Thursday, January 8, 2009

I heart Shepard Smith


The following blog post should probably be categorized under "0ld news that not many people care about anymore." But sometimes I get some sort of prompt that reminds me of something else, and so on. My prompt for this post was seeing Shepard Smith on the Fox Report saying something incredibly sarcastic(and funny).

I'm not easily impressed by celebrities. Just because someone is famous doesn't make them worthy of honor -- often their fame and their subsequent intoxication by it makes them quite unworthy of honor and generally annoying in my opinion. I'm not saying that Shepard Smith is an honorable man. I honestly don't know. But in the days following Hurricane Katrina, as politicians and pundants wasted valuable time pointing fingers at one another attempting to place the blame on somebody else's shoulders, I saw Shepard Smith on a freeway overpass. An overpass that I have driven on many times. But instead of cars and trucks, it was filled with weary, desparate people who had not eaten nor even had clean water to drink in days. And instead of going for the "money shot" (the dead bodies scattered upon that vast stretch on concrete and steel) or allowing himself to be brought into some ridiculous conservative versus liberal debate, he stood there on that bridge and said the very words that I was screaming at my television: "Send help. Tiny babies are not getting formula and there are elderly people who are in desparate need of medical attention." To whomever would listen he pleaded for someone to simply come and help. His frustration with the situation was obvious, and his outrage, while not fully expressed, was palattable and sincere. (Which, incidentally, was in stark contrast to Geraldo Rivera's pathetic grandstanding outside the Superdome with a tiny baby held up in front of the cameras and saying without words "Look how incredibly compassionate I am". But that's another tangent -- don't EVEN get me started.) The following is a quote taken from a recent bio I read about Shepard Smith. It is in response to a question about an exchange between Sean Hannity and Smith after Hannity asked about "perspective":


When I told Sean Hannity, "That's all the perspective you need," I was aware that thousands of people were living on a freeway in 95-degree weather, that some of them needed insulin, and some of them needed baby formula, and right over that bridge those things existed, and they weren't allowed to go there. That was my whole world. I did not know that the rest of the world had turned this political. How the f*ck could they have done that? I was so astonished to get on one of our opinion programs -- Hannity & Colmes -- and to learn that the rest of the world was apparently thinking of Katrina in terms of left and right, R and D. Poverty is not a new thing to me. Segregation is not a new thing. But that these happen to be the people who are now in need, and no leadership is emerging to give them what they need, was beyond all reason. So that was all the perspective he needed. [Sean] just didn't know that.

I have always liked Shepard Smith, but after that coverage I became a fan - mostly because he made it very clear to the viewer that these were human beings in dire need of attention, not just some breaking news story. In my opinion, he is someone that takes the business of reporting the news very seriously. He does not however, take himself or the media circus that he often finds himself the unwitting ring master of very seriously.

The following video is not a commentary on whether or not I think OJ Simpson is a murderer, whether justice can truly be blind when a celebrity is involved, or my personal opinion of Fox News Channel. The reason for this post has nothing to do with the aforementioned topics. I am posting this video because when it originally aired in November of 2007, I thought it was just about the most outrageously funny commentary I've ever heard on television. And because, as the title of the post indicates, I heart Shepard Smith.


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(Did you catch the part at the end where he gave out that guy's email address? Classic!)

32 comments:

Annie K said...

I'm a huge fan of 'Shep'(started in my single years!) because of his sarcasm and humor. I'm not even going to get started on Hollywood and OJ.

Helen said...

Why didn't I ever hear of him before? Sigh. He is good looking, I 'll give you gals that...

wv moses--moses supposes his toeses are roses though moses he knowses his toeses aren't roses as moses supposes his toeses to be.

Kris said...

i heart him too...and yes he is good looking...not as handsome as my guy, but he will do in a pinch.

btw; what time is your services sunday?

katdish said...

Annie - I agree - I don't heart him because he's good looking (although he is kinda dreamy, isn't he?), he just cracks me up on a regular basis.

Helen - you haven't heard of him before because until recently, you have been living in the alternate universe called "The Land without Cable TV".

Kris - 5 points for throwin' down the handsome husband card. Obviously, Shep's no Ron. And I think Ron's got the sexiest voice ever. When we first starting dating, if he left a message on my answering machine, I would just play it over and over again!

C3 starts at 10:30(ish), but people start showing up around 10:15 because we have donuts and coffee. Are ya'll gonna come? Let me know - we have a kids program that's geared toward older kids, but we can tweak it a bit so that your little guy can participate.

Anonymous said...

With a name like SHEPHARD, he would HAVE to be a good person.

His Momma blessed him when she gave him that name.

If it happens to be his stage name, then someone blessed him.

He's blessed either way, and I heart him.

Beth said...

Never heard of this guy...but the clip was entertaining. I usually stick to local news...which is almost as entertaining.

Incidentally, Frank taught Annabelle the phrase "Save the Juice!" to yell every time news about OJ came on.

Sigh...our kids are gonna be messed up....

Max02 said...

Never heard of the guy. I have cable, I just don't watch the news. Maybe that'll change later.

I thought it was funny.

I wonder how many people e-mailed that guy...

wv: mobable
"Something that is able to be mobile."

Stephanie Wetzel said...

Wow, I've been missing out too. Anyone who does the news MST3K style needs my attention.

*MST3K: Mystery Science Theater 3000, one of the weirdest shows EVER, and I wish it was still on the air.

WV:
alinhona
The way Shepard Smith says "aloha."
I don't know why.

Mary Ann said...

I always felt like most of us were on the same page about things.

Not anymore.

"started in my single years," "he is good looking," another "he is good looking," "he is kinda dreamy isn't he?"

