“Backlash Begins”: CBS Cancels Michael Moore Appearance

[jefferson_dem]

“Backlash Begins”: CBS Cancels Michael Moore Appearance
by Rachel Sklar | 12:24 pm, September 27th, 2009



Michael Moore ABCMichael Moore took to Twitter early this morning to report his first network cancellation in his tour to promote his controversial new film, Capitalism: A Love Story:

Michael Moore on Twitter: “Backlash Begins: CBS has cancelled me on its Mon. morning show. After I criticized ABC/Disney on GMA, they didn’t want me to do same to CBS.”

Moore was on ABC’s Good Morning America last week and called out ABC’s practice of hiring “permalancers” — permanent freelancers who are essentially full-time workers but are on contract rather than salary, which means they don’t get any of the benefits normally extended to employees. Here’s what Moore said, on the air:

“People backstage here — they don’t get to be real employees here because they don’t get the benefits, so they’re freelancers…and I said ‘Guy, I was here two years ago, you were a freelancer, what are you doing here?’ — right backstage here at ABC — he said, ‘We call ourselves permalancers now.’ They don’t get to share in just the basic benefits that an employee used to have who worked here. What’s wrong with that? What is wrong with just giving people basic things for their hard work?”

<SNIP>

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/backlash-begins-cbs-cancels-michael-moore-appearance/

[bluestateguy]

1. They're cowards

I still have not forgotten their cowardice in the Reagans miniseries fiasco back in 2003.

[louis-t]

97. Thank you, I have not watched ABC since.

[NoSheep]

107. Just sent an email saying Fox doesn't need any help silencing the truth.

[Dinger]

2. Sickening

[Ineeda]

3. Protest? Send emails? Make phone calls?

Might not work, but doing nothing won't work, for sure.

[lunatica]

13. What gives you the idea we're not doing anything?

Newbies are so cute! They come in 9 years later and think they need to kick ass.

[donco]

21. That lame ass comment

make you feel better?

[lunatica]

24. Yes cutey, it did.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

65. It was indeed lame n/t

[rtassi]

86. Wow! We really don't need an opposition party do we ? ... n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

94. Time for a firing squad.

I'll go break out the guns. You get everybody standing in a circle.

[Ineeda]

23. I never said we're not doing anything

and certainly I'm not needing to 'kick ass' - I'm just hoping we all (and that includes me) continue the work. ***A gentle little reminder to an old-timer - we're on the same side. Newbies are newbies for a whole lot of reasons that you have no right to assume knowledge of. I've been in the trenches, same as you've been, I'm sure.***

[lunatica]

26. OK. Peace

You're right.

[DianeK]

34. ineeda has been around longer than you have..

just not as verbose. Really, not sure why you had to leave such a rude comment as that. We are the party of hope not cynicism

[Ineeda]

35. thanks DianeK- I never even looked at the profile.

Personally, I rarely look at the # of posts, as I feel it's the content that is relevant, not volume.
But an apology was forthcoming, so all is forgotten.

[donheld]

36. '

:wtf:

[Lilyeye]

44. What a lame ass condescending post.

Esp when the person you did this too has been here longer than you.

[SweepPicker]

68. Your Point Is?

What would rather us do, become Republican?

[Writer]

4. Just a minute - have they rescheduled him yet?

Was there a more important interview they have set-up for that program, and yes, there are more important interviews than Michael Moore.

[Better Today]

5. Something glaringly missing in the OP....

http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/feedback/fb_news_form.shtml

The way to contact them about the foolishness of their decision and how it might affect our viewing habits.

[jefferson_dem]

7. Thanks. n/t

[asdjrocky]

41. Nicely done, thanks.

[Lilyeye]

45. Thank you. I will be writing about this.

[onestepforward]

52. Thank you. I just wrote to them. n/t

[veganlush]

76. thanks for posting the email form link-I put it to use......n/t

[lonestarnot]

93. Done thanks.

[orpupilofnature57]

6. More an affirmation of his power and respect ,Like Bill Maher said

" I HOPE YOU MAKE A ZILLION Dollars " God Bless you, Micheal!

[Dappleganger]

8. Thats what my husband does.

They tried to get him to go to awards ceremonies and picnics, etc. He said until you hire me with benefits, no fucking way.

