From USA Today's Lifeline Live:
"Matt Lauer's been grounded. NBC's Today show says there will be no "Where is the World is Matt Lauer?" extravaganza this year because of the economy. Today Executive Producer Jim Bell said he had solicited suggestions from viewers for Matt's jaunt, but many told him the globe-trotting trip sent the wrong message, reports AP. Instead, NBC's morning show team will be spending a week in May exploring affordable vacation spots in the United States."
This is a very interesting change, to me. On one hand, I can see that NBC is respecting that the economy stinks and people aren't jetting off to exotic vacation spots.
On the other, how many people actually followed Matt's itinerary for their own trips? Wasn't it more for the entertainment of those of us who will never travel to Victoria Falls or Reykjavík or Marrakech? A little glimpse into corners of the world, their cultures and their people? And isn't entertainment spending up right now, since people are treating themselves to little luxuries vs. big splurges? So how about some free entertainment (paid, of course, in your cable subscription) with that fun Lauer?
Seems to me that Matt's trek around the globe provided that entertaining insight to the viewers at home... but maybe that's just me. What do you think?
1 comments:
I agree! That was always a fun part of May. Like you said, it is doubtful that Americans were going to see the show and say, "Oh, thanks Matt for showing us Easter Island! Let's plan a trip there...oh yeah, our stocks have plummeted. Never mind." ;)
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