NOW with Brancaccio is so dumbed down it hurts my brain

[omega minimo]

like a bad paperback or a Dubya speech.

Brancaccio is scary.
:yoiks: :boring:

[whyverne]

1. I don't know about scary,

but I want to make fun of him and I'm a liberal! Sort of the John Stossel(sp?) of PBS.

[omega minimo]

2. At least Stossel is obnoxious and abrasive-- DB is oatmeal

with no raisins

Scary is the right-wingification of PBS and zombie-like demeanor of the new NOW host.

[newyawker99]

3. Hi whyverne!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Armstead]

4. Give him a chance

I had a similar reaction when I first saw him on Now. Unfortunately, he's no Bill Moyers. He is a bit too, er, controlled in his demeanor, like a classic "radio guy."

However, he's done some good stuff over time on Now. He's got more substanbce than would seem. And, since he seems to have been groomed by Moyers for the job, he knows what the show is supposed to be about.

But I do hope Moyes makes good on his thinly veiled threats to return to Now because he is so pissed off.

[omega minimo]

5. Yes, I'm still watching

and we are living through the transition of old school professional journalists who resemble real people (Brokaw, Rather, Jennings) being replaced by people who look like replicants or clones, who will never need plastic surgery-- it's built in!

Even without comparisons to Bill Moyers, the inescapable impression is that David B has had his spark removed. I don't see him as "controlled" in his demeanor (although his line of questioning often seems "controlled" by the new PBS corporate agenda)-- he seems absent. There's no there there.

He fits in with the artificiality and facelessness that is filling the rest of the TV screen. We might have hoped Moyers' replacement only had half his charisma, not NONE of it.

[earth mom]

6. Gee...I kind of like him...

like someone posted up thread, he's done some good work.

And...I'll admit it...he's kinda cute too! :7

[omega minimo]

7. Glad to hear it-- like your perspective

To me he looks like a 7 year old that just woke up from a nap.

Where's the SPARK?

:bounce:

[earth mom]

8. He's low key...

sort of mysterious in a way. Lots of women like that. :evilgrin:

I also think I've been sparked to death by fakers like Matt Lauer and Tom Brokaw. Not to mention utterly disgusted with all the vile loud mouth rethugs on faux and cnn which I never watch anyway.

I'm looking for something different...someone more sincere and honest. Maybe other people feel the same way. :shrug:

[omega minimo]

9. Where's Viggo Mortensen when you need him?

Maybe Mr. Brancaccio will blossom. Perhaps he's shy (and he will appreciate being considered "mysterious" by the fans).

Forgive me if I say he seems dim. There's no enigma wrapped inside his mystery.

And I am concerned this is a reflection of the (PBS) intended demise of NOW and the Republicanization of PBS under the new corporate honchos.

[earth mom]

10. Does Brancaccio seem like a rethug to you?

He doesn't to me, and I hope he's not...but then I wasn't looking for him to be given that it's Moyers old show. :shrug:

[omega minimo]

11. The questions he asks are frequently reactionary

and push the discussion in a rightward direction. Some might call it "Devil's Advocate." It obliterates the more natural, revealing way a conversation might unfold. Puts the guest on the defensive and suggests an agenda.....

Don't know whether that comes from him or his handlers.

[earth mom]

12. Interesting...I will watch for it and thanks! eom

[omega minimo]

13. Thanks to you, I'll look for Cute and Mysterious

:bounce: rather than SPARK

[earth mom]

14. :)