The use of slang on local TV newscasts.

[mleach]

Ok..as I am sure most of you already know, recently it snowed in Las Vegas. Yes it was a bit odd seeing a snow-covered Las vegas strip but still is there a reason for people to call this weird weather event..."retarded"?

Yesterday I was talking to my boss who right now is spending the holidays with family in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was telling me that according to one of that city's TV weather forcasters "...the weather has been so retarded lately". My boss is a BIG fan of FOX so I assume it was FOX 27 where he saw this but I will ask him after the holidays.

Now I know the term "retarded" is so cool now ( heck yesterday I heard employees at our local Target using that word in front of customers ), but still should local TV news anchors use that word on TV, as in to describe something weird ?

What about the other "popular" words now used by many such as...

*god-damn
*bitchin
*bust ya right in the mouth
*sucks

If one can hear these words in public, should one hear the same on local TV newscasts? I doubt we will see anytime soon someone like Brian Williams or Charles Gibson going on the network news saying something like "..our economy god-damn sucks...its so retarded" though they may very well say it off the camera.

Going back to the term "retarded", exactly why is it so popular now? Correct me if I am wrong but several years back the movie "Rat Race". Didn't the movie people found themselves into some hot water when one of the stars in the movie used that term? Now it seems its the "cool thing".

 

[PTBoardOp94]

If one can hear these words in public, should one hear the same on local TV newscasts? I doubt we will see anytime soon someone like Brian Williams or Charles Gibson going on the network news saying something like "..our economy god-damn sucks...its so retarded" though they may very well say it off the camera.

I'd throw the remote at the TV, go pick it up and turn to Katie.

The answer is no. We should not hear the same on newscasts.

Maybe my social group is a little haughty, but I don't think I've heard any of those phrases in the last several weeks. I don't have the desire to begin hearing them, either.

 

[kms575]

Ok..as I am sure most of you already know, recently it snowed in Las Vegas. Yes it was a bit odd seeing a snow-covered Las vegas strip but still is there a reason for people to call this weird weather event..."retarded"?

Yesterday I was talking to my boss who right now is spending the holidays with family in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was telling me that according to one of that city's TV weather forcasters "...the weather has been so retarded lately". My boss is a BIG fan of FOX so I assume it was FOX 27 where he saw this but I will ask him after the holidays.

Now I know the term "retarded" is so cool now ( heck yesterday I heard employees at our local Target using that word in front of customers ), but still should local TV news anchors use that word on TV, as in to describe something weird ?

What about the other "popular" words now used by many such as...

*god-damn
*bitchin
*bust ya right in the mouth
*sucks

If one can hear these words in public, should one hear the same on local TV newscasts? I doubt we will see anytime soon someone like Brian Williams or Charles Gibson going on the network news saying something like "..our economy god-damn sucks...its so retarded" though they may very well say it off the camera.

Going back to the term "retarded", exactly why is it so popular now? Correct me if I am wrong but several years back the movie "Rat Race". Didn't the movie people found themselves into some hot water when one of the stars in the movie used that term? Now it seems its the "cool thing".

There is NOTHING cool or popular about that term, it is offensive to the highest order. I find it offensive that you even brought it up actually, especially since you consider it a "cool thing."

Having said that, if this is true, this "news presenter" should be out on the street right now along with any retail employees using it in public while on the job.

 

[whit979]

This goes to the heart of issues we are facing with journalism ethics today. Ethics, it seems, are an afterthought. In many universities today, a class on media ethics is an elective--not a requirement--for a degree in communications.

 

[bk77]

Wasn't actress Nicole Kidman busted a few years back because she used the term ( retarded ) at a news confrence? If so, then its a Holllywood thing and that is the trouble. People see the "stars" doing it so they believe it is its ok for them to do the same and who anchors much of the local newscasts? Mainly those in their 20's and early 30's.

To be honest, I don't hear too many older folks use the term ( those above 35 or so ) but those younger folks, sadly I have and often in public. Like yesterday at Kroger when I heard a young person say that the price is milk is retarded.

Cool or not..it should NOT be allowed on TV, radio or really anywhere else for that matter.

 

[Markxxx]

To me it depends on the program. I would not be surprised to hear "retarded" on WGN Morning News, they already use words like "Suck," "bitchin'," and "That's So Gay."

But that morning news is a different thing then say the NBC Nightly News.

To see WGN anchor Larry Potash's eyes follow a girl's ass with his eyes is funny. He is also the one who stood out in front of Michigan Avenue with a sign saying "Free Hugs."

