The Morning After: Groundhog Morning

By James Poniewozik | @poniewozik | September 21, 2009 | +

Of all the reasons I am not a political reporter, the greatest is that, media junkie though I am, the idea of being compelled to watch the Sunday talk shows every weekend is the most depressing thing I can imagine. So even this weekend, as President Obama did a round of five Sunday shows, including Univision’s, I was at the park with the Tuned In Jrs. Thanks to modern technology, I could catch highlights later of any big news that broke from any of the interviews—which, so far, appears to be precisely none—and watching five anchors receive five similar versions of the same message in the same room is, to me, like Groundhog Day remade as a torture movie.

Other people tolerate the Sunday shows better, or even consider them part of their comforting morning ritual. That’s fine; I happen to prefer doughnuts. Anyway, you can read Michael Scherer’s take here, and feel free to add your own. And those of you who do watch the Sunday shows: which is your favorite, and why?

Related Topics: Barack Obama, politics, sunday talk shows, the morning after, Uncategorized

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jimatl

The one on ABC. First, I liked that crazy old guy – David Brinkley. Now I think George S is pretty good. But mostly I like watching the smuggy played-out smugness of G Will and knowing there is a distinct possibility that Sam Donaldson will flip out.
http://www.simonvinkenoog.nl/beeld/Yogi%20-%20Annelies%20Rigter.jpg yogi

Agreed, This Week is by far the best of the Sunday morning news programs. They have the most diverse round table that I actually want to listen to even if I disagree with them. David Gregory on Meet the Press seems too pompous and always trying (and usually failing) to ask the “got you!” line of questioning.
Bemused

I’m with you guys. It’s the roundtable that makes me prefer ABC (although yogi is dead-on about Gregory). Because of the roundtable, you have a chance of hearing something other than partisan talking points. MTP usually only has politicians or governmental officials on, and they just aren’t going to abandon their talking points, so why bother? It’s totally predictable. That’s why I also watch the weekly Chris Mathews show, even though I can’t stand Chris. I like his panels.

One thing that bugs me about ABC, though–why don’t they put makeup on Will’s hand? He spends most of the time others are speaking with his head resting in his hand–oh-so-put-upon by the inferior intellects of his tablemates–and the difference between the color of his hand and his face is jarring.