238 replies to this topic

[parrotslave]

Jon Klein out as CNN/U.S. President

CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein is leaving the company, the network confirms. HLN chief Ken Jautz will replace Klein at the parent network as executive VP of CNN/U.S., with CNN CMO Scott Safon taking over HLN.

The timing of Klein’s departure is strange, given that the new primetime lineup he helped design is yet to debut on the network. The first of those programs, “Parker Spitzer,” will premiere in early October. Piers Morgan will take over the 9 PM timeslot from Larry King early next year.

Edited by TWoP Howard, Oct 1, 2010 @ 8:06 PM.
Added quote tags

[cheeztoast]

Klein fired, Anderson Cooper gets a talk show and Rick Sanchez mouths off and gets fired. This has been a really good week for CNN! I HATED Rick Sanchez and I'm convinced they purposely tried to kill him on the air with the taser-ing and locking him in a car that is sinking. His smarm was overwhelming and might have been tolerable if he had more than 1/2 a brain cell to rub up against his helmet hair.

[BlueSapphires]

I never understood how Sanchez got his free-wheeling/batshit crazy show in the first place. He's WEIRD, and yes, smug and smarmy. And all over the place with "facts" - ruled mostly by his emotions. I used to watch in amazement. Not surprised the crazy finally hit the fan.

[legaleagle44]

Brought over from the Daily Show thread:

I wonder how long it'll be before Rick's a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars?"

It's funny that the original poster should ask that. Before the current season started, Rick was asking what everyone thought about the fact that Bristol Palin was doing the show. I half-jokingly tweeted him that I'd rather see HIM doing DWTS (which is true; I happen to be a big fan of Rick's, and I'd love to see him do the show) and told him to go for it. His response to me? "Just call me Twinkletoes!"

The idea of Rick doing the Quickstep or the Salsa? Delicious!

Edited by legaleagle44, Oct 3, 2010 @ 10:41 AM.

[Mary Jane Fields]

I watched Right on the Edge last night and I am still no clearer on what exactly the right wing/tea party agenda is or why the movement would be attractive to young people. All I managed to glean from the special is that the young women featured rely a lot on their youthful good looks and sexuality in the service of their 'cause'. And it was quite obvious from the get-go that Lila Rose, the anti-abortion activist, has acting aspirations. And as for the young men, all I got was that they have very impressive video editing and production skills.

I got no new insights as to what the conservative message is. They seem to be more concerned with getting in people's faces or putting otherwise unwitting people in compromising situations than offering a viable alternative point of view. They're like Merry Pranksters for the right. I wish they had gotten more into Andrew Brietbart's role in funding and mentoring these young people. Why was it necessary for him to be present when Hannah Giles was interviewed? Do the young people featured in the special have jobs? How are they financially able to travel and produce videos? And what is James O'Keefe's deal (who knew right wingers had dance moves like that!)? They could have done a whole hour about him alone.

[selhars]

Anderson Cooper is getting a syndicated talk show.

Any body know why he didn't just take or get the Larry King gig.
(Why he didn't want it? I can't imagine they wouldn't have given it to him.)

I mean really, you pick Piers Morgan for that slot, when you've got Anderson Cooper there?

What gives?

[AVorlon]

Buh bye, Rick Sanchez. He was a blowhard jounalist who was so full of himself that he wouldn't ever let anyone else complete a sentence before he had to butt in.
I’m glad that CNN is cleaning house by getting rid of him, and Lou Dobbs last month. Dobbs used to be a good journalist, before he started devoting every hour to illegal immigration. One hour of that was enough, but every night is just way too much.

Speaking of people who only operate on one note, I’m hoping that Nancy Grace goes away, too..

Edited by AVorlon, Oct 5, 2010 @ 4:24 AM.

[braggtastic]

AC is keeping his nightly news show on CNN & adding a daytime talk show. I guess he has a better time subbing for Regis than I thought. Maybe syndicated talk shows are where the real money is (Oprah, Rosie) compared to basic cable.

[selhars]

Is there no Larry King thread? I've looked under talk shows and non-fiction news shows?

Oh well.

