NBC Nightly News Voiceover

I did a search to make sure there was not a thread allready. When looking for clips of Nightly News on Youtube, i found out that Michael Douglas of all people does the voice over for the Nightly News.

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are, and wether it makes any difference because of who he is. Personally i didnt have a clue it was him until they announced it was. Only thing is he doesnt pronounce the words clearly (this audio clip is ok, but the standard one is slurred when he says New York)

http://www.rp-network.com/tvforum/uploads/nbcnightlynews.mp3

One of those things that wouldn't be an issue until you found out.


I think though what CBS did with Katie Couric was better, getting a veteran CBS news anchor to do the voice over.


Really though they should be done by someone who can update them if required, so we've got none of this "CBS News with Katie Couric" - "Hi. I'm not Katie Couric" situation.


As touched up on in the News at Ten thread, if they had bought back the voiceover I think if he wasn't hosting the bulletin, using Trevor McDonald to introduce the bulletins would be a nice touch.

To be fair though, i think the main anchors in the US do present their shows more regular then ours are suppose to here. I think NBC have recordings for Lester Holt and some others who fill in for Brian.

Here is the weekend edition with Lester http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmD_GDJlRfM

The idea of creating an influential and important role out of the task of newsreading is quite an american facination really. Despite ITN/ITV's attempts over the years to create iconic status for Sir Trevor McDonald, I don't think it really works in the same way.

British scepticism normally prevents us from following icons in the media who are reporting serious events. We may have a begrudging respect for PAXO (despite his M&S pants row), but they remain distant characters who speak from either behind the cameras or certainly out of the limelight of the interviewee.

When the reporter/presenter thinks they are more important than the story then it's time to set a new agenda.