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Four years ago, on these very pages, we celebrated the announcement that local TV anchor Rene' Syler was moving to New York to become one of the co-hosts of The Early Show on CBS. We even had a Superviewing Breakfast at the South Dallas Café, to catch her debut.
It was good to see someone you know ascend to the national ranks of television journalism. And for the past four years, we have watched Rene' interview world leaders, first ladies, historic icons, authors, celebrities, victims and everyday people, with style and grace.
During a trip to New York, I stopped by the studio, watched the entire show and met co-hosts Julie Chen, Hannah Storm and Harry Smith, as well as many of the members of the hard-working crew and staff who help put the show together.
Clearly the crew was fond of Rene' and her performance was impeccable. So it is disappointing to hear that CBS has decided not to keep Rene', opting to go in a "different direction."
Smith and Storm don't have to worry about losing their jobs. And, we all knew that Chen would NEVER have to think about her job security. Rene' was the only cut announced!
I am not sad for Rene' because I know that she has a bright future. I am sad (not really the word) however, that we continue to deal with an industry that thinks diversity is a joke.
Hell, I am tired of counting one of us here and one over there. There are way too many "qualified" African Americans out there that it is downright insulting when you turn on your television.
Following his death last month, there was much talk about who would replace Ed Bradley on 60 Minutes. If you watch the show now, I think you will agree that it probably could not get any whiter.
Unfortunately we can't do anything about the ones who die, BUT, if CBS's The Early Show is going in a different direction, couldn't CBS offer Rene' another gig? Based on the job Katie Couric is doing, they could have offered Rene' her job!
If you look at the Nielsen ratings 60 Minutes rarely finds its way into the top 10 shows among African American viewers. Recently, it did. And guess what? Nielsen execs had to stop and take notice. The reason for the increase-the tribute to Ed Bradley was aired for the entire hour.
And let's take a look at morning news shows. Sure NBC's Today Show has Al Roker and ABC's Good Morning America has Robin Roberts.
Now, after December 22, we can say about the Early Show, "and then there were none."
That "one only" stuff has played out.
According to Nielsen Media Research, The Today Show leads the morning shows and The Early Show falls in at third place. It would be the height of disingenuousness for CBS to blame their dismal ratings on Rene.'
There's no question that Rene was good-she was the consummate professional. What I really like about her is that in addition to perfecting her craft, she never forgot to reach back and help others. Sure she emceed banquets and programs; but she also provided scholarships, mentored aspiring journalists and participated in programs supporting breast cancer research and youth. What does that have to do with journalism? Well, there are others who are in similar high-profile positions as Rene' and they NEVER have the time. You always hear excuses. But not from Rene'.
Rene' did her job well, took care of her family, AND gave of her time and resources.
Locally CBS has had to deal with our displeasure when they have let stellar talents like Gwen Tolbart, Michael Hill and Brian Custer go. What are they going to do now to lure Black viewers?
Nationally, CBS says they are going in another direction. No word as to where, but in "another direction."
I could think of where. What about you?
This is Just One African American Woman's Opinion. What's Yours?
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