CNN Cancels Eliot Spitzer's Show, Flags Fly At Half-Mast

It is with heavy hearts that we pass along the news that Eliot Spitzer's CNN talk show ~~Shiny Dome180~~ In The Arena has been cancelled. According to the NY Times' Brian Stelter, Anderson Cooper (who else?) will move his AC360 to 8 p.m. and John King and a new CNBC anchor will be bumped down to make room. In an internal CNN memo those courageous network types can't even bear to say the show's name until the last paragraph. Spitzer said in a statement, "I believe that we provided diverse and valuable perspectives during the show's tenure…I thoroughly enjoyed my time at CNN." Not as much as we enjoyed this hilariously awkward promo!

Originally Parker Spitzer, the show changed to In The Area after conservative syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker was liberated in February. Apparently talking over a former attorney general and governor is exhausting. True, Spitzer had a few decent moments. But most of his offerings were of the banal, self-important cable-news-vomit persuasion. Take his scintillating analysis after yesterday's Casey Anthony verdict:

We may never find out who killed Caylee, how she disappeared, who hid her body. But we do know that Casey Anthony will not be put to death for what happened to her daughter. And we are reminded that it is virtually impossible to know how a jury will rule, even in the most-publicized and sensational of cases. Virtually every TV pundit and talking head thought she was guilty. They were wrong.

We may never know why Eliot Spitzer was caught having sex with prostitutes, but it's virtually impossible to know what a man is thinking after a long day of governing. His supporters thought he was smarter than that. They were wrong.

If CNN needs a replacement down the road, that should serve as a fine audition. As for Spitzer: we hear FOX is looking for talent in the 5 p.m. slot.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christopher Robbins in News on July 6, 2011 2:58 PM

Comments [rss]

sharpshoota

That slots been horrible on CNN since even before the Rick Sanchez scandal.

xXxMExXx

I don’t think Spitzer is radical enough for MSNBC.

birdtird

Holy crap, what on earth will i watch now? Please don't take away Nancy Grace.

Casey Hargarther

Nancy Grace will be at her HLN gig for years to come. Her ratings will go down for now, but when a high profile crime or trial like Casey Anthony comes up again in the near future, her and Jane Valdez Mitchell's ratings will skyrocket once again.
The other networks were not covering it as much, but when HLN were racking up record ratings, then the other networks were started to cover the trial. When the verdict was read out loud yesterday, Nancy Grace's show had RECORD RATINGS, she had 5.1 MILLION VIEWERS which is 1700 percent more than normal ratings for that hour. Also, she had 2.1 MILLION VIEWERS yesterday for her 8pm slot. She had Fox like ratings. Don't worry about Nancy Grace, because she is not going away anytime soon. In fact, she is now the face of HLN News.

LICnative

He's very happy. It leaves a lot more time for whoring.

ANGRYGOD11

It also means more sore throats and dirty socks.

JPeditor

Should have happened sooner. Maybe now he can do a show with Weiner on MSNBC.Bad news is now his wife will have to spend more $ on a PI tracking her husband's daily movements ( at least before, she knew where he was part of the time...).

Casey Hargarther

There is a difference between Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer, Anthony Weiner is more suited for television than Spitzer is, and would likely not want Spitzer. Weiner would attract more ratings on any network unless if he is on FOX or CNN. Weiner has in favor is that he is more popular with the liberal base than Spitzer is. If Anthony Weiner goes into television,which I do think it is likely because of his frequent appearances, then he would probably have to start at the bottom of the latter as a political contributor or a political analyst and then become a substitute host and then eventually he would get awarded with his own show. Does this path sound familiar? It does because this is how Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes got their own shows on MSNBC. If Anthony Weiner wants his own TV show, then would have to follow the same route as Maddow and Hayes and not cut corners to the top like Eliot Spitzer did to get his failed show. Also, I believe that In the Arena would got better ratings on MSNBC even if the show was in the same format ,but not that much better.

JPeditor

"There is a difference between Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer, "

yeah about a Billion $; otherwise they are both CREEPY sex pervs who lied to their wives and to their constituents.

MSNBC can HAVE THEM.