What’s hot/What’s not…
I’m starting a new weekly feature called What’s hot/What’s not. The purpose is to highlight the people/events/channels that are noticeably noteworthy. Something can be hot/not hot and be either a negative or a positive thing. Or both. The way I will go about doing this is every Saturday I’ll ask for reader submissions for the hot and not hot categories for the week. On Sunday I’ll post the hottest/not hottest which may be from those submissions or I may choose something that nobody suggested. But for today, I’ll forego the nomination process and instead put out this week’s items to give you an idea of the kind of things I’m on the lookout for.
What’s Hot:
Anderson Cooper - Twice this week Cooper was on the air for big news stories (Peru earthquake, Seismic Bump mine event) and both times he got the best Demo numbers in cable news. Of course, FNC and MSNBC would be quick to ask, “Yeah? Well, what about his Demo numbers when he doesn’t have a breaking news event to skew his numbers?” True. But, this week at least, Cooper is hot!
Joe Scarborough - Scarborough was hot this week. He memorably trashed Don Imus, revealed that people in the MSNBC newsroom booed the 2003 SOTU, and beat up Bill O’Reilly for using said event against his network. Good news: He got a lot of media attention and internet attention as a feisty and unpredictable media personality. Bad news: It’s questionable whether this notoriety will help his program’s below-Imus-in-the-Morning ratings any.
FNC’s 1/2 Hour News Hour - Despite performing well for the network, FNC’s comedy program is not going to be airing new episodes after September 16th and may be retooled for a re-launch in a different form at some future date. This doesn’t make sense to me. The program is doing well but it’s not continuing? Where’s the other shoe? All too often, whenever you see the words “mutually decided” in an announcement, there is more going on than meets the eye. Speculating about whether more is going on and what that might be is what makes this hot!
Alexis Glick - Twice this week Alexis Glick hosted Your World. Glick had been working behind the scenes at FNC until News Corp. announced the launch date for Fox Business Network. Now her appearances and profile on FNC are increasing as preparations are being made to launch FBN in October.
What’s Not:
CNN’s 8pm hour - Faced with a three month long programming hole at 8pm until Campbell Brown arrives in November, CNN has opted to go with an assortment of live programs and documentaries to fill the gap. While it hasn’t hurt the network’s ratings at that hour much, there is a danger that CNN could be facing what MSNBC faced in the multi-month gap at 9pm between when Deborah Norville left the network and when Tucker Carlson began. Tucker never was able to get traction at that hour, after months of a mix of live programs and docs airing at that hour. To further complicate things, even when Brown does arrive she won’t be there long as she’ll have to go on maternity leave within a couple of months. All of which points to possible traction trouble ahead for the network at that hour going in to early 2008.
FNC’s breaking news programming decision making process - Thursday’s strange decision by FNC to go to tape at Midnight while the Seismic Bump incident was still unfolding left this blog’s FNC fans scratching their heads. FNC ended up dipping in and out of tape over the subsequent hours and, though they probably caught most of the news developments, by going to tape they ceeded blocks of minutes to CNN and MSNBC, both of whom continued their live coverage nonstop. I don’t think this decision affected their ratings much, if at all. But, in my opinion, from an appearances standpoint their reputation did take it on the chin a bit.
OMG anony is going to have a stroke!!!!!! Cooper just happened to be on when breaking news happened, whew, thank God he wasn’t like on vacation sailing in Long Island sound or off to Africa for 60 minutes or buying underwear and showing it off on the subway. I’m sure that fragrance (that now Ford and CNN have come out and said was false) helped too. As we all know it’s breaking news when anyone else hosts and it’s all because of Anderson when he’s on but really YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. It’s either because of breaking news or the anchor pick one and quit backtracking because you get caught spewing bullshait.
But let’s discuss his 499 at 10 on Monday July 9th, so how do you explain that? Wasn’t it Marty or Arthur who said that John Roberts only got good numbers because Monday is typically a good night for 360? That particular Monday wasn’t good so what is their excuse for those lousy numbers?
I have NEVER been drunk in my life….wonder if anony can make the same claim and not be lying.
Comment by Mary Snow — August 18, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
This is a great idea.
Comment by myview — August 18, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
I like this new feature, but Alexis Glick as “hot”? Eek. I saw her on FOX, and frankly I think she did a bad job. The only good news in her appearances is that HOPEFULLY she’ll get some practice before she starts her daily anchoring duties on Fox Biz…although I don’t think practice will help her much…
As for Mary Snow, if comment posters were allowed on the list, she’d be a permanent fixture on the “What’s Not” list every week.
Comment by Anonymous — August 18, 2007 @ 10:17 pm
Well I can’t please everyone Mary Snow. If I was, I would probably be doing something wrong. I knew when I decided to start this that some of the selections would be controversial.
It’s important to remember this feature is mostly about the short term and not the long term. What happens week to week not month to month. The CNN 8pm hour item sort of straddles that line though. It’s both short term and long term.
