Appealing to the L.C.D.

Even though I got my start in television broadcasting with a small, FOX affiliate (back when the network programmed only a few nights a week), I always believed that the network tried to distinguish itself, not by appealing to the coveted 18-49 year age bracket, but by appealing to what those of us in the business referred to as the “L.C.D.” or lowest common denominator. After all, this was the network that launched the irreverent, but raunchy, Married With Children, which often got pulled from my South Carolina station’s Sunday line-up because of “objectionable content.”

I left the station and my association with FOX to go to the exciting world of computer software long before the advent of its news broadcasts. I couldn’t be happier with this decision, especially after seeing that, even with its so-called “news" programs, FOX still tries to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Check this out.



Seriously--Obama’s baby momma, which according to the Urban Dictionary is an "unmarried woman with whom you had children and are not otherwise involved with?" And FOX considers this appropriate and ethical journalism? Are you kidding me?

For an intellectual and thoughtful discussion of this topic, I recommend visiting Charlotte’s post. If you want a good, old-fashioned rant, just keep reading.

Honestly, bloggers, this isn’t about being Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative. I respect thoughtful discussions about larger versus smaller government, national security, and the enviroment. What I can’t respect is outlandish ethnic, racial, or sexist slurs by an agency that fancies itself as being a respectable news agency. This sort of stunt by any news network certainly doesn’t measure up to my standards for solid journalism. Does it measure up to yours?