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Archives for April 2013

Crossfire Gets Caught Back Up in New CNN

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It’s been nearly eight years since Crossfire broadcast from Washington, but that won’t stop CNN from bringing back the infamous debate show.

TVNewser floated the rumor on Friday that the once-iconic 23-year old debate show that taped at George Washington University could be returning to CNN under Jeff Zucker‘s reign. This comes after the 2005 cancelation when Jon Stewart appeared on the show, then hosted by Tucker Carlson (“on the right”), James Carville and Paul Begala (“on the left”); he then gave one of the most historic media smackdowns ever recorded, so much that the CNN executives canceled the show to lick their wounds.

Deadline confirmed today that the show will return in June. What isn’t confirmed, however, could fill that eight-year gap up to the very edge. No host, no setting and no team are confirmed for this new Crossfire. Nor do we know what Zucker is planning. But in three months there’ll be another show joining CNN’s murky programming–whether it is day or night remains to be seen.

Until then, to build anticipation, remember this delightful theme song:

Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister, Dies at 87

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Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the first female British Prime Minister, passed away this morning after experiencing a stroke according to her spokesperson. Thatcher served as leader for the Conservative Party in Britain for 13 years.

President Obama released the following statement:

“With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend. As a grocer’s daughter who rose to become Britain’s first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered. As prime minister, she helped restore the confidence and pride that has always been the hallmark of Britain at its best. And as an unapologetic supporter of our transatlantic alliance, she knew that with strength and resolve we could win the Cold War and extend freedom’s promise.

Here in America, many of us will never forget her standing shoulder to shoulder with President Reagan, reminding the world that we are not simply carried along by the currents of history—we can shape them with moral conviction, unyielding courage and iron will. Michelle and I send our thoughts to the Thatcher family and all the British people as we carry on the work to which she dedicated her life—free peoples standing together, determined to write our own destiny.”

Thatcher was immortalized