Thanks to the rain and crappy weather in DC tonight, I decided to stay in for the night. I decided to sample the new Campbell Brown 8pm show on CNN. Prime starts with a "the only place for news. CNN prime time begins now." I will say upfront.. I did not watch this show for a full hour. In fact, I was bored before the end of segment one. I'll come back in a month to sample again.
Brown's 'no bias, no bull' approach had some attitude. She's canned that now. It seems to indicate CNN's further focus on 'just the news please'. Here are my quick observations.
--There's no identity. It's not a "news" feel. It's an interview show. The interviews are like watching studio paint dry. It's also not an AC 360 (the early years). It's plain. It's simple. It's dry.
--The graphic background is just annoying. It a wild array of images. She looks like she's sitting in front of a collage. It just feels less than classy.
--Brown seems to want to push the attitude she wrapped around 'no bias no bull'.. but she can't. In fact a guest in her first segment tonight referenced the old show. What an awkward moment for insiders.
--About that first segment... it was odd. The "new whip" approach (I don't even recall what they brand it), was less than exciting. Most of the segment was a roundtable discussion with three guests on the set.
To be fair... and I really like CNN so I want to emphasize that... this is a new show. Give it time. I'll check back in about a month to see what has grown, changed, improved, etc. We all know new products need time to grow. I hope it does. CNN could use some good news lately.
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Amy Robach has apparently signed a new deal with NBC News, according to TV Newser. She will apparently do many of the same duties she's been doing for months: anchor the Saturday edition of 'Today" as well as provide national correspondent reports for 'Night News' and 'Today'. TVNewser is also careful to point out that Jenna Wolfe will continue to anchor the Sunday editions of 'Today'. Wolfe and Robach have "filled in' on those shows since Campbell Brown left last year.
MSNBC annouced that Dan Abrams, the host turned general manager turned host agian, will now also take on the role of judge. TV Decoder reports about Adam's new show 'Verdict' which will air at 9pm on MSNBC. “This show will make judgments,” Mr. Abrams said. “We will declare a sort of ‘verdict’ on everything from politics to law to pop culture.” Wow, look for a lot of cheesy cliches and graphics to go along with this concept. I'll admit it if I am wrong.. but it's ripe with potential to go really bad... really fast.
"When a news show tries to do something offbeat, there's a sense that it's gimmicky," Abrams told the WashingtonPost.com. "It's supposed to be fun. The media make everything two-sided, even when it's not. Rather than saying 'one side says this, the other side says that,' it's helpful for viewers to know where I'm coming from."
I hate to say this, election night coverage aside, but cable news is now more about entertainment in prime time. O'Reilly is the king. Well Larry King was the king until the 'Factor' came on the scene. "News" shows have tried and failed in prime time. Anderson Cooper may be the closest thing to "news"... and that's a bit of a stretch. Who knows what CNN will try to wrap around Campbell Brown after 'Election Center' ends. It may not be such a bad thing to accept that cable news prime time is about entertainment. Perhaps Abrams can be the next Judge Judy or Judge Joe Brown.
By the way, in all of this, Tucker Carlson is gone. I have to admit I didn't realize he was still around after 'Dancing With The Stars'. Plus, check out the post about 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' getting the 10pm time slot as well as his 8pm slot.
Well, time for some shameless promotion of another fun blog I just launched. Hey, we all need to get away from this mad media world on ocasion right? Check out Meerkat Mania: LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS. Yes, I love those cute little critters that scurry across the Kalahari every Friday night on Animal Planet. I've watched previous seasons on DVR on rainy or sick days. It's easy-wastching TV! "Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation" starts Friday at 9pm. Enjoy the show.. and add comments on the blog anytime! GET YOUR MEERKAT RINGTONES AT: Meerkat Mania LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS!
After watching for two hours, who won the Texas debate on CNN with Campbell Brown? I have my scorecard. I gave the same topics to another journalist watching with me. Plus, please post your comments by clicking at the bottom of the story.
Who Won The Texas Debate On CNN With Campbell Brown? MY SCORECARD
The Debate as a whole – (B) – There wasn’t a lot of fire but there was some substance. The answers were allowed to go long enough for candidates to make a point.
