News Anchors

[stubeeef]

Because we all like to get our news from a few sources, and I'm sure we all check what the others are saying from time to time, which is your favorite and why? It seems a relevent question throughout all of these threads, the slamming of a source (like me slamming "rabid" rather) and heralding of another.
Tom Brokaw, who I do admire, retires in December of 2004, and Brian Williams will take his seat.
Who do you admire?

[zimv20]

not sure how loosely we're going to define "anchor," but i like charlie rose, jim lehrer and bill moyers.

[Thanatoast]

John Stewart - sometimes he actually shoots straighter than the "real" news anchors.

[zimv20]

oh yeah -- add margaret warner to my list

[IJ Reilly]

Lehrer and Warner, with an edge to Warner. If you'd like to see how an interview or a panel discussion should be conducted, watch the way Warner does it. She asks excellent questions and never gets in the way.

[skunk]

Jeremy Paxman, Newsnight, BBC2. No contest.

[Thomas Veil]

I always liked Peter Jennings, whom I consider the coolest, most logical mind in the news business. I was just reminded of that yesterday because of Sept. 11. I remember when the (second?) tower fell, he was almost speechless. Rather than prattle on, all he quietly said was what all of us were thinking: "Oh...my...God........."

But you're right, Brokaw is cool as well. And frankly, I admire the stand Dan Rather is taking right now regarding that National Guard document. Pretty gutsy move.

And I am rapidly warming up to Keith Olberman and his Countdown show. Witty, smart, and often as in-depth, if not moreso, than the big three networks' news.

[stubeeef]

I'll add that is nice to watch Hiedi on CNN, I don't care what she is saying only that they have her on to say it! ;)

[zimv20]

I'll add that is nice to watch Hiedi on CNN, I don't care what she is saying only that they have her on to say it! ;)
ladies and gentlemen, we have a symptom.

[IJ Reilly]

ladies and gentlemen, we have a symptom.

Now all we need is a cure.

[pseudobrit]

Now all we need is a cure.

The first step is always denial.

[stubeeef]

Boy, do you guys need to lighten up, playgirl just made the news with the sexiest anchor list........
I hope that the guys and gals out there are capable of noticing these things!
If not, cut off your computer for a day and go outside and meet people...
geeez

I also admire Scarborough, I like to watch Hardball, Keith Olberman & countdown, Lou Dobbs, and love Russert.

But Hiedi is attractive, comeon, give me that......

[wordmunger]

John Stewart - sometimes he actually shoots straighter than the "real" news anchors.

Now you're talking! That's the only "news" show I watch with any regularity. I get my news from solid, reliable weblogs ;) and left-leaning online newspapers such as the NY times.

Otherwise, my wife watches Headline News in the morning and that infobabe they've got on then is pretty cute.

[takao]

at the moment: none

in the past: Robert Hochner (former anchorman of the austrian "Zeit im Bild" of the ORF...the 19:30 show gets about 1-1,2 million viewers on average)
he was the _the_ political interviewer and a journalist by heart....
sadly ....like always ...death gets them too early (cancer in his case...)

[yg17]

ill watch pretty much anyone who isn't on FOX

[stubeeef]

my wife watches Headline News in the morning and that infobabe they've got on then is pretty cute.

Glad you noticed!!!!You are not the borg!! :D

[blackfox]

Interesting topic Stu...unfortunately, I am unable to directly contribute as I have not watched TV since the late 90's...and I have never watched cable (other than the odd HBO movie ). I don't know any of the names being discussed here, with the exception of the Network News Anchors, who have been around forever...

I personally have never been a fan of talking-head punditry, as TV is just not a format for the (proper) dissemination of complex political issues/realities. I prefer the newspaper or (to a lesser degree) the Internet for News.

Perhaps I am missing out, although I doubt it...

One other thing...While a good Anchor definitely has certain qualities and adds immeasureably to the credibility of a News organization, they are merely a mouthpiece. While Brokaw or Donaldson or whomever may strike you as Liberal or Conservative, imo, this is no different than them striking you as competent, self-assured or cocky...a perception, not necessarily a reality. In any case, they do not choose the News, they merely read it...