guests with progressive agendas than the other networks. The show comes across as more thoughtful, better organized and more in the public interest.
What's become evident in the undercurrent of debate is that the president's administration is spoiling for a Constitutional showdown with the Congress and the Iraq "surge" policy will be its centerpiece. By promoting a policy (supposedly to be announced this week) that is at odds with the wishes of the majority of American people and the Congress, the president isn't fomenting a strategy for a realistic end to the conflict, but more of a continuation of it.
Bush's actions, as we have seen repeatedly, have an ulterior motive and that has been and is always an assault on the Constitution and a push for unitary executive power. Such an assault will drive the Congress towards more investigations and hearings concerning the use - and abuse - of presidential power. The response from Congress will be (and it should have been in the previous Congresses) to protect the Constitution and the co-equal power of the legislative branch.
January 7 Sunday Talk Shows Scorecard
Week 9 - January 7
| Show | Guests | Score | WeeKTotal | Cum. Total* | Cum. %** |
| Meet the Press (NBC) | SenatorsJoe Biden (D) & Lindsey Graham (R) | 1 | 1-2 | 6-22 | 27.27 |
| Fox News Sunday (FOX) | House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R) | 1 | 1-2 | 11-26 | 42.31 |
| This Week (ABC) | Reps. David Obey (D), Henry Waxman (D), Charles Rangel (D), former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft (R) | 3 | 3-4 | 14-26 | 53.85 |
| Face the Nation (CBS) | Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D) | 1 | 1-1 | 7-18 | 38.89 |
| Total for week, all shows | all guests | 6 | 6-9 | 38-92 | 41.30 |
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
Labels: ABC, CBS, Fox News, Meet the Press, Nancy Pelosi, Sunday talk shows
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Sunday Talk Shows Scoreboard - Dec. 31, 2006
Notes on the Shows
The year 2006 could not end soon enough for viewers seeking substance. For the second week in a row, the network talk shows were less relevant than policy addicts would appreciate.
NBC's Meet the Press in particular has mailed in their last two shows, this week focusing on a rehash of the Ford-Nixon relationship with Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward and devoting the latter half of the show to a year in review panel of journalists. The show did not even offer a guest worthy of a rating.
Over on FOX, at least the fair and balanced network offered balance, with guests Senator Richard Lugar (R) and Iowa Governor (and presidential hopeful) Tom Vilsack (D).
ABC, which has turned in the best effort of navigating the holiday season, delivered an exclusive interview with John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth, marking the high point of the morning.
CBS managed to out-do NBC on the bore-o-meter with reflections on Gerald Ford by former General Alexander Haig, Ben Bradlee, James Cannon and Tom DeFrank, scoring a big fat zero on all counts, since we don't count panelists as guests.
I would be remiss if I did not at least mention the triumvirate of larger-than-life figures who shuffled off their mortal coils this week. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul was certainly the least political figure of them, though his music - and that of musical artists who followed his lead - will likely outlive the legacy of the other two.
Gerald Ford lived to the ripe age of 93, and was best remembered for replacing first VP Spiro Agnew and then Richard Nixon as president... and later pardoning Nixon. But Ford represents the last Republican of a generation of politicians, WWII veterans who actually embodied the values of which they preached.
Gerald Ford was not remarkable for his honesty, forthrightness, and down-to-earth approach. There were many who shared his views of doing right for our nation. His passing reminds us of from where we came and to where we are going.
And what can one say about the planned and executed demise of Saddam Hussein except that maybe he deserved it? His hastened hanging seemed fashioned to fit the cliched maxim that deaths of major figures always happen in threes.
So long for 2006.
Dec. 31 Sunday Talk Shows Scorecard
Week 8 - December 31
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
The year 2006 could not end soon enough for viewers seeking substance. For the second week in a row, the network talk shows were less relevant than policy addicts would appreciate.
NBC's Meet the Press in particular has mailed in their last two shows, this week focusing on a rehash of the Ford-Nixon relationship with Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward and devoting the latter half of the show to a year in review panel of journalists. The show did not even offer a guest worthy of a rating.
Over on FOX, at least the fair and balanced network offered balance, with guests Senator Richard Lugar (R) and Iowa Governor (and presidential hopeful) Tom Vilsack (D).
ABC, which has turned in the best effort of navigating the holiday season, delivered an exclusive interview with John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth, marking the high point of the morning.
CBS managed to out-do NBC on the bore-o-meter with reflections on Gerald Ford by former General Alexander Haig, Ben Bradlee, James Cannon and Tom DeFrank, scoring a big fat zero on all counts, since we don't count panelists as guests.
I would be remiss if I did not at least mention the triumvirate of larger-than-life figures who shuffled off their mortal coils this week. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul was certainly the least political figure of them, though his music - and that of musical artists who followed his lead - will likely outlive the legacy of the other two.
Gerald Ford lived to the ripe age of 93, and was best remembered for replacing first VP Spiro Agnew and then Richard Nixon as president... and later pardoning Nixon. But Ford represents the last Republican of a generation of politicians, WWII veterans who actually embodied the values of which they preached.