[Cha]

9. cbs are freakin' chickenshits..they need to be sent massive

amounts of chicken feed.

CBS
-Phone: [phone]

http://www.cbsnews.com/feedback/fb_news_form.shtml

[Chipper Chat]

10. Or chicken shit.

Almost as plentiful.

[Cha]

19. Yeah, they are..but

They'll get the message with tons of chicken feed dumped at their front door.:evilgrin:

[Chipper Chat]

31. The Manhattan pigeons will love it.

:rofl:

[Joanne98]

11. This is why we need to use the anti-trust laws on them. They stick together instead of compete!

[Honeycombe8]

12. I don't blame CBS. I love Moore, BUT, he shouldn't have criticized

ABC while ON ABC.

There are rules and manners, even for Moore.

You don't go to someone's house on an invitation, and then walk in and start criticizing their decor. Good taste says that if you MUST criticize the host, do it later.

[lunatica]

16. Go along to get along

Yeah, how dare he point out what's going on while pointing out what's going on and while being interviewed to do just that.

And the media are always within the bounds of good taste aren't they? Especially with getting around the laws so they don't give their employees benefits. And we wonder whey they don't report on it.

[Honeycombe8]

84. You miss the pt. It was stupid to do it at the time and at the place he did.

He could've and should've just done it later.

ABC was hosting him, at the request of Moore's agent, to help him push his movie. So he shows up and starts trashing ABC. Nice. He has that right, of course. But who wants someone like that around? Someone who shows up and starts looking for things to attack you on? He should've stuck with pushing his movie, and then spoken out about it later. Maybe he would've thought that not to be brave, not to do that while there. Who knows.

Just saying. Manners are for everyone, even geniuses.

[WinkyDink]

22. You're joking, right? A predatory corporation doesn't deserve the Miss Manners treatment.

[Honeycombe8]

79. Sure, he could criticize his host. But then...others won't invite him in.

See how it works?

Good manners are for everyone....from dogs to kings.

[WinkyDink]

117. Ah, yes. Sad that we no longer believe in revolution. Wouldn't be mannerly.

And I most decidedly do not miss your elementary point.

[Enthusiast]

54. Wrong!

What we need are strong voices to point out the failings of these greedy corporations. Manners for corporations? You might as well just dig your own grave.

[Honeycombe8]

82. You miss the pt. It was stupid to do it at the time and at the place he did.

Speak out, by all means. But not while the company is hosting you and helping you push your movie. It's just an ugly thing to do. And he is seeing the results. No one wants a bad ass in his house who shows up for the purpose of looking for things you do wrong and pointing them out.

He should've kept his mouth shut for the time being, and spoken out later. Just my opinion.

[Enthusiast]

121. He illustrated a point.

It is a point lost on nearly everyone in the entire damn country. On the M$M we NEVER hear about how the many lives have been compromised by these horrible corporations. He took the opportunity to point this out-it was a teaching moment, one not to be missed.

While the insurance industry generates faux outrage by the ignorant, to protect their interests, absolutely no one is calling out corporations for the wrong they do. Michael should be applauded for bring it up.

[Eric Condon]

62. ABC wasn't going out of their way and doing him a favor by having him on.

They booked him because they knew he would bring ratings, which in turn makes their advertisers happy. So it's not like he was ungrateful for them doing him a solid and giving him free press. It wasn't a social call. ABC, in their capacity as a business, had him on the show, and the criticisms he made were absolutely fair and legitimate in the venue in which they were made.

[Honeycombe8]

80. Moore was pushing his movie by being on. CBS apparently doesn't think

the ratings are worth it.

The way it works is: Moore's agent gets on the phone and lines up as many big media appearances as he can for Moore to push his movie. That's how it works. Sometimes the big media outlet calls a celebrity on their own, but it's usu. the other way around.

Good manners are for everyone. If you insult your host, don't expect to be invited back, and don't expect others to want to host you. If I went into your home and started criticizing your house, would you invite me back? I would probably be right about what's wrong with your house...but is that the point?

Moore could criticize ABC later, which is what he should've done. He got carried away and forgot that he's just a person, not a king. The rules still apply to him, just like they apply to everybody else. He's a genius. But even geniuses should have good manners.

