Conservative Kathleen Parker Out at CNN; Former Fox News Host In
- Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:29pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Kathleen Parker, half of the duo on CNN’s 8pm show “Parker Spitzer,” has left the show and the network.
Parker and CNN announced the departure today, saying it was a mutual decision. According to CNN, Spitzer, the disgraced former New York governor once caught in a prostitution scandal, will continue with the network on a new show — in the same slot — called “In the Arena.”
The new show will also feature former Fox News anchor E.D. Hill.
On the old show, Spitzer was considered the liberal voice while Parker, also a syndicated newspaper columnist, generally represented the conservative viewpoint. The two, however, struggled to find chemistry and reports have been circulating recently that Parker was upset after feeling her position on the show had been relegated to a support role, with Spitzer stealing the spotlight.
Last month, the New York Post quoted one source who said CNN was considering replacing Parker. “There is no doubt in the world they are going to replace her,” the insider said.
Considering the co-host tension, it‘s not surprising Parker’s statement on the move made no mention of Spitzer:
After bringing viewers a new 8pm show on CNN, I have decided to return to a schedule that will allow me to focus more on my syndicated newspaper column and other writings. While I am extremely proud of the show we created, and the subject matter and level of discourse Parker Spitzer promoted every night, it was a difficult decision to scale back my column a few months ago and, with the show going in a new direction, it is a good time to move on. I want to thank the viewers who have been so kind with their comments and support. I will continue to appear to contribute and analyze occasionally on CNN and look forward to continuing my relationship with CNN and the many talented individuals I have worked with here.
Spitzer, however, praised Parker for her work on the show:
I wish Kathleen all the best in continuing on with her spectacular career. It has been a joy working with her as a teammate, and I continue to be a huge fan of the wisdom that jumps from her written work and the wit, charm and insight she brings to all that she does.
Mediate obtained an internal memo from CNN chief Ken Jautz to staff announcing the departure and the new show:
TO: CNN Staff
FROM: Ken Jautz
DATE: February 25, 2011
I want to share with you some news today regarding our 8pm show. Kathleen Parker has decided to leave the program to focus on her writing, and we have decided to take the show in a new direction. We will be adopting an ensemble format with several newsmakers, guests and contributors joining Eliot Spitzer each night. The new program will be called, “In the Arena,” beginning Monday. E.D. Hill and Will Cain will join the program as well others within and outside the CNN family.
We have been pleased with how the 8pm hour has become a centerpiece of substantive, policy-oriented conversation, and we are looking forward to building on that with this new format. Simply put, the new program will look beyond the headlines to analyze and discuss the most important stories of the day. The program will provide context and analysis through balanced and thoughtful discussions and interviews with a wide range of guests and newsmakers who cumulatively represent various points of view.
Kathleen will continue to appear on CNN occasionally to provide her insights and commentary. We thank Kathleen for her hard work and all that she has done to help us launch our new 8pm program. We respect her as a colleague and appreciate her perspective and contributions.
Ken
“[Parker's] departure represents a win for Spitzer, who, according to the Post Friday, was telling friends she would be out ‘within the week’ and that he felt he could handle the show on his own,” Politico’s media blogger Keach Hagey writes.
“The sudden reformatting of the 8 p.m. hour on CNN reflects the channel’s continued struggle to come up with a coherent identity,” the New York Times reports. “Almost since the day it started in October, ‘Parker Spitzer’ was mired by backstage clashes and disagreements. It never generated ratings traction.”
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Comments (162)
dabbo
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:13pmI saw a few segments of this show and Parker was a poor excuse for a conservative, of course I’d expect nothing less from CNN…..Spitzer’s a liberal blowhard of a hack but at least you know where he stands (or slithers).
CNN is the very definition of the Gang that can’t shoot straight……..Piers Morgan?.. Come’on Man!
Report Post »Cherbear
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:12pmI like E.D. Hill, sorry she’s at CNN though. I wondered what had happened with her at Fox.
Report Post »Patrick in AZ
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:09pmE.D. Hill might actually make him have to defend his positions – As it was it was liberal opinion vs really liberal opinion. Now there might actually be some conservative opinion. Go E.D.
Report Post »tlewis
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:08pmSpitzer, were you turned down by Parker, you horn dog you!!!
Report Post »karenhasfreedom
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:05pmED Hill used to anchor Fox and Friends, then got her own slot later in the morning. She apparently said something on the air that pissed off the network and got booted. She was a fairly outspoken conservative on Fox. Let’s see if they let her be one on CNN.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:51pmKARENHASFREEDOM,
Sources say that E.D.,like Caron Chetry before her, was asking for way too much money when her contract came up for renewal. No Prima donnas or dons allowed in the FOX Family.
Having said that…,she’ll be the only good thing at C.N.N.
I hope she gives Candy Crowley a reality check!
