Saving CNN

NY Post ^ | August 13, 2012 | MICHAEL SHAIN

[Qbert]

Late night and reality shows in works at news channel

Suffering its worst ratings in 20 years, CNN is going Hollywood.

In the past few weeks, the No. 3 cable news channel has started seeking out reality-show ideas and big-name stars not afraid to talk politics. They have even begun working on a late-night talk show, The Post has learned.

Convinced that its current programming badly needs updating, CNN execs have been making the rounds of Hollywood’s top talent agencies — something entertainment networks do several times a year but a first for the old-line news channel.

In a series of conference calls, the network has also been soliciting ideas from the same producers who supply reality shows to channels like Bravo, Discovery and History, according to sources.

[Qbert]

The reality shows should be quite a change from the fictional news they usually present.

[Snickering Hound]

CNN has not ruled out bringing back "Manimal".

[ThunderSleeps]

You’re right. Even as scripted, edited, and spun as the “reality” shows are, they would be a significant step closer to truth than the usual drivel coming from the MSM. However, going for acting talent may just be a final admission that it isn’t really news, all just show...

[Big Horn]

I don’t even know if I can get them.

[cumbo78]

Here’s a suggestion. Try journalism. Straight forward reporting of the news of the day with serious investigative reporting and analysis by well informed, well repsected observers......if there are any left.

[fuente]

Let me save them some money. Practice fairness. If you have someone one from the left, then have their EQUAL on from the right. Practice journalism using both sides of the arguement. Present both sides FAIRLY. It is OK to show opinions. It is not OK to dress them up as a straight news piece. Hire an editorial board of those from the right and the left and equally spaced from the center. Better yet, have the analysis on the news reflect such.

[clintonh8r]

“At Home With Anderson Cooper And His (soon-to-be-ex) Boyfriend”

[jmacusa]

I think you may have inadvertently hit on something there. There are and have been tv series about fictitious news shows and/or networks but here they could keep doing just what they've always been doing only use real actors and call it a prime-time drama.

[barmag25]

CNN is done. Hit the lights and lock the door on the way out Anderson.

[ReformationFan]

Manimal was a more accurate depiction of reality than what now gets aired on CNN.

[clintonh8r]

How about leave out analysis and opinion althogether....A return to the old CNN Headline News, but in more depth with longer stories, and covering much more than politics, entertainment and crime....increase foreign coverage where all the other networks are cutting back because of costs. That would be a real news station that I would watch.

[scooby321]

Hire Glenn Beck Back is your only chance

[I still care]

Manimal? Don’t you think that the comparative reality shown in “Manimal” will make CNN’s news stories seem even more fanciful by comparison?

Whenever I see a CNN “news” story, I always wonder, what planet they are living on. Because they certainly don’t think like anyone where I live, except perhaps an relatively uneducated urban center.

[Graewoulf]

” - - - CNN execs have been making the rounds of Hollywood’s top talent agencies — something entertainment networks do - - - “

HEY, CNN! Why not try a real news show?

You know, no talking over the top of guests,
only ask one question at a time,
be sure the audience fully understands the guests’ viewpoints,
do NOT argue the counterpoint with a guest,
and for the host: keep your damn opinions to yourself.

We will not waste our time if you throw your media gimmicks into an information-packed news hour, as every second that does not contain source information is a second wasted.

We watch the news to become better informed, NOT to be entertained!

Tick-Tock.

[Republican1795.]

Forget about saving it... put it out of its pain.

[CT]

Rush Limbaugh should buy it. And throw in another $10 for both Time and Newsweek!

[Qbert]

"CNN is done. Hit the lights and lock the door on the way out Anderson."

Yep. There's really no point to that channel anymore. Normal people either watch Fox or nothing at all, and moonbats prefer bug-eyed, frothing-at-the-mouth hosts who are a mirror of themselves.

[greene66]

I actually tried to give CNN a chance a number of times this past year, when FoxNews became such an embarrassingly unpalatable Rove/Romney GOP-E cheerleading squad (constantly trashing Newt, Perry, Palin, the Tea Party... anyone that didn’t worship at the feet of Mitt). But good grief, CNN was beyond horrid! Might as well call it the Gay News Channel, as I don’t know how anyone straight could stomach it.

Now I’ve almost entirely just given up on all the news channels. Rarely watch any of them. Maybe a half-hour’s worth per week at most. Funny, because I’d been a news junkie for DECADES, but somehow this election season has managed to totally kill that.

[barmag25]

I quit watching fox too. FR is so much better.

[DeFault User]

Ooo, oooo, ooooo..... I got it! A political comedy with a nod to retro:

The Odd Couple

Starring Anderson Cooper and Andrew Sullivan

Imagine the lines, "Anderson, you ignorant slut!";

"Andy, you pompous poofter!"