Today on Polilogue, we examine the use of political panels. Are they worth it? Should they come back in their original form after the long COVID hiatus on some shows? This could be an opportunity for the shows to breathe some life into their structure. They could reexamine if and how political panels could be worth it in their hour block. But sneak peak: the shows haven’t done that. Many political panels are back and as lazy as ever. They are full of hot takes with little purpose other than to i...
Feb 14, 2022•52 min
Today on Polilogue, we treat the escalating crisis along the border of Ukraine with the seriousness it deserves. Even if the hosts are a little questionable in some of their questions. We also consider how focus groups and the issue of bipartisanship are typically covered by the Sunday Shows. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @...
Feb 07, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Today on Polilogue, we take a spin throughout several interviews on Face the Nation and then dissect the story of the Supreme Court. First, we reflect on the fact that Margaret Brennan often books more compelling guests and asks more noteworthy questions than her Sunday counterparts. We then ask why the Sunday news shows (and the media ecosystem more broadly) seems so unwilling to critically examine an entire branch of the US Federal Government—-the Supreme Court itself. Shows discussed State of...
Jan 31, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Finally! Polilogue is talking POLITICS. After weeks of resisting the narrative that everything in politics has to be viewed through the lens of the presidency, we accept the premise and dive deep on Biden’s first year. Analyzing the insights from the hosts, guests, and representatives of both sides of the aisle, we try to understand what it means for Biden’s year ahead. We also consider what drives some people crazy about Chuck Todd and we catch up with the latest news out of the January 6 Commi...
Jan 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min
The Biden administration has tabled their Build Back Better efforts and is onto another legislative priority: voting rights. Today on Polilogue, we discuss whether the Sunday shows succeed in explaining where the bill is in the legislative process and/or if they successfully explained the White House’s strategy in making this happen. We also discuss whether, as a news consumer, one angle is more valuable than another. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ...
Jan 17, 2022•59 min
On our first post-COVID (but not post-pandemic) episode, we discuss…you guessed it…COVID! But today’s Sunday shows provided a series of fascinating examples of new issues in journalism. First, we dissect two interviews with new NYC Mayor Eric Adams and ask how the hosts have fared covering the complex topic of education. Next, we go deep on an extremely critical interview with CDC Director Walensky on Fox News Sunday. Is there such a thing as being too critical (spoiler alert: no), or too agenda...
Jan 10, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Happy New Year! And welcome to 2022! It’s a new year—but we are faced with a lot of old news, particularly on the COVID front. In this short episode, we discuss COVID from a more personal perspective. Resources and Links Excellent Film Discussion Questions The Lost Daughter on Netflix Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast . You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle . Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If ...
Jan 03, 2022•6 min
For their last episode of 2021, the Sunday political shows used an array of journalistic styles to explore often under-told stories. Today on Polilogue, we go through each show and discuss the noteworthy — and problematic— attempts. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast . You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bs...
Dec 27, 2021•1 hr 21 min
Manchin is a “no.” We know this because he told us so—on the first episode of Fox News Sunday without the venerated Chris Wallace. On today’s Polilogue, we dissect the Manchin interview and the reactions to it from progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ayanna Pressley. Later in the episode, we take a deep dive into America’s appalling opioid crisis. More than 100,000 Americans died this year from overdose deaths—and 6 in 10 of those were fueled by fentanyl. In a compelling and vital int...
Dec 20, 2021•58 min
Today on Polilogue, we go back to some of our show roots: comparisons of shows and editorial decisions! Both This Week and Meet the Press examined the escalating tensions of US-Russia relations. This Week took the approach of utilizing foreign correspondents and subject matter experts. They provided tons of context of Russia’s encroachment on Ukraine. Meet the Press, on the other hand, did not have much in terms of ground setting or context, but Chuck Todd had an exclusive interview with Secreta...
Dec 13, 2021•1 hr
Today on Polilogue, we examine the coverage and interviews that focused on the Supreme Court abortion case. This Week stands out as a show that brought in the relevant experts and facts to have a robust conversation. Other shows like State of the Union lacked any foundation-setting segments, and Face the Nation didn’t even mention the abortion case! We also look the continued coverage of the Omicron variant, and if/how shows may be contributing to fear-mongering tone given the dearth of tangible...
Dec 06, 2021•1 hr 11 min
Today we look at the new story of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Is the sense of panic in the headlines warranted? How can we have responsible coverage on the Sunday shows of this and other issues? We also look at the conversations about criminal cases on the Sunday show panels. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @Polil...
Nov 29, 2021•56 min
On today’s episode, we focus in on one Sunday show—Meet the Press—and try to understand how the coverage of the economic situation serves the dual roles of informing the public and holding the Biden Administration accountable for taking action. We also talk about the rising issue of political violence. Shows discussed Meet the Press on NBC Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast . You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle . Support t...
Nov 29, 2021•48 min
Today on the Sunday shows we look at the Fox News Sunday interview with Brian Deese and the continued dialogue on inflation. We also do a side by side comparison with This Week and Meet the Press on how they discussed the Kyle Rittenhouse trial and acquittal. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Resources and Links: Trump’s most enduring legacy could be the historic rise in the national debt in the Washingt...
Nov 22, 2021•1 hr 14 min
Today on Polilogue, we look at the shows’ decision to analyze the Virginia gubernatorial race. A few questions popped up multiple times: Why did they only look at Virginia? Where is the analysis on New Jersey? Where is the DATA? What do you mean when you say Democrats are too woke? What does woke even mean (today)? Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can ...
