By Emily Sullivan
Opinion Editor
I was in fourth grade on 9/11/01. I didn’t understand what was going on. My father had told me that some bad men crashed their planes into some buildings in New York City. He said a lot of people were hurt. I sat in front of the TV and watched the footage of the attacks, but didn’t fully comprehend how big of a deal it was.
But even as a kid, I knew it was bad and the situation deserved my respect.
Apparently NBC’s “Today Show” doesn’t think 9/11/01 deserves respect like I do.
Ever since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, a moment of silence has been observed nationwide at 8:46 a.m., the moment when the first plane crashed into the first tower. As President Obama and his wife, Michelle, led the moment of silence, ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning” both broadcasted the event live.
But the “Today Show” thought it would be more prudent to hold an interview with Kim Kardashian’s mother, Kris Jenner.
According to a Sept. 11 Fox News story, “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie introduced Jenner at 8:45 a.m. and interviewed her for five minutes. The moment of silence was discussed at the beginning of the show, but they never went through with it.
And what did this oh-so-important interview consist of? Guthrie asked Jenner about her breast implants and Kanye West, according to a video of the broadcast.
Really? We’re going to let a boob job cover up a memorial for one of the most tragic events in America’s history?
I’m thoroughly disgusted by the “Today Show’s” choice and completely baffled by their reasoning. The Kardashians—who are only famous because of the O.J. Simpson scandal and a sex tape — should not overshadow a moment of silence.
On Sept. 11, 2,735 died in the attacks. The national moment of silence is in place to take a minute to remember those who died and those who fought to live on that day.
According to a Sept. 12 Fox News article, this might hurt the “Today Show” in the long run. Experts are expecting this to knock the show down from its number one slot in the ratings this year. Honestly, I probably won’t be watching the “Today Show” again anytime soon.
That’s what you get when you decide to show an interview with Kris Jenner instead of a moment of silence.
The saddest part is NBC doesn’t feel any remorse for its actions. According to the same article, NBC is sticking by their decision to air the Jenner interview instead of the moment of silence.
“The ‘Today Show’ dedicated a considerable amount of time to Sept. 11 coverage this morning throughout the entire show,” an NBC representative said.
Two other major networks took a minute out of normal broadcasting to observe a moment of silence.
Couldn’t we put the Kardashian family on hold for just a few minutes?
