I haven't watch HoC in quite a while, but as I began to watch S5 it hit me how many times in this series (and maybe others) they have used real news reporters/anchors/personalities as actors. I completely understand why this is a good "get" for the series (or any other film really), but I wonder: doesn't this undermine their credibility in some way? It seems to me it is an egregious blurring of the line between news and entertainment. Yes, I know that line has been trampled such that it's barely visible anyway, but this just seems like a silly choice for someone to make if they want to be taken seriously in real life.
Has anyone else ever noticed/thought about this?
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Reply by Papshmir
on June 10, 2017 at 8:41 AM
There were a lot of these early on. I read somewhere that TV personalities were actively soliciting such appearances at the time. I did notice it then and had thoughts similar to yours, i.e. that it undermines their professional credibility, although it's not like there ever was much to undermine in the first place even at the time. And in the post-factual world we live in now, TV news practically is just another form of entertainment anyway, so by now I just see them as actors playing themselves.
Reply by Daddie0
on June 12, 2017 at 12:25 AM
Well, it's interesting because I remember them early on too, and I found it odd then, but it also kinda added some credibility to the series (not that Kevin Spacey, et al. isn't enough credibility). And perhaps I am a bit more sensitive to it now than seasons past, but they are heavily sprinkled throughout Season 5 and I just really don't think it serves their brand well. BTW, not only individual personalities (I was shocked to see Charlie Rose!) but also entire networks...in fact I think CNN, FoxNews and MSNBC. I just really don't see how it serves those organizations well unless they really view themselves as entertainment.
A closing thought, perhaps rather than being critical of those who do it, I should celebrate those who have chosen not to do it like BBC, Rueters, etc. Oh well, it just seems like a strange business move unless you are truly more interested in building a brand than a good reputation.
Reply by tmdb15214618
on July 13, 2017 at 5:38 PM
Part of the reason this show is so overhyped is because they cozied up to journalists and politicians, who of course want to support a TV series that strokes their ego--and if the elites and media are telling you a show is good, of course it's good. But House of Cards is not that good. So, yes, you're right, there is some compromising going on.
Reply by Daddie0
on December 5, 2017 at 8:13 PM
Oh how the House of Cards has fallen! (Spacey, politicians, news anchors...oh my!)