Here's your opportunity to tell us what's on your mind this week. Do you have an opinion on were Erin Burnett should be placed in the CNN lineup? Should Randi Kaye be named a permanent anchor on Newsroom? Should Piers be dumped before his contract expires? And if so who should replace him? Don't hold back, we want to know what your thinking.
The great Erin Burnett mystery continues. That is
ReplyDeletethe million dollar question about where she fits
in the CNN lineup.
CNN now has a cool open for TJ on the
ReplyDeleteweekend. Love it. Finally, some cool
production from CNN.
I am with the kids. George Strombo should be
ReplyDeleteon CNN at 9. I won't even attempt to spell the
last name. I wonder if CNN would let him be
Strombo ? Would CNN be comfortable with a
Sloan theme song. a greeting of 'it's your boy-
friend' and his fashion style. this guy is a real
talent. I am now going back to CBC/Strombo
to watch more episodes. I like the wide range
of guests and topics. Love the segments the
Debrief, Bio or if you go back to season 5,
it is the Setup & Mile A Minute. He has the
potential to be the NBT in cable news.
The hiring of Erin Burnett has been highly touted by CNN. To place her show in anything other than a highly coveted time slot would simply continue the long string of mistakes CNN has made in recent years.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, CNN has not elaborated on the focus and direction of her show, but unlike the last group of hirings, Erin Burnett is a proven commodity (isn't that why CNN hired her in the first place?)
I would place Burnett in Spitzer's time slot. This man has been a continuous embarrassment to CNN and to the viewers. Being a successful lawyer and politician does not equate to being a successful anchor on a primetime news network. His lack of journalistic poise and presentation is all too evident.
As for Piers, he should not have been hired in the first place. But unlike Spitzer, Piers is not offputting, he can be rather engaging. What will help Piers is simply "time" in the chair. The problem I have is accepting this obvious celebrity worshipper presenting hard news. When world disasters happen, CNN needs to bring in co-anchors with Piers to add crediblity. For example, you can't interview the popular but ridiculous Lady Gaga one day and interview a world leader the next day and expect to be taken serious.
I would vote to extend the contract of Piers Morgan. The one problem I do have is with CNN, stop replaying this show so often. Your viewers are not ignorant, the incessant replays will not bring in additional viewers, the replays only alienate the viewers you do have.
As for the slot Randi Kaye is currently occupying, confirming Kaye means Velshi is not returning. Velshi has a brilliant business mind and his "business show" is quite good. As for a news anchor, this man is beyond terrible. Kaye has worked hard and earned a confirmation, but... You have a journalist that has been thrust in the forefront ever since the Arab unrest. That journalist, Hala Gorani should fill that time slot with International/U.S. news that would be simulcast.
Wolf Bilitzer & John King from 4-7 makes sense.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I say put Erin on right before Wolf
but given the dire ratings for American Morning
maybe Erin Burnett & Don Lemon. Maybe CNN
should hire people like Toure as contributors
rather than political types. It would be great to
see writers and others be contributors instead
of just having a political pov. I hope before the
political season is in full swing that CNN will
not be too pundit heavy. Drop the talking heads.
I could see Erin Burnett hosting a news show
ReplyDeleteaimed at women but include all of the female
reporters at CNN from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
But don't give us Campbell Brown or Paula Zahn.
I think George could get those college kids from
Rachel Maddow. Rachel has been slipping a bit
lately. Her show can be boring sometimes lately.
Rachel seems to be running out of ideas. George
is slightly newsier than Jon Stewart.
Eliot Spitzer & Piers Morgan need to go. Time
will only make things worse for CNN.
CNN please bring George Mark Paul
ReplyDeleteStroumboulopoulos to your network.
Thanks.
@1:58PM:"You can't interview the popular but ridiculous pop star Lady Gaga one day, and then interview a world leader the next day and expect to be taken serious." Really?
ReplyDeleteAnderson Cooper expects it and does it, all the time.
Why can't Erin Burnette work with Ali Velchi?
ReplyDeleteThey both have the same backgrounds and it would relieve some of the viewer boredom with Velchi.
Erin does not need Ali Velshi. She is a smart
ReplyDelete& accomplished female. Neither Piers Morgan
nor Eliot Spitzer should be on CNN. Both are
gimmick hires. One because of scandal, the
other because he is on a reality tv show. CNN
needs to understand that it's viewers are not
idiots and treat them with respect. Nothing is
going to change at CNN because they are too
arrogant to admit these were bad hires. I have
a question : what is it that impressed CNN's
management about Spitzer and Morgan ? It
is not like any of them were making waves.
CNN oversold Piers Morgan & thought they
could market Eliot Spitzer and now they
think the can make Ali Velshi tolerable.
Not. The management can't be trusted to
fix things a CNN. They created the mess.
News people that have established themselves can deviate from one side of the interview spectrum to the other.
ReplyDeleteExamples would be Anderson Cooper and Larry King, both have established themselves as credible interviewers, so they can interview the ridiculous Lady Gaga and a world leader the next day and still be taken serious.
