Share

NBC skips 9/11 moment for Kardashians

New York - For NBC's Today show, keeping up with the Kardashians on Tuesday trumped observing a moment of silence marking the attacks of September 11, an American television news tradition observed by every other US broadcast network.

At 08:46, ABC, CBS and Fox all aired live silent footage of grim-faced firefighters and somber families from various memorials, marking the minute 11 years ago when the first of two hijacked airplanes struck New York's Twin Towers.

NBC's Today morning programme at the same moment broadcast an interview with Kris Jenner, the mother of Kim Kardashian and a cast member of the popular reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

NBC has found itself under scrutiny since ABC News' Good Morning America recently snapped a 14-year streak as the top-rated US morning show.

'What were they thinking?'

NBC did not immediately return calls for comment but defended its decision to the website Politico.com.

"The Today show dedicated a considerable amount of time to September 11th coverage this morning throughout the entire show," spokesperson Megan Kopf told the site. The programme included an extensive segment on a 9/11 survivor.

Returning from a commercial break on Tuesday, Today anchor Savannah Guthrie introduced Jenner at 08:45 and began a discussion about the celebrity's breast implant replacement surgery, the run-up to which was featured on one of the show's episodes.

"I gotta say," Guthrie began, "I know you guys are all for 'baring it all,' but is there ever a time where you say 'OK, we can turn the cameras off now?'"

Jenner said no.

"You know, I thought it was such a great idea to film that," she replied about replacing her implants. "It was so important, healthwise, to remind women, you know, check your expiration date!"

Throughout the day, the network morning-show industry hummed with animated discussions about NBC's unexpected programming.

"Oh...my...God," one rival Good Morning America staffer intoned. "What were they thinking?"

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE