Buh-Bye Carlson

ontheEdgeof17 · #1 01-05-2005, 08:14 PM

NEW YORK - CNN said goodbye to pundit Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, and with him likely the "Crossfire" program that has been the granddaddy of high-volume political debate shows on cable television.

CNN will probably fold "Crossfire" into its other programming, perhaps as an occasional segment on the daytime show "Inside Politics," said Jonathan Klein, who was appointed in late November as chief executive of CNN's U.S. network.

Klein on Wednesday told Carlson, one of the four "Crossfire" hosts, that CNN would not be offering him a new contract. Carlson has been talking with MSNBC about a prime-time opening replacing Deborah Norville.

"I would host any kind of show for (MSNBC chief executive) Rick Kaplan," said Carlson, whose Friday night PBS show "Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered" resumes this week.

He said he enjoyed every minute working for CNN, but that he had told executives last April that he wanted to do something different from "Crossfire."

The bow-tied wearing conservative pundit got into a public tussle last fall with comic Jon Stewart, who has been critical of cable political programs that devolve into shoutfests.

"I guess I come down more firmly in the Jon Stewart camp," Klein told The Associated Press.

He said all of the cable networks, including CNN, have overdosed on programming devoted to arguing over issues. Klein said he wants more substantive programming that is still compelling.

"I doubt that when the president sits down with his advisers they scream at him to bring him up to date on all of the issues," he said. "I don't know why we don't treat the audience with the same respect."

"Crossfire" began in 1982 and was once a mainstay of CNN's prime time. Pat Buchanan (news - web sites) from the right and Michael Kinsley from the left were two of its most prominent hosts.

But as Fox News Channel perfected the format with popular hosts Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity, "Crossfire" lost favor among CNN executives and was moved to the afternoons in 2002. It averages 447,000 viewers each weekday, down 21 percent from the previous season, according to Nielsen Media Research. Carlson rotates as host with conservative columnist Bob Novak. Paul Begala and James Carville are the left-leaning ringleaders.

Klein said he hoped Novak, Begala and Carville would continue with meaningful commentator roles at CNN.

Carlson had one failed bid at prime time on CNN with "The Spin Room," which was canceled after less than six months in 2001.

He subbed last week for newscaster Aaron Brown as Klein wanted to see him in a different role before making a decision about his future. Klein said his views on wanting to change the tone of political coverage were separate from the decision to keep Carlson.

"His career aspirations and our programming needs just don't synch up," Klein said. "He wants to host his own nighttime show and we don't see that in the cards here. Out of respect for him and his talent, we thought it would be best to let him explore opportunities elsewhere."

An MSNBC spokesman had no comment on CNN's decision.

"We think Tucker is a great journalist and we're exploring our options for a new 9 p.m. show," said MSNBC's Jeremy Gaines.

dissention · #2 01-05-2005, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

"We think Tucker is a great journalist and we're exploring our options for a new 9 p.m. show," said MSNBC's Jeremy Gaines.

I didn't know his hackery could even be called "journalism." He makes a living by making fun of little girls who are disemboweled by jacuzzi's, he's scum.

strandinthewind · #3 01-05-2005, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I didn't know his hackery could even be called "journalism." He makes a living by making fun of little girls who are disemboweled by jacuzzi's, he's scum.

He is snotty isn't he. Plus, his arguments have no logic to them - so good riddence to him - BUT - I like Crossfire and am sad to see it go.

gldstwmn · #4 01-05-2005, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

The bow-tied wearing conservative pundit got into a public tussle last fall with comic Jon Stewart, who has been critical of cable political programs that devolve into shoutfests.

"I guess I come down more firmly in the Jon Stewart camp," Klein told The Associated Press.

Snap! Oooh that smarts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

He subbed last week for newscaster Aaron Brown as Klein wanted to see him in a different role before making a decision about his future. .

And I shut it off as soon as I saw him.

Also, they should keep AC on in Paula Zahn's spot (they've been rerunning his show instead of Paula's late night which I've been wanting them to do forever). Can't any of them find a woman that's good on a news program?

strandinthewind · #5 01-05-2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Also, they should keep AC on in Paula Zahn's spot (they've been rerunning his show instead of Paula's late night which I've been wanting them to do forever). Can't any of them find a woman that's good on a news program?

I liked Paula Z. but lately she is completely uninteresting.

gldstwmn · #6 01-05-2005, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I liked Paula Z. but lately she is completely uninteresting.

She's pretty much been that way for me ever since she had that time slot.

bikerchic · #7 01-05-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

NEW YORK - CNN said goodbye to pundit Tucker Carlson on Wednesday

I can't stand him, he's an over grown boy

sunmaiden · #8 01-05-2005, 08:43 PM

Uggh that bow-tie!

strandinthewind · #9 01-05-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

She's pretty much been that way for me ever since she had that time slot.

I used to find her humorous. But, CNN has become unhumorous since the AOL merger. I mean Aaron Brown is a total snoozer

bikerchic · #10 01-05-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I liked Paula Z. but lately she is completely uninteresting.

Put her on "mute" when your watching her and you'll notice how often she tilts her head with everything she says, it's weird.

estranged4life · #11 01-05-2005, 08:49 PM

about anyone else but I pray my cable provider does away with both Faux News & MSNBC as it did CNN...Only show that MSNBC has that I can watch on a regular basis is the show with Olbermann, Otherwise I hit the mute button.

As for Faux News (Excluding Rita Crosby...I have a job perfect for her....Hehehehehe!!!) , They're about as entertaining as a "mongolian cluster f**k"!

sunmaiden · #12 01-05-2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerchic

Put her on "mute" when your watching her and you'll notice how often she tilts her head with everything she says, it's weird.

I'll remember that!

I only watch CNN in short snippets. I got oversaturation b/c my mom watches it 24/7

gldstwmn · #13 01-05-2005, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I used to find her humorous. But, CNN has become unhumorous since the AOL merger. I mean Aaron Brown is a total snoozer

I like AC and Lou Dobbs. And sometimes, ya just gotta watch Larry King.

bikerchic · #14 01-05-2005, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

I like AC and Lou Dobbs. And sometimes, ya just gotta watch Larry King.

I tune into Larry King every nite just to see who's on, if it's someone trashy, then I'll watch

SuzeQuze · #15 01-05-2005, 10:23 PM

No more "partisan hackery"!!!

I will forever love JS for that remark. Remember when he had his MTV show and left and had no career for years? I saw him around that time at a club in Boston doing stand up and he was hysterical. Chain smoking, f-bomb dropping, filthy, funny effer. Look how far he has come, hehe.

We'll see where Carlson surfaces, bleck.