WaPo‘s Tom Shales Irrationally Slams “Fancy-Pants” Christiane Amanpour

by Steve Krakauer | 9:15 am, August 2nd, 2010

» 18 comments

“With pomp and panoply befitting a visit from a foreign dignitary, ABC raised the curtain on its newly revamped This Week,” begins Tom Shales‘ Washington Post review of Christiane Amanpour‘s first This Week show, signaling the irrational column to come. Considering there was a noticeable lack of “pomp and panoply,” it’s a strange way to start.

It only gets more offensive from there, in the latest of Shales’ attacks on the former CNNer.

The overall reviews for the debuts were mixed at best, including from Glynnis MacNicol here, who said it was “difficult to find anything else about the show that was different.”

But Shales takes it to the next level of criticism:

Even so, the adept and likable Tapper stood a good chance of steering “This Week” into the kind of dominance that “Meet the Press” has so long enjoyed. And it didn’t require any globe-trotting Fancy-Pants to do it

Really? “Globe-trotting Fancy-Pants”? Tom, why don’t you just write about the fact that her mom is European and her dad is Iranian, and that she grew up in Tehran? Actually, he kind of did.

In parsing the new language before the “In Memoriam” segment of This Week, Shales criticized Amanpour for changing the remembrance to “all of those who died in war” before then specifically mentioning American military names. “Did she mean to suggest that our mourning extend to members of the Taliban?” asked Shales, before he scampers away from that ridiculous question to criticize the amount of “nice” pictures she showed at the end of the show.

When Amanpour was announced as the new This Week anchor, there was legitimate concern about whether her skillset fit with the D.C.-focused show. This Shales review is part two of his harsh attacks of her, at the time saying ABC might be “forced to withdraw Amanpour’s name and come up with another “nominee” for the job.” (This drew a sharp rebuke from ABC – we’ll see if they have anything to say this time.) And Shales has a long history of over-the-top “criticism” aimed at women.

But suggesting this “Fancy-Pants” anchor wants viewers to mourn Taliban deaths, and seeing “pomp and panoply” where there is none, thoroughly undercuts the sharp critique.

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abc, ABC News, Christiane Amanpour, This Week, Tom Shales, WaPo, Washington Post

Not Your Typical New Yorker

Krakauer, do you have a steady job? While I’m no fan of Shales, he obviously meant just what he said, Amanpour (i’m no fan of hers either) was CNN’s star globe trotting international reporter for years, you trying to inject an Iranian slur in there makes you a twit….and a very small one at that.
The Real Royal King

I have to say MacNicol was off base. The basic format didn’t change for the first show, but I suspect over time, we’ll lose the In Memoriam and Sunday Funnies segments. What did change: a significant international contribution, wholly lacking with Tapper and the other predecessors, and a panel which was not allowed to stray. I’d say we’re talking about big differences. Big improvements.

MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN
MY BONNIE LIES OBER THE SEA
FOX NEWS ALWAYS LIES
WHEREVER BONNIE MAY BE.
The Real Royal King

Steve, this is admittedly off topic. but on my systems all the “C’s,” upper and lower case, in all the headlines are red. Beckerhead is going to have a field day with this.

MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN
MY BONNIE LIES OBER THE SEA
FOX NEWS ALWAYS LIES
WHEREVER BONNIE MAY BE.
Puter Boi

Krak?
This seems offensive to you? Is this the first time you have ever read Mr. Shales? He has made a career of being offensive, beginning with his Opie Taylor haircut.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

RRK you better keep your day job waving at passing cars while wearing a Che t-shirt. If ABC listens to you the show will be off the air soon. The Suday Funnies is the best part of the show. In Memoriam is also a good feature with the exception of the listing of U.S. casualties. That was added by Stephy to make people hate the war and George Bush. It was supposed to work like the Nightline countdown with the hostages in Iraq. The only problem is that the death numbers were low compared to Vietnam. The American people don’t run from war because of casualties.
Amanpour wouldn’t have a job if it wasn’t for her haughty accent. She is a hate America First reporter and that will come through on the show as weeks go by.
http://www.youtube.com/cmdrgmh cmdrgmh

