Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A gift-wrap of saturation journalism

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 | 8:16 a.m.

It can't get much worse than this.

I call it saturation journalism.

For example, how many times will we be gifted with the Michael Jackson saga? How often must we watch a hooded Jackson entering the sheriff's office ... or a plane waiting to take off ... a silly chase through traffic ... a baby being dangled over a balcony.

Such scenes are repeated over and over, especially on cable news programs. This saturation journalism started, I believe, with the O.J. Simpson trial and the endless hours of watching police cars in friendly pursuit of a white Ford Bronco, and such trial scenes as a triumphant Simpson showing the gloves that didn't fit.

Think back how many times we had to watch Monica Lewinsky gazing adoringly at President Clinton. Or Elizabeth Smart playing the harp. Or the rocky shores where Laci Peterson's body was found and a petite JonBenet Ramsey in stage costume?

By the way, whatever happened to Robert Blake?

And there are always the scenes of destruction in the Middle East. The latest horror pictures of thousands of newly discovered graves in Iran have put Kobe Bryant on the shelf for a time.

After ad nauseam views of the "Picture of the Day," we are treated to a new breed of professional pontificators telling us what we have just seen, as if we couldn't figure it out for ourselves. Most of these "intellectual giants" are old recycled politicians, retired military or publicity-seeking attorneys and law enforcement figures.

One thing for sure, the new year will find the TV news managers having to be selective in the choice of coverage as sensational cases await time on stage. Their main objective, of course, is topping the ratings. Newsmen and newswomen will have a tough job sorting through the sensational stuff waiting on the back burner.

Add the election coverage and more complications arise, with Democrats looking for a possible dark horse and the Republicans convinced they are on the right course. Meanwhile Sen. Hillary Clinton lurks in the background.

Local media will be faced with some decisions on news coverage as Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish get a new trial in the Binion murder case. The scandalous conduct of some city and county officials continues to make news. And the state Board of Regents has a mess to clean up, which may bring some startling revelations.

There will be plenty from which to choose, so let's get rid of some of those old file photos and remember that news should be current.

A couple of stories I would like to see break in the New Year:

Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy walking out of the hospital recovered from his mauling by a tiger.

UNLV basketball making a resurgence to those days when championships were won.

The end of U.S. military involvement all over the world.

Eve Quillin is a 75-year-old youngster who has published her first book, "My Life in Shorts," filled with anecdotes about Las Vegas -- especially the entertainment scene.

She will be autographing her book Saturday at Waldenbooks in Fashion Show mall.