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Monday, December 20
Klein Considering "Counter Offer" For Carlson
Variety (subreq) responds to yesterday's TVNewser scoop that MSNBC is courting Tucker Carlson with the news that "CNN is also weighing a primetime show for the 'Crossfire' co-host." New CNN prez Jon Klein "is weighing a counter offer for Carlson," the trade mag says. "Klein is discussing a number of ideas for new shows featuring the CNN political analyst." How About 'Tucker Carlson Now?'
Question: Is this why Carlson is substituting for Aaron Brown next week? He will fill in on NewsNight after Christmas, TVNewser has learned...
Question: Is this why Carlson is substituting for Aaron Brown next week? He will fill in on NewsNight after Christmas, TVNewser has learned...
Donahue: "I Wish I Had Worn A Bow Tie"
Phil Donahue's must-see conversation with Bill O'Reilly tonight included this snippet:
DONAHUE: It looks like Tucker Carlson's going over there at NBC.
O'REILLY: Yeah, that's frightening.
DONAHUE: Well I wish I had worn a bow tie. Maybe I'd still be there.
DONAHUE: It looks like Tucker Carlson's going over there at NBC.
O'REILLY: Yeah, that's frightening.
DONAHUE: Well I wish I had worn a bow tie. Maybe I'd still be there.
The Ticker: NBC's Scoop...Holt MIA on MS...
> Kudos to two NBC News producers who scored an exclusive interview with Khalil al-Duleimi, a lawyer who met with Saddam Hussein last week. MSNBC.com has highlighted the story all day; The site gives the byline to Amman-based producer Moufaq Khatib and Paris-based producer Nancy Ing Duclos.
> "There is something a little disconcerting about the fact that Time's sister, CNN, spent the weekend relentlessly plugging the 'Person of the Year' issue," CJR says.
> The Hotline Last Call! (subreq) reminds cablers that guest host Campbell Brown will interview Richard Armitage on Hardball tonight, and Bill O'Reilly will chat with Phil Donahue on the Factor...
> Why did Bill O'Reilly look "semi-morose" at a White House holiday party last week? "Not smiling when he walked across the room holding hands with/dragging his wife" is how Lloyd Grove's spy described him...
> "Lester Holt anchored Today Show this morning...Yet he isn't on the show thats named after him on MSNBC," an e-mailer says today. That's because Holt is being phased out from MSNBC, and given to the network full-time; expect his cable show to disappear early in '05...
> "There is something a little disconcerting about the fact that Time's sister, CNN, spent the weekend relentlessly plugging the 'Person of the Year' issue," CJR says.
> The Hotline Last Call! (subreq) reminds cablers that guest host Campbell Brown will interview Richard Armitage on Hardball tonight, and Bill O'Reilly will chat with Phil Donahue on the Factor...
> Why did Bill O'Reilly look "semi-morose" at a White House holiday party last week? "Not smiling when he walked across the room holding hands with/dragging his wife" is how Lloyd Grove's spy described him...
> "Lester Holt anchored Today Show this morning...Yet he isn't on the show thats named after him on MSNBC," an e-mailer says today. That's because Holt is being phased out from MSNBC, and given to the network full-time; expect his cable show to disappear early in '05...
Fox Claims "Significant Victory" In JonBenet Suit
"Attorneys for Fox News declared partial victory on Monday in a libel suit launched by the parents of JonBenet Ramsey," Reuters reports. A federal judge has ruled that Colorado law, "with its cap on damages and higher standard of proof," will apply in the lawsuit against Fox News filed by JonBenet's parents. The wire service explains...
Ailes: "Radio Is Going To Be Huge" For Fox
It's easy to miss in the Q&A transcript, but Roger Ailes' comments about Fox News Radio suggest the "phenomenal" Clear Channel deal is only the beginning. When asked about what he hopes to accomplish in the next five years, Ailes said: "We're moving into radio. I think radio will be as big as TV for Fox."
He said he couldn't disclose exactly how it will happen. "Within the next month, we'll have an announcement probably on something that's coming down the road." (Update: The interview was taped before the Clear Channel announcement, so that's what he was likely referring to.) "We're syndicating Alan Colmes, Tony Snow. We've got -- I've got two other shows in the pipeline that we're going to put out soon...I think that radio is going to be huge."
He said he couldn't disclose exactly how it will happen. "Within the next month, we'll have an announcement probably on something that's coming down the road." (Update: The interview was taped before the Clear Channel announcement, so that's what he was likely referring to.) "We're syndicating Alan Colmes, Tony Snow. We've got -- I've got two other shows in the pipeline that we're going to put out soon...I think that radio is going to be huge."
