The Business of Mommyblogging on The Today Show
by Mir Kamin

My heart sank when this morning's segment on the Today Show started off with Hoda Kotb announcing "... the growing popularity of... 'mommy blogs.'" She used air quotes, and everything. You could've substituted anything bizarre and mystifying in the quotations, actually. "Alien bloodsuckers," or "giant pink sea monsters," for example.

I turned to my husband. "This is not going to end well," I said.

But first, let me back up.

A couple of months ago, I was approached by an NBC producer to participate in a "blogger round table discussion" to be used on the Today Show. Fellow blogging moms Kristen Chase and Jill Asher had been invited, as well, and we were told we'd sit down for a very informal discussion with NBC correspondent Janet Shamlian. After discussing it with each other and our trusted advisors, we all agreed to do it.

I can't speak for the other women involved, of course, but as for myself, I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. It was fun! Janet was warm and genuine and she knew her stuff -- she's read blogs, she's read our blogs, and she asked smart questions. We talked for hours, and cracked jokes about how it would end up being ten or twenty seconds of actual air time.

This morning, the Today Show aired the segment. The discussion Janet held with Kristen, Jill and myself was used as a bit of backdrop in a piece that was, in turn, the backdrop for a live interview with Heather Armstrong.

Take a look at what was aired:

While there are things I wish they'd done differently relative to the presentation of the round table discussion, my strongest feeling after watching this in its entirety is an overwhelming sense that NBC missed a prime opportunity.

Yes, mommyblogging (air quotes or not) is hot right now. Big companies are taking notice. There is money to be made. This is not new information. Digging a little deeper would be new information, and rather than sharing some of the interesting and even profound things that came to light during our blogger discussion, or asking Heather questions that she hasn't been asked previously, or -- here's an idea -- letting her actually get out a complete thought, what could've been a great segment about moms who blog became The Story Of How Kathie Lee Gifford Is Afraid Of Her Computer.

I'm going to sit firmly on my hands and let others make the point.

Life in the Garden settles for a gentle jab:

Kathy Lee was clueless to the concept [that blogging can make money]. Who Knew that this blog thingy on the interweb could cost you your job and possibly create a new revenue stream?

Susan at Working Moms Against Guilt doesn't mince words:

Kathie Lee was such a poor choice as the interviewer. Apparently, she doesn't "do" computers or the Internet, and therefore doesn't really know what blogs are. But she gave it the old college try--and sucked. Fortunately, her cluelessness made the bloggers look even smarter and sassier, which is just fine.

Amidst the many folks Twittering and blogging about Gifford's multiple "haha" references to not knowing how to turn her computer on and how she "doesn't do" computers, her continual harping on Heather for potential privacy concerns in blogging also came under fire.

I could hear Sarah's eyes rolling from hundreds of miles away:

I enjoyed the segment even if Kathie Lee Gifford is pretty much a tool and obviously hasn’t spent much time reading blogs. Did she actually say she was afraid of the computer?

She is worried about Dooce exposing her child to people, yet I know what Kathie Lee’s kids names are and what they look like too. What is the difference between talking about your personal life on a blog or talking about your personal life on a morning talk show. Oh, right. People are still reading blogs on a regular basis.

Jennie at Preteens, Toddlers, and Newborns, Oh My! is also calling for the clue phone:

And here's my question for Kathie Lee: How is what we are doing any different from you blathering on about your children, showing photos and bringing them on camera over national television for 15 years? I would think someone like Kathie Lee would be a little less likely to judge another woman after all the flack she's taken over the years. I think this is at the heart of why the woman drives me nuts. She just doesn't see the connection.

Christina at A Mommy Story can't understand Gifford's obvious disdain, either:

At one point Kathie Lee said, "You seem like a lovely lady....BUT..." and while the "but" was sugar coated, the underlying message was that she disapproved of Heather posting intimate details and pictures of her daughter on the internet. Before Heather had a chance to answer, she was cut off for an introduction to the next segment. (And let's not even get started on how Kathie Lee talked about her kids on TV on a near daily basis when she was with Regis. How is that different?)

Christina goes on to wonder what NBC was hoping to convey, here:

I wondered what the Today Show expected its viewers to take away from this segment. Did they want them all to rush out and start mommy blogs, because clearly there was money to be made from it? Or were they trying to caution moms against exploiting their children and opening them up to stalkers by blogging about them? The messages seemed contradictory to me, not unlike the old dichotomy of "Women should have equal rights! Get out there and work! Oh wait, you're going to be a mom? How can you abandon your child by working? You should be at home!"

