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CBS News and MTV Networks Contribute Gaffes to Logo’s Presidential Forum

The Logo Channel’s presidential candidate forum, held live tonight from Los Angeles, was historic. The network’s Visible Vote ‘08 effort should be lauded. Then CBS News and MTV ruined the mood. Fresh off the high of the first-ever presidential forum on LGBT issues, the bliss of history got a black eye from CBS.

First was CBS on Logo Anchor Jason Bellini’s stumbling, shrugging coverage. It started with what smelled like the edge of transgender acceptance. Introducing Anchor Itay Hod’s next interview, Bellini emphasized that the interview was with “a woman….who we saw her face in this forum.”

His sidekick jumped right in with an awkwardly inappropriate wrap-up question for former city manager Susan Stanton, fired after revealing she is transgendered. He almost giggled the question, “Some people have concerns voting for a woman. I assume you don’t have any issue with that?”

Sharing his insight into LGBT trends, Bellini declared that “faith is really a cutting edge LGBT issue.”

We later learn from his political insight when he informs us that “LGBT people get dissed after the primaries.”

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese apparently has a new title. It’s “Head.”

In his final question for forum moderator Margaret Carlson, columnist for Bloomberg News and former Washington Bureau Chief for Time Magazine, Bellini seemed desperate to get a clue: “Was there any news made tonight?”

You got your gay TV! We want your money!

Then, there was the bizarre declaration of “We’re using you, and we want your money!” by Judy McGrath, the Chairman (sic) and CEO of MTV Networks. In the interest of full disclosure, that is not an exact quotation. This is an exact quote: “It feels like it’s in the tradition of the best things about our company, when we engage people in the, you know, public, with under-served, passionate, important consumers that might otherwise go unheard.”

Later, she tagged Logo’s expansion online as another way LGBT people can consume the network’s product. She sold us that Logo Online allows “even many more people to access the content, the entertainment, the message of Logo.”

Her most authentic, passionate moment? When she effused: “They are a great marketing opportunity! They’re smart, educated, passionate, fantastic, you know, consumers. So I’m absolutely thrilled!”

Giving this roast a rest

After a snack of Cheez-Its and milk, it seems selfish to criticize a corporation that had the courage to take advantage of every market opportunity, without prejudice. With the Logo Channel, MTV Networks risked advertiser loyalty, political favor and public opinion. So they deserve thanks for their vision, support for their willingness to include political and social programming, and a little encouragement to improve on execution. Logo could use a little tweaking. Like having their programming sync with what TiVO says is recording. Or working with corporate sister CBS to send over talent that is eligible to vote to cover unprecedented political history. But Logo’s Visible Vote’08 is a major step forward for LGBT political visibility. Thank you.

Awkward candidate improv

The candidates, for their part, were by and large contemplative–almost self-conscious in their attempts to put their participation in the forum into a philosophical perspective. All expressed a commitment to equality for all people and emphasized the importance of taking “gay marriage” off the table as a political card to play for bigots. Some were more effective than others in seeming sincere, explaining positions in a conciliatory tone, and getting through some high-level details on policy without stepping on any political land mines. Of course, as they felt their way through the gay agenda, the candidates themselves offered up a few off-message moments as well. More on that in a separate post.