Still staying up late and watching the news
It’s after 2300, and I’m still awake (as usual), sort of halfway paying attention to ABC News Nightline on TV. Sometimes I pay more than half attention, sometimes less, depending on what stories they’re covering.
It’s strange, this news show. Especially lately, with Iran going all hostage-taker again. If you’re old enough (as I am), you might remember when in Milwaukee WI, the news was on at 2200; Jerry Taff (WISN-TV news anchor) wore a “Free the Hostages” yellow ribbon on his lapel every night, MASH was on at 2230, and the ABC News Special Report on the Iran Hostage Crisis came on at 2300. Hugh Downs gave us the number of days, and current developments and news. Lots of days, the only change was that the number of days had increased by one.
Eventually, the Special Report had been on every night for so damn long that they gave Hugh Downs a name for the show. Now, it’s just there, between Seinfeld and Jimmy Kimmel Live. They could probably show reruns, and I’d never notice. Maybe they do. (I’m kidding. It’s not that bad. But it is the warmup for Kimmel.) I sort of remember the show either being axed, or almost being axed, more than once. It’s still on, though.
In 1979 I was 11 years old. I’m pushing 39 now. Nightline has been on that long. And we’ve been putting up with Iran for that long.
All stations, all stations… whiskey, tango, foxtrot, oscar….
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