As much as I would like bash Dan, I’ve worked in TV and have seen longer and nastier discussions over far more inane things in setting up a shot.

Yeah, but this was a primetime newscast…not CSI.

Another reason why I *hate* working with talent on location.

By the way, the “collector” who introduces the clip is Harry Shearer, an outspoken left-winger, and (surprise, surprise) blogger for HuffPo, though he’s likely best known as the voice of evil capitalist Mr. Burns. As seen here, he takes glee in making fun of newsmakers of all political viewpoints, even those close to his own. Google a bit and you’ll find Dan’s not the only newscaster dithering about looks.

This 20-minute dreamscape explains why it took him 44 years to start railing against the stranglehold of monied corporate interests on journalism: until recently, he had more important things to worry about.

…like filling his coat’s pockets with mega-millions. Idealistic indeed. Drink the water sheep, I’ll sip the fine champagne, and preach about the absolute values of water in my final days…

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often….

Brat on October 5, 2007 at 10:30 AM

Excellent.

Give it up Dan, you’re just pathetic. It a tragically sad way.

The moron had the collar down at the beginning. All arrogance and BS, sums up his entire career.

What I’ve always been curious about, was Rather with Dick Button when he got beat up in New York.

There’s something about this clip that reminds me of this one but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Actually, it much more reminds me of the classic “Silky gettin’ his hair did” video… You know what I’m talking about.

As much as I would like bash Dan, I’ve worked in TV and have seen longer and nastier discussions over far more inane things in setting up a shot.

Thank you. Finally someone with a little perspective.

If I had a job where I was on TV a lot, I’d want to look good as well. Seriously, some of you guys really need to do a better job of controlling your biases.

As much as I would like bash Dan, I’ve worked in TV and have seen longer and nastier discussions over far more inane things in setting up a shot.

I can only imagine the tension as brother Craig sets up the camera on Geraldo while reporting from Afghanistan. The lighting that has to be just so, the hiring of locals to randomly fire weapons in the background, etc.

This 20-minute dreamscape explains why it took him 44 years to start railing against the stranglehold of monied corporate interests on journalism

Just who the hell did Dan Rather think was paying his excessive salary for those 44 years? Love offerings from his viewers?

There has always been a tension between corporate interests and commercial news operations with countless instances where money talked louder than the news operation’s story. The only difference is that Dan Rather found himself on the other side of the equation for a change. I guess he should have thought about that before he presented fake documents as the real deal.

Thank you Harry Shearer! He brought us this one 4 years ago, too.

Anyone know Harry’s political preference? At this point I assume he’s just fond of bringing the ridiculous to light.

Does anyone know if he wound up wearing the coat in the broadcast?

From Jim Kuhn book about Reagan:

I had this intense fear of the world perception of this first encounter if Reagan were seen as old and weak. It would be a bad start to the summit, a setback that would be very difficult to overcome. I took a deep breath and tried again.

“Mr. President, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind, but I need to talk to you again,” I said. “We both heard what Schultz, McFarlane and Reagan said. But they don’t have any idea what’s going on with the coats. None of us focused on this until now, but it could become a major thing when you step outside for the first greeting.”

Reagan dismissed my concern.

“Well, don’t worry about it, Jim,” he said. “I’m fine, and we’re ready to go.”

“Mr. President, this is the last thing I’m going to say.”

The president, who rarely got angry, was getting irritated.

“What is it now?” he said. “It’s not the coat again, is it?”

“Yes, sir. But let me ask you one final question,” I said.

“What?” Now the president was definitely irritated.

“Suppose I’m right about the coat,” I said. “And Mr. Gorbachev gets out of the car with just his business suit on, looking strong and ready to go. And you’re all covered up the way you are as if you can’t be outside for a few minutes without this heavy wrap on. If that’s the case, then who’s going to look stupid before the whole world? You or Gorbachev?”

The president gave in.

“All right, dammit, Jim,” he said. “Have it your way.” And he ripped off the scarf, pulled off his coat and tossed it into my arms.

“There, is that what you want?” he said.

“Yes, sir,” I said. ” Now, you’re ready to go.”

Gorbachev wore a dark overcoat. A scarf was tightly wrapped around his neck.

At the top of the stairs, they stopped and turned for photographers. And that was the photo that ran on the front page of every newspaper and newsmagazine, and in every news telecast. Ronald Reagan, dressed in his finely tailored blue suit, towering over the stocky Gorbachev, who looked like something out of central casting-a stodgy Russian who has just arrived from snowy Moscow.

We had ended up rolling the Soviets big-time. Without intending to, we had hit them hard. We got off to a great start.

That day, the coat incident bothered the Soviets so much that as we broke for lunch at the end of the first session, to head back to our respective venues, Gorbachev’s last words to Reagan were “When we meet again, will it be coats on or coats off?” And at every point over the next three days, whenever there was an upcoming departure, Gorbachev invariably asked the president the same question. “The next time we meet, will it be coats on or coats off?”

That was painful to watch. Someone needs to count the number of times he says the word “coat”. Douchebag.

Jaibones on October 5, 2007 at 9:53 AM

Excruciatingly so I think he said it 7,900,456 times

mboprey on October 5, 2007 at 9:54 AM

Why not, douche?