CNN & MSNBC large chunks of coverage of a FOX teevee show is just bizarre.

[Skidmore]

Now why would these channels give so much time to covering American Idol, a show developed and run by a network that is a competitor AND that actively seeks to undermine their work (not that the don't deserve it any less that FOX) at every chance it gets. It is illogical stupid and bad business to boot. I just don't get this aspect of the communications busines.

[Robson]

1. Go figure

Weren't they also covering the one about "smarter than a fifth grader". I personally don't watch that and similar entertainment stuff. Go figure why they feel a need to waste bandwidth twice again.

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

2. What's so "illogical" about it?

Whether you may watch it or not, "American Idol" commands an extremely large viewing audience each week. CNN and MSNBC cover "American Idol" for the simple reason that they believe that their own ratings will benefit if they talk about things that a lot of people appear to be interested in.

CNN, MSNBC, FNC . . . they are all selling a product, that's all.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. LOL! Yeah their selling a "product" alright!

The networks mentioned above sell lies, spin, misdirection and fear at the behest of BushCo. I will grant you that they offer at least the appearance of even handedness with shows like Olbermann's, but the rest is pure propaganda. It isn't about ratings either. When all that is offered is chocolate, chocolate becomes the best seller.

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

5. Oh, please . . .

Those networks exist to make money. Period. Rupert Murdoch would happily televise partial-birth abortions if he thought he could get away with it, and make money off of it.

Sometimes, the comments around here regarding the press are as naive and, frankly, stupid, as I heard from the freeptards during Bill Clinton's Presidency.

[Vinnie From Indy]

6. Hold on a tic!

I never said that these networks were sacrificing money to serve BushCO. The fact is that they can serve BushCO AND make a boatload of money. The two are not mutually exclusive.

As far as ratings go, maybe you can explain why MSNBC dropped their highest rated show - DONAHUE - just prior to the war.

Maybe you can explain why CNN, MSNBC and FOX continue to give shows to right wing, conservatives when the country has shown in polls and the last election that they reject the Neo-con, extremist, BushCo point of view?

Maybe you can explain why the Rev. Moon's newspaper, the Wash. Times has lost a half a billion dollars over the last decade?

Who's being niave?

[Supersedeas]

4. the GOP/Media Establishment wants everyone to pay attention to anything except Iraq

American Idol is a weapon of mass diversion.

[itsmesgd]

7. The dumbing down of America continues

I guess that since there are no dead bimbos or missing blond kids, this is the only news that needs telling. Let's not mention two wars, an official from the VP's office perjury trial, soldier's conditions at the VA in DC, or the new developments that the Justice Department lied about why several federal attorneys were fired. Oh and Senate Democrats have refused to listen to a proposed cut to shrub's military budget....for next year. Chicken's the lot of the democrats. They are scared to look weak on defense so they willfully bend over and take it again and again.

That's OK kiddies, everything will be ok. Tonight Larry King will talk about Anna Nicole Smith again.


as a side note: I cannot get over watching a former Faux Noise anchor on CNN.