The New Fox Report…
The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal writes about the new Fox Report with Shepard Smith…
Most would say “The Fox Report” is getting a new set. Smith calls it an “environment,” and balks at comparisons to CNN’s “The Situation Room,” where the multiple TV screens at times make it seem as though Wolf Blitzer is anchoring from a Big Box store.
Fox’s version will have multiple plasma screens, a single rear-screen projection wall, a double rear-projection wall and a large LED wall enabling the show to present assorted video feeds, graphics and text in the background, which Smith said will replace the on-screen clutter that seems part of cable news’ DNA.
“We’re going to minimize that,” he said. “People don’t seem to love it. They seem to be a little tired of it. … They think it’s a little bit of overload, so we’re going to treat the environment [to handle it]. The environment is hot. I think it’s going to be the coolest environment ever in cable news. … Will it look different and better than anything else? I think it will, if not the first day, then eventually.”
Even without the high-tech overhaul, Smith stands out from most of his on-screen Fox News Channel colleagues in that he’s not a commentator. His show resembles a regular newscast, albeit far looser and faster. Its success, Smith said, is “not about some right-wing stuff or left-wing stuff.”
Can’t wait to see it!
Comment by erljr — September 24, 2007 @ 1:10 am
Honestly, where the hell is Ailes and why isn’t he yelling Shepard and the studio designers into the ground? Isn’t this exactly what Ailes said was a bad idea, that it would make “people sick”. Anyway, FNC has a new graphic posted over on the Fox Report page of the new logo, I presume. Sounds like it should be an interesting set, less than 18 hours to do.
Comment by Chris (clind) — September 24, 2007 @ 1:10 am
Will the multiple plasma screens and projection walls be used in the same way uses them in their NY studio?
BTW - I’m reserving making judging the show until it airs, but that new logo looks a bit odd. Perhaps it will look better on screen and in motion.
Comment by F101 — September 24, 2007 @ 4:30 am
Shep is not a commentator? Have you been listening to him the last 2-3 months? He goes from happy, smiley, and running the news at breakneck speed to a very dark or clearly partisan comment, especially politics and racial issues. His political comments are somewhat embarrassing at times, sounding more like urban legends. I have stopped watching his show.
Comment by VMart — September 24, 2007 @ 9:21 am
Shep is about as fair and balanced as they come, and if he is giving you his opinion, he lets you know it’s his opinion. Compare that to the likes of Olbermann, whose show is nothing but opinion yet he acts as if he were simply delivering the news.
Comment by Caufield — September 24, 2007 @ 9:52 am