So apparently some are unhappy about MSNBC, and other networks, "overdoing" the memorializing of Tim Russert over the weekend. Sure, it's always a bit much when a news channel covers one story, and only one story, for a period of several days, but I can't get too upset here. Russert was an enormous figure in American journalism and on NBC News, and he's certainly much more of a figure of national consequence then, say, Anna Nicole Smith, whose death was on constant rotation on every news channel for weeks.
TV Barn agrees with me:
Well, what else were they going to do — show repeats of those "Lockup" documentaries? Come on. Of course they were going to memorialize their beloved Irish uncle, their "leader" (Keith Olbermann), their "best friend" (several NBCers), their "father figure" (Chuck Todd). Not to mention the most-watched Sunday morning host and a constant presence on MSNBC during this election season. NBC even joined in, having nothing to lose but perhaps a "American Gladiators" re-airing, and devoted an hour to a quickly assembled tribute on Friday.Incidentally, the Russert coverage got huge ratings, and different versions of his two books currently occupy the top three spots on Amazon.com
It was hard not to well up with tears while watching the "Meet the Press" tribute on Sunday, and I also really liked the tributes that Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart did on Monday. Also, I learned from Michael Wilbon's weekly chat on Monday that "Pardon the Interruption" was 1) Tim Russert's idea, and 2) like Conan's show, a past internship home for Luke Russert.
Read on in the Wilbon chat for Mike's fascinating thoughts on what his father, who died 20 years ago, would have thought of Barack Obama.
Posted by Stephen Silver at June 17, 2008 04:33 PMGood comparison to the Anna nicole coverage. This was way better and actually appropriate. The memorial last nite was a wonderful tribute esp. Bruce Springsteen's performance.
Posted by: A at June 19, 2008 01:28 PM