Honestly, I wasn't sure what the focus was, after watching it. I feel like the taped segment was designed to make it look like we hardly do anything and then rake in the bucks, and I feel like the thrust of the live-interview time with Heather was made to make it look like -- in seven years of blogging -- maybe Heather has never really stopped to consider what she's doing.

Which... come on.

I would be less disappointed, I think, if I thought this was the best NBC could do. Having met Janet and her producer and spent the time with them that I did, I am just that: Disappointed. It could've gone a different way completely. Check out what Janet wrote in her blog:

What they write about used to be the stuff of diaries or a mid-morning phone call between the best of friends, and maybe that's why they've become so popular.

Being a mom can be isolating, but with a connection to the Internet we can peek behind the curtain of our contemporaries who blog about their lives, whether it be a tense morning moment with a hubby over who's driving carpool to feeling guilty about taking little Tommy to our hair appointment instead of taking him to the park.

I have to admit, there are several blogs I check every morning...if only to validate that that I'm not the only who feels like she's constantly dropping the balls.

Those are the words of a woman who Gets It. Kathie Lee Gifford did not Get It, not even a little.

And I'll tell you something else, too. In the hours that we sat around talking about blogging, I know that more was said than could be included. I get that. But I'm sad that they chose to focus on Kristen's "controversial duck theft" when she has more to say than that. I'm sad that they plucked a comment I made about my earnings totally out of context (for one thing, it was in response to being asked repeatedly to give a "reference point" to help Janet understand the possible scope of our incomes, and for another, I immediately qualified it by pointing out that I was speaking of my entire income -- from working more than full-time -- of which the revenue from my personal blog is but a tiny fraction). I'm sad that Jill made some wonderful, eloquent points about the community of blogging and how it's buoyed her through a family crisis and that was cut.

I'm particularly disappointed that they cut the part where I answered the "why do you blog?" question by saying that my blog is a perpetual love letter to my kids. Because it is, and if they really wanted to make the segment about the mommyblogging it was purported to highlight, that is what the viewers needed to know.

Instead, within an hour of the segment, my husband had an email from a friend asking him how his "sugarmama" was doing. Kristen had an email from someone saying that she has decided to start "a blog about kids," and after seeing the Today Show segment she sees "how easily you ladies are doing it" and she would like Kristen to tell her how to make money.

Not one of us started this for the money. (None of the four of us featured today, anyway.) Not one. The fact that we're now making money is a side story -- and an important one -- but when you skip the beginning, the ending doesn't make any sense.

Didn't someone once say to do what you love, and the money will follow? That was the story here. At least, it should've been.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Mir also blogs at Woulda Coulda Shoulda and Want Not.

Submitted by Mir Kamin (view blog) on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 17:15

Comments

 

The irony of Kathie Lee

Is that her predecessor, Katie Couric, recently met with mombloggers with a sincere hope to understand the medium and see if it suits her to participate herself. Then here is KL who still thinks it's cool to say she doesn't know how to turn on her computer. 

As I said on Twitter, seeing her interview Heather was like watching your grandmother try to understand hip hop. 

This is why the Today Show is tanking. This is why they've lost a large part of their core audience to electronic media and blogs. Never mind that they finally did a plastic #7 story a good six months after it was hashed out to death online. The world has passed them by. 

I hope the powers that be at NBC take note. 

Mom-101
Cool Mom Picks.com

Submitted by Mom101 on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 17:39
 

washy ||

washy || http://washwords.wordpress.com || washwords.dc@gmail.com

 Very well written and interesting as usual, Mir.

 Hmm, guess I've been under a rock, because whaaa Kathy Gifford is hosting the Today Show? Yikes. totally agree with everyone's comments about pot calling kettle - helllooo, all that freakin cody news we were once subjected to and I was a kid at the time! i still remember.

Finally, while I'm so glad you were "picked" as well as two other colleagues and while I'm sure "dooce" IS a nice lady, I guess a part of me also feels a little saddened disappointed that she is forevermore THE mommy blogger. Don't get be wrong, I don't begrudge her anything and I KNOW how popular she is (even if not personally MY taste, I just must be the one person in the world who doesn't get it. I don't like "lost" either. sue me!)  It's just ummm surely there are other "mommy bloggers" or ahem, women bloggers, or you, know, just like bloggers!  but I guess we're not there yet if KLG is still host of the today show.

