12 CNBC Pet Peeves

With an assist from Float reader TC, two additions to our running (and woefully incomplete!) list of Things We Don't Like About CNBC...

New Items

• The midday interlude featuring the heavy voiceover: "It's halftime of the trading day. Do you know the score of your portfolio?" (Or something like that.) Please. This is nothing more than an expression of contempt for investors, one that reinforces their very worst instincts. There oughta be a law.
• And this recent addition, one that belongs in the Top Five for sure: Those cloying, ridiculously self-absorbed ads that culminate in some version of: "I'm Charlie Gasparino, and I am CNBC." For better or worse, that's true enough. But someone needs to make these spots stop.

Old Items

• Bob Pisani's crutch-like reliance on the word "here." If you haven't noticed this before, and get annoyed by verbal tics like this, we apologize for bringing it to your attention. If you have noticed it, we feel your pain.
• The little clock in the upper-right corner of the network's charts rushing past in hundredths of seconds. As if the general tone of the whole production weren't short-term jumpy enough.
• Those Pat Boone gold ads. The leathery face is bad enough, but the overweening hucksterism has earned these spots a place in this particular hall of shame.
• Cramer's Fed-Begging. Part schtick, part sincere, entirely over the top.
• Rick Santelli not getting enough love. Chicago's own is a rare (if not "lone") voice of reason in the wilderness.
• Erin Burnett insisting that her guests say something positive. We like positive stuff ourselves--where it's justified. But scraping around for a "silver lining" for its own sake strikes us as something other than disinterested.
• Dennis Kneale. We don't understand Kneale's relentless, damn-the-evidence optimism on the economy and the markets. But the real problem with Kneale is that no one on CNBC's air gets more immediate corrections, curious looks, and dismissive headshakes. It's the willful cluelessness, not the opinions themselves, that make Kneale CNBC's most mutable voice. We simply do not understand why the network has made him such a fixture. Perhaps it's because no one with a fuller sense of reality could muster Kneale's spin--a kind of spin CNBC's decision-makers think they need to sustain their audience.
• "It's four o'clock on Wall Street. Do you know where your money is?" What in the world is that supposed to mean? Why do Maria Bartiromo and her understudies insist on saying it every day? This is a daily must-mute moment.
• The sound effects used to transition between images during Bartiromo's 4:00 summary schtick. Too loud. Too grating. Utterly unnecessary. Sort of like most of the fake noise made in NBA arenas these days: sound and fury signifying nothing.
• Inane questions about why the market is doing what it's doing at a given moment. Bill Griffeth on February 27th, when the S&P 500 was 0.73 points above the previous day's close: "Why are we higher today?" Good grief.

Comments

[rickf:]

Great start -- let's add:

- The OCTABOX. Why do we need EIGHT talking heads screaming at each other so nobody, including the viewer, can understand them? In fact, the shouting in general when folks are in the studio talking to the camera.

- Cheap sound effects for screen fades, wipes, and transitions. It is a gimmick and annoying as hell. Even worse is listening to a Congress hearing they're covering on XM Radio while driving to NYC and in the middle of Paulson you hear that World-of-Warcraft-esqu... "sprinkle" as they flip the market data slides on-screen.

- The producer and/or VP who was quoted in an article last year saying how CNBC wanted "more conflict" on-screen. That, along with what I'm saying here, has turned CNBC from semi-useful to mildly-entertaining and horribly-irritating. [1]

- Agree that Rick Santelli is one of the few shining lights on the network who has been right more than he's been wrong, but also doesn't "play" with the infotainment aspect and keeps to the BUSINESS issue at hand.


[1] - Thank gods I started getting Fox Business here in Arlington, VA. With that, we also got Bloomberg, so my CNBC-viewing is *much* reduced and my TV business news indeed is "news" and not "business reality television."

2008 Dec 12 07:54 AM

[okl:]

bloomberg is better, but their female anchors gives me the impression that they have a 'patronising attitude', otherwise called hoes.

2008 Dec 12 08:04 AM

[DRGREG1@gma...:]

I agree that Dennis Kneale is the most irrelavent piece of giberish on the show. When he first appeared on the show, he looked like like a street bum, They have cleaned him up physically but his comments are rediculous.

2008 Dec 12 08:17 AM

[wadaman7:]

Couldn't have said it better! The way they play up to the camera is nausiating. Also, why do they all have overbites or speech impediments? Does the honcho have a thing for oral women?


On Dec 12 08:04 AM okl wrote:

> bloomberg is better, but their female anchors gives me the impression
> that they have a 'patronising attitude', otherwise called hoes.