[olegramps]

69. I don't think that is a proper analogy.

Corporations are exploiting the workers because of the high unemployment rate. These workers are being taken advantage of and I would think that Michael Moore should be congratulated for speaking out in their defense.

[Honeycombe8]

81. You miss the pt. He should speak out. Just not at the place and time that he did.

His agent booked him in that media to push his movie. ABC agrees and ABC gets something out of it, too. It's common sense, and good manners, not to show up and attack ABC,no matter how RIGHT he is, at that time. He CAN, and he DID...but the consequences are what has happened. Who else is gonna want to host someone who walks in and attacks you?

Miss Manners says....by all means criticize your host's behavior, but not while you're in his house. Wait until later (or better yet, while you're on ANOTHER network).

[grahamhgreen]

104. I see your point, but I think he was empathizing with the worker he knew from years before and

was using something that was fresh in his memory to make his point.

Being in a similar situation in the past, I'm glad he brought attention to it.

[NoSheep]

106. Can you imagine how many would call him a hypocrite if he played nice

for ABC then criticized them out of their presence? Some of us are not hypocrites. Our values are based on truth ALWAYS being truth, not just when it is convenient or polite. Screw polite. Go down in a boat of polite spineless fools if you want to. Call MM names if that makes you feel better about your own lack of conviction but I cannot agree with your point of view.

[barbtries]

111. i get your point

got it the first time. i disagree with it.

[Scruffy1]

92. Rules

These "rules" and politeness are the main reason the public is so misinformed. Offend not media or you lose your access has been used by politicians and media to control the American population. Just look what happened in the run-up to the Iraq war. My hat goes off to Moore. Being polite means people die.

[grahamhgreen]

103. Well, where are you gonna do it then - in the DU forum?

[SharonAnn]

115. Sometimes the news media channel IS the news. You shouldn't hold back.

[City Lights]

14. FUCK cbs. They cancel Michael Moore but had Glenn Beck on with Couric last week.

Fuck them. Up, down, and sideways.

:nuke:

[DevonRex]

18. LOL! That's exactly what I just wrote to them in my email. Without the Fuck part.

Just said I'm done with CBS.

[jefferson_dem]

15. At CBS News, Ann Coulter is welcome -- but not Michael Moore (Media Matters)

At CBS News, Ann Coulter is welcome -- but not Michael Moore

September 27, 2009 2:10 pm ET by Jamison Foser

So, let me get this straight: CBS Early Show host Harry Smith interviewed Ann Coulter after she called him "certifiably insane" -- but the morning show has allegedly cancelled a scheduled Michael Moore appearance out of fear that he will criticize CBS?

Moore explains, via Twitter: "Backlash Begins: CBS has cancelled me on its Mon. morning show. After I criticized ABC/Disney on GMA, they didn't want me to do same to CBS."

http://mediamatters.org/blog/200909270008

[smoogatz]

88. Why would this surprise us?

Coulter's one of them: she's a corporate lickspittle, a cheerleader for the fascist/corporatist power structure. Moore is a dangerous advocate for Democracy--can't have anyone like that on TeeVee.

[rasputin1952]

17. Not trying to be facetious, but corporate media reporting on

someone who is a Teddy Roosevelt anti-corporatist, what does one expect a corporation to do?

Major networks have reaped in billions because of the tax cuts they've received and their lousy hiring practices. We have no one, except Katie Couric, on the network stations that even attempts to deliver anything resembling true news. It's all about "celebrities", the same crap that is in every supermarket tabloid around the nation. Think about it, it all has to do w/either a "celebrity" going off the rails, or some "missing blonde" scenario.

The days of Murrow, Huntley & Brinkley and Cronkite are long gone. It's all about talking heads spouting off about some trivial garbage and tossing in a real article as an afterthought. "Today, Britany Spears was caught drinking at a local tavern; Michael Jackson died of (_______________); we've found out that Liberace was gay....and nuclear war broke out in the Middle east. Next up, Hitler on Ice at Madison Square Garden for 2 weeks only!"

It's ludicrous and the cable channels are not immune either.

[Uzybone]

20. Big Media doesn't want people to know they are corporate mouthpieces

how dare Moore point this out.

[druidity33]

25. he's too dangerous

you just never know what he's going to say on the air!

:)

[Phx_Dem]

27. Fucking cowards. Moore should continue Tweeting about these assholes.

Nothing they can do about that, and Twitter probably has a much bigger audience than any of the major networks anyway.

[lynne]

28. Backlash is what usually occurs when you bite the hand that feeds you -

- Let's face it, Michael Moore has made millions at the feet of capitalism and I don't know of any industry in the world that would promote a film or person that puts them in a negative light.

Is it just me or does anyone else find it ironic that Moore is using capitalism as a weapon against capitalism? I have to wonder what he thinks of us spending our capitalist-earned $$ to see his films? Is he laughing with us . . . or AT US?

[Umbral]

49. It's just you. nt

[Enthusiast]

55. Yup, just her.

Sad.

[AuntPatsy]

51. .

:puke:

[joeglow3]

101. I asked the same question and got blasted

However, I want to know how much money he makes off of this and how much of it he keeps for himself. How much did he pay to the people who worked on the film? How much is he donating?

I was equally pissed when the Democratic candidates were pointing out and criticizing companies for not providing health insurance during the campaigns, but all Republican and Democratic candidates refused comment when NPR asked them what type of benefits they provide for their full time employees.

[Umbral]

110. You're just looking for any excuse to paint Moore as a hypocrite. Why is that? nt

[joeglow3]

116. You feel it is an unfair question? Why?

Was NPR unfair for asking the questions they did of all Presidential candidates?

[Umbral]

122. It's an unnecessary question, unless his employee's are complaining.

The rest is none of your business and the only reason to ask is to illicit information you can use to smear him. Unless your intent is to provide another opportunity for Moore to demonstrate his humanity. That's not the vibe I'm picking up, but by all means, set me straight - tell us how you want access to Moore's financial records to expose just how compassionate he really is.

[joeglow3]

124. I agree it is none of my business

However, I still think it is a fair question. Many people may not complain for a number of reasons (especially in today's job environment, many are just happy to have a job). However, as Moore has pointed out, just because people are willing to work for sub-standard working conditions, pay, benefits, etc. it does not make that treatment okay.

I have loved all of Moore's other films and I think he has historically done a great job of exposing the truth. That said, he is treading on controversial waters here as he is clearly going after the rich, of which he is clearly a member. His message comes across as a bit disingenuous if he is criticizing people for how they live and compensate their employees and then, if it turns out, he does the same thing to allow himself to literally make millions of dollars while his employees make little. His comment about ABC loses some credibility if it turns out he treats his employees the same way.
These are questions I would ask of ANYONE. I go to a church every week I am vigilant in making sure my pastor lives up to the message he is preaching (even if it is “none of my business”).

[Gregorian]

29. Where the hell is the FCC? These are OUR airwaves. Not CBS's.

That may sound naive, but it's true. These are not corporate airwaves, they belong to the people.

Even if this is a whole different subject than just CBS's choice in guests, the issue is that the media has been hijacked by corporations that only represent their own interests, and not that of the people.

[IndianaGreen]

30. Obama refused to restore the Fairness Doctrine

Why don't you start there, and then start questioning why neither the GOP nor the Democratic Party want to do anything about media concentration.

[mmonk]

39. The right question to ask.

Without real journalism. this country is still headed for more division and intellectual, moral, and financial bankruptcy.

[Sebastian Doyle]

125. You're talking two different things there.

"Fairness Doctrine" and media concentration are two different things. And it's the media consolidation that is the real problem. A new fairness doctrine, especially one passed by the current congress, would probably require Thom Hartmann and Mike Malloy to have a right winger on their radio shows to provide a "balanced" viewpoint, and that's no good. It's the ownership of the media that is the problem, and it's obviously a problem that has escalated over the last 20 years.

[mojowork_n]

64. Good question

Let's not forget the group of folks defined by the new word, "permalancers." The workers in the industry that the FCC is supposedly holding to account. (On behalf of the people.)

[Gregorian]

118. Thank you. I had not heard the term "permalancer" before.

It does seem to sum up the propaganda component of our media. A captive workforce that doesn't think for itself.

It's supposed to collect and reflect what is actually happening in the real world. But in fact the media is doing it's best to manipulate that world.

