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August 30, 2008
Sensationalism sells
By DAVID GREEN
I wholeheartedly agree with Michael Waltrip when he asks, in reaction to the Clint Bowyer quote from Bristol, "Why did ESPN do that?"
MW's question is intended to be a rhetorical one, obviously, intended to provoke philosophical thought and not so much to get a literal reply. The literal, the real-world answer is, to quote troubadour Bruce Hornsby, "that's just the way it is." That's the way modern, technological journalism operates. It emphasizes the sensational, not only over the mundane, but over the less sensational.
The deeper issue is why would they select a recorded sound bite, in contrast to a spontaneous, live blurting out of an emotional reaction, which would prove to be based on an erroneous perception of something that had happened? The one is inarguably premeditated and purposeful, while the other is avoidable only by a time delay and an on-his-toes director.
It's a very good question. Why, indeed -- except to make both drivers look bad and stir controversy?
The criticism of Waltrip as "the worst driver in NASCAR" was clearly over-the-top and rooted in spontaneous anger and frustration as much as in Bowyer's honest assessment of Michael Waltrip's abilities. Not only did it besmirch a driver who has won more races than his critic (two of them fairly important events), but it made Bowyer appear to be severely lacking in grace and propriety.
Neither image is true. Waltrip is obviously not the worst driver ever to compete in NASCAR, nor is Bowyer a complete boor.
So why would a media entity want to air something such as Bowyer's comment?
Again, it was recorded, not live. ESPN knew of it only because technology permits the media to eavesdrop on private conversations.
Yes, drivers and other team members know the Fourth Estate is monitoring, and they should be well aware that whatever they say can and, without any doubt, will be used against them. But airing a monitored radio transmission from driver to crew is not the same as something a driver says when a reporter is sticking a microphone under his nose.
I would suggest Bowyer ought to be even angrier with ESPN than Waltrip is. The sound bite added nothing except sensationalism to ESPN's coverage of the event.
Bruce Hornsby was right: "That's just the way it is," indeed.
ESPN and other news managers perhaps ought to remember the next line of the famous song's lyrics -- "But don't you believe them."
August 30, 2008 | Permalink
Comments
Michael Waltrip has no right to criticize Clint Bowyer for telling the truth.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Aug 30, 2008 2:40:16 PM
OK.
Now, anybody have a comment on the subject of my post?
Posted by: David Green | Aug 30, 2008 3:10:45 PM
But, before we proceed, Michael does, indeed, have a right. It's call the First Amendment, item No. 1 in the Bill of Rights. No one exploits that one the way you do, Mike.
Posted by: David Green | Aug 30, 2008 3:11:53 PM
Not, by the way, that Waltrip did criticize Bowyer. His criticism was of ESPN. Coincidentally, that was the subject of my post.
So, again -- anybody have a comment that's on the subject at hand?
Posted by: David Green | Aug 30, 2008 3:13:50 PM
Kudos to Bowyer. Waltrip would of been long gone if it wasnt for his last name. Its a joke that hes still racing.
Posted by: Kasey | Aug 30, 2008 3:18:09 PM
David I wholeheartly agree that it was simply "Sensationalism" that the media tends to exploit...Oh sure freedom of speech yada yada whatever. Detractors can claim that Michael shoulldn't be allowed in Nascar...If you think you can do better, Buy yourself a team and prove it!...In my own opinion I think that nascar fans have too placated.
and I thoroughly enjoyed Michael's retort
"So I think it's pretty obvious that I'm not the worst driver in NASCAR. But I will say there's a chance I could be the worst driver in NASCAR to win two Daytona 500s and the all-star race. I'd take the record
Posted by: Fan #5 | Aug 30, 2008 4:43:57 PM
David,
I think it has nothing to do with the media. It's human nature. From our first loosely formed societies using drums to communicate, and right up through ancient Egypt, Rome, etc. etc. to modern times, it's never been about the message, it's been about the presentation. Hear "MY" message, listen to me. Among the things humans like are, information, excitement and belonging to a group. The info doesn't have to be true; the excitement may only be in the speakers mind, but if it stirs emotion, and controversy, it forms opinionated groups, oh, and that other thing we like, arguing for our cause. Religions have known and used this forever. So, before I get graded, it's not the media pumping things into us. It's what we've always wanted to hear. We're human.
Were they wrong giving us a candid input from Bowyer? Nope that's info and we love, in the age of NASCAR censorship, candid info. Waltrip handled it okay. I thought the "My Mom and Daughter don't need to hear that," was a bit over the top since he is a public figure and I'm sure they've heard worse, and still love him. Will there be a retraction/apology? No freakin' way. They gave us what we want.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 30, 2008 6:02:20 PM
Yawn.
Media choosing hype and sensationalism above other considerations? Who'da Thunk it?