Christiane Amanpour is one off the most respected reporters in the World. It was good to bring a world flair to This Week. MTP with Gregory hosting blows since he took over from Tim Russert . This Week has potential to take the Number One slot if NBC doesent get rid of David Gregory.
JimBob

There was a tremendous change in “This Week”! It was awful!
Steffy was not so good! Tapper was very good and getting better”!
This gal was “HORRIBLE”! Personally I think having that awful woman Pelosi on the first week started off the new “format” (??) in the hole and it went down hill from there!
Unload that old and tiresome panel! YUK!!!!
Frankly none of them could have carried the Late David Brinkley’s Pencil!
The Real Royal King

cmdrgmh said:
MTP with Gregory hosting blows since he took over from Tim Russert .

I agree. Gregory was an excellent WH reporter, but he has no ability to moderate. He has the Limbaughesque propensity of skilling of making everything about him. Like Limbaugh, he is boring.

MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN
MY BONNIE LIES OBER THE SEA
FOX NEWS ALWAYS LIES
WHEREVER BONNIE MAY BE.
JimBob

I agree with cdmrgmh about David Gregory! He has never seen an ass he wouldn’t kiss
or suck up to if he thought it would get him some face time and/or advance his career.
Azarkhan

“MY BONNIE LIES OBER THE SEA” Royal

Royal, I think you want to change “ober” to “uber”. That way your silly whatever-it-is will have a nice Germanic ring. After all, don’t you want to say that Fox lies AND is fascist?

PS: If you thought that up while you were on the boat yesterday, you definitely got too much sun.
Bootleghaircut

“The Suday Funnies is the best part of the show. In Memoriam is also a good feature with the exception of the listing of U.S. casualties. That was added by Stephy to make people hate the war and George Bush. It was supposed to work like the Nightline countdown with the hostages in Iraq. The only problem is that the death numbers were low compared to Vietnam. The American people don’t run from war because of casualties.
Amanpour wouldn’t have a job if it wasn’t for her haughty accent. She is a hate America First reporter and that will come through on the show as weeks go by.”

Well I do declare; a post that actually says more “than you lie!”

you know what I’m giving you a thumbs up because even though I don’t agree with several of your assertions
I’m just damn glad you’re actually commenting on the subejct using your brain instead of your ass.
Azarkhan

“Did she mean to suggest that our mourning extend to members of the Taliban?” asked Shales…ridiculous question”

It’s not ridiculous at all. She’s not an American and has made it clear over her broadcasting career that she has no sympathy or love for America. The only thing Amanpour “loves” about America is the money she makes.
notsofast

cmdrgmh said:
Christiane Amanpour is one off the most respected reporters in the World

LOL

Thanks for the laugh.
Phocus2

Shales nailed it.
Don Ho

Yo, Steve, Shales DID nail it … What’s Amanpour doing there, anyway? Americans don’t want to see a British career foreign correspondent hashing out our domestic issues with our top-shelf Sunday debaters … she IS a fancy pants. And it IS ridiculous to pay her $2 million a year when ABC News is flailing and firing people!

When Russert died, I switched to ‘This Week’ because I can’t stand David Gregory. Now I’ll be heading to CBS on Sunday mornings.

NICE JOB MR. SHALES!
Don Ho

And by the way, Steve, you definitely just lost a fan.
More Liberty

Azarkhan said:
“Did she mean to suggest that our mourning extend to members of the Taliban?” asked Shales…ridiculous question”

It’s not ridiculous at all. She’s not an American and has made it clear over her broadcasting career that she has no sympathy or love for America. The only thing Amanpour “loves” about America is the money she makes.

I’m going to have to agree with you here. Oh and just ignore The Real Royal King. He got caught telling lies last week and he’s a little upset.
ortom

Azarkhan said:
“Did she mean to suggest that our mourning extend to members of the Taliban?” asked Shales…ridiculous question”

It’s not ridiculous at all.

Of course it’s a ridiculous question. Those with the least bits of both common sense and decency would think she meant to suggest our mourning extend to the deaths of innocent civilians.