2008 Dec 12 08:33 AM

[CM in MA:]

I thought I was the only one bothered by these annoyances. Guess not.

I'll add: Relentless repetition of market "facts" which aren't true. Example: the market ALWAYS rebounds 6 months ahead of the economy. Go back to just the last recession to see this is not ALWAYS the case. It doesn't matter why (which would be a narrative fallacy) it wasn't so, just that it wasn't. Anyway.

I wish my cable provider carried bloomberg. I'd drop CNBC in a NY minute.

Santelli is great. He's the guy I'd want to have a beer with and talk about markets.

Dennis Kneale: He's trying to be the next Larry Kudlow. Ceaselessy shout the same inanities. At least LK knows that is what he's doing--he has self-awareness.

2008 Dec 12 08:35 AM

[t-bird:]

Agree, Bloomberg much better.

And how about the greatest story never told by Larry "Goldilocks" Kudlow...

2008 Dec 12 08:38 AM

[t-bird:]

CM in MA
Go to Bloomberg's website, you can get the feed over the internet. Been using this for several years as my cable provided does not provide Bloom....

2008 Dec 12 08:40 AM

[CM in MA:]

T-bird, thanks for the tip. Hadn't checked it in a few months, but the bloomberg feed wasn't mac-compatible. I hope they've made it so.


On Dec 12 08:40 AM t-bird wrote:

>
> CM in MA
> Go to Bloomberg's website, you can get the feed over the internet.
> Been using this for several years as my cable provided does not provide
> Bloom....

2008 Dec 12 08:43 AM

[wpdragon:]

I keep CNBC muted most of the day and just use it to check some of the tickers. Unfortunately, I don't get Bloomberg here. The rest is just like rickf said... a whole studio full of screaming, clueless, talking heads, analysts, "experts", all arguing and shouting over each other, making so much noise that nobody could possibly understand (or care) what the original topic was.

The Octabox and its variations was maybe the worst addition to this pathetic "entertainment at all costs" "confrontation is fun" show since CNBC began operations 20 years or so ago.

The midget fights on Jerry Springer are more intelligent than this pablum for the sheeple.

This station is a clueless disgrace, and just a sad example of how this once great nation has gone down the crapper.

Oh, but puhlese, bring on more of those republicans like Richard Army and Steve Forbes and a couple dozen others who pretend to talk about the economy on Sqwuak Box when in reality they are nothing more than political plants talking the typical anti-"Dem" RNC rant compliments of CNBC's political management czars... do you know who I mean Immelt?

2008 Dec 12 08:49 AM

[Fabien Hug:]

Why the heck do you watch CNBC? Ever made any money out of it?

2008 Dec 12 08:49 AM

[pokernut:]

It is my belief that CNBC is a criminal enterprise.

2008 Dec 12 08:51 AM

[a guy in Ch...:]

My pet peeve is them letting go of Martha MacCallum. it didn't matter what she said.

I'd rather watch bloomberg anyway.

2008 Dec 12 09:11 AM

[mandy2607:]

Joe Kernan is the one who gets me. He can't speak about anything other than golf without bringing poltics into it. He is so pissed off after losing the election that he comes off like he is right & the rest of the country is nuts.

2008 Dec 12 09:13 AM

[logicalthought:]

1) Yes, Dennis Kneale is an absolute idiot.
2) Maria is equally stupid.
3) Their use of the "Breaking News" graphic for stories that are 12 hours old is nauseating.

In DEFENSE of CNBC:

Joe Keirnan is the absolutely the most drily funny guy on television, period. He's absoluteyl entertaining as hell.

2008 Dec 12 09:16 AM

[JAY BOSLIN:]

I like Dennis. They show courage to break the mold. Sharon Epperson screeching about oil prices unintelligilbly is where I have to change the channel. Joe is a big Republican, but good natured. Gasparino and and some of the people Kudlow has on are from the dark side of the planet--they are one issue people--taxes.

2008 Dec 12 09:54 AM

[Keith Tufte:]

Agree many things wrong at CNBC, especially the over the top short-term emphasis and hype. Most annoying to me is when the hosts constantly cut each other off and talk louder over each other or their guests after only about 5 seconds of the other person starting to talk. The hosts don't give their guests a chance to talk, before they interrupt with an objection (to prove how smart and "tough" they are. Give the guests a chance to give thier opinion or don't put them on! The constant over-talking and yelling over each other at the same time is very amatuerish and annoying.

