"Nightline" tonight might be a ratings stunt.....

[flowomo]

as some are saying, but it's a necessary one. I wrote my column on it and related issues this week. Take a look if you get a chance. And for the record, Jim MacMillan is not "heading up" the new AP Baghdad bureau; he will be the photographer. My mistake.

www.cumberlink.com/articles/2004/04/30/editorial/rich_lewis/lewis01.txt

[LoZoccolo]

1. Even if it wasn't...

...the whole Sinclair censorship thing seems to have backfired anyways. What were they thinking?

[still_one]

2. I don't entirely agree

Another ABC program, "This Week with George Stephanopolis(sic)", also lists the fallen names at the end of their show.

This is to finally honor those who gave the ultimate sacrafice for a war we should not be in...

[Caution]

3. As Ted Koppel said

<paraphrased> Anyone who thinks that listing names and showing pictures is a ratings stunt, obviously doesn't know anything about the viewing habts of Americans"

[Bridget Burke]

4. "Sexy bimbos on parade" is a ratings stunt.

"The truth about Michael Jackson" is a ratings stunt.

How is a sobering list of names and faces a ratings stunt?

[Kanary]

5. Ted Koppel also said

ON Good Morning America, Koppel talked about being a small boy in wartime London, and how everyone was constantly reminded they were at war.

Amazing that some people in this country *need* to be reminded, but they're so busy going to the mall, that Ted's job is to bring the war home.

Kanary

[AspenRose]

6. Since when did Nightline ever have to worry about ratings anyhow?

Love the picture of the kitty!

[SheilaT]

7. I live in what I believe is the ONLY

city in the country where the ABC affiliate doesn't broadcast nightly immediately after the regular news. (Kansas City area) As a consequence, I haven't watched the show in years -- it doesn't go on until MIDNIGHT which is too late for me. Too bad. I guess I'll check the Nightline website (they have one, yes?) to see if they archive programs and I might view it later.

[Toucano]

8. Ratings are probably a factor

It sure provides a better use of the airwaves than marrying midgets and baby adoption contests.

I hope the ratings are through the roof!

[TahitiNut]

9. If listing the names of American war dead is a "stunt" ...

... then the Vietnam War Memorial is a stunt, too. Fuck Sinclair.

[Robbien]

10. It would be good to send nightline an email of support

No matter the reasons ABC is doing this, they are probably getting hate mail which we should counter with letters of support.

email link
http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/nightline/Nightline/Nightline_email_form.html

[SoCalDem]

11. EVERYTHING on braodcast tv is a "ratings stunt"

They want people to watch and they ALL put stuff on that they hope will attract more viewers than the other stations.