The Death of the English Language and the Demise of Relevant News on Network Television

Good more nun two ya! Don't you look great this more nun. While you're havin yer coffee and picken out yer clothes fer ta day let me tell ya what happened Sundee...... So starts another week on CNN "Headline News."

Has anyone else noticed the lack of command of the English language on television news, or is it just those of us who take journalism and the English language seriously?

The worst offender (in my opinion) has to be CNN Headline News with Bimbo and Company. What was once a venerable newman delivering relevant news in a precise and innovative format has digressed into a "coffee klatch" of morning babel between blow-dry bimbos.

Do you remember the firm voice, elegant style, and deep journalistic integrity of Don Harrison? Harrison almost single-handedly put CNN on the map in 1983. Few know of his dedication to accuracy or the obstacles he overcame to reach the pinnacle of Journalism. Having lost a leg at age 13 to bone cancer and a kidney to cancer in 1993, he maintained the courage to go on the air every day to deliver no-frills (and no personal opinion) news.

CNN's Slogan at the time was "Give us 20 minutes, we'll give you the world." And they did, clearly, concisely and efficiently. In the barely 3 minutes dedicated to sports, you heard the voice (but never saw the face) of Van Earl Wright as he deftly delivered every score. If you wanted to know what Kobe (of the day) wanted to be traded or all about Shaq's big toe, you tuned into a sports show like the Sports Reporters. If you wanted Entertainment News you tuned in to Entertainment Tonight or some other self promotional Hollywood press release show.

The last time I watched CNN Headline news, the anchor bimbo "teased" the audience for 90 seconds with "Coming up.. a big shake up in the entertainment industry." After 3 commercials the "anchor" introduced a special entertainment reporter, a Roseanne Roseanadanna look and sound alike, who talked for 4 minutes about Brittany Spears. Then the two chatted about Brittany for another two minutes. To me, what Brittany does or doesn't do is not news and it certainly isn't Headline news. They just wasted another 7 minutes of my life. In that same seven and one half minutes, Don Harrison delivered actual news from around the globe and was already started on the national news.

On the subject of "Teasing" the audience (that's their term, not mine), have you noticed the number of times a story is mentioned to get you to stay tuned for it? In researching this piece I counted 7 twenty-second "teases" for a story that lasted only 40 seconds!. They could have told that story and 3 others in less time. But then again the other 3 stories probably would have been about Brittany, Paris, or a couch jumping Tom Cruise.

The latest "effect" calls for the "anchor" to be standing in front of a backdrop, facing the camera, then walk slowly (usually at a slight angle) toward the camera while talking into the camera. I'm not sure if this is meant to demonstrate the anchor can actually walk and talk at the same time (if so they better make sure the bimbo doesn't have any gum) or if it's to demonstrate the anchors actually have a lower body.

Whatever the reason, I'd rather have a Don Harrison with one leg sitting at his desk, giving me news that is relevant to my life as a working American delivered in an unbiased and professional manner. With that type of information, I can make my own decisions and draw my own conclusions.

-Editor

With apologies to Paul Simon:
" Where have you gone Donald Harrison?"
"A nation turns its lonely ears to you.... Whew Whew Whew "