MSNBC & Tucker, Sitting In A Tree...
As I cautioned yesterday, MSNBC hasn't signed a deal with Tucker Carlson, yet. This is the awkward stage in the relationship where the future couple is "just friends." One of Wonkette's operatives says that "it's not a done deal just yet, and that it may amount to more of a negotiating tactic than anything else." Negotiating tactic? Let's all wait for the announcement in early January...
> Also: "There's talk that conservative CNN Crossfire co-host Tucker Carlson could replace Norville in the time slot," USA Today's Peter Johnson says. And the NY Post picks up on yesterday's scoop.
> As for Crossfire: Tucker Carlson hasn't even signed a deal with MSNBC yet, but the speculation regarding who could replace him on Crossfire is already heating up. On The Corner, Jonah Goldberg says he used to think it would be a great job, "but A) I don't like the shout-show format very much anymore and B) I really, really, don't like hosting in such a format." Along the way, he describes the sort of show that could cut above the fray of political shouting -- and it's the sort of show I hope MSNBC premieres at 9pm...
> Half-related: Monday's Wash Post includes a write-up of the holiday party Carlson's parents held on Thursday...
> Also: "There's talk that conservative CNN Crossfire co-host Tucker Carlson could replace Norville in the time slot," USA Today's Peter Johnson says. And the NY Post picks up on yesterday's scoop.
> As for Crossfire: Tucker Carlson hasn't even signed a deal with MSNBC yet, but the speculation regarding who could replace him on Crossfire is already heating up. On The Corner, Jonah Goldberg says he used to think it would be a great job, "but A) I don't like the shout-show format very much anymore and B) I really, really, don't like hosting in such a format." Along the way, he describes the sort of show that could cut above the fray of political shouting -- and it's the sort of show I hope MSNBC premieres at 9pm...
> Half-related: Monday's Wash Post includes a write-up of the holiday party Carlson's parents held on Thursday...
Carlson: The Good, The Bad, The Competition
Many liberals reacted to the MSNBC-courting-Carlson news with cries of "What liberal media?," and pleas for a true liberal voice on cable primetime. Here are a few more e-mailer reactions to the possibility that Carlson would host the 9pm hour:
> "I think the Carlson move is very smart for MSNBC. As a Democrat who worked for the Dean campaign, my problem with political blah blah blah is that I can tell you what Carville, O'Reilly, Hannity, Begala will say before they say it. Carlson is different -- thoughtful, and provides reasoned arguments (Jon Stewart aside)...Is it too much to hope that thoughtful reasoned, spirited discussions can move from public television to mainstream cable?"
> Is this e-mailer being sarcastic?: "So, um, MSNBC will have 2 'conservatives' on, both whom attack conservatives on a frequent basis... With Chris Matthews, who's really one of the most liberal commentators on TV right now. And Keith is a wannabe lib. Sounds like a strong political lineup!"
> "If MSNBC, wants to split the liberal audience with CNN they have the perfect host," a veteran TV newser says in an e-mail. "But since conservatives consume far more public affairs programming and since Fox doesn't have to share the audience, they'll crush Carlson."
> "I think the Carlson move is very smart for MSNBC. As a Democrat who worked for the Dean campaign, my problem with political blah blah blah is that I can tell you what Carville, O'Reilly, Hannity, Begala will say before they say it. Carlson is different -- thoughtful, and provides reasoned arguments (Jon Stewart aside)...Is it too much to hope that thoughtful reasoned, spirited discussions can move from public television to mainstream cable?"
> Is this e-mailer being sarcastic?: "So, um, MSNBC will have 2 'conservatives' on, both whom attack conservatives on a frequent basis... With Chris Matthews, who's really one of the most liberal commentators on TV right now. And Keith is a wannabe lib. Sounds like a strong political lineup!"
> "If MSNBC, wants to split the liberal audience with CNN they have the perfect host," a veteran TV newser says in an e-mail. "But since conservatives consume far more public affairs programming and since Fox doesn't have to share the audience, they'll crush Carlson."
Presidential Press Conference: Coverage Notes
> On NBC, Brian Williams (figuratively) passed the mic to a stable of correspondents: Tim Russert, David Gregory, Jim Miklaszewski and Andrea Mitchell. On ABC, Peter Jennings spent a lot more time talking to the camera.
> ABC and CNN turned to their correspondents in Baghdad for reaction (David Wright and Chris Lawrence, respectively).
> FNC offered a special report for Fox broadcast network affiliates, anchored by Martha MacCallum. She did well, until the end, when she said Bush was heading to Camp David for Christmas. (He's going to Crawford.)