2008 Dec 12 10:02 AM

[Nick Gogerty:]

CNBC= Bread & Circuses. The average working person has 50 years *2000 hours or 100k hours. How many on their deathbeds will wish they had watched more CNBC. I haven't owned a Television in 20 years and am up significantly this year.

2008 Dec 12 10:13 AM

[wpdragon:]

Well, they have their pentabox on now and in true RNC fashion goldilocks kudlow (he was still saying things were swell this past spring) is shouting down anyone who disagrees with him, jabbing that gd finger of his in the camera for emphasis... man would i like to have him jab that finger in my face just once... just once.

2008 Dec 12 11:13 AM

[CoverIsBetter:]

Mark Haynes, when they put him in the Octobox, telling them how he couldn't handle it. That was money.

I could look at Melissa Francis, Burnett, Boorstin and forget all about investing, the economy, whatever, forever.

"do they all have overbites or speech impediments?" .. I think Carmen Wong Erlich has an Underbite.. but it's kind of cute.

2008 Dec 12 11:30 AM

[Pat Shuff:]

Contracting a political identity is an incurable, progressively debilitating disease culminating in insanity. CNBC like all media outlets, print and broadcast, offer up the two major brands of goofiness with the rare exception of an aloof, indifferent, apparently endangered face that knows it.
Endangered in the media realm, in real life pretty much the norm.

2008 Dec 12 11:30 AM

[DaveBlz:]

Everybody has it wrong. I have spent years developing an "index" based on CNBC, Fox and Bloomberg's collection of the condition, appearance, accoutrements, etc., of their female anchors and reporters. The basis of this very successful indicator is that investors will be drawn by "sexual" reporting and gravitate to stocks touted on the "highest rated" network. These are sells or shorts. The issues considered undervalued are those promoted by the show with the least attractive female reporters, since no one is watching these shows. A friend has coined the term "breast index" for my system, but he is obviously jealous of my success.
You can use this system yourself, although my algorithms are secret. A market top will be denoted by reporting done in slinky nightgowns or topless. A market bottom can be seen easily by the complete absence of sexuality; think thin women in business suits. Everything else is meaningless...

2008 Dec 12 12:23 PM

[The Hern:]

I agree with the guy who can't stand it when everyone tries to talk at the same time so noone can understand anything. Plus, I can't stand the attitude of Gasparino who is full of gas and most of all, I can't stand how Michelle Caruso Cabrera is constantly smiling and posing for the camera like she's trying out for a hollywood job. Please give me a break!

2008 Dec 12 12:30 PM

[Here's a th...:]

1. Mustard seeds 2. Kudlows ties 3. Peter Schiff 4.Can I afford it?
5. Pops and Drops 6. Cramer 7. Booyah 8.Squawk box 9. Mark Haines 10. Million dollar portfolio challenge

2008 Dec 12 03:21 PM

[Urbane Gori...:]

Lets get rid of all the chatty crusty old guys... Gasparino, Kudlow, Faber, and a few others I don't even know. When they come on and start 'chatting' I just shift over to Bloomberg, or kick off the sound so I can still watch the ticker and breaking news. Is it just me, or do they all seem to be working without a script, have no idea what they are about to speak about, and in most cases, plainly have about as good a handling of the English language as our soon-to-be ex-President.

Furthermore; I don;t want to hear hours of droning ion about how these talking heads would fix the Tarp problem, fix the financial problems, fix GM's problems, etc.. etc.. etc. I don;t care what you would do. Clearly, if you are disagreeing amongst yourselves, you have no consensus anyway..... But! Mainly I watch CNBC to learn about stocks and the market... And CNBC has ignored that aspect of its show. At least when I switch to Bloomberg, somewone steps out periodically and shows a computerized chart of the various sectors, and drills down to the active stocks..... That is what I want to see.

Aside from dreaming of strangling that pompous, strangely dressed. big-mouth jerk, Larry Kudlow. Here's a guy that really should spend the rest of his life bagging groceries part-time, just to see what it's like out there. Mustard seeds and Goldilocks be damned. Drown the bum in teh off chance that he might propagate!

Lastly, I have tried unsuccessfully to send emails to Fast Money. I love the concept of the show; love the traders; love the guests. Now, get Dylan Raddigan to shut up and let them talk so I can learn something...... Once again! I don't give a rats ass what Dylan would do, how he would fix the world or what issues have squirmed up his posterior, causing him discomfort. Let the traders talk. He's a moderator, not a Larry Kudlow wanna-be!

