Crossfire (TV series)

Crossfire was a current events debate program on CNN. It first aired in 1982. In January 2005, it was announced that it would be cancelled as a freestanding series, possibly to become a shorter, "gentler" segment of Inside Politics http://dailypioneer.com/vivacity1.asp?main_variable=MEDIA&file_name=med4.txt&counter_img=4. Its last episode aired on June 3, 2005 and the Crossfire pundits began appearing on Inside Politics the following Monday before relocating to that show's succesor, The Situation Room.

Related Topics:
Debate - CNN - 1982 - 2005 - Inside Politics - June 3 - The Situation Room

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The show was hosted by two pundits, one of whom was chosen "from the right" and one "from the left," thus purporting to provide both sides of the political spectrum.

Related Topics:
Right - Left - Political spectrum

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The last "left" hosts were Democrats Paul Begala and James Carville. Republicans Robert Novak and Tucker Carlson were on the "right."

Related Topics:
Democrats - Paul Begala - James Carville - Republicans - Robert Novak - Tucker Carlson

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The show almost always featured two additional "left and right" guests on each topic of discussion. On some occasions only one guest was featured. Argument was encouraged, and the show was often characterized as having a somewhat rancorous, though lightly humourous, approach to political discussion.

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Previous regular hosts include (on the left) Tom Braden, Geraldine Ferraro, Michael Kinsley and Bill Press, and (on the right) Pat Buchanan, Lynne Cheney, Larry Elder, Mary Matalin, John H. Sununu and Cal Thomas.

Related Topics:
Tom Braden - Geraldine Ferraro - Michael Kinsley - Bill Press - Pat Buchanan - Lynne Cheney - Larry Elder - Mary Matalin - John H. Sununu - Cal Thomas

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With the increasing popularity of alternatives like Hannity and Colmes on the Fox News Channel and a switch to an afternoon timeslot, Crossfire saw decreasing viewership.

Related Topics:
Hannity and Colmes - Fox News Channel

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The length of the program was increased to an hour in March 2002; however, in April 2003, Crossfire was reduced back to just half an hour. After Tucker Carlson left the program in January 2005, it was reported that the show would be cancelled, possibly reborn as a shorter segment on CNN's Inside Politics. CNN CEO Jonathan Klein indicated that he wanted to change the tone of shows on the network. This had become a major topic in late 2004 after comedian and Daily Show host Jon Stewart appeared on the program and, in a heated argument with Carlson, bashed the format and the political toadying it led to (in Stewart's words, "I fought the law, and the law lost!"). Stewart's main criticism was that the program failed its responsibility to the public discourse and indulged in "partisan hackery". Following his appearance transcripts and live stream footage was released on the Internet to massive response on online chatrooms and discussion boards. The overwhelming majority of the respondents were in favor of Jon Stewart?s criticism, creating much negative publicity for the show.

Related Topics:
Tucker Carlson - January 2005 - Inside Politics - CNN - Jonathan Klein - Daily Show - Jon Stewart - Internet

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In its final years, the show was broadcast live from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and featured a live studio audience. Tickets were available for free.

Related Topics:
The George Washington University - Washington, D.C.

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