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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ukma!edward
From: edward@ukma.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett)
Newsgroups: net.tv
Subject: Re: Network News... Fade To Black
Message-ID: <1786@ukma.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 21-May-85 10:12:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: ukma.1786
Posted: Tue May 21 10:12:27 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 23-May-85 01:29:08 EDT
References: <928@hou2h.UUCP>
Organization: U of Kentucky, Mathematical Sciences, Lexington KY
Lines: 55

In article <928@hou2h.UUCP>, stadlin@hou2h.UUCP (Art Stadlin) writes:
> Network television news is so predictable, and in this case phony.
> How many times have you seen this happen when they report the death
> of a well-known person:
> 
> - Anchor reports death, age, and cause of death.
> - Anchor then introduces reporter.
> - Reporter provides obituary "color."
> - TV screen then FADES TO BLACK.
> - Screen stays dark for about 1.5 seconds, longer for VIP death.
> - Network rolls commercial for Post Grape Nuts.
> - Anchor returns after break, smiling.
> 
> This "fade to black" gimmick just seems too contrived.  Do the network
> news organizations really need to "act" like they really care?
> 
	This kind of thing really irks me. Somebody famous dies. The tv
show does it's obituary bit. Then the cut back to the host/announcer/whatever
who says something like this..."Joe Important Somebody, <pause> dead <very
short pause> at 86 <long dramatic pause>...".
	Is this supposed to be some sort of tribute? Entertainment Tonight
plays the above scenario sappier (is that a word?) than anybody else.
	(no flames about 'well they deserve a tribute!', OK?) 

> And speaking of "phony-ness" and "acting," has anyone else noticed
> Dan Rather's new hand gesturing?  For example, Dan will read a story
> about the current unemployment figure and raise his hand in front of
> his face to emphasize the size of the number. Is this new technique
> working on you out there?  Does "a million" sound bigger if you can
> see Dan Rather's hands?
>     \\\\\\________!{akgua,ihnp4,houxm}!hou2h!stadlin

	I've noticed the same gesture. It apparently adds emphasis to
his words. What I want to know is, did he come up with the gesture
naturally, or did some ratings expert decide that Dan should do this?

-- 
edward

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