Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Carlson GONE From CNN;Klein Pouring Water On Crossfire?
Source: Miami Herald (free registration required) 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.
"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.
UPDATE: Tv Newser reports: CNN president Jonathan Klein traveled to Atlanta on Tuesday to pitch an 11pm program hosted by Carlson. Jim Walton vetoed the proposal, because the Lou Dobbs repeat at 11pm is a major moneymaker for the network.
# posted by ATN @ 5:19 PM 
