Eric Deggans
@edeggans.bsky.social
Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington&Lee U. Critic at Large, NPR. Blerd. Drummer. Author: Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation. Media bloviator.
Paramount wisely decided not to mess with what works, cutting a deal to keep Jon Stewart hosting The Daily Show on Mondays to December 2026. Best of all, we have few more weeks until someone writes another “late night TV is dying” story.
November 3, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Paramount wisely decided not to mess with what works, cutting a deal to keep Jon Stewart hosting The Daily Show on Mondays to December 2026. Best of all, we have few more weeks until someone writes another “late night TV is dying” story.
A Substack essay on how my time covering Bruce Springsteen in the '90s left me convinced the new film Deliver Me From Nowhere might have been more compelling if it focused on when he walked away from the E Street Band and toured as a solo artist. READ: https://loom.ly/Icv91bk
November 2, 2025 at 8:56 PM
A Substack essay on how my time covering Bruce Springsteen in the '90s left me convinced the new film Deliver Me From Nowhere might have been more compelling if it focused on when he walked away from the E Street Band and toured as a solo artist. READ: https://loom.ly/Icv91bk
When I told my journalism students MSNBC would soon be called MSNOW, they looked at me like I had said Ford was going to change its name to Poop. Deadline sez the name change is happening Nov. 15; gonna be an uphill battle to train viewers. DETAILS: https://loom.ly/bHvzR3Y
October 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
When I told my journalism students MSNBC would soon be called MSNOW, they looked at me like I had said Ford was going to change its name to Poop. Deadline sez the name change is happening Nov. 15; gonna be an uphill battle to train viewers. DETAILS: https://loom.ly/bHvzR3Y
My latest Substack essay explores a difficult question: How do you combat racism which doesn't admit it is about race? https://loom.ly/vttUMJU
October 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
My latest Substack essay explores a difficult question: How do you combat racism which doesn't admit it is about race? https://loom.ly/vttUMJU
The Augusta Free Press has a story on the 80th Ethics Institute I have organized for Washington and Lee University next month. We've got public events scheduled, including a keynote speech by Nightline co-anchor Byron Pitts Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. DETAILS: loom.ly/F-yiw8k
October 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The Augusta Free Press has a story on the 80th Ethics Institute I have organized for Washington and Lee University next month. We've got public events scheduled, including a keynote speech by Nightline co-anchor Byron Pitts Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. DETAILS: loom.ly/F-yiw8k
More computer nerditry: We've tweaked my personal website so it now features my most recent Substack posts, providing a handy repository for most of the work I do. Check it out, and let me know how it looks to you: loom.ly/vcHZaS4
October 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
More computer nerditry: We've tweaked my personal website so it now features my most recent Substack posts, providing a handy repository for most of the work I do. Check it out, and let me know how it looks to you: loom.ly/vcHZaS4
Despite whatever the new Trump-friendly leadership at CBS News is doing, 60 Minutes had a chilling, revelatory story on a top Dept. of Justice lawyer who says he was fired for refusing to support DOJ attorneys lying to judges in deportation cases. WATCH: https://loom.ly/VjKaJPk
October 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Despite whatever the new Trump-friendly leadership at CBS News is doing, 60 Minutes had a chilling, revelatory story on a top Dept. of Justice lawyer who says he was fired for refusing to support DOJ attorneys lying to judges in deportation cases. WATCH: https://loom.ly/VjKaJPk
As a tribute to Susan Stamberg, CBS Sunday morning re-aired its story on NPR's 50th anniversary, which featured Susan prominently. It also featured my commentary on NPR's need to increase its diversity, which I think rings even more true today. WATCH: https://loom.ly/11A_1ZY
