shempzine Review of The Insider

The Insider (2004–2017)

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse...

[1/10 · 31 December 2005]

I really hate this type of show. I blame them for creating a population of morons who equate big budgets, box office numbers, and Nielsen ratings with actual quality. Of all of them (ET, MTV "News", EXTRA, and their ilk), THE INSIDER has to be the worst. Their so-called exclusive interviews are hardly exclusive (ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT runs in the same time slot here and if I flip channels, I almost always see the exact same story). They milk stories to death (I swear they've run the same Richard Pryor interview every week since the series began). In what was already a show filled with puff pieces, insipid happy talk, and maudlin insincere sentiment, they bring in... KATHIE LEE GIFFORD! Just when I thought we were finally rid of that talentless phony, she's back on TV everyday. Pure torture. If you value your brain cells, don't watch this.