InObu - that note was sent to the FOLK-DJ list originally and it was an opinion from Rich Warren of WFMT, not attributed to Steve Rosenbaum, whoever that is.

While I am very suspicious of the media, this is a non-story. I would highly doubt that this was anything other than a techical snafu, nothing more.

As a former NBC employee, I am very doubtful that it was censorship, more likely it was just "live TV" and a resultof all the problems that go with producing a show like TODAY. If you were ever in that control room (master control is actually in another building), you would understand. The chaos that goes on with that particular show is the stuff that makes for ulcers.   More than likely someone wasn't hearing a cue and a hard break is a hard break - they have to hit it on time or alert affiliates in advance that it is being cancelled.    Breaking news is another situation, but NBC will hit every break they possibly can.

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard an on-air talent ignore a director and stage managers command, I would be very rich. The music is fed through an IFB into both Lauer and Robbins earpiece. If neither one gave an indication that they heard the music, then it was more than likely a technical snafu.

IF someone at NBC wanted to get Robbins off the air, they would have given Lauer a cue and the segment would have ended. The FACT that both Lauer and Robbins made no indication

IF someone was on the phone pulling the guest, you will certainly read have read about on Page 6 in tomorrows NY Post and Roger Ailes would have surely run with the story on FOX News Channel.   

As I said above, I am a former NBC employee, and I have NO allegiance to them. The reason I am so leary of this story is because there ARE numerous cases of REAL censorship, and if everyone were to jump on this non-story, then when a REAL issue arises, nobody will listen.   

Let's not become Chicken Little - wait until the sky actually is falling. The real villian in this case is the Baseball Hall of Fame, not NBC.

Ron