Overview
- A new Variety column argues Dokoupil has made himself the story during his first week, charging that the broadcast is mixing commentary with reporting.
- Reporting from Minneapolis on his fifth night after an ICE agent fatally shot Renée Good, Dokoupil closed with an appeal that credited both sides of the immigration debate and urged viewers to live with differences.
- The column characterizes the on-air remarks as a vague “final thought” lacking substance and contrasts them with the clarity expected of a nightly newscast.
- Variety also points to self-promotional and personality-forward moments, citing a Miami affiliate segment with hometown gifts, an emotional on-air display about exhaustion, and a light “salute” to Marco Rubio.
- Wonkette echoes the criticism, faulting the week’s tone and segments — including a high-profile interview and social-media-style bits — as emblematic of a personality-first approach.