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Clooney slams dumbing tv { February 10 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52916-2003Feb10.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52916-2003Feb10.html Clooney Slams 'Dumbing Down' of U.S. Television Reuters Monday, February 10, 2003; 4:19 PM BERLIN (Reuters) - TV actor turned film director George Clooney slammed what he called the dumbing down of U.S. television Monday, saying it was dangerous that people's misery had become a source of entertainment. Clooney, who rose to fame with his leading role on the long-running TV hospital series "ER," was in Berlin to promote his directorial debut "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," a film about 1970s game shows in the United States. Clooney said he was concerned about current trends among U.S. television networks. "People's misery becoming entertainment, that's what's dangerous. And that seems to be the place we're going. I worry about television," he said in reference to talk shows, game shows and reality TV which made fun of ordinary people. Clooney, 41, who said he grew up on a TV set working the autocue for his father's game shows, said the dumbing down had also affected news coverage in the United States. "We have decided that news is entertainment. It's hard to find good news," he said. Clooney's film tells the story of U.S. game show mogul Chuck Barris, who claimed he worked as an undercover CIA assassin while hosting programs such as "The Gong Show." The 1970s hit invited ordinary people to perform in front of a cheering or jeering audience. "Chuck Barris started with that: Making fun of people on TV. But that was still sweet. It's losing its edge now," Clooney told reporters in Berlin. The actor said he had enjoyed his directorial debut of "Confessions," which features stars like Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts. "It was good fun bossing Julia Roberts around," said a smiling Clooney, who also played one of the main characters. "I had great fun. But it wasn't because I was dissatisfied as an actor," he added. © 2003 Reuters

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