Paul McLeary in CJR Daily weighs in…

But enough dwelling upon fond memories. A new year is dawning, and we look forward to Novak on Fox. Who knows — maybe Fox News honcho Roger Ailes can convince Bob to tell us what he told the special prosecutor about the Valerie Plame affair.

Or not.

Let’s just hope he keeps it clean.

Sid Smith and Maureen Ryan in the Chicago Tribune compile a list of noteable moments on TV in 2005. Shepard Smith, Anderson Cooper, and Paula Zahn were noted under the “Biggest sign of hope for TV News” category and soon to be ex CNNer Robert Novak was noted under the “Most memorable moments” category for storming off the CNN set…

Robert Novak is leaving CNN. Here are Jonathan Klein’s comments…

After 25 years of serving as a CNN commentator and program host, our colleague Bob Novak’s tenure on the network will come to a close (effective 12/31).

Through the years, Bob has offered incisive analysis for much of CNN’s programming, including Crossfire, The Capital Gang, Inside Politics, Evans and Novak, The Novak Zone, and Novak, Hunt and Shields. Bob has also been a valued contributor to CNN’s political coverage. We appreciate his many contributions and wish him well in future endeavors.

Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S.

UPDATE: The AP’s David Bauder scoops that Novak is joining FNC. Well, there’s a real shock…not.

Commentator Robert Novak, who hasn’t been seen on CNN since swearing and storming off the set in August, will leave the network after 25 years and join Fox News Channel as a contributor next month.

Novak, 74, said Friday he probably would have left CNN anyway when his contract expired this month even if it hadn’t been for the incident.

The suspension actually served to eliminate a delicate problem for CNN, which had received some criticism for keeping the political columnist on the air with his involvement in the CIA leak case.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper has an article in and makes the cover of Life magazine… (via Gawker)

CNN’s Anderson Cooper talks about the biggest news stories of 2005, the images that still haunt him, and the unexpected places where he finds hope

UPDATE: I had a copy of the magazine arrive with today’s paper. Cooper’s subjects included Hurricane Katrina, Niger, Indonesia and the Tsunami, Pakistan after the Earthquake, and the Farewell to Pope John Paul II. And check out this intro…

In a year of sweeping and shocking tragedies, CNN’s Anderson Cooper went from maverick anchor to national hero when he voiced outrage on behalf of suffering Katrina victims

National hero?

Michael Starr notes what happened at a Jim Cramer’s book signing yesterday…

Francis’ colleague, Jim Cramer, caused quite a mob scene yesterday, signing his new book, “Jim Cramer’s Real Money,” over at the NBC Experience Store and slaying the crowd with one-liners and “Boo-yahs!” The book sold out in minutes, with shoppers also buying Cramer bobbleheads, playing cards and other Cramer (chandise).

Marketwatch’s Jon Friedman compiled a list of noteable items from 2005 and CNN and Bill O’Reilly both made it for things they’d probably just as soon forget…

THE CALLOUS NEWS NETWORK - CNN’s media relations team dropped the ball and looked like the Cartoon News Network when CNN threw Aaron Brown overboard (not that CNN looked much classier when it cut loose Bill Hemmer). By the way, practically no single news event in 2005 sparked as many emails from outraged Media Web readers as Brown’s unceremonious exit.
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