"Why I Will Never Again Watch The Fox News Channel Anchor Shepard Smith"

Today, I made a final decision to stop watching Shepard Smith, one of many news anchors at Fox News Channel (FNC).

I am a degreed, Mass Communications professional. Within my course of study was a requirement to attend Journalism classes. There I learned that one, unpardonable, unwarranted and worthy-of-being-fired-if-broken mandate exists for all journalists. That 'law' reads (or, I should write, 'once stated'):

"As a journalist, YOUR REPORTING SHOULD ALWAYS BE OBJECTIVE."

Think Shepard Smith is objective? Watch this incredible reportage between Smith, Trace Gallagher, and Judge Andrew Napolitano recently seen on the Fox News Channel program, "The Strategy Room".

Hmmmm... Well, uh, the very first thing seen in your resume assets better read 'Always nail whatever is on the teleprompter'.

Plainly and clearly stated, Shepard Smith can NOT read a teleprompter. Two nights ago, I decided to count his reading gaffs. How about 65 within a one hour show? Unbelievable as it seems, this is an accurate number... I even cut him some slack here and there.

My theory on why he can't read is this: Shepard Smith cannot control his emotions and this gargantuan flaw coaxes his mind to spin at 60 mph, while his mouth is working overtime at only 50 mph. Smith fumbles, stumbles, and actually reads a teleprompter as a rookie.

I have watched EVERY other anchor read the teleprompter at Fox News Channel and none of them made a goof.

I could never fathom paying a person over 1 million dollars per year to sit in comfortable surroundings, look into a screen filled with words someone else wrote and just read back those words to an adoring public. The absolute, very least talent a person occupying this enviable position should possess, is an ability to instantaneously recognize a word or a report collection, and read it aloud without a hitch.

I was a sportscaster many years ago. I've acted in close to 100 commercials throughout my working careers.

Folks, reading a teleprompter is easier than enjoying a pleasant night's sleep following the gulp of your first-ever extra strength Ambien.

Finally, think of the truly exceptional news anchors.

• Walter Cronkite
• Chet Huntley
• David Brinkley
• Tom Brokaw

Somehow, the name 'Shepard Smith' does not belong with this list, and he will never come close to meeting the journalistic standards these men applied throughout their careers. The name, Shepard Smith, appears strange when appended to this illustrious list of news greats.

• Walter Cronkite
• Chet Huntley
• David Brinkley
• Shepard Smith
• Tom Brokaw

LAUGHABLE!

Shepard Smith began his career with Fox News Channel before the network rocketed to the top, claiming the #1 position, winning out over vast communications conglomerates all battling it out in the ratings wars.

Bill O'Reilly is, in my estimation, solely responsible for this meteoric ascension. During this period of growth at Fox News Channel, O'Reilly was (please note my use of the verb 'was') an affable and a pleasant host. Unlike Larry King, CNN's popular show and Fox's main rival in prime time, O'Reilly's character was different in that he could ask the tough questions of his varied guest line-up.
King, on the other hand, employed a softball style with his guests.

American audiences soon began embracing the firm, smiling Irish TV host because every night brought a little bit of everything - much unlike The Larry King Show, where the material remained constant.

While MOST anchors at the Fox News Channel hold PhDs, and many are attorney's and doctors, Shepard Smith never finished college.

His out-of-control temper once resulted in an aggravated battery arrest (November, 2000) when he allegedly hit a woman with his car in a "oh no you don't" parking space row.

Once the case settled out of court, Smith's charge was reduced to misdemeanor battery. Quite the man, our Shep... Ha!

Shepard Smith rode O'Reilly's coat tails (as did all of Fox News Channel) to bigger and better things. So, how did Shepard Smith become the Fox News Channel top anchor?

1. He is blessed with a rich, deep and resonant voice.
2. He carries himself with confidence.
3. He is young and hip, connecting with the buster and below demographics.

That's it. Three superficial traits have made him a daytime TV star... BUT Shepard Smith WILL NEVER BE A DAYTIME OR ANY TIME JOURNALIST!

Shepard Smith belittles guests with verbal jabs meant to show his feigned "greater knowledge and expertise." The guest's title or level of education doesn't faze Mr. Smith - he picks fights with them, utilizing his slight knowledge trove that's spewed from a non-filtered pie hole. If his behavior weren't so rude, it would reach the top of the laugh-o-meter.

Discover how the next video reveals more of why Shepard Smith is a journalistic travesty...

Thirty or so years ago, I remember watching professionally-produced, well-written, non biased shows like "Meet The Press" (hosted by real TV journalists), "The 20th. Century", "The Nightly News With Tom Brokaw", "The Huntley-Brinkley Report" "The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite" - all legends hosting news shows that if the truth be known, all of these broadcasters wrote and produced.

I'm worn down by self-proclaimed TV ego-maniacs wearing King of News crowns made of fool's gold ... News bunglers like a Shepard Smith, who I now simply refuse to watch and those like him. I've got a hunch that many other boomers are beginning to feel the same way. The BIG question is: Where do I (we) now look for REAL news from REAL journalists?