CNN produces another Lemon … Don that is
To change the trajectory of their plunging ratings, the new owners of CNN have promised to make changes to bring the network back from left-wing proselytizing and restore basic journalistic integrity.
Since that announcement, I have made several suggestions – and to my pleasant surprise, the new bosses seem to see the problem in a similar light. They dumped so-called media critic Brian Stelter, White House Correspondent John Harwood — and the morning team of John Berman and Brianna Keilar. They took former FOX personality, Chris Wallace, out of mothballs and gave him a weekend personality interview show – a format that Wallace excels at (even if some of his opinions do not coincide with mine). CNN had already fired Chris Cuomo before I got him on my hit list.
I am awaiting to see if they will follow my other advice and give the pink slip to weekend anchor Jim Acosta, that smarmy John Avlon — with his misnamed “Reality check” – and the contemptibly biased so-called fact-checker Daniel Dale. Or if they will take Michael Smerconish out of the doldrums of early Saturday morning programming and give him a prime-time weeknight show.
I also gratuitously suggested that they terminate Don Lemon and replace his nighttime show with a point/counterpoint co-anchored program. They seem to be trying out different in-house personalities for the various primetime programs. The 9:00 p.m. time slot is currently being handled by Alisyn Camerota and Laura Coates.
Instead of dumping Lemon, they reassigned him to co-host the morning show with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. That is definitely a demotion from his own namesake primetime program – and he is going to have to get up a lot earlier in the morning.
As I watched the first Lemon-led morning show, I came to a quick conclusion. It is not going to work in improving the ratings for that time slot. There may be a curiosity bump at first, but I believe CNN management will be looking to again rework that time slot with yet another new team in the future.
It appears that CNN is hoping to make the morning show a bit more entertaining and conversational – taking a page out of the “FOX and Friends” game book. If the first show is any indication, the new team will be reading off the same old left-wing teleprompters.
The top-of-the-hour story was the off-the-wall speculation on the attack on Paul Pelosi, hubby of Speaker Nancy. Granted, that the speculation – that Pelosi had invited a younger gay man into his home and “things’ went wrong — was both wrong and disgusting. (I will cover that more specifically in a future commentary).
Despite the obvious existence of far more meaningful and newsworthy stories with which to lead off, the Lemon team focused on the attack ONLY in so far as they could spin the bogus speculation against Republicans. It was part of the left’s dubious narrative that it is rightwing chatter that causes such violence – and that the only subject worthy of reporting is campaign year attacks on the Republican brand.
Lemon got into an argument with New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, in which the host declared himself to be correct and telling the truth. Neither Lemon nor his co-host served as inquiring reporters, but as argumentative partisans. It was an example of the liberal view that their “opinions” are truth.
Lemon may have a new show and a new audience, but from what I saw on the maiden voyage was the same old arrogant and pompous Don Lemon of the evening show. That kind of reporting is NOT going to solve CNN’s problem.
The only thing different about Lemon was “the look.” Knowing how much money and effort goes into selecting the on-air personalities’ clothing and hairstyle, the “new” Lemon had to be a creature of management decision. Gone is the coat and tie. The Don now dons a sportscoat over a casual pullover. We got a hint of the new look in the promos for the new show when Lemon wore a turtleneck shirt under the sportscoat
He is now “Miami Don” – reminiscent of another Don. The look was made fashionable way back in the 1980s by Don Johnson, star of “Miami Vice”. Unless you live in Florida, that look is as outdated as the Harvey Wallbanger cocktail.
It is one of those wait-and-see situations, but I doubt the new morning lineup at CNN is going to lure views away from FOX News. They may go better with the MSNBC audience. Not because Lemon & Co. is so good, but because preachy Joe Scarborough is wearing thin even on liberal folks. CNN will not do well unless they can stop the new Don Lemon from acting like the same old Don Lemon.
So, there ‘tis.
When will cnn realize that lemon is nothing but POISON and throw the POS to the curb where IT belongs.