Posted by: JWSmoke | Aug 30, 2008 6:04:30 PM
Clint wouldn't have said it had it been a set interview, because the subject generally is told what he will be asked prior to, and if he knew ESPN would air it later. The media took it over the top of what it should have been left at; a comment said out of frustration by a guy trying very hard to race his way in to the Chase at a track that has a history of frustrating many competitors. MW was well in line to question why it was being aired and overblown. I am not a fan of ESPN/NBCs race coverage at all; never have been. I think all of them but Petree and Jarrett are nerds.
Other side of the coin: all of the drivers and crew should know that the microphone is on at all times and to have all the facts straight before speaking....BUT, it is Bristol, a place where frustration and anger are the only constants.
Yeah, Waltrip is a kook sometimes, but I can think of plenty drivers who put out lesser performance. I sat with the guy at Hooters in Daytona for almost two hours once; he struck me as a stand-up guy undeserving of most of the off-track criticism he garners.
Posted by: Joe | Aug 30, 2008 7:08:19 PM
It was okay for ESPN to air that remark the first time. But the 2nd, 3rd, 24th, 56th, 99th times were over the top. Michael is a NASCAR owner and driver. IMO he deserves a little respect from ESPN since they are the current NASCAR media outlet.
Posted by: Diane | Aug 30, 2008 7:16:59 PM
I think Clint Bowyer owes Michael Waltrip and Michael Waltrip’s fans an apology for the comments he made over his radio after the wreck at Bristol. Shame on him! I know tempers flare after a wreck but what Clint said was down-right mean, especially because he didn’t know the facts of the cause of the wreck. ESPN should be ashamed for airing the comment multiple times (during the race and again on NASCAR Now).
I’m new to the whole NASCAR scene. I have found myself drawn to the “underdogs” in the sport. I was insulted by the mean, arrogant, disrespectful comment that Clint made. Not all racers are hotshots and have the financial backing that Clint is very fortunate to have. While I was never really a fan of his, I’m definitely not now nor will I ever be!
Posted by: J.J. | Aug 31, 2008 12:53:52 AM
J.J.,
Owes, owes him an apology? This isn't Sunday school, and you're not his mother. Things said at 130MPH often aren't going to be preceded with please nor followed by thank you. They're men in battle, not preschoolers. There is no 12-4-11 (he was mean) rule in NASCAR, and there never will be.
To his credit Bowyer is one of the least, umm..."mean" drivers in the series. I'm certain that when he knew the facts and heard about the media coverage that Mikey got the phone call, and all is well.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 31, 2008 8:45:42 AM
Mark Twain once said "Never argue with someone who buys ink by the barrell". You either like a driver or you don't. Does anyone here really believe that the old Tony Stewart is gone and replaced with a kinder gentler one. Media manipulation is the only way to have changed his image. When others act like him they are punks an arogant. Why? The media used to be held to a standard and now its nothing more than a marketing wing of (insert periodical or tv show here). At least with blogs like this one you know you are getting opinions debated from a personal perspective. But when you read articles written in magazines and such there is an expectation that it not be biased when in fact most of it is. The very title of this post "sensationalism sells" speaks volumes to why things are presented in short sound bites illustrating that there may be a conflict and the average person will flock to watch it. The adjectives used in a story are far more effective at invoking emotions in readers and viewers than facts do. If you want to get closer to the truth in a story cut out a speakers vioice inflections and a writers adjectives. You can think for yourself or let others decide for you. Its your choice.
Posted by: Bob | Aug 31, 2008 9:25:38 AM
Keith said: "I'm certain that when he knew the facts and heard about the media coverage that Mikey got the phone call, and all is well."
I'm going to pretend to be Daly here. Can you back up that statement. I saw Bowyer asked about it on TV and he chuckled about it like it was a big joke. He wasn't the least apologetic.
Getting back to David's question. Was ESPN right to replay that comment over and over and over? You said: "They gave us what we want." Don't include me in "us". I don't like to see anyone humiliated. And for the record, I'm not a Waltrip fan.
Posted by: Diane | Aug 31, 2008 9:33:01 AM
Diane,
You left out another part of my post. "The info doesn't have to be true; the excitement may only be in the speakers mind, but if it stirs emotion, and controversy, it forms opinionated groups, oh, and that other thing we like, arguing for our cause."
You chose the "It was wrong" group. But, the media succeeded all the same. They sensationalized and got your attention. They got you involved, so, yes, you are part of the "US."
Why would you pretend to be a guy who argues without concrete facts? J/K Mike. I believe that if they didn't put it in the past before they left Bristol, that he indeed got the call. They're a close knit bunch. There will be some, but there isn't room for a lot of hard feelings.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 31, 2008 10:05:27 AM
Keith,
Sorry, but "stirring emotion and controversy" at the cost of someone's feelings and reputation isn't what I want.
Posted by: Diane | Aug 31, 2008 10:12:35 AM
Diane,
Sorry, but they got you to respond and pay attention whether you liked it or not. Media - 1, Diane - 0. Oh and puhleeese, Mikey's a big boy now. He didn't go home and cry.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 31, 2008 10:19:07 AM
I guess I'm just a bleeding heart who doesn't like to see someone being kicked when they are down. And the score is ESPN 0, Diane 0 because I'm not going to watch their channel anymore except for the races and that's because I have no other choice.
