The Best of America: Why I Watch CBS "Sunday Morning"

By Arnie Greenberg
Contact Arnie at
ultours@gmail.com

(This is not intended as a promotion of the show mentioned. It is an unsolicited article written by a viewer)

It's been a habit of mind for over 18 years. Once I began watching the late Charles Kuralt and CBS's hour and a half program Sunday Morning, I was addicted.

If I'm home or away, I try to save Sunday Morning for what I think is the best of TV. I say this as a veteran writer of over 1200 television shows for the CBC in Canada. Albeit what I did was for children, my addiction to Sunday Morning has to do with finding out what is new, current, often creative or worth learning about on television.

Since my retirement from teaching in a Montreal College, I began writing for a number of travel journals in Europe and California. I now lead tours to Europe but when I want to know what's current in the US I turn from my interest in far off places and realize that, beauty, culture, Art and down to earth information is available on this long running, entertaining show.

Still with a Professional Look

Unfortunately, the host, Charles Kuralt died ten years ago, but the show still has its professional look with the new host.

On each show I discover a new place to visit. Today it was the Sundance Film Festival, created by Hollywood's Robert Redfern. I realize now what a contribution Redfern is making to film production and acting. I now have Sundance on my travel list.

The show ends with pastoral pictures of natural places. A glimpse of the Presidential Mountains, Horseshoe Lake in Illinois, the alligators of Bull Island, South Carolina, Missouri turtles, Puffins of Maine or the Bears of Alaska or Arethusa Falls in new Hampshire make me realize how beautiful America is and how many places there are to see. Even a romantic historical look at Ellis Island was moving and in a sense, personal.

On a cultural or artistic level, I learned today of the new music sensation Regina Spector, who came to the States as a child from Russia.

Learning About New Art Forms

I learned too about Michael Kalish's new art form, which transforms old license plates into portraits of American icons.

The features on LadyBird Johnson or Beverly Stills were fascinating.
Once I watched a segment dedicated to Japanese painters who studied in Paris after WWI. Since it was part of a theme that I taught, I drove to New York especially to see that show. I was grateful to CBS, as I might have missed it.

That also goes on the feature on Paris Cafes, a city I know from years of visiting. I was also pleased to see La Vie En Rose reviewed. I too wrote a review in a California based web-site.

There's a tongue in cheek humor in the efforts of Bill Geist. I always find that he gets to the grass roots of America. I look forward to his offerings. Today he was Dining IN THE DARK and another time he went into the new concept of designer coffee or what he called Sexpresso. It's his boyish charm and devotion to the simple way of life that gets to me.

Today they turned to Billy the Kid and the Albuquerque museum. I added it to my list. I learned something as I also did with an item they once did on jukeboxes, Hershey bars, plastics, tattoos and movies like Sicko and Ratatouille. Interesting films but I'll pass.

I go out of my way to tune in now as always. That won't stop. I learn something new and I add something to my list of must go places in America.

For Beauty, There Is Much to See

For beauty, there is much to see and for understanding of the American landscape, heritage and social fabric, Sunday Morning is the best there is.

Accolades go to Charles Osgood, (even 'sans bowtie') a competent and informative broadcaster. He had been given a tall order when asked to fill Charles Kuralt's shows. He rose to the occasion. Bravo!

Over the past few weeks I was entertainingly exposed to a visit to the walk of Fame, museum tableware, an insight into Chicago, the world of Richard Branson, and even Tupperware. Add the hip designs of high fashion hotels like the Gramercy or a study of the magic of origami.

But the look at Ferrari and their sky-high prices really blew me away. I was impressed but maybe that's because I too drive a sporty red two seater. It's red but way below the Ferrari sticker price. But then again, General Motors made it.

Oh well, we can all dream of a better more interesting life. I do every Sunday morning from 9-10:30.

Sunday Morning starts with a fanfare by Gottfried Reiche performed by Doc Severensen over a changing sun image. It's the sight and sound that gets my day started.

I am often caught with a smile on my face and a notepad in hand.
Bravo CBS. Bravo Rand Morrison and his staff. THIS IS TELEVISION AT ITS BEST…