NAB 2008: Murrow, Minow...and Robbins
Actor-writer-director Tim Robbins, who has been known to speak his mind when standing in front of an audience, was asked the give the keynote opening speech Monday at the 2008 National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas.
Then he was asked not to give it — or, more accurately, advised that the speech he had written might be a little too preachy, scolding and negative to go over well before the 1,000-plus broadcasters in attendance.
In the end, Robbins gave it anyway, delivering important remarks, before an important audience, which bore echoes of newsman Edward R. Murrow’s 1958 "wires and lights in a box" speech and FCC Commissioner Newton Minow’s 1961 "vast wasteland" address — thoughtful, prescient speeches beseeching news directors and broadcasters, respectively, to raise the standards of their pervasive and influential medium of television. (Minow’s address, like Robbins’, was at an NAB convention.)
Robbins hadn’t planned to read the speech. Instead, after a short sampling of clips from his movies, Robbins was to join the moderator on stage and sit for an impromptu Q&A session. I was that moderator.
What happened instead is that Robbins opened by mentioning the speech he’d written, but was asked not to read. He said its text would be available, eventually, elsewhere, in some other medium. Then, as a segue to the Q&A presentation, I pointed out that I had read the speech in the green room backstage, likened it in terms of content and setting to the Murrow and Minow speeches, and pointed out that a few years ago at the Oscars, Robbins had gotten a lot of heat for speaking out against the Iraq war.
At that point, many of the attendees applauded in support, and I looked over and saw a gleam in Robbins’ eyes. Then somebody in the crowd yelled out "Speech!" (The guy who approached me afterward and said he was the culprit was Jim Sardar, assistant news director for WLNS in Lansing, MI — but there may be as many claimants to this particular crowd shout as to the call of "Judas!" when Dylan went electric.)
Robbins reached into his pocket and pulled out the speech he had written, and asked if he should. The crowd applauded. I pointed out, jokingly but accurately, this would markedly reduce my role as moderator — and that was that. Robbins left his chair, went to the podium, and was off. (To hear audio of the Robbins’ speech, click here.)
On the 50th anniversary of Murrow’s speech before the Radio-TV News Directors Association, with the same RTNDA group also convening in Vegas, Robbins carried on in that same tradition.
In 1958, Murrow said, "This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise, it is just lights and wires in a box."
In 1961, Minow’s "vast wasteland" was his description of any TV channel’s offerings across an entire 24-hour broadcast day. Watch without interruption, he told the NAB then, and "you will see a procession of game shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, western bad men, western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence, and cartoons. And, endlessly, commercials — many screaming, cajoling, and offending. And most of all, boredom."
In 2008, Robbins said this: "I’m here to tell you that we don’t need to look at the car crash. We don’t need to live off the pain and humiliation of the unfortunate. We don’t need to celebrate our pornographic obsession with celebrity culture. We are better than that."
And this, with lots of sarcasm: "We love distraction… I don’t know about you, but show me a starlet without panties getting out of a car, and suddenly the world seems like a better place. Show me ‘Knight Rider’ drunk on the floor eating a hamburger, and I won’t ask why my kid has no health insurance. Let’s stop burdening people with facts."
And this, as his opener, with even more sarcasm, "apologizing" to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly and other right-wing broadcast pundits:
"A few years ago they told America that because I had different opinions on the wisdom of going to war, that I was a traitor, a Saddam lover, a terrorist supporter, undermining the troops.
"I was appealing at the time for the inspectors to have more time to find those Weapons of Mass Destruction. I was a naive dupe of left-wing appeasement. And how right they were. If I had known then what I know now, if I had seen the festive and appreciative faces on the streets of Baghdad today, if I had known then what a robust economy we would be in — the unity of our people, the wildfire of democracy that has spread across the Mideast — I would never have said those traitorous, unfounded and irresponsible things.
"I stand chastened in the face of the wisdom of the talk radio geniuses, and I apologize for standing in the way of freedom."
It was a speech Variety described approvingly and at length, calling it "laced with wry irony and winking sarcasm." Other reports from those covering the convention, at this writing, characterized it as "electrifying," "a humorous, profanity-laced attack," and "an historic moment." A few people walked out. At the end, the majority of the crowd gave Robbins a standing ovation.