Posted by: Diane | Aug 31, 2008 10:31:42 AM
Kasey -- You're entitled to your opinion and your smart-aleck expression of it. But in watching Waltrip try to work his way up in Cup Series racing, I know two things -- he was able to secure rides a long, long time before he was such a marketable salesman for a sponsor, and a good many knowledgeable team owners -- not the least of which was one Dale Earnhardt -- sought his services. He's no Earnhardt, and he's no replica of his older brother. But "the worst driver in NASCAR"? Give me a break.
#5 -- I kind of liked Mikey's retort, as well.
Keith -- All due respect to the Senior Chief, but it has everything to do with the media. Without media coverage, Bowyer's remark would never have been heard by anybody except his spotter and crew chief.
JWSmoke -- If the subject is such a bore, why bother commenting on it? If you have any opinion on whether it was appropriate or inappropriate for ESPN to promote the Bowyer remark, even in the present-day media climate, I'd sincerely like to hear it. If this is the best you can do, I won't bother thanking you for responding.
Joe -- No question, these guys should realize they're living in a fishbowl. What I'd like to see is more guys like Waltrip calling out the media when they step over the line.
J.J. -- Bowyer's lack of understanding of the cause of the wreck is exactly the reason I think ESPN did a great disservice not only to Waltrip but to Bowyer for blowing the remark out of proportion. Keith makes the assumption that Bowyer called and apologized to MW. I'm with Diane on this. I'm not so sure that has happened -- and if it did, it certainly isn't getting much air time on ESPN.
Keith, again -- I'm surprised a military man would confuse national defense and sports. These are not "men in battle"; they're grown-up little boys getting to play racecar driver for a (princely) salary.
Bob -- excellent advice, and not just with regard to coverage of NASCAR racing. That's why I ended my piece with the follow-up line from Hornsby's song -- "Don't you believe them."
Diane versus Keith -- I'm on your side in this one, Diane. Keith's "human nature" argument is acceptable only inasumuch as the media too often pander to that base mentality. The only way we're going to have any influence on that is to criticize them when we don't like what they do, rather than throw up our hands and say, as Keith is doing, "That's just the way it is." Well, the way some of us feel about it is "the way it is," too.
Oh, and by the way, Chief -- MD doesn't know the difference between fact and opinion. What he thinks are his "facts," merely because he thinks so.
Posted by: David Green | Aug 31, 2008 11:24:43 AM
David, stop it. Michael Waltrip's two-faced condemnation of ESPN is based on objecting to them airing Clint Bowyer's truthful barb about Waltrip's skill level. So that IS the subject matter. This would not even be discussed if it were just an innocuous comment about something.
I remember people going off on Ernie Irvan and also CBS in 1992 after Allison sideswiped Irvan into the wall at the Michigan 400; they aired Irvan saying "To say (Davey Allison) hit oil, that sounds like a wimpy excuse." People objected to CBS airing hat clip back then, but they neve provided a credible reason for CBS not to air it. There is no reason for people to be angry at ESPN for airing Bowyer's radio clip.
This is an issue only bcause of what Bowyer said, and what he said is the truth. Waltrip DOES NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO CRITICIZE SOMEONE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH. There is no right to insist on being wrong. What Bowyer said is manifestly true as anyone with any casual knowledge of Michael Waltrip's carer should know by now. Hell David, you should understand this; you've been covering this sport for Lord knows how long; you've seen what an a-hole of a racer Waltrip is, you've seen he excuse-mongering, the questionable sanity of Waltrip (I'e heard guys in NHIS's press box question his sanity and they're right to do it), all of it. All Bowyer did wa ut it to words, and we should not criticize him for it, we should blast Waltrip for wasting 22 years of racefans' lives and sponsor monies with this miserable excuse of a career he's had.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Sep 1, 2008 12:37:56 AM
David, as you are the one who does not understand what facts and opinions are, your two-faced criticism only illustrates that yuu're not any better than Waltrip as far as credibility goes.
I know what facts are David, so grow the hell up.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Sep 1, 2008 12:40:42 AM
Keith,
I realize that this isn't Sunday School and yes, I do tend to be "Pollyanna-ish". I agree that it may have been a "heat of the moment" thing for Bowyer but no matter who the driver is I still don't think it was right of ESPN and otheres to repeat his comments over and over again. It's all water under the bridge now and I hope there was an apology. I guess we'll never know.
David, like I said, I'm new to the whole NASCAR scene. Are you part of the Green brothers who are so involved in NASCAR? I know one was a spotter for Michael Waltrip last year and one races still (it might be the same person - Mark?). I've read good things about the brothers so I was just wondering. Forgive my novice NASCAR ignorance.
Diane, I feel the same way about ESPN. I will only watch the races from now on and that's it. They seem to have their favorites that they cover and the rest of the lowly drivers are forgotten. Like I said in my original post, I tend to root for the "underdog".
Posted by: J.J | Sep 1, 2008 11:31:17 PM
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