The Never-Ending Disappointment Of The Sunday Shows

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_03/022732.php

THE NEVER-ENDING DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE SUNDAY SHOWS.... Every Friday, I like to check out the guest lists of the Sunday-morning talk shows, and find where I can find John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and/or Newt Gingrich.

Tomorrow's lineups only feature one of those three -- Graham will be on CBS's "Face the Nation" -- but it's worth taking a look at some of the other guest lists.

With the health care reform debate nearing its completion, and with the outcome very much in doubt, most of the guests will relate directly to the issue. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, for example, will be on both ABC's "This Week" and NBC's "Meet the Press." That makes perfect sense.

And who's the featured guest on CNN's "State of the Union"? Sigh.

This Sunday, Candy Crowley has a great interview with former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). DeLay talks about his view of Washington from the outside.

For crying out loud. DeLay, arguably the single most corrupt congressional leader in a generation, resigned in disgrace -- and under criminal indictment -- nearly five years ago. He's since become a reality-show contestant, has no role in American politics at any level, and is not seeking public office. What possible reason could there be to have DeLay on as the featured guest on "State of the Union"?

Then there's the "MTP" roundtable lineup.

After the House passes its $15 billion jobs bill, will American workers finally see some relief? And what will it take for Congress to pass health care reform? What political implications will the results have on the 2010 midterm elections for both Republicans and Democrats? Insights and analysis on all the week's political news: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Fmr. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN), The Washington Post's E.J. Dionne, and the National Review's Rich Lowry.

Putting aside Rich "Starbursts" Lowry's merit, and the fact that Harold Ford was just on "MTP" literally two weeks ago, Orrin Hatch's only real contribution to the public discourse of late was publishing a hopelessly dishonest op-ed, which has been exposed as a lie several times this week.

Why reward blatant dishonesty with an invitation like this?

Jay Rosen recently explained that "the Sunday morning talk shows are broken." Every week, the shows prove him right.

-Steve Benen

[Cha]

1. CorporatemediaWhores like to stick with

dirty birds of a feather.

[SpiralHawk]

2. What a pathetic pack of corporate media crapola

No wonder their ratings continue to tank.

More pablum from the republicon homelander propaganda pimps. Ptooey.

[Birthmark]

3. TV

Don't watch it. It's shallow, pointless, dishonest, and an affront to reasoned discussion and fact.

[WatchWhatISay]

4. What is the definition of insanity?

[spanone]

5. do you know of ANY ex-democratic congresspersons who are constantly on the sunday shows?

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. Harold Ford is

If you want to call him a Democrat, that is. I wouldn't.

[monmouth]

6. No Lizzy Cheney this week? She and DeLay would be delightful

together, one could lie and the other swear to it. Guess she's mad the pubbies now compare her to McCarthy..I love it.

[DCKit]

8. Wouldn't that be a perfect duo for a Faux show? Add in Ollie North, and it's a trifecta. n/t

[Berry Cool]

9. The only kind of "view" I want from Tom DeLay is "a view from inside"

as in "inside prison."

Hmm. That would make him a good subject for the usual weekend fare on MSNBC.

"Lockup: Club Fed"

[patrice]

10. I'm sick of people telling me what I think, or what I should think. I don't watch anymore.

I have my own thoughts, thank you.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Because it's consistent with furthering the corporate media's; primary interests, protecting their

commercial profits.

The best policy for the American People is not the best policy for the corporate media.

"Why reward blatant dishonesty with an invitation like this?"

Thanks for the thread, babylonsister.

[Hissyspit]

12. It's embarrassing and pathetic, but not entirely new.

Corporate rep and conservatives dominated the shows in the late 80s and into the 90s, too.