Posted on 01/05/2005 2:42:56 PM PST by Cableguy
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 reportedly been talking with MSNBC about a prime-time opening replacing Deborah Norville.
Carlson did not immediately return a call to his cell phone for comment.
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 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 for low ratings 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.
I don't think Tucker Carlson and Margaret Carlson are related. Imagine the kids...I mean, DON'T.
And millions upon millions of viewers have decided they come down more firmly in the FOX News camp rather than your sorry network.
Bub bye ratings means buh bye to your fat advertising dollar$ Klein.
Unfortunately, I knew who both of those shmucks are. But hey, at least Alan Colmes has a following....because Hannity is carrying the program! I'm guessing the only following Carlson ever had was the dog, when his mommy tied a porkchop around his neck as a child....so he'd have a friend.
You serious? I don't believe you'll find that Margaret Carlson is Tucker Carlson's wife.
Life is tough, isn't it?
I may be wrong, but I thought that Tucker had gotten his own show on PBS? Do you know?
Also, if he couldn't even take Aaron (I'd rather play golf than do the news) Brown's place, the way that Aaron does the news, he might want to find another vocation.
Novak is about as useless as Bowtie boy.
Dear God, that explains it! The Carville-Matalin school of sleeping with the enemy.
As for me, Clift is definitely worse. But it's close. They say pretty much the same dumb things but Clift comes off as a lot more shrill and scolding.
I simply don't watch TV news any longer. Never!
I am unaware of a PBS gig for Tucker....but then, I'm not a big fan of either!
I don't watch it..I only catch a glance when channel surfing..enough to remind me why I don't watch it.
She's his WIFE? I had no idea. I agree, btw.
Crossfire gives me a headache.
The hosts and those on many other similar shows have nothing to say that I'm interested in hearing.
Ahem..no one has remarked that just possibly the ratings are down BECAUSE of Carville and Begala..
If Hannity was on solo, MWF, and Colmes on TTh, solo..Hannity would have 20x the ratings..
I have been wondering this for some time. If Klein is serious, he may be on to something. How about a program in which something other than talking points were offered, people were allowed to finish their sentences, you had an interrogated of the caliber of Brit Hume (hard to find, I know), and adequte opportunity for rebuttle was allowed.
Can someone tell me why a bow-tie is so TOTALLY unattractive and geeky? I think it's possibly the geekiest thing ever invented. And yet, men wear them. Why?
If he agrees with Stewart that TV has become too confrontational, why is he not firing bombthrowers Carville and Begala?
Never did like Tucker; he looks like Willy Wonka with his bow tie. He might as well wear a purple suit and top hat, and sing songs about choclate. You can tell CNN hired this wuss in the first place just to make fun of conservatives.
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