No Muting the Opinions About Morning News Shows

My typically nasty, unfair Friday column about “The KTLA Morning News” and “Good Day L.A.” on KTTV (“Your Mute Button Doesn’t Stand a Chance”) really hit a nerve.

Mine.

There was, for example, the reader who wrote: “I do not appreciate your harsh view of Sam Rubin. You wrote this article because you want the attention. You work hard in trying to be what Sam is, and you hope to be in his shoes one day. But the truth is you’re just too old for anyone to care.”

How do you like that? Just when you think you have everyone fooled, someone sees right through you.

Some of the other e-mails:

You really missed the boat this time. Most of the KTLA morning news crew are pretty sharp and gutsy ad-libbers. Now, there’s no denying they’re a zany bunch. But, Lord above, isn’t there enough care and misery in the world as it is? Some of us appreciate starting the day with people who can yuk it up a little, and who seem to enjoy their work.

We’ve got enough solemn, soulless, blow-dried news readers on the national networks already; it’s awfully nice to find a morning program that’s not stamped out by the same cookie cutter.

You’ve got beautiful, smart women; field reporters who didn’t just graduate from high school; Gayle Anderson’s and Jennifer York’s positive attitudes and on and on. Man, what’s not to like.

Lighten up! “The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer” tells us what’s really going on in the world every evening. The KTLA crew helps us to get up and go out to face it.

ALLEN MUNRO

Manhattan Beach

This very casual and supposed personal approach to the news only serves to minimize the important news items, and the barrage of hour-after-hour programming of regurgitated pieces only forces these shows, in their efforts to distinguish themselves from each other, to allow the most trivial conversation and presentation.

I know far more about the personal lives and opinions of each of those people than is worthwhile. I have been forced back to radio for my information, NPR and KCRW. Bob Edwards versus Steve Edwards, Mara Liasson versus anyone at KTLA any day. Christiane Amanpour versus anyone else.

Can you imagine either of those reporters bothering us with the details of their personal lives? Doubt it. And funny enough, in them I would be interested.

LEILA ROSS

Santa Monica

I’m really not sure what your point was in this catty, vindictive diatribe of an article, but if you judge these people based upon a perceived lack of maturity or sophistication, your credibility suffers when you refer to Sam Rubin as, “. . . a beanbag with lips.”

You don’t much care for the frivolous approach to news. Fair enough. Perhaps the moronic Paul Moyer is your idea of an acceptable anchor. Fine and dandy. However, if any form of media or media personnel strikes you as silly, childish, petulant or not fully evolved, I suggest the words of Michael Jackson (the singer): “ . . . start with the man in the mirror.”

MICHAEL VALENTE

Irvine

There are times when I am not quick enough to my remote and I am forced to watch a minute or two of “Good Day L.A.” or the Channel 5 morning show with Rubin, et al., and at those times I just sort of despair and wonder if anyone else in the world sees what inane horse manure this all is.

RON RICHARDS

West Hollywood

I take issue with your comments about Steve Edwards. This is the first venue that he has been in where I really like him. He knows what he’s doing, and it’s very amusing to see him try to keep his head above the rough “waters” of Jillian Barberie and Dorothy Lucey.

Jillian is also a breath of fresh air. She is sexy, dresses very hip, is candid enough to admit a less-than-idyllic childhood, yet doesn’t boo-hoo about it.

I can’t stand Channel 5. I think Sam Rubin is an idiot. I love the days that Howard Stern runs long [on KLSX-FM] and I don’t have to hear him. Carlos Amezcua is really the fish out of water there. It’s Barbara Beck who really drives me away.

However, I think it’s great that all of these people can make a living off very limited talents, and I think they know it, too.

SARAH MCNALLY

Los Angeles

Indeed, my mute button doesn’t stand a chance. Sometimes even my picture tube is threatened. I’ll be glad when we move to a smaller television market . . . where the stations don’t have the money to pay clowns for hours on end.

DANIEL NAUMAN

Long Beach

I watch “Good Day L.A.” via my satellite and actually enjoy the chat in the morning. Your slam was not needed. Here in the NYC media we have the straight stand-up reporting and it is so boring!! When they try to be funny it is even worse. Trust me, I think you’ve got it pretty good out in Los Angeles.

DAN ANDREWS

West Islip, N.Y.

You reminded me of the time Gary Deeb, former TV/radio critic for the Chicago Tribune, wrote a blistering attack on a newcomer to Chicago TV news in the late 1970s. She knew nothing about Chicago politics or anything else. Deeb ripped her to pieces, dubbing her “Cantaloupe Brain.” A few months later, NBC brought her to New York City to co-host the “Today” show. Her name is Jane Pauley.

Now, I’m not suggesting that any one member of the KTLA or KTTV morning news teams is a cantaloupe brain. Not at all. No, everyone on these shows is a cantaloupe brain and has earned that distinction in spades.

GEORGE SPINK

Los Angeles

I listen to the KTLA morning news each day from my office. I don’t get the feeling that any of the personalities love themselves on camera any more than Diane Sawyer or Charlie Gibson on “Good Morning America.” In fact, they have a wonderful ability to not take themselves too seriously. I think you should stick with PBS.

SHARON WHITMAN

Culver City

In regards to the ridiculous “KTLA Morning News,” I’ve complained for years about Jennifer York. Every time she comes on I switch to Channel 4. And Sam Rubin drives me crazy. He is so in love with himself it’s funny. He is so “star-struck,” especially with any WB star. Mark Kriski is cute, but it seems he is more interested in his hair and butt. Oh God, how could I forget the CyberGuy. Get him off. Man, get them all off!

PATTY SHENNUM

Los Angeles

Your column was right on the mark, especially with regard to Dorothy Lucey and Sam Rubin. Where did they get the idea that I want to turn on the “news” in the morning and get a substandard version of “Laugh-In” or “Saturday Night Live”?

RICK LIVINGOOD

Simi Valley

Sam Rubin has slammed himself several times and is not afraid to laugh at himself. He did a recent interview with a major star where he stumbled and floundered for several seconds and basically looked like an [expletive], but KTLA proudly showed it several times the day after. On KTLA, each person is genuine whether they are self-absorbed or not, and that’s what makes good TV.

DOUG and CATHY WILLIAMS

Oceanside

You had Rubin in such acute focus. The Boobus Americanus resembles a lap dog that yaps endlessly as he scampers from lamppost to fire hydrant to tree stumps, sniffing and panting as he hunts for the latest celebrity scent. As soon as he is announced, I haste to switch channels.

DAVID H. WALLACE

Newport Beach

There are many worse ways to start my day than with a view of the gorgeous Jillian, Sharon or Jennifer. If you want real news, go to Fox. I can also confirm the “off” button always stands a chance.

STEPHEN LEHMAN

Los Angeles

You were way too easy on Jillian Barberie. She’s obnoxious, loud, rude and self-promoting. Her only redemption comes from her love of animals.

PAUL ROSS

Los Alamos

It seems that you have both grown old and up, something I don’t advise anyone to do. You really just need to sit back, relax and laugh a little at the absurdity of it all.

ANGELA CALDWELL

Topeka, Kan.

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Howard Rosenberg’s column appears Mondays and Fridays. He can be contacted by e-mail at howard.rosenberg@latimes.com.