Nov 08, 2021•57 min
Today on Polilogue, we look at the choices that journalists and show hosts make to define a story narrative. There are dozens of small and large decisions hosts and show producers make every week to define a story narrative. It could be the questions themselves. It could be the guests themselves invited onto the show. It could be the interactions between the host and guests. It could be the angle of the story itself: do they focus on cost or impact? Do they focus on process or outcome? Sometimes...
Nov 01, 2021•57 min
Today on Polilogue, we put a magnifying glass to bad agendas. On Meet the Press, shallow conversations about the new billionaire tax to potentially pay for the Build Back Better plan. On This Week, an insistence that the Virginia gubernatorial race is a reflection of 2022 political predictions and even emptier 2024 election forecasts. We do note that Fox News Sunday and Face the Nation had substantial agendas with heavy, ambitious segments. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sund...
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Today on Polilogue, we have two very different segments. In the first segment, we look at how This Week and Fox News Sunday explained the various economic factors that are raising costs, slowing down deliveries, and impacting the labor force across the US. The interview with Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz, on Fox News Sunday stands out as one of the top explanatory interviews on the Sunday shows in months. Then we look at how Chuck Todd and Jake Tapper each approach their sh...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Today on Polilogue, we applaud Face the Nation for framing a larger trend rather than covering a single moment. In this instance, Margaret Brennan didn’t just talk about a single Trump rally, but framed the rally and Senator Chuck Grassley’s participation as an example of a larger trend within the Republican Party. Also on Polilogue, Treasure Secretary Janet Yellen finally made an appearance on the Sunday news shows! … and she said absolutely nothing of substance. Shows discussed State of the Un...
Oct 11, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Today on Polilogue, we zero in on the Democratic messaging of the reconciliation bill, or the human infrastructure bill that is currently being negotiated. In particular, we examine the costs, the motivations, and what messaging are persuasive and what kind of talking points just need to stop. We also applaud the Covid questions on Face the Nation by Margaret Brennan and give side eye to insider Washington talk on the Meet the Press panel. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunda...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 11 min
Today on Polilogue, we examine the focus of two interviews with DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Jake Tapper had (another) conversation about morality. Whereas Chris Wallace questioned the number of Haitian migrants that are entering the United States and asked why the Biden Administration is not using a border wall. We also look at the political messaging of Democrats during what finally seems to be Infrastructure Week (maybe). Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX T...
Sep 27, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Today on Polilogue, we look at the strong performance by Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health in dispelling booster myths and headline buzz. We also look at the vague and unfocused questions by Margaret Brennan about Afghanistan and recent news that an American drone attack accidentally killed Afghan civilians. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue...
Sep 20, 2021•49 min
Today on Polilogue, we go back to our old show roots and identify themes across shows for guests that were on multiple programs on the same day. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Democratic Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia were both on State of the Union and Meet the Press. And the two guests gave similarly vague, defensive answers after being grilled by excellent questions from Dana Bash and Chuck Todd. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Fa...
Sep 13, 2021•57 min
Today on Polilogue, two very different segments with very feisty takes. Naomi looks at the lack of substantive dialogue about the Texas abortion ban. Brendan examines climate change conversations and wonders who should be answering which questions. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Resources NYTimes article on NYC flash flood preparedness More discussion on NYC government failures during Ida Climate scie...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Today on Polilogue, Naomi and Brendan take on new roles as we discuss Afghanistan. Naomi is Good Cop as she acknowledges and praises good, noteworthy questions. Whereas Brendan finger wags and admonishes the bad questions on the Sunday morning shows. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Resources “What Americans Think About The End Of The Afghanistan War And Biden’s Handling Of It So Far” by Nathaniel Rakic...
Aug 30, 2021•58 min
In today’s episode of Polilogue, we examine and question the leading voices criticizing the Afghanistan withdrawal. With the exception of an excellent interview on This Week, almost all the shows relied on war hawks and other thought leaders that have preferred and advocated for an American military presence in Afghanistan . Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Meet the Press on NBC Resources The media's systemic failure on Afgh...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 4 min
In this special episode, we take a look at a movie that tops many lists of the best movies about journalism: 1999’s “The Insider.” Directed by Michael Mann and starring Russell Crowe and Al Pacino, the film closely follows the real-life events of a tobacco industry insider who becomes a source on 60 Minutes. Complete with audio clips and our usual critical eye, we discuss the film’s portrayal of the news business and ethical questions about sources and journalistic integrity. Next week, Polilogu...
Aug 16, 2021•41 min
Today on Polilogue, we look at important stories and segments that have been too easy to overlook in the last few weeks. We look at critically important issues like substance abuse, overdoses, and climate change that took a backseat to the COVID and infrastructure stories. Next week, Polilogue will go to the movies for a special discussion on the journalism movie “The Insider.” Check it out this week if you’d like to watch before that episode—or follow along as we discuss the movies with clips a...
Aug 09, 2021•40 min
Today on Polilogue, we discuss the takeaways and actionable information that was shared by public health officials about delta, the new Covid variant. We also discuss how Republicans are valuing (or not) the select committee to investigate the January 6 insurrection. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Contact us Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast . You can also follow us at @soton...
Aug 02, 2021•57 min
In too many ways, journalists are missing the opportunity to be rigorous in their questions. Today on Polilogue, we discuss Covid strategies and vaccine mandates. We also discuss the select committee to investigate the January 6 insurrection. Shows discussed State of the Union on CNN Fox News Sunday on FOX This Week on ABC Face the Nation on CBS Recommendations Explainer on efforts to establish a special commission to investigate the insurrection on January 6 ( Vox ) Contact us Email us at podca...
Jul 26, 2021•55 min
