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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