You guys, the usual reply guys Larry condescends to with further commentary, came out swinging. The lot of you got a roll going. Albeit, off Larry’s suggested points for CNN’s consideration. Points that if CNN management does catch PBP and may follow Larry’s commentary posts would CNN decision makers seriously consider Larry’s suggestions? Probably not, unsolicited advice from any source has a low probability of getting past the circular file. But, getting through to CNN program directors could not be expected. Therefore, not an intent for Larry’s comment post.
No one really knows Larry’s mind, who he considers are his audience, or what motivates him going public with his opinions.
As a frequent reader of Larry’s So there ‘tis I have a few personal suspicions on the derivation of Larry’s opinions as well as the distinctive bite in his commentary.
It’s not mine to posit reasons for any one’s thinking behind Thor shaping a particular opinion or opinion set. However, if as individuals are geared to seek maximum bang for their buck. Reality looms large in the mind behind an action. And, Larry’s bang is found in feedback he received with each commentary post.
That CNN does not take notice of Larry’s constructive criticism is immaterial in the bigger picture. If by coincidence the chips fall as Larry would counsel. So much the better reinforcement for what ever prognostications future commentaries will contain.
As I am part of the political independent voter block, neither political party has a hold on my loyalties. Partisan shenanigans instigated by the red team, in its several hues or the blue team, centrist, liberal, and progressive doctrines. None of it has my backing. Neither, true fact, is righteous in its primary function, government working for all the people.
Arrogant hyperbolic rants issuing from members espousing the other party’s failure and blame for any and all problems we all face solves nothing. In truth, the one ranting accusations afterward may feel justified, not relief or peace.
They, as does Larry, are able to merely end with, So there ‘tis. It is what it is, preaching to the choir of amen Charlie type. Sling with pushback, usual and customary. Full throated partisan condemnations premised by fallback assertions of one opinion, “everyone who knows better would agree ….” Or, “ you would have to be living under a rock”. Does not impress or silence we who seek the unblemished truth,
You sound like a pompous, pretentious piece of work.
Nancy, well bless your heart. Ya gotta love this country. Ain’t the First Amendment just the best thing. A body with any ol’ thing on the head is free ta let it go. Don’t it make y’all feel a bunch better. An’ ya didn’t hurt a soul. Least ways not me an’ mine.
Go girl!.
So, there ‘tis.
Oh come on; she was alliterative, not Trumplicant illiterate; that shows something intelligent was going on in that noggin. IMO, she can be redeemed.
Well said fellow independent / unaffiliated voter! I feel exactly the same way! Larry often forgets about we inedependents when he discusses polls, etc. I keep telling him it is we independents that will decide the election.
Tom…I am shocked at your belief that I ignore the all important independents. I have written of my opinion. First of all, some here think Republicans should not win because there are more registered Democrats and registered Republicans. They are the ones that forget about the largest block of voters. I point out that even though they are not officially affiliated, most independents lean one way or the other — AND they more often than not they break in favor of Republicans. That seems to be the case again this election. It is almost always the independents who decide the elections. Believe me … as a political consultant I have always seen the importance to going after the independents.
Frank, defend a lady on account of her puttin p’s purposely poised.
We who reply on PBP should give grace where grace is due. Beginning now, are the readers’ electing to write replies going to change tactics.
Maybe Nancy deserves better, but don’t we all who contribute here on.
Nice typo in the yet anther headline……
Somebody gots to go to retraining…. :>)
You seem to be obsessed with that which you note nobody cares about……
Frank Stetson …. thank for pointng out the typo in the hedline. Neithor the systm nor I are purfect. But I did get a chuckle that you then accuse me of being obsessed with things nobody cares about as you obsess over petty attacks on me which nobody, including me, cares about — such as this one. LOL. I could have corrected the headline after your comment, but I left it because it would have made you look stupid . And you are doing a good enough job without my help.
No, Larry, quit flirting. You are not my cup o tea. Enough, stalk some other commentor.
In anther reality, you might be funny. In this one, you’re just weird. Halloween is over, time to change your biopic.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Teddy
Nope, it was Reagan.
