As promised, we present the worst TV story ever. Produced in 1979 for a station in Columbia Missouri called KOMU, the subject matter is fairly self-evident. The TV station dispatched the reporter, a University of Missouri student, along with another student (Kevin Sullivan, now a tireless CMO with a big Atlanta law firm), to the Lake of the Ozarks. They toted a CP-16 magstripe film camera, and 200 ft. of film. The students would make the 75-mile one way trip, shoot each other’s stories, then return with “team coverage” before that term was coined.
It ain’t pretty. This story stayed in a 3/4″ tape box for nearly thirty years before getting dubbed to DVD this week. If you have old stories on tape, get ‘em dubbed now before this happens to you.
Here goes:
Let’s examine this.
- The photography is lame. Did you kids bring a tripod? If so, use it. Too many telephoto shots off the shoulder.
- The writing is middling at best. Did you really say there are “thousands” of conference centers in the Midwest that could accommodate such a meeting? Next time, leave the weed behind.
- This was a flavor piece without flavor. Did your professors teach you about “nat sound”?
- is it really news that Big Jim Thompson shopped for antiques?
- Surely there was an additional governor to interview.
- And then there’s the standup. You look mighty smug, kid– way too smug to spout a line like “governors are people too.” You did not just say that, did you? Tell me you didn’t. That line alone makes this the most wretched piece of TV news ever.
The only upside is the reporter’s plaid jacket and hairstyle. It may redeem you stylistically, but not journalistically.
Occasionally, this space gently chides TV news professionals currently in the business. In that event, know this: Whatever they’ve done cannot be worse than this bit of curdled, stinking drek.
Posted by dogbones on October 17, 2008 at 7:42 am
Just like the WGCL investigative report on trash guys goofing off.
Posted by camera guy on October 17, 2008 at 7:44 am
Really enjoyed the 35 second sound bite in a 1:47 pkg. Good work Doug!
Posted by Burke Brennan on October 17, 2008 at 7:44 am
Longtime lurker, first time poster, Three words:
Best … report … ever
Is it possible you peaked early?
If there were more reports like this, I’d watch more TV. Really.
Seriously, I love this blog and check it almost daily. Keep it up!
Posted by live apt fire on October 17, 2008 at 8:29 am
Burke– ! Thanks for checking in. The answer to your question, sadly, is probably “yes.” At least, style-wise.
Posted by Alex on October 17, 2008 at 9:52 am
Wow, you’re a little hard on this don’t you think. Seriously, it didn’t seem any worse than any other local news reporting from the ’70s.
Posted by imabeliever on October 17, 2008 at 9:58 am
Three words..
LOVE THE FRO!!
Posted by scott hedeen on October 17, 2008 at 10:05 am
bottom line… did you make slot?
PS… bert convy called… needs his style back.
Posted by Kevin on October 17, 2008 at 11:28 am
As “the other student” who shot this story I almost fell out of my chair laughing. So much fun before becoming jaded. Thanks for the memories, dude!
Posted by Don B Johnson on October 17, 2008 at 11:44 am
Best hair I’ve seen on tv in, LIKE FOREVER. The Max Robinson look. Big question is, did you use the whole two hundred feet of mag strip or do you have enough to spray a couple of vo’s on the way back to the station?
Posted by Matt K on October 17, 2008 at 2:10 pm
OMG – this just made my week. Ron Burgundy – the early years!
Posted by Lauren K on October 17, 2008 at 2:27 pm
no he didn’t
Posted by Mrs. LAF on October 17, 2008 at 4:28 pm
1979? My guess is that the reporter left after taping his stand-up, smoked a dube and put on “Fear of Music”, the new Talking Heads record. That’s what I would have done. Well– not in ’79. I was learning how to talk in general. Hahahaa!
Posted by nini on October 17, 2008 at 6:12 pm
That was hilarious!
Cherry limeade coming out my nose.
I want to see a series piece
Posted by atlbigear on October 17, 2008 at 9:07 pm
just goes to show, experience means something!
Posted by Fiddler on October 18, 2008 at 11:10 am
I read the piece before I watched it and was wondering why is he so hard on the journalism student… it can’t be THAT bad. It takes a big man to poke fun at himself… keep it up Doug.
Posted by Inkstained71 on October 18, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Damn, Doug, didn’t realize you were that old!
Posted by MizzouBJ '75 on October 22, 2008 at 9:50 am
At least you weren’t stuck with the Bell and Howell wind up or the old Aurecon in the case as heavy as a coffin! Oh, and your partner didn’t get in the station car and forget he left the camera (out of the case) on top of the car as he drove out. I graduated from Mizzou despite these things. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Posted by mizzougrad on October 22, 2008 at 11:43 am
KOMU rules! Great stuff. Almost as good as corn cob pipe.
Posted by Max U. on October 22, 2008 at 3:34 pm
As a fellow Afro-wearer of the 70′s (and 80′s), I think the comments about your “do” were way out of line. As far as your critique of the actual story, you may have been a bit harsh? And just for th record, you may now understand why we didn’t do standups in 101.
Posted by live apt fire on October 22, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I must bow down to the last commenter, Max U, my Film 101 instructor, who taught me everything I know about hair styling and hot-splice editing.
We didn’t do standups in 101 coz you gave us wind-up Bell & Howells that had no microphones on ‘em! I’m sure you’re doing a fine job of reining in those aspiring CNN anchors at KU. Thanks for checking in, Max!
Posted by scott hedeen on October 22, 2008 at 5:42 pm
“Damn, Doug, didn’t realize you were that old”
Doug… like alot of the X-news patriot force…are all undead…and will never get older… BOO.
i’ve got my halloween costume idea… i’m going as Doug 1980. (wig… turtleneck…a Blondie cassette)
Posted by live apt fire on October 22, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Blondie. Yes. But click on the hidden link on today’s “suspects” post (“identifying label”) and you’ll get a more accurate idea.