Campbell Brown goes out with honesty and class.
No Bias. No Bull. The Real No-Spin Zone
After working in television since 1992, I have been on and off camera with so many '"talk, court and reality" personalities; some marvelous, some caring; most however eccentric and idiosyncratic.
People who have made a living by being fortunate one day and being discovered and seduced by a camera have a definite challenge at a path of truth and knowing what is "real and what is Memorex." After a while the lines become blurred in their minds; the viewers and even friends and families around them.
Are we authentic and caring or do we project these qualities and persona so that that people like us and raise our ratings our raised by this Machiavellian approach.
When I read about Campbell's departure from CNN today I felt sad. I also felt like she ended in the exact way, a person like her would go out. in an authentic, dead on, no spin, "no bull" way. One day, I met Campbell by accident. That was two years ago.
I really have to tip my hat to her and say to myself, your style works whether it is on camera or off works for me just fine. Too bad it now is off the camera. I would love to see ‘the good guys” win one day in television.
Having flown over 100,000 miles on Delta last year running a charity, I truly believe the adage that when one dies and passes way; we will be stopping in Atlanta at the airport as if it was purgatory. Atlanta Hartsfield-Airport became commonplace for me to find myself whether it was on Concourse A, B or C. I was there over the last eight years more than my own home in South Florida. At least, that is what my wife would say.
One day, as I was eating some very bad food in the food court, a man, women, and a blur of children walked by me. One women had little make up and big glasses seemed to be enjoying being a Mom and being with her family, even if it was the Atlanta airport. She radiated good vibes at the moment I looked at her.
I asked looked at her and asked "Campbell?” It was as if from watching her on television I could only use her firts name. In a very non assuming way, she looked at me and smiles. My next words were “I love your honest energy on NBC. Glad you are now at CNN.” Every time I saw her, I had hoped that the viewing public got the fact you are real and we so desperately need authenticity. .
We spoke and I left the situation with my radar saying, wow, I so hope she makes it because I so gravitated to her real energy; a mom, wife and newscaster who felt true. Television has a way of changing people. I remember when I worked on the Tribune Show Beyond with James Van Praagh and we did TV Aftercare™ for people who worked with him as a TV medium. James too was a wonderful and very authentic man, despite whether one believes in his work.No doubt would eat him up and spit him out.
He was a good person that really did not want to go to salacious and exploitive places for the “money shot.” That was the way I felt when walking away from her in the Atlanta airport that day. Your truth is pure and inspiring me but when you go up against the characters of Bill O’Reilly and Keith Olbermann, my fear was your truth would not be able to compete with TV’s drive for characters, explosive ideology and the “money shots.”
Whatever you do Campbell, your family is lucky to have your energy in guiding them the rest of their lives. The moments with me in Atlanta spoke volumes about your character. However, it all pales in the classy and honest way you are dealing with your departure from CNN. I wish truth and authenticity was the standard. You would be the American Idol of TV personalities. Thanks for creating the true":No Spin Zone."
Wherever we meet again; either on television or in the great “No Bias, No Bull” zone in the sky, it will be an honor and a pleasure.
Good Night and Good Luck! Thank you for being true to yourself and our fans by going out just the way I imagined you would go out; with honesty, integrity and “No Bull.”
