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Inauguration TV: A morning of glory for couch spuds
Lunch is being served in the U.S. Capitol for all the dignitaries, so we’ll take a moment to muse on the remarkable show that’s been unfolding on TV this morning.
The morning network shows — ABC’s “Good Morning America,” NBC’s “Today” and CBS’s “Early Show” — all spent their pre-inaugural hours ogling the throngs and mulling the history of such occasions. Long before the swearing-in was even hours away, the throngs were happily breathing frost on each other on the mall.
The cable news networks, which must be exhausted by months of 24-hour-a-day coverage, churned along as usual. CNN and Fox News had the most spectacular live video of the crowds and the individuals in the crowd.
Tears, smiles and something between jubilation and disbelief were the order of the day.
Good news: Everybody on all networks shut up when the actual ceremony began. No commercials, no commentary … with one exception. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer whispered at 11:01 (Central Time) that Barack Obama was already officially the president, even though he had not yet taken the oath of office.
Thanks, Wolf. We needed that.
CBS and Fox seemed way more excited about Hollywood stars than political stars. Katie Couric, sporting a spiffy short haircut, interrupted Vernon Jordan for a chat with Steven Spielberg. Bad call.
The new president’s inaugural speech, as expected, was made-for-TV-magnificent, wasn’t it? We’ve come to expect no less.
But can we also express appreciation for Aretha Franklin’s rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” — and that spectacular big-bow hat? Yes, we can!
And the next time Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts swears in a president, someone should tell him to write down the oath on a “cheat sheet,” because he messed this one up.
I tried to watch BET’s coverage, but either found commercials or talking heads. Maybe they should have partnered with an actual news network for their first inauguration coverage. Luckily, the new president had rehearsed the right words.
More later … must observe lunch (mine) and prepare for the parade. Who doesn’t love a parade, right?
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By SamIam
January 20, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Wow...I just finished throwing up! Now, Mr. President, let's see if its all talk or can you walk the walk.