QuoteWashington (CNN) – An institution is coming back to CNN.
"Crossfire," the long-running political debate show that aired on CNN from 1982-2005, is getting a reboot, the news network announced Wednesday. Four new hosts – two on the left, and two on the right - will debut the program this fall.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who made a bid for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, will host on the right alongside S.E. Cupp, the conservative columnist who currently co-anchors "The Cycle," a television program on MSNBC.
On the left, President Barack Obama's former deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter will host next to Van Jones, another former Obama adviser who later founded Rebuild the Dream, a group that fosters innovative economic policy.
The foursome will also appear on CNN during special coverage of political events and elections.
Debuting two years after the founding of CNN, "Crossfire" was originally hosted by conservative Pat Buchanan and liberal Tom Braden. Later its hosts included Robert Novak, Tucker Carlson, James Carville, Paul Begala and Bill Press. Also joining the list of notable co-hosts were former New Hampshire Gov, John Sununu, Michael Kinsley, Republican strategist Mary Matalin, and 1984 Democratic vice presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro. The nation's top political figures were guests on the show, as were a slate of preeminent entertainers, sports stars and business leaders.
"Few programs in the history of CNN have had the kind of impact on political discourse that Crossfire did – it was a terrific program then, and we believe the time is right to bring it back and do it again," Jeff Zucker, CNN Worldwide's president, said Wednesday. "We look forward to the opportunity to host passionate conversation from all sides of the political spectrum. Crossfire will be the forum where America holds its great debates."
During its more than twenty year run, "Crossfire" became must-see-T.V. for politicians and political observers alike. In 1997 – during Gingrich's own tenure as House speaker – President Bill Clinton joked about the program's longevity during his speech to that year's White House Correspondents Association dinner.
Clinton remarked the first episode was hosted "From the left, Alexander Hamilton, from the right, Aaron Burr. Topic - gun control."
Wednesday's announcement comes after a slate of new programming for CNN, including a recently launched morning show "New Day," and the afternoon, Washington-based program "The Lead with Jake Tapper."
After getting those shows off the ground, "We felt it was the right time to turn our attention next to Crossfire," said Ken Jautz, executive vice president of CNN. "This will be the next step in reinvigorating our lineup of live programs."
Link (//http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/26/crossfire-coming-back-to-cnn/)
Just what we needed, another show where twats yell at each other. How long before S.E. Cupp invokes her "atheism?"
When Hollywood runs out of ideas, they remake old movies. There is no "Crossfire" there are simply rich people who convince the rest of us to kiss their ass.
I can't tell you how much I hated that show. When they took it off the air, I thought it was a victory for reason.
QuoteFour new hosts – two on the left, and two on the right - will debut the program this fall.
I've read through the list of hosts, and they are all on the right!
Quote from: "SGOS"I can't tell you how much I hated that show. When they took it off the air, I thought it was a victory for reason.
What the fuck? Of course half of it was bullshit/ meaning the right. But that was actually one of the few political shows on cable left back then that didn't have the cum stain of Murdoch on it.
I simply find bringing back the name funny. If it is anything like the old show, it will be a welcome reprieve from FUCKS NEWS.
Ehem...Jane you ignorant slut... :D/
Well, at least some good came of it.. humor.
Quote from: "the article"Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who made a bid for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, will host on the right alongside S.E. Cupp, the conservative columnist who currently co-anchors "The Cycle," a television program on MSNBC.
:Hangman:
Quote"Few programs in the history of CNN have had the kind of impact on political discourse that Crossfire did – it was a terrific program then, and we believe the time is right to bring it back and do it again," Jeff Zucker, CNN Worldwide's president, said Wednesday.
Translation: it makes money. The only real expenses are the cameras, a female "assistant" for Newt, and a tub of holy oil for S.E. Cupp.
Damn, such a good show. I wonder why it was pulled?
[youtube:107td4u6]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE[/youtube:107td4u6]
Oh.
:rollin: Thanks for the video! Solitary
I don't watch CNN, but ideological division is the spice of life. Stop acting like we all just happily get along.
Quote"Few programs in the history of CNN have had the kind of impact on political discourse that Crossfire did – it was a terrific program then, and we believe the time is right to bring it back and do it again," Jeff Zucker, CNN Worldwide's president, said Wednesday.
Translation: "We figure enough time has passed since Jon Stewart smacked us in the dick and now no one remembers and we can trot out this dead horse again."
Is there any show similar to BBC's HardTalk?
That I used to watch, and it wasn't some empty bickering show like Crossfire.
Quote from: "the_antithesis"Quote"Few programs in the history of CNN have had the kind of impact on political discourse that Crossfire did – it was a terrific program then, and we believe the time is right to bring it back and do it again," Jeff Zucker, CNN Worldwide's president, said Wednesday.
Translation: "We figure enough time has passed since Jon Stewart smacked us in the dick and now no one remembers and we can trot out this dead horse again."
Or will it turn out to be just "Jon Stewart needs some fresh material"?
Quote from: "Jason78"QuoteFour new hosts – two on the left, and two on the right - will debut the program this fall.
I've read through the list of hosts, and they are all on the right!
Damn, you beat me to it :.
S.E. Cupp and Newt... at least Cupp amuses me, Newt is just... blah. Why not get someone ACTUALLY on the left, too few of them here?
Quote from: "Sal1981"Is there any show similar to BBC's HardTalk?
That I used to watch, and it wasn't some empty bickering show like Crossfire.
Mclaughlin Group, on PBS. I like it.
Quote from: "Hydra009"Damn, such a good show. I wonder why it was pulled?
Writer posted a YouTube video (//http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE)
Oh.
Stewart nails it with his comment, "You are not here to provide a service to the public. You are here to do what politicians want you to do." (paraphrased from memory) He's right. The defining characteristics of crossfire were to dramatize political conflict, provide politicians a venue to express party approved talking points, and to solidify partisan hatred of the opposing party. And Stewart is absolutely correct about not asking the tough questions. The show was as helpful to the political debate as stopping to gawk at a fatal accident is to driving the family to Disneyland.
And that's why Tucker Carlson seemed to automatically dislike Stewart. Remember the bit at the end when Carlson said something like "I think you're funnier on your show" and Stew beef retorted he thought Carlson was a dick regardless of the show he was on?
Quote from: "Agramon"long before S.E. Cupp invokes her "atheism?"
Probably right after she informs people as to how intelligent she finds herself... She also seems to like to mention her attractiveness, but she is really cute...
Bringing back "Crossfire" Will not help CNN's ratings. The biggest factor driving these networks is personalities and CNN is too closely associated with people lacking anything resembling that. They hitched their wagon to Larry King's star for too long and seem to be in the same bind regarding the awful Wolf Blitzer. And maybe that cunt Erin Burnett...