Comments on: What’s hot/What’s not: 2007 Year End Spectacular…

by: Obama in 08!

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:28:59 +0000

(sound of many many many hands clapping) Great list Spud!

by: STP

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:20:32 +0000

Good list, Spud. You seem to have caught all the major highlights.

I would only add to the NOT HOT list all the constant on-air bad mouthing of the competition (the bashing of individual talking heads and networks as a whole).

Instead of the repeated dissing of their competition, it would do cable news shows good to spend more time covering the actual news with facts and informed guests. The competition bashing reeks of political partisanship, personal agendas and one-upmanship. Overall I feel the pettiness brings down the level of professionalism and integrity in cable news.

by: chris

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:04:40 +0000

spud could you of added, “the culture quiz” being added to the factor…in all honesty the worst thing you could add to a so called “news Program”

by: Spud

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:29:00 +0000

Debates always produce some sort of controversy. It goes with the territory…

by: Ira

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:48:41 +0000

Spud: One item that I didn’t see on your list were the three Presidential debates that produced controversy that extended beyond cable TV.

First was the MSNBC Democratic debate where Hillary couldn’t answer Tim Russert’s question about drivers’ licenses for illegal aliens. Then there was the Dem debate from Las Vegas on CNN that was packed with Hillary supporters in the audience. Finally the CNN GOP/You Tube debate that featured more than a few Dem plants masquerading as “average citizens” including that “don’t ask, don’t tell” Hillary supporter from Santa Rosa, California.

Sarah: I’m not necessarily a fan of Ms. Friel but I have to scratch my head at some of the hysterical mostly female comments that I read here. In the context of the most important what happenings in cable TV in 2007, Courtney is like a gnat on an elephant, she means nothing!

by: Sarah

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:57:47 +0000

Great list!

I’m glad you finally included the Friel factor.

And to Ira: there are many men out there complaining, maybe not here, but I’ve seen a lot!

by: Cella

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:59:22 +0000

Spud,
Thanks for introducing me to Chickaboomer.
The column today is side-splitting.
Particularly “People I’d Love To See
Disappear.”
Guess who makes the first spot on the list - our favorite “Tee Vee” star - Courtney Friel.
And I was just kidding about Rick Sanchez.
Though I find him unappealing, I know he has garnered attention from some viewers.

by: Nobody

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:22:33 +0000

MSNBC is in trouble. They will not be around by the close of 2008. Their ratings go up with crime, it’s only a matter of time before they close up shop for the weekend, and then start chopping more hours of programming during the week. Olbermann will be the last man standing, all MSNBC talent will move over to the network, and once Bush is out of office, Olbermann’s ratings will tank since he will not have anyone to attack anymore… and at that point, they will move him over to NBC Sports, where he does a much, much better job, and he could actually do something that earns him the 4 million bucks they are paying him each year.

by: Dmuse

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:53:26 +0000

Great list Spud, but what about Chris Matthews “coming out” as a full-time Giuliani shill (paid? unpaid?), and now as Rudy’s star fades, Chris moving over to hitch his “star” to McCain? And at the same time, turning “Hardball” into a psychotherapist’s dream, with his bizarre daily, unrelenting, hate-filled visceral Clinton attacks.

by: Spud

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:24:17 +0000

He was hot for a while. He has cooled off recently. Still on average, he’s exceeded expectations for CNN.

I don’t consider Morning Joe not hot. I don’t consider it hot either. But I do think it’s improved a lot since it first started when MSNBC was still in Secaucus.

by: Marty Davis

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:10:49 +0000

My dear friend: Great list! I compiled a few as well but yours is far more comprehensive. I MUST start back on that Dexedrine for my terminal ADD! Happy New Year!
Marty

by: Cella

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:47:11 +0000

Well done, Spud.
But one question - Rick Sanchez, - hot?? Yikes!
Give me a break!

by: Bruce

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:40:05 +0000

Spud you did a fine job. But failed to mention the most outrageous mistake by our friends and the soon to be defunct MSNBC. “Morning Joe”. The most boring program next to an infomercial. Now that our dear friend “Don Imus” not so insignificant RFD-TV is going to be carried on Comcast Cable in mid January. Morning Joe better look for a new job. The only bright spot on that program is Willy Geist. And I were him I would get out of MSNBC before he goes down with the ship.

Happy New Year Spud and keep up the great work.

by: Aaron

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:32:31 +0000

Great work, Spud.

by: Spud

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:21:24 +0000

Ira, I noted right at the top that the list isn’t prioritized.

by: Ira

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:46:40 +0000

Spud: Agreed, a good list and analysis.

Two comments:

I’m surprised to see Eric Bolling’s so-called defection so close to the top of your list. He was/is basically a non-entity on both networks.

And assuming that amused is a male, I find it interesting that most of the sharpest criticism of Courtney Friel on ICN comes from other women.

by: myview

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:17:59 +0000

Excellent list!

by: Chris

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:51:54 +0000

Well done Spud! Also, if anyone wants a reminder of Zahn’s last day at CNN, click the link on my name, still amazing to look back at that and remember watching it that night, seemed like she was getting pushed out, which we all already know.

Anyhow, once again, great job on the list!

by: Lurker

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:48:24 +0000

Nice write-up.

by: ImNotBlue

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:38:30 +0000

Bravo, Spud! Well done.

I’m going to go sing, “Memories” now… and think about 2007.

by: Anonymous

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:22:34 +0000

“When they do that, they’re really competing with Court TV,” Mr. Klein later told NYTV in an interview in his office overlooking Columbus Circle. “They’re saying, in effect, we give up trying to cover the news in any meaningful way. It enhances our brand. We’re the last man standing in terms of covering the news. We love that.”

Huh, Klein took off the second hour of 360 then takes a pot shot at MSNBC over the doc block which beats 360 sometimes in the ratings?

Huh?