Larry King, poor thing. It's pitiful. His interview with Ricky Martin sucked.
King is so past his prime it's not even funny. I know he's leaving soon. But CNN let him hang on too long in teh first place They should have gotten rid of him years ago, when his LAST contract was up. But no...the chicken-hearted executives could think ahead to today.

And then King got too close to his 25 anniversary to let his go, which would have been unceremonious. So they keep him to get to 25 years so he can have a send off. Yuk.

I think CNN's ratings for King are down, and have been down for awhile.
His questions are so stupid and ignorant. He doesn't know squat about the people his producers book for the show, he doesn't know squat about headline stories. Why the fuck is he there?...making millions.

Can't wait to see how Piers Morgan does.

Edited by selhars, Nov 10, 2010 @ 12:49 PM.

[bj1968]

There used to be a Larry King thread in the talk show section. Let me go take a peek and try to find it...be right back.

ETA: I bumped the Larry King Topic to the first page in the talk show section for you selhars.

Edited by bj1968, Nov 10, 2010 @ 5:38 PM.

[BW Manilowe]

selhars said:

Larry King, poor thing. It's pitiful. His interview with Ricky Martin sucked.
King is so past his prime it's not even funny. I know he's leaving soon. But CNN let him hang on too long in teh first place They should have gotten rid of him years ago, when his LAST contract was up. But no...the chicken-hearted executives could think ahead to today.

And then King got too close to his 25 anniversary to let his go, which would have been unceremonious. So they keep him to get to 25 years so he can have a send off. Yuk.

I think CNN's ratings for King are down, and have been down for awhile.
His questions are so stupid and ignorant. He doesn't know squat about the people his producers book for the show, he doesn't know squat about headline stories. Why the fuck is he there?...making millions.

IMHO, the Ricky Martin interview was probably bad (I didn't see it because CNN isn't coming in on my cable right now & I haven't had the repairman out to fix it so far) because Ricky Martin is gay, his book dealt with--among other things--coming out, & I don't think Larry King fundamentally understands the concept of homosexuality/lesbianism. He just doesn't ever seem to get why 2 men or 2 women would be attracted to each other rather than the opposite sex. None of his interviews I've ever seen with public figures who are gay/lesbian (or for that matter his interview with the cast of Queer As Folk, when that show aired on Showtime), or dealing with some topic relevant to the LGBT community, have ever been that great. I don't know if he's just ignorant (or something) or if it's because he's such a "serial monogamist"/much married IRL that it's really foreign to him.

I agree that keeping him on this long probably had to do with the realization that his 25th anniversary with the network was coming up, especially in this contract cycle. And that's fair, on at least a certain level/certain levels, because when Larry King was good at his job, he was REALLY good, & that should be remembered. I used to love the idea of my favorite entertainers/public figures I was interested in going on his show, or topics I was interested in being discussed on his show because I knew the interview/discussion would be good. Now, not so much. Especially when he can no longer pronounce a guest's name correctly or even remember the name from segment to segment when he reintroduces the guest to the viewing audience.

I don't know that "his" questions are actually thought up by him, or if they're thought up by a producer for the show/guest segment. In any case, I agree that they're no longer the kind of questions, or interviews, they were when his show started.

To put things somewhat in perspective, however, Larry King's been in what could perhaps be called "declining health" for awhile now. Among other issues, he's had numerous cardiac issues (which also involve the circulatory system, of course) necessitating surgery/other invasive procedures such as angioplasty, & also surgery a few years ago to improve the blood flow to his brain. I believe he's also diabetic, probably among other health issues he deals with. I think his cardiac/circulatory issues perhaps have a bearing on how sharp & aware he is in his interviews these days. And, when they became such an issue for him, then he should've packed it in gracefully, not become a professional shell of his former self on (inter)national television.

[vb68]

Especially when he can no longer pronounce a guest's name correctly or even remember the name from segment to segment when he reintroduces the guest to the viewing audience.

But that's nothing new. I remembering him fumbling over "Lisa Kudrow" several years ago in a memorably awkward interview with the cast of Friends.

Can't wait to see how Piers Morgan does

Really? I have absolutely no desire to watch the show with him. I can't figure out why CNN was so very eager to get him. I mean, if I had to think of 100 possible people for the job, he wouldn't be anywhere near the list. It is kinda humorous that Larry basically admitted he was pushing for Seacrest. While I wouldn't like that either, at least I could understand it.