> After 10 minutes of analysis, FNC flashed the "Christmas under attack?" graphics, and returned to normal programming.
> MSNBC dusted off its spiffy "Presidential Press Conference" graphics, and interviewed Russert and Mitchell after NBC's special report concluded.
> ABC and CNN turned to their correspondents in Baghdad for reaction (David Wright and Chris Lawrence, respectively).
> FNC offered a special report for Fox broadcast network affiliates, anchored by Martha MacCallum. She did well, until the end, when she said Bush was heading to Camp David for Christmas. (He's going to Crawford.)
> After 10 minutes of analysis, FNC flashed the "Christmas under attack?" graphics, and returned to normal programming.
> MSNBC dusted off its spiffy "Presidential Press Conference" graphics, and interviewed Russert and Mitchell after NBC's special report concluded.
Carlson: MSNBC's 1st Truly Balanced Primetime
Upon reading TVNewser's exclusive report that MSNBC is courting CNN's Tucker Carlson to replace Deborah Norville, both extremes of the political spectrum sounded angry. Free Republic posters called him the "liberal's idea of what a conservative should be," while Democratic Underground posters shuddered at the thought of "two right-wingers on MSNBC's prime time lineup."
But that's the point. Carlson would be the final cog in a truly balanced primetime -- and for the first time, MSNBC's lineup would seamlessly flow from one show to the next.
If Fox programs for conservatives in primetime, and CNN attracts the liberals, MSNBC is the moderate choice -- the "independent" channel. "There is an audience for that," one MSNBC insider asserted over the weekend. (Remember the "more facts, more angles" tagline?) It's important to recognize that Carlson hasn't been signed yet, and that the format and "look" of the show hasn't been determined. This will be Kaplan's baby.
"This is a conservative who actually publicly predicted John Kerry's victory," the Ucorrelated blog says. "Not exactly a 'red-state' kind of guy is he?," he writes. But again, that's the point. MSNBC's lineup features Chris Matthews, a host who leans Democratic but attacked Clinton; Keith Olbermann, who hosts the smartest hour in primetime; and Joe Scarborough, a registered Republican who isn't afraid to criticize his own party.
Via an e-mailer on Sunday, I can't imagine a better sales pitch: "Look beyond the manufactured bombast of 'Crossfire' and you'll find a seasoned, intelligent journalist who has proven he can do excellent work, whether it's writing about then-Governor George W. Bush for 'Talk' magazine, hosting 'Unfiltered' on PBS, or serving as a panelist on 'The Chris Matthews Show.' He'll be an excellent counterbalance to MSNBC's left-of-center Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, and unlike Fox's Sean Hannity, Carlson is not content to spout the party line. MS is making the right move, if this deal goes through."
But that's the point. Carlson would be the final cog in a truly balanced primetime -- and for the first time, MSNBC's lineup would seamlessly flow from one show to the next.
If Fox programs for conservatives in primetime, and CNN attracts the liberals, MSNBC is the moderate choice -- the "independent" channel. "There is an audience for that," one MSNBC insider asserted over the weekend. (Remember the "more facts, more angles" tagline?) It's important to recognize that Carlson hasn't been signed yet, and that the format and "look" of the show hasn't been determined. This will be Kaplan's baby.
"This is a conservative who actually publicly predicted John Kerry's victory," the Ucorrelated blog says. "Not exactly a 'red-state' kind of guy is he?," he writes. But again, that's the point. MSNBC's lineup features Chris Matthews, a host who leans Democratic but attacked Clinton; Keith Olbermann, who hosts the smartest hour in primetime; and Joe Scarborough, a registered Republican who isn't afraid to criticize his own party.
Via an e-mailer on Sunday, I can't imagine a better sales pitch: "Look beyond the manufactured bombast of 'Crossfire' and you'll find a seasoned, intelligent journalist who has proven he can do excellent work, whether it's writing about then-Governor George W. Bush for 'Talk' magazine, hosting 'Unfiltered' on PBS, or serving as a panelist on 'The Chris Matthews Show.' He'll be an excellent counterbalance to MSNBC's left-of-center Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, and unlike Fox's Sean Hannity, Carlson is not content to spout the party line. MS is making the right move, if this deal goes through."
Carlson: Giving Hannity "A Run For His Money," Or "Another McEnroe Waiting To Happen?"
A sample of the reactions on blogs and via e-mail to Sunday's scoop that MSNBC is courting CNN's Tucker Carlson:
> "Because there just aren't enough conservative bowtied nitwits on TV," Atrios says. "MSNBC is going for the same things Fox is," a commenter on the site says.
