NIGHTLINE: INSIDE THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER (TV)
Summary
One in this series of nightly news programs. In this program, Ted Koppel discusses the National Enquirer, the "crown jewel" of tabloid journalism. He explains that while the paper is generally considered to be sleazy due to its sensationalistic celebrity stories, it used to be "truly dreadful" and more focused on outlandish science fiction tales. Moreover, the paper has surprisingly high standards and often reports on genuinely important stories, like the O.J. Simpson murder trial, long before legitimate news sources do, causing some resentment amongst elite journalists. In Florida, at the main Enquirer headquarters, the editors assemble for a meeting and discuss their story ideas for the next issue, including a piece about actress Roseanne's occult interests and racy photographs of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson. The paper claims twenty million readers per week and attempts to stay on "the safe side of salacious," and senior editor David Perel discusses their inside scoops on various aspects of the Simpson story and their style of contacting sources. Koppel suggests that the Enquirer's best qualities lie not in its content, but in its effective methods of acquiring information.
Many Enquirer reporters are originally from Britain, also known for its heavy tabloid presence, but many writers have prestigious American credentials as well. Scottish-born chief editor Ian Calder talks about the importance of knowing one's audience, and Koppel questions other reporters about the paper's claim of being a "family newspaper" and the relative integrity of paying for stories and interviews. Perel declares that they would pay more than a million dollars for an exclusive interview with Simpson, though this has so far proven elusive. Koppel then talks to radio host Mike Walker, who states that he dislikes "hypocrites" who claim to be above tabloid journalism, and senior editor Brian Williams points out that celebrities have publicists who actively work to get headlines and attention for their clients. Unsurprisingly, the paper often faces libel suits, and they keep a lawyer, David E. Kendall, who also advises President Clinton, close at hand. Reporter Allen Smith continues pursuing the Roseanne-witchcraft story, and Steve Cause investigates Elizabeth Taylor's trip to the hospital for a story about how the actress is "cracking." Koppel closes the story by observing that despite its notoriety, the Enquirer is one of the few newspapers that has "actually improved" over the last several decades. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: October 11, 1995 11:35 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:40890
- GENRE: News
- SUBJECT HEADING: News; Journalism
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1980-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - AT&T telephone services
- TV - Commercials - Ace Hardware stores
- TV - Commercials - Acura automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
- TV - Commercials - The Limited stores
- TV - Commercials - Volvo automobiles
- TV - PSA - CARE humanitarian organization
- TV - PSA - United Nations Association of the U.S.A.
- TV - PSA - United States Peace Corps
- TV - Promos - "America's Funniest Home Videos"
- TV - Promos - "Boy Meets World"
- TV - Promos - "Charlie Grace"
- TV - Promos - "City Slickers"
- TV - Promos - "Family Matters"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper"
- TV - Promos - "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"
- TV - Promos - "Maybe This Time"
- TV - Promos - "Monday Night Football"
- TV - Promos - "Murder One"
- TV - Promos - "Picture Perfect"
- TV - Promos - "Step by Step"
- TV - Promos - "Strange Days" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "The Jeff Foxworthy Show"
- TV - Promos - "The Scarlet Letter" motion picture
CREDITS
- Ted Koppel … Host
- Steve Cause
- Bill Clinton
- David E. Kendall
- Ian Calder
- David Perel
- Roseanne (see also: Roseanne Barr)
- O.J. Simpson
- Nicole Brown Simpson
- Allen Smith
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Mike Walker
- Brian Williams