Rachel Maddow should lay off the cutesy factor

[derby378]

God, I'm in a mood tonight, but it seems like Rachel has just turned the cutesy-meter up to 11 with that last segment.

I am repulsed by this birther attempt to scam rural TV audiences out of their money, just as faith-healing and Nigerian lottery scams do, but I seriously believe Rachel needs to display a little more gravitas here.

And before anyone squawks sexism, I've been noticing a similar trend with Keith Olbermann over recent weeks. I love him dearly, but he needs to reel it in a bit, too.

:rant:

[Hannah Bell]

1. agree. a little is edgy, a lot is smarmy.

[derby378]

3. Same thing happened with Rush Limbaugh in 1995

He started getting really smarmy about four months after the November elections the previous year. That's when he started becoming just downright unbearable.

[Cleita]

2. Rachel does cutsey? Hardly.

Oh I get it. Another Rachel bashing thread. We haven't had one in a long time.

[hokies]

7. Death, taxes, and Rachel complainers

Those buses are never late. :rofl:

[Atticus]

4. Agreed. It detracts from the substance of her usually well-considered reporting. nt

[derby378]

11. I concur - usually, Rachel kicks some serious ass

I still remember the job she did on that C Street clan. That was freakin' brilliant.

[hokies]

5. Completely disagree

You have to remember that they are in the corporate business of making money, and being snarky and cute sells. :hi:

[derby378]

9. If you're Bill Maher, sure...

...but Rachel's representing both MSNBC and her old stomping grounds at Air America Radio, not late-night HBO. Different rules apply.

[hokies]

17. Oh really? Please share this "rule book" with the rest of us

:eyes:

FAIL!



:rofl:

[derby378]

18. Bill Maher, though astute, is first and foremost a comedian

Rachel Maddow is not a comedian. She does not see herself as one, nor does she try to portray herself as one.

Soooo...

[CakeGrrl]

15. Well, the "Real Housewives" franchise sells, but

I don't take it seriously.

Making something good for mass consumption is often to its detriment. Everything in moderation, including cutesy snarky.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. K&U.

She is just as frustrated with these idjets as we are. Give her a break.

[panader0]

8. But I won millions from the Nigerian lottery

several times.

[Peregrine Took]

10. Why do lib/progs feel they have to be "funny" after they've been serious for

a while? People won't like them if they come across as too hard or ideological?

Doesn't seem to bother limbaugh or levins' followers.

I guess that's why we will never be victorious and,no, I don't feel the Obama election was a progressive victory at all.

[Orsino]

22. Because for so long almost the only journalism was done by the Daily Show...

...and all the so-called "journalists" were clowns.

[movonne]

12. You could watch faux news...no cutesy there...

[derby378]

13. Have you seen Glenn Beck lately?

And don't get me started on the Fox & Fiends morning trainwreck...

[movonne]

14. No he is a little too cutesy...I do not turn faux on...

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. Actually, my kids will watch them (esp KO) but not straight news. This is not to

say that these programs are functioning at a kids' level, but rather I think it's great that they can reach a younger demographic and create informed citizens at an earlier age.

[Winterblues]

19. Name someone that does "politics" that you think is better at it.

:shrug:

[spanone]

20. she's dealing with a subject that is ludicrous. it doesn't deserve 'gravitas' imho

[laughingliberal]

21. There are reasons we have been getting our butts kicked in public debates

One, of course, is relinquishing all the media outlets to corporate control. But another is the left has failed to understand the way in which information is processed by average people. The right figured out long ago the most effective messages appeal not to reason but to emotion. We wail and gnash our teeth at losing the public debate when the facts are, clearly, on our side. But the facts, compelling as they are, do not impact Americans in today's world. Packaging the facts in ways that do get through to people is the key. Ridicule of the opponent does work. I found the segment brilliant. Think back on how often the tactic of ridicule has worked for the other side against us. John Kerry wind surfing, Michael Dukakis in the tank. Marginalizing the opposition has been used very effectively against us. It's time we harnessed more effective communication in terms of results. Do I think it's all we should be doing? No. But I do think there is a need for more of this-facts presented in a way that gets through to the masses in a way they understand emotionally and not just rationally.

[Vickers]

23. But she's so goddam CUTE!

:headbang:

[gateley]

24. I missed it -- what segment and I'll check it out. I have a difficult time imagining

Rachel as cutesy. I think she's usually brilliant and cutting. Thanks!

[BeachBuckeye]

25. I completely agree

You are absolutely correct