ENID — It seems that our news media are so often obsessed by the trivial.  One would think that may be so because their audiences are so attentive to trivia.  This is partially true, of course, especially if the trivia deals with celebrities in the sports or entertainment worlds.  But then the media are frequently given to continuing binges on topics which have long lost their appeal to audiences, sometimes to the point of ad nauseam. 



Just recently we have been fed daily updates and expansions upon such super significant happenings as the amorous dalliances of our golf hero, Tiger Woods.  Can anyone truly say that he/she did not have more than enough of that coverage on round the clock television for days? 



We understand that celebrity status, or that of a “public figure,” apparently gives all of us the privilege to pry into every nook and cranny of their lives, including the personal and private.  Further, since we cannot look into all those nooks ourselves, we reward journalists and paparazzi who will serve as our proxies and do this prying for us, so that we may enjoy the vicarious satisfaction brought to us by the media. 



Even the most avaricious among us tire of these stories, however, often long before the media sensationalism dies away. 



As the Tiger story was on the wane, and just before the terrible disaster in Haiti crowded other stories out of the media spotlight, we were overdosed with media concerns about such inconsequential matters as a two-year old quotation from an off-the-cuff conversation with Senator Reid. 



It seems that the senator spoke in a complimentary way about Barack Obama to somebody back early in the last presidential election cycle.  In a bad choice of words, he remarked that Barack was a lighter black person and spoke fluently, and that he might well succeed in the presidential race.  That comment was not offensive to Mr. Obama, and he dismissed it immediately.  Other prominent black people did so as well.  It seemed that perhaps the only black person offended was the chairman of the Republican Party.  Of course, all of the white republicans on television were offended as well. 



Although we understand the significance of the publicly spoken and the printed word, and the nuances of language frequently encountered, it appears that we do tend to make a bit much from the gaffes and goofs of public figures.  We are prone to say, “Oh, let it alone.  Let it lie there.”  Or, we may want to say to some pundits, critics, and commentators, “Get a life!” 



Of considerable more consequence and concern are the polls that indicate that Mr. Obama has a low approval rating among white people, although it is still around the 50% mark generally.  Further, in some polls of white people, even George W. Bush was rated above Mr. Obama as a good president.  These obscure findings are of real concern, downright disturbing to some, and they deserve further study and investigation. 



Another triviality making the news cycle recently was the employment of Ms. Sarah Palin as a “contributor” to Fox News channel.  Wow!  Big news!  Highly unexpected!  It was a good fit.  Her first remark set the tone for credibility, remarking that she was happy to join a news network priding itself on its “fair and balanced” approach.  Nobody is that naïve. 



Again, the unfortunate aspect of this event would be if it were not trivial.  The scary part is that this woman is viewed as a viable candidate for high office by 35% of those polled.  Of course, she has high negatives and no credibility with the other 65%. 



Another of our celebrity trivia stories from the world of entertainment is the broo-ha-ha over late night television programs and schedules.  This controversy has endured over too many news cycles.  Although we probably have all or most of the facts at this time, the story seems to continue.  In case there are any who don't know that situation, allow me to recapitulate. 



Everything was going along pretty well on late night TV, with Jay Leno usually winning the ratings battle against the late network news and fellow comedian, David Letterman.  Conan Obrien was popular among a younger, late, late audience.  Some dunce at NBC says, “Let's keep Conan happy and promise him Leno's time slot in five years.”  The five years lapses, so they push Leno out, even though his show is still winning the ratings.  Instead, they give him a consolation prize of an experimental earlier hour in prime time. 



Then all Hades breaks loose. 



Adult audiences move away from Conan's show in droves, mostly moving to Letterman.  Conan's show goes down the ratings tube.  Similarly, Leno's prime time show is beaten out badly.  NBC affiliates all across the country lose carryover audiences from the Leno hour, and their late news ratings sink along with their profits.  Nobody is happy. 



So, now they are trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.  Good luck! 



From where this one observer sits and opines, Conan's show is juvenile and silly.  Jay Leno's show monologues were mixed between being funny, coarse, and vulgar.  He was preoccupied with sex, shock language, and with denigrating political, sports, and entertainment figures in a cruel, unfunny way.  Letterman is usually humorously entertaining, although sometimes silly and repetitive.  His much publicized foibles hurt not at all. 



But most of us are unlikely to get worked up over all their petty, emotional affairs, not much caring who occupies the time slots at NBC.  Although curiosity abating, extensive media coverage is unlikely to incite us to any drastic behavior. 



One supposes that news on TV would not be nearly as lively and interesting, to say nothing of spicy, without some attention to lighter matters, insignificant in the great world of life changing events for millions.  But it does appear at times that both we and our media tend to become somewhat myopic in our outlook on what is important.  One might also say that our media may at times become narcissistic in coverage of its own. 



If our media truly do tend to mirror the society they serve, as is often said, then maybe we need to do a little self-evaluation in our critical appraisal. 



Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, AKA The Militant Moderate