Spitzer, Parker to host primetime CNN show
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/23/art.spitzerparker2shot.cnn.jpg caption ="CNN announced Wednesday that Kathleen Parker and Eliot Spitzer will host its new 8 p.m. program."]Washington (CNN) - Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Kathleen Parker will co-host a new hour long CNN primetime news program starting in the fall as the nation prepares for the 2010 midterm election, the network announced Wednesday morning.
The yet-to-be-named “roundtable discussion” program will air at 8 p.m. ET replacing Campbell Brown.
“Other cable news channels force-feed viewers one narrow, predictable point of view; in contrast, CNN will be offering a lively roundup of all the best ideas – presented by two of the most intelligent and outspoken figures in the country,” Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S., said in a statement released by the network. “Eliot and Kathleen are beholden to no vested interest – in fact, quite the opposite: they are renowned for taking on the most powerful targets and most important causes.”
Klein made the announcement in Wednesday’s network wide editorial conference call with CNN staff.
Parker, whose columns appear in over 400 newspapers twice a week, in April received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. She describes herself as a “rational” conservative.
“As a veteran print journalist, I am appropriately respectful of the challenges posed by the medium,” said Parker. “But I'm thrilled by the opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to me —and that aren't heard often enough on television—in a conversation with one of the nation's most brilliant, fearless and original thinkers. With Eliot Spitzer as my co-host, Wall Street and Main Street will finally meet. It can't possibly be boring.”
Spitzer, a Democrat who resigned as governor in March 2008 after acknowledging visiting a prostitute, is a well respected political mind and a take-no-prisoners prosecutor who has been often referred to as the “Sheriff of Wall Street.”
“Kathleen is an extraordinary intellect whose sharp observations and wit are certain to resonate with viewers,” said Spitzer. “I look forward to working alongside her in a discussion that will inform, challenge, and entertain. I am grateful to CNN for the opportunity to co-host a show that will advance the discussion of the defining issues of our time.”
I guess this is part of his recovery.
Keep Saran Palin off the show because she isn't new. nobody want to hear about her.
Wow! Eliot Spitzer! CNN's really trying to polish up their image, huh?
I can't wait for this show to start Eliot Spitzer will turn out to be an asset to the CNN line up
sounds good! that is why i like CNN, they always have both sides and they USUALLY in these sort of things use normal conservatives and normal liberals, unlike FAUX that uses the looniest of the loons and ONLY right wingers. Hannity and oreally, are all about self promtion and indoctrination, and the reason that ONLY right wing loons watch them...
Don't you just love how we reward bad behavior?
That guy is still fugly but he will fit in at CNN
I knew it was only a matter of time, and that's No Bias and No Bull!!!
It seems like Some networks are getting into hiring sex addicts. Let's keep up the good work. Tiger woods, Jessie James and John Edwards maybe looking for work. For future reference, if you cheat, you get a new show.
Good Moral character does mean something doesn't it?
Let's bring the ratings up CNN by giving us trustworthy newsmakers / reporters in an an unbiased way.
This represents the new societal rules for the USA: No good deed goes unpunished, no bad deed goes unrewarded. Great.
One vote for NO!
Dear CNN:
Although I never watched Campbell Brown's show as she was as exciting as yesterday's left-over bran muffin, I am appaled that you have chosen to overlook Spitzer's moral failures and double-standard ethics and shove him down your viewer's throats.
I have looked to CNN for news coverage and cerebral dabates, but will now lean more heavily on MSNBC where I can escape from the absurdity of managment's choice of Spitzer as a viable one for the american public!
I am becoming more and more disillusioned with the corporate mind set that filters what we see & hear – and who is chosen to be the messenger!
I hope Spitzer will invite whores on the show to interview, seeing how that's the only thing he's really an expert on. I sure wish i could go bang a bunch of high end whores and still have a career afterward. Just goes to show, rich keep getting richer, and the rich can do whatever they want with no consequence.
CNN why would you hire this scum bag??? He locked up dudes that did the same thing he did, and now you reward him??
I look forward to enjoying the show. Now can CNN also replace John King, Candy Crowley, and all of the morning empty shells.
Serious news reporting does not start on CNN until Rick Sanchez (Maybe).. Send Ali Velshi back to Financial Reporting.
Send TJ Holmes, Bob Lemon, Fred Whitfield home..
And please please please send Caffterty and his "files" out the door. He really does not add value to Wolf's very good Situation Room.
You've got to be kidding me! Wow, I'll have to see what I can do wrong in order to get my own TV show...and Kathleen Parker??? Wow is all that I can say....I feel really sorry for Campbell Brown now that she was pushed aside for these two...I won't be watching...jmho
I'm not sure what type of message and image CNN is trying to convey to the public by hiring Elliot Spitzer to host this show.
CNN is condoning improper behavior and encouraging poor family value decisions through Spitzer's appointment to this post.
This solidifies that American media is just becoming worse off over time. Is the next step to have a convicted rapist as a host? Because there is a very fine line between hiring a prostitute and rape, its just a matter of paying for concent.
This is a sad state of affairs and a shame to CNN.
Isn't there anyone else out there instead of Eliot Spitzer? Aren't here any other "legal" minds without a tranished reputation? Spitzer should go away on an ethical retreat for about 5 years and then come back with a renewed perspective to co-host a show. But I guess this says more about the media and their choices than it does about Spitzer.
Sorry Mr. Klien but Gov. Spitzer is just another member of the NYC Democrat machine and has no idea how to think on his own. His entire political career in New York was walking the NYC party line, he never veared on his course (unless you count his trips to his favorite hooker in D.C.). Another great choice CNN!
Why would anyone listen to anything Spitzer has to say? The man has zero credibility. The hipocricy of a federal prosecutor who puts others in jail but fails to police is own back yard is appalling. The best thing this loser can do is fade away never to be heard from again.
I am disappointed with the announcement of this new line-up. Spitzer is not worthy of the post and Roland Martin is overwhelmingly deserved of this opportunity. I have slowly gravitated from CNN because its like listening to the same ten songs on the radio every hour. Mr. Martin is young and still fresh. And for the record, I hate Campbell is leaving...I love her show most of the time.
This is the state of TV journalism, that this disreputable guy is the best you can find?
Hooray! I thought Spitzer did a great job subbing on CNN recently. He is very knowledgeable and should do well as a host.
You're kidding us, surely! CNN, the most trusted name in news? Hiring Spitzer, the scruffy, over-sexed NY ex-governor? The one who had to resign in disgrace? CNN, the most trusted name in news?
spitzer wan't fly. the broadcast is domed before it starts.
Wow- hiring the disgraced Gov seems an obvious ploy to increase ratings at any cost. I will never watch this show because I could 1) never trust what the ex Gov says given his past hypocrisies; 2) his highly unethical behavior and complete lack of credibility. Shame on you CNN
I won't watch it. Not interested in Parker's comments at all. "Rational conversative"?? Breed doesn't exsist.