Campbell Brown (B) – I thought she was on a roll. She opened the debate in a strong way. She looked great. She allowed the candidates and the topics to be center stage. She was moving along solidly… UNTIL she lost control during the health care debate. From there, she hobbled along to the finish line. This was far better though than the Anderson Cooper and Wolfe Blitzer debates with Brown hoping the format allowed for more substance.
Jorge Ramos – (A) – Great. He connected to Texas audience. He connected to the Spanish-speaking audience. I wish he had been given more time in this debate to really drive home the issues of interest to Texas and Latinos.
John King –(B) – He was pretty good. He pressed for answers when candidates avoided specifics. For some reason, I wanted more from him. The format did not play to his strength of pushing for answers.
Hillary Clinton – (A-) – She can win the debate. Her trouble is winning the primaries. She was passionate. She was focused. Her best point was the closing answer about defining moments. Her defining moment is the one we all lived with her (Bill Clinton – Monica Lewinsky). She may have been hurt though by the ‘Xerox’ comment (the audience booed). CHECK OUT SOUNDBITES/CLIPS AT: CampaignBites.com
Barack Obama – (B+) – He is far stronger in speaking to a large group instead of these debates. His speeches after recent wins have been great. He seems to wilt a bit though when going face to face with other strong candidates and moderators.
CONTRIBUTING SCORECARD: Brandon Benavides (National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Region 6 Director)
The Debate - (A) - The format allowed the candidates to fully engage each other and explain their differences. We saw Barack's and Hillary's leadership, experience, and manner differences showcased. For the first time, the audience truly participated in the debate. They boo-ed, applauded, and gave a standing ovation. They've been the best audience in the debate season so far.
Campbell Brown - (D) - Campbell did not control the debate. She had a hard time keeping the candidates on time and on topic. The candidates went on a health care tangent and she could not bring the debate back on topic until the candidates finished their arguments. She came across very personable and human but Campbell was not authoritative.
Jorge Ramos - (A) - For the first time in recent history, Jorge created a bilingual debate. He questioned the democratic candidates in Spanish and English. Plus, he didn't sugar coat the hard questions. He immediately brought up the controversial topics of Cuba, immigration reform, and the role of a commander-in-chief. He did all of this in a humble manner. Jorge is the co-anchor a national network nightly news program. A job he's held for nearly two decades but he didn't come across as arrogant.
John King - (C) - John did an average job of asking questions. He executed his task but there was nothing memorable from him. He didn't leave me with anything special.
Hillary Clinton - (A+) - Hillary came across as a polished presidential candidate. She highlighted her experience, connected with the audience, and satisfied the awe moment. She closed the debate with a memorable explanation on why her tests are trivial compared to the scarifies men and women in the military have faced. Hillary stood her ground and explained her specific programs.
Barack Obama - (B) - Barack's performance was above average. He stayed on message and stuck to the issues at hand. He connected to the audience and went after Hillary when needed. He had an excellent exchange on key issues: health care, meetings with heads of state, and the war in Iraq.
LIVE BLOGGING NOTES DURING THE DATE
CNN's Campbell Brown opened the Texas debate with a standing ovation from the crowd. I wasn't sure whether Brown could calm the audience so she could continue with the Democratic debate (February 21). Brown looks great and is very confident as the debate starts. Jorge Ramos can seize on the important issues to the many Latinos and many Texans. Watch the CNN debate here.
Clinton's opening statement was clearly focused on Texas and Ohio. She remains focused on her consistent message of talking to the working class and the middle class. She seems strong and confident.
Obama's opening statement focused on personal stories. He tried to connect to the voters that he wants to bring to the polls and caucuses. Obama also seems to try to bridge the Democratic alliance between he and Clinton... while pointing to her weaknesses and her strengths.
Ramos speaks Spanish to start his first question. He asked Clinton about sitting down with the Cuban leaders to set a new course. When Clinton gave an indirect answer, he pressed her for a yes or no.
Brown followed up with Obama. She also pressed him that his answer tonight was different than his opinion on 2003.
John King's first question focused on the economy which repeatedly surfaces as the top domestic concern. He then transitioned to asking the two candidates to point out how they are different.
While most of this blog will focus on the journalists, Clinton's answer to the economic question was passionate and focused. She knew there was a message she wanted to talk about. She talked for 2-3 minutes even over the interruption by Brown.
Ramos asked a question about raids of homes where illegals are suspected to be living. It was a different spin on the 'immigration issue'.
King focused a question about the fence along the American-Mexico border. It was another question of specific concern to the people of Texas. When Clinton appeared to not answer his question, he pressed for more clarity, pointing out that a partial fence would just force the problem to move.
Ramos is doing a great job of connecting the Spanish speaking audience to this debate and the candidates. His question focused on whether a bilingual nation is a good thing.
COMMERCIAL NOTE: CNN's promotion for Campbell Brown's new show lacked much punch at all during this debate. The spot (see it here) doesn't connect Brown, her strong performance to this point tonight and her new show coming in March.
King points out the difference in polite tone during this debate and the many speeches on the campaign trail. He asks whether you can say "your opponent is all hat and not cattle."
Brown asks about the plagiarism questions regarding Obama's speeches. She then follows up asking Clinton whether the campaign is a 'silly season' (mentioned by Obama) Take a look at the YouTube video. Note a phrase that will be repeated by the Clinton campaign "Change you can Xeroz."
Ramos asked Clinton whether Obama is not prepared to be President. She redirected the answer to health care (which she did not respond to because of a commercial break)
An ugly scene of Brown losing control of this debate developed when the candidates wanted to continue to talk about health care instead of answering Ramos' question. They continued. Brown interrupted... with no success.
Ramos asked his question a second time when the candidates were finished talking about health care.
King asked about 'judgment' especially as it related to the surge in Iraq. He pointed out that both candidates questioned the surge. He suggested there has been a positive effect of the surge.
Brown pushed for more answers from Obama about the surge.
King asked Obama why he had not disclosed where $90 million in government earmarks went to. Obama said he had. King also asked Clinton if McCain has a better case to make than her on wasteful spending.
Ramos asked Clinton about the role of super delegates. Brown pushed Obama for an answer on the same issue.
As the final question, Brown asked for a defining moment, a moment of crisis, when the candidate was tested.
More proof that CNN is trying to give Campbell Brown as much exposure as possible in advance of the debut of her new 8pm show in March. Brown will moderate Thursday's Democratic Presidential debate at the University of Texas. CNN's John King and Univision's Jorge Ramos will serve as panelists. So, no Wolfe Blitzer and no Anderson Cooper for this debate!
As I watch the results from the Potomac primaries tonight, I’m reminded of how much CNN is investing in Campbell Brown. She just replaced Lou Dobbs in the expert debrief area of the CNN coverage. I see the strategy. The CNN suits want to expose Brown to the audience that could potentially be watching her in her new time slot in March.
If you’ve read my blogs about the political coverage, I’ve liked CNN”s election coverage as a whole. But as CNN works Brown into its anchor lineup, I keep scratching my head… wondering what I am missing. Campbell’s good. She’s solid. But, is good and solid really enough for an 8pm time slot… the same slot that CNN has struggled for years to gain ground? As I watch tonight, I see a controlled anchor. She is deliberate in her delivery. She seems knowledge. All of those are great things for an anchor to have. But, I don’t see her edge. While I may not be an Anderson Cooper fan, I can appreciate the difference and edge that he brings to CNN. I may not be a loyal fan of Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannuity, Nancy Grace, etc… but I can see the appeal. Each of them has an edge that is very distinguishable. I just don’t see that in Brown.
I watched Brown with Lester Holt on weekend ‘Today’ because it was the best thing going at that time of the morning. I believe that CNN will find some degree of success at 8pm this year, not because of Brown, but because of the heated election race. Played smartly, this Presidential race could give some additional momentum to CNN. Brown’s show may benefit temporarily. But after November, CNN will face the very real challenge of loyal news viewers who make an 8pm appointment. Getting them to switch to Brown post-election may be tougher than anyone wants to admit.
