Contradiction?
Variety’s Brian Lowry writes about Sean Hannity saying one thing on his radio show and doing something else on the Hannity & Colmes program…
Sean Hannity has been on a crusade he calls the “Stop Hillary Express,” warning his conservative radio audience that without their vigilance, Sen. Hillary Rodham can indeed be elected president. More people would recognize this, Hannity lamented recently to his listeners, were the public not preoccupied with trifles like Anna Nicole Smith and Britney Spears, leaving it to committed patriots like him to educate them.
So what did Hannity lead with that night on “Hannity & Colmes,” his Fox News Channel program? None other than the still-dead Anna Nicole.
I think this shows who’s in charge in both of these productions. On HIS show, he can talk about what he wants. On H&C, he has less influence, and the producers decide what’s important. I can’t fault Hannity for this… but it does provide an interesting look into the production of cable news v. talk radio.
Comment by ImNotBlue — March 3, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Isnt Hannity and exec producer on H&C?
Comment by Randy — March 3, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
He calls the shots on his radio program, but not on H&C. It’s nice that he now has his own TV show on Sundays. It is frustrating for him not to have as much say on H&C. I think he has a little more say than Alan Colmes; but I’ve heard listeners call in to Colmes’ radio show as well complaining about all the Anna Nicole Smith on TV. Same happened with the Natalie Holloway and Scott Peterson cases as well.
Comment by erljr — March 3, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
I’m pretty sure Colmes has no say what goes on, because every story seems to be coming from the perspective of Hannity. You will never see a topic of, “George Bush: Overstepping his powers?” But everyday there is the usual anti dem story, that puts Colmes in the defense position.
Comment by Randy — March 3, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Great point Randy! In all honesty, thank god Hannity doesn’t angle everything as bad as he does during his weekend show, that thing is just about as Right-loving as you get on the network considering there really doesn’t seem to be any opposing force creating his questions there.
Comment by Chris — March 3, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
H and C is a political program PERIOD. Looks very bad when H and C are handling breaking news about something other than political happeings. Can people really trust a political pundit to give them the news?
Comment by Me — March 3, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
Airing the Anna Nicole drama on Hannity & Colmes definitely kills the show for those of us who want politics, but that decision comes from much higher up than Hannity.
This isn’t hypocritical on his part, because it’s not his call.
There are many shows where the host gets to call all their own shots. Anna Nicole equaled big ratings for cable news, so they ran with the story everywhere.
Comment by bigred — March 4, 2007 @ 1:13 am
H&C has never been “a political program PERIOD.” It’s always been about half political, half fluff. And Colmes is actually more indispensible than Hannity. If you watch you know there are a zillion good subs for Hannity, none for Colmes. All the Democrats that are any good at debate are afraid of Hannity. I wish that weren’t the case.
Comment by erljr — March 4, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Is this the best you “gotcha” liberals can do? Put down the pipe & get a job.
Comment by ChrisM — March 4, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Wow, ChrisM, good one. How long did it take you to think that one up?
I have to agree with previous posters, I’m sure Hannity, as much as I don’t like him, does not call the shots on H&C as much as he does on his top rated radio show. However, I’m also sure he does not complain as long as the checks keep rolling in.
Comment by Keyser Soze — March 4, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
If you watch you know there are a zillion good subs for Hannity, none for Colmes.
erljr — March 4, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
I disagree. I think Bob Beckle does a good job subbing for Colmes. I don’t much care for him when he’s allowed to rant and rave about whatever as a guest… but as a host, I think he can hold his own.
Plus, he’s slightly easier to look at than ol’ Alan “Skeletor” Colmes… complete with his “Action Eyebrow” and “Colmes’ Comb-Proof Hair”
Comment by ImNotBlue — March 5, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Hannity can hide, very well, the fact that he’s just a sheep like most everyone in cable news who follows the fearless leader…..the program director.
Comment by Roger C. — March 5, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Plus, he’s slightly easier to look at than ol’ Alan “Skeletor” Colmes… complete with his “Action Eyebrow” and “Colmes’ Comb-Proof Hair”
Comment by ImNotBlue — March 5, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Wow! Something that we can agree on. “Skeletor”! HA! That gets me every time.
Comment by Shaun — March 5, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
I’ve met him in person… he looks like Skeletor in real life too.
Comment by ImNotBlue — March 5, 2007 @ 7:41 pm