Years ago, Saturday Night Live spoofed the news with the classic Chevy Chase lead: "Francisco Franco is still dead."
This morning's Today Show pretty much copied the Saturday Night Live routine on its morning news. With Afghanistan in turmoil, France dealing with a bloody Al Queda attack, Iran seeking to obtain nuclear weapons, Republican presidential candidates seen who can run to the right the farthest, and the God-Almighty All-American National Football League bringing the hammer down on the New Orleans Saints, what was the lead story on the Today Show?
Whitney Houston drowned six weeks ago.
Really. That was the lead story.
Seems the toxicology reports came back and showed that a dose of cocaine on top of other drugs, plus heart disease, lowered her body's ability to react, and she slipped under the water in her tub, and drowned.
Who cares? Its a tragedy -- six weeks ago. Now its just a footnote to what we have long known. She blew her career and enormous talent, and eventually her life, by sucking white powder up her nose.
But the lead story in the news? What does that say about broadcast news? What does it say about us?
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