Gerald Ford was not remarkable for his honesty, forthrightness, and down-to-earth approach. There were many who shared his views of doing right for our nation. His passing reminds us of from where we came and to where we are going.
And what can one say about the planned and executed demise of Saddam Hussein except that maybe he deserved it? His hastened hanging seemed fashioned to fit the cliched maxim that deaths of major figures always happen in threes.
So long for 2006.
Dec. 31 Sunday Talk Shows Scorecard
Week 8 - December 31
| Show | Guests | Score | WeeKTotal | Cum. Total* | Cum. %** |
| Meet the Press (NBC) | Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward | 0 | 0-2 | 5-20 | 25.00 |
| Fox News Sunday (FOX) | Senator Richard Lugar (R), Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) | 1 | 1-2 | 10-24 | 41.67 |
| This Week (ABC) | John and Elizabeth Edwards | 2 | 2-2 | 11-22 | 50.00 |
| Face the Nation (CBS) | None rankable | 0 | 0-0 | 6-17 | 35.29 |
| Total for week, all shows (4 weeks) | all guests | 3 | 3-6 | 32-83 | 38.55 |
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
Labels: James Brown, John Edwards, Sunday talk shows
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Dec. 24 Sunday News Shows Scorecard
Three of the four networks pretty much mailed it in this week, as they went with the religion in America theme. ABC was the notable exception.
Meet the Press wasn't even worth watching, but Fox News Sunday managed to lure Lynne Cheney, wife of the VP, for a pre-holiday neocon boost. Mrs. Cheney was on message, mentioning 9/11, and citing the Patriot Act, the "terrorist surveillance program" and "detainee policy" as important elements in keeping the nation safe. Mrs. Cheney had little notable to say, except for her view of Scooter Libby being on trial as "bizarre" and that his upcoming trial, "does not reflect well on our judicial system." Maybe Mrs. Cheney would like to see perjury crossed off the list of criminal offenses. Yes, "bizarre" is the operative term.
Face the Nation one-upped Fox by having Laura Bush in an "exclusive" interview. This is the equivalent of punting on second down for CBS.
ABC's This Week was the only network actually providing any substance with Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) discussing their recent trip to the Middle East and the situation in Iraq. ABC also managed to get an interview with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Kudos to them for getting it partially right despite the lure of going easy during the holidays. The Dodd-Graham didn't really break much new ground as the Senators exchanged ideas for and against the President's policy favoring a "surge" or increase of troops. Dodd was against it; Graham favored it. The two also differed on diplomatic approaches to Syria and Iran, with Dodd having been to Syria and in favor of more dialogue. Not surprisingly, Graham was opposed to any further diplomatic overtures to either nation.
Collectively, the shows registered only 1 progressive out of 7 guests, a new low.
Week 7 - December 24
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
Meet the Press wasn't even worth watching, but Fox News Sunday managed to lure Lynne Cheney, wife of the VP, for a pre-holiday neocon boost. Mrs. Cheney was on message, mentioning 9/11, and citing the Patriot Act, the "terrorist surveillance program" and "detainee policy" as important elements in keeping the nation safe. Mrs. Cheney had little notable to say, except for her view of Scooter Libby being on trial as "bizarre" and that his upcoming trial, "does not reflect well on our judicial system." Maybe Mrs. Cheney would like to see perjury crossed off the list of criminal offenses. Yes, "bizarre" is the operative term.
Face the Nation one-upped Fox by having Laura Bush in an "exclusive" interview. This is the equivalent of punting on second down for CBS.
ABC's This Week was the only network actually providing any substance with Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) discussing their recent trip to the Middle East and the situation in Iraq. ABC also managed to get an interview with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Kudos to them for getting it partially right despite the lure of going easy during the holidays. The Dodd-Graham didn't really break much new ground as the Senators exchanged ideas for and against the President's policy favoring a "surge" or increase of troops. Dodd was against it; Graham favored it. The two also differed on diplomatic approaches to Syria and Iran, with Dodd having been to Syria and in favor of more dialogue. Not surprisingly, Graham was opposed to any further diplomatic overtures to either nation.
Collectively, the shows registered only 1 progressive out of 7 guests, a new low.
Week 7 - December 24
| Show | Guests | Score | WeeKTotal | Cum. Total* | Cum. %** |
| Meet the Press (NBC) | Authors Dr. Rick Warren and Jon Meacham | 0 | 0-2 | 5-18 | 27.78 |
| Fox News Sunday (FOX) | Lynne Cheney, Archbishop of Washington Donald Wuerl, Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter). | 0 | 0-3 | 9-22 | 40.91 |
| This Week (ABC) | Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. | 1 | 1-3 | 9-20 | 45.00 |
| Face the Nation (CBS) | First Lady Laua Bush | 0 | 0-1 | 6-17 | 35.29 |
| Total for week, all shows (4 weeks) | all guests | 1 | 1-7 | 29-74 | 39.19 |
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
Labels: media, politics, Sunday talk shows
