The Cult of Personality (Part 2)

Honestly, I don't hate Rachel Maddow. I leave such feelings of hate (that word is such a powerful word, I don't like using it) to people on the right of the political spectrum, who call her names and attack her constantly, for her views, her lifestyle, her appearance and a myriad other things that they find wrong about her. She has a TV show to do, particularly, TRMS, otherwise known as "The Rachel Maddow Show". Her show is on the MSNBC network every weeknight at 9:00 pm Eastern or 8:00 pm Central.

Rachel's Show has various segments during its hour-long run. Sometimes, the writer and former Air America host, Kent Jones, appears on Rachel's show to discuss pop-culture or other items. Of course, I am sure, none of these appearances are unscripted, or without the approval of the producers and of course Rachel Maddow herself.

On June 1st, 2010 for the second consecutive year, Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones proceeded to launch into what could only be described as a "light comedic satire" of the just transpired Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway. This was not the first time that Rachel and her team had made fun of the Eurovision Song Contest, previously "liking it" to American Idol "light" and "a bunch of musical wannabees without talent". When she did it the previous year (2009), she had described the Greek Singer as "dressed like a porn star". This, of a man, Sakis Rouvas, who is #1 in sales in his own country, and very successful at what he does. Yet, Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones decided to mock him and all the other singers representing their respective countries.

This year, their mockery was no different. They attacked the songs, they attacked the costumes, they attacked the stage direction of the performances themselves. And why? In order to provide a 3 to 4 minute segment of what they thought was entertainment to their viewers. In the half-hour news show that I watch in the afternoon by Katie Couric, she normally finishes with something uplifting, something about the human condition that not only informs us, but let us know that we're not alone. Katie Couric and the CBS Evening News does journalism correctly.

I don't doubt Rachel Maddow's geek credentials. I don't want to debate her. She has awesome debating skills. She understands arguments better than the average human being. But she does not understand her audience. She does not understand that it's NOT "all about her". This is NOT the "The Rachel Maddow Show". This is an informative, news and commentary and analysis show. But, who am I to try to tell her this. She has achieved cult status, and thinks she has surpassed our tastes and can dictate what we want to see and hear. Even Keith Olbermann is more of a newsman than she is. Maybe, Ms. Maddow believes that commentary continues past politics into the world of entertainment, and anything that goes on oversees is fair game, we can make fun of foreigners.

All I know, is that her attempt at humor in mocking or satirizing the Eurovision Song Contest was poorly thought out and poorly executed.

Did it personally bother me? Of course! Have I stopped watching her show because of it. Yes. I understand nothing "mean" might have been "meant" by this exercise, but Ms. Maddow, this is the second year in-a-row that you have performed this stunt. At some point coincidences stop being such, and a pattern emerges. One wonders if you believe in such things as Journalistic Integrity and Professional Ethics. Making fun of the Europeans and their quaint little song contest, might seem amusing, but it is a heritage that some of us have grown-up with and enjoy. Maybe you'd be better served "mocking" American Idol and its voting patterns?

In the end, a journalist who is a TV Personality is only as good as the people watching him or her. Presenting the information of the day requires some perspective. I have always appreciated the ideas and perspective that you have offered, but not anymore. What you seem to be saying to your audience is, "I have a large spoonful of Cult, for those who want to follow me, and I spurn those who don't."  I am NOT going to take that bargain.

I'd rather take an apology from you, if offered.

The Cult of Personality (Part 1)

Don't misunderstand me. I like Jeremy Clarkson. He's a funny man. But in one of his recent columns he claimed that "Greece is a toilet".

Now, a lot has been made about this comment on the web. There has been reaction far and wide, mostly from upset Greeks in the British isles as well as Greeks in Greece. They did not take well to Jeremy's comments. Portraying women in such a negative light and on top of that not apologizing for that view.

I am not here to forgive Jeremy Clarkson. I watch his show on BBC America. I don't read any of his stuff, either his column or his magazine writing. I do think he's very funny as concerned the automobile. And that's where the problem lies. Sometimes, this "cult of personality" can develop and a person thinks they are more than they are. Is that the case here? Has Jeremy gotten so over confident in his comedic abilities, that his tackling of subjects outside of his normal purview, leave something to be desired? I hope that's the case.

Personally, I think he's a good television presenter. He's funny when he tears a car apart as useless and just as funny when he says: "Hold on to your spleen everybody". Still, I do wish he'd apologize to Greeks for that unfortunate remark. I know it was in jest, but it was unnecessary.