‘The Unfortunately Named Contessa’

Posted on | July 8, 2010 | 26 Comments

That’s how Andrew Breitbart always refers to MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer, who complained in an interview with Media Bistro about how hard it is to interviewing guests who “come on and they are prepared to be challenging and to be difficult.”

In another segment from the same interview, Brewer says it makes her “crazy” when blogs point out her on-air gaffes, such as the occasion in 2009 when she introduced Jess Jackson as Al Sharpton:

(Via Kyle Drennen at Newsbusters — Part I and Part II.) Brewer typifies why people hate the media: The adversarial stance of some TV personalities who seem to think their job is to orchestrate on-air “gotcha” moments. A similar attitude prevails among a lot of younger print journalists, who have been raised on this kind of stuff.

This “gotcha” dynamic is a function of television, in which the reporter is also a performer and, especially in a live interview, the idea is to push the subject into an on-air conflict. Brewer routinely did this to Republican guests, and so is hated by conservatives, but I’ve seen Sean Hannity do the same thing to hostile guests on Fox, badgering and interrupting them. It’s one of those Marshall McLuhan the-medium-is-the-message aspects of television: It’s show business.

As a print journalist, I’ve never sought that kind of television-style “gotcha” confrontation, because it tends to be counter-productive to the work I’m trying to do. Even if you’re dealing with a hostile source, it’s better to be perceived as harmless or sympathetic than to act like an attack dog.

With a print reporter, sources will just clam up or not return phone calls if you get hostile, whereas most people can’t resist an opportunity to be on TV and once they’re on camera, they usually feel the need to answer even the rudest questions. So people like Contessa Brewer get used to treating people like crap — and getting away with it, simply because they have the enormous prestige of a network news organization behind them.

“The unfortunately named Contessa” is a creature of TV and epitomizes the values of that medium.

Category: Media Bias, MSNBC

Comments

26 Responses to “‘The Unfortunately Named Contessa’”

Brian O'Connor
July 8th, 2010 @ 5:33 pm

Not shocked to find out that she has a degree European Politics or that she studied abroad.

There is no arguing that Contessa is a sweet piece of MSNBC eye-candy. What I have discovered is that she’s considerably more intelligent when I turn the volume off.

And admit it, you mind went in a completely different direction when she said that she “Googles” herself; I know mine did.
Brian O'Connor
July 8th, 2010 @ 1:33 pm

Not shocked to find out that she has a degree European Politics or that she studied abroad.

There is no arguing that Contessa is a sweet piece of MSNBC eye-candy. What I have discovered is that she’s considerably more intelligent when I turn the volume off.

And admit it, you mind went in a completely different direction when she said that she “Googles” herself; I know mine did.
Joe
July 8th, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

Contessa is attractive. Physically obviously, but she comes off well on camera. She is smart.

I hate to be superficial, but Kevin’s eyes are distracting. I am not sure that can be fixed, but it would be good for him if he wants to stay in video/tv.
ak4mc
July 8th, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

GG what are you, Obama’s new blog-commentary czar, with authority to transfer people where you think they belong?
Joe
July 8th, 2010 @ 1:46 pm

Contessa is attractive. Physically obviously, but she comes off well on camera. She is smart.

I hate to be superficial, but Kevin’s eyes are distracting. I am not sure that can be fixed, but it would be good for him if he wants to stay in video/tv.
ak4mc
July 8th, 2010 @ 1:46 pm

GG what are you, Obama’s new blog-commentary czar, with authority to transfer people where you think they belong?
Joe
July 8th, 2010 @ 5:48 pm

There is no fixing gg however. There is no surgery yet available to fix that sort of stupid.
Joe
July 8th, 2010 @ 1:48 pm

There is no fixing gg however. There is no surgery yet available to fix that sort of stupid.
Dell
July 8th, 2010 @ 6:05 pm

It’s actually wise to let morons like gg stay in the comments section at least long enough (which is usually just one comment) to become totally irrelevant. The attempts at comedic slander fall terribly flat among those with something higher than a fourth grade education.
Dell
July 8th, 2010 @ 2:05 pm

It’s actually wise to let morons like gg stay in the comments section at least long enough (which is usually just one comment) to become totally irrelevant. The attempts at comedic slander fall terribly flat among those with something higher than a fourth grade education.
Jeff Weimer
July 8th, 2010 @ 6:19 pm

Watch Fox News sometime, and rewrite your blog post.

That request might have merit if Fox News DIDN’T try the same “gotcha” games on TV. As it stands, it means you really didn’t read his post, or your comprehension level is somehow handicapped. He was comparing TV to print journalism as whole entities, not Fox to MSNBC to the WA Times. And the Times during Wes Pruden’s tenure (when Stacy worked there) was head and shoulders above the Post for Journalistic integrity, no matter who owned them. Just because you didn’t like or politically/philosophically agree with what they chose to say does not mean they lacked journalistic integrity.
Jeff Weimer
July 8th, 2010 @ 2:19 pm

Watch Fox News sometime, and rewrite your blog post.