And guess I shouldn't even ask if there were any bloggers of color, different ages, different ... mmm anything?

Thanks for this lovely peek into this experience. Again, please understand, I'm glad you for one were there and there to tell us about the behind the scenes.

washy 

 

 

Submitted by washwords on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:06
 

Particularly in light of recent discussions
here...

... I think you bring up a really good point, which is why, if they're bringing in four mommybloggers, are all of us approximately the same age and all of us white? Given how little of a story there actually was, I guess I don't see it as a big loss, but still... one more way in which we are pigeonholed. Sigh.

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Submitted by Mir Kamin on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:34
 

Kristen is half Chinese

Just thought I'd point that out.  

Mom-101
Cool Mom Picks.com

Submitted by Mom101 on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:52
 

Yes, see below

It just so happens that I'm half moron!

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Submitted by Mir Kamin on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:55
 

washy ||

washy || http://washwords.wordpress.com || washwords.dc@gmail.com

 

okay,  actually  listened now and

1) heather DOES seem like  a nice lady  

2) i'm SO glad you told us what really went on behind the scenes.

3) am i the only one who wishes it didn't have to be a lunch, or that they didn't have to say "okay hunn," or giggle over and touch each other quite so much? hey, i'm a girlie girl myself. i'm just saying. 

Submitted by washwords on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:17
 

Air Quotes

LOL. The minute Hoda Kotb made the air quotes I thought of you.

Bottom line, Today missed a golden oppty by burying the interviews in the third-string segment and by doing absolutely crap editing. 

 As for the KLG "interview" with Heather Armstrong, as Liz says, just shows how completely out of touch the network is with its audience. I can't imagine there is ANYONE on the planet who identifies with KLG. Blecch.

 Best thing out of this? The online discussion. 

And that's what Today has completely missed.  

Submitted by Susan Getgood on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:30
 

you know me well, Susan

Unnecessary quotation marks! AAAIIIEEEEEEE!! ;)

The follow-on discussion has been really marvelous. Trying to focus on that.

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Submitted by Mir Kamin on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:36
 

I'm Not White

I'm actually a bi-racial woman thanks to my mother's 100% Chinese blood.

I was part of how people were picked -- and I actually recommended a few bloggers -- they had already "booked" Jill, they liked my stories, and they specifically asked me to recommend bloggers with different backgrounds, different stories, etc. all of whom would be in NYC at the time of the taping. 

I reco'd Mir and a few other folks. If you look at our stories and our blogs, you will see that we are very different.

Overall, the taped segment was what I expected -- certainly they were focusing on the business aspect of blogging. Some really great quotes, as Mir mentioned, were left out. And I sounded like a thief.

Could be worse. I could have been made to sound like a cocktail swigging play group mom.

Ha.

Motherhood Uncensored 

 

Submitted by Motherhooduncensored on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:45
 

apologies

Sorry, Kristen. I knew that. Am a dummy.

And I wasn't saying we're all alike, merely that from the 6 seconds we had, I suspect we came off looking very homogeneous.

If they wanted to focus on the business aspects, I'm surprised they couldn't devote any time to how Jill has masterminded a network of group blogs, or how you've co-founded Cool Mom Picks, etc. We're all "business" bloggers in addition to being mombloggers, and that wasn't discussed.

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Submitted by Mir Kamin on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:51
 

I have tried not to get into

I have tried not to get into this because I worked at TODAY for nine years and I have an ongoing devotion to the IDEA of the show even though I left in 1989. But knowing the women involved in this piece and having edited two million pieces (well not quite but almost) in those years I know that you can really do anything you want with an interview like that unless you

  1.  
    1. Lose some of the audio so you can't use some of the best material
    2. Get glitchy video which causes the same result
    3. Can't get the best quotes down to a time that works.

It's hard to tell if any of that happened, but I think they just didn't have the time to do the kind of editing we would have preferred.   It takes more time to get the best possible edit.   It used to be that for each piece, once it was shot, you'd get a day to screen with your editor and one or two days to edit.   From what my friends tell me, NO way that is possible anymore. It's too expensive.   That's why so many pieces are just "head shots". The fact that they had any cover footage at all, however staged (after all you were wearing the same clothes as in the interview....) was unusual. So maybe, since everyone seemed to really like the correspondent and producer, the problem was just not enough time.