> "I know that I would tune in to the Tucker Carlson show every day," Jokers to the Right blogs. "I think that he's a bright guy, and in the proper format, can even give Conservative Pundit Guy Sean Hannity a run for his money."
> Glenn Reynolds calls it "a good thing for MSNBC, and another sign of how CNN's Crossfire has slipped."
> James Wolcott: "Carlson can't carry that dinky show he's doing on PBS now each week, never mind an hour a night. He's another McEnroe waiting to happen."
> Joann: If Carlson has on some great guests and gets a heated discussion going, it might work. I'll probably switch over when H&C are on a commercial break or discussing something I'm not interested in. But in general, I can't imagine many conservatives deserting H & C to watch Carlson. But I do think this program will do better than Deborah Norville's."
> He's intelligent and knows how to think for himself," a TVSpyer says. "He's not always predictable in his opinions, unlike Sean Hannity. I think MSNBC's potential hiring of Carlson would be an excellent move for the network, and give the channel a new star to complement Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann in primetime."
> Grs: "I hope the rumors about Tucker Carlson joining MSNBC are wrong. MSNBC does not need another conservative talking head on. Please consider a Moderate like Ron Reagan. I stop watching CNN because they are trying to be fox-lite. Most of the main stream media is moving to the right. Who is going to speak up for the 48% who disagree with this administration?"
> Carole: "I am all for Tucker moving to a better show as Crossfire is simply not watchable anymore. I can only take Carville and the other non-thinker, only screamer. I will watch Tucker and see how it goes, he has a sense of humor and that is a good way to start."
> "Because there just aren't enough conservative bowtied nitwits on TV," Atrios says. "MSNBC is going for the same things Fox is," a commenter on the site says.
> "I know that I would tune in to the Tucker Carlson show every day," Jokers to the Right blogs. "I think that he's a bright guy, and in the proper format, can even give Conservative Pundit Guy Sean Hannity a run for his money."
> Glenn Reynolds calls it "a good thing for MSNBC, and another sign of how CNN's Crossfire has slipped."
> James Wolcott: "Carlson can't carry that dinky show he's doing on PBS now each week, never mind an hour a night. He's another McEnroe waiting to happen."
> Joann: If Carlson has on some great guests and gets a heated discussion going, it might work. I'll probably switch over when H&C are on a commercial break or discussing something I'm not interested in. But in general, I can't imagine many conservatives deserting H & C to watch Carlson. But I do think this program will do better than Deborah Norville's."
> He's intelligent and knows how to think for himself," a TVSpyer says. "He's not always predictable in his opinions, unlike Sean Hannity. I think MSNBC's potential hiring of Carlson would be an excellent move for the network, and give the channel a new star to complement Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann in primetime."
> Grs: "I hope the rumors about Tucker Carlson joining MSNBC are wrong. MSNBC does not need another conservative talking head on. Please consider a Moderate like Ron Reagan. I stop watching CNN because they are trying to be fox-lite. Most of the main stream media is moving to the right. Who is going to speak up for the 48% who disagree with this administration?"
> Carole: "I am all for Tucker moving to a better show as Crossfire is simply not watchable anymore. I can only take Carville and the other non-thinker, only screamer. I will watch Tucker and see how it goes, he has a sense of humor and that is a good way to start."
Carlson: Not Your Cardboard Cutout Conservative
Many Internet commenters tore apart Sunday's news that MSNBC was courting Tucker Carlson. Some of the highlights are included in the post above. But before criticizing as a cardboard cutout conservative, there are two articles you should read:
> A 2000 New York magazine profile: "Tucker is a programmer's high concept -- a conservative who does humor and affability instead of Bill Bennett disapproval or Ann Coulter rage," Michael Wolff wrote.
> A 2003 and a Salon interview: "I don't like partisanship because it abets lying," he told Salon. "And I think you burn out fast when you demagogue." In other words, Carlson will not resemble Sean Hannity.
Carlson has been critical of the war in Iraq -- calling it a "complete mess" -- and his beliefs were confirmed after a trip to the country for Esquire Magazine. That's not his only qualm. "There are a number of issues on which I'm unsettled," Carlson told the NY Daily News in July.
Carlson's PBS show, "Unfiltered," may be a proper example of the direction MSNBC wants to head in. It's not a shouting show -- it's a conversation about ideas. This quote from his Salon interview hopefully hints at the angle his show will take: "You never hear someone in TV say something that's interesting, challenging, politically incorrect. Why is that? It bothers me." I bet it bothers other potential viewers, too...
