Gumbel Gets Massive Thumbs Down in CBS On-Line Viewer Feedback - Press Release - November 3, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 1999

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Keith Appell/Dan Gabriel
(703) 683-5004, ext. 139

Viewer Verdict Is Coming In...

Gumbel Gets Massive Thumbs Down in CBS On-Line Viewer Feedback

ALEXANDRIA, Va. --- Viewers are already recoiling from Bryant Gumbel’s unsolicited, gratuitous shots at conservatives, softball treatment of Bill Clinton, and promotion of liberal policies – and he’s only done two shows of CBS’s The Early Show. As this release went to press, the feedback viewer message totals from The Early Show bulletin board on the CBS web site showed an overwhelming majority viewing Gumbel unfavorably.

269 messages unfavorable toward Gumbel

108 messages favorable toward Gumbel

90 messages were neutral or about a different subject

Viewer complained about Gumbel’s attack on actor Mel Gibson for his conservative stances on several issues. Gumbel made his comments to The Early Show’s Mark McEwen after a taped interview of Gibson by McEwen had aired. Viewers also cited Gumbel’s soft interview of President Clinton, during which Gumbel reintroduced unsubstantiated rumors about drug use by Texas Gov. George W. Bush, but chose not to ask the same question about his guest. Other viewers complained about Gumbel’s promotion of gun control during today’s broadcast.

“Bryant Gumbel cannot control himself. Bryant Gumbel is not a journalist in any sense of the word. Bryant Gumbel has no concept of the basic principles of fairness and balance. He is an advocate for liberalism and CBS is already reaping a viewer backlash,” said Media Research Center Chairman Brent Bozell.

Media Interviews
To schedule an interview with either Media Research Center Chairman Brent Bozell or Director of Media Analysis Tim Graham contact Dan Gabriel at (703)-683-5004, ext. 139.