No wonder the star-spangled uproar of the Republican convention seems straight out of Hollywood. The man behind it all is a veteran of the Oscars, the Grammys and Radio City Music Hall, where showbiz reigns. These are all good, interesting techniques which make for better television. And it knows it.
Conventions are a critical part of American electoral process.
The old broadcast networks, however, don't see it that way, despite the fact that the GOP convention is TV-ready. The traditional love affair between political parties and CBS, ABC and NBC is over. ABC, just five. Network players have not hidden their dismay with the glitzy soul of the political process. But we don't have to cover it.