[Triana]

32. Aww. Sunlight a little too bright for the vampires, eh?

See how they run . . . .

[grantcart]

33. which of course is more valuable advertising than if they had just let him on

Now when he appears on the next show he can talk about, with superb irony, how the media is trying to muzzle him.

[flamingdem]

37. cbs certified bullshit sold

[Cha]

38. I'd like to hear what Dan Rather has to say about this?

}(

[thatsrightimirish]

40. Does anybody actually watch The Early Show?

[butterfly77]

42. They can't stand it..

they always want to control what everyone says. I know that the rightwingers are going nuts that the public gets to hear Kaddafi's interviews on cnn. The media loves to keep the public uniformed they don't want us to hear both sides of any opinion..

[inna]

43. thank god for Michael, and.... i've never been as disgusted with the political process

in this country as i am now.

Land of the Gullible/Brainwashed, Home of the Greedy, truly.

[zulchzulu]

46. Chickenshit Brainwashing Network cancelling on Moore is a NICE trophy for him

Ferchrissakes, didn't CBS know that canceling Moore is just making him more popular....

I don't watch CBS, but perhaps it would be interesting how many Birthers and Teabaggers they've had on...

[Enthusiast]

56. No amount of crazy is too

much crazy for CBS, as long as it's GOP crazy.

[Blue_Tires]

47. kick

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

48. And yet they allow continue to give Beck, Rush, Cheney and his disgusting daughter airtime!

[tomm2thumbs]

50. sell them Glenn Beck books CBS, keep selling them books - your parent company needs the cash

[Enthusiast]

53. We tolerate free speech to a point

but you can only tell the acceptable official story.

[HughMoran]

57. CBS - Chickenshit Broadcasting Service

Cowards - guilty as charged.

[depakid]

58. No surprise there- American media's been engaging in private censorship on our dimes for 20 years

And since the Democrats have no intention of doing anything about it- Americans should not only get used to it- but be ready for it to get much, much worse.

After all. why shouldn't it? and do Americans really want or deserve any better?

[DrZeeLit]

59. Wow... permalancer... I'm an adjunct -- teaching without benefits --same as 50% of all college

professors.

it's a permalancer world.

[pundaint]

63. And IT folks

[gtar100]

60. Not surprised to hear it's CBS.

They are a bunch of under-handed, two-faced, hypocritical republican water carriers as far as I'm concerned.

They've turned the CB in CBS to "Corporate Bitches".

People have got to stop watching and listening to their talking heads and slimy reporters until they start talking straight with the people. Not as bad as Fox but that says very little. What a disgrace they are to the profession of journalism.

[change_notfinetuning]

61. Members of Congress should be independent contractors, instead of

"real employees". With the re-election rate being what it is, they, too, could be "permalancers". Let them fend for themselves in securing health insurance, and pay for the whole thing. You'll see health care reformed so fast that it'll make your head spin.

[era veteran]

66. I can hear it now

Ed Murrow & Walter spinning in their graves!

[Hubert Flottz]

67. I guess a spot on the Toady show with Matt Liar is out of the

question...

[sabrina 1]

70. So, what are they afraid he might find out about them?

What are they hiding from MM's eagle eyes? ABC is their competition, I'm sure this wasn't out of love for ABC.

This is censorship.

I will write to them also. It won't be a sacrifice to tune them out, as I rarely watch TV anyhow.

The REAL backlash is about to begin.

MM is even winning over Repubs with this movie. My sister and her husband, but registered Republicans shocked me when the said they cannot wait to see his movie after seeing him on CNN. They've never seen any of his previous movies. So I sent them some links.

Thanks MM, I could not talk to my sister about politics for a long time but it was really nice to be able to do so this weekend.

[barbtries]

112. wow i'd love to hear how they react

my right wingish sister refused to even watch Sicko, because it was Michael Moore. i wonder if she's changed her mind as well.

fwiw i say the man is brilliant.

