Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Today Show vs Good Morning America; The Battles, The Money and Ratings; NYT's Brian Stelter New Book



Lots of people, millions actually, watch the morning network TV shows, like the "Today Show" and "Good Morning America."

Except, of course, CBS which hasn't figured out how to create a successful AM program for about 100 years.

Brian Stelter, the media critic for the NY Times, has written a book about the nitty-gritty world of competitive egos, frailties, triumphs and failures in the AM juggernaut between Today and GMA."Top of the Morning" is intense. It goes directly behind the scenes, in the back offices and chronicles the fierce backfight pitting the two programs, its quarterbacks, its grunt men and women, the personalities, the characters, everything you wanted to know about the picture.

One thing is certain:  Among other things in the book, Stelter keys in on the fact that Ann Curry was lousy at the job.  Moreover, the book goes into great lengths of just how much animosity existed between Curry and Today's big kahuna, co-host, Matt Lauer.

"Top of the Morning" isn't perfect. The reviews have been mixed. But the book is compelling enough and offers a nifty, intense, behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest stories about the nature of Morning TV and its significance in modern American TV culture. (How about the fact that Today, not too long ago, brought in roughly $500M to NBC's coffers)

Brian Stelter will join me on my KSCO/KOMY radio show Tuesday, (Today), from 1-2 PM PT --we'll discuss the book and take questions from you. To listen live, (or later on the podcast), simply click on the station streaming audio link.

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*Tips/E-Mail: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com

18 comments:

  1. Interesting that about well over a year now,I posted here and on a national blog that I thought Curry was a little kooky and had wildly over achieved in life..good for her i guess. Then,after she was fired a high NBC exec was quoted as saying she had "over achieved,reached her highest level"..and that it wasn't good enough".
    Her meltdown goodbye was real bridge burning. Even the very liberal Joy Behar said on air "Why not say thanks to all,and goodbye? and just leave". She got millions to leave. But,it worked,that show has a backstabber reputation now. True or not.

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  2. Things are over Obama's head?
    You think you're smarter than Obama?

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    1. No, but you should really get help. You are infatuated with me. Go eat some pizza.

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  3. Don't think you're a drug, more like an enema.

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  4. Why are you so angry that Jason Collins came out? You sound crazy.

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    1. I'm not angry. Nor crazy. Care for some after-dinner mints?

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  5. Good for doing the story on the woman in San Jose. Not a funny story, but one to be concerned about. Thank you. That's terrorism.

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  6. Actually The CBS Morning Show is what I watch.. I am a big Charlie Rose fan and I like their format. I am sick of cooking tips/celebrity interviews/first responder stories/YouTube viral features.. Give me interesting interviews with relevant people from all walks of life...

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    1. Me too. And I like Charlie Rose and Nora O'Donnell too.

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  7. Rich,

    You final 27 minutes today was among the smoothest flowing you've ever done. You may have joked to much about the story, but you lit up the phones - finally. Note that the Chronicle, as of 2:30 today, had over 120 responses to the story. People are talking ...

    Good job. A little too much sarcasm, but you hit a nerve. Who'd a thunk?

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  8. Mr. L -

    Please ask Dave or M Z about the "and KMPH Modesto" tag on the top of the hour ID. What's that all about?

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    Replies
    1. I have no idea. Maybe you should call the station?

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  9. Just saw a commercial..-one of those public ads- for being a good parent. Who was playing with his daughter? Matt Laur.

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  10. I don't remember where I posted about 103.7 playing the same few oldies on the morning drive on 415media..but I did. And I said they play "Landslide" like its required. This morning? yep. 6:30 am as I said..."Landslide". Don Bleu must be deaf to the playlist.
    And- Me here,has actually put the Bone on because 103.7 wont mix it up. Not bad to hear some non metal oldies. Lamont and Tenelly are ok. Lamont is like a younger and living Pat McCormick. And they do a bad boy "Blooper calls" they say words like "ass".

    Variety is the spice of life...

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    Replies
    1. Message to Stan: Please stop the Clutter. You are not “posting” anything. You are in a comments section of a blog. Lieberman works hard with his blog. It has dates, labels, and attribution. Your typical comment is, “ I once ‘posted’ that the sky is blue. And then they said it on the radio. And Me here, I am a controller of all things Bay Area media.” Ugh. You continue to clutter comments sections of blogs. Please get a job and/or a girlfriend. Or start your own blog.

      rick

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    2. Message to Rick..Rich already said he finds my posts entertaining. He's NEVER even once asked me to stop,slow,down,stay away from topic "x". Sorry, And,facts don't lie..my posts get read.
      I really hate to brag about stats and facts. But Rick,your so wrong. Oh,and the same with Lowell and Steve's blog. Ask them.
      I have enough of all. I get the feeling Rick,you're opening up about yourself...

      And one last last..The sky IS blue. So,my being right is what irritates you? I cant change being right..I prefer it!

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    3. And Charlie Pellet stopped Raddy dead in his tracks on KNBR when Radnich got a little too much over the top with him with a "You're in a GREAT mood today". Raddy froze...
      Had to get that in...

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