The Journalism Set

Sometimes it's difficult to tell when a comment is a slight or a compliment. These two snotty reporters, the first from the New York Daily News who originally wrote the story and the second from MSNBC's gossip section, pick apart recent comments made by Rachael Smith, Miss USA.

The latest Miss USA, Rachel Smith, recently revealed how much she really doesn’t know at a Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network event, reports the New York Daily News. Speaking about her future plans, the seemingly-superficial Miss Smith said, “I always wanted to be a reporter — maybe some TV. Who knows? Some serious news — but some modeling, too.”

Resolute Rachel, who also described how she danced around in a hot pink Rocawear sweatsuit and her crown the night she won Miss USA, didn’t pontificate on how she intended to mix journalism with modeling. But the News reports that she was able to emphatically state, “I just don’t want to end up like Katie Couric. I want people to take me seriously.”

I happen to agree with the statement about Katie Couric. She was suited for the light-hearted Good Morning America where she was expected to discuss new trends in women's hosiery or whether flourless chocolate cake can go toe to toe with lemon squares. Her ratings were good, and people thought she was cute.

It's no secret that she's a complete disaster in her role as anchor. She has the lowest ratings of not only the three major networks, but she probably couldn't beat C-Span. She is biased, unprofessional and weak. That's fine. Many comedians can't hold their own in drama and there's no reason to think a good doctor would make an excellent astronaut.

Perhaps the 21 year old Ms. Smith did herself no favors in uttering the comment. But the tone these reporters take is fantastic: "She is way too dumb to be one of us." You've got to be kidding me. On the evolutionary chain, there are nats, then most artists, professors at Ivy League institutions, and next in line you have the majority of journalists battling it out with the Hollywood types.

There is a small core group of accomplished journalists on the left and right: George Will, Thomas Friedman, Christopher Hitchens or Bob Bartley types. Then there are the hacks, made up of folks covering Lindsey Lohan's latest DWI or Miss USA's first interview. Give Ms. Smith 10 years. She'll probably fit right in.

Then there is this little quip:

No problem, honey. According to a Couric representative, “If (Rachel Smith) continues to offer such profound insight, she will not have to worry about anyone taking her seriously.”

The Couric representative had an opportunity to stay above the fray and instead dove right into the pig sty. Wouldn't it have been nice to hear: "We wish Ms. Smith all the luck in her endeavors." Not from this group. Save the sarcasm for the political leaders, the Greenpeace operators and the over 30's. Leave the model/journalist/beauty queen alone for a while.