And 'Fast Money' - Fix your email system.

jegan

2008 Dec 12 04:29 PM

[markb:]

Couple more obscure faves:

1. Courtney Reagan smiling through her news delivery no matter how bad the story including people killed.
2. Erin Burnett yelling at Brian Westbury for daring to suggest that mark to market accounting should be revisited.
3. Joe Kernan observing that the Barbie he is playing with doesn't have underwear just before he interviews the head of Mattel.

2008 Dec 12 04:58 PM

[John Muforza:]

To mindlessly watch any commentaries or some of the fixtures on
CNBC that have been breaking news every few seconds about
an armagedon they have finally seen that eluded all of them at
Dow 14198, is juvenile. John Kennedy once said that the time to
repair the roof, is when the sun is shining. Think of CNBC as a
jack-leg roofer shouting at you in the middle of a rain storm from
the top of a roof you already know is leaking because you are
soaking wet if you tune in looking for them to appease all of
your senses. No one is more annoying over there than Cramer
but you must admit that at the end of the day, CNBC is still the
best at what they do, less the shenanigans. How else can they
sell commercials?

2008 Dec 12 07:37 PM

[kurt walter:]

CNBC treats the markets like a football game on TV. Pre-game show, then announcers talking about events moving stock prices up and down. You get so-called "experts" talking, pumping up or talking down investments. Conflict of interest? Of course. Then the post game shows wrapping up the days activities. Remember the hype is used to sell advertising so GE can make some money. Treat CNBC as a football game. Don't get too crazy about the talking heads. Their opinions are free and nd worth about as much.

2008 Dec 13 04:01 PM

[Sigmax:]

Look at the CNBC website and the bios of the talking heads. The cast majority of have non-financial college degrees and never worked in finance. Yet they are all now experts? Pontificating about the markets, writing books, telling theirlisteners what to do with their money.
PLEASE!!!!!

2008 Dec 14 07:06 PM

[rogerk2:]

CNBC died when they "retired" Ron Ensana and Sue Herrerra, the last of the "serious" and knowledgeable anchors. The replacement "first string" players are all actors, not analysts or even financial reporters. They only know what's rolling by on the teleprompter. They don't even listen to what their guests are saying, as evidenced by the number of times they interrupt to ask a question the guest already answered.

The "second string" down in the pits are probably at least reasonably competent reporters, although they only get 10 seconds each to give you all the news you're really interested in. All the new "politically correct" additions are unintelligible idiots. Am I supposed to understand someone with a heavy accent who blasts out 500 words in ten seconds without even taking a breath?

I haven't been able to watch CNBC for more than a few minutes at a time in over two years. Every time I turn it on, I get pissed all over again and switch out. I don't watch Fox news; too much like CNBC. I put both of them in the same league as Oprah for providing objective news.

I pay extra to get Bloomberg on my cable. My major concern there is the ads. They play the same ones over and over. You're lucky to get two minutes of news for every two minutes of ads. It almost seems like they spend more time telling you what's coming up after the break than they did on the last news story. I usually leave the sound off and just watch the news ticker.

One thing to remember about all these channels: they're not in the news business, they're in the advertising business. That's how they make their money. It's all about getting and holding eyeballs. CNBC and Fox seem to be focused on younger, upwardly mobile trader-types whom they expect to have short attention spans and want instant gratification. Bloomberg seems to relate more to serious (older?), long term types interested in the broad picture and understanding the trends.

Quite frankly, I haven't made any hot trade money from any of these channels. The closest I've come is to short whatever Cramer pitches, since lots of sheep buy high on his recommendations and then bail when they realize they got in way too late. Cramer keeps telling them, don't buy today ... but sheep are sheep.

Just my own personal opinions.

2008 Dec 14 10:38 PM

[tomjonessti...:]

Most of the lists are right on the money. Here’s some additional.

I generally like Erin but someone tell her to quit over using her hand expressions. Gosh, they don’t stop. I watched her interview Condoleezza Rice and she looked silly.

Someone tell Rebecca Jarvis to stop smiling over everything and anything whenever on camera. Lots of business news is serious and not fashionable.

Someone please tell a producer that yes, there is a limit on how many times one can hear the same thing over and over before going total nuts. The over hyped nasal announcer says the same thing hundreds of times a day. “CNBC news NOW. Can the gyrating music ever change? If CNBC is really first in business do they have to say it over and over again?

Finally can we stop with the silly names before everyone’s real name? The brain Faber, Ernesto the magnificent, etc.

2008 Dec 15 01:50 PM

[HariK:]

CNBC the only game in town. Bloomberg not much better. Is this the best the USA can do??? Kudlow has to be the dumbest pantywaiste around, but fortunately some of his guest have a clue.

Jan 08 10:16 PM