John Roberts filled in Friday for Wolf Blitzer who is the regular host of the ‘Election Center’ specials on CNN at 8pm. That’s the election special that is filling the hour through February 5. It’s the same hour that Campbell Brown will fill when she joins CNN prime time in March.
There is such great interest in this election season that CNN is smartly focusing it’s floating hour of prime time on election content. While CNN is only committed to the show publicly through next week, expect it to continue. The race is far from over. The Democratic battle is among the hottest election contests in recent decades. The GOP race is not over yet but perhaps is a little farther along than the Democrats. The ratings for the show have done fairly well. The show scores highest on night’s that a debate follows on CNN. (See ratings for Wednesday on TVNewser.com) But even outside of debate nights, these election specials gain more traction than Rick Sanchez’s ‘Out in the Open’ specials.
As for John Roberts who was substituting tonight, he is much easier to watch in this new environment than on ‘American Morning’. As a whole, Roberts is far more easier to watch on CNN than he ever was on CBS. When it comes to Blitzer, I’m torn. I know how CNN wants to rely on his experience but he is not the easiest CNN talent to watch. In fact, he’s a little tough to watch. It’s the wealth of election content that CNN put around him that benefits him. Bernard Shaw was the last CNN NEWS anchor that was truly suited for his prime time role. Larry King is a different genre. Anderson Cooper is… well enough said. The women of CNN prime have not clicked. CNN needs another Shaw. Blitzer is not it in my humble opinion. BUT AGAIN, the content and depth of the CNN political unit makes Blitzer’s performance watchable.
It’s an exciting time in cable news. In the day-to-day battle, FOX News is in clear control. On nights when CNN can showcase its political chops, the network has a far better shot at competing again FOX. MSNBC is clearly still in the rear view mirrors. I predict that CNN will decide on February 6 to stick with its election focus at 8pm at least until Campbell Brown debuts in March. Even at that point, CNN will no doubt try to use Brown to help its political coverage by centering a great deal of her new show on politics.
ABC’s ‘World News’ with Charles Gibson finally clearly beats NBC’s Brian Williams and ‘Nightly News’ for the year. He had some success in 2007. But there will be little to celebrate for ABC, NBC or CBS. The audience for evening news shows will hold steady for most of 2008… only because of a heated Presidential race. After November, the erosion becomes a landslide.
‘Good Morning America’ makes another run for the morning show crown against ‘Today.’ NBC remains on top though. But, the show struggles with the fourth hour continuing to weaken and Meredith Viera wondering if she wants to go home to the family instead of working so much. In the end, 'Today' holds the crown. Look for the content after the first half hour to continue to be light and fluffy. CBS’s revamped ‘Early Show’ debuts in January with little change in ratings.
Campbell Brown debuts with a modest degree of publicity on CNN in February. But ratings quickly fall to levels below where even Paul Zahn hovered. CNN realizes Campbell is good… but not the solution to their prime time battle for viewers with FOX. Campbell helps CNN through the election year and its coverage of the campaigns She will bring a needed degree of attractive anchor appeal to the coverage with Blitzer, Crawley and King.
Larry King finally announces the date for his retirement from CNN. While his contract is good into 2009, he’ll talk about reasons he needs to step down a bit early. If his health permits, I would bet he continues to do some type of work... just not on CNN and not at 9pm.
FOX News prime time grows and grows with Bill O'Reilly at the helm! The election year will give him plenty of controversial topics to examine. The Presidential race will help CNN as well but CNN stays far behind FOX in prime. The 8pm hour will struggle. Larry King remains the biggest draw while he’s on-air. And, Anderson Cooper will continue to rake in a ton of money for a show that will continue to do only average ratings and demos for CNN.
NBC will stick with Jenna Wolfe co-anchoring the Sunday edition of ‘Today’. Her presence will continue to expand at NBC some how.
There’s another storm front rolling toward ‘The View’. Elisabeth Hasselbeck will want to spend more time with her children. Barbara Walters will do even less of the show. Whoopi Goldberg does OK… and manages to hold the show together.
