Ken Starr
The Tale of Tiger
February 20, 2010
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
In the Special Report news media arena previously reserved for information that affects the entire country, like the health of a president, Tiger Woods had the spotlight. For one brief shining moment, he shared his thoughts about the controversy surrounding him in a staged monologue on Friday morning. In front of family, friends, and the entire country via a television news Special Report, Tiger Woods began with an apology and ended with hugs of his mother and other people in his inner circle.
One question remains -- What didn’t Tiger say in his prepared statement?
Tiger’s explanation/apology/promise left out five items that do not seem to interest the news media for one basic reason -- sex sells. Tiger Woods is an icon. Naturally, the story about multiple affairs with young ‘tigresses’ is a titillating story. Sex stories sell papers and boost ratings. President Clinton’s affair/dalliance/indiscretion with Monica Lewinsky got more media coverage than the Whitewater topics of Ken Starr’s investigation.
Nevertheless, some issues remain open for clarification.
First, he did not address the issue of recreational or prescription drugs. Was he under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol when he crashed his vehicle into a tree on Thanksgiving Weekend? In his statement, he mentioned that he never used performance enhancing drugs. Not the same thing.
Second, he did not address the issue of the accident. How did the window get broken on the SUV? What caused him to crash into the tree?
Third, he did not say that he loved his wife. He praised her. He admonished the media for invading his family’s privacy. He sought to protect his kids from the harsh spotlight of the media. He said, Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. But he never mentioned his feelings for his wife, nor did he specify his treatment or therapy. Some media accounts say the treatment or therapy concerns sex addiction.
Fourth, he did not say why he repeatedly refused to meet with police to discuss the accident.
Fifth, he did not explain why he waited nearly three months to talk about the controversy surrounding him.
By not addressing these topics immediately after the accident or at any time up to and including Friday’s appearance, Tiger Woods leaves them open for continuing interpretation, deliberation, and investigation.
One mistress wants a public or private apology dedicated to her. High-powered lawyer Gloria Allred represents the mistress, former porn actress Joslyn James. At a press conference on Friday following the Tiger Woods appearance, Ms. Allred went before the cameras with her client and demanded an apology. However, I’m not aware of any legal basis for requiring an apology to a mistress. Also noteworthy was the lack of an apology from Ms. James to the wife and children of Tiger Woods.
david@davidkrell.com
In the Special Report news media arena previously reserved for information that affects the entire country, like the health of a president, Tiger Woods had the spotlight. For one brief shining moment, he shared his thoughts about the controversy surrounding him in a staged monologue on Friday morning. In front of family, friends, and the entire country via a television news Special Report, Tiger Woods began with an apology and ended with hugs of his mother and other people in his inner circle.
One question remains -- What didn’t Tiger say in his prepared statement?
Tiger’s explanation/apology/promise left out five items that do not seem to interest the news media for one basic reason -- sex sells. Tiger Woods is an icon. Naturally, the story about multiple affairs with young ‘tigresses’ is a titillating story. Sex stories sell papers and boost ratings. President Clinton’s affair/dalliance/indiscretion with Monica Lewinsky got more media coverage than the Whitewater topics of Ken Starr’s investigation.
Nevertheless, some issues remain open for clarification.
First, he did not address the issue of recreational or prescription drugs. Was he under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol when he crashed his vehicle into a tree on Thanksgiving Weekend? In his statement, he mentioned that he never used performance enhancing drugs. Not the same thing.
Second, he did not address the issue of the accident. How did the window get broken on the SUV? What caused him to crash into the tree?
Third, he did not say that he loved his wife. He praised her. He admonished the media for invading his family’s privacy. He sought to protect his kids from the harsh spotlight of the media. He said, Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. But he never mentioned his feelings for his wife, nor did he specify his treatment or therapy. Some media accounts say the treatment or therapy concerns sex addiction.
Fourth, he did not say why he repeatedly refused to meet with police to discuss the accident.
Fifth, he did not explain why he waited nearly three months to talk about the controversy surrounding him.
By not addressing these topics immediately after the accident or at any time up to and including Friday’s appearance, Tiger Woods leaves them open for continuing interpretation, deliberation, and investigation.
One mistress wants a public or private apology dedicated to her. High-powered lawyer Gloria Allred represents the mistress, former porn actress Joslyn James. At a press conference on Friday following the Tiger Woods appearance, Ms. Allred went before the cameras with her client and demanded an apology. However, I’m not aware of any legal basis for requiring an apology to a mistress. Also noteworthy was the lack of an apology from Ms. James to the wife and children of Tiger Woods.