Much of Robbins’ speech urged an increased diversity of voices, allowing minority viewpoints and artistic expressions to have their day, and their say. By booking Robbins as their keynote speaker, the NAB ended up doing precisely that. Perhaps accidentally, but the outspoken actor hardly was an unknown quantity, and the results should speak for themselves.
Just as Robbins did.
David Bianculli has been a television critic for a very long time. Currently, he’s TV critic and guest host for NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, teaches television history at New Jersey’s Rowan University, and offers nightly viewing recommendations and observations on his website, www.tvworthwatching.com.
Doggone commented:
Bianculli is missing one fact: In a crowd of about 2,000, after someone (30' to my right) yelled "Speech" there was a pause; Robbins said "don't temp me, I have the full speech right here with me". Then someone (30' to my left) yells "free speech" and Robbins says "lets do it", and THEN he goes to the podium..
jeffmcneill commented:
This is brilliant, as is his general insights and delivery. The level of understanding and insight exhibited in many of the comments are tragic. Every hear of sarcasm?
brett rud commented:
wait, are you kiddding me? "if somebody DOESN'T like somebody that YOU like they are not worth talking to because THEY are narrow minded?" You are aware that statement is utterly counter-intuitive, are you not? By implication, you suggest that to have a different view than your own proves that the OTHER person is narrow minded? This is the mother of nonsensical assertions...as it effectively demonstrates YOU are narrow minded. Embarrasing
Patriotic Librarian commented:
May all that is good and prosperous befall Mr. Robbins for yet again taking the side of the angels and advocating for our better natures. Tim Robbins can be a litmus test for me: if you don't like him, good. That saves me the trouble of wasting my time on your narrow-minded selfishness.
Anson commented:
"We don't need to celebrate our obsession with celebrity culture."
That's right, Tim. Now shut up and make a movie.
P.D. Maines commented:
Never mind the irony that, but for the “celebrity culture,” Robbins would not have been invited to speak. The aspect of this affair that rankles is that the gentleman made some points that should have been made by someone in the industry.
This, because in his grandstanding and semi-literate way, Robbins is onto something. TV news and entertainment programming have been dumbed down so much they’re at risk of blending into the background of the mediababel led by such as the YouTube’s of the world.
What a pity that, at a time when everyone knows the perils facing broadcasters, the industry has to go to an actor and wannabe politico to put into words an aspect of the present distress.
Tulsa, OK commented:
As the NAB and its members follow Robbins in his relentless pursuit of irrelevance, we the viewers say: "Goodbye, and good luck". (Apologies to Murrow)
Gildell commented:
Just a quick fact check for Falcon15:
The 2 million dead Cambodians had nothing to do with us leaving Vietnam. They were the result of our support for the military coup that forced Prince Norodom Sihanouk out, followed by our carpet bombing of the border areas with vietnam, and then our invasion of the country in pursuit of Viet Cong and NLF forces. Prior to those actions Cambodia was a relatively peaceful country, and the Khmer Rouge a relatively small and insignificant force. Fortunately when the west and the US turned their backs on what was happening in Cambodia, those nasty Vietnamese took action and forced Pol Pot out, bringing an end to the genocide.
Tarmangani commented:
The only reason Tim gets a public forum is that he falls into the category of the "starlet without panties". Just someone in the public eye. Kind of makes mine water. I did like him in Top Gun but if he gets any more speaking lines that there it places too much pressure on the rest of the cast to overcome. He has to know that he is out in la-la land when even Bill Maher calls him on his exaggerations.
Joe Stellar commented:
Will somebody please tell the Americans that they have LOST EVERY SINGLE WAR they have ever started since 1945. Including the biggest blunder of them all, the current Iraqi-Afghan "campaign" going into its sixth year. They had achieved one "draw:" Korea. And the grateful Koreans are thanking the Yanks ever since. (Yeap, that was "sarcasm.")
Sean commented:
In Mr. Tim Robbins, we finally have a REAL AMERICAN PATRIOT who is willing to call the right wing broadcasters, lawyers, and many Republican politicians in Washington the scum that they really are. We need more outspoken critics of the country now, otherwise this country is history. We have gotten a helluva huge beating in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Susan Sarandon commented:
Shame on you Tim. You are a traitor.
