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."

[Cableguy]

Another pro-Democrat show taken off the air. I am beginning to like this guy Klein.

[Bahbah]

" 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."

If he gets this he is making progress.

[norwaypinesavage]

I don't think that CNN ever figured out that people like me watched Crossfire only when it was the only place on TV to find a conservative point of view, even though I detested the yelling. Now that there are more elegant places to experience conservative viewpoints, I couldn't care less about Crossfire.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I hear you on that. Now CNN has to show some business smarts and find a way to save 100% of the $8M they pay Larry King each year. Hint....

[grizzly84]

"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."

LOL! Jon Stewart got Crossfire cancelled. Actually it's probably low ratings, but seeing as how Jon Stewart rips them and CNN President agrees, that's how it comes across. Funny stuff.

[NorCalRepub]

I think you are right on......I watched it in the early days but as time went on it was almost insulting to watch and you may not like Tucker but at least he and Bob Novak gave their rivals a chance to talk......Begala the forehead and Carville the devil interrupted to the point of the ridiculous..............Capital Gang wasn't too bad but all these debating shows were wearing thin......Wont miss Al "never change my haircut" Hunt either

[ken5050]

Of course , they donm't mention that the sharp frop in the ratings the last two years coincided with Carville and Begala taking the seats on the left...BTW..who's gonna replace Tucker, Ashley Banfield?

[kellynla]

Heck, I remember the originals, Tom Braden on the Left and Pat Buchanan on the Right...it was a pretty interesting show then...but now I don't even watch the Communist News Network at all...

[Carling]

Even more funny is that Craig Kilborn had roughly 700,000 more viewers on The Daily Show when he quit the show than Stewart has managed to attract.

[ken5050]

it's called "micro-segemented target audiences".

[bray]

CNN's intellegence rating moves up dramatically. Crosstalk was unwatchable. Christ-ie, never mind that laser dot on your chest, we really like your show! We love the way you never let Conservatives speak.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[Anti-Bubba182]

Glad to hear Capital Gang is going off as well. The market has spoken.

[ken5050]

could they please cancel Chris Matthews....

[OldFriend]

Not progress if he hires Dan Rather to make useful information available to the public.

[Bahbah]

"Not progress if he hires Dan Rather...."

LOL, no, that would not be a good move for the ratings, imho.

[Red Badger]

The only people who watched were Carlson's mother and people whose remotes had dead batteries......

[nutmeg]

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."

Ugh, I haven't watched Crossfire since they switched it from the 7pm to 4pm ET time slot. I admit I found it entertaining, but it usually made my blood boil. No way will I tune into Judy Woodruff's "Inside Politics" to catch Crossfire now.

My husband and I were in the studio audience of Crossfire once... the audience was made up of about 90% liberals. Every time we applauded some point a conservative on the show was making, the rest of the audience gawked at us like we were space aliens or something.

[kempster]

If a TV show falls off the face of the earth and no one was watching will anyone really notice it is gone?

[Seeking the truth]

Whatever happened to Ashley Banfield? Is she still on CNN?

[hinckley buzzard]

CNN has to show some business smarts and find a way to save 100% of the $8M they pay Larry King each year.

Nah, they need larry for the 32% of the adults who didn't vote, even in this election.