Keith Olbermann gets his due. MSNBC will consider several ways to expand his roll in prime.
While the content of the ‘CBS Evening News” continues to improve, Katie Couric will decide she’s tired of the second-guessing and challenges in her evening time slot. She will announce plans to leave CBS at a later date for ‘other projects’. Expect a talk show or web venture. CBS will struggle to find the person it wants to build the 'Evening News' around. It won't be an easy task with the overall decline in the relevance and importance of such evening newscasts.
NOTE: THERE ARE MORE THAN 30 WOLFE-ROBACH POSTS. SEARCH FOR THEM ALL BY ENTERING THE NAME IN THE SEARCH BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PAGE
Over the last several weeks, I’ve shared my opinions about NBC’s decision to go with two different female anchors for the Sunday edition of ‘Today’. Amy Robach anchors with Lester Holt on Saturday with Jenna Wolfe reading the news headlines. Sunday brings a change with Jenna Wolfe sitting beside Lester Holt on the anchor desk and a rotating roster of news readers. This all developed after Campbell Brown bolted for a yet-to-debut show on CNN.
Saturday, Robach raised her game to be even more natural (and likeable). Wolfe read two very short news segments at the top of the hours with few problems and little impact on the show. As ‘Today’ opened Sunday, I wondered what a new weekend would bring. It was the same ‘ol, same ‘ol. There was a real lack of chemistry between Holt and Wolfe. Her ability to read package introductions is OK. But she had trouble focusing an interview about the weakness of the U.S dollar. In the second half hour, the lack of chemistry slapped viewers in the face as Wolfe tried to joke about her report to come later about what to hang in holiday stockings. Joking that she was Jewish and really needed this information plus she liked expensive gifts in her stocking, Holt was left with little more than a blank look on his face. If you played the Saturday and Sunday newscasts side by side, you would see a far better chemistry and natural flow of the show with Holt and Robach.
So does that mean Wolfe should not be a part of this show? Not at all. There is something that may suit her slightly quirky demeanor, often self-sacrificing sarcasm and over the top tone. I just don’t know what that is. That’s for NBC to decide. She obviously had a great deal of success doing sports at WABC. Perhaps she’s better suited for sideline reporting and analysis on ‘Sunday Night Football’ as NBC tries to transition her into a news or infotainment host. As I think about the challenge for NBC this morning, I jump to the decision by CBS to pull Hannah Storm from her sports environment to co-host the ‘Early Show.’ Perhaps NBC thought they could strike a similar balance. Storm brought a must more experienced background and a more engaging presence though.
In the end, NBC faces a challenge of grooming future talent. It’s not easy. Someone is always there to question or provide opinions on every move of on-air talent (It’s made far more easy these days by blogging). Outside of Brian Williams, there are few success stories of ‘promoting major talent’ from within. Consider these points. -Williams is the clear ‘success story’ of grooming from within for NBC. No doubt, someone had to replace Tom Brokaw. I don’t know whether he was brought in to NBC in 1993 with that intent, but it became clear soon that NBC was grooming him for something. It took a few years to become official. -But, when Katie Couric left ‘Today’, NBC turned to the outside for Meredith Viera. That happened even though they had a large group of female anchors already at NBC and over at MSNBC. NBC obviously felt none of them was ready. -How many MSNBC anchors have made a successful leap to a major position at the mothership? Lester Holt is really the only one. With NBC 2.0, he’s now fronting all NBC weekend shows. He’s just a good, solid journalist to have in the stable with Brian Williams and Matt Lauer.
