Carlson & 'Crossfire,' Exit Stage Left & Right (CNN also cancels Capital Gang)

Wash Post ^ | 1/6/04 | Howard Kurtz

[Cableguy]

The network also plans to end "Capital Gang," the long-running Saturday night panel show created by Novak, later this year.

CNN, which lost the services of conservative pundit Tucker Carlson to MSNBC yesterday, immediately signaled plans to get rid of his former program, "Crossfire," the 22-year-old shout show that gave birth to dozens of high-decibel cable slugfests.

CNN/U.S. President Jonathan Klein sided yesterday with comedian Jon Stewart, who used a "Crossfire" appearance last fall to rip the program as partisan hackery. "I think he made a good point about the noise level of these types of shows, which does nothing to illuminate the issues of the day," Klein said in an interview. Viewers need "useful" information in a dangerous world, he said, "and a bunch of guys screaming at each other simply doesn't accomplish that."

CNN plans to incorporate "Crossfire" debate segments with the remaining hosts -- Democratic strategists James Carville and Paul Begala and conservative columnist Robert Novak, plus a right-leaning replacement for Carlson -- into the afternoon program "Inside Politics."

[withteeth]

CNN thought Crossfire was going downhill, so they added a studio audience and, literally, ringing bells and timed matches. To make it as clanging and obnoxious as could be. It was getting hard to watch and then it became impossible to watch. Funny, with the new format they cut it down to thirty minutes. I guess they knew people wouldn't be able to stand it.

Now, instead of restoring it they finish it off and act like debating shows are no longer popular.

Everyone quoted in this article seems out of touch with reality. Or is it just me? I mean, MSNBC thinks Tucker is a good catch??

Sheesh. Twenty years...

[withteeth]

I'm not watching it much either, anymore, but that's a shame Capital Gang is over, too. That probably deserves more comment.

During controversy, that hour long show could be very entertaining. People didn't talk over one another so much, (and you got to see Shields become so small and petty in his partisanship, it was a laugh).

I'll miss Kate O'beirn. I still miss Mona Charen.

Outrage Of The Week was a good feature.

On the up-side, Al Hunt won't be on my TV anymore...

[Texas Songwriter]

There is only one reason Crossfire is being canceled. RATINGS! That Mr Klein would make a multimillion dollar decision on the rantings of Stewart doesn't indicate that he is a capable manager of the company. He needs to make money for his company or he is going to be out of a job.

[Texas Songwriter]

Tom Braden is dead.

[Perdogg]

When did he die? I liked him, eventhough I didn't agree with him.

[StarFan]

When Crossfire invited Begala and Carville, and then changed their time slot, the handwriting was on the wall. I haven't watched Capital Gang in ages and suspect I'm wasn't alone so to both good riddance.

I sincerely hope Shields, Carlson or Hunt will NOT make their way to foxnews. It's difficult enough to cope with Geraldo, Colmes and Lanny Davis.

[CivilWarguy]

The new CNN shows will be balanced like CBS is balanced--bringing on a black Liberal to balance out a white liberal, a female liberal to balance a male liberal, a southern liberal to balance a northern liberal.

[StarFan]

LOL. I like the way you think.