That does not of course deal with the "patter" before the piece or the Dooce interview but I'm not touching either of those with a ten foot boom mike.

Cynthia Samuels, Partner
Cobblestone Associates, LLP
Blog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television
http:dontgelyet.typepad.com/dontgeltoosoon

Submitted by Csamuels on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:49
 

Holy Cow!  Way to go,

Holy Cow! 

Way to go, Today. Take an intelligent, savvy group of women and make them look like bizarro freaks.  If Today had used the respected word "writer" instead of the freak-out word "blogger," maybe it would have been different.  Heather Armstrong is one of the more articulate writers out there, on parenting or ANY subject.

Sigh.

Why do women like KL Gifford do this "I'm so dumb about computers" routine?  It's so degrading to their intellect.

This is why I never watch morning television, or really any television besides sports events.  How incredibly vapid.

Sheila Scarborough

Family Travel: See The World With Your Kids

Perceptive Travel

Submitted by Seafarer on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 20:43
 

I'm sad that they edited

I'm sad that they edited anything out- I would have really liked to have just seen the whole interview with the 4 of you and Janet!

I personally think you are awesome:) 

 

http://rangersrus5.blogspot.com/
http://happinessfromtheinsideout.blogspot.com/
http://lifehaveityourway.blogspot.com/

http://loseandwinfreejeans.blogspot.com/

Bertie

Submitted by babaliscious22 on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 21:00
 

Terrible.

I thought it was disrespectful that they put Heather Armstrong with those two.  That segment didn't even air on the Today show on the West Coast (that I know of. I tivo'd Today, and it didn't appear. I watched it online).  Why would you have someone who knows LESS THAN NOTHING about a subject be an interviewer for a piece about it?  I don't normally watch Today, and the piece today didn't change my mind.

I did think that the segment opener (the discussion) came off a lot better than Armstrong's interview, but as many have said, it probably could have been edited a bit better.

If I were Heather, I'd have a hard time blogging about this experience in the after math... I'd be afraid of getting the Dooce again, because I wouldn't have been very happy.  But then, I'm not nearly as "lovely" as she is.

Submitted by MommaMary on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 21:51
 

Disheartened by Today

The minute Dooce announced on her blog the day before the interview aired that she'd been moved up from an earlier hour and talking to either Matt or Meredith to airing at 10:30 and talking to KLG - I knew the segment was doomed.  I never expected KLG to take over the interview with her personal loathing of the computer (and therefore bloggers), I never expected her to make sure everyone knew Dooce was "REVILED" by many, and I never expected her (of all people) to condemn Heather for sharing her family with the public (OMG - people in glass houses, KLG!  Jeez!)  But all that did happen and it turned out worse than I thought.  I do think the bloggers came off better than KLG and Yodha (or however you spell her name).  The disrespect was palpable.  Shame on both of them.  Kudos to the bloggers.  I guess bad press is better than no press. merlotmom

Submitted by merlotmom on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 22:25
 

I learned a long time ago

that what you read in the newspaper or see on the news or read in a history book is usually quite different from what is really going on.  I can't blame you for being annoyed but it's not really news.  At least you got a little PR, which is the main reason to do the show.

As far as the making money aspect of blogging, I find it quite a wishy washy irritation to read what women say about it.  If you are working hard and making money don't be ashamed of it. 

Also, and maybe because I haven't had any children yet, any term starting with mommy[...] does not appeal to me.  

Submitted by KatieBeez on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 02:32
 

Just to clarify

If you are working hard and making money don't be ashamed of it.

I think maybe you misunderstood (or I was unclear); I'm not ashamed of the money I make, but I'm not one to sit around broadcasting my earnings, either. And since the piece aired (less than 24 hours ago) I've had a barrage of emails from people who want me to teach them how to make big bucks from their personal blogs. It's irritating that it makes "better news" to portray me as having accidentally stumbled upon a money tree than to tell the whole truth, which is that I'm a busy freelance writer, have been for many years, and -- duh -- you can make money doing that.

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Submitted by Mir Kamin on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 04:49
 

Today completely missed the bus

By focusing on ho-hum platitudes, I-don't-get-computers sneers, how-much-do-you-make teasers, and the-internet-is-coming-to-get-you-and-your-family stereotypes, Today completely missed the bus. 

