Not Ready for Their Closeup

High-definition television displays everything in stunning detail -- too much detail for some TV personalities.
Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, Meredith Vieira, Brian Williams
A high-ranking ABC executive told the TV technology website TVPredictions.com that it's common practice for networks to soften their HD image (sometimes by using specially-made HD camera filters) to make their talent look better. "For years, we've softened the image for certain performers," the executive said in an e-mail to Phillip Swann, President and Publisher of TVPredictions.com. "To do so in HD is just a continuation of that."

Readers of TVPredictions.com complained on the site's message boards that shows like "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," "Good Morning America" and "Today" don't look as good as most HD programming -- presumably because of covering up the flaws of their hosts. "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric" has yet to go the HD route. Swann has referred to her as "not HD-friendly." Ouch.

Tags: brian williams, BrianWilliams, diane sawyer, DianeSawyer, high-definition, katie couric, KatieCouric, meredith vieira, MeredithVieira

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1. Just another day in Hollywood

Posted at 11:38AM on Apr 10th 2007 by Madonna

2. Your pix are extremely sexist!!! The women look awful, but the pic of Brian W. looks normal!?!

You are losing credibility by the minute, TMZ!

Posted at 10:54AM on Apr 10th 2007 by Susan

3. cool,improved technology is lot's of these people in television land worst nightmare

Posted at 11:03AM on Apr 10th 2007 by studly

4. Is it just me or does Diane Sawyer look a little like Courtney Love in that pic?

Posted at 12:26PM on Apr 10th 2007 by Jennifer

5. @Susan: No they're not! Brian's just gorgeous like that. Deal.

Posted at 11:37AM on Apr 10th 2007 by Chris

6. Yeah, What is the deal with that pic of Diane Sawyer? Come on TMZ. She looks great in person!

Posted at 1:15PM on Apr 10th 2007 by JW

7. If you think this is bad, you should see our local newscasters. Scary!

Posted at 1:23PM on Apr 10th 2007 by Sam

8. TMZ chose the least flattering pictures they could find to illustrate the "story"... except of Brian Williams. Come on... that's not fair, and yes, it's sexist.

No one over the age of 50 can be expected to still have the unlined glow of youth. However, men seemingly are allowed to have aging skin, women are denigrated.

Posted at 11:28PM on Apr 10th 2007 by Mimi

9. I don't mind the extra make-up. I just hate when it stops at the jaw line--tacky!

Posted at 12:31PM on Apr 11th 2007 by dottie opera

10. Having paid big bucks for all of this new technology I want to see wrinkles and warts. Thank fully the Discovery channel doesn't share this idiocy of ruining the definition of their pictures.

Posted at 3:20PM on Apr 10th 2007 by my opinion

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Posted at 3:55PM on Apr 10th 2007 by day

12. free 42" HDTV worth £800
Just follow this link:
http://HDTV.Giveaway.co.uk/index.php?referral=198570 than signup to one of the

offers. i recommend the lovefilm because its free. Then put 10 films on your list.

you will get one delivered then send it back in a prepaid envelope. When your

offer is complete dont forget to cancel the offer before 14 days. It can take about

2 weeks for the offer to complete then refer some people and you get a FREE tv.

The referals vary depending on the tv you want you can also change the tv you

want at any time


Also doing the Lovefilm offer will alow you to rent a free dvd and there are lots of

movies to choose from

The offers are from big name companies so it cant be a scam

this is for the uk its not fake it even came on the BBC newsnight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwc597xh18k

if you dont understand what to do just email me at:
day_@hotmail.co.uk

(you will need a credit card to sign up any of the offers)

THIS OFFER IS FOR UK

Posted at 3:54PM on Apr 10th 2007 by day