Comment by Spud — August 18, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
I bet if AC would have been on vacation he would’ve return to cover it. Unlike a former cnn’er whose initials are AB who used the excuses he didn’t have any on-air clothes OR a way to get to a studio. I guess he forgot about the studio in LA and that he could have faked out the on air clothes by wearing a dress shirt, tie and suit coat. Give AC credit, he shows enthusiasm about covering the stories he does.
Comment by Me — August 18, 2007 @ 10:23 pm
Bull’s Eye, Spud.
I like it!
Comment by Cella — August 18, 2007 @ 10:35 pm
Starting out Spud, you might consider making the names/titles bold to make them more obvious out of the text, just a style-related idea.
Moving on, I think you’re rather spot on for quite a few of these things, though I question the Glick note, though I think I understand in that this is a sign of the new network getting serious and more work going towards that then the programming currently on FNC.
Comment by Chris (clind) — August 19, 2007 @ 12:15 am
I agree. Good feature. And most everything is spot on. I do miss the Question of the weekend.
Comment by erljr — August 19, 2007 @ 12:41 am
I was running out of good questions. I’ll still trot it out when one that really needs asking pops up…
BTW, good suggestion Chris. It would be nice if the blog software had an underline feature but it doesn’t.
Comment by Spud — August 19, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Mary Snow acts as if Anderson is the ONLY anchor who has an off night or nights. Yeah, you can go back on anyone’s ratings and find a day when they didn’t do so well. So what? If AC was doing as awful as she wants everyone to believe, he’d be off the air. I think overall, his demo numbers are generally pretty good. And yes, he was hot this past week.
And Spud, that you can respond so reasonably to MS’s latest “off her meds” rant is pretty commendable.
Comment by Marty — August 19, 2007 @ 12:50 am
“It would be nice if the blog software had an underline feature but it doesn’t.”
“What’s Hot” and “What’s Not” are underlined.
Just saying.
Comment by elmonica — August 19, 2007 @ 1:29 am
Well, he just added that recently. Waaaay off topic, but has anyone watched The Situation Room with Miles O’Brien as host? He seems alot more suited for a mid to late-day broadcast vs. mornings.
Comment by Chris (clind) — August 19, 2007 @ 1:39 am
Ohhh, I like this new feature but agree with the others on Alexis Glick…not hot, though I don’t think you were talking about how she actually did as opposed to the exposure for her and the FBN…I guess I can see that.
Comment by Sarah — August 19, 2007 @ 2:03 am
Is it just me or is Mary getting weirder?
Comment by Arthur — August 19, 2007 @ 2:09 am
Didn’t think it was possible, huh Arthur? But yes, she is.
Comment by Marty — August 19, 2007 @ 2:24 am
When you want our suggestions, do you just want a name?
Or do you want a narrative paragraph or two, explaining our choice?
Comment by Cella — August 19, 2007 @ 8:47 am
FNC’s Carl Cameron, definitely “not hot” for focusing on Fred Thompson’s footwear at the Iowa State Fair. Once again, the media casts all midwesterners (or southerners) as stupid hicks. Didn’t really expect this from FOX.
Comment by bigred — August 19, 2007 @ 9:24 am
bigred, I think Carl Cameron was just pointing out how silly it is to wear expensive loafers to a state fair. He could have dropped food on them! But seriously, he might look like an elite when he wears those loafers.
Comment by JMK24 — August 19, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Love love the idea Spud!!
Comment by Wenchie — August 19, 2007 @ 10:06 am
Good idea, Spud.
I agree with both of your “what’s not” entries. Fox was moronic reverting back to taped programming when a story of such significance was unfolding.
As for the “what’s hot”, what is “hot” about Alexis Glick? Brenda Buttner and Cheryl Casone seem to have much more personality than does she (or Erin Burnett or Maria B., for that matter). And Scarborough is just using the old MSNBC playbook by attacking other personalities (Imus and O’Reilly, in this case). Nothing new there.
And you bring up a great point about the “Half Hour News Hour”. I have grown to love it, and am disappointed that it’s going. Yet if it’s so successful, why is it being cancelled? What is going on here????
Comment by Missy — August 19, 2007 @ 10:44 am
bigred, I’m willing to bet most people there would not have known they were Gucci, had Carl Cameron not pointed it out. haha!
Drudge then had to highlight it in the DR’s list of anti-Fred Thompson headlines yesterday - for whatever reason.
Seriously though… I’m glad I’m not the only one who was bothered by that…I like Carl though, but that whole little piece he did was pretty negative, even when it wasn’t supposed to be. I have a theory on the Fred Thommpson hate by the media but I won’t get into it here!!
Comment by Sarah — August 19, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
FNC meterologist Domenica David is smokin’ hot this week.
She’s a fairly new employee, but as she has shown this week with the big weather storms, I think she is one of the best meterologists on TV news.
