Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2005 > September > 02 > Entry
Katrina’s TV aftermath
By now the images of reporters battered by wind and rain are long gone, replaced by much darker scenes of corpses on curbs and sobbing survivors.
Hurricane Katrina is a made-for-TV story if ever there was one, and the coverage is redefining how we think of natural disasters and their impact on our wealthy, technologically advanced country.
More than one TV reporter has described the devastation and deprivation in Louisiana and Mississippi as “Third World.”
We’re not used to seeing scenes of misery on our own shores: abandoned elderly, dying children, hopelessness and anger. We’d better get used to them because they’re not going away.
Telethons and relief concerts will be sprinkled among the horrible images this weekend, but we can expect Katrina to dominate television and our national consciousness for months to come.
“Invasion” ads pulled
Sensitivity concerns have caused ABC to stop running promotions for “Invasion,” the new sci-fi series about strange, alien-connected goings-on in the Florida Everglades in the wake of a hurricane.
The show, as of now, is still scheduled to debut Sept. 21, but depending on the unfolding tragedy in the Gulf Coast, that decision could change. “Invasion” is set in Homestead, a small town crushed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
No “Idol” auditions in Memphis
“American Idol” has canceled its Memphis auditions that were scheduled for Monday. Anyone who was bumped from the Austin auditions who was planning to try again in Memphis will have to make other arrangements.
Next stop on the “Idol” audition circuit is Denver on Sept. 11, followed by Chicago on Sept. 16.
Memphis is one of several cities taking in thousands of Katrina refugees, and city officials felt “Idol” auditions would be too complicated to handle now.
Aging “ER” gets new blood
Multi-talented actor/comedian John Leguizamo, whose ‘95 Fox series “House of Buggin’ ” was praised by critics, will join NBC’s “ER” in October. He’ll play “nontraditional” supervising physician Dr. Ernesto Clemente.
Leguizamo, who had prominent roles in the movies “Moulin Rouge” and “Land of the Dead,” will appear in 12 of the show’s 22 episodes this season.
“ER” also hopes to get a boost from another new cast member, Kristen Johnston, formerly of the NBC sitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun.” Johnston will have a recurring role as a supervising nurse.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: News coverage
Comments
By rsteen
September 7, 2005 02:02 PM | Link to this
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/recent_activities_and_information/teams_scour_new_orleans.html
The Humane Society is successfully rescuing animals in New Orleans.
By Frances Morey
September 6, 2005 04:26 PM | Link to this
Maybe now homelessness will have the national spotlight since so many of the homeless are so from disaster related causes, as if not being able or capable of finding work and affordable housing isn't a national disaster of huge proportions. NYT article today reveals us as a nation which has twice the infant mortality rate in the nation's capitol when compared to Bejing, China! And that infant mortality in America under the Bush regime has reached the level it was in 1958. This is an outrage...
By Laura
September 5, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this
This is a plea for help for the pets of the people effected by Hurrican Katrinia. I have both given funds and goods to both Humane Society and American Red Cross, and now I find out that my good efforts to help Humane Society have been fruitless, any agency trying to help with looking for pets, are not allowed, and to make matters worse People are being forced to leave these family members behind to starve, etc. Please we need to help here.
Senator Cornyn: I am a concerned Texas Citizen, I Have given both funds and goods to help with the relief efforts for the people effected by Hurrican Katrina. My funds have gone to both Humane Society and the American Red Cross. While the people have been receiving the aid needed, thier pets as I have found have not. I am disappointed, saddened and angry that my desire to help has been pushed aside and the people effected by this disaster are now being asked to deal with another atrocity to leave their family member behind to die from starvation, dehydration, etc. Please I implore you to help with this situation. Below is a news bulletin from PETA:
Emergency Update:
ATTENTION: NO ANIMAL GROUPS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED IN TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEW ORLEANS, AND THE PROBLEM IS JUST WORSENING.
MEANWHILE, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE FORCING EVERYONE, INCLUDING ELDERLY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE STAYED IN WATER-LOGGED RESIDENCES FOR 5 DAYS JUST TO SAFEGUARD THEIR BELOVED ANIMALS, TO NOW LEAVE THEM BEHIND TO STARVE. IN SOME CASES, PEOPLE ARE TOLD THAT THEY MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN BRINGING VITAL MEDICINE AND THEIR DOG. THIS IS ILLEGAL. IT HAS TO STOP.
PETA HAS ISSUED A NEWS RELEASE ADVISING THAT ANYONE FORCING A PERSON TO LEAVE AN ANIMAL BEHIND IS ENGAGING IN A CRIME, BUT THAT IS NOT STOPPING FEDERAL EVACUATORS FROM INSISTING THAT ANIMALS BE LEFT TO DIE. PLEASE, IMMEDIATELY CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS. LEAVE MESSAGES IN WASHINGTON AND AT THEIR HOME OFFICES AND GET EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO CALL.