 

[kms575]

To me it depends on the program. I would not be surprised to hear "retarded" on WGN Morning News, they already use words like "Suck," "bitchin'," and "That's So Gay."

But that morning news is a different thing then say the NBC Nightly News.

To see WGN anchor Larry Potash's eyes follow a girl's ass with his eyes is funny. He is also the one who stood out in front of Michigan Avenue with a sign saying "Free Hugs."

Then, it should not be called the WGN Morning News if that's the case, and Tribune deserves its bankrupcy if this is encouraged. This country is in serious trouble if such garbage is commonplace on morning television.

 

[mjlarochelle]

Do any of your weather presenters or meterologists make up words for weather events? Our local meterologist has long used the word "snizzle" to describe a snow-drizzle mix.

 

[mleach]

There is NOTHING cool or popular about that term, it is offensive to the highest order. I find it offensive that you even brought it up actually, especially since you consider it a "cool thing."

Having said that, if this is true, this "news presenter" should be out on the street right now along with any retail employees using it in public while on the job.

Hey I find it offensive as well, just like what I told the employees at Target when I heard them use the term ( and they couldn't understand why I was upset in the first place ! ! ) but then again they were young people and it seems a lot of them like to use the word, that is why I used the words "cool thing". Its the same thing with those so-called energy drinks, Black & Mild cigars or actor Seth Rogen, all of which are considered "cool" now because so many young people like them, myself OTOH they mean nothing to me.

 

[ricksegers]

This word has uses and definitions far beyond its past use to describe a person with a mental disability. Apparently it has joined a long list of words that can't be used because some says so. The IT industry dealt with it when servers were labeled "slave" and "master". A teacher was fired for a reading assignment and subsequent discussion of the word "niggardly". Today could the Flintstones have "a gay old time". When will the word police join the real word and expend their energy on really making a difference instead of editing dictionaries.

 

[LKellerIII]

This word has uses and definitions far beyond its past use to describe a person with a mental disability. Apparently it has joined a long list of words that can't be used because some says so. The IT industry dealt with it when servers were labeled "slave" and "master". A teacher was fired for a reading assignment and subsequent discussion of the word "niggardly". Today could the Flintstones have "a gay old time". When will the word police join the real word and expend their energy on really making a difference instead of editing dictionaries.

The word "retard" was probably originally used generically - to mean something that is slow, or hindered in its growth. It's also perfectly acceptable to use it as a verb, as in mechanics who "retard the spark" on ignition timing so it happens later in the cycle.

I'm sure it was applied to developmentally disabled people after these original uses. I understand that people want to limit the use of words they personally consider offensive, but we have to be careful.

About a decade ago, I was in a college class with a woman who angrily protested the professor's use of the colloquial term "rule of thumb." She claimed its use was offensive because it originally referred to Old English law that stated a man could beat his wife with a stick as long as the stick was not thicker than his thumb. As it turns out, that's a total fallacy. While old English law did allow a man to beat his wife within certain limits, there was no such rule.

 

[azumanga]

Today could the Flintstones have "a gay old time". When will the word police join the real word and expend their energy on really making a difference instead of editing dictionaries.

Is it politically incorrect to "make the yuletide gay" when we have a "merry little Christmas"? I recall an episode of "Family Matters", when Urkel sung that song, only for the word "gay" be replaced with something else.

 

[KeithE4]

Is it politically incorrect to "make the yuletide gay" when we have a "merry little Christmas"? I recall an episode of "Family Matters", when Urkel sung that song, only for the word "gay" be replaced with something else.

Given how commercial Christmas has become over the decades, a more appropriate lyric would be "Make the yuletide pay." ;D

 

[LowPayDJ]

Uptight people need to relax. They are just words. WORDS, and nothing else. Isn't there a phrase, Stick & Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. When did the people in this world become such candy asses where a few words can hurt them and get their panties in a bunch? Over the years I've been called ever name in the book, and it doesn't bother me one bit. But if you were to put your hands on me,..then that's a different story. That's where the line would be crossed. There are way too many goodie two shoes in this world with a bug up their ass, thinking they can tell me, and people like me, what I should think and say. Sorry, it just doesn't work for me.

 

[bk77]

Uptight people need to relax. They are just words. WORDS, and nothing else. Isn't there a phrase, Stick & Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. When did the people in this world become such candy asses where a few words can hurt them and get their panties in a bunch? Over the years I've been called ever name in the book, and it doesn't bother me one bit. But if you were to put your hands on me,..then that's a different story. That's where the line would be crossed. There are way too many goodie two shoes in this world with a bug up their ass, thinking they can tell me, and people like me, what I should think and say. Sorry, it just doesn't work for me.

