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I was saddened and dismayed last night to watch “Nightline,” one of the cherished news shows of my teenage years, and see how much it has changed. During a week of critical and frightening news coming out of Korea, when two nations with huge armies and powerful allies stand at the brink of war, here is what the current… mavens of ABC News chose to showcase 
as the three stories on the program:
1. The final episode of “Dancing With the Stars” (segment is above)
2. A plastic surgeon who treats celebrities in Hollywood (segment is here)
3. Getting six-pack abs, through dancing (segment is below)
Huh? I l knew “Nightline” had changed since Ted Koppel left, that it was no longer a place to find talking heads gravely discussing world events every night. I knew it was more featurey and was drifting closer and closer to the video version of SELF and PEOPLE magazines. But still, I was stunned. Are ABC News execs being paid to drastically underestimate the intelligence of viewers at every turn, to continually play it safe, to seek out ratings above all else, to trot out clowns amid calliope music night after night?
I did watch Charlie Rose and he had on a NYT reporter who covers Korea. For 15 minutes they talked about the crisis, and it was both understandable and highly informative. Good for you, Mr. Rose. But how many folks watch you, compared with ABC?
Your views?
– Bob Kazel
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