Talk Show Washout Tries Again

New York Times ^ | June 30, 2005 | Alessandra Stanley

[Cecily]

Perhaps the best way to sum up an MSNBC talk show that describes itself as "so fast - it's changing the pace of news" is by adopting the program's taste for summary judgment: "The Situation," starring Tucker Carlson, a former host of CNN's "Crossfire," is all cross and no fire.

Next topic. MSNBC is the River Styx of television talk shows. These kinds of news-based programs were supposed to serve as a farm team for the network leagues, testing the talent of lesser-known commentators and reporters in a looser, more forgiving format. Lately, however, all the synergy is going south, all the way to Hades. Washouts often get a second chance on MSNBC and its sister channel, CNBC, but it is mostly a last chance. Recent fallen stars on CNBC include Tina Brown, John McEnroe and Dennis Miller. Mr. Carlson had to step over the departed Deborah Norville to get his 9 p.m. slot.

[Cecily]

This article is not about him, but I do wish Dennis Miller would get another show somewhere.

[cvq3842]

Me too.

[martin_fierro]

For once, I agree with the NYT.

Carlson's a boob.

[SittinYonder]

CNN's new president, Jonathan Klein, said that he agreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Stewart's assessment, adding that CNN would stick to more substantive reporting and analysis.

LOL. Jon Stewart of the fake news show is the programming director at CNN now. Seems appropriate.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Never trust a man wearing a bow tie in this day and age.

[flashbunny]

I lost whatever remaining respect I had for bowtie boy right before the election.

He was among a group of pundits predicting the election. Not only did he predict a kerry win, he predicted a democrat gain in the house and senate.

[martin_fierro]

And speaking of Washouts Trying Again...

[mombonn]

MSNBC is the River Styx of television talk shows.

LOL, what a great line!

[Cecily]

Jennifer Wilbanks (The Runaway Bride) should hire Jayson Blair (or perhaps Rick Bragg) to ghost her upcoming book.

[Pompah]

Carlson's a Boob. Roger That. I always wondered if Little Tucker Bow-Tie was the best the Right could come up with against Baglia & Company.

[lewislynn]

I always wondered if Little Tucker Bow-Tie was the best the Right could come up with against Baglia & Company.

What makes you think the right came up with him?

[DManA]

What do the media suits see in Carlson? Obviously the audience sees nothing worth watching.

[MurryMom]

MSNBC ought to clean house and get rid of their 10:00 p.m. moron, too.

"Scarborough Country" has got to be the most boring show on all of TV land. The show's only redeeming feature is that it ends close to bed time. Only Ambien works better for inducing sleep quickly.

[Cecily]

You got me.

[Stultis]

"Scarborough Country" has got to be the most boring show on all of TV land.

Fox is no better with Hannity & Combes lately. Not being into "all Aruba all the time," I've found the show absolutely unwatchable for weeks now. It's always Aruba every time I try to tune in. (In spite of the fact that Greta comes on with another full hour of Aruba right after, and in spite of the fact that the public received no respite following the Jacko binge.)

Isn't there room for a channel that just does hard news? Brit and Cavuto currently offer the only respite from Arubamania.

[Cecily]

Joe turned out to be quite the little snark too, sort of like Carlson. I guess they think they need to be "colorful" to get ratings, although ranting and raving doesn't seem to help Chrissy Boy Matthews much.