Comment by Objective Analyst — August 19, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
…of course…that’s Domenica Davis, not David…
Comment by Objective Analyst — August 19, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
What I want is a name or subject and then a reason why.
Comment by Spud — August 19, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
Sarah, you would have loved this. One of the local Des Moines stations aired this exchange… One fairgoer said to Fred, “I’m looking for a centrist”. Fred’s reply: “I’m sure there’s one around here somewhere.”
He is 100% upfront and honest about who he is and what he stands for. Almost every other candidate on the Dem side, and probably the other frontrunners on the Republican side, would have tried to claim that they’re “centrists”.
Can’t you just see Hillary or Edwards leaping all over that to try to pander to the guy?
Comment by bigred — August 19, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Also hot this week: Rob Marciano, CNN meterologist and excellent field correspondent, did a great job filling in for John Roberts on American Morning.
Comment by Objective Analyst — August 19, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Hey bigred (#25), that’s a great story about Fred Thompson’s response to a serious question. Also, a very good comment. I’ve never felt too strongly about Thompson on way or the other, but he’s gained increased respect with me. I think the Gucci shoe issue is silly.
Comment by Objective Analyst — August 19, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
bigred - thanks for the story. That is exactly why I think people like him. He tells it like it is and doesn’t apologize for himself.
This is just my opinion, but I think the media (even that which leans right) has a problem with FT because the desire for him to run has been very much a “by the people” kind of movement…for once they didn’t shove something down our throats and can’t yet control it. I remember in the early days, after he was on with Chris Wallace (back in April, I think?), listening to talk radio and the hosts seemed genuinely shocked by how much feedback they were getting. I’ve heard so many media types both right and left try to pass it off with everything from a joke about his role on what is it…Law and Order? (I don’t even know the show) to how he’s an actor like Reagan to how people must see him as an “outsider.” I just think the media has gotten so used to controlling these things lately and can’t stand the fact that they didn’t predict and can’t get a handle on this. Of course, I could be completely wrong, but that’s how I feel about it and I don’t think Spud would be happy if I continued on!
Comment by Sarah — August 19, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
The varnish has come off Fred Thompson and now he looks like a tired old man, making John McCain look spry in comparison.
The only reason he has polled well is because of dissatisfaction with the existing pool of candidates and the ridiculous hype put out by blogs.
The swooning will end once he gets his sorry butt into the race and actually has to compete on the issues.
Comment by elmonica — August 19, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Missy: I’m with you on Alexis Glick. Maybe she’ll improve but for now she lacks the fire of Brenda Buttner, Cheryl Casone, Dagen McDowell and even Terry Keenan. I would really like to see Cavuto lure Karen Gibbs back for the Fox Business Network.
Spud: Remember that when you announce a weekly feature, you are obligated to produce a thread every week. There will probably be some weeks when nobody is worth mentioning, hot or cold.
Comment by Ira — August 19, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
Right, Elmo..because you really care about any of the “issues” voiced by a Republican candidate. I can assure you, varnish has not come off Fred Thompson.
The conservative base is fired up about his candidacy and once he announces, the entire field will change. Of course, that means more anti-Thompson rants from you….
Comment by bigred — August 19, 2007 @ 11:43 pm
Stick to the subject please…
And yes, there may be weeks when nothing hot/not is worth mentioning. Like X-mas week and the week after. Other than that I somehow doubt it. There’s usually something going on.
Comment by Spud — August 20, 2007 @ 1:05 am
#22 Dittos!!!
Comment by spiffo — August 20, 2007 @ 2:10 am
I vote for FNC as not hot, again…for preempting Fox News Sunday to have Geraldo anchoring. I know there’s a big hurricane headed toward Jamaica, but couldn’t they give one freaking hour to something else. Especially if we have to watch Geraldo. He goes in my permanent “not hot” category.
Why does FNC consistently use him? He’s a guest on almost every show, like he’s an expert on everything. He’s just annoying.
Comment by bigred — August 20, 2007 @ 2:11 am
bigred, Geraldo is definitely a permanent “not hot.” (I feel like Paris Hilton saying hot and not hot.) I believe he was actually standing in front of the weather map with D. Davis at one point. The only thing worse I can think of would be the Gregg Jarrett/Courtney Friel hour.
Comment by Sarah — August 20, 2007 @ 2:31 am
I’m sure he was describing the storm as “Dastardly” or something equally as ridiculous.
Comment by spiffo — August 20, 2007 @ 2:32 am
Alexis Glick is so hot she’s making me sexist. Can’t wait to see her and Cavuto on the FBN in October.
Comment by Caufield — August 20, 2007 @ 9:20 am
11am FNC 8/20/2007 and it’s PATTI ANN BROWN. Now she’s HOT in a pure kind of way. Grrr. Where the heck has she been, anyway? Home with the bambino I guess.
Comment by Roger C. — August 20, 2007 @ 11:03 am