TV debut ... Brian Williams, left, interviews Chelsea Clinton. Credit:AP "Rather, what was surprising to see on Monday night's show is how someone can be on TV in such a prominent way and, in her big moment, display so very little charisma - none at all," he wrote. "Either we're spoiled by TV's unlimited population of giant personalities or this woman is one of the most boring people of her era." The blog Politico.com called her nervous, The New York Times said she was self-conscious and Newsday called her delivery "monochromatic". After the report, Clinton sat down with Williams to talk about her intentions for becoming a "special correspondent".

Famous father ... Bill Clinton was interviewed by his daughter Chelsea about his latest book, Back to Work, in November. Credit:AFP It was, she said, an idea that came from her late grandmother Dorothy Rodham - who urged her to embrace her public persona. "For most of my life I did deliberately lead a private life and inadvertently led a public life," she told Williams. "[My grandmother] recently had been cajoling me and challenging me to do more with my life, to lead a more purposely public life, that being Chelsea Clinton had happened to me and that I had a responsibility to do something with that asset and opportunity." The logic behind these intentions also faced criticism.

Either we're spoiled by TV's unlimited population of giant personalities or this woman is one of the most boring people of her era Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times wrote: "It's a noble sentiment, but it doesn't make a lot of sense - because of her last name, there are plenty of ways to do good works and publicize worthy causes besides becoming a television newscaster." Jena McGregor, a columnist for The Washington Post, also suggested Clinton's turn as a TV correspondent was not the wisest career move. "If Clinton really wants to lead more of a 'purposefully public life', my guess is she could have more of an impact by doing good herself than by sharing stories about others doing the same." It wasn't all bad, though.

Stanley conceded that, while Clinton's voice wasn't broadcast-quality, some viewers might find this refreshing. "Ms Clinton is a little self-conscious on camera and doesn't have the kind of richly modulated anchor voice most television reporters acquire, but that actually gave her piece a more natural feel - like a video blog on Current TV," Stanley wrote. The Los Angeles Times called her voice "smooth and pleasant", and said that, if journalism doesn't work for her, "she may have a future in voice-over". Newsday's Verne Gay offered her some advice, noting that for all her experience in the public eye, this was her first effort at reporting. "Work out the kinks. Master the craft. Learn what it really means to be a reporter. Hopefully, in time, she will."

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