Monday, April 09, 2012

Fame is fleeting

15 Love not the world, nor the things of the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever (1 Jn 2:15-17).

Mike Wallace died Saturday night. He was one of the three most iconic figures in the history of American journalism–Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow being the other two.

Many famous journalists are famous because their job makes them famous. Take anchormen. If you anchor a national broadcast, that automatically makes you a household name.

It was different with Murrow, Cronkite, and Wallace. Murrow was famous, in part, because his public opposition to McCarthyism, as well as his Harvest of Shame special, made him a darling of the liberal establishment.

Cronkite had great stage presence, with a head like a marble bust and a commanding bass voice.

And, of course, Wallace was famous for his grueling interviews. Like watching a bullfight.

He rose to the pinnacle of his profession, although his private life was marred by depression, as well as the loss of a son in a tragic accident.


Yet few professions are more ephemeral that TV journalism. Most news is so forgettable. Most politicians, whom Wallace frequently interviewed, are so forgettable. It’s a legacy written in sand.

The Huntley-Brinkley Report was the first evening newscast I saw. After Huntley retired, my parents switched to Walter Cronkite. After he retired, my parents switched to John Chancellor.

Journalists come and go like autumn leaves: Frank Reynolds, Roger Mudd, Eric Sevareid, Connie Chung, Carole Simpson, Garrick Utley, Jessica Savitch, Daniel Schorr, Tim Russert.

Peter Jennings was popular. But there’s always someone to take your place. Ted Koppel had a following. Charles Kuralt was beloved, although his posthumous reputation is less lovable.

Dan Rather retired in disgrace. The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour came and went without a ripple.

My parents used to watch Washington Week in Review. I wonder how many times the cast has done a complete turnover in the intervening years.

Death is unavoidable for all of us. It’s just a case of sooner or later. We can sometimes delay death. Postpone the inevitable. Prolong life.

We can’t prevent death, but we can prepare for death. We should begin preparing when we’re young and healthy, with decades ahead of us.

So many people are terrified of death, yet they have nothing to live for. They fritter away their lives in trivia. I see trailers for these vapid game shows and talk shows, reality shows and sitcoms. American Idol or Celebrity Apprentice. Is this all that people have to live for? Not just the participants, but the viewers.

2 comments:

  1. Just for the record, Chet Huntley didn't retire; he died of lung cancer. Otherwise, points well taken.

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  2. Good words. I may live another 30 years, or 30 minutes, but I am gonna die for sure. "Death where is your sting?"
    Jesus' death killed death for me, and for all who will trust in Him, and His death and rising from the dead, and the good news, or Gospel, of what that means for sinners like us.

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