We don't want anything from the government but that furtive little fellow called the truth - which, by the way, they'll never give you - which you have to go out and find by talking to people.
Morley SaferRead
Reality TV is sleazy, it is manipulative. It is as momentary as anything in popular culture.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Reality TV is superficial and designed to manipulate viewers' perceptions.
In this quote, Morley Safer critiques the nature of reality television, suggesting that it lacks substance and integrity. He emphasizes how it serves to manipulate audiences and is indicative of the fleeting nature of popular culture, reflecting a disdain for content that prioritizes sensationalism over authenticity.
Themes
Reality TvManipulationPopular CultureSuperficialFleeting
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on media integrity, one might quote Safar to emphasize the need for authentic storytelling.
More from Morley Safer
All quotes βSome people, you have to grit your teeth in order to stay in the same room as them, but you get on and ask the questions you assume most of the people watching want to ask.
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So much crap passes as information that not only does the audience sometimes miss the distinction between news and crap, the editors sometimes miss the distinction.
Morley SaferRead
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