NBC is not alone in trying to find future talent. The challenge here is that ‘Today’ is such a staple in many viewers’ habits. While ‘Sunday Morning’ on CBS is clearly dominant on Sundays, ‘Today’ is a much larger brand that must be successful for NBC. Any failures on the weekend can damage the larger brand. From the beginning of my posts about the weekend ‘Today’ situation, I’ve tried to emphasis that my feedback is not about Jenna Wolfe as an individual. Her situation though opens NBC News up for broader criticism about ‘Today’ anchors and decision making. READER OPINION SURVEY - SLANTLY.COM
ADD YOUR COMMENT BELOW READ OTHER USERS COMMENTS Comment List 1 Comment List 2 HERE ARE SOME COMMENTS FROM THE LAST POST ABOUT 'TODAY' ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY. "Here are some comments from the last post about Jenna Wolfe, Amy Robach and 'Today'. I really enjoyed the Sunday show today. It is those unpredictable comments that make it fun. Great show Saturday, great show today." "If you enjoy Lester Holt squirming with confusion and confoundment as to what his role is when his co-host keeps trying to dominate the show, then the show was about as enjoyable as it can get." "Sundays are just uncomfortable. It is like inviting over the crazy uncle for the Holiday's and being continuosly nervous about what might come out of his mouth. That is the same feeling I get with Jenna Wolfe." "Jenna's voice is not soothing. She did a piece on a taser party and refrained from her most annoying humor. Howver, her piece on the "what I learned from women who dumped me" was dull. Also, she kept interrupting the guests with stupid mumblings.She soaked up ann curry advertising jenna's dating status." CHECK OUT PAST POSTS ABOUT WOLFE, AMY ROBACH, 'TODAY' 'Today' On Super Bowl Sunday Wolfe-Robach, The Saga Continues Endless Fascination With Wolfe Jenna Wolfe & Weekend 'Today': Is OK Enough? Robach Back, Wolfe Reading News What In The World Has Happened To Weekend 'Today' See A Sample Of Other User Comments About Wolfe, Robach CHECK OUT OTHER POPULAR POSTS CNN's Rick Sanchez 'Out In The Open' Really 'Out Of Control' PageSix.com Launches; Did TMZ Respond? Keith Olbermann To Lou Dobbs: 'World's Worst" --- Well, time for some shameless promotion of another fun blog I just launched. Hey, we all need to get away from this mad media world on ocasion right? Check out Meerkat Mania: LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS. Yes, I love those cute little critters that scurry across the Kalahari every Friday night on Animal Planet. I've watched previous seasons on DVR on rainy or sick days. It's easy-wastching TV! "Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation" starts Friday at 9pm. Enjoy the show.. and add comments on the blog anytime! GET YOUR MEERKAT RINGTONES AT: Meerkat Mania LOVE FOR THE MEERKATS!
CNN’s ‘Out in the Open’ and Rick Sanchez were just ‘Our of Control’ tonight. Geez!
It was the first time I tuned in to see the show for weeks. Sanchez is just not a personality I like to get my news from. There’s too much personal opinion and too much over dramatization. If he wants to be a Bill O’Reilly or even the flailing John Gibson, then go into ‘info-tainment’ programs. O’Reilly doesn’t pretend to be news. He knows he’s an opinion and entertainment show. (We know Sanchez is only in the 8pm chair until Campbell Brown takes over in February.)
Tonight, Sanchez was rocking back and forth, flailing his arms and preaching directly to the camera as if I were part of the CNN flock just waiting for a message from high above. It was just too much. In fact, just as I we getting ready to change the channel, a guest visiting tonight walked into the living and asked ‘WHO is that?” I admitted regrettably that I was watching what appeared to be a train wreck. But just like those accidents, I kept watching. By the way, YouTube has some video of Rick out of control. He's not a big enough star to get this freedom. Take a look at two examples.
One final note about tonight…. The producers decided to debrief of three ‘average Joes’ from a New York bar, giving their insight into the Mitchell steroids report. It was dry and boring just listening to opinions I could care less about on a 3-shot from a bar. In the next segment, producers wanted to emphasize the length of the steroid list by scrolling names in a side graphic beside Sanchez. It was a good technique to emphasize the length of the list. BUT, as Sanchez started to interview Jose Coseco about his involvement in this steroid investigation, the list continued to scoll… and scroll… and repeat, then scroll again, and again, and again. This all happened during an interview that could have provided much more insight than ‘3 Joes’ from a bar. BUT I couldn’t really pay attention to the interview because the repetitive scroll was just so darned annoying! All of us in TV news should take a step back from the TV set on occasion and really look at our product and our attempts to really “produce” a segment. Too often this production work is far more distracting that it is enhancing to the content.