October 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
As a tribute to Susan Stamberg, CBS Sunday morning re-aired its story on NPR's 50th anniversary, which featured Susan prominently. It also featured my commentary on NPR's need to increase its diversity, which I think rings even more true today. WATCH: https://loom.ly/11A_1ZY
About 30 years ago, David Sanborn had an amazing New Year’s Eve afterparty show, where he got together some of the baddest musicians to jam w/each other. This clip features late, great D’Angelo w/Sanborn - also RIP - Eric Clapton, Marcus Miller . WATCH: https://loom.ly/prLTQFA
October 18, 2025 at 1:57 PM
About 30 years ago, David Sanborn had an amazing New Year’s Eve afterparty show, where he got together some of the baddest musicians to jam w/each other. This clip features late, great D’Angelo w/Sanborn - also RIP - Eric Clapton, Marcus Miller . WATCH: https://loom.ly/prLTQFA
David Letterman - or whomever oversees his YouTube channel - was cool enough to post this grooving performance from the man, D'Angelo's first appearance on Late Night with David Letterman from nearly 30 years ago. RIP to The Master. WATCH: https://loom.ly/ftLumZc
October 18, 2025 at 12:25 AM
David Letterman - or whomever oversees his YouTube channel - was cool enough to post this grooving performance from the man, D'Angelo's first appearance on Late Night with David Letterman from nearly 30 years ago. RIP to The Master. WATCH: https://loom.ly/ftLumZc
After trading messages w/many readers, I pulled together a post on how to find trustworthy news sources. The bad news: It means a LOT more work for consumers. READ: https://loom.ly/lG92xgs
October 13, 2025 at 9:46 PM
After trading messages w/many readers, I pulled together a post on how to find trustworthy news sources. The bad news: It means a LOT more work for consumers. READ: https://loom.ly/lG92xgs
Couple of things from Nielsen's latest ratings report: Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black has over 1 billion minutes viewed on Netflix, yet I haven't seen much press talking about it. And BBC America's Canadian sci fi series Orphan Black, which ended in 2017, is ranked 7th overall.
October 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Couple of things from Nielsen's latest ratings report: Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black has over 1 billion minutes viewed on Netflix, yet I haven't seen much press talking about it. And BBC America's Canadian sci fi series Orphan Black, which ended in 2017, is ranked 7th overall.
My take on Substack exploring why trust in media outlets reporting is sagging historically, and why changes like CBS News is doing, putting Trump and conservative-friendly executives in charge of a traditional journalism outlet, isn't the answer. READ: https://loom.ly/2p_hMP0
October 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
My take on Substack exploring why trust in media outlets reporting is sagging historically, and why changes like CBS News is doing, putting Trump and conservative-friendly executives in charge of a traditional journalism outlet, isn't the answer. READ: https://loom.ly/2p_hMP0
After watching HBO Max's Peacemaker and Jimmy Kimmel hanging with Stephen Colbert an Seth Meyers in New York, I wondered: Can Hollywood actually band together to help resist America’s growing authoritarianism?https://loom.ly/2PdbkY4
October 2, 2025 at 9:58 PM
After watching HBO Max's Peacemaker and Jimmy Kimmel hanging with Stephen Colbert an Seth Meyers in New York, I wondered: Can Hollywood actually band together to help resist America’s growing authoritarianism?https://loom.ly/2PdbkY4
Today marks the first day in the 55-year history of PBS and 54-year history of NPR that public media has broadcast to its audiences without federal funding. But even though lots of local outlets are at risk, PBS and NPR are still here, providing fair, accurate news coverage and will not be silenced.
October 1, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Today marks the first day in the 55-year history of PBS and 54-year history of NPR that public media has broadcast to its audiences without federal funding. But even though lots of local outlets are at risk, PBS and NPR are still here, providing fair, accurate news coverage and will not be silenced.
