Looks like Charlie Rose has just ascended to the 60 Minutes presenter pantheon -- for what that's worth these days... (He joins recent additions Katie Couric and Anderson Cooper.)
One of the L.A. media blogs in my feed, Tabloid Baby, has a pretty interesting post up this morning about Rose evidently saying Nigg-r on the air back in 1985, when he was hosting a wee-hours show called Nightwatch. It sounds like there was pretty raucous media uproar, and Rose had to go on the air and give a tear-caked "I worked for Bill Moyers" apology.
I highly recommend reading the whole post at Tabloid Baby. The writer there seems pretty smart and hilarious. I plan to check him out more often.
But back to Rose. I've always had a soft spot for the guy. I hear he's a pretty inveterate boozehound, and I've heard some pretty entertaining stories. Imitating a besotted Charlie Rose is a favorite in my impersonation arsenal. Also, when Rose has lightweight guests on his show -- like Hollywood actors and directors -- it's my professional TV viewer's opinion that he tipples a few first to deal with the excruciating monotony of listening to their answers ("You know Charlie, with me, it's all about my craft. ... The work comes first. ... Then, comes my passion for children's charities.") Usually, Charlie will be caught looking away and smirking, before giving a slightly slurred prompt to the next segment. ("The new film is ... <slapping table with one hand> ... 50 First Dates ... Jimmy Fallon ... Always a pleasure to have you at this table.)
I looked around fruitlessly on You Tube for a clip of the long-forgotten Rose racial slur. If anyone can find it, let me know. I did, however, find a clip of Rose hosting Nightwatch 22 years ago. It's worth the price of admission for a younger looking Rose doing the trademark Rose smirk and speech cadence, as well as the vintage Family Ties footage. (The guests are Meredith Baxter Birney and David Birney.)
yup, charlie rose is BIG partier. he also LOVES the ladies - prob is loves em so much can't focus his eyes on just one. was utterly gorgeous 15+ years ago.. (he's 66 now - wonder of his beauty at 20, 30...must have been something!).. apparently, so goes popular conclusion, he never felt needed to work hard. for the ladies, or at his craft. seems to be catching-up with him.... he LOOKs exhausted and fumbles often these days .... also never needed to drop names before - must feel he lost much of his looks, needs more ammo these days because he can be insufferable with this new 'schtick'. regardless, you pretty much nailed-it. thx.
Posted by: mediachiknyc | March 21, 2008 at 02:20 AM
opps - typo sorry.
yup, charlie rose is BIG partier. he also LOVES the ladies - prob is loves em too much, because he has never been able to his eyes on just one. not even for 2 min conversation. his eyes constantly roving - seeking females! he was utterly gorgeous 15+ years ago.. (he's 66 now - wonder of his beauty at 20, 30...must have been something!).. apparently, so goes popular conclusion, he never felt needed to work hard. for the ladies, or at his craft. seems to be catching-up with him.... he LOOKs exhausted and fumbles often these days .... also never needed to drop names before - must feel he lost much of his looks, needs more ammo these days because he can be insufferable with this new 'schtick'. regardless, you pretty much nailed-it. thx.
ps: e-mail address might have expired(?). is an old one.
Posted by: mediachiknyc | March 21, 2008 at 02:25 AM