This week on On the Media: Crackerjack, but no peanuts. And how CNN is changing it's theme music.
Crackerjack
Since 1912, when they decided to insert a toy in every box, the makers of Crackerjack haven’t done much to promote their product. But the caramel-coated popcorn and peanut snack survived for more than a century, anyway, perhaps because of one fateful reference -- in the song “Take Me Out ...
NTV
Russian journalists have been steadily leaving NTV in the four months since the television station lost its independence when a state-owned gas company took control. Has the change in ownership actually suppressed the most independent voice in Russia? Host Bob Garfield talks to Russian journalist and author Matthew Brzezkinski, and ...
CNN Music
OTM loves the theme music to TV news shows. That’s why, when we heard that CNN is debuting an updated version of its long-running news program, CNN Headline News, complete with celebrity hosts and slicker graphics, we couldn’t resist getting a sneak peak of the new theme song. Bob sits ...
Graft Alert
The free gifts publicists dish out to journalists who cover new films, TV shows, and music have always left critics in an ethical quandary. So, in an attempt at full disclosure, one critic began posting a list of the gifts he received at the end of his column. Brooke talks ...
Haitian Journalist
When a hero of Haitian radio, Jean Dominique, was shot to death in front of his station, the already fragile free press movement suffered a devasting blow. But Dominique’s widow, Michelle Montas, is pushing to make sure the investigation into her husband’s death goes forward, despite the challenges posed by ...
Dead Men Talking
We’ve seen dead celebrities pitch vacuums and beer on TV for years, but, alas, advertisers have never been able to actually make their posthumous pitchman actually speak. Now, AT&T Labs has developed speech software that can recreate anyone’s voice to say anything. Finally, the dead can voice their brand preferences! ...
Letters
Brooke and Bob read listener’s responses to last week’s program.
Baseball Announcers
Baseball purists recoil at televised coverage, claiming glib announcers, exploding graphics, and jarring sound effects treat the on-field action as a mere afterthought. Of course, baseball purists are a bitter lot. Still, for many committed fans, the game is best maintained unchanged, and, as Rex Doane reports, old-time radio announcers ...
Baseball Ads
One baseball tradition that has stood the test of time is bad advertising during radio broadcasts. Every other commercial seems crammed with baseball references - from “Hit a home run with (your product here)” to “Don’t strike out with those other guys.” But wait -- you mean you’re not compelled ...
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Conservative Bloggers Vindicated, Advice for Leakers, and More
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An 11-year-old and his 3D printer
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Who’s gonna pay for this stuff?
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A New Incentive for Cord Cutters
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A Journalistic Civil War Odyssey
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A Source for Sources
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The Totally Legal Subpoena
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Angelina Jolie's Secret Test Results
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With IRS Scandal, Conservative Bloggers Feel Vindicated
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