Did Rush Limbaugh Get Rammed?
October 15, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Rush Limbaugh is no longer part of a group bidding to buy the St. Louis Rams.
Mr. Limbaugh’s desire to make a sports investment ignited a media firestorm. The reported outrage, fear, and loathing concerning Mr. Limbaugh’s football passion surpassed recent hot-button issues.
Where was the outrage directed at Whoopi Goldberg? She downplayed Roman Polanski’s actions in 1977 that led to his fleeing the country – sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl after giving her champagne and Quaaludes.
Goldberg distinguished Polanski’s actions from his ultimate charge – having unlawful sex with a minor. But she did not specify Polanski’s actions. In fact, Polanski performed oral sex in addition to having intercourse with the girl and sodomizing her.
It wasn’t rape-rape.
--The View, ABC, September 29, 2009
Where was the outrage directed at the National Organization for Women (NOW)? NOW apparently holds late night television talk show hosts to a higher moral, ethical, and legal standard than United States presidents.
[C]onsensual sex is not illegal harassment. After all this time and money, it appears Ken Starr has found…nothing more than some sort of consensual relationship between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
--Statement of NOW President Patricia Ireland in Response to Reports of Clinton Testimony, August 17, 1998.
As “the boss,” [David Letterman] is responsible for setting the tone for his entire workplace – and he did that with sex. In any work environment, this places all employees – including employees who happen to be women – in an awkward, confusing and demoralizing situation. Letterman’s behavior creates a toxic environment.
--Statement of NOW President Terry O’Neill, Letterman Controversy Raises Workplace Issues for Women, October 6, 2009
Then, there is Mr. Limbaugh. A Limbaugh quote making the rounds concerns the talk show host’s brief appearance as an ESPN football commentator in which he critiques the media attention given to Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Sorry to say this, I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go. I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team.
--Sunday NFL Countdown, ESPN, September 28, 2003
Mr. Limbaugh opined on the NFL’s marketing strategy and McNabb’s ability. ESPN fired him soon after the show’s airing. Now, his statement is front and center fodder for preventing a high-profile investment. It’s characterized as racist. Was it? You make the call.
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In the Your Writing Is Your Brand™ and Write This Way™ workshops, we use real-life examples to highlight potential confusion, mischaracterization, and damage when communicating in the media. In addition, my consulting services include media coaching. -- David
david@davidkrell.com
Rush Limbaugh is no longer part of a group bidding to buy the St. Louis Rams.
Mr. Limbaugh’s desire to make a sports investment ignited a media firestorm. The reported outrage, fear, and loathing concerning Mr. Limbaugh’s football passion surpassed recent hot-button issues.
Where was the outrage directed at Whoopi Goldberg? She downplayed Roman Polanski’s actions in 1977 that led to his fleeing the country – sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl after giving her champagne and Quaaludes.
Goldberg distinguished Polanski’s actions from his ultimate charge – having unlawful sex with a minor. But she did not specify Polanski’s actions. In fact, Polanski performed oral sex in addition to having intercourse with the girl and sodomizing her.
It wasn’t rape-rape.
--The View, ABC, September 29, 2009
Where was the outrage directed at the National Organization for Women (NOW)? NOW apparently holds late night television talk show hosts to a higher moral, ethical, and legal standard than United States presidents.
[C]onsensual sex is not illegal harassment. After all this time and money, it appears Ken Starr has found…nothing more than some sort of consensual relationship between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
--Statement of NOW President Patricia Ireland in Response to Reports of Clinton Testimony, August 17, 1998.
As “the boss,” [David Letterman] is responsible for setting the tone for his entire workplace – and he did that with sex. In any work environment, this places all employees – including employees who happen to be women – in an awkward, confusing and demoralizing situation. Letterman’s behavior creates a toxic environment.
--Statement of NOW President Terry O’Neill, Letterman Controversy Raises Workplace Issues for Women, October 6, 2009
Then, there is Mr. Limbaugh. A Limbaugh quote making the rounds concerns the talk show host’s brief appearance as an ESPN football commentator in which he critiques the media attention given to Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Sorry to say this, I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go. I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team.
--Sunday NFL Countdown, ESPN, September 28, 2003
Mr. Limbaugh opined on the NFL’s marketing strategy and McNabb’s ability. ESPN fired him soon after the show’s airing. Now, his statement is front and center fodder for preventing a high-profile investment. It’s characterized as racist. Was it? You make the call.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Your Writing Is Your Brand™ and Write This Way™ workshops, we use real-life examples to highlight potential confusion, mischaracterization, and damage when communicating in the media. In addition, my consulting services include media coaching. -- David