Tom Shales

CBS News sent out a color photo of cutie Katie Couric at Network Command Center on election night and she looked so fresh and eager in the picture, and 15-20 years younger than her real age, that she just defied criticism. Judging from mail & comments, people expect me to trash her for her election-night work. N-n-not m-m-me, f-f-f-folks! Considering how accustomed she is to the homey, sloppy ambiance of the “Today” show, I thought Katie did a good job in the new environment. She has the common touch, which is meant to be a compliment….

Stuffiest election-night coverage? Surprise winner: Fox News Channel. Couldn’t they come up with more sparkle and pizzazz than tired old Morton Kondracke and tiring old Fred Barnes trotted out yet again? But then Fox isn’t the channel to watch for anything so prosaic as mere results—facts, figures, etc.—but instead the place to go for interpretation of those facts and figures … not to mention “etc.”....

Conan O’Brien on election night talked to his “Clutch Cargo” screen (still pictures of famous folk with moving lips) and first up, naturally, was the show’s faux George Bush. He said yes, the Republicans had indeed lost the House and might lose the Senate but—a ray of hope—“we still control Fox News.” Roars from crowd ensued….

It may have seemed odd for poor-mouthy NBC to be running not one but two election-night information channels—NBC News and MSNBC on cable—but the two networks are by no means conjoined twins. MSNBC brings real character and personality to the big stories it covers, thanks in large measure to Chris Matthews, the Man Who Loves Politics More Than Life Itself. He should have been the sole anchor, with fellow MSNBC talk-show hosts pushed further into the background. But this still seems the channel most likely to hold your attention even during informational lulls and slow periods ….

NBC’s Brian Williams does exude confidence, competence and command, however, and the network had built him a pretty new studio-set with the GE Building and the famous Rockefeller Center skating rink in the background. Perhaps that means the end to “borrowing” SNL’s Studio 8-H and turning it into Election Central every time Americans go to the polls—an NBC tradition, and a pain in Lorne Michaels’ butt, for decades….

Charles Gibson had the most awesome set to work from, though when he’d go out and wander through it, followed by the hand-held camera team, it sometimes looked like nothing more high-tech than the employee cafeteria. I still think it would have been fun to have the schnook who dresses up as Mickey Mouse at Disneyland come running in when a crucial state could be called … shouting cheerfully in his iconic soprano, “Here’s the latest from Pennsylvania, Mr. Gibson!” Then he could hand Charlie about six feet of teletype paper … One question: Why was the Capitol Dome a glowing gold on the ABC set? If they’re going to repaint the Capitol, what might they do to the White House? Charlie did a first-rate job, however, reeling off the results—striking an ideal balance between boyish enthusiasm (this is fun!) and solid professional dignity. Too much dignity, at least on television, can be a stultifying thing—but, of course, most often the problem with TV is the opposite extreme….

I’m Tom Shales and I’m still thinking about whether or not I approve this message.…