4 Responses to “Why is Michelle Obama's picture briefly popping up after commercials during Nightline?”

1. Mr. Toast said on July 17th, 2010 at 2:25 am

   It’s a network cutaway. Networks allow local stations or cable companies a certain amount of time (roughly 3 to 6 minutes out of the hour) to insert their own commercials so the stations can sell ad time to local sponsors during network shows. This is part of the agreement networks have with their local stations to carry their programs. The networks usually play either public service announcements or program promos during these times, so if the station hasn’t sold the airtime they don’t have to take the break (although in this case most stations will elect to take it anyway and insert a station ID and/or their own promos). The timing of this has to be exactly synchronized, and if the network and station’s time clocks are off by a split-second, they can rejoin the network a hair too late or too early and clip the end of the last (or beginning of the next) network event. Although a lot of big stations and cable channels are computerized, many other stations still employ master control operators whose job it is to switch off the network and play the local spots at the exact times called for by the program log, so human error is always a (large!) possibility.

   In short, what you are seeing is an unintentional screw-up, not any deliberate propaganda or subliminal message.

2. rejectedzipper said on July 17th, 2010 at 2:25 am

   No doubt Glen Beck will have a conspiracy to explain it.

3. Armchair Goddess #1 said on July 17th, 2010 at 2:25 am

   First Lady Michelle Obama has several projects upon which she has focused—one is a health issue regarding obesity in children that can lead to severe medical problems later on in life, and the other is encouragement for and assistance to military families whose loved ones are deployed in either Iraq or Afghanistan, or whose loved ones have returned home injured. First Ladies have always had projects of one sort or another, and the two that have been chosen by Mrs. Obama are excellent. Don’t be so skeptical—she’s a NICE lady with a high-quality intelligence and education who is compassionate in her dealings with others.

4. Little Glenn said on July 17th, 2010 at 2:25 am

   You’ll not hear her say the word cracker…
   example…
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxxZA3KUt_g

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