That's just not true. We don't all drink bourbon.
Newspaper people are not fondly portrayed in film and TV unless you think of "All the President's Men" or TV's "Lou Grant." Otherwise, the journalist in the movie is always the guy who was so careless and insensitive, he doesn't care that his story caused the serial killer to shoot another 12 people.
The cable network Bravo wants to rectify that somewhat, announcing that it will produce a six-part reality show based inside the New York Daily News about how a newspaper operates. The show is expected to premiere next year.
Does that mean you get to see the metro editor and restaurant critic eat as many slimy grubs as they can to win immunity? It's not that kind of reality show (though I personally would love to see that). "The Daily News" (its working title) will be more like a documentary "with total and complete access, but structured and edited like a traditional dramatic series," according to Bravo's release.
The question is whether a newsroom is a dynamic enough place to make for a good documentary series. The New York Daily News could have enough pizazz in its newsroom to make for some interesting stories, and the journalistic competition in New York City is fierce.
A documentary about The Salt Lake Tribune ought to be fun. After all, inside our upholstery-lined cubicles journalistic magic happens. This is how a documentary about what's clicking inside the hallowed walls of The Tribune might play out:
(Cut to the newsroom's city desk.)
News editor to reporter: "Hey, how's that story on the planning commission's vote to rezone 200 South?"
Reporter: "Great."
News editor: "Just make sure it sings."
(Cut to another desk where a city reporter sits.)
City reporter: "I hate it when the mayor doesn't call me. I don't think he likes me."
Fellow reporter: "Probably not."
(Cut to the movie critic walking into the newsroom from a screening.)
Book editor: "Hey, how was that new Ice Cube movie?
Movie critic: "It sucked. But I did treat myself to an extra box of Junior Mints."
(Cut to columnist Robert Kirby at the water cooler with other reporters as he regales them with tales of being a former police officer.)
Kirby (to the other reporters): ". . . and then I shot the guy repeatedly until he dropped like a rag doll."
Reporter (whispering to another staffer): "So is he regaling us with tales of being a former police officer again?"
(On the other side of the newsroom, we cut to an editor pounding on the computer printer.)
Editor: "Oh great, the #&!%?@ printer isn't working again. Why can't they &#!@$* fix it?"
Newsroom assistant: "Try putting more paper in it."
(Cut to the state government reporter waiting by the phone.)
State reporter: "I hate it when the governor doesn't call me. I don't think he likes me."
Fellow reporter: "Probably not."
(Cut to the television critic watching a videotape preview of Fran Drescher's new sitcom.)
Television critic: "I can't believe I have to watch three more episodes of this crap."
Come to think of it, maybe the New York Daily News would be a better place for a documentary.
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Television columnist Vince Horiuchi appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He can be reached at vince@sltrib.com.
Channeling
Las Vegas: KSL Channel 5, tonight, 8. Dave Foley (“News Radio”) guest stars as a guest who loses his wedding ring at a brothel and asks for help finding it.
American Experience: KUED Channel 7, tonight, 8. Documentary on the Battle of Okinawa during World War II, which included the largest amphibian invasion in the war against the Japanese.
