Tuned InTelevision
There are plenty of people out there–too many, maybe–analyzing what Mitt Romney said in the secretly taped fundraiser video posted in full at the Mother Jones website: what his comments about “the 47%” say about his campaign, about his character, about his attitude toward the working class, about his base of voters and Barack Obama’s. …
Tuned InTelevision
They’re sweeping up the confetti, and political reporters are already catching flights out of Charlotte and looking ahead to the debates. But America’s still processing the Republican and Democratic conventions–to the extent that it paid attention–and here are a few thoughts, in no particular order, about the marriage of TV and …
Tuned InMedia
“I recognize that times have changed since I first spoke to this convention. The times have changed and so have I.
“I’m no longer just a candidate. I’m the President.”
In 2008, candidate Barack Obama campaigned at the Democratic National Convention on hope and change. In 2012, the change was that he could no longer just …
Tuned InMedia
Barack Obama has a reputation as a brilliant speaker, but not, on his own behalf, an effective talker. He has delivered passages of soaring rhetoric and inspired crowds, but as President, he has faltered at simply talking to citizens: laying out, convincingly, plainly, point by point, why and how he believes his policies will work and …
Tuned InTelevision
The ratings for the first night of the Democratic National Convention are in, and they’re not tremendously more impressive than those for the first night of the RNC: about 22 million viewers in the 10 pm hour, compared with about 20.5 million.*
*Update: The above figures are for the three broadcast and three cable networks (ABC, CBS, …
Tuned InNews Media
Last Thursday at the Republican National Convention, Clint Eastwood attacked an invisible opponent in a chair with rambling sarcasm. Last night, at the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama attacked an invisible opponent without using a prop or a name, without even, in so many words attacking. Her opening-night speech, …
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Tuned InMedia
Fact: I do not know whether Mitt Romney paid federal income taxes, when, or how much, in any year before 2010, for which he publicly released his tax returns. Fact: You probably do not either, unless you are among the small army …
Tuned InMedia
The next time you read a campaign story that includes the phrase “a senior adviser said,” you might want to think of it as “a senior adviser said, after giving a talking to a reporter, getting the quote emailed back, and revising it to what he or she wishes he or she actually said.”
Irreverent British funnyman Russell Brand is known for his tabloid-ready personal life (as Katy Perry’s ex), no-holds-barred opinions and edgy stand-up style—all of which should suit him well as the host of the “comedy …
Tuned InTelevision
A recent study on TV brands by a research firm showed that HBO (along with Showtime) is one of the most politically polarizing channels on TV, loved by Democrats, not so much by Republicans. Here’s something that is probably not likely to ameliorate that situation: putting the severed head of the most recent Republican president on a …
Tuned InTelevision
The Pawnee City Council race heats up in tonight’s Parks and Recreation with an episode written and directed by star Amy Poehler, in which Leslie Knope has a high-stakes TV debate with her main opponent, Bobby Newport (Paul …
