Prompter Monkey

John McCain: Prompter Monkey Defined

2008-03-30T10:41:00.009-05:00

CNN's Jeanne Moos is awesome. But you don't need us to tell you that. Moos chronicles how the man who hopes to lead the free world has issues reading from the TelePrompter. It has torn down many a good man, and John McCain is no exception.

Jeff Zucker's 'My Name is Earl' Debut

2008-03-30T10:32:00.005-05:00

NBC prez/CEO Jeff Zucker tries his hand at comedy in a commercial that will run April 3rd, preceding a new "My Name is Earl" episode. Huffington Post says he's taking shots at the writers and the strike that crippled the industry for months. We don't see it. Let us know what you think.

Anything More Stupid Than TV News?

2008-03-30T10:22:00.003-05:00

This blog rant comes compliments of Eugene Mirman of The Village Voice. Yeah, it's more than two years old. Yeah, sometimes we take a while to stumble upon things. Get over it.

Prompter Monkey Returns

2008-03-29T10:12:00.000-05:00

We're back and hopefully around for a while. Without going into details, some personal issues kept us off the net for a while.

Our mission is still "Specializing in Stupidity" in the world of news and we still need your help. The e-mail addy is promptermonkey@gmail.com.

If you need a refresher course on why we're here, refer back to post number one.

Monkey Moment: Brett Who?

2008-03-04T17:31:00.005-06:00

NBC's Norah O'Donnell once again proves that she is nothing more than a pretty face. Fave? Fav-ray? Ridiculous.

Monkey Meter: 5 bananas!

Regis Cutting Back

2007-12-09T11:15:00.000-06:00

Regis Philbin, host of Live with Regis and Kelly, announced last week that, in addition to the Fridays he already has off, he wants to take Thursdays off as well. From what Philbin says, new WABC general manager Rebecca Campbell wasn't exactly thrilled with the plan.

Monkey Moment: Stupid Viewers

2007-12-09T11:01:00.000-06:00

Aren't the viewers who talk to TV stations the best? It seems as though everyone who witnesses a shooting, robbery or accident is a train wreck in progress. This less-than-bright woman is no exception. What can Brown do for her?

Monkey Meter: 4 bananas

Breaking News: "Psycho" on the Loose!

2007-12-09T10:52:00.000-06:00

We think we've seen several live reports on local newscasts just like this one. Geraldo Rivera look-alike Bob McBob reports from where a "psycho" was spotted in someone's backyard...

Monkey Moment: Burnett's Monkey Shout-Out

2007-12-02T10:31:00.001-06:00

It's not often that a Monkey Moment actually involves the word "monkey" but thanks to CNBC's Erin Burnett we can say this truly is one.

VIDEO: Here she is calling President Bush a monkey and here she is apologizing.

Newsbusters and Hot Air weigh in with their opinions.

Monkey Meter: 5 bananas

Local News: Drag Queen Brawl in Memphis!

2007-12-02T07:38:00.001-06:00

Monkey Moment: Neighbor Confronts Bobby Knight

2007-12-02T07:35:00.000-06:00

Local News: Are Your Friends Making You Fat?

2007-11-25T10:53:00.001-06:00

This bit of hard-hitting journalism comes from the good people at KABB-FOX in San Antonio...

Monkey Meter (1-5): 3 bananas

Sources: L.A. Mayor, Reporter End Affair

2007-11-25T10:44:00.000-06:00

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and television news reporter Mirthala Salinas have ended their romantic relationship, two sources familiar with the situation said Friday. Months after revelations about the affair damaged the mayor's political standing and devastated Salinas' broadcasting career, the two sources said the relationship disintegrated weeks ago. [LA Times]

Tucker Carlson's Days Seem Numbered at MSNBC

2007-11-25T10:38:00.000-06:00

So says The New York Observer.

"Rumors have been flying recently that Tucker Carlson could soon be on the
way out at MSNBC. In a report that aired this morning on NPR,
Phil Griffin, a senior vice president at the cable network, described Keith
Olbermann and Chris Matthews as part of the MSNBC "brand". Asked whether Mr. Carlson was also part of that brand, Mr. Griffin replied: "He is right now."

Big Money for Shep

2007-11-19T19:01:00.000-06:00

FNC's Shepard Smith has inked a new deal worth seven to eight million per year.

Monkey Moment: Disaster in the Delta

2007-11-19T10:12:00.000-06:00

This is a great compilation of crappy TV from WXVT in mosquito-infested Greenville, Mississippi (market #184). See if you can keep track of how many f-bombs are dropped. Also, our candidate for the Worst Last Name in the History of Television News pops up at the 4:32 mark. Enjoy...

Monkey Meter (1-5): Another 5 bananas. This one has it all.

FOX News Porn?

2007-11-18T22:21:00.000-06:00

Here's the backstory on this "controversial" video. TVNewser explains further.

Monkey Moment: FOX Business Blooper

2007-11-18T22:09:00.000-06:00

Did you hear Apple is buying 8 percent of chipmaker AMD? Wait...what? Oh, they said Abu Dhabi! Here's the transcript. [via Huffington Post]

Monkey Meter (1-5): 4 bananas

Lou Dobbs for President?

2007-11-18T22:05:00.000-06:00

A big, fat no, says Dobbs. What a blow. Damn.

Monkey Moment: Couric Bashes Rather, Looks Silly

2007-11-17T11:45:00.000-06:00

Here's the original video Couric references...

Monkey Meter (1-5): 4 bananas

Prompter Monkey on You Tube

2007-11-17T11:24:00.000-06:00

Be sure to visit us at our new You Tube page: www.youtube.com/promptermonkey.

There is also a permanent link on the right side of the page under "Monkeying Around."

Local News: Ghost Caught on Tape?

2007-11-14T06:45:00.001-06:00

A couple of days ago in Parma, Ohio a "ghost" was apparently captured on a gas station surveillance camera. We're kind of skeptical about this kind of thing over here in Monkey Land, but the video seems to speak for itself. Pranksters at work? A paranormal experience? You decide.

Monkey Meter (1-5): 5 bananas. Ghosts are almost as cool as monkeys.

Like What You See?

2007-11-12T12:11:00.000-06:00

Send an e-mail to promptermonkey@gmail.com with thoughts, suggestions and story ideas. Want to write for PrompterMonkey.com for FREE? Become a contributor and have your writing (using a pseudonym if you'd like) viewed by tens of people daily! We want local and national people to write about local and national Monkey Moments.

Join our team and you'll have the honor and privilege of being an integral part of the best new media website in America.

Please do us a favor and send our URL to all the current and former TV newsies in your address book. Spread the word: Prompter Monkey is here!

Local News: Rage Caught on Tape in NYC!

2007-11-11T11:29:00.000-06:00

A New York City dentist went into a violent rage after seeing that someone's car was blocking his way into a parking lot. Since it happened right outside their Westchester bureau, WCBS nabbed the exclusive video. And of course, the dentist eventually goes after the CBS 2 camera. When will people learn that bit of brilliant strategy never works? It's like running from a news helicopter. The person on the other end is always caught on camera looking like a dope. Do they think putting their hand over the lens and shoving the camera will make everything go away?

Monkey Meter (1-5): 5 bananas. The stupidity of people in front of news cameras never ceases to amaze.

Monkey Moment: Prompter Failure!

2007-11-11T11:28:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Curt Fonger at WPEC in West Palm...

Monkey Meter (1-5): 4 bananas. At least Fonger didn't freeze completely.