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OK… so no one really wants to criticize Campbell Brown before she even starts her prime time show on CNN. But after tonight’s Presidential debate in Las Vegas, I’m going ‘go there.’ Prediction:Replacing Paula Zahn with Campbell Brown will prove to be a net zero, a wash, an even trade. You can add any other cliche that says CNN is still in trouble in prime time. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t necessarily a Zahn fan. But I don’t believe Brown is the answer for CNN prime either.
The latest reasons… Brown stumbled, almost making no logical connections, in her first question during tonight’s debate. The two or three questions to come were average at best. I wasn’t impressed that she felt she has to play "the gender card.” In the Anderson Cooper debrief after the debate, Brown struggled in her first question to give her take on how Barack Obama answered a question. She even gave credit to John Roberts for the theme of her answer.
Brown’s high points in recent memory for me include her reports filed from New Orleans during Katrina. They were engaging and emotional. But a great reporter does not necessarily make a great anchor. For anyone who watched ‘Weekend Today’ regularly, you know that her hard news interviews were just… OK. They were nothing to write home about as my grandmother said often.
There are many prime time problems for CNN to come. CNN seems to place its prime time future squarely in the lap of Anderson Cooper. While some people (women and men) find him attractive, his anchoring skills leave something to be desired. His field work is far superior to his reading of scripts from behind the anchor desk (I’m not sure how much work he actually must do in the field). Larry King, while legendary, is aging. Worse yet, it’s beginning to show on air (ask Jerry Seinfeld). If CNN hoped Campbell Brown would be the other major support in prime time, there’s reason to send an overnight SOS to headquarters in Atlanta.
While the deal is signed, CNN should really re-assess what it wants to do in prime time. Instead of doing more of the same, be creative. Innovation from Ted Turner launched the network. Now, it’s time for more innovation for CNN to survive prime time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- YOUTUBE Video Advertisement
UPDATE: Was a former Democratic party leader from Arkansas planted in the debate.. and allowed to ask a question? Interesting read here from HotAir.
GRADING THE DEBATE WINNER: Hillary Clinton LOSER: Barack Obama, John Edwards (tie) DEBATE FORMAT: "D" - It lacked focus.The second half was better than the first. WOLF BLITZER: "C" - He struggled to have any control. CAMPBELL BROWN: "C" Oh this could be trouble for CNN at 8pm JOHN ROBERTS: "C" He's just OK. Nothing great. Nothing horrible.
Candidates Booed for Repeated Attacks On Clinton Obama Flub Illegal Immigration Driver's License Answer
SPECIAL NOTE: If you read the live blog tonight and my comments, you got the exact analysis in the CNN Q&A right after the debate. In fact, it was almost word for word. CNN SIDE NOTE: 10:10 The handoff to Anderson Cooper..... Geesh.... couldn't they have scripted a better intro for him. Or, heaven forbid, could Anderson have adlibed to provide a better transition? Plus, John King did not have audio to hear Anderson. Anderson introduced a panel and tosses to the wrong tape. After a Q/A he tried to toss to the tape again. You guessed it... it was again the wrong tape. What a letdown for CNN and Anderson to have this show start in shambles--LIVE DEBATE LOG-- 10:08 Does Clinton prefer diamonds or pearls? "I want both" she answers. 10:05 Answering whether she is too polarizing to be elected, Clinton delivers a great, focused, passionate response. Of all the candidates she looks the most Presidential. Joe Biden is on the opposite end of the charisma spectrum, but he knows and firmly explains his passions and beliefs. 10:00 Frank, another audience member, stumbled over his question as if it was scripted and he was having trouble delivering. Plus, why is Suzanne Malveaux restating or asking her own question after the audience member asks his or hers? This format was not well thought out. It may have looked good on paper. But, it did not work. 9: 57 Clinton talks about a Supreme Court nominee and abortion. She straddles a yes or no answer until pushed and talked about privacy. 9:49 I think this is the second time the audience has booed Obama and Edwards for their attacks on Clinton. It's an interesting dynamic when the second and third candidates at this point in the face must attack the frontrunner... but are booed. 