Actually it was Teddy Roosevelt, our greatest rough rider. I do not know if Ronny, our greatest actor president, said it, but if he did, then he was quoting Teddy. See https://www.trcp.org/2011/01/18/it-is-not-the-critic-who-counts/
Therefore I must award these points to Joe.
Sorry Frank. You appear to have made the same mistake Larry sometimes makes where he copies from a previous social media that is not the original source. You have often pointed this out. Now you are him. LOL
I have awarded you accuracy points for your Roosevelt quotation. See my response to Frank S. See https://www.trcp.org/2011/01/18/it-is-not-the-critic-who-counts/
Aw man, I know I saw Frank Reagan quote TR on Blue Bloods….. that’s just got to be true…..
(sarcasm alert)
Well as long as you believe it, then its got to be true. Just click your heels three times and wish it upon a star. (sarcasm alert response) LOL Sorry I do not watch Blue Bloods but I have read reviews that it is a good show. Sorry I thought you were referencing Ronny Reagan because he often used famous quotes. I am not familiar with Frank Reagan.
Heh, heh, you walked right into my clever trap of stupid. Or was it stupid trap of clever?
Good show? Every week they talk law n order as they personally bend and break the law themselves. 2A man Sellout at the helm, we like to count the times he just dump looks the camera in lieu on a line.
We love it! We laugh, we cry, it becomes part of us.
Hagwe!
Joe, or is it Tim, no, it’s really Teddy.
What does it matter anyway, he can be relied on to second that-a- motion Larry makes.
We have a live motion on the floor. Is there any discussion? Now would be the the proper time. If there’s no further comment. it will be brought to a vote. All in favor of Larry’s demands on CNN on the Lemon question, key in yah, all opposed key in nah. Will the motion carry a majority and be approved?
‘Tis the season, everyone make sure to vote on Tuesday or before if absentee.
D
Ac …. Apparently the vote is in on Don Lemon — sort of as I predicted Fox pulled in 1.5 million in the same time slot on the same day. Lemon hit a very dismal 380.000. And that is with all the new show hype. If that is a bump that new shows usually get, Lemon is doomed.
I do not watch CNN, Fox & Friends, nor MSNBC so this blog is not an issue. I read most of my news. I do watch CBS Streaming Live sometimes. How do they stack up? As well informed as you and Frank S. are, have you ever considered going on air with a Frank and Larry show? And I would be happy to be a guest. I think you two would make a great team of punch – counter punch. America would be the big winner here as we would get to solid points of view, and of course the joy of watching you guys verbally slobberknock each other. It would be informative as well as comic – and America needs to get back to laughing again. Please consider!
Tom .. I like the point/counterpoint formats. I have done them in Chicago … and for awhile had my own show on radio. But I do not share you opinion that Frank would be a good match. He is too obsessed with the personal attacks and third party approach — creating his mythical Larry Horist as his foil. He is too petty for a serious back and forth. That is the reason why I mostly ignore his looooong screeds. Just to give you an example of his unhinged approach … above he says I should “stalk” another commentator when it is he responds to every word I write in a most negative fashion. He says anything. He seems to see projection as a debate tool. He likes to put up an argument and then declare himself the winner. And I still have not seen a sense of humor. Sorry … Frank is not the type of guy who would interest me in an ongoing dialogue. Hmmmm I cannot take your seeing us as a good match as a compliment,….lol
Tom … In response to your question … the three major networks are biased, but nothing compared to the cable news folks — especially MSNBC which is a step child of NBC. So, i guess NBC has to take some responsibility for MSNBC since reporters and information float back and forth between the two platforms. It is interesting that you rely on CBS. They are the weakest of the nets (not the sports team). In fact, FOX ratings recently surpassed CBS — i believe that is the first time a cable outfit has topped one of the major broadcast platforms. I tend to prefer ABC, but that may be because I had a lot of interaction with Lester Holt in his Chicago days. I always found him to be fair in his approach whenever he interviewed me.
As far as Lemon goes, I think your blog does prove the point that it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Or as Sarah Palin would say, “Lipstick on a pig – its still a pig!” Can we all agree?
Agreed