The ailing ‘Today’ show has gone through a string of public relations bungles in recent months, but Tuesday’s failure to televise the moment of silence in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks may take the cake.
While President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama led the moment of observation from the White House and the NYPD, FDNY and Port Authority Police did the same from the Ground Zero site, ‘Today’ instead broadcast an interview with Kris Jenner discussing her breast implants.
Experts say long-term ramifications for the morning show — which saw its 17-year-long streak at No. 1 in the ratings end this year — could be major.
“Ignoring a significant and solemn American milestone in favor of airing, of all things, a Kardashian interview — right at the moment that Americans are feeling more reflective than ever about their nation and at the same time appear to be souring on the reality TV family’s near-constant bid for ever more attention — is a major shot in the foot,” entertainment pro Scott Huver said. “This is a huge blunder that is certain to hurt the show in the short run. The failure to acknowledge the 9/11 silence was troublesome enough, without filling the screen with empty babble from a family that many hold up to be a signifier of questionable taste.”
Senior Editor at the Hollywood Reporter, Alex Ben Block, concurred that the move was “a poor choice,” and could do more than just short-term PR damage.
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