"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage of the deeply flawed aspects of journalism in the nation. We'll look to bring accountability to the mishaps, malaprops, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in mainstream media.
11.04.22
Reporting on the Mirror (Pt. 1) – CNN
- And on top of that, the Phillies are trailing in the World Series!
The management at CNN has been slow-rolling the promised changes and purges concerning the network talent, but now we see there also might be something of a short leash with those who remain. Recently, Jake Tapper was given the timeslot at 9 pm ET, formerly occupied by the deposed Chris Cuomo. Jake was said to be establishing a primetime presence and was going to be the figurehead during the midterm election coverage.
More recent news, however, is that he has now been yanked from the nighttime seat and sent back to his afternoon show.
CNN's Jake Tapper is being tapped out of primetime following weak viewership.
— Joseph A. Wulfsohn (@JosephWulfsohn) November 2, 2022
It was previously reported that CNN boss Chris Licht wanted Tapper to be the "new face" of the network and to be in the 9pm ET time slot permanently. https://t.co/HAb8rCWLXy
Reporting on the Mirror (Pt.2) – CNBC
- Speaking of the Unwatchables…
Two years ago, Shepard Smith had something of a boisterous exit from Fox News and landed at CNBC, settling in with an early evening news program and a $10 million annual salary. Over that time, his viewers fell from a paltry number of around 325,000 to an anemic amount below 200,000.
Non-partisan, just-the-facts news, accurate and fair, for that ill-served audience in the middle, ready to cut through the static and deliver those facts— in context! Isn't that what everyone wants? CNBC did it with Shep Smith. His show has been cancelled. https://t.co/jqpKP3ukMy
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) November 4, 2022
Reporting on the Mirror (Pt. 3) – MSNBC
- Wait, but Joy Reid survives…?
In more dire broadcast news, in a bit of a surprise move at MSNBC, they announced that weekend hostess Tiffany Cross had been removed from the airwaves. Not to suggest this was not warranted, given that she has been a veritable hot mess on the air and has come up against network referrals consistently, but for her to come under the axe blade while the far more consistently offensive Joy Reid remains on the air five nights a week is a touch perplexing.
Deranged, Racist Host Fired By MSNBC in Surprise Move https://t.co/aT0Qm8isT2
— RedState (@RedState) November 4, 2022
Anti-Social Media – NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
- Consider how bad the options must have been for them to air this segment.
For reasons that defy logic, decency, morality, and our tax dollars, NPR ran a news segment that featured a reporter providing live audio from inside a clinic's room as a woman was undergoing an abortion procedure, with all the accompanying sound effects.
Nothing more about this really needs to be said.
I almost didn't want to tweet this but it's something everyone needs to know. NPR on the radio this morning played audio of a woman getting an abortion. You can hear the vacuum turning on, crying, moaning, and the doctor telling her it's done.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 3, 2022
Warning: It's tough to listen to. pic.twitter.com/nlSNz0m5Ka
Matching Media Memorandum – REUTERS
With all of the media deeply upset that a private company has changed ownership, Reuters had to join in on the overwrought focus on the company. With an inside report from Twitter headquarters, we learned some grievous things are transpiring. For instance, employees there had been able to enjoy arbitrary time off called "days of rest" – and now those are no longer on the calendar!
The outlet also detailed the plight of one manager who spent the night in her office.
- "One manager tweeted a photo of herself sleeping on the floor of the office in a silver sleeping bag."
Why? Well, that detail was not so important; just know it was a bad sign. Of something.
Chaos, confusion reign ahead of Twitter layoffs https://t.co/EOVVfmnRoT pic.twitter.com/z3rqKZVUut
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 4, 2022
Glossary Over Things – WALL STREET JOURNAL
Considering the revelation behind why John Fetterman has a preference for wearing hoodies all the time, maybe the use of the word "neck" in the headline here was a bit of a touchy decision?
Mehmet Oz and John Fetterman are neck and neck in Pennsylvania’s Senate race. Unexpected troubles for both men have cost them potential votes. https://t.co/G7Fe1qNAxc
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 4, 2022
DNC PR Firm – CBS NEWS
- "You know that lying opposition ad from your opponent? I want to bring that up now in front of everyone in the form of a legitimate question."
The Democrats are getting desperate, as shown in a recent campaign ad run by the party in Arizona. In it, Gladys Sicknick, the mother of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, states to the camera that Kari Lake was responsible for the death of her son on January 6.
With all deference to a distraught mother, this is a crass move by Democrats, using her grief to sell a fake message. Officer Sicknick did not die on January 6, and he passed away well after the riot from natural causes. So unless Kari Lake has in any way an ability to provoke a stroke – as a medical examiner stated was what led to Sicknick's passing – she is not in any way culpable of what is alleged.
Watch here as Lake deftly handles a network reporter who wants to smear her with the accusation from this ad, responding with tact and then dispelling the accusation calmly with facts.
A CBS reporter just asked me about the latest desperate attack ad accusing ME of causing the death of a Capitol Police Officer.
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) November 2, 2022
As a mother, here was my response: pic.twitter.com/dol7OEFQaw
Your Weekend Bonus Levity
Just as a relief from the inundation of political ads we are enduring in these final days of the election, here is a collection of some of the more bizarre and off-kilter political commercials from the past election cycle.
For your weekend viewing pleasure - I put together a collection of some of the warped campaign spots put out this year.
— Brad Slager: Polling For Soup (@MartiniShark) November 4, 2022
There are a cannibals, a rapping granny, The Joker, a baby-hating Florida Man, and a naked lass on an oil derrick.
Democracy is grand.https://t.co/HqoUGBCz2w
