Well, in television they don't usually call it getting fired. Nicollette Sheridan got fired, but most people just do not have their contracts renewed. It is just a fancy way of trying to make you feel better about being unwanted and unloved because if anyone had liked you then you would have your contract renewed so it is all your fault and obviously you will never make it in this business. Maybe not that harsh. Anyway, Chelsea Clinton is on a 90 day contract with NBC and after the disaster of her first report it is very unlikely there will be another 90 day contract forthcoming. I actually think that part of the problem was that it was her first time doing any reporting or anything on television and they threw her out there on a national broadcast and said be great without doing much practice with her. Was it boring? Absolutely. Was it painful to watch? Had to pause it a few times and wanted to fast forward. Could she get better? Everyone will probably get better. Her parents are certainly not boring so she has the genes. She just might not get a chance.
Maybe the producers will learn that there is a reason why people make this their career - it's a *profession*, with skills. Just because Chelsea is a famous person doesn't mean she will be good as a reporter.
ReplyDeleteI somehow don't see Chelsea as in front of the camera, more behind it. Like a person who controls and coordinates all things behind the scenes, feeding the person on camera their lines.
ReplyDeleteLike her poise. She in no way had tried to be a fame whore. And had unfortunately grown up in the public eye when her father was accused of cheating on her mother. And what a mother she had, BALLS OF BRASS that woman.
i don't blame chelsea for this. she was set up to fail. she didn't major in journalism, did she? at least luke russert was a communications major so he had some preparation for his job.
ReplyDeletechelsea will find her niche. she's a smart girl.
i'd like to see her and meghan mccain team up somehow. that could be really interesting.
I watched the episode she was on, and thought she was extremely dull. Her voice was completely flat.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand, she's really brilliant (academically), and like others have said, maybe her place isn't in front of the camera. Sometimes you have to try many things before you find something that you're not only good at, but comfortable with.
i think people are being really catty and unfair. A) just because a persons parents are famous or well connected doesn't mean they automatically inept or untalented (no doubt anderson cooper got a lot of breaks because of his mother) and B) she did a fine job. she's not a major charisma but with time she'd get more confident. and being a former first daughter would be an advantage in bringing attention to the kinds of stories they have her working on.
ReplyDeleteWow, someone who has no training in journalism or professional television failed at doing journalism on television professionally. NBC fail.
ReplyDeleteDidn't she have a job as a hedge fund manager when she got married?
@Rita:
ReplyDelete"I somehow don't see Chelsea as in front of the camera, more behind it. Like a person who controls and coordinates all things behind the scenes, feeding the person on camera their lines."
You just perfectly described Hillary and the Bill Clinton presidency.
I really thought she did an okay job. Certainly better than that Bush twin.
ReplyDelete@brendalove - Haha! Very true. But more in the sense that they were really a team. Doubt Billy could've gotten the position without Hilary's help. Now SHE was his best strategist!
ReplyDeleteBill was brilliant in his own right, although I have no doubt teaming with Hillary enhanced his career. Gotta love that they both came from relatively modest beginnings.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Syko. No one can be worse than Jenna Bush. She acts like she can barely read.
ReplyDeleteWhy just dump her in front of a camera ? They should have groomed and trained her for before they launched her...idiots.
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty ridiculous to think that Chelsea didn't have access to the best media trainers money can buy. If she didn't reach out to any when she got hired for the job then that's on her.
ReplyDeleteI also watched the episode she was on - she had absolutely no personality for TV - it seems you have to have a talent for it, like many professions. Doesn't make her a bad person, just not the right job for her. And love what Brendalove said!
ReplyDeleteI agree that she's not cut out to be in front of the camera, but she gave it her best shot. And she did it of her own free will; it wasn't like she was forced, for crying out loud! As for "grooming and training," I'm wondering if that was even an option. Maybe the network wanted her to be "real," given that she's an intelligent woman, in order to appeal to other intelligent young people.
ReplyDeleteMaybe now that her position needs to be filled they will get someone that is truly into journalism.
ReplyDeleteI like Chelsea. She'll be alright, regardless.
ReplyDelete@ Sylvia: the job will remain empty if that's the criteria. Journalism in the old sense is dead, IMO.
ReplyDeleteShe's got more of a chance than 99%of people when she got the 90 day contract for the big time. That she wouldn't have gotten if she wasn't the daughter of a former president and current secy of state. If she's really interested in journalism, and not in padding an already well padded resume, then work her way up thru the ranks like anyone else would.
ReplyDeleteSo please, no "she might not get a chance."
I'm surprised they let her go so quickly, just because of who she is.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like they'd give it more time, given her lack of experience?
Oh for fuck's sake, I feel zero pity for her. She's written for Vanity Fair before, she's had more training -- personal and professional -- in front of the camera than most broadcast journalists. She took a cush job she didn't earn or deserve fully convinced she is qualified.
ReplyDeleteAnd NBC's problem with her isn't that she's dull. It's that she's a former hedge fund manager, her husband is preparing to launch a new hedge fund with two friends from Goldman Sachs -- this gal and her husband are the epitome of the 1 percent currently being protested everywhere. And NBC stupidly assigned her to cover people making a difference and, you know, fighting against the 1 percent.
I agree, Amartel.
ReplyDeleteI have some sympathy but not much (have not seen this report referring to). On one hand she probably should not have been hired because she brings nothing to the table (much like the McCain child). Being born and following others around doesn't count as being an "expert" on a subject.
ReplyDeleteBut being comfortable in front of a camera comes naturally to others but for most its a factor of pure experience. They through her in the deep end. Part of the reason whatshername McCain does better on camera is because for quite a while she was only on television being asked real easy softball questions (actually she still gets asked those). But that means she was able to get comfortable with it enough to at least not be that painful to watch (well except when you listen to how vacant and meaningless her answers often are but content is a seperate issue).
Net result, you don't take inexperienced on air talent and treat them like they have been doing it for years. Being born to famous people doesn't not by default make them experienced and the producers at MSNBC should have been professional enough to know that.
@tflamb":I certainly agree with your last statement.
ReplyDeleteI should like to add that from what I read in the NYTimes (and don't believe everything you read, but still)Chelsea has been heavily pursued for years to do on camera commentating and she finally relented. Yeah, she should have done some classes or had more grooming. I don't recall her being on air ever and so it is, IMHO, a huge misstep on the networks' part. They truly set her up to fail.
I agree completely with Amy. She has no business covering "people who make a difference". She is the 1% child of privilege. I really wondered about her liberal/progressive chops when she had her $1million dream wedding. That entire scene was obscene to me.
ReplyDeleteI thought she was fine. She'll certainly land on her feet, though.
ReplyDelete