I agree on the over runs. The producer in me was not happy. They prioritized the live on site crowd experience and sacrificed having a much larger TV crowd get the good stuff until it was way too late. Maybe next conventions the networks join together to show the DNC and RNC the metrics of the cost of viewers fleeing to get the show to comply to more normal times. The roll call was fun and innovative and sprinkle in more name acts as it worked well to provide a variety of information and entertainment.
And in discussion with my 37 year old daughter she said she watched a lot of the convention. She thought it was interesting and exciting. She didn’t care that it ran long. Like she said “Dad, that’s only a problem for Boomers” as she watched all of the convention online at her convenient time. Unless it’s a sporting event her generation doesn’t put high value on live.
Thanks for another look behind the scenes. Watching at home, I never paid much attention, just always thought, gee, they have this well planned in order to end the news on time!
I loved this week’s DNC, and admit I was too tired to watch Joe’s complete speech Monday night.
We did figure out that night, however, it was much more enjoyable watching the event via Prime video so we didn’t miss things because of network TV talking heads blathering on (my opinion).
I used to be one of those blatherers! Nothing but pure brilliance poured forth! At least, in my own mind.
I could not help but notice that Faux News, on the few times I switched over to them, would have their talking heads going full bore whenever a speaker at the convention was blasting Trump. And of course as soon as Harris was done last night, they got Trump right on the phone. They are shameless hucksters.
A couple of stories if you will indulge me. Ronald Reagan told the story of H.R. Gross doing the 10:00 PM news one night on W-H-O Radio. It was a "big" news day. Reagan was the announcer on duty.
There was a program at the Hotel Fort Des Moines which had to be met. Reagan gave Gross the time cues to wrap up. Gross ignored Reagan and kept on with the news. Reagan kept trying to get Gross to wrap up. He would not. Finally Reagan activated his microphone and said words to the effect, "Folks, that's the news for tonight, now, to the Hotel Fort Des Moines!" Reagan closed his microphone, but did not turn off the one which Gross was using. Gross was not happy and as Reagan described it, H.R. Gross used some forthright words. The words went out over the air. The Des Moines Police went to the Fort Des Moines Hotel to investigate, believing that there was some intoxicated person who was raising a ruckus.
The other story involves the late, great, and much admired Jack Shelley. Jack's primary newscast was at 12:30 PM each day. Three days a week there were commercial breaks within the newscast. On the other two days, there were twelve and one-half minutes of uninterrupted news. When asked how he timed his newscasts, Jack would hold his pile of scripts and remark, "Looks about like twelve and one-half minutes of news to me."
Back timing which Dave described was a true art. Also the ability to cut stories during a newscast which might be running long could create havoc, especially in the days when film was used for stories. The film was placed on one reel with the stories in sequence. If a story was dropped which involved film and someone forgot to tell the technician who had control of the projector, then, things were ever more messed up.
The final night and the big ship was ready to leave the dock (Kamala). It just felt like we have a bunch of topics to cover and swing states to recognize, former VP candidates to speak and emotions to tug, so we'll get them out there as quick as we can, but there will be a bunch of speeches. You betcha. Then, Kamala can sett sail and dazzle the crowd, or at least some of the late-night political junkies. Great topic, Dave. The subject matter has always fascinated me. Thanks.
It was a real disservice to President Biden having him on so late Monday night. I.also switched to NBC after watching PBS the first night. PBS did the talking heads thing while Warnock was speaking. Not cool! NBC seemed to show everyone.
We volunteered at the convention and were inside the United Center on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Monday and Tuesday were both too long with too many speakers. The talk there was that many of the speakers were lined up before Harris was the nominee, and did not take kindly to being uninvited. Some completely blew off the time allotment they were given. (Hello, bill clinton). Convention staff got tougher with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Too many “unknowns” thinking they are the next 2004 Obama.
Still, it was an incredible experience to be there.
I agree on the over runs. The producer in me was not happy. They prioritized the live on site crowd experience and sacrificed having a much larger TV crowd get the good stuff until it was way too late. Maybe next conventions the networks join together to show the DNC and RNC the metrics of the cost of viewers fleeing to get the show to comply to more normal times. The roll call was fun and innovative and sprinkle in more name acts as it worked well to provide a variety of information and entertainment.
