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Has The "Evening News" Gotten Better? Or Worse?

By Brian Montopoli

January 26, 2007 / 1:00 PM EST / CBS News

Video:
CBS News

I was talking to a CBS News correspondent the other day about the quality of the "Evening News," and the conversation turned to the notion, popular among media critics, that the "Evening News" has declined in quality over the years. The correspondent said he believed that the show has actually improved, in large part because journalists have learned to tell stories more clearly and efficiently over time.

To test the theory, I've dug up an episode of the "Evening News" from Nov. 18th, 1964. The anchor is Walter Cronkite, and the top story is an announcement by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara of a large reduction in military bases. Bill Plante – who you can still see on the "Evening News" today – offers a report from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. And the first commercial you'll see is for Parliament cigarettes -- apparently, tobacco tastes best when the filter's recessed. (You'll love the jingle.)

Anyway, have a look at the show by clicking on the video box above. I've also included a link to Tuesday's episode of the "Evening News" for comparison's sake. Decide for yourself if the show has improved or declined over the years.