[sabrina 1]

120. She might have, barbtries. I think a lot of people

just heard the criticism before and didn't check out his work for themselves. This issue though affects so many people. Eg, in my sister's case, she had excellent coverage through her job, no co-pays etc. until this past year. They changed Insurance Cos and now everyone has to pay fairly big co-pays, they have less coverage and it kind of woke them up, I think. So she is interested more in the issue rather than the politics and maybe that made her open her mind to MM for the first time. I sent them a link to Sicko this weekend so I'll see how she reacts ~ :-}

[SlingBlade]

71. Fuck CBS. Never forget what they did to Dan Rather

They ARE the enemy of democracy, No doubt.

[Skidmore]

72. CBS & FOX are one and the same in this area. We no longer

watch the channel that was once the gold standard of broadcast networks.

[AngryOldDem]

73. Yet they have no problem shilling Glenn Beck's book.

He was on half of the CBS Evening News last week -- him and his book jacket in all its jackbooted, Storm Trooper glory.

If the networks don't have the balls to have Moore on, that's OK. They're just further showing what they're really made of.

[Douglas Carpenter]

74. kick and recommed

[a kennedy]

75. a huge K & R

[Mimosa]

77. All corps are doing 'independent contractors' now

The censorship sucks. That's why we're all the NEW MEDIA.

[bertman]

78. Fight the backlash by going to see the movie this Friday. Make it the #1 box office hit.

Then take your friends and family to see it. Buy copies when it comes out on DVD and give them to others to watch.

Did anybody really expect these corporations to pat MM on the back and say "great job, Michael."??

Recommend

[peacetalksforall]

83. I think that the calls and e-mails should not all arrive on the same day. They

should be spread out so that they have to deal with it - all week?

Then, for years to come, we can say - look what they did to Dan Rather and Michael Moore.

This Moore cancellation proves that the Republican TV networks are against the people of this country. All of them. They are bowing to their corporate owners and the corporate owners intent to proagandize us. Owners AND STOCKHOLDERS.

Do stockholders ever protest? Anyone on DU who is a stockholder of the ownership group of companies - will you be writing or calling them.

We already know our enemy and now we know they are cowards about a person and a film.

[shadowknows69]

85. And Michael's bank account thanks you CBS

Don't the corporate morons know the more they rail against something that inevitably more people will get interested? Ask Kevin Smith about "Dogma". He got free press from the Catholic Church.

[smoogatz]

87. At least one research firm says CBS is in bad shape financially--

http://247wallst.com/2009/09/18/are-cbs-cbs-and-sprint-s-at-risk-for-bankruptcy/

They do seem to be flailing a bit, except in the late night slots. I'll be interested to hear how they justify canceling Moore's appearance.

[Jennicut]

89. At least Larry King had him on...great interview actually.

[ronbo60]

90. Denied!

CBS now claims that MM was never booked.

[peacetalksforall]

96. How did they phrase it?

[invictus]

91. We need a more uinionized workforce.

If every business had a union, there would be no illegal aliens or permalancers.

[peacetalksforall]

95. From Corporate Propagandists to Corporate Cowards - we have a new way of

looking at them.

[louis-t]

98. Jeez, Mondays are grumpy time around here.

Get the second cup of coffee and chill, people.

[Bluenorthwest]

99. Being cancelled by CBS is like a Medal of Honor

Someone, not me of course, used to wear a button with the famous CBS logo which said 'it is not an eye. It's an asshole'.

[Gold Metal Flake]

100. More proof of the liberal media bias.

Maybe they can replace him with another visit from Rush. That would be what the liberal media would do, right?

[grahamhgreen]

105. Librul media - librul media!!!!!

[grahamhgreen]

102. And most 'permalancers' are corporations: its a way to get around humanity & human rights -

Employees are no longer people, they are corporate entities with contracts therefore, it will be argued, are not subject to labor laws.

[4lbs]

108. In a "eff you" to CBS, Dan Rather should schedule a 15+ minute interview with Moore on his own show

on a different network.

[jeff30997]

109. Oooh ! I like that idea !

:bounce:

[bdamomma]

113. Michael Moore has hit a nerve.

[valerief]

114. The only reason to watch network teevee anyway is to see Family Guy. nt

[JuniperLea]

119. The guilty will do stupid things like that...

They may as well hold a banner announcing that they are doing the same thing... and wave a big red flag, too.

[Imagevision]

123. 10 days from now the mention of Michael Moore will be, huh? what movie...?