CNN hopes retooled Cooper, Zahn shows improve prime-time ratings

[kskiska]

Maybe if they put Crossfire back on, someone might watch.

This time they're serious.

CNN's prime-time anchors, Paula Zahn and Anderson Cooper, officially launch their new shows Monday.

Yes, they've both been on the air for months, but the Atlanta network is repackaging them in a bid to boost sagging prime-time ratings.

"There is going to be a structure to the hour," producer Jim Miller said of Zahn's retooled show. "Viewers are going to understand the show in a way they couldn't this summer."

Zahn's straight news program will be called "Paula Zahn Now." Cooper's show, which will have a lighter, fast-paced style, will be called "Anderson Cooper 360."

Zahn's show will have a new set and regular contributors, to be announced over the coming weeks. Cooper's show will add features, including some about media and entertainment.

Yeah! That's the ticket! Paula just needs a new set!

more…
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/cnn/0903/06zahn.html?urac=n&urvf=10628676086960.17226319640867926

[ibegurpard]

1. Bring back Crossfire in an hour format and I'll watch in that timeslot

I'm not tuning in to Paul von Zahn no matter how they try to repackage her.

[ComerPerro]

6. No shit

I loved watching Crossfire for an hour in that timeslot.

[Neecy]

2. pfffft

I saw a promo for Zahn's "new" show that proclaimed that she's fair.

I guess if CNN parrots that often enough, two or three people might actually believe it. The woman is a freakin' shark when it comes to liberals or Democrats.

[htuttle]

3. I had the unfortunate experience of watching 5 minutes of her recently

Her show was full of the most shrill, spiteful propaganda I've seen in a long time. She was visibly uncomfortable dealing with ANY criticism of the Bush administration, and was a blatant apologist. She literally attacks guests who don't parrot the party line.

WHY would anyone but Karl Rove put themselves through watching that crap? One good way to get me to change the channel fast is to put her twisted-by-hatred, pinched up face on the screen...

[Generic Other]

4. They've groomed Anderson Cooper to be some Gen-X

Beavis and Butthead. Gotta attract thaty valuable youth demographic. No matter that last week he was right of Rush, next week he's the voice of the alienated and hip youth culture. Next, we'll have the P-Diddy and J Lo News Show. As soon as they teach the chick how to read.

Why not hire a real voice of the left? Why isn't it Michael Moore's News Show, or Al Franken's Report? Give us some honest voices that don't just go with the flow.

Argggh...

[pasadenaboy]

5. they are both horrible

If I ran a news service, I would have a new host every year. It gives you fresh blood and people who are in touch with real people. All these multi-millionaire talking heads don't understand anything about real people

[SoCalDem]

7. CNN sucks because they forgot who they WERE

CNN's success was always that they were the LIVE station of choice for NEWS.. They used "ordinary" on-air people, who were not "stars".. Mostly they were journalists who were actually used to reporting NEWS..

People sis not tune in to ooh & aah about Bernie Shaw's hairstyle or clothes.. They did not send fan mail to John Holliman or Peter Arnett..

At any time..day or night, you USED to be able to turn on CNN and see something NEW and interesting...and you had access to the WHOLE world.. They did not produce "shows" and then repeat them over and over and over..


The AOL/Time/People merger RUINED what was left of CNN..
:(

As long as they try to be an "Inftainment" and celebrity news venue, they will never be worth watching again :(


Paging Ted Turner... The problem is that, even IF Ted managed to wrest the reins away from the loonies running the show now, he would have to start from scratch again.. I do feel though , that a lot of the former employees would return if he did..