Worse, they both missed, and mis-judged the community.  That's not new for mainstream media, but it is still sad.  In the face of all the edits, air quotes and eyerolling, we saw you speak up for what you know to be true: the online community is about a new kind of voice (many different voices, actually); one that isn't white-washed, or dumbed down.

I'm still amused that Kathy Lee, who not so long ago couldn't shut up about her kids on national TV - and was (worse) really boring about it - was selected to sit in judgement.  A classic 'old and busted', doesn't get it moment.  

Submitted by Fran W on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 06:00
 

On mor thing ...

The Today show also missed the boat on not talking about how we aren't mommy bloggers -- were mothers who also blog, about so many different things we're passionate about -- politics, the environment, maternal justice, etc.

But I guess it would be too much to grasp that -- then they couldn't pigeon hold us for quick soundbites.  Then theyd have to try to understand us and why we're not watching their show.

PunditMom, Contributing Editor, Politics & News

Also at MOMocrats 

Submitted by PunditMom on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 07:09
 

Later I'll learn to spell!

:(

Submitted by PunditMom on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 07:09
 

It's great to know that your husband approves

Did anyone else cringe when they aired your comment in the opening minutes about how your husband basically gave you permission to blog about whatever you wanted to? As if that was a requirement? Clearly it was taken out of context, but still - ouch.

 

Submitted by Binkytown on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 09:02
 

yeah

I was hoping no one noticed that....

Maybe the Today Show should advertise their content as now being 100% context-free! ;)

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Submitted by Mir Kamin on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 09:07
 

Made me think about what we are about

The segment prompted my partner-in-blogging to post on our food issues blog about whether we are a Mommy Blog or not. We're serious about bringing light to issues of food production, technology, safety, policy, etc. (but we don't take ourselves too seriously). I'm proud to consider us a Mommy blog!

 Sara Faivre-Davis

Who blogs at downtoearthblog.com

and tries to make her living ranching wildtyperanch.com

 

Submitted by Sara Davis on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 09:03
 

At least they're paying attention at all.

I agree wholeheartedly that Heather got the shaft from Kathie Lee. I just watched the segment on YouTube and thought it totally tacky to say Heather was "reviled."  Heather is also adored, and she certainly didn't mention that.

That said, I'm glad Mir, Jill, Kristen, Heather, Alice, Melissa and anyone else who has appeared on national television has had the guts to go on and talk and bring a national face to female bloggers, knowing full well they will be edited and probably belittled along the way.  Half of life is just showing up, and I'm proud of them for showing up.

Whether or not they belittle us or question us, they're aware we exist and are playing a bigger role in society than we "normal and lovely ladies" have in the past.  All hail Everywoman.  And kudos to those of you who have the ovaries to get on national television and talk about our community.

Surrender, Dorothy - When I was your age, we just let them ride in the back window.

Rita Arens is a contributing editor for BlogHer -- Mommy & Family. 

Submitted by Rita Arens on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 09:21
 

I think they were sleeping

I loved how they, Kathie Lee and Hoba, missed the part about MWOM is a powerful tool in the begining segment.  I have seen comments on Twitter and here and if MWOM works it doesn't look good for Kathie Lee.

 

Submitted by lilmommythatcould on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 09:35
 

It is sad that mainstream media and people
lik KLG

Continue to push the stereotypes of moms and pigeon whole moms into at home brainless drones.

 They do segments like that and make them SOOO condesending...." OOOH look at these MOM's making some MONEY for themselves"

No respect shown for them being mothers, women, business women, etc....

No respect or understanding for the diversity of mothers or the power of GOOD for the internet...

Did they not show Elisa Camahor?  I did not hear one mention of BlogHer or the types of conferences and forums available now for women.

Again...showing why people are walking away from traditional media. 

 

 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

Submitted by Crunchy Carpets on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 10:10
 

They mentioned conferences, but nothing by
name

Yes, I was there for literally one second (or three workds, depending o your perspective.)

They showed a lot of footage from BlogHer Business but never identified it or us by name. They did show one of our signs, so if you were paying attention you would know BlogHer existed.

And to Cindy's comment about time? All of this footage, as far as I know, was filmed back in the first week of April.

Is one month not enough time in TV Land to edit things properly, identify people properly etc.?