9:44 The question from Judy was a very valuable question. But even she was stunned by the phrasing in how she asked the question, even muttering something like 'shoot.' Did CNN plant the specific questions with the audience members? We all know there is screening that goes on. But, I certianly hope CNN did not give the audience the specific question or help them script their question. What a nightmare if that indeed is happening. 9:41 Dodd speaks Spanish to help answer that question from the Latino member of the audience. 9:39 Great question from the audience about terrorism and the unfair focus on Latino and Hispanic immigrants as it relates to immigration. It's back to immigration but the man in the audience asked a great question. 9:34 Richardson talks a lot about guaranteeing services but rarely follows that with a plan for paying for it. In this instance, he proposed a 'Hero's Health Card.' 9:26 In the second half of the debate... it is interesting that Clinton stood to answer the question from the audience. BRILLIANT! She knows her strength. Biden answered the first question seated. After Clinton stood, everyone else did as well. 9:11 Clinton deflects the gender card issue. She says she's playing the 'winning card' 'People are not attacking me because I am a woman. They're attacking me because I am ahead.' 9:03 Clinton is looking very Presidential. She's passionate and focused where the other leading candidates tonight have struggled to even finish thoughts. 8:59 Wow. Kucinich and Richardson are getting so much airtime right now. You would think they would the leading candidates right now. 8:50 After dominating the first half hour of the debate, Clinton, Obama and Edwards have rarely been heard this half hour. 8:44 As you watch Joe Biden talk about Pakistan, you have to wonder why this man has not served as Vice President or even had stronger runs at the Presidency. His passion and opinions seem well-defined and even logical. 8:38 Richardson says he wants 'to be the education President.' He wants a minimum salary. He wants to eliminate 'No Child Left Behind.' He wants a college loan standard. He wants the government to pay two years of college tuition in exchange for a year of public service. 8:29 Should illegal immigrants have drivers licenses?
Obama flubs the answer. To a yes or no question, he says "I am not opposing..." On a second try - YES Edwards - NO Dodd - NO Clinton - NO Kucinich - no real answer. He doesn't like the word "illegal" Richardson -YES Biden - NO 8: 25 After Obama talks about immigration, it seems everyone is answering each question with what is usually an opening statement. That means no real answer. 8:20 HILLARY'S LAUGH IS BACK! 8:19 Joe Biden seems to be the good 'ol boy candidate trying to step above the tit for tat of the other candidates. He seems to outline a very realistic approach to resolving some key issues. 8:17 This debate is going to be a mess. Wolf Blitzer doesn't have control and the format seems to be open ended. Add a cheering crowd... and very little will come from this debate. 8:16 John Edwards goes on the attack against Clinto for her positions on the war and votes that alligned her with Bush and Cheney. 8:12 This looks like it's going to be a Hillary Clinton - Barack Obama duel. They go blow by blow on health care. ROUND ONE WINNER: Hillary. She's clear on her health care plan and draws distinction between Obama. Plus,CNN is allowing cheering from the audience which is distracting. 8:08 Campbell Brown's first question. She's stumbling on her big CNN debut in prime time. I didn't even understand the question. I can't imagine what Hillary was thinking. 8:05. The introductions have taken this long. Then, CNN goes into Q&A with reporters and anchors, including Campbell Brown. They do this all day. I tuned into see a debate! 8:00 OK, Wolf Blitzer and CNN started the debate with the photo-op introductions? This seems silly and a waste of air time. Plus, where is Mike Gravel (is he not on the ballot in Nevada or was he not allowed in this debate)?
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‘Good Morning America’ makes another run for the morning show crown against ‘Today.’ NBC remains on top though. But, the show struggles with the fourth hour continuing to weaken and Meredith Viera wondering if she wants to go home to the family instead of working so much. In the end, 'Today' holds the crown. Look for the content after the first half hour to continue to be light and fluffy. CBS’s revamped ‘Early Show’ debuts in January with little change in ratings.
OK… so no one really wants to criticize 
