How powerful? NBC originally refused to run President Obama's prime time press conference about his health care plan tomorrow night at 9PM because it would interfere with the highly-rated America's Got Talent and the show's interview with Britain singing sensation Susan Boyle. So what did the White House do?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-21-2009 @ 6:36PM
Emma said...
That, is absolutely ridiculous! Susan Boyle, lets face it is borderline retarded spinster from the highlands who can only sing one song. I still do not see what the big fascination is. I for one would have far rather heard about the health care plan. I guess, though, it just shows where the world's priorities lie now.
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7-21-2009 @ 6:57PM
miller980 said...
Heaven forbid Obama isn't on every single channel. Believe me, if NBC opted out of showing his speech, there are approximately 239 other channels that he would still be on.
7-21-2009 @ 10:44PM
Tom said...
Emma,
I'm not sure what rock you crawled out from under but jelousy is evident in your note--how many million will you make this year with your TALENT?? Go listen to the president all you want; Ms. Boyle is a beautiful talented lady with a lot to offer. Good for her. The pres is boring anyway. He's putting this country into bankrupsy. Ms. Boyle brings light into this darkened world--it's called hope.
7-22-2009 @ 4:58PM
Emma said...
Tom,
I have to say your comment brightened up my day, I don't think I have ever been asked what rock I crawled out from under before. That said I am not one bit jealous of Ms Boyle, not everyone in this world wants to be a TV Talent show star. Granted too my comment was a bit harsh, but I am simply tired of hearing about Susan Boyle, she is a good enough singer (although I do not believe anywhere near as good as people make out), but she underwhelmed on Britain's Got Talent and her strange behaviour is uncomfortable to watch. Still I am amused at being the subject of such vitrol in the comments.
7-21-2009 @ 7:53PM
Fullman said...
Let's face it, you know his administration isn't compensating the networks for millions in lost revenue during his propaganda speeches. He's often chosen the most popular nights where ad revenues are higher to deliver talking points that just rehash everything he's already been saying, so what's the point?
Good for the networks, the party is over and they're doing their own part: protecting their assets as best they can.
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7-21-2009 @ 8:14PM
Marty said...
Emma, how can someone possibly only be able to sing one song?
Only someone that's borderline retarded would make such a stupid comment.
I guess you never heard her sing Cry Me A River.
I guess she'll sing I Dreamed A Dream 11 times on her CD???
You CAN listen about the Socialized Medicine. He'll be on at 8pm instead of 9pm.
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7-21-2009 @ 8:55PM
Max said...
Hasn't he been going on all the morning, and late now shows for months pushing this health care thing? Plus all those conferences he's had and the news media is constantly playing them in a nonstop loop. Seriously, is the American public allowed one hour that's Obama free? Also, he's the president of the country and why is HE moving the time? He should have just went along without NBC, or found a different night, but he always wants the most popular nights so more people can see him.
So my comment won't get deleted:
Oh Barack your so fine, your so fine you blow my mind Hey Barack! Hey Barack!
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7-21-2009 @ 9:01PM
Joel Keller said...
Max, your last comment got deleted because you used a Cronkite story as an excuse to rant against Obama. It didn't have anything to do with the post you were commenting on. We've deleted posts on both sides of the political fence if they had nothing to do with the topic at hand.
7-21-2009 @ 9:31PM
Max said...
Joel, maybe all of this would be avoided if politics were kept out from the articles. This is TVsquad and not PoliticalSquad, when I come here I want to see TV related articles and not articles that are about TV but then have political agendas in them(excluding this article).
7-21-2009 @ 9:01PM
Owloo said...
OBAMA blah, blah, blah shut up already !!!
why should the networks lose ad revenue to you
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7-21-2009 @ 9:04PM
Bob Sassone said...
Everyone, it's great that we all have opinions and viewpoints, but let's try to keep this focused on the post and not let it mutate into yet another political debate, OK?
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7-21-2009 @ 9:35PM
Max said...
I agree with you 100%(I come here for TV news and not politics), but if your writers are able to throw in their political opinions in posts, then why aren't we as the readers allowed to do the same with our posts?
7-21-2009 @ 9:08PM
RTMS said...
I agree with the move, why should the networks be held hostage with no compensation for the ads lost during these speeches? Summer has low enough ratings that the TV series are just struggling to get by. I don't see why they can't put these speeches on Sunday nights at 6 or 7 pm, when most people are going to be eating dinner/supper and therefore do not interfere with any prime time. If people want to listen to the Pres blab on and on, they will tune in.
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7-21-2009 @ 9:37PM
Bob Sassone said...
Max: there's no political opinion in this post, and I try to just post a story or a video with just the info and no slant. Just because something is in the political realm doesn't mean the post itself it political.
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7-21-2009 @ 10:07PM
Max said...
In the other comment above, I never said that there's anything wrong about this post. I'm talking about the site as a whole. One of your worst offenders is Danny G. The best post on there was this one: http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/06/anderson-cooper-knows-nothing-about-sports/
In that video there was nothing entertaining, interesting or TV related(other than that it was on a news channel that's on TV). Yet, it's 5 minutes long, and were never told where the part where Anderson doesn't know sports. Yet, two days later your able to post the time for where the relevant part of the video applies to the article http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/08/craig-ferguson-says-farewell-to-michael-jackson/. Fishy, huh?
7-21-2009 @ 10:48PM
Tom said...
I think the world is tired of the same ole bad news and political garbage anyway. Ms. Boyle's presence, talent, and lifestory is fascinating. Can't we have an hour where we're entertained and feel good for a change. Just post the presents notes on the website--I'll read about it later if something intertesting comes out of it. I'm very excited to see Ms. Boyle in America!!!!! Tom
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7-22-2009 @ 11:46AM
carol said...
I agree that this is not the place to take any political sides. The sad thing is that I think Miss Boyle herself, , had nothing to do with the network's decision............this was made by the "suits" who did not want to lose advertising monies.
It is of course an ignorant statement to say someone "can only sing one song" kudos to whomever asked "how can someone "only sing one song". And it is grossly unfair to blame Susan for a network decision.
I also disagree, however with the title of this article. You knew it would create vehement responses when you wrote it.
Of course she is not "the most powerful person in the world" and nor does she want to be. She simply wants to be a successful singer. And that she is, in spades.
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7-22-2009 @ 2:28AM
CC said...
She is brilliant, talented, and has more more class and authenticity than all of Hollywood put together. Leave her alone to glow... it's HER turn~ NOT yours. Just look at yourself in the mirror, minus your "yes" people, your paid off or compensated friends & family, and employee's. We all reap what we sow. Or call it "KARMA..." whatever! Susan B. is a beautiful soul and to those of you who cannot "see" her in that light, it's because you somehow can't even see past ... yourself.
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7-22-2009 @ 3:40AM
Entropydecides said...
Obama and his staff made a decision that would appeal to everyone. The rising cost of healthcare and the plight of the uninsured needs to be exposed, the status quo is unsustainable and unjust.
Fortunately Obama recognized that timing is everything, and a Susan Boyle interview would leave him with very little.
Susan Boyle's talent is surpassed only by her clever remarks, gentle heart, and adorable quirkiness.
Obama's ascent to the presidency was earned by making smart decisions like the one above.
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7-22-2009 @ 3:19AM
JKCchicago said...
Many people still don't get cable news, or even all the networks, depending where they live. It doesn't matter who the president is; if the leader of the nation wants to address the nation, he should be able to do so. It's not like the preempted show disappears forever and will never be rerun.
And as far as the ad revenues, that's not how it works. The lost ads will show up on other programs.
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