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3/27: CNN Headline News attempts comedy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CNN Headline News is not known for comedy. But with the success of “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central and the continued popularity of talk-show monologues, the news channel is mining for laughs.
“Not Just Another Cable News Show” will premiere Saturday April 5. It will be modeled after VH1’s “Best Week Ever,” where events are presented and commentators (known and relatively unknown) make snarky remarks. This is a way to mine CNN’s 28 years of archives and provide a change of pace on the weekends, a spokeswoman said. Each episode will focus on a topic. The first episode is political blunders. In the future, highlights include stupid criminals, unusual pop culture moments and bad celebrity behavior
There is no host and it’s being produced internally in New York by the same team that produces Glenn Beck’s show. Pundits include Time.com editor Ana Marie Cox, Los Angeles Times columnist Joel Stein, Republican strategist Amy Holmes, Huffington Post media editor Rachel Sklar and comedian Hugh Fink.
The 30-minute show will air on Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET, then will be repeated at 9 p.m. and midnight.
It will be followed by an existing Headline News show “News to Me,” which highlights home-made video from non journalists.
Fox News dabbled in a comedy show last year dubbed “The 1/2 Hour News Hour,” which was an attempt to be a “Daily Show” for conservatives. It lasted only 15 episodes.
Comments
By simon
March 27, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Faux News learned pretty quick that you can’t do comedy when your writers, performers, and audience are all humorless angry pricks.
By Just Some Guy
March 27, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
This is a sad commentary on the “dumbing down” of our country.
By Greg from Marietta
March 27, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Have you been watching? CNN out of New York is already a comedy.
By Greg from Marietta
March 27, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Have you been watching? CNN out of New York is already a comedy.
By Chuck Master
March 27, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Simon, speaking of “humorless angry p**s,” it’s time to put away daddy’s laptop, strap on your helmet and go out and wait for the bus.
By Paula
March 27, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
CNN should do whatever it takes to get Ted Turner back. It’s become a joke since Time Warner forced him out.
By Nick Wright
March 27, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
I’ve always considered Glenn Beck’s naive, small-minded perspectives hilarious, so this should fit right in.
By Randy Pollock
March 27, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
From what I understand, CNN’s respected producer, Josh Zelman, has contributed to this effort, along with a hand-picked team of innovators. I’m betting it will be more engaging and original than what these cynics are expecting.
By Jason
March 27, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Fox and CNN get it: “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” are laughing at them, not with them. Comedy Central’s shows work because “serious” cable news has relegated itself to little more than fodder for parody.
By steve walsh
March 27, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
As the era of the blog comes into its own, and responsible newsmen like Walter Cronkite are replaced by Wikipedia, I find myself avoiding CNN before 10 a.m. est, solely because I find Robin Meade incredibly offensive. NOT FUNNY, just a bunch of blather, puncuated by moments of seriously horrific news soundbites. I’ll stick with Brian Williams on NBC.
By thewonkette
March 27, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Well, at least in New York the chances of a total system shutdown (a la ATL-nado) won’t be high. http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/clearly-god-hates-cnn/
By thewonkette
March 27, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Well, at least in New York the chances of a total system shutdown (a la ATL-nado) won’t be high. Big Apple hilarity to ensue!
By Robert
March 27, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Does anyone watch CNN anymore? It’s really become irrelevant in the last 5 years or so.
By Zaphod
March 27, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Simon, truer words were never spoken. That show was canceled because they could never get past blaming Clinton for everything, whiling ignoring the real joke currently in the White House.
By mike
March 27, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Jason hit the nail on the head. CNN and FOX and MSNBC all have no clue. The Daily Show and The Colbert Report work because people that get those shows realize that they are mocking them and so well that they think that if they(the ones above) broadcast the news in a “hip” way then they’ll be like the Comedy Central shows when in real life it only makes them look even the more challenged. Oh well CNN’s show will probably go over as well as Fox’s did.Way to give comedy central even more ammo!!
By mike
March 27, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Jason hit the nail on the head. CNN and FOX and MSNBC all have no clue. The Daily Show and The Colbert Report work because people that get those shows realize that they are mocking them and so well that they think that if they(the ones above) broadcast the news in a “hip” way then they’ll be like the Comedy Central shows when in real life it only makes them look even the more challenged. Oh well CNN’s show will probably go over as well as Fox’s did.Way to give comedy central even more ammo!!
By Al
March 27, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
CNN is still around?
By Todd R.
March 27, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Actually Zaphod, truer words were spoken. See Chuck’s comment. Now go back to scrubbing Anderson Cooper’s toilet.
By Kraw
March 27, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
no to comedy!
yes to more Robin in skimpy outfits!
By StingerSplash
March 27, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
The terrorists have won. Where do we go to surrender? Those insipid, vapid shows on VH1 — which I hit on my way to something else — always trot out people who think (or have been told by somebody, probably their mom or their agent) they’re funny. And my biggest question of them is — who the hell are you and why should I care? They need to do more drug screening of CNN employees, especially those in the programming department, because only somebody on crack would come up with something this foolish.
By Neil
March 27, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I have just heard from Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A., he has put the CNN show on notice.
“Not Just Another Cable News Show” is one step away from being Dead to Me along with: New York Intellectuals, Men with Beards, California’s 50th District, Heather Clark, Bowtie Pasta, Owls, CNN en Espanol, Screw-Cap Wines, Cast of Friends and the Toronto Raptors.
By One
March 27, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Actually Todd R., Zaphod was more accurate than Chuck. Maybe you should go and scrub your toilet……….with your toothbrush!!!!
By George Dubya
March 28, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Actually, Todd R., Simon was right all along. Now go listen to fat junkie Rush so you’ll know what to think today.
By singood centraz
March 28, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
to the one guy posting under “one” and “george dubya”, if you’re trying to be clever, stop. thousands of braindead lefties like you hurt themselves every day trying to think. just keep “feeling” your way thru life and everything will be fine.
By Janet
March 28, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
To singood centraz: The only braindead people in this country are the ones who still believe Bush/Cheney are doing “a heckuva job.” They would support an invasion of the moon if Dubya said it was necessary “for freedom.” Now get off your parents’ computer and go put on your McDonald’s smock—it’s almost time for the lunch crush.
By Blousketeer
March 28, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Here’s a bit for CNN’s new comedy show: Obama is related to Cheney, and Brad Pitt. They’re finding new distant Obama cousins everyday. It seems the only person Obama’s not connected with in some way now is his pastor.
By remotecontrol
March 28, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
wow. saturday night!!! how exciting. i am sure nursing homes across america will be tuned in.
By simon
March 29, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Look at me! I’m really cool because I call Fox News “Faux News”! I’m so cool!
By greta
March 30, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
Wonder how many Headline News employees will be fired to make room for this “show”. When will the powers that be at CNN just pull the plug on Headline News, considering they took “CNN” off the name months ago?
By big-angry-veiny-black-penis
March 30, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Simon - I bet you are a redneck loser who is the base audience of Fox News. Now go back to driving your Confederate flag pickup truck you toothless southern-accented-retard.
By Walter Cronkite
March 30, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
The only worse journalism than Fox News is the AJC.
By Jeff
March 30, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
When is CNN leaving Atlanta for NY? They’re such an embarrassment.
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April 6, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
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April 6, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
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April 6, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
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