At this point Piers has not established himself as a credible interviewer, which is why at this point I can not take him serious when it comes to cold, hard news.
But when it comes to celebrities, he can be good. As I stated in a previous post, he should not have been hired. But now that he is there, I think he unlike Spitzer, there is potential.
Strombo is more like Tosh for me. The quote
ReplyDeleteat the top, the way he looks into the camera and
talks to viewers at the top of the show . Tosh
type raitngs/demo would send CNN's ratings
off of the charts. Strombo has DVR written all
over it. My favorite episode last week was the
cancer doctor and Donald Glover. I watch the
episodes each day. You guys should provide
the clip of episode 164 when he says he tries
to put together a show with smart conversation
in which you learn something. That speaks
volumes. I know I would watch him . I already
do online. Besides you could get 2 different
best of shows for the weekend by just editing
highlights from a week of shows. It would be
great if CNN had a show that would go viral
and clips of The Debrief being used by other
networks. The TV biz is a small world. CNN
likely knows about him. Strombo can get
people from all walks of life to sit in the red
chair. I say he beats TRMS and Hannity. It
is obvious that there is a drop off at 9. The
right show wins at 9 & with the demos that
are already there for 360 CNN might be able
to top FNC in the demo each night.At times
Strombo can curse but if they don't change
a thing CNN would have an instant hit.
Take a look at the ratings for ITA & PMT.
ReplyDeleteViewers have already made up their minds.
Morgan does not have interview or listening
skills. He mumbles and can't do live tv. Does
CNN really expect for their viewers to sit and
watch them for 2 hours. The problem for CNN
is that neither Piers Morgan or Eliot Spitzer
is generating positive press or reviews. If CNN
is going to make changes, they need to do it
now and not wait. I think CNN should try a
wide range of shows at 8 PM. Who says you
have to have a particular show at 8. Do like
the networks have a different show Mon-Fri.
Monday go with the women's show, Tuesday
a Nightlne, Wednesday a news show with no
anchor. Thursday a drama type show of how
the news plays out everyday in the CNN
newsroom. Friday a news show based on the
web and tech/digital news.
I don't think that Erin will be on CNN this month
ReplyDeleteas originally announced. The time slot she shows
up in will be interesting and will provide some
insights as to the direction CNN is moving. Erin
is a good hire for CNN given the networks recent
history.
You guys are aware that in Detroit you can see
Strombo. In some border towns and other cities
as well. So it is not like he is unknown in America
to some people.It would be great if CNN could
bring him to millions of more viewers in the US.
Hey if someone at Time Warner could get Conan
to join the family, they could do the same with
Strombo. That would be a gusty move for CNN.
I think the best description I have ever come
across on him is that he is a cross between
Peter Jennings and James Dean, it's the jeans
thing. But there are elements of The Daily
Show and Tosh. One thing Strombo never is,
is dull. CNN does need that 1 show that
brings in viewers when there is not breaking
news. Right now CNN does not have that in
prime time.I wish you guys well. If this
happens, that is great.
Things get interesting with the return of
ReplyDeleteCountdown tomorrow. Will than hurt CNN
or MSNBC ? Will people even watch Keith ?
HLN is getting a bump form Casey Anthony,
but what happens when that is gone ? Those
demo numbers have to frighten CNN for In
The Arena and Piers Morgan. If a show is not
getting at least 200,000 in the demo in prime
time that is a huge problem. CNN has some
decisions to make like yesterday.
I could totally see the Anderson Cooper/George
ReplyDeleteStroumboulopoulos combo on CNN each night.
360 could use some help in prime time. They
fit together in a lineup. The current prime time
lineup is just not working. Let's hope Strombo
catches the eye of Jim Walton or Jeff Bewkes
because that is the only way it will happen.CNN
can give him a wider reach. Canada has like
some 35 million people. I agree don't change
anything about the show and hire the entire
staff as well. You are dealing with some very
creative folks. You let them thrive and maybe
learn a thing or 2 from them. Besides they
might be able to give CNN some fresh ideas.
If they need news guidance you have AC and
Charlie Moore around to give advice.
Piers Morgan has a tabloidish background.
ReplyDeleteHe seeks out people like Tatum O'Neal and expects us to sit through the interview for one hour.
No one does that today.
No one is that interested in Tatum or her obnoxious father.
This is why his ratings are so low.
They are both on OWN where no one is watching them because even Oprah's star is no longer shining.
She has the same problem booking talent. The question will be, who cares enough to waste their time watching people that really don't matter.
Don Lemon is in NYC this weekend. Does
ReplyDeletethat mean anything ? Why can't he have a
shot in prime time if Eliot Sptizer and Piers
Morgan can ? Can't be any worse.
Dump. Piers Morgan and bring on Strombo.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:47 you are so right Piers is nothing
but tabloid trash.CNN should have much
higher standards.I refuse to ever watch Piers
Morgan for that very reason. Piers Morgan
has no business on CNN.