As for Parker…,too funny. She’s going back to writing? Tuh! She can’t write either!
Report Post »martinrnelson
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:04pmSpitzer is a dirtbag and I wouldn’t watch if paid. I guess that’s how I feel about CNN as a whole. Garbage in – Garbage out.
Report Post »publiuswarmac9999
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:04pmE D Hill is a conservative gal. She preceded Gretchen Carlson on the Fox Morning Show. I always liked her and was sorry that Fox didn’t defend her when she took on obama. Having said that, I don’t see how she will do much good for CNN. Spitzer is the problem along with CNN.
Report Post »dawg of gawd
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:04pmGreat, a Fox News alum . . . I remember her high water mark . . . “a terrorist fist jab?” Can’t wait to hear more of her cogent analysis.
Report Post »RestoreNotReplace
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:57pmCNN thinks Parker is conservative?? Oh yeah – Stalin was a centrist, Obama is a centrist, on and on. The Overton Window can’t slide much farther to the left, now can it. Parker needs to stay at The Communist News Network; Fox doesn’t need another liberal.
Report Post »dawg of gawd
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:08pmFox thinks Great is liberal?
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:34pmI agree, as of late, it seems like a tilt to the left, especially with Bill O’Reilly who is supposedly looking out for the folks. But I see him more and more looking out for Bill O”reilly.
Report Post »auntmoxie.com
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:54pmShe’s a conservative? Apparently, I’ve not read enough of her columns.
Report Post »dawg of gawd
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:07pmYou’ve read enough. You just can’t accept anything that is one degree away from strident adherence to the approved talking points from the daily Foxian memo. Conservative don’t appreciate individuality. Free thought. Objectivity. They value only obedience. So you have that going for you. Your’e obedient. Build on that.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on February 26, 2011 at 8:16amIf the conservitives make you so unhappy why don’t you go play on one of the liberal sites? Oh, thats right, there are none that are interesting. Meaning, your liberal point of view is for idiots that have no knowledge, and follow Blindly behind what ever Piper that might lead them this week.
Report Post »Your master is calling Dawg.
Beware of Romans
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:51pmC. Communist
Report Post »N. News
N. Network
VRW Conspirator
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:47pmnever watched just saw clips…
Report Post »Spitzer is usually bantering on about some issue while she just sits there and makes “yeah but” comments….
randy
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:47pmWhat show?
Report Post »Beware of Romans
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:46pmNever heard of her.
Report Post »Beware of Romans
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:46pmHas there ever been a liberal democrat politician from New York that hasn’t been arrested at one point???
Just asking.
Report Post »smartypoop
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:33pmI dont think so. Sex scandles or embezzlement seems to be the downfall of many.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:46pmDitch the broad if she won’t sleep with you seems to be the Liberals mantra
Report Post »Bigliardi
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:46pmWell of course…Customer number 9 fits the image of CNN so much better than, God forbid. a CONSERVATIVE…!!!
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:44pmGood Fox can hire her. Why a conservative would want to work for a bunch of commies is beyond me.
Report Post »izzyt84
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:16pmThey’ve (CNN) probably already have E. D. Hill’s resignation signed for when they (CNN) want to pull the plug on her, because of “low ratings” or what. Of course a whore-monger is too popular these days to be rid of.
Report Post »CarolinaGirl
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:40pmCan you believe it? A prostitute’s john is a star at CNN. There is no shame anymore in this world. No shame whatsoever.
Report Post »Joseff
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:39pmNever watched the show, why should I?
Joe
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:39pmIsn’t this all that really needs to be said.
Spitzer, the disgraced former New York governor once caught in a prostitution scandal, will continue with the network on a new show.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:51pmCNN just decided that they needed a top notch pimp to take them forward into their perverted news program and Spitzer fills that agenda. America will continue to get screwed, only cheaper.
Report Post »TheAwakenedOne
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:37pmNever watched it… I bet she was a weak conservative.
Report Post »HippoNips
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:36pmTheir 12 loyal viewers are going to be so pissed.
Report Post »MAConservative
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 5:16pmSorry to see that E D has fallen on such hard times. Co-hosting a show that no one watches doesn‘t sound like a good career move so it can’t be for the exposure….must be for the paycheck. Poor thing.
Report Post »El Paco
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 6:42pmWell, it took like what…. 8 months?? Less?? What a failure. So I guess that’s average a little more than one viewer a month… other than those offices that demand CNN be shown all day.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:35pmNever watched the show, please inform me how client #9 worked out.
Report Post »rwsasinger
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:50pmI am not surprised at the low viewer numbers for the Parker Spitzer program; especially on this site. I have watched the show along with a number of other liberal oriented programs on the cable list. If you are having trouble falling asleep or just want a good laugh at Spitzers’ expense, give it a watch for kicks and giggles. How did this perv get to be governor?
