Wow.
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.
Carlson did not immediately return a call to his cell phone for comment.
The bow-tied wearing conservative pundit got into a public tussle last fall with comic Jon Stewart, who has been critical of cable political programs that devolve into shoutfests.
"I guess I come down more firmly in the Jon Stewart camp," Klein told The Associated Press.
He said all of the cable networks, including CNN, have overdosed on programming devoted to arguing over issues. Klein said he wants more substantive programming that is still compelling.
Does this herald a bright new dawn for CNN in which they take seriously their responsibility to our democracy and to all free people in the world? Probably not. Is it a step in the right direction? Yeah. Do I love it when people ask themselves questions and then immediately answer them? You bet your sweet ass I do.
Obligatory cynicism: They've seen how popular The Daily Show is, they're drooling over the demographic, America: The Book is a smash hit and has been mentioned for a Pulitzer, and they're just doing what they do... That is, they're trying to cash in. Oh, and Crossfire sucked anyway.
(Oh, and here's the video of Jon Stewart on Crossfire, in case you haven't seen it, forgot about it, or want to see it again.)