This is what I mean about the PMT replays. You watch this great CNN Presents story and then you put on a Piers rerun, how ridiculous is that?
ReplyDeletePut "live" news back on after a fantastic newsworthy special program. You've got us in the mood for news, now keep us there.
CNN reporters and correspondents file absolutely excellent progams, and as the ratings show, the programs bring in the viewers. And then you drive us away with the reruns.
I obviously have no problem voicing my concerns and opinions, but will CNN listen? Time will tell.
If CNN MUST keep Piers Morgan, they should just move him to weekends. Have ONE famous interview air Saturday night, with a Sunday repeat.
ReplyDeleteI have to say it would be a very smart move by
ReplyDeleteCNN to hire George Stroumboulopoulos. From
what I have seen the show is original and CNN
could get this show on rather quickly. You don't
have to come up with a format. It is ready to go.
Strombo Tonight might actually make 360 better.
With a show like this as a lead in, Team 360 has
to step up it's game.A little friendly competition
can't hurt. There is a body of work from Strombo.
It would be hard for critics to find fault with him.
He has covered the full spectrum of interviews
and can get the big names. There is no
downside for CNN. Besides he is cute.
OK, I did see some of the daytime presentations for the Emmys and I really believe the ONLY person who is deserving of any daytime Emmy IS Judge Judy.
ReplyDeleteTo me she is up there with primetime's Jon Stewart.
Why?
She is an original. No one can top her and no one will.
Some have tried and there are many immatators but no one captures the moment and hands out the just punishment the way Judge Judy does it. She deserves to be syndicated and she deserves all that goes with it and the rest of daytime is a big wasteland of people who have absolutely no talent or skill and are looking for an easy A, in syndication.
There is one exception: Ellen, but only during the winter.
There is no way in the world for Erin Burnett's
ReplyDeleteshow to make it to CNN this month unless she
is dayside. Only 2 weeks remain in the month.
Anybody is better than the offerings at 8 & 9.
Okay. I was skeptical about the Strombo show
ReplyDeletebut I was just not feeling the morning news
shows today so I went online. I chose the episode
with Michael Buble,Patricia Clarkson & Clive Owen.
This show rocks. Now I have something to watch
when I am just so over the news in the morning.
Hey, I hope CNN does hire him. I would always
be able to watch the show on DVR.
STROUMBOULOPOULOS. The name alone is
ReplyDeletean attention grabber. I've noticed that Bill
Maher, Lewis Black and huge names have
been on with George. Didn't see anything
with Stewart but I bet JS would have no
problem being on with George. CBC is a
public broadcasting company so I doubt
that he has a long term contract. Stewart
would definitely book him for his show.
So another mouse is leaving a sinking ship - Ed Henry is moving over to Fox News.
ReplyDeleteTonight marks the return of Countdown. Now we
ReplyDeleteget to know for real if this will hurt CNN or MSNBC.
Maybe Keith will get 300,000 or more we will find
out for sure. If am concerned for CNN because they
are struggling at 8 & 9. What happens if people
turn to Current and stick around for Vanguard. I
am more interested in Vanguard but now that ICN
has a picture of the new set I added Countdown.
I might be in the minority here but I don't like any
of the shows at 8. 360 is the only show I care to
watch right now in cable simply because I have
had enough of the back and forth of left/right.
Democrats this, Republicans that. 24 hrs and
no news.
So another correspondent is leaving the flock over at CNN.
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes and it can't be good.
Maybe Ed was tired of following the President and wanted a job that was more challenging from a network that isn't itself challenged.
Seeing Anderson Cooper at the daytime Emmys was jolting enough, and now this.
Everyone there is looking for a way out or up.
Can this network be saved???
Piers Morgan show is canned tripe. It lacks the immediacy Larry King had. Gone are viewer call-ins, or the management of multiple guests on current affairs.
ReplyDeleteSpitzer is clever, articulate. I enjoy his style, even if a little overbearing sometimes.
L know that Anderson Cooper is popular, but I see him as a stuttering drama queen.
What is needed is a fast paced daily business show at 7pm. Maybe this sould be Erin Burnett's slot.
@7:15PM: You make an excellent point about the lack of call-ins to Morgan's show. There is no intimacy and the viewer is not involved at all, at a time when viewer participation is on the rise, this is an important aspect that is being overlooked.
ReplyDeleteI also agree about Anderson, but his popularity will be tested shortly. Viewers like to see people they admire doing what they admire best. For AC, it was always his work in the field.
Not, his interviews. His stage presense is lacking though I don't think he stutters.
I just get the impression he's bored with 360 and wants to try something different, and this may in fact be hurtful to his journalistic credibility.
Randi should be permanent.
ReplyDeleteShe recently made the most favorable comments about what Casey Anthony should do with any funds received by her, from where ever.
The subject was about women that wanted to keep their children.
Randi is truly a class act. Love ya.