If you are a true conservative bent on making decisions objectively, you should watch some liberal media; their rants and raves i.e. Ed Schultz will make you laugh until you pee your pants and other times make you want to slap the fat man. And, Rachael Maddow…the show should be made into a sitcom or Syfy Channel series. For those of you who do not educate and arm yourselves with the knowledge the “other side” opposition view of your political beliefs can offer, you are cheating yourself out of a wealth of knowledge.
Report Post »VermontPatriot
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 5:32pmI watch the MSM just to see what they’re ranting about on that night.
Report Post »I don’t last too long though, 2 minutes of their drivel and my eardrums
begin to bleed, and then I switch back to some Fair and Balanced
FOXNEWS. :)
michael48
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 5:58pmRWS…just tape the Jan 1…show every year and you’ll see the content for the next 12 months…then the other 10 viewers can say they watch it live…although if you watch IT…have concerns about “being to stupid to breathe” syndrome…
Report Post »James83940
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:32pmGood. no need to be on a NEWS program that just reports or interviews and doesn’t actually carry on valid dialog or follow up in interviews but instead gives Pres. Obama softball questions and ignores blatant opportunities to be confrontational with the grand organizer-in-chief.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:44pmSo who’ll replace her ?
Report Post »Maybe David Patterson ;-)
HillBillySam1
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:44pmParker was a Conservative?!? Now that is funny!!! They won’t put a principled Conservative on with that talking sphincter muscle Spitzer…..that stupid show is up against O’Reilly anyhow and it has NO chance for success……much like Spitzer’s career……
Report Post »Joe Potus
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 3:44pmRoss Perot is our George Washington.
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:06pmParker should go to a news organization that appreciates a real journalist, aka Fox News!
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:07pmSo E.D. Hill is replacing Parker
good I like E.D. Hill
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:11pmWhat about Clinton/Spitzer?
They’re both adulters, right?
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:18pmDashRipRock
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:07pm
So E.D. Hill is replacing Parker
good I like E.D. Hill
—————————–
Yeah, she won’t take any crap from Spitzer. If he starts with her she will more than likely introduce her knee to his worn-out package.
http://tinyurl.com/4rv8xsm
Report Post »booger71
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:39pmI was hoping they were replacing her with Shlep Smith
Report Post »keaton
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:40pmI happened to be chanel surfing and came upon a CNN show titled “Selling the girl next door” It was about child sex trafficing. One of the commercials was for Eliot Spitzer’s show. Ironic don’t you think.
Report Post »what4
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:41pmSpitzer better mind his business, He doesn’t want to make E D Hill mad…Just sayin!!
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:46pmED Hill as a replacement! Couldnt stand her on Fox they can have her but if she does that fist pump again she might be out of work again depending on what she says when she does it
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 5:15pmLOL… Shlep Smith? He’s so leftwing he makes me puke everytime I see him.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 5:44pmI heard Charlie Sheen was going to replace her.
Report Post »The new name of the show is “Name that ****** with Sheen/Spitzer”
Showtime
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 5:54pm@booger71
Report Post »Posted on February 25, 2011 at 4:39pm
I was hoping they were replacing her with Shlep Smith
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That, sir, would be a vast improvement for BOTH networks!
lylee
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 6:16pmSo there was no chemistry between them! What chemistry is required for love client number nine?
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 6:18pmI had heard they’re going to change the name of the show to client #9. They could have hookers rotate into the co-host role. That would make it more interesting anyway. I heard that on Sean Hannity. Good one Sean.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – check out the political humor section
Report Post »calebgs83
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 6:40pmI really liked E.D. Hill, and I always wondered why she wasn’t kept on at FOX…I don’t watch CNN, but she will make a great addition to the show.
Report Post »Jayk Signal
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 7:22pm1) There was nothing conservative about Parker. Even her constant spewage of hate was leftist.
2) I’d be concerned for E.D.’s safety. Sending a pretty woman into a room with Spitzer is like sending Lara Logan into a Cairo protest.
Contrarian51
Posted on February 25, 2011 at 9:47pmIf E.D.shows as much leg around Spitzer as she did at FNC, there might be as many as 6 or 7 witnesses (CNN’s viewership) to Spitzer’s next inappropriate act.
I remember E.D. as leaning strongly to the right. Wonder if that will hold up. I’ll have to wait for clips to show up here, though. Having E.D. get it on with Kiran Chetry wouldn’t even be enough to make me watch any show with Spitzer on it.
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on February 26, 2011 at 1:01amE.D.’s OK. Glad she has a gig.
I won’t be watching though.. no use for Spitzer, ever.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on February 26, 2011 at 1:56pmI notice that they are replacing a female with a male…Maybe they figure a male would hold their own better.. don’t really care.. I quit watching CNN about 4 years ago they are just to biased..
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