BTW: I'm seeing Jill tonight at a panel I'm moderating that she's on...I am SO going to tease her about the hilarious turn-your-head-and-look-at-the-camera-while-we-show-your-name shot :)

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com

Submitted by Elisa Camahort on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 11:08
 

Wish the focus had been on

community and outreach. It would have been such a great opportunity for the Today Show to talk about how Mommybloggers get together to raise money for charities, for example. They had four strong and influential women to talk to, but I felt like it came off as being a "hobby" for housewives.

And Mir, your comment about your income really made it sound like the income from your BLOG alone is ten percent more than you earned as a software engineer! I was like "dang, I'm doing something wrong!" :)

Elizabeth blogs at:

Submitted by Elizabeth@Table for Five on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 10:13
 

I wasn't able to watch it

I wasn't able to watch it captioned on TV (I don't think it showed in the Chicago area as I sat for an hour and nothing) so an interpreter kindly interpreted the show for me via ooVoo.

I got the sense that they were saying that the moms who blog were feeding a hobby-- that it's just something we "do" and happen to make some money from it.  Never mind that we can seriously influence company policies by sharing our opinions, raise funds, produce activism and even advocate for social change.

Someone needs to send Kathie Lee Gifford a laptop pre-loaded with a blog and her kid's pictures--with instructions on how to turn it on and hit "publish."

 

Karen "Life is too short to pout all the time." A Deaf Mom Shares Her World Hands & Voices

Submitted by Deaf Mom on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 10:29
 

The Fourth Hour of Today

As a PR professional, I can tell you my clients would kill to be on any hour of the Today Show. I thought the produced piece was actually pretty fair considering what it could have been and Heather Armstorng came off as smart, professional and I think she could have thrown Kathie Lee under the bus which is exactly why they cut the segment. When Heather tried to interrupt by saying "You live in NYC..." the producers in master control were probably like, "save Kathie NOW!"

Read this Washington Post review which says it all about the 4th hour of Today. Or is it the third? I'm losing track. I only watch from 7-7:30 every day so what do I know?

http://tinyurl.com/5j5s2d

Erin|Manic Mommies Podcast

ManicMommies.com

Submitted by Manic Mommies on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 10:43
 

4th hour of Today - why???

A few days ago I wrote a post entitled "Where Has All the Real News Gone" and specifically cited the Today show as an example of the fluff networks are calling news these days.  Three hours was already a transparent bid to capture ratings from other morning shows - but a fourth hour?  With Kathie Lee raised from the broadcasting dead?  Low, very low.  Yesterday's show was just more proof that Today, despite their continued rating success, have become number whores.  It's obvious Matt wants less and less to do with the show's fluff as he appears only in the first two hours.  At least someone has some sense around there.

 

merlotmom

www.merlotmom.blogspot.com

 

Submitted by merlotmom on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 10:53
 

an appropriate snapshot

I think this whole thing is indicative of the still-difficult relationship that old media has with new media. They know it's out there, they see it as a trend they have to acknowledge, but they really aren't comfortable with it and in the worst cases, ala KLG, don't understand it at all.

Just out of curiousity, does anyone here follow a blog that started as an offshoot of a TV outlet?  I'm trying to think of an "old media" company that has successfully transitioned to new media in a meaningful way.

 

-Lisse

@ Home in the World

 

Submitted by Lisse on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 11:33
 

Good question..and no I don't think I do..

Except for a comedy one by Rick Mercer..but that is because he uses new media and accepts it. 

 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

Submitted by Crunchy Carpets on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 11:39
 

Bob and David?

My sigOth is obsessed with their blog (bobanddavid.com), although Mr. Show is long off the air.

Does that count?

Mom-101
Cool Mom Picks.com

Submitted by Mom101 on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 15:34
 

Same Old Same Old from the Really Old Today
Show

This is not the first time the Today Show, with its antiquated take on what's really going on in women's lives, has screwed up their presentation of women/mother bloggers. The unsavory memory of Melissa Summers/Suburban Bliss getting ambushed by a media savvy shrink and the not-so-subtly hostile Meredith Vierra
rushed into my mind when I heard last month that local hero Jill Asher was to appear in a filmed segment. Jill - and you, Mir and Kristen - is nobody's fool and I knew that in her very nice way, she would play fair but hard against the forced giddiness from the passive aggressive Today Show on-camera talent. Then, when Heather Armstrong was added to the mix, I knew she wouldn't take any prisoners and would try to work in Al Roker's nipples into the fake coffee klatch banter.

