Shepard Smith interview…
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tim Cuprisin has an interview with The Fox Report’s Shepard Smith…
These days, his schedule runs from “2 p.m. local time through 7 a.m. local time, and we sleep after that.” And he noted that he’s more plugged in than he’s ever been on such a story.
“This is the first conflict that I’ve been involved with, or the first major story, including Katrina, where our BlackBerry devices work. So we’re able to get real-time both wires and internal reporting.”
The ratings show the effectiveness of having Smith on the scene. Nielsen Media Research numbers, supplied by Fox, show his “Fox Report” averaging 1.6 million viewers, more than CNN, Headline News, MSNBC and CNBC combined between July 17 and 25.
Viewers can always depend on Shepard Smith to deliver the news in a fashion that is fresh, gripping, and entertaining, though none of the latter - because of the nature of the conflict - is present. Wheverer he is, and whatever he covers, Shepard has a presence that attracts a lot of us. It’s not just his personality, but his intelligence. But most of all, he makes us feel he is among us, with mo pomposity. He’s indeed an asset.
Comment by RGL — July 31, 2006 @ 6:39 am
Shep always does a great job, and he also seems to bring out the best in everyone around him. Very compelling reporting!
Comment by OverHere — July 31, 2006 @ 9:33 am
Shep’s reports have been compelling. He has such knowledge of the history of the conflict. A winning startling surprise!
Comment by cella — July 31, 2006 @ 9:35 am
Yeah I like Shep - best anchor on Fox in my opinion.
Comment by Mr A — July 31, 2006 @ 10:03 am
He’s also non-partisan. His new slogan, “Just the news; no opinion, no pundits…” It’s true. If people want no-spin news, there are still places to find it if they look. I also think John Roberts and Wolf Blitzer are pretty non-partisan.
As far as Shep’s knowledge, I do think he has knowledge, but I think he just learned much of it, probably most from Jennifer Griffin (FNC’s best Middle East asset). That’s part of what makes his coverage compelling; he’s learning with you, and he’s got this sense of wonder and awe at what is going on around him, taking in all the details and absorbing it. And unlike many other anchors, he treats the other reporters as assets, and with respect. Anyone else notice that when he asks the cameraman to pan one way or another, he asks them by name? Most of the others don’t.
Best anchor on FNC; best anchor on TV news period.
Comment by erljr — July 31, 2006 @ 12:55 pm
I agree with you erljr on Jennifer Griffin, and all the other FNC reporters who live there. They obviously all share their information with those who were sent over there.
I have noticed that most of the FNC people address their cameramen by name, Bill Hemmer and Mike Tobin I know did it for sure, and David Lee Miller. And not just on this story, I remember the reporters who were covering Katrina addressing their cameramen by name too.
Comment by OverHere — July 31, 2006 @ 12:59 pm
They are all doing a great job over there, and Shep has seemed almost tireless in his very throrough and knowledgeable reporting from the region. And I appreciate the fact that Shep cancelled his vacation to go over and cover this very important story. He really lived up to one of his latest expressions, “breaking news changes everything”!
Comment by Missy — July 31, 2006 @ 1:58 pm
To be honest, if ANY reporter/anchor didn’t cut their holiday short to cover a story like this, then they aren’t cut out for the job in the first place. I would expect all of them to do it.
Comment by Mr A — July 31, 2006 @ 2:41 pm
I agree on that one Mr A.
Comment by OverHere — July 31, 2006 @ 2:42 pm
He certainly brings his best when the story is the most extreme - a la Katrina.
All I know is that I certainly wouldn’t want his hours - he has been on all the time with this story…
Comment by Skippy — July 31, 2006 @ 3:24 pm
Shep is home; on Studio B right now. So much for great “on-the-scene” coverage.
Comment by Joan — July 31, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
Trace was hosting studio b this weekend from that area…perhaps he’s taken over.
Comment by Terance — July 31, 2006 @ 4:11 pm