> A 2000 New York magazine profile: "Tucker is a programmer's high concept -- a conservative who does humor and affability instead of Bill Bennett disapproval or Ann Coulter rage," Michael Wolff wrote.
> A 2003 and a Salon interview: "I don't like partisanship because it abets lying," he told Salon. "And I think you burn out fast when you demagogue." In other words, Carlson will not resemble Sean Hannity.
Carlson has been critical of the war in Iraq -- calling it a "complete mess" -- and his beliefs were confirmed after a trip to the country for Esquire Magazine. That's not his only qualm. "There are a number of issues on which I'm unsettled," Carlson told the NY Daily News in July.
Carlson's PBS show, "Unfiltered," may be a proper example of the direction MSNBC wants to head in. It's not a shouting show -- it's a conversation about ideas. This quote from his Salon interview hopefully hints at the angle his show will take: "You never hear someone in TV say something that's interesting, challenging, politically incorrect. Why is that? It bothers me." I bet it bothers other potential viewers, too...
Quotables From Roger Ailes On C-SPAN
Brian Lamb's C-SPAN interview with Roger Ailes yielded several interesting tidbits on Sunday night. Here is the transcript, and here are the highlights:
> Finding great talent: "There are 27 things that make it work for me." Examples: "Do they know how to tell a story? Would I enjoy having dinner with them? Do they know how to form an argument? Do I hate their agent?"
> Evening news: "I think the whole idea of a network spending $200 million for a half hour is starting to get old, and that -- the economics of the business may change it."
> Brian Williams: A "smart guy" with "a lot of nice shirts;" Someone "every parent wishes their daughter would marry."
> Does FNC have liberal employees?: "I'm sure a lot of them are... I don't care how people vote. It is not my business."
> Media coverage of the O'Reilly sex allegations: "MSNBC and NBC tried to make a big game out of it, and CNN handled it responsibly."
> A Fox version of CNN En Espanol?: "We're looking at that now -- I really can't say too much about it --both for this country and elsewhere."
Here are the Newshounds' take on the interview...
> Finding great talent: "There are 27 things that make it work for me." Examples: "Do they know how to tell a story? Would I enjoy having dinner with them? Do they know how to form an argument? Do I hate their agent?"
> Evening news: "I think the whole idea of a network spending $200 million for a half hour is starting to get old, and that -- the economics of the business may change it."
> Brian Williams: A "smart guy" with "a lot of nice shirts;" Someone "every parent wishes their daughter would marry."
> Does FNC have liberal employees?: "I'm sure a lot of them are... I don't care how people vote. It is not my business."
> Media coverage of the O'Reilly sex allegations: "MSNBC and NBC tried to make a big game out of it, and CNN handled it responsibly."
> A Fox version of CNN En Espanol?: "We're looking at that now -- I really can't say too much about it --both for this country and elsewhere."
Here are the Newshounds' take on the interview...
Is GMA Knocking On Today's Door?
"There is talk that NBC News executives increasingly are concerned about Today and its hold on viewers," USA Today says this morning. "The gaps are getting smaller, and GMA is within striking range" of Today, GMA chief Ben Sherwood says. But "this is a marathon," he cautions, and Today E.P. Tom Touchet warns Sherwood is trying to create buzz: "It's a desperate move," he says...
The Ticker: King's Guests...WNT/BBC...
> On Reliable Sources on Sunday, Michael Isikoff joked about the Peterson case: "My own private theory is that none of these people actually exist," he joked. "They were created by cable TV as a reality show to sort of keep ratings up and it just took on a life of its own."
> CNN prez Jim Walton has dictated that "broadcast network news stars" like Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Barbara Walters "cannot spend an hour on [Larry King Live] promoting their news shows that compete with CNN's own news franchises," TV Week reports...
> From Dan: "On World News Tonight Sunday, they had a great story about people trying to cross the Mexican border into the USA. But it was a BBC story. In the past few years, they often use BBC stories for coverage of places around the world that ABC doesn't have a reporter (Sudan, for instance), but half the story took place in the U.S. -- Why don't they just outsource all their coverage? Sigh..."
> CNN prez Jim Walton has dictated that "broadcast network news stars" like Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Barbara Walters "cannot spend an hour on [Larry King Live] promoting their news shows that compete with CNN's own news franchises," TV Week reports...
> From Dan: "On World News Tonight Sunday, they had a great story about people trying to cross the Mexican border into the USA. But it was a BBC story. In the past few years, they often use BBC stories for coverage of places around the world that ABC doesn't have a reporter (Sudan, for instance), but half the story took place in the U.S. -- Why don't they just outsource all their coverage? Sigh..."
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