Had a few thoughts about Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night, including a sense of the genre's power and the mistake of Sinclair and Nexstar executives keeping their affiliate stations out of the biggest broadcast event of the year. READ: https://loom.ly/npty8Yw
September 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Had a few thoughts about Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night, including a sense of the genre's power and the mistake of Sinclair and Nexstar executives keeping their affiliate stations out of the biggest broadcast event of the year. READ: https://loom.ly/npty8Yw
John Oliver delivered a typically searing commentary on Jimmy Kimmel's ouster by Disney at the behst of the Trump administration, noting to Disney CEO Bob Iger "history’s also gonna remember the cowards who definitely knew better, but still let things happen..." WATCH: https://loom.ly/aqQQiMk
September 22, 2025 at 7:09 PM
John Oliver delivered a typically searing commentary on Jimmy Kimmel's ouster by Disney at the behst of the Trump administration, noting to Disney CEO Bob Iger "history’s also gonna remember the cowards who definitely knew better, but still let things happen..." WATCH: https://loom.ly/aqQQiMk
The TV Critics Association has released a strong statement criticizing Disney/ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live, calling it “ a wanton disregard of the First Amendment’s guarantee…”
September 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The TV Critics Association has released a strong statement criticizing Disney/ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live, calling it “ a wanton disregard of the First Amendment’s guarantee…”
Just wondering: Why were there only two non-white performers featured as winners at the Emmys Sunday night? READ: https://loom.ly/DZAE0lU
September 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Just wondering: Why were there only two non-white performers featured as winners at the Emmys Sunday night? READ: https://loom.ly/DZAE0lU
I told a friend online that #Emmys host Nate Bargatze would probably restore money if long acceptance speeches drained the $100,000 he promised to Boys and Girls Club. At the end, he put in $250,000, CBS put in $100,000. A good idea that lost its punch halfway through the night.
September 15, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I told a friend online that #Emmys host Nate Bargatze would probably restore money if long acceptance speeches drained the $100,000 he promised to Boys and Girls Club. At the end, he put in $250,000, CBS put in $100,000. A good idea that lost its punch halfway through the night.
Take that Paramount! Stephen Colbert wins best variety talk series at #Emmys weeks after CBS canceled show. "Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it...my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately."
September 15, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Take that Paramount! Stephen Colbert wins best variety talk series at #Emmys weeks after CBS canceled show. "Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it...my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately."
Take that Paramount! Stephen Colbert wins best variety talk series at #Emmys weeks after CBS canceled show. "Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it...my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately."
September 15, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Take that Paramount! Stephen Colbert wins best variety talk series at #Emmys weeks after CBS canceled show. "Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it...my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately."
So cool to see Cristin Milioti bring theater kid energy to her #Emmy win as best actress in a limited series for The Penguin. She did amazing work that I never thought the TV academy would be smart enough to honor. "I love acting so much! Whoo!!!"
September 15, 2025 at 2:10 AM
So cool to see Cristin Milioti bring theater kid energy to her #Emmy win as best actress in a limited series for The Penguin. She did amazing work that I never thought the TV academy would be smart enough to honor. "I love acting so much! Whoo!!!"
Dan Gilroy wins best writing in a drama #emmy for his work on Andor. Seems like a good time to resurface a panel discussion I did with the writers of Andor a few months ago for the WGF to hear how he landed in the winner's circle. WATCH: https://loom.ly/T0yr-pM
September 15, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Dan Gilroy wins best writing in a drama #emmy for his work on Andor. Seems like a good time to resurface a panel discussion I did with the writers of Andor a few months ago for the WGF to hear how he landed in the winner's circle. WATCH: https://loom.ly/T0yr-pM
Owen Cooper wins best supporting actor in limited series #emmy for Adolescence. "I was nothing about three years ago, and I'm here now." It was his first professional acting role and he killed it. Pun intended. 15 year old is also youngest winner in this category.
September 15, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Owen Cooper wins best supporting actor in limited series #emmy for Adolescence. "I was nothing about three years ago, and I'm here now." It was his first professional acting role and he killed it. Pun intended. 15 year old is also youngest winner in this category.