http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/31/23326/1083/699/446791
QuoteFor just over three minutes on Saturday morning, TV talk show host Montel Williams owned the hosts of Fox and Friends. A former Marine and Naval officer, Montel lectured the stunned hosts on the stupidity of spending air time on the death of Heath Ledger, rather than covering the war in Iraq. It was a spectacle rarely seen on live cable television, as Montel exposed and condemned both tabloid "news" shows and much of American culture for what they have each become: shallow and greedy.
Three minutes into this awkward segment on Fox, one host cut off Montel in order to go to a commercial. Montel did not return after the break. Four days later, after 17 years as a television host, Montel lost his job. Variety reported on Wednesday that the
Fate of "The Montel Williams Show" was sealed when key Fox-owned stations opted not to renew it for the 2008-09 season.
I have no idea whether Montel already knew his show wasn't going to be renewed, and thus felt emboldened to cut loose on the air, or whether his firing was a result of his actions on Saturday. Either way, Montel Williams exhibited courage this week that few in the television industry ever will. And for that, American troops around the world stand with him. We support him not only because he stood up for the troops, but because he did it on Fox News—a station that has done more damage to the U.S. military since 9/11 than any other.
Montel Williams is an American patriot. Though he left the military years ago, he has never forgotten "his" troops.
For that we salute and thank you, Montel. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do next.
a
I guess psychic Sylvia Brown didn't see that one coming...
i love that the guys in the production room couldn't even think outside of the box for an instant, continuing their juxtaposed montage of Heath Ledger clips.
stay classy, Murdoch.
Quote from: hoodie22 on February 10, 2008, 04:20:29 PM
I guess psychic Sylvia Brown didn't see that one coming...
:lol:
It appears there was exactly 1 brain in that studio and they cut him off and sent him home.
Met him once. Decent guy. Shame.
He's probably better off, I wonder if he got sick of towing the FOX party line and just snapped
It looks to me like he knew he was on the way out, was fed up and took his shot.
Good for him.
Maybe he can go Join Bill Maher on HBO. (remember Maher got fired from ABC for some honest remarks in the wake of 9/11/01.)
Quote from: Guyute on February 10, 2008, 09:03:29 PM
It appears there was exactly 1 brain in that studio and they cut him off and sent him home.
Q4T
Quote from: ytowndan on February 10, 2008, 10:57:03 PM
Quote from: Guyute on February 10, 2008, 09:03:29 PM
It appears there was exactly 1 brain in that studio and they cut him off and sent him home.
Q4T
No.
That would make two.
Montel's and the producers.
Quote from: rowjimmy on February 10, 2008, 10:47:53 PM
It looks to me like he knew he was on the way out, was fed up and took his shot.
Good for him.
I think that's probably accurate, since he said at one point "I don't need 'em" in reference to ratings.
And how about that loaf on the end of the couch there, saying "We're talking with Montel Williams about Heath Ledger" as they go to commercial?
Is this garbage really the biggest news outlet in the country?
sad to say, but Heath Ledger, Paris Hilton, Nicole Simpson, Brittany Spears, and other celebrities get tons of ink and air time revolving around scandals, even among "reputable" outlets like national network news, CNN, etc.
sad.... GO MONTEL!
since when was covering the news about ratings?
thats what makes bbc so good.... they dont talk about celebrities for over 15 seconds.
A news station should be covering important topics, but as usual, fox news doesnt care what people have to say
Quote from: Declan on February 11, 2008, 10:42:48 AM
since when was covering the news about ratings?
Since television became a business...
Check out the film "Network."
from 10 questions to Tom Brokaw (Time magazine)
QuoteDo you think it's a problem that fewer Americans now get their news from traditional sources? —Max Jacobson, New Haven, Conn.
Brokaw: We're better off. We have so many more choices. What happens is, of course, that the squeaky wheel continues to get attention. I have a little tool at my house—you should get one—it's called the remote control. You can go from those channels that are showing too much of Anna Nicole Smith to, say, BBC News.
montel was bound to end up in hot water eventually, he's been plugging to legalize marijuana for a while too.
but another side of the heath vs. troops story, is that the news broadcasts so much celeb bullshit because its what many americans would rather hear about anyway.
Quote from: redrum on February 12, 2008, 08:30:55 AM
but another side of the heath vs. troops story, is that the news broadcasts so much celeb bullshit because its what many americans would rather hear about anyway.
Dude! :-o
Good point!
a
Quote from: August on February 12, 2008, 08:33:06 AM
Quote from: redrum on February 12, 2008, 08:30:55 AM
but another side of the heath vs. troops story, is that the news broadcasts so much celeb bullshit because its what many americans would rather hear about anyway.
Dude! :-o
Good point!
a
thanx dood.
FWIW- Montel knew he wasn't being renewed.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979859.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
^ Dated Jan. 30, 2008
Good for him.