Quick 8: TV News Show Thoughts

1. There's little doubt in my mind that Countdown with Keith Olbermann remains the best hour of television generated by any of the major news organizations. Olbermann is an unabashed progressive who goes after the right wing with zeal, yet he's avoided the egocentric crap that dominates most of the conservative personalities that air in prime time. How? Well, Countdown is a news show with a point of view. The point of the show isn't what Mr. Olbermann thinks about the news, the point of the show is the news.


2. Not far behind Countdown is the impressive Rachel Maddow Show, which follows Countdown each night on MSNBC. Rachel Maddow has been the most intelligent and reasonable commentator from the left on any of the major news channels for a long time, it was only right that she be given the slot after Countdown to capitalize on the success.


3. Don't be fooled by Lou Dobbs. There's no doubt that he has the populist rhetoric down to a science, but it masks a deep xenophobia that does more to undermine the work of those who seek to equalize the effects of globalization than help it. I suppose if you hate Mexicans, this is your show.


4. CNN continues to broadcast Glenn Beck, who is the worst host on all of television. He makes Sarah Palin look like an intellectual heavyweight. CNN put him on the air despite the fact that on his radio show he referred to the victims of Katrina as scumbags. You might understand their leaving him on the air if the ratings were any good, but they've been awful from the start. Does this boob have something on a head honcho at CNN?


5. I recommend the occasional viewing of The O'Reilly Factor. I think there's a good chance that the dumb old fart will snap one night and start slugging everyone and I don't want to miss it.


6. I'm always puzzled when my fellow lefties recommend anything hosted by Joe Scarborogh. Morning Joe is dreadful. It might be even worse than Imus. Joe is another one of those conservatives who has the populist rhetoric down, but never really breaks from his own party when it matters. If it's election time, you can trust Scarborough to jump on board with the rest of the Republicans.


7. For the ultimate in conventional wisdom, there's CNN's The Situation Room. Say what you want about the Fox News crap, at least they aren't boring. Wolf Blitzer is the most uninteresting anchor I've ever seen. I would talk abut the parade of featured CNN personalities (Candy Crowley? Ugh.), but since none of them have a personality, why bother? With the exception of Jack Cafferty, nobody, and I mean nobody, ever goes out on any kind of a limb on this show. Seriously, you're better off on Fox News.


8. The most bizarre show on all of cable is Hardball. I can't decide if I like Chris Matthews or I hate him. Realistically, it's a little of both. I know that I often find myself in agreement with him, but the dude is clearly enamored by his own reputation, and it leads him to say things that are utterly indefensible. Matthews is one of those guys who would be so much more interesting as a panelist than he is as a host. At least then you wouldn't be overwhelmed by his particular brand of crazy.