Roush on 48 Hours Mystery, 60 Minutes and Dateline NBC
Question: I am curious about the fate of the once-popular newsmagazine. I remember a time when every network had multiple newsmagazines on the air. CBS had
48 Hours and two versions of
60 Minutes at one time, and NBC used to play
Dateline four times a week. Now we only have
20/20,
60 Minutes and the occasional "To Catch a Predator." What happened? Was it simply a shift in people's tastes? Did networks run these shows into the ground? Do you think a prolonged strike will see the reintroduction of shows like
Prime Time? Also, if networks get really desperate during the strike, do you think they may resort to evening airings of their morning news shows? Just imagine the
Today show,
GMA or
The Early Show re-airing at 9 or 10 pm.
— Matt, Rhode Island
Matt Roush: You hit on most of the likely reasons for why the glut of prime-time newsmags in prime time has faded. Overexposure and changing tastes had a lot to do with it, to be sure, but also the upsurge of reality series as a new form of counterprogramming. When you can get big ratings and buzz for unscripted TV in a glitzy "reality" package, even the most sensationalistic newsmags tend to pale. Thankfully, the ones that are still around, most notably 60 Minutes, are the best of the bunch. And while it's possible we'll see a resurgence of newsmags to fill holes depending on the impact of the strike, I seriously doubt the networks will become so desperate as to repurpose morning TV in prime time. Unless, of course, someone scores an interview coup that could be promoted and turned into a special (remember the Michael Jackson feeding frenzy of years past).