I think this is going to be one of those hard situations where you find yourself with close friends, discussing important and heartfelt topics and you are left with no choice but to say, "I think we're going to have to agree to disagree." Maybe it's an age thing.

Ouch. Did she just say that?!

Stacey said...

I remember that same coverage from Hurricane Katrina.
I like Shep too, and that OJ clip is pretty funny. (I like the part about finding out why that guy is eating his fingernails!)

I have to tell you that over Thanksgiving I went to visit my grandmother and her sister (they are 79 and 81) and they were watching Shep on Fox News. It was cracking me up because they were going on and on about him! They knew details about his personal life, they talked about his hometown, they remarked about the "twinkle in his eyes" and how he flirts with the lady guests! It was so funny. They are smitten. What's even funnier is that they're Dems. :)

katdish said...

"With a name like SHEPHARD, he would HAVE to be a good person."

-nice try, my little editor friend, but his given name is David SHEPARD Smith, Jr. - no "H", silent or otherwise.

Beth - my kids are gonna be messed up, too. But hopefully in a good way.

Max and Steph - I'm glad I was able to give you a heads up on my favorite anchor.

Mare and Stacey - Between your two comments, I'm beginning to feel a bit like an old lady. And NO, it has absolutely has nothing to do with the fact that I'm currently wearing granny panties under Lee relaxed fit jeans!

Sherri Murphy said...

katdish, My mom always told me that it was rude to point out mistakes of visitors. (Regardless how often they take place).

Mare, I'm old and blind but I agree with you. I don't see the handsome.

katdish said...

Sherri -

Should I be expecting another visit to my blog from your Mama? I'm cool with that - I'd just like a heads up so I can tidy up a bit. And PULL-LEASE! Stop trying to agree with Mare for the sake of agreement. You know that man is H-O-T, hhhhhhot! (Just ask Stacey's grandmother!) Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go catch up on my blog reading before Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom comes on...

Stephanie Wetzel said...

Katdish, I just assumed that Sherri was trying to "relate" to the "younger generation."

Scuse me. I need to go iron some doilies.

BeckeyZ said...

I like that Shepard always seems to say what I'm thinking....it's like he can read my mind or something. And then I laugh, and then he laughs....oooooooooo spooky.

He ain't too hard on the eyes neither.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the comment! Are you 'with Beth' that it was a good post, or that I should quit trying to be funny? ;)

katdish said...

Dude! (Steph) -

As God as my witness, I was totally gonna lay down a doiley remark. But I abstained because I didn't want it to look like I was disrespecting Sherri's mama. I guess we're back in the zone again!

Beckey - EXACTLY! It's downright eerie!

Matt - Yes. I agree with Beth.

Oh, I'm kidding! I really like your serious stuff, but I can read serious stuff on any number of random pastor's blogs! What other pastor's blog (besides Jeff's) am I gonna feel comfortable enough to make fun on them running around in their underwear? Come to think of it, I've made comments on other pastors' blog in the same vein, but they never reply and frankly, I think they find me incredibly annoying. (Can you imagine?)

Beth said...

I don't even know what to say this is all so funny....

And see Kathy, you jest at me wrapped in my snuggie watching Price is Right...but...now the tables are turned...and they have doilies on them...

(Mare...don't tell anyone...my first thought was...wow, he's kinda OLD to be in any way attractive...maybe I can still be in the "young" group with you!! I'm hip! I'm with it! Fo' shizzle!)

Stephanie Wetzel said...

Kat,

Wow! Did I somehow pick up the doily thing subliminally? Is it something Sherri's mom does? (If so, I swear I didn't know. Please don't ban me, Mama!)

This is spooky!

WV: restr
Omigosh! You've got me laughing so hard that I have to go to the restr- okay, I don't have to go anymore...

katdish said...

Beth - In case you haven't noticed, I'M kinda old! (Just incredibly immature.)

And Steph, I have no idea if Sherri's mama uses doilies, it just seemed to fit. (WV - way funny!)

Now seriously, people! Stop commenting on my blog, I haven't even read yours yet and you keep distracting me!

Stephanie Wetzel said...

bother

Stephanie Wetzel said...

bother

Stephanie Wetzel said...

bother

Stacey said...

Oh Katdish! My grandma comment was in no way implying that you are old! It's just a funny story.

I think he's a cutie too and I'm certainly not old. But hey, he's no Jon Bon Jovi. (See how young and hip I am?) :)

Anonymous said...

OK, I'll admit...I like the guy.

katdish said...

STOP IT STEPH! I'm trying to write my weird stuff post!

Stephanie Wetzel said...

Hey fellow rehabbers! (If you're gonna start a rumor, you might as well do it right!)

I just found a new blog by one of "us". If you need more blogs to read, take a look. Could she have been in our rehab graduating class and we just didn't notice?

She Lives

Helen said...

Katdish, I am jealous. Pete Wilson has commented three times on your blog already, never on mine. I think I need to send him an email threatening to take him off of my blogroll...

katdish said...

Well, thanks to Steph, I'm up WAY past my bedtime, but I finished my freak post. You're right, that chick is wicked funny! Plus she plays the bass and how cool is THAT?

and Helen - SHUT UP! Don't be giving out all my "secrets to getting megapastors to comment on your blog" techniques! Actually, you just need to make annoying, completely off-topic remarks. Then they come over to see what's wrong with you...

BeckeyZ said...

BTW Kat, I emailed Shepard a link to your blog. I hope he sends you an autographed 8x10 or something.

:-P

katdish said...

Beckey - Squeal! I wonder if he'll wink at me today...

Terri Jones said...

Today is Shep's 45th birthday. He ages well. He looks better now than he did years ago.

I heart Shep as well. I will never see another news anchor on the side.