Morgan Bellattack dogs, loose cannons, and scapegoats
July 11th 2008 13:02
It seems to me that when an attack dog is disguised as loose cannon he quickly becomes a scapegoat
When you think of TV personalities you just loath you probably think of panel-style or talk-show programs that feature several professional co-hosts or guests and then one loud-mouth offensive buffoon
Im thinking Sam Newman, the late Stan Zemenek, Kyle Sandilands, and their american counterparts Rosie O'Donnell, Bill O'Reilly, and Dr Phil
The TV stations like having someone on their programs who are completely outrageous and lack any self control . . . these are the people that talk over others, be incredibly rude, and cause all the controversy . . . these are the people that boost the ratings
The producers try to pass these attack dogs off as loose cannons, these unpredictable and outspoken people that could say practically anything . . . straight talkers . . . tell it as it is . . . blah blah blah . . . what a crock of shit
The TV executives and co-hosts expect us to believe them when they say:
“yes they appear on our network and our show but their opinions are their own and we take no responsibility over their antics”
Very hard to swallow . . .
In Australia they try to pass them off as lovable larrikins who are unable to be harnessed, but how quickly does a larrikin deteriorate into a boof-head and then a buffoon
But I don’t think these supposed loose cannons are as loose or unpredictable as the first appear, I think it is all an elaborate ploy by the producers to evade being politically correct while shirking all responsibility for any offence caused . . .
I am really beginning to wonder exactly what the AFL Footy Show is trying to achieve with Sam Newman and I feel a bit sorry for him . . . it is clear there is an underlying agenda to orchestrate situations where he will act the fool and insult people . . . he has long been the attack dog of the program, asking the tough questions, saying the nasty things that (supposedly) everyone was thinking, mocking others relentlessly . . . but when he steps over the line the program now shies away from him leaving him to take the fall on his own
Some might say that’s fair enough, Sam doesn’t have to say rude things, he has free will etc
But does he?
The attack dog tends to dig a little hole for themselves that is impossible to climb out of, so they dig and dig becoming more and more shocking and distasteful . . . they have to live up to their attack dog persona so for fear or pride or misguided loyalty they dig away, slowly burying themselves
But do their colleagues try to help them out of their hole, or do they callously throw on another shovel load?
Rudeness is like heroin, audiences build a tolerance to it . . . what was shocking yesterday seems tame today . . . the attack dogs bark louder and louder and eventually viciously maul people to please and gain approval
If a man had a real dog like a bull terrier or a doberman and he only fed it when it bit people, and let this routine perpetuate for years and years, would you blame the man or the dog . . . and who is really responsible when the dog becomes too aggressive to keep on a harness and the man simply cuts it loose?
When Sam Newman insulted journalist Caroline Wilson the TV show provided him the props (ie a mannequin) and the air time to do it, he was incredibly disrespectful to one of the few female reporters in football, but the segment went on and on and noone said anything AT ALL . . . Gary Lyon later apologised to Caroline and disassociated himself from the antics, virtually throwing his hands up and saying it is beyond his control and he doesn’t approve . . . well if Gary and the show don’t approve then why do they turn a blind eye and often actively encourage it?
The farce of pretending not to approve is so transparent, Sam has become like a performing seal who they wheel out whenever they want to broach something tricky
This week I really noticed how many props Sam is given for his gags, the routine is not as spur-of-the-moment as it first appears, you cant tell me Sam installed a rear-view mirror to hang down from the studio ceiling, you cant tell me Sam provides the sound effects for that annoying burbling phone in order to interrupt the other panelists, and you cant tell me it is by accident that Gary puts Sam up to grilling players about the terms of their contracts when he doesn’t want to appear intrusive himself.
For Sam and other media attack dogs their livelihood rests on their abrasiveness, I just think it’s a shame that this good guy bad guy routine goes on with all the other cast and crew egging them on but then hanging them out to dry when its not safe to hide behind them anymore.
