Across The Media Universe: Lara Croft, Media Censor Edition

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Across The Media Universe

(Paramount Vatage)

Interview, Interrupted: So this is what a collision at the intersection of celebrity and Important Journalism looks like. At an appearance promoting "A Mighty Heart" -- the movie about the death of Daniel Pearl -- the folks managing Angelina Jolie, who plays Pearl's widow, asked journalists to agree "not ask Ms. Jolie any questions regarding her personal relationships. In the event Interviewer does ask Ms. Jolie any questions regarding her personal relationships, Ms. Jolie will have the right to immediately terminate the interview and leave." Given the fact that the movie is devoted to press freedoms, Fox News' Roger Friedman and some other journalists are up in arms about the whole thing. And they're right, in principle. But these potatoes are awful small.

Barack On: A savvy self-promoter called Leah Kauffman has made a video about what a hottie that Barack Obama is, and it's getting plenty of play on the series of tubes. In related news, Matthew Felling's new single "Biden Got Back" should be ready in time for the holiday season.

Rather, Rinse, Repeat: Today In "tarting it up" news: American Women in Radio & Television are hammering Dapper Dan Rather for his comments about the "Evening News," expressing "deep disappointment" for the "sexist nature of his remarks." But! A former CBSer points out to TVNewser that Rather used the expression in a 2001 interview with Terry Smith, where he was referring to no one in particular, so maybe he wasn't being sexist after all. The pointless debate rages on!

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by ronmwanga June 15, 2007 1:45 AM EDT: The Angelina Jolie story is small potatoes, yes, yes, but it is a significant victory in the sense that it is awakening the conscience that lays dormant in the nascent field of Online Entertainment Reporting. Think of the long term; perhaps this will lead to greater things. And that, perhaps, is a good thing that will lead to things even greater.; Reply to this comment


by phoenixandy June 15, 2007 12:13 AM EDT: I just sent a nasty E-mail to the American Women in Radio & Television organization. I asked them if CNN's Kyra Philips is also a member. She was the one who left her mike on when she went to use the ladies room at CNN headquarters during a break from the camera.; Reply to this comment


by phoenixandy June 14, 2007 11:55 PM EDT: I have a solution: don't grant interviews to celebrities period! They get enough face time on the big screen and the boob tube. I could give a rat's a s s about bisexual incestuous homewrecker Angelina Jolie.

As for American Women in Radio & Television, I wish they would just shut up and go back to the kitchen where they belong.; Reply to this comment

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