NYT: Anchor Who Reports Disaster News w/ Heart on Sleeve (Anderson Cooper)

[DeepModem Mom]

An Anchor Who Reports Disaster News With a Heart on His Sleeve
By ELIZABETH JENSEN
Published: September 12, 2005


The CNN anchor Anderson Cooper strikes a pose in the September issue of the men's magazine Maxim, modeling a sharp black suit set off by his prematurely gray hair. A stylized jumble of broken television sets is piled high beside him.

It is a very different Mr. Cooper who has captivated CNN viewers in the two weeks since Hurricane Katrina crashed ashore. The jumble of broken stuff is there, but it is real remnants of homes and lives washed away. Mr. Cooper's heart-on-his-sleeve demeanor has been anything but slick and packaged.

The 38-year-old anchor has dressed down officials in interviews with polite righteous indignation in behalf of hurricane victims. At least twice he choked up on air, once abruptly stopping his commentary about lost homes and waving away the camera as he looked about to burst into tears. CNN's camera occasionally has caught him playing with stray dogs. He says he has no intention of returning to his hip New York existence any time soon....

***

Mr. Cooper's Sept. 1 interview with Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Democrat of Louisiana, marked a turning point in the tone of hurricane coverage as he snapped when she began thanking federal officials for their recovery efforts.

"Excuse me, Senator, I'm sorry for interrupting," Mr. Cooper interjected. "I haven't heard that, because, for the last four days, I've been seeing dead bodies in the streets here in Mississippi. And to listen to politicians thanking each other and complimenting each other, you know, I got to tell you, there are a lot of people here who are very upset, and very angry, and very frustrated....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/12/arts/television/12coop.html?ex=1127188800&en=88dc26928d895f68&ei=5070&emc=eta1

[Teaser]

1. I take no pleasure in bashing

the corporate media. I actually hate it, it reminds so much of what is wrong with us. So I'm really heartened when I see a story about a reporter finding his (or her) soul.

[fooj]

2. Yes. Me, too.

He gives us hope.

Peace.

[faithnotgreed]

3. kick for anderson and for humanity

[Rainscents]

4. Yes, I am liking Anderson alot!

[tjdee]

5. This is what happened to the Kennedy boys too...

Events like Katrina can define a person's life. Anderson Cooper was just another trust fund baby, albeit a hip and (mostly) cool one already--but he seems to have changed as a result of what he's seen down there.

Hope it sticks.

Plus, he's HOOOOOOOTTTTTT. Too bad I have not a chance, oh the pain!!

[DU me]

6. I, too have been very impressed with AC

He has really delivered some of the best and most telling reports that I have watched. You could tell by watching him that this wasn't just a story. He was and is very involved and dedicated to the cause of the plight of these people and the devestation of Katrina.

I wrote him and thanked him for his honest and brutal reporting.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Welcome to DU, DU me!

:hi: :toast:

[OregonBlue]

9. Hi, glad there's one more Oregonian here. I never cared for him

much. Thought he did a great job on Katrina but today he's back to his usual and interviewing "my good friend" Fred Thompson who is sheparding Roberts through the nomination. Oh well, was good while it lasted.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Welcome, DU! nt

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. I was beginning to think he had had an epiphany

Then, he blew it a few days ago. In interviewing the NOPD Chief, he asked a very leading "point the blame and shame on the NOPD" question. The guy remained calm and stood up to AC. At that point, AC lost all the gold stars I was begining to collect on him. Apparently, his epiphany fell short of a true personal revelation.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. Kicking for Anderson fans, one of whom posts he is ON FIRE tonight! nt