:: Watching TV
CNBC finally has a winner. For two Friday afternoons, I have watched WSJ: Editorial Board, hosted by
Stuart Varney, whose traditional delivery style I missed when he left CNN. A mature summary of the issues of the week. They are quite polite with each other, boardering on reticient, but perhaps my expectation of civility has been dulled by the far more in-your-face style of the more typical argument-culture shows.
BTW, I've long been a FOX News fan, largely converted to watching them during the post-911 coverage. However, of late, I find I can hardly stomach the network. Most disappointing has been Neil Cavuto, whose post-market wrap business show was long a favorite. The show has degenerated into blather about babes, his large head, and what's going on in Hollywood, anything but business, real issues. Perhaps the peak was when Bill Gates finally deigned to an interview. It's been downhill ever since. I now mostly tune into MSNBC, whose national coverage is quite good, particularly their specials. CNN and NWI (News World International) fill in international coverage.
Finally, while I still forsake a Saturday morning sleep-in to watch FOX News Saturday Morning Business Block, the reward for doing has diminished. Brenda Buttner, host of Bears and Bulls, who once pleased with her lively and inviting tone, has taken on a shrill, rah-rah, and at times sensational style that truly grates. The last hold outs of sanity in the Saturday Business Block may be Jim Michaels on the Forbes show and Terry Keenan, Cashin' In host.