[selhars]

(tongue PARTLY in cheek (smile) Why oh WHY didn't Anderson Cooper take this show! But NOOOO he wanted to not be tied down to a nightly talk show he wants to keep doing NEWS!
AC would be PERFECT for this show and time slot. He's intelligent, can do news interview and a celeb interview just as easily. And he's young so he could stay in the slot for years, and be a stable slot for CNN at night.

But since my dear ANderson didn't want it...that left a quandry...who COULD do it?

I'm curious as to how people think of Larry King's show. I think of it as a news-oriented talk show -- or maybe 'headline oriented' (whatever that means.) Sort of what "Nightline" was but also with a lot of 'celebrity' guests as well. (Come to think of it does Nightline even DO hard hitting interviews any more or is it ALL taped pieces?)

So the LKL spot -- prime time on CNN -- needs a host who can do a good news interview -- and know enough about pop culture to no be a dolt.

For news interviews, was Larry King EVER really prepared and did he ever know what he was talking about. Maybe it's my nostalgia looking back on it -- but I think I do remember when he did 'know his stuff' when it came to a news interview. Not that he was ever Time Russert, but I think LK at least had enough info or knew enough to challenge a guest SOMETIMES when he/she said said that was out and out stupid -- or am I just making that up?

So who could -- or who should have gotten that prime time show?
- Ryan Secrest -- could he interview a political candidate, or Sec. of State?...please.
- Piers Morgan -- if only because he's older -- should have a bit more 'gravitas' and historical knowledge about certain topics. BUT, he's British so maybe won't have all the U.S. cultural thins you know just by growing up here and BEING American.

Ideally I'd like to see a Tim Russert who ASLO would be able to to a celebrity interview.

Plus, you mean to tell me NONE of CNN'S news people wanted that slot? They could still interview major newsmakers, but would have a stable schedule and not have to schlep all over following stories.

Anderson, please reconsider!

[junemeatcleaver]

I still can't get over CNN's choosing Piers Morgan, of all people, to replace Larry King. In the US he's only known for Celebrity Apprentice and America's Got Talent, and in the UK he doesn't have the best reputation. Who's going to take him seriously interviewing politicians and other newsmakers? And honestly, from the little I've seen of Piers's celebrity interviews, I don't care for his interview style at all.

I know anyone is a step up from the Larry King that we've seen in the past 5 to 7 years, but Piers Morgan? He may surprise me, but I can't see this doing anything but crashing and burning.

[bj1968]

What about David Shuster taking over LKL? I've only really seen him subbing for Keith Olbermann, but I liked him. And since he will be working for CNN after his contract is up with MSNBC, then he should be given a chance. Anderson would be my first choice too.

[vb68]

I know anyone is a step up from the Larry King that we've seen in the past 5 to 7 years, but Piers Morgan? He may surprise me, but I can't see this doing anything but crashing and burning.

Totally agree. I can't figure out what demographic they think they are going to appeal to with him. Rachel Maddow must be cheering. Of all the rumored names, I thought Katie Couric fit the blend of news, politics, and celebrity interviews the best.

[Your Grace]

You know I think I really hate CNN. I think they are terrible at what they do. Even putting aside their poor journalism and their election night pundit orgies I think I dislike their smug daytime anchors the most. I was watching a clip on CNN.com where they were discussing a Twitter hashtag where women tweeted about their abortions; there were a lot things that could have been discussed about the "whys/why nots" and "is it a good idea" but they pretty much smugly and with a lot of eye-rolling dismissed the whole thing and made sure to point out that the person who started the trend had a "dog in the fight" since she's an abortion rights activist. Their whole treatment of it stuck in my craw but I find it's somewhat typical of how they treat things that aren't straight news.

Edited by Your Grace, Nov 16, 2010 @ 4:46 PM.

[UnfamousLoser]

On the Sunday, March 13, 2011 edition of Newsroom, they just had Bill Nye the Science Guy explaining nuclear fission.

I don't know whether to think this is funny (Bill Nye the Science Guy explains the apocalypse!) or think this is fantastic. I'm leaning towards fantastic.

Edited by UnfamousLoser, Mar 13, 2011 @ 6:50 PM.

