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DFW

(56,579 posts)
1. In the States, they took our worst TODDler
Sat Jan 15, 2022, 05:54 AM
Jan 2022

And they let him host Meet The Press.

He still treats it like a play pen.

True Blue American

(18,166 posts)
2. I would not say
Sat Jan 15, 2022, 06:16 AM
Jan 2022

He is the worst TODDLER, but he sure has stunk up MTP.. I like David Gregory, he had personality and knew his facts.

My ideal for MTP is Keith Olberman, but know that will never happen.

DFW

(56,579 posts)
5. I thought Larry Spivak's format was the best
Sat Jan 15, 2022, 07:40 AM
Jan 2022

He always chose three reporters who would ask pertinent questions of the guest of the week. My dad was on it several times when the guest was a senator, governor or congressman from a Great Lakes state, as that was his beat.

Tim Russert made it all about the host (i.e. himself). The show suffered, and was never the same. Russert came from Pat Moynihan’s staff, and was always somewhat of a blowhard even then. He was also a devout, almost militant Catholic who was out for Bill Clinton’s blood after the Lewinsky affair.

True Blue American

(18,166 posts)
7. I never cared for Russert.
Sat Jan 15, 2022, 09:39 AM
Jan 2022

I did not know about Larry Spivak so your post will make me Google. thanks.

DFW

(56,579 posts)
9. Larry Spivak practically invented Meet The Press
Sun Jan 16, 2022, 01:31 PM
Jan 2022

He liked to be the center of things to a lesser degree. He made sure he got his own questions in, but he always let the three journalists ask their questions uninterrupted. Under his direction, the politician guest really DID meet the press, and so did the TV audience.

Under Russert and his successors, the show was "Meet The Host," and it went downhill, never to recover its original intent.

Although I never agreed that Russert was "tremendous," Letterman nailed it best about Chuck Todd:
http://legacy.buzzflash.com/videos/video/letterman-needles-chuck-todd-for-bad-mtp-obama-interview

DFW

(56,579 posts)
11. We watched TV a lot in those days, so I understand perfectly if you didn't
Sun Jan 16, 2022, 03:41 PM
Jan 2022

When you dad is on TV, it makes a difference, even if in those days, I didn't much get what MTP was about. When he was asked to be in "Advise and Consent," we went to see that film with great expectations, although his spoken part was less than a minute, and I (as a ten year old) had no idea whatsoever what the film was about.

True Blue American

(18,166 posts)
12. That part I understand.
Mon Jan 17, 2022, 04:56 AM
Jan 2022

Local shows had kids singing songs for their ads. Mine included. Going to the childrens shows to be a part of TV.

Phil Donahue was a newscaster. Before he became a Talk show Host. Making the trip to Cincinnati to see Midwestern Hayride. To see Nick Clooney, George’s Dad.

What a thrill, the boys loved it. 3 whole stations!

DFW

(56,579 posts)
13. When we were that age, the venue didn't much matter
Mon Jan 17, 2022, 04:57 PM
Jan 2022

If it was one of us or our dad on TV, it didn't matter if it was at the local drug store or at the White House. It was just, hey dig this--there's our dad ON TV!!!!

T_i_B

(14,800 posts)
6. Staff used suitcase to ferry booze quietly into Downing Street 'for years' before James Slack party
Sat Jan 15, 2022, 08:07 AM
Jan 2022

The thing I don't understand is why this has been going on for years. Are the pubs and bars of Westminster and Whitehall really that bad that you have to have house parties instead? And that's before we get anywhere near breaking lockdown.

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/goodbye-video-played-at-no-10-leaving-party-featured-clip-of-theresa-may-wishing-outgoing-staff-luck-1402103

A suitcase allegedly used to ferry wine into a Downing Street party has been used for such purposes at least since David Cameron’s tenure, a former No 10 adviser has told i.

According to The Telegraph, leaving drinks for James Slack, Boris Johnson’s former director of communications, was one of two events held in No 10 on the day before Prince Philip’s funeral – at which the Queen was forced to mourn alone. Another party was organised for a second member of staff who was also leaving. Both groups joined together later on in the night of 16 April 2021, with around 30 members of staff drinking and dancing.

It added thats some attendees wheeled a suitcase out of Downing Street to the nearby Co-op to fill it with bottles of wine.

A former No 10 adviser told i the suitcase had been around Downing Street for several years. “Friday evening is always press office drinks, people put money in and someone is nominated to get the booze,” they said. “The suitcase is the most convenient way of wheeling it all back rather than clinking in with some carrier bags.”

Emrys

(7,949 posts)
8. His reported behaviour in Downing Street is borne out by how he carried on during a hospital tour
Sat Jan 15, 2022, 03:52 PM
Jan 2022
Boris Johnson ‘was told to wear face mask three times’ for hospital visit

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-mask-hospital-visit-b1956696.html


I don't think I'd recommend this lady's suggested remedy for a run-of-the-mill toddler, but at Johnson's age more stern measures may be necessary:



Channel 4 News
@Channel4News
“He needs a kick up the arse, him.”

This is how people in Selkirk on the Scottish Borders reacted to Boris Johnson apologising for attending an event in the No 10 garden in May 2020.

[Twitter video]
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