When you think of TV personalities you just loath you probably think of panel-style or talk-show programs that feature several professional co-hosts or guests and then one loud-mouth offensive buffoon
Im thinking Sam Newman, the late Stan Zemenek, Kyle Sandilands, and their american counterparts Rosie O'Donnell, Bill O'Reilly, and Dr Phil
The TV stations like having someone on their programs who are completely outrageous and lack any self control . . . these are the people that talk over others, be incredibly rude, and cause all the controversy . . . these are the people that boost the ratings
The producers try to pass these attack dogs off as loose cannons, these unpredictable and outspoken people that could say practically anything . . . straight talkers . . . tell it as it is . . . blah blah blah . . . what a crock of shit
The TV executives and co-hosts expect us to believe them when they say:
“yes they appear on our network and our show but their opinions are their own and we take no responsibility over their antics”
Very hard to swallow . . .
In Australia they try to pass them off as lovable larrikins who are unable to be harnessed, but how quickly does a larrikin deteriorate into a boof-head and then a buffoon
But I don’t think these supposed loose cannons are as loose or unpredictable as the first appear, I think it is all an elaborate ploy by the producers to evade being politically correct while shirking all responsibility for any offence caused . . .
I am really beginning to wonder exactly what the AFL Footy Show is trying to achieve with Sam Newman and I feel a bit sorry for him . . . it is clear there is an underlying agenda to orchestrate situations where he will act the fool and insult people . . . he has long been the attack dog of the program, asking the tough questions, saying the nasty things that (supposedly) everyone was thinking, mocking others relentlessly . . . but when he steps over the line the program now shies away from him leaving him to take the fall on his own
Some might say that’s fair enough, Sam doesn’t have to say rude things, he has free will etc
But does he?
The attack dog tends to dig a little hole for themselves that is impossible to climb out of, so they dig and dig becoming more and more shocking and distasteful . . . they have to live up to their attack dog persona so for fear or pride or misguided loyalty they dig away, slowly burying themselves
But do their colleagues try to help them out of their hole, or do they callously throw on another shovel load?
Rudeness is like heroin, audiences build a tolerance to it . . . what was shocking yesterday seems tame today . . . the attack dogs bark louder and louder and eventually viciously maul people to please and gain approval
If a man had a real dog like a bull terrier or a doberman and he only fed it when it bit people, and let this routine perpetuate for years and years, would you blame the man or the dog . . . and who is really responsible when the dog becomes too aggressive to keep on a harness and the man simply cuts it loose?
When Sam Newman insulted journalist Caroline Wilson the TV show provided him the props (ie a mannequin) and the air time to do it, he was incredibly disrespectful to one of the few female reporters in football, but the segment went on and on and noone said anything AT ALL . . . Gary Lyon later apologised to Caroline and disassociated himself from the antics, virtually throwing his hands up and saying it is beyond his control and he doesn’t approve . . . well if Gary and the show don’t approve then why do they turn a blind eye and often actively encourage it?
The farce of pretending not to approve is so transparent, Sam has become like a performing seal who they wheel out whenever they want to broach something tricky
This week I really noticed how many props Sam is given for his gags, the routine is not as spur-of-the-moment as it first appears, you cant tell me Sam installed a rear-view mirror to hang down from the studio ceiling, you cant tell me Sam provides the sound effects for that annoying burbling phone in order to interrupt the other panelists, and you cant tell me it is by accident that Gary puts Sam up to grilling players about the terms of their contracts when he doesn’t want to appear intrusive himself.
For Sam and other media attack dogs their livelihood rests on their abrasiveness, I just think it’s a shame that this good guy bad guy routine goes on with all the other cast and crew egging them on but then hanging them out to dry when its not safe to hide behind them anymore.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
I don't put Bill O'Reilly in the same category as Rosie. He has done a great deal of good by investigating charges of judicial misconduct, child abuse and other things. The "O'Reilly Factor" is the most popular prime-time news show in America, not because of the yelling, but because of the information he digs out.
On the subject of attack dogs... the owners who train dogs to attack are totally to blame. My favorite dog was half Dobie and half Pitbull. He had been abused when I got him and took a lot of work to re-educate. But you couldn't hope for a better dog once he calmed down and relaxed. We had him for 16 years!
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Arrogance that relies on simply being louder, more brash and plying the - lemming mentality amongst those that way inclinded is something that burrs me up every time.
Bit harsh?
Nup . . .