I share with Heather the disappointment that she couldn't pull that off and I'm annoyed with the clearly rushed and sloppy production of the segment i.e., identifying Jill as Maria Bailey, not identifying Elisa Camahort at all.

Though some may consider this to be some sort of PR coup for anyone, these excellent bloggers deserve better. What is a true PR coup was Heather's front page presence in the Wall Street Journal. Now that's the kind of coverage that's relevant to what's going on with our mommybloggers, a wildly successful and entrepreneurial group of women who give their audiences/consumers what they want by delivering an entertaining and intelligent product far superior than the outdated national morning talk shows ever could.

 

Submitted by Grace Davis on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 12:02
 

Just tragic

As soon as it aired my phone started ringing off the hook. All of my friends wanted to know how much cash I was raking in from my blog. Um... none. Yet. Back off people! We're in it for the love of the game here. Although someday if/when I figure that money part out I will surely be partaking.

Even my mother called me and said, "that bloggy thing you've been writing for a year, I heard that the internet will pay you for it." Oh mom...back slowly away from the 21st century and put the keyboard down.

Submitted by CarolynOnline on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 18:13
 

bwahahahaa

You got me with that last line, Carolyn. ;) As a fellow Georgian, I feel I'm allowed to say this: Your mom? Bless her heart!

Hee. Thanks for the giggle -- best I've had all day.

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Submitted by Mir Kamin on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 18:16
 

Shiny Computers....

KLG pretty much came off about as smart as a pop-tart. I had this mental picture of her running around a laptop yelling 'shiny...shiny...' Wow, what a perfect example for a person / mom / woman out of touch. Let's just hope that some other old media starts picking up on women bloggers that can do the story justice.

-- Lynette --

LynetteRadio.com

NewJerseyMomsBlog.com

Submitted by lynetteradio on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 11:17
 

another perspective

I thought the exposure for bloggers was great. Yes, Kathie-Lee doesn't get it. She doesn't get blogging, doesn't get the internet, doesn't get computers.

But I didn't get blogging until I started doing it - and I'm no stranger to computers. I was a Silicon Valley high tech professional for nearly 15 years, and worked in an internet startup!

Blogging is about networking and building community. Kathie-Lee is in a narcissistic profession where she gets put on a pedastal and the rest of us are mere mortals. She's not supposed to connect on a personal level. She may never get blogging.

As a single dad blogging about two-home parenting and modern dating, I've found most of my readers are women. Single, divorced, married - but women. So I totally appreciate the "mom blog" community. I hang on the fringe and am slowly being welcomed in. I also hang on the fringe of the single people who are out there dating community. I'm seeing it all, and it's definitely fun.

Dad's House http://dadshouseblog.com

Submitted by dadshouse on Sat, 05/10/2008 - 23:31
 

At least WTAE got it right (sort of)

The timing of the Today debacle was particularily startling for me.  While the piece was airing, I was sitting down with a local reporter answering many of the same questions regarding "Mommy Blogging."  (The quotes are so totally necessary.)  I later saw the Today piece and FREAKED OUT because I was so concerned that my stupid little words would also be twisted and make blogging out to be something that it's not.  I was relieved (and shocked) when the local story ended up being not all that bad.  It made the business of recording our children's lives seem important (which it is).  While it still perpetuated the perceived problems of DANGER DANGER THE INTERNET IS SCARY, that issue was minimized.  I have to admit, Ashley DiParlo gets a gold star from me, while I think I might just want to punch Kathie Lee Gifford in the face.  Interesting that a local news station with far less resources can do a better job than Today.

Submitted by burghbaby on Mon, 05/12/2008 - 10:54
 

Is anyone at the Today Show smart enough to
be reading this?

I doubt it.

Don't they realize that when we need to check the headlines, we go to an on-line newspaper? That our home page tells us the weather? That for celebrity gossip we have TMZ or Gawker or Perez?

Who needs morning television? It's noisy, inefficient, fake, and stupid.

 

Blogging at The Opiate of the Masses since 2004

Submitted by poppy on Mon, 05/12/2008 - 12:35
 

How Clueless Can They Get?

New to Blogher and loving it!

I've been looking forward to watching this segment and yes, although I come to expect bad editing, the whole show ran around in so many directions that it would be difficult for a non-blogger to follow. I think all the guests did very well and I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to listen in on the rest of the round table discussion without the editing!

There is a reason why we don't have cable and watch tv. So much garbage out there.

Go bloggers!