I doubt there is anyone ( well 98% of all people ) who really likes the idea of having someone tell them what to say or think. I agree with you.

However there is this phrase called "..a time and a place". Should a third grade schoolteacher be allowed to tell x-rated dirty jokes? No problem OUTSIDE the classroom with other adults ( say at a cocktail party for example ) but not to a bunch of third graders in the classroom while on the job. Should a local televsion news presenter use the words "kiss my ass" or "go to hell" ? Off the air, hey its a free country why not?, but not live in front of the camera for the viewers to watch.

 

[LKellerIII]

Uptight people need to relax. They are just words. WORDS, and nothing else. Isn't there a phrase, Stick & Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. When did the people in this world become such candy asses where a few words can hurt them and get their panties in a bunch? Over the years I've been called ever name in the book, and it doesn't bother me one bit. But if you were to put your hands on me,..then that's a different story. That's where the line would be crossed. There are way too many goodie two shoes in this world with a bug up their ass, thinking they can tell me, and people like me, what I should think and say. Sorry, it just doesn't work for me.

I doubt there is anyone ( well 98% of all people ) who really likes the idea of having someone tell them what to say or think. I agree with you.

However there is this phrase called "..a time and a place". Should a third grade schoolteacher be allowed to tell x-rated dirty jokes? No problem OUTSIDE the classroom with other adults ( say at a cocktail party for example ) but not to a bunch of third graders in the classroom while on the job. Should a local televsion news presenter use the words "kiss my ass" or "go to hell" ? Off the air, hey its a free country why not?, but not live in front of the camera for the viewers to watch.

Yeah - agreed. For instance, I think it's appropriate that the seven dirty words are not allowed on broadcast TV - as long as the FCC and the moralists are not allowed to censor content on pay cable, or in other media, which I'm sure they would love to do if given the opportunity. I think it's really out of line when the FCC levies heavy fines against broadcasters when a dirty word is uttered on air without the knowledge of the network (Cher on that awards show, for example), or an event like the "wardrobe malfunction" occurs. Nobody was hurt by either of those incidents. LowPay DJ is right - it's just a word. And Janet Jackson's...item...was only a breast.

I wouldn't want the FCC to levy fines against shows like Oprah that discuss explicit sexual issues in an informative way. On the other hand, the FCC fine against Opie and Anthony seemed justified to me.

In Western Europe, none of these incidents would be a big deal. It's ridiculous that people in this country get so twisted over this kind of thing.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

And I thought this thread would be about how TV reporters and anchors
have "slanged-up" the language, such as during a toss at the end of a
live shot where the reporter says "back to you guys." :

Good thing you can't read their scripts because you'd probably see the
likes of: "...if the Cowboys loose Sunday's game..."

loose = opposite of tight
lose = opposite of win

 

[sandiegoinexile]

And I thought it might be about the horrific spread of "Take a look at this" or "How about this scene" or other hyperactive mealy mouth non-essential words that glut the world of news, post-FOX-ification. I don't need anchors telling me to "look at this" since after all, I am watching the screen. This is far worse than than the artficial chitchat so prevalent a generation ago. Anchors, don't talk to me as if you were a Used Car Salesman.

 

[azumanga]

I don't need anchors telling me to "look at this" since after all, I am watching the screen.

Unless you're listening to the news from a room with no TV, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

 

[LKellerIII]

And I thought it might be about the horrific spread of "Take a look at this" or "How about this scene" or other hyperactive mealy mouth non-essential words that glut the world of news, post-FOX-ification. I don't need anchors telling me to "look at this" since after all, I am watching the screen. This is far worse than than the artficial chitchat so prevalent a generation ago. Anchors, don't talk to me as if you were a Used Car Salesman.

As I remember it, news anchors have been using slang and catch phrases since at least the mid 1960s...though perhaps it's gotten worse lately. I think it's more prevalent now because anchors on cable news are trying to sound more like "folksy" local anchors. You never would have caught Cronkite and Brinkley using colloquialisms or slang back in the day. On the other hand, think of Dan Rather.

Local anchors have always done this. The late George Putnam in LA had about a dozen folksy catch phrases in every newscast. The worst was "Here's a cutie, for ya..." then he'd tell a hideously corny joke.

For awhile in the 70s, every Bay Area news anchor would open with "I'm (name), and here's what's happening..."

The worst I can remember was a weekend anchor in the Bay Area named Molly McCoy, who would preview stories that would be running after the commercial break, then say "Comin' up next on Eyewitness News."...followed by an eye-wink. I always wanted to strangle her for that. Thankfully she didn't last long, but to my horror, popped up a couple of years later on CNN.