Why Does Anyone Watch the Today Show?
If you are one of the millions of people who wakes up to Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera on Today, you are probably familiar with stories rooted in the macabre. Whether it’s the “inspiring” story of an 18-year-old surfer who is “OK” with the fact that a shark took his legs; some poor parent grieving over their murdered child; or a cancer-survivor running a marathon. I have a simple question.
Why the heck would anyone want to wake up to this stuff!
For me, this content is way too heavy to digest on an empty stomach. A few headlines, a little weather, a touch of traffic and the sports finals; in my world, nothing else is necessary.
At best, these stories plant a little reminder that life is fleeting. At worst, they start the day off on a terribly morbid tone. Either way, I don’t need to be obsessing on mortality before noon.
You’re probably thinking, ‘If you don’t like Today, why do you watch.’
I don’t. I pin this one on my wife. She’s up way before me and the Today team has become part of her morning routine. Who am I to ask her to wake up to something a bit more uplifting?
Mornings are vulnerable. Can I have ray of sunshine with my eggs and bacon please?
I’d love to hear from you. What is it about waking up to the Grim Reaper (packaged as hope) that makes you tune in?
What do you think?