Here’s New York Magazine’s take on this extraordinary video tribute produced by Disney’s ABC to the overlooked hero of the 9-11 tragedy — CEO Bob Iger who deserved to be honored because he once lived in New York and knew a fireman who was at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. 2001 and survived.
“While New York used the tenth anniversary of 9/11 as an opportunity to
once again praise the bravery of police officers, firefighters, and
regular folks who gave their lives for others, Disney sent its employees
– and posted on the website of ABC News — a sappy video tribute to …
Disney CEO Bob Iger, in commemoration of Disney’s $5 million
contribution to the 9/11 memorial. A Disney spokesman says
the video was produced for a dinner that honored Iger, as well as “the
jury [that picked the memorial design] and Sharp Corp. And everyone had a
video and that’s what this was for.” Okay, fine. But was there a reason
the video had to be this schmaltzy? At one point, Diane Sawyer, who
probably didn’t have a choice, says something that sounds like, “He’s a
great leader, it’s a great gift. Let’s just say what it really is:
Courage. Future.” What does that even mean?”
Schmaltzy is the correct term for such a self-serving ABC video. I want t0 ask “Is there
anything Disney cannot do?”-
That was weird. Okay, they gave money and he knew a guy. Strange.