Note: I sent this letter to NBC today. I know they won't care, but it had to be done. Enough is enough.
Sniff. I think I'll miss Al Roker most of all.
Why I am Divorcing the Today Show
Dear Today producers,
I have been a loyal Today Show viewer and defender for more
than 20 years. When others decried the "fluff" of morning television,
I kept watching, because I understood how your format worked. From 7 a.m. to 8
a.m., we got the news we needed for the day. After 8, there was much more
"infotainment," and I actually enjoyed the balance.
Soon, however, the newsy hour began shrinking, until it was
decidedly only a newsy half-hour. And
still, I watched. Every morning, faithfully.
Even after Matt Lauer, a true journalist, asked a skydiving
elderly lady about her "brassiere" and then insultingly asked her if
she planned to "take up knitting," I was determined to stick with my
favorite morning show, even if the tone and the content was smacking me in the
face with its silliness.
Perhaps I had abused woman syndrome. I kept coming back for
more.
But I am divorcing the Today Show, and in fact, have already
made the switch to CBS, where I find actual news and information for a greater
portion of the show than I do celebrity "news," and unending
commentary on blonde models (no one's EVER heard of) attacked by plane
propellers.
I made the decision yesterday, when your line-up of segments
shockingly placed Miley Cyrus' engagement above news about the Wisconsin recall.
I stood in front of the television, half-dressed for work, and fairly yelled,
"Are you kidding me?!"
Miley Cyrus?? THIS is more important than the recall and all
that story's serious and wide-reaching implications?
Are you kidding me?
I am no hard news junkie, but I really can't take it
anymore.
I will try my hand with Charlie Rose and CBS, and if that
fails, I suppose I will turn the television off altogether and simply listen to
NPR in the house, as well as on the drive in to work.
Please bid my farewells to Matt, Ann, Al, etc. -- and let
them know that it's not me. It's them.
Good luck from a former faithful viewer,
Tanika Davis
