Satire sinks at Fox News 'Half Hour News Hour' cancelled

Variety ^ | Aug. 14, 2007 | Michael Learmonth

[tlb]

Fox News Channel is getting out of the comedy game, canceling its news parody "The Half Hour News Hour" after a 15-episode run.

Co-created by "24" producers Joel Surnow and Manny Coto, the show was an attempt to create a right-wing sendup of the news, a "Daily Show" for conservatives.

The first episode, which featured guest appearances by Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham, beat its cable news competition and drew 1.4 million viewers, which qualifies for hit status on Sunday nights on Fox News Channel.

But considerable buzz in the blogosphere and plugs on Limbaugh's show weren't enough to keep it around.

In a memo to staff, FNC programming chief Bill Shine said the skein could return in a different form. "We are considering ways to retool the show for future scheduling needs," he said. "There is still a chance you will see the program at some point in the future."

[weegee]

Don’t worry, Fox still has Bill O’Really; that program doesn’t speak truth so either it is satire or slander.

[NeoCaveman]

It was Ann Coulter, not Laura Ingraham.

Ann Coulter was Vice President.

Laura Ingraham was the doctor in the commercial for Oxy-Clinton.

[raybbr]

Too bad. I enjoyed that show, thought I didn’t get to watch it the last few weeks because my husband wanted to watch “Ice Truckers” on another station.

That's very revealing.

Personally I thought the show was bad.

[weegee]

Comedy Central is another product of Viacommie. The same company that runs SeeBS’ Fake But Accurate Evening News.

[Isara]

Thank you.

[Mr. Jazzy]

I think this decision to cancel is premature.

I really thought that they were starting to hit their stride. The first bunch of shows had moments of humor, but lately they made me laugh at just about every bit.

I will miss the show.

[HamiltonJay]

agreed.

[Joan Kerrey]

Fox News Channel is getting out of the comedy game,

---

I’ll believe it when Redeye is gone.
Jeez, what’s happening at FNC? I have to admit that I’m tuning in to CNN more often than ever before. Fox is losing it.

[iopscusa]

The few times I viewed the show, it was a real stinker, but only slightly less so than the smarmy Jon Stewart show...

[sarasota]

Same here. I simply can’t take Fox’s morning show. It’s all about the personalities...which aren’t interesting.

[4yearlurker]

Fox should give Dennis Miller a half hour show. He’s got to be better than Greta.

[Cuttnhorse]

I’m with you; I too thought it was bad; while there were moments of good humor, most of it was a yawner. I was hopeful it would be better...the idea is good and there is an audience for conservative humor, but this show didn’t pull it off.

[Kace]

It could’ve been better, it could’ve been worse. Either way, I would have preferred it on FX instead of Fox News.

[jennyjenny]

It wasn’t funny.

[Sneakyuser]

Ever notice how the word “canceled” is misspelled? Even by major news sources?

Just asking...

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Nothing will ever top Not Necessarily the News from the 1980s. Although the show took copious shots at the Reagan Administration, it was funny as heck!

[Badeye]

I thought it was pretty funny. Sorry to hear its going away.

[dellbabe68]

I thought it was hilarious.

[freespirited]

Bummer. I’ll miss the “commercials” mocking the ACLU.

[null and void]

The biggest problem is that news and parody are becoming indistinguishable.