[See NewsBusters for more.] The three networks may see themselves as brave, skeptical truth tellers. But when powerful Democrats have something they want out, the hosts and reporters shift into total PR hack mode. On Friday and Monday, CBS and NBC each touted their “exclusive” clips of the new Michelle Obama podcast. That multiple networks seemed to have these “exclusives” didn’t seem to bother anyone. On Friday, Today’s Carson Daly gushed, “This morning we have a first look at the series trailer.”
On Monday, the talking press release repeated himself: “We got an exclusive for you.... Tomorrow marks the launch of her first ever podcast, simply titled the Michelle Obama Podcast. The former first lady will be sitting down with guests of all types.” Introducing a clip of Michelle Obama talking to Barack Obama, he echoed, “We have got an exclusive clip for you.”