Notes From Netroots: Media Make Up

The behind the scenes shots at MSNBC are noteworthy for the complete absence of glamour. I imagine all TV studios are like that but the viewer is only privileged to see the illusory end product. Presumably Rachel will receive a nicer dressing room if she lands a regular gig. As it is, she appears to be getting her makeup done in some place resembling a break room, with the terrible fluorescent lighting and other perks…
The “liberal” media has been the right-wing’s favorite strawman for decades. Republican voters are the only people who believe it. To the Republican leadership it’s a similar tactic to the basketball coach who works the refs hoping that some calls will go his way that wouldn’t have otherwise.
Network decisions are market driven. Rachel will get a show if the folks upstairs think it can turn a profit. Her star appears to be in the ascension at the moment and Keith Olbermann has a history of antagonizing management. Who knows, she might even end up taking over his time slot.

The Maddow shot / image / reflections gives us a peek at the insanely enormous amount of information carried by the light waves / photons / whatever that are bouncing around the space between us. The little burst of light captured in the host camera includes light that has bounced off Ms Maddow and the big mirror and the little mirror and light that has bounced off the big mirror, hit the back of the little mirror, bounced back to the big mirror before finding its way through the camera lens. Etc.
Also makes the point of how important the outer facade of a teevee personality is given the total area of light-reflecting surface in this room. Pay close attention to how your persona interacts with light before going on teevee!
The Scarborough shot, dominated by the print ad, inadvertently destroys the real fourth wall of these shows — it is the advertising revenue that makes the magic happen, not any civic-minded urge to inform the audience. There was a time, perhaps, when an informed populace was considered worth the effort (and lost potential revenue) of producing more depth for a likely smaller number of eyeballs.

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Only comment on the pictures is that is that (i hope) it was painful for Maddow to be de-faced so with the amount of makeup on her. Her appearances on KO previously, her makeup was mild and she looked natural. With this new coat, she looks as artificial as Keith and all the others.
BUT most importantly is how disappointing her and Countdown have moved to being painted-ly the FoxNews of the Left. Their utter transparent pandering and spinning of the truth to favor Obama is gut wrenching. They are preaching to his base so their is no need to distort. The news, policies, trends and history all favor Obama. Why lie? He needs to be accountable.
Sad to see Countdown descend to being such a Obama mouthpiece after all the ranting and railing against Fox.
It is very difficult to watch Countdown these days. And the added porcelain like appearance of the hosts make it that much more disturbing.
peace
box

As to the reflection in the compact, it makes her look deceased to me — is that a subconscious prediction of the photographer that her career is “not long for this world?”
Additionally, what is curious is that the compact is actually more prominent in the picture than the fuller reflection in the mirror. Is that a statement that the cropped version of the personality will take prominence?
Odd picture altogethr.

This post reminded me of this semi-famous photo:
http://www.pinkdome.com/billo-mirror_thumbnail.jpg
Also it strikes that in the above images, Joe looks used to this, and Rachel does not yet. Joe looks sleepy but receptive, and very relaxed. Rachel looks unnatural and strained.
Gender, sexuality, servitude, and make-up. A lot of meat to chew on in these pictures.
BTW – Your blog is freaking awesome. I’ve been a reader since the old paper bag cartoons. And I love where the direction you have taken BNN. I only wish you posted WAAAAAAAY more often.

Welcome to theatre, in one form.
Scarborough is “on stage” (if it was live theatre, he’d heigh it in the dark, following limegreen ‘dots’ to an area behind the scenery where someone would “check him out” to make sure he wasn’t “slipping”.
Maddow’s in the chorus room version of the makeup room (most makeup is done just like a beauty shop “line up”) – everybody’s gotta sit down and have it done before going onto the set (hence, the resigned stance of the next customer behind).
It ain’t glamorous, folks.
It’s show biz.

I also thought the image reflected in the compact looked corpse-ish. Kinda spooky.
I actually hope Rachel stays in a support / analyst role for MSNBC. She is absolutely terrific on the radio and I love her in that medium and would hate to see her give that up for a Tee Vee gig. On MSNBC, often she simply can’t be the same person, not completely – her attitude and her analysis both get a little bit softer – and for understandable reasons. Seen here, sitting in the make up chair, she is being repackaged and made a little more presentable for the Tee Vee machine. Don’t like.
I think this photo on the whole underscores that transformation one makes when one has to try to act natural while reading a teleprompter and staring straight into a large lens.

As to the reflection in the compact, it makes her look deceased to me
I agree with Cyranetta. The lighting and setting of the entire image, and Rachel’s composition in the mirror, remind me of an embalming room. The only off point is that the corpse (I mean, the deceased)is seated, not lying down.
As for what that might mean – beats me.
Here’s the question that I would have asked you at today’s excellent panel presentation in Austin:
I can understand the reasons for the violent language that is used by the militant right that David writes about – it supports their clear objectives. And I can see the kinds of similar language that Lou Dobbs uses as he demagogues immigration – he’s just a cheap hustler who’s decided that this is the issue that he’ll stake out for his own gain.
But news photos are taken by photographers who snap many images, even in the course of a brief photo op; and the final decisions on which will run with a story are made (I’m gonna guess) by photo editors, probably based on a number of factors (composition, clarity, usefulness in illustrating the text story, etc.).
Do you think that the selection of photo(s) are based on conscious decisions on the part of these photo editors to suit a more sinister (for lack of a better word) agenda (“We need a picture that emphasizes Obama’s skin color” or “Let’s go with the one that makes him look like a snob”)?
Or are the decisions more subtle, or even guided more by unconscious impulses than by overt and conscious ones?
I don’t know if this question adequately describes my dilemma. Sometimes, isn’t a picture just a picture?
Or am I being too naive?

I’ll ignore the images. TV always requires make up, arguing against it sounds strange.
I disagree with the existence of the Netroots. The Obama supporters such a Kosh and TPM belong to one branch, while Arglachel and Riverdaighter belong to another. It’s the Hatfields vs. the McCoys. The Netroots do not share vision, philosophy and political beliefs. The Koshes are single minded Obama fans ignoring the poor and the blue collar workers. The Anglachels are Hillary fans supporting women rights and the poor.
In a country where GW can be president, Netroots can pretend to exist.

If anyone wants to check out the video of How the Media Learned to Bend Over Backward to Please the Right featuring Atrios, Digby, Krugman and Perlstein and links to other NN08 discussions…..
Then digg this or just watch the video, took me forever to find… Enjoy.
http://digg.com/political_opinion/How_Media_Learned_to_Bend_Over_Backward_to_Please_the_Right

The image in the compact looks photoshopped in, the angles seem all wrong to me. The corpse-like look would come from the powder that sticks to the mirror on any compact that sees a lot of use.

The guy in the background appears to be Countdown-regular Johnathan Alter. Looking forward to the day Rachael gets her own slot. Great blog, and congrats on the Gilly!

Having watched Countdown during the entire span of KO’s recent vacation, I found Rachel to be slightly exasperated towards the end of her stint as host. I’m not sure she can adjust to the short spans of the guest appearances on TV compared to what I hear on Air America broadcasts.
Re the makeup, at least they haven’t forced her to wear [obvious] lipstick.