New media guy commented:
Tim Robbins is entitled to his opinions, as is anyone. And just because he's good at pretending to be someone else and get paid lots of money for it doesn't mean he has one iota of intelligence or credibility--in fact, quite the opposite is true.
He was never called a traitor. He never endured the hardships he describes. If he did, then wouldn't he have been thrown in jail by the government that he describes?
Most actors, entertainers and celebrities live in a fantasy world and their perceptions are extremely distorted.
One nice thing about the evil government and society that Robbins describes is that hysterical lunatics like him would be silenced. But, the beauty of our system is that even an imbecile like Robbins can voice his opinion.
falcon15 commented:
The left never ceases to amaze me in its self-righteousness. They fought and pissed and moaned and screamed until we left Viet Nam, and in our wake 2 million dead in the Khmer Rouge.
I suppose it will take the complete annihilation of Iraq and Israel by Iran before they may wake up and see their own hand in Genocide by turning their backs on our allies.
To paraphrase that song from the 60's:
" Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon,
Going to the candidates' debate,
Laugh about it, Shout about it, when you've got to choose,
Every way you look at it you lose.
Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio.
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you (ooo ooo ooo).
What's that you say, [Mr. Robbins] ?
"Joltin' Joe has left and gone away" (Hey hey hey, hey hey hey).
Can anybody blame the loss of innocence when we have "leaders" like Tim Robbins in Hollywood Babylon.
Dave commented:
This isn't about Iraq, it is about the lack of any kind of balance in the news, or for that matter any news in the news.
Some of your comments are deeply disturbing and with your protests about Tim you are only proclaiming your own ignorance. He was roasted by the Fox and MSNBC Press. Rush, Sean, and the rest of them called him a traitor for daring to speak out against the so called wishes of the President. He dared to say something contrary to what the President said, he dared to question, he dared to to use his freedom of speech. No you don't have to like what he says, no you don't have to listen to it, but he has the right to say it, and we have a right to hear a contrary opinion. We do not have this today.
Oh and yes that was sarcasm about You Tube, he supports that.
Eric Sevareid commented:
Tim Robbins likes to complain about being called a traitor without presenting any evidence that anyone of significance has ever called him that. Oh sure, he'll name some anonymous letter writer, but how do those insignificant thoughts compare with the megaphone presented to Robbins--a non-broadcaster--by broadcasters. Complain on Mr. Robbins, you don't know how lucky you are.
ecsd commented:
Tim Robbins was right all along. Other posters here repeat right-wing propaganda - "I'd rather trust Petraeus", for example, forgetting that Petraeus works for George W. Bush and that his advice is only intended to implement Bush's policies, so of course we have to keep troops in Iraq forever, yada. Nobody who pays attention believes in the war. And it seems that nobody running for office remembers that (a) the war was and is illegal under US and international law - thus any talk about how to "continue it" is also unlawful, and (b) going to war on lies is IMPEACHABLE, should have BEEN impeached and STILL CAN BE AND SHOULD BE IMPEACHED. Nothing less than seeing dozens of Neocon warmongers go to JAIL FOR CAUSE will satisfy history.
Pam Shane commented:
Thanks for your blog - your perspective adds to the meaning of Tim Robbins' remarks. Amazed and delighted that he was encouraged to give the speech and that it was applauded.
nobody special commented:
Isn't it interesting how Robbins is in favor of one media broadcasting his form of the truth.
Juggling Clown #6 commented:
I like Tim Robbins, his movies, and his viewpoints. I was not crazy about his mid-90s appeal for permitting the immigration into the US of Haitians with AIDS. That was beyond my threshold for selflessness. His comments before these broadcasters won't change anything. A nice public defense of his position on Iraq, but the public must want to look past the starlets and celebrity scandals and pharmaceutical-sponsored network news with its 2.5 minute story arcs. The public has the government and entertainment that it deserves.
Kay Day commented:
I read what Robbins said about the Internet and YouTube, in the writeup by Tom Steinert-Threlkeld.
It isn't discernable whether Robbins was being sarcastic or whether he was serious.
I tried to listen to the audio, but couldn't pull it up in any of my browsers.
So does Robbins hate the Internet and YouTube? Really, it'd be better if that were evident in an otherwise well-written article. Since Robbins was speaking about new media, ya know?
best, Kay Day
LogicalSC commented:
Shld be there instead of their
LogicalSC commented:
"Emma commented:"
You hit all the Daily Kos talking points but it is readily apparent who among us is totally unaware of what has happened and is happening in Iraq.