That request might have merit if Fox News DIDN’T try the same “gotcha” games on TV. As it stands, it means you really didn’t read his post, or your comprehension level is somehow handicapped. He was comparing TV to print journalism as whole entities, not Fox to MSNBC to the WA Times. And the Times during Wes Pruden’s tenure (when Stacy worked there) was head and shoulders above the Post for Journalistic integrity, no matter who owned them. Just because you didn’t like or politically/philosophically agree with what they chose to say does not mean they lacked journalistic integrity.
Brian O'Connor
July 8th, 2010 @ 6:55 pm

@gg #4

Hello pot, this is kettle, you’re black.

Silly troll.
Brian O'Connor
July 8th, 2010 @ 2:55 pm

@gg #4

Hello pot, this is kettle, you’re black.

Silly troll.
Adobe Walls
July 8th, 2010 @ 7:33 pm

She passed a rigorous audition process?
Gigi: you stated in earlier comments that your sudden appearance here was due to having some time to kill while between gigs. Apparently you new posting required you to practice typing to improve your speed without regard to content. I recommend you also practice your articulation. Try this, the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain. These improved skills will enhance your helpfulness as you sit at your cubicle answering phones.
Adobe Walls
July 8th, 2010 @ 3:33 pm

She passed a rigorous audition process?
Gigi: you stated in earlier comments that your sudden appearance here was due to having some time to kill while between gigs. Apparently you new posting required you to practice typing to improve your speed without regard to content. I recommend you also practice your articulation. Try this, the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain. These improved skills will enhance your helpfulness as you sit at your cubicle answering phones.
Jeff Weimer
July 8th, 2010 @ 7:38 pm

but, gg, it still wouldn’t have mattered, he used her as an EXAMPLE, and then talked substantially about the difference between TV, which includes Fox, and print.
Jeff Weimer
July 8th, 2010 @ 3:38 pm

but, gg, it still wouldn’t have mattered, he used her as an EXAMPLE, and then talked substantially about the difference between TV, which includes Fox, and print.
Jeff Weimer
July 8th, 2010 @ 7:42 pm

Here, gg, let me pull the quote, since it destroys your point:

This “gotcha” dynamic is a function of television, in which the reporter is also a performer and, especially in a live interview, the idea is to push the subject into an on-air conflict. Brewer routinely did this to Republican guests, and so is hated by conservatives, but I’ve seen Sean Hannity do the same thing to hostile guests on Fox, badgering and interrupting them. It’s one of those Marshall McLuhan the-medium-is-the-message aspects of television: It’s show business.

Emphasis mine. See, he did talk about Fox, with a specific example. So, run along, and read his posts completely before running your fingers.

I mean really, your beef is with the TAGS?
Jeff Weimer
July 8th, 2010 @ 3:42 pm

Here, gg, let me pull the quote, since it destroys your point:

This “gotcha” dynamic is a function of television, in which the reporter is also a performer and, especially in a live interview, the idea is to push the subject into an on-air conflict. Brewer routinely did this to Republican guests, and so is hated by conservatives, but I’ve seen Sean Hannity do the same thing to hostile guests on Fox, badgering and interrupting them. It’s one of those Marshall McLuhan the-medium-is-the-message aspects of television: It’s show business.

Emphasis mine. See, he did talk about Fox, with a specific example. So, run along, and read his posts completely before running your fingers.

I mean really, your beef is with the TAGS?
Bill S.
July 8th, 2010 @ 9:46 pm

@gg#16:
(Clue: No online conservatives or even Hannity will be offended by what RSM wrote about the Fox host.)
Are you admitting the thin-skinned hypocrisy of other media (MSNBC, CNN, etc)? It’s about time someone from that side of the isle confessed!
Bill S.
July 8th, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

@gg#16:
(Clue: No online conservatives or even Hannity will be offended by what RSM wrote about the Fox host.)
Are you admitting the thin-skinned hypocrisy of other media (MSNBC, CNN, etc)? It’s about time someone from that side of the isle confessed!
Brian O'Connor
July 8th, 2010 @ 10:55 pm

I forgot you don’t like being called a troll.
Brian O'Connor
July 8th, 2010 @ 6:55 pm

I forgot you don’t like being called a troll.
Dave C
July 9th, 2010 @ 2:03 am

The Unfortunately Named gg is busy today trolling the comments.
Dave C
July 8th, 2010 @ 10:03 pm

The Unfortunately Named gg is busy today trolling the comments.