As for those who advocate, promote and pay them . . . don't get me started.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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thats a great example about your half Dobie half Pitbull, it is possible to own them responsibly, they may have aggressive tendencies but a large portion of their behaviour depends on owners training them and setting boundaries
ive seen both Rosie and Bill say a few outrageous things on YouTube videos but i dont get the full programs here so im not sure how frequently they do it
i think TV executives have power over programming and TV producers have power over content, they just like to pretend it isnt their role to set the boundaries
thanks for the comment
hi MNG,
i think Sam newman has gotten progressively worse as time has gone on and now that hes old and dottery and sick (for those who dont know he had prostate cancer) it seems like others on the show are actively prompting him to be a fool for cheap laughs
i agree with your analysis of his behaviour, its humour in the style of private boys school bullying
the buffoon is such a popular stereotype to have on TV these days, the nastier, louder, and more intimidating they are the more everyone laps it up
thanks for sharing your thoughts
Comment by ChrisC
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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thanks for stopping by
yes i think there is definately an unwritten understanding
i just dont think Sam acts alone, they set him up and encourage him and then pretend he is a person whos behaviour cannot be predicted or controlled
its like a scene out of Willy Wonka where Gene Wilder is going "no, dont" with deadpan apathy as Mike TV pig-headedly jumps into the shrinking machine
if you pretend to protest or disapprove then it takes the attention away from the fact that you set the whole thing up
they havent hung Sam out to dry yet but you can see them distancing themselves
Comment by Morgan Bell
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my parents are footy mad and i often watch what they watch by default
i dont think you would like Sam as he is really smug and sexist and makes constant reference to how much of a ladies man he is
i feel as though he has mellowed a bit since his brush with cancer and its almost as though people are now laughing AT him rather than WITH him
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Doug Pollard
Rainbow Reporter
Of course it's all a stunt - the laughably short course of "counselling" was a stunt, too.
To get good audience figures you have to generate conflict and controversy. Avoid the bland.
And if there's no controversy happening right now, create one? It's a basic rule of journalism - print, TV, radio - as I was taught, news is not found, it's made, and the best news is about conflict.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i think if you or your family follow the AFL you cant help but have seen Sammy, but when i lived in NSW the show was on quite late because there isnt as much interest in the sport
hi Doug,
yes plausible deniability!
its a shame the conflict and controversy always has to be at the expense of others but it is very true what you say about journalism "news is not found, it's made"
Comment by Cheryl J
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I've only seen Sam Newman on a few clips when he has done something over the top but he knows exactly what he's doing and so do the producers. The more controversial, the more moronic viewers they will attract. Many of these stupid programs and reality shows like to play the Shadenfreude card knowing that some people delight in it. Sick.
Sam Newman doesn't need a choke chain as much as he just needs a good slap upside the head.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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a good slap upside the head! haha
and i bet youre just the lady to give it to him . . . unfortunately he would probably like it!
the NRL Footy Show models itself on the AFL program but they still air the AFL one late at night in NSW
i think you have hit the nail on the head with the word "schadenfreude" . . . i wonder if audiences really are that sick or if the TV execs just dont give the average joe enough credit
thanks for the comment
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
However, all humour betrays something of the anger within the comic, Newman booms his anger out, he needs a LOT of therapy!!
As for the producers distancing themselves, an old trick they will never tire of!
I loathe the hate mongers, Jones used to do it, Laws revelled in it, Hinch, Carlton etc etc etc.
They are the adult world version of the school yard bully, and about as subtle, creative and witty as a hammer into the back of the scone!
We do not need these people, they exist because stations are just plain lazy and too tight with money to risk other formats too often.
Hate is easy to produce; it takes little to no preparation, costs nothing except paying the deliverer and buying a newspaper, and it all works so well financially for them because of the public's insatiable appetite for schadenfreude.
Whereas, producing comedy or feel good stuff, requires a lot of research, time and money, and a big production team.
I wish this was all my invention but, I sense there is more truth to this than not.
cheers
fog
Comment by Morgan Bell
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great examples!
Hinch, Jones and Laws are exactly the kind of media personalities i was thinking of
and i think your explanation is spot on the money aswell, it really is cheaper to hire a loudmouth then employ a team of creative writers
thanks for stopping in, that was just the wisdom i was looking for
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i think Kyle Sandilands is trying to emulate Simon Cowell as "the mean judge" but he usually just ends up being really insulting towards women
Comment by postmoderncritic
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