This Story Has No Legs
Two Boston academics weigh in on news legs. "It doesn't belong on a news
show [...] Showing off someone's legs is probably not a good message to be
showing the viewers," said Belle Adler.
"A person who is an anchor is trying to describe the news and her legs have
nothing to do with it," Balser said. "It demeans her ability to communicate the
news well to people [...]" It's "so out of order" she added. (JESSICA HESLAM, "GAM SHOW MAY BE KATIE'S LEG-ACY, Critics won't skirt the issue," Boston Herald, September 7, 2006)
It is extremely curious that these two Boston academics state the obvious
with respect to Katie Couric. But they remain silent when child of Andy Rooney,
Emily shows her leggy legs nine out of ten daily shows she does on the PBS
station. She does what many call news also. So why is there a pass for Rooney
but not for Couric? Can someone explain that to me? Is it OK to show legs on non
profit TV, but not on for profit?
--
Roy Bercaw, Editor
ENOUGH ROOM
Cambridge MA USA
Boston Herald (MA)
GAM SHOW MAY BE KATIE'S LEG-ACY
Critics won't skirt the issue
By JESSICA HESLAM
September 7, 2006
She's got great legs and CBS knows how to use them - but women scholars are
divided on whether Katie Couric should keep her sexy stems behind the anchor
desk.
Wearing stilettos and a skirt, Couric's toned and taut legs made their first
appearance before the first commercial break Tuesday evening during Couric's
"CBS Evening News" debut.
"It doesn't belong on a news show - making somebody a little bit sexual. Showing
off someone's legs is probably not a good message to be showing the viewers,"
said Belle Adler, an associate professor of broadcast journalism at Northeastern
University.
Diane Balser, a professor of women studies at Boston University, said
objectifying a woman anchoring the evening news is "so out of order."
"A person who is an anchor is trying to describe the news and her legs have
nothing to do with it," Balser said. "It demeans her ability to communicate the
news well to people because it points their attention to the objectification of
women."
Couric's shapely legs were front and center as she interviewed New York Times
columnist Thomas Friedman face to face shortly into her first network newscast.
The usual third-place CBS news show clinched the No. 1 spot that night, with
13.6 million people tuning in.
The legs were much less prevalent last night. When the 49-year-old Couric
co-hosted "Today," her tanned legs and short skirts were practically a show
staple.
CBS spokeswoman Sandy Genelius said "they shot her (Couric) as you would shoot
any anchor on a news set." As for those who say CBS is playing up Couric's legs,
Genelius called it "bunk."
Carol Jenkins, a former TV anchor and Women's Media Center board member, said
"the more women the better, whether they show their legs or not."
Jenkins said Couric's debut was a milestone and women across the country were
thrilled. Actress Marlo Thomas held a viewing party and feminist leader Gloria
Steinem - founder of the Women's Media Center - cried.
"We have to get used to seeing women's legs without falling down and pointing
and giggling like we haven't seen women's legs before," Jenkins said. "We just
have to get over it."
- jheslam@bostonherald.com
