Another talk show host, also named Craig, faced the same crisis of conscience last week:
“I am getting embarrassed…I’m starting to feel like an AIG executive. There’s a real actual news story going on – these people in Haiti…this is horrifying…I think that’s more important…let’s not worry about what middle-aged guy in a tie is going to be telling jokes to a camera at what time of night, because frankly, who gives a
- Craig Ferguson, host, CBS’ The Late Late Show, Jan 14
Hard to argue with that. A little perspective is certainly in order. Do we really need to worry about Conan O’Brien’s contract buyout, or whatever else is happening in TV land?
And yet, while people are dying in Haiti, and it’s tragic, and it’s awful, we can’t simply ignore everything else going on in the world. That’s why Ferguson, after his opening monologue on January 14th, in which he made an impassioned plea for his audience to contribute to Haitian relief, then went on with his usual comedy high jinks.
It’s also why Smart Talk devoted its January 15th shows, radio and TV, to relief efforts in Haiti, but then turned to other subjects last week (Dr. King’s legacy, a Constitutional convention, older drivers, rock n’ roll history, the census). Because those are important topics too. We can’t endure tragedy, wall to wall, without a break. It doesn’t mean we’re callous – just human.
WITF continues to cover the events in Haiti in a variety of ways – through news reports from NPR and the PBS Newshour…through interviews on programs like Fresh Air and Charlie Rose…we’ll continue to cover regional connections to Haiti through WITF’s multimedia news reporting, on air and online. And WITF turned its focus to Haiti in another important way this past Friday night (1/22/10) on WITF-TV, when we joined a number of other channels and networks in presenting Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief. The two hour telethon included appearances and performances by Justin Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and others. (All donations to Hope for Haiti Now will directly benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef's Yele Haiti Foundation).
But then, yes, on Monday’s (1/25/10) Radio Smart Talk we shifted gears again, and talked about the state of television – including the late night talk show nonsense. We also explored head on the profound role television does play in America. My guest was Robert Thompson – he’s a Professor of Popular Culture and Television at Syracuse University. You can hear the program here, and I encourage you to continue to share comments below.
- Craig Cohen
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