inc@fluke.UUCP (Gary Benson) (11/13/83)
I wonder if usr0/lauren has noticed that she is the only person making any commenatary whatsoever about the loss of this program? NBC Overnight really is a fine program, and I watch it frequently, being a late-night kind of guy, but I swear, I can't take Linda Ellerbe's abrasive and sarcastic personality. It's not that I mind sarcasm, but it just doesn't seem to work right for Ms. Ellerbe. She doesn't seem *quite* able to pull it off or something... It's hard to define, but it's like she's always assuming that I feel the way she does about the topic being "sarcassed". Admittedly I do frequently, but it's grating that she assumes my agreement. To make matters worse, her new partner seems to have picked up her attitudes, and appears to be copying her mannerisms, speech style, and word usage. He reminds me of some insecure little kid who doesn't know who he is yet, and just fixated on the nearest figure that impressed him as powerful. All that aside, the show is put together well, and really is directed to an intelligent audience. I for one will not call or write in support of its continuance, but I urge others to check it out, and give a call if you're at all concerned about the state of TV news. "Overnight" is almost a visual translation of NPR's "All Things Considered", one of the truly great radio news programs of all time. These are models of intelligent formats for informing the public. Gary Benson John Fluke Mfg. Co. Everett, WA !fluke!inc
lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) (11/17/83)
Greetings. I'm very sorry to bother everyone with this topic again, but I am so concerned about the loss of the one truly decent news-oriented program on television that I'm putting the strongest possible effort into trying to make sure that the greatest number of people possible express their disgust over the cancellation to NBC. If you've never watched "Overnight", please give it a look (either direct or via VCR tape delay) to see what a fine show this really this. I have more hope of possibly turning the tide regarding this program than I did yesterday. At the end of this morning's edition, they very pointedly mentioned that if viewers had any comments regarding "Overnight", they should contact "their boss" -- Grant Tinker (who I believe is currently head of programming for the network). They then proceeded to give the full address including Zip code. Twice. The address is: Mr. Grant Tinker NBC-TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10020 It *may* be a good idea to put a RE: "Overnight" at the lower left corner of the envelope to make clear the topic of your letter. I would also suggest inundating Mr. Tinker's secretary with direct calls to NBC-TV in New York -- just ask for Grant Tinker, but please be sure to write also. Time is still of the essence. Telegrams to Mr. Tinker would also be excellent, but are not inexpensive. Quick action after the holiday weekend is critical, or the inertia of the program's shutdown will be impossible to reverse. Flooding them IMMEDIATELY with calls and letters is the *only* technique that can turn the tide in this situation -- they need to be convinced that there are actually people up late at night who can understand and enjoy an intelligent program that *doesn't* address the "lowest-common-denominator" audience! Thanks again. --Lauren--