Would you believe that not only did Dan Rather — yes, that Dan Rather — deign to appear on an episode of D Magazine’s phenomenally popular podcast last year, but that he did so again this week? Not sure how we hoodwinked him and his grandson, Martin, into making another appearance at the Old Monk. Just glad that we did so because we had an entertaining surprise for the longtime network newsman.
A few notes before you give this episode a listen:
1. The Rather boys were in Dallas this week to promote the Rather Prize, which is a $20,000 award for an innovative educational idea in Texas.
2. The movie Truth, about the events that led to Rather’s CBS downfall, was released last fall. It garnered a 62% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes:
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3. Former CBS news producer Mary Mapes was profiled in the November 2015 issue of D Magazine and appeared on EarBurner previously, last October.
4. Dan Rather has not maintained a dispassionate stance regarding the candidacy of Donald Trump. In response to Trump’s comments suggesting gun owners could do something about Hillary Clinton if she’s elected, he took to Facebook earlier this month to warn:
To anyone who still pretends this is a normal election of Republican against Democrat, history is watching. And I suspect its verdict will be harsh. Many have tried to do a side-shuffle and issue statements saying they strongly disagree with his rhetoric but still support the candidate. That is becoming woefully insufficient. The rhetoric is the candidate.
5. Rather interviewed David Hasselhoff for AXS TV:
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6. I’d like to tell you that, since I’m no longer 6 years old, I don’t get jazzed anymore by the opening to Knight Rider, a show which ran from 1982 to 1986. But that would be a lie:
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7. At one point, Baywatch (1989-2001) boasted a weekly audience of 1.1 billion people:
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8. To see photos of the Rathers interacting with the show’s surprise guests, open the photo gallery at the top or bottom of this post.
Otherwise, it’s time to listen, which you can do in the player below, on iTunes, on Stitcher, or through your favorite podcatcher.
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