-laura (blogging newbie)

http://www.dolcepics.com/

Submitted by dolce_pics on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 17:22
 

What is TODAY doing on the air for four hours
a day?

I find that even with all of that time, they still cut segments right in the middle of them. That's how I felt about the mommybloggers segment as well. So much could have been explored, they really should put an entire re-edited version on Dateline and have Anne Curry do the interviewing.

I have a soft spot for Hoda Kotb ever since Anne Curry did the segment about her having breast cancer. But Kathie Lee must go. On today's show she was an absolute dingbat (do people still use that word?), cutting in on Hoda constantly, and talking as if she was the authority in daytime entertainment television. She's been out of the loop so long! It seems that she hasn't realized there is life aside from Regis.

But we know. And we'll keep blogging. That's what we do, and that's why we know more about issues than the NBC researchers!

Submitted by windysblog on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 20:08
 

I'd rather watch my dog than Kathie Lee
Gifford

Seriously.  Who hired this woman?  I watch the Today show in the monrings while I (constantly, it seems) nurse my 7-month old, since it seems like it's on for a about 23 hours a day.  I can tell you, KLG is about as annoying as they come.  Katie Couric seemed a bit clueless at times, but Kathie Lee is charmless.

I'd rather sit and watch my Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy single-pawedly demolish each and every one of my kids' toys (which is definite possibility) than watch another segment featuring that obnoxious wench.

http://www.houndrat.com

Submitted by houndrat on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 08:16
 

The Today Show

 I'm not much of a fan of television, but I'm so turned off by the TODAY show these days. The addition of Kathie Lee solidified that for me. She's just a prop...not even a good one.

It's the year 2008. My cat knows how to turn on a computer. Anyone who says they don't use a computer (much less turns one on) is just out there looking for a sarcastic comment from me. Not that I'd drop dead without one but please, she is in the media industry...how is it she doesn't use one? Oh, that's right, she's a prop. I forgot.

Does she think it's attractive to be cutesy and pretend she's the "femme fatale" who can't do a thing for herself? I'm sure Frank, who could be my dad, knows how to use a computer.

She's just an annoying twit with children who she parades thru the media...yet we can't put our children on our blogs because we're supposedly exploiting them? hmmmm. I don't need endorsements or kudos for my 5 children from the outside world, but I sure love to talk about them because they are such an important part of my life.

Go interview someone about Botox, Kathie Lee. Maybe more your speed.

Cheryl

http://dailyblonde.blogspot.com

Submitted by Mommyto5 on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 10:01
 

Today show interviews

First of all, you certainly realize that a Today Show segment isn't going to get to the nitty gritty of anything. It's fluffy stuff, and combine that with the fact that you were relegated to the fourth hour....your expectations for a good outcome are seriously diminished.

 You must also understand that the producers pretty much decide the "focus" or what tack they're going to take in the interview and as you discovered they will keep pushing until they get what they want.

As far as Kathy Lee is considered, do not assume that she researchs any of the information covered on a daily basis. They just put the stuff in front of her and watch while she reacts. She does not delve any deeper than that, and that's what you were dealing with. There are other forums where this could be discussed in greater depth and with greater clarity. The Today Show is certainly not one of those forums.

 Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Submitted by the farmers wife on Wed, 06/04/2008 - 11:25
 

Now I know why morning show "interviewers"
get no respect

Well I am coming to this party late. Just found all the brouhaha thru Mir's blog, WCS.

I think Kathy Lee Gifford was a perfect choice as interviewer.

Wait, that is not quite right. Let me try again:

I think Kathy Lee Gifford would have been the perfect choice as interviewer had she actually behaved like an interviewer with the best interest of the audience in mind.

As someone as clueless about computers as she is, she could have asked questions the rest of clueless-America would want to know, questions that would help them become less clueless and less frightened of those big, scary bloggers and more understanding of what blogging is all about.

Sadly, she did not. Disappointing.

Sheila GetSheila

Submitted by GetSheila on Sat, 06/14/2008 - 10:52
 

Picture of Kathy Lee clones (cows)

This is a little off-topic, but fun:  There is a Beefmaster cow named after Kathy Lee that was cloned a few years back.  You can see more pictures of her clones here. 

 Clone of Cathy Lee

Sara Faivre-Davis

downtoearthblog.com and wildtyperanch.com

 

 

Submitted by Sara Davis on Sat, 06/14/2008 - 15:37