9 chapters across the catalog
CNN, Fake Satellite Interviews and Media Trickery
CNN is criticized for a segment featuring Nancy Grace where two individuals appeared to be on a satellite connection despite being in the same parking lot. This incident is used to highlight long-standing practices of technical trickery in television news intended to create a false sense of distance and urgency.
A lawyer in New Haven, Connecticut, was charged with breach of peace for carrying a legal, holstered firearm into a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." Meanwhile, a gruesome machete murder in California is highlighted to demonstrate that violent crime persists regardless of gun laws. Nancy Grace's sensationalist coverage of the machete attack is satirized for its dramatic production value.
George Zimmerman faces second-degree murder charges in Florida, a charge that requires proving a "depraved mind" without regard for human life. The hosts predict a televised trial will dominate news cycles through the summer of 2012 to distract from the Republican National Convention. They speculate that an acquittal is likely based on the specific legal definitions in Florida law.
A segment from a Fox News program featuring Judge Jeanine is analyzed for evidence of scripting. The hosts highlight a "script fail" where a commentator fumbles a line about Mitt Romney and the number of candidates in the race. Reference is made to a former producer of The McLaughlin Report who previously confirmed that such political talk shows are heavily choreographed.
Hollywood News Teasers, Curry Dvorak Media Consulting Analysis
The hosts perform a "media consulting" critique of entertainment news programs including Access Hollywood, The Insider, and Entertainment Tonight. They analyze how these shows use sensationalist teasers about Charlie Sheen, Nancy Grace, and celebrity weight loss to promote network fall lineups and corporate products like the Fiat 500.
Casey Anthony Verdict, Constitutional Jury System Criticism
The acquittal of Casey Anthony in her daughter's death sparks a debate regarding the American jury system and the Sixth Amendment. Media figures like Nancy Grace and Anderson Cooper are criticized for inciting public outrage that leads to calls for "professional jurors." The discussion highlights how mainstream media narratives potentially undermine constitutional protections by framing jury verdicts as failures of justice.
CNN Surveillance Advocacy, Dutch Bus Driver Informants
A CNN segment is critiqued for advocating for high-resolution surveillance cameras on every street corner to "prevent" crime. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, bus drivers are reportedly being encouraged to act as government informants by reporting suspected illegal immigrants in wealthy neighborhoods.
Paris Hilton Cocaine Arrest and Nancy Grace Coverage
Paris Hilton was arrested for cocaine possession on the Las Vegas Strip after a traffic stop involving her boyfriend. Nancy Grace featured a panel of lawyers, including Gloria Allred and Daniel Horowitz, to discuss the felony charges. Horowitz, who represents a defendant accused of burglarizing Hilton's home, argued that the celebrity was being unfairly targeted.
The re-emergence of John Mark Carr in the news for alleged cyberstalking is used to highlight the frenetic editing style of modern tabloid television. Programs like Inside Edition and Nancy Grace use rapid jump cuts and sound effects to maintain viewer attention. The hosts argue this "ADD-style" production is a form of psychological conditioning for younger generations.