I have a nephew and a brother how has been in Iraq, does that satisfy your "chickenhawk" question. How much time have you spent in Fallujah? In your vast knowledge of Iraq and all the time you have voluteered their did you make a positive impact on their lives?
I talk with them often about conditions over in Iraq and my nephew is returning from his 4 tour and last tour. He can't wait to get home this time because everyone is bored to death because their is little activity for the US contingent. The Iraqis do most of the patrolling now with occasional American assistance.
So spare me your Kos and DU insight of the events in Iraq.
Robert commented:
Why doesn't his kid have health insurance? He has plenty of money. Give up some of that cash and stop relying on the Govt.
Huey Newtron commented:
Careful Emma & M. G. Massey. Takekaze & DENNIS D will be knocking on your door.
Oh, and remember, NewsCorp and the WSJ aren't part of the MSM.
Emma commented:
If Americans had a free media instead of a right wing media, they would know how the Iraqi "Army" is failing. They would know that the Sad'r militia is doing community policing and providing for the welfare of the people displaced by the American invasion. (Which shows the locals which side to be on when the drive to push Americans out of Iraq really gets going) If Americans studied history they would know that this is a big a boondoggle as Viet Nam, except that Bush is using "volunteers" who are not allowed to leave the army when their enlistments are up, but are sent back to Iraq for more. I wonder how many right wing apologists for this disaster will give up their comfy lives and enlist to go to Iraq. Not many, I bet. The war they don't know is the war they can support.
America's soul is soiled and degraded by right wing jingoism.
DENNIS D commented:
MSM doesn't even try to hide its rampant left wing agenda anymore.
Takekaze commented:
The way I see it, he can have his opinion about Iraq, that's his right. But it's hardly more important than the opinion of the Iraqi woman, who goes to an election, thanks to the US troops (keep up the good work, boys and girls). In fact, I think her opinion is more important on that issue than his. Also, I take general Petraeus' opinion about the war over the opinion of an actor who has no idea about how the military works. Then again, Mr Robbins is a Hollywood actor and my opinion about Hollywood these days isn't really the best. I take Bollywood over Hollywood, honestly. I know some actors who are actually qualified to talk about politics (they actually went to university and *gasp!* finished it), but they don't run up on a stage and consider their opinion to be worth more than any other. Why? Well, for once they're not Hollywood "actors" (which don't exist anymore, one of the last died recently, RIP Chartlon Heston), which means they can actually act and don't have an ego the size of Jupiter. And secondly... they're actually hard working (because in the country they live in Hollywood escapades kick you out of showbiz).
Working, law abiding citizens are not left in the streets to die. That's leftist propaganda based on nothing but... hot air. You want a health system like in some European countries? Okay... you're willing to pay the taxes for it so that everyone, including people who refuse to work because they make more money off the state by sitting on their ass, gets health insurance?
M. G. Massey commented:
Since most of America is frantically attempting to survive, the media will have it's way with Robbins brave words. For we have so easily been divided and miss the truth staring us in the face that our Emperors have no clothes. Our leaders eat and obtain health care off our taxes, while the least of us die in the streets entirely forgotten by a nation obsessed with youth, money and a have it "our way" culture oblivious to anyone but ourselves.
Even our so called intelligent critics, forget to ask the hard questions. Witness Charlie Rose spending forty five minutes on television critics while giving but fifteen minutes to one of our greatest women poets of our tim; Joni Mitchell.(Charlie , your losing your discretion)
Thank goodness Robbins is brave enough to shine lights where the darkness has grown far too deep. Bravo Mr Robbins. Thank you for having the courage to tell it like it is. Like Whitman in his time, most people will not understand your words at first. Hopefully, unlike Whitman, it will not take nearly as long to realize the real weight and importance of your words to our country. Our very lives depend on our ability or lack of, to comprehend that which we have ignored for too long.
nbindo commented:
I guess Tim Robbins doesn't feel that brown people in Iraq deserve to freely elect their government, and be able to stand up to Islamist Fascism and Baathist Totalitarianism. Funny, the people of Iraq overwhelmingly believe that they are better off now than when Mr. Robbin's friends in the "international community" were running the oil for food scam.
ken commented:
Who's Tim Robbins?