…that a Big 3 network invented an entire long running, critically acclaimed, classic TV show to cover the story — and that in turn spawned a whole new broadcasting genre.
Although, in fairness, we should have seen it coming…
“There’s this quiz I give to some of our young interns when they first arrive at Nightline. I didn’t do it with the last batch; it’s a little too close to home. “How many of you,” I’ll ask, “can tell me anything about Eric Sevareid?” Blank stares. “How about Howard K. Smith or Frank Reynolds?” Not a twitch of recognition. “Chet Huntley? John Chancellor?” Still nothing. “David Brinkley” sometimes causes a hand or two to be raised, and Walter Cronkite may be glad to learn that a lot of young people still have a vague recollection that he once worked in television news.”