[whee whee piggy]

I don't know whether to think this is funny (Bill Nye the Science Guy explains the apocalypse!) or think this is fantastic. I'm leaning towards fantastic.

That's who that was! He was so familiar....

[applepie77]

What the hell is going on at American Morning? It's like anchor musical chairs, except for Kieran Chetry. I usually watch Morning Joe purely for the snark (you'll get no real news on that show, but plenty of trainwrecking antics) but since they repeat the 5am first 15 minutes again at 7am, I switched over to CNN to get an update on Japan. Yet ANOTHER anchor with Kieran and Kieran has this really annoying habit of cutting off interviews. She's horrible -- what happened to John Roberts? If CNN wants to improve their ratings, Kieran needs to go. Any way CNN can lure Bill Hammer from the dark side of FauxNews? I was a regular viewer until Hammer/Soledad O'Brien left.

Anderson Cooper is clearly the gold standard and I have been riveted by his coverage in Japan. The rest of the day? Not so much. No wonder why their ratings are tanking.

[FuschiaGoddess]

what happened to John Roberts?

He recently joined Bill Hemmer over on the dark side at Fixed News.

[kingofpoppa]

And I had high hopes for The Arena with Elliot Spitzer till they put on those 2 side kicks are totally obnoxious.

[tracyKAY]

What has happened to CNN? It's become FOX News lite. And that's not a good thing. That dark-haired girl that used to be on FOX is on now in the afternoon, and half the time when she is reporting on the Japan disaster I just want to slap her. The ineptitude. And late last night, something happened that never has before, at least not since I have been a viewer. On Piers Whateverhisname they broadcast the prebroadcast bloop when the newscaster is prepping himself. Man is Piers an amateur lousy newsreader!

[irvington]

I can't tell if this is just a West Coast phenomenon, but we are getting AC repeats 3 times in a row here in the evening. It seems very strange when there's so much happening in the world that CNN can't do anything but show AC repeats from 7 to 10 pm here. And Headline News is now HLN -- my poor husband just figured out that he won't get any news there. Now we're reduced to running NHK World through our computer.

[applepie77]

Irvington, we get repeats of AC too, but not until about midnight (Minnesota). Last week, when the Japanese tragedy was unfolding, CNN did go to their CNN International live coverage during the US overnight hours. It was great, since the nature of the coverage (which is in London, maybe?) was much more real time. AC 360 gets a bit stale after about 3 hours. CNN should switch to CNN International after their "primetime" (the quotes are for that trainwreck Piers Morgan) airs live.

And now, with pending nuclear problems in Japan AND the Middle East, esp. Libya heating up again, CNN International is well-suited to provide more real-time coverage around the globe, especially in the middle of the US night. Some of us who can't sleep or who are early risers would enjoy it. I also liked CNN International's anchors and the different (i.e. not US-biasd) perceptions they have of the crises going on.

I will check -- I do believe I have CNN International on my cable lineup, but just my digital. My bedroom and kitchen tvs are analog only.

And again, Keiran Chetry is shrilly and shrieky this morning. I do like her purple dress though (superficial comment).

[kingofpoppa]

Things have to be pretty bad when even CNN airs Beck's attack on Megan McCain.

[Southern]

Don Lemon came out, he is gay, good for him. Anderson you're next, probably wont happen.

Edited by Southern, May 15, 2011 @ 11:27 PM.

[vb68]

Anderson you're next, probably wont happen.

Isn't Don lemon promoting a book? So we have to wait for Anderson to write one, I guess.

[kingofpoppa]

In The Arena with Elliot Spitzer has been my go to show pretty much since KO left MSNBC and it's gotten better as it's be tweaked since debuting.
Elliot has handled the Weiner story from a neutral standpoint although it's pretty obvious he's made it clear to his guests he's not going to make any comparisons, judgement or give any advice.
He pretty much had a few awkward minutes with Dan Abramns yesterday when that's where Abrams was steering the segment.

[becca656]

Yes, Eliot would have to walk a fine line with this story (Hello Pot? This is Kettle!).

I am unfortunately stuck with CNN International this week during a business trip to Europe. Mostly pap pieces about a variety of international issues. Headlines on the half hour. Fits in with the stereotypical boring nature of European television.

However, I have been spared the hysteria of the Weiner's wiener story.