Exactly right. Nice to hear from you, Jacques.
And in discussion with my 37 year old daughter she said she watched a lot of the convention. She thought it was interesting and exciting. She didn’t care that it ran long. Like she said “Dad, that’s only a problem for Boomers” as she watched all of the convention online at her convenient time. Unless it’s a sporting event her generation doesn’t put high value on live.
I agree, wholeheartedly!
Boy, have rundowns changed since 1987 when it was all pen and paper!
Remember the carbon paper six packs? I don’t miss those days.
Thanks for another look behind the scenes. Watching at home, I never paid much attention, just always thought, gee, they have this well planned in order to end the news on time!
I loved this week’s DNC, and admit I was too tired to watch Joe’s complete speech Monday night.
We did figure out that night, however, it was much more enjoyable watching the event via Prime video so we didn’t miss things because of network TV talking heads blathering on (my opinion).
I used to be one of those blatherers! Nothing but pure brilliance poured forth! At least, in my own mind.
I could not help but notice that Faux News, on the few times I switched over to them, would have their talking heads going full bore whenever a speaker at the convention was blasting Trump. And of course as soon as Harris was done last night, they got Trump right on the phone. They are shameless hucksters.
Great column, Dave! And yes -- audio is the last thing that gets attention. But the first thing viewers notice when there's a problem 🙄
One of the cardinal rules of broadcasting!
A couple of stories if you will indulge me. Ronald Reagan told the story of H.R. Gross doing the 10:00 PM news one night on W-H-O Radio. It was a "big" news day. Reagan was the announcer on duty.
There was a program at the Hotel Fort Des Moines which had to be met. Reagan gave Gross the time cues to wrap up. Gross ignored Reagan and kept on with the news. Reagan kept trying to get Gross to wrap up. He would not. Finally Reagan activated his microphone and said words to the effect, "Folks, that's the news for tonight, now, to the Hotel Fort Des Moines!" Reagan closed his microphone, but did not turn off the one which Gross was using. Gross was not happy and as Reagan described it, H.R. Gross used some forthright words. The words went out over the air. The Des Moines Police went to the Fort Des Moines Hotel to investigate, believing that there was some intoxicated person who was raising a ruckus.
The other story involves the late, great, and much admired Jack Shelley. Jack's primary newscast was at 12:30 PM each day. Three days a week there were commercial breaks within the newscast. On the other two days, there were twelve and one-half minutes of uninterrupted news. When asked how he timed his newscasts, Jack would hold his pile of scripts and remark, "Looks about like twelve and one-half minutes of news to me."
Back timing which Dave described was a true art. Also the ability to cut stories during a newscast which might be running long could create havoc, especially in the days when film was used for stories. The film was placed on one reel with the stories in sequence. If a story was dropped which involved film and someone forgot to tell the technician who had control of the projector, then, things were ever more messed up.
The final night and the big ship was ready to leave the dock (Kamala). It just felt like we have a bunch of topics to cover and swing states to recognize, former VP candidates to speak and emotions to tug, so we'll get them out there as quick as we can, but there will be a bunch of speeches. You betcha. Then, Kamala can sett sail and dazzle the crowd, or at least some of the late-night political junkies. Great topic, Dave. The subject matter has always fascinated me. Thanks.
Thanks, Ron. A TV newscast is like an iceberg. Folks only see a little bit above the surface.
It was a real disservice to President Biden having him on so late Monday night. I.also switched to NBC after watching PBS the first night. PBS did the talking heads thing while Warnock was speaking. Not cool! NBC seemed to show everyone.
We volunteered at the convention and were inside the United Center on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Monday and Tuesday were both too long with too many speakers. The talk there was that many of the speakers were lined up before Harris was the nominee, and did not take kindly to being uninvited. Some completely blew off the time allotment they were given. (Hello, bill clinton). Convention staff got tougher with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Too many “unknowns” thinking they are the next 2004 Obama.
Still, it was an incredible experience to be there.
That’s a great perspective, Jan. Thanks for weighing in.