When CBS promoted the 60 Minutes interview with Andre Agassi that aired this past Sunday, they said that he was only talking to one person, Katie Couric, as if this was the only place you'd be able to hear Agassi talk about his new book (Open) and the revelations that have surfaced (especially his crystal meth use in the late 90s).So what exactly was so "only talking to one person" about this interview? KVBC did an interview with him about the book, he's on Live with Regis & Kelly tomorrow morning, on The Late Show tomorrow night, and he's on Jimmy Kimmel Live on November 23. He also did an interview with People.
This is something that has irritated me for the past several years (and something we've talked about many times here): the words "exclusive" and "only" and even "first" are really overused (and misused) when it comes to TV news stories nowadays.
Whenever someone says they have an "exclusive" with someone, my first reaction is to not believe it. It's almost as if they justify calling it an exclusive because it's the only time you'll see the story in that way on this channel by this person. That's really stretching the meaning of the word. I'm curious to see if Oprah will use the word when it comes to her interview with Sarah Palin next week.
Oh, one TV-related anecdote from Agassi's book. Remember the Friends episode "The One After The Super Bowl" where Brooke Shields played a crazy woman stalking Joey? Agassi was on that set and stormed off during the scene where she had to lick Matt LeBlanc's hand.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-10-2009 @ 8:57AM
RT said...
An "exclusive" with a has-been promoting a book? What a bizarre decision for CBS during sweeps. Nobody cares about an arrogant tennis player.
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11-10-2009 @ 10:19AM
Ryan said...
Leaving his drug use aside, how is he a has-been? As recently as four years ago he made it to the finals of a Grand Slam tournament. He also won three Slam titles this decade. Not to mention the fact that he only retired three years ago and even then has kept in relative touch with tennis unlike his compatriot Pete Sampras.
And yes, he is promoting a book. People have been on 60 Minutes for less. And why for November sweeps? Well it's timely and his confession of meth use was pretty much the dominant sports story of the past week or two other than the World Series. So I don't get the confusion as to why 60 Minutes wouldn't have done this.
11-10-2009 @ 3:38PM
hamerxham12653 said...
At first I thought you were referring to Palin!
11-10-2009 @ 4:07PM
Rob Ashworth said...
YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL WHEN ANY OF THE NETWORKS ARE LYING TO US ..................... THEIR LIPS MOVE!
11-10-2009 @ 7:24PM
norman abazoris said...
CBS "news" took a tumble with Katie Curic and it just continues. Why would you be surprised by the carnival barker hype when Katie, the show person, is involved.
11-10-2009 @ 5:05PM
carol said...
Sorry RT, you don't speak for everyone. I enjoyed the interview (exclusive or not), and admire Andre for coming clean. Too many people in general (not just athletes) cover up mistakes...he has the character to man up and to get himself straight.
I agree with the article on "first" "only here", etc. We have that on our local stations - if one is watching the news on "channel 5", that's the only one they're seeing, so who cares if "channel 4" or whatever has the same story? Stupid.
11-10-2009 @ 7:59PM
Eric said...
or CBS.
11-10-2009 @ 9:50AM
Jimmy said...
Agassi is a douchebag. Always has been, always will be.
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11-10-2009 @ 10:15AM
MacGuffin said...
I am "only" commenting on TV Squad.
At least right now. In a few minutes from now, I will only be making a phone call, then will only be getting a cup of coffee, then only be in a business meeting.
Guess you have to consider what "only" only means.
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11-10-2009 @ 3:17PM
Debi Solomon said...
Who??? And who cares?
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11-10-2009 @ 3:44PM
bobbyjo said...
Our local CBS affiliate does the same thing. Never watch CBS news, but they have a few good dramas.
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11-10-2009 @ 4:18PM
toose said...
Whatever.......buy my book!!
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11-10-2009 @ 3:47PM
bobbiejo said...
Our local CBS affiliate does the same thing, I dont watch any of their news, but they a few good dramas.
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11-10-2009 @ 4:42PM
Hugh Fowler said...
Has no one ever heard the word "everyone" is doing this or watching that. Come on, "exclusive" is an every word and is meaningless. Hey, Andre was between a rock and hard place and took a way out. OK, everyone who has never done this raise your hand. Not Cm but said something untrue in order to get out os a sticky situation. Oh my, a new church is about to be formed everyone.
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11-10-2009 @ 4:53PM
Annee said...
"exclusive" seems to have come to mean a one on one interview, "not a press conference". LOL
Just like "breaking news" has come to mean - "breaking in THIS hour" just like it has in the 12 hours before this.
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11-10-2009 @ 5:08PM
eric said...
I am amazed that anyone would want to talk to that proped up loser to begin with. She is an anchor alright, the heavy type that sits on the bottom--
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11-10-2009 @ 8:25PM
The Burns said...
I worked in TV for 12 years... and I can say, with all authority, that Bob Sassone is correct.
But I don't see "exclusive" or "only" as that big of a deal. Those terms are often used when it's true for that moment. In other words, nobody else has that story yet... (key word: "yet").
However, whenever I see "Breaking News", I want to vomit. Producers, anchors and reporters (particularly producers) severely over-use this term and have worn it out to the point that nobody listens/watches any more. It's like the boy who cried wolf. About 10 years ago, when the on-air talent said "Breaking News", people stopped in their tracks to find out what very important piece of information was about to be unveiled. Now, outlets like CNN, FOX and especially MSNBC use it so often that the very phrase becomes trivial and without meaning. My favorite is when, what I like to call "Gossip News" (i.e., Nancy Grace, Maddow), use it every 15 minutes... even if the story is 4 or 5 weeks old!!!
Needless to say, the journalistic ethics I was taught and believed in, is gone. Yellow Journalism, ala Hearst and Pulitzer, has returned with a vengeance. Very few stations are in it for the good of the viewer anymore. They're in it for the good of the dollar. Thank God, I'm out of it.
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11-10-2009 @ 5:20PM
paul said...
Did CBS lie? Can you say Dan Rather?? Does anyone remember former President Clinton being fairly coached into denying the Jennifer Flowers affair by the folks at "60 Minutes" when he was running for President in 1992 with the statement that began "If you want to be President (by no less than Don Hewitt, the producer of 60 Minutes)". Does 60 Minutes or CBS lie?? The question should be "When don't they??"
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11-10-2009 @ 6:05PM
R. Wrenn said...
What difference does it make whether they said exclusive or whatever? You shouldn't believe all the hype? It's entertainment. As far as Mr. Agassi's drug usage, well let that be thank goodness he rid himself of that deadly practice. You must be mature enough to decide whether you care to read the book. It's very simple - with the exception of a Leap year there are 365 days the rest of the years and it should take you all that time to keep your own life in order. Matter of fact, you should be so busy seeing that you are on the right path that you wont have the time to complain about someone else. I don't approve of drug usage but I'm just one individual and I'm trying my best to keep myself healthy and happy.
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11-10-2009 @ 6:07PM
Mike said...
I agree with the author about the network news organization's overuse of terms like "exclusive." They all sound so trite and smug as if any of the viewers are impressed or care about the foolish claim.
As for the interview with Agassi? How on earth is he a has been? Retired? Certainly. He is one of the great tennis players. That he did drugs is unfortunate. But, he did. He also has my admiration for coming clean and being humble, contrite and apologetic. His admission is 180 degrees out from Clemmens, A-Rod, Bonds, Sosa and the rest of the mega overpaid athletes who deny, deny, deny using anything. Agassi stopped using, got clean and reenergized his career.
And no Agassi stories/rumours about cheating on his wife or sleeping with groupies, singers, actresses on and on and on and..........ad nauseum. Good thing he played tennis, he'd never have made it in baseball.
And he has even started a school for inner city youths. What is not to admire about Agassi? Good for you Andre!
Can't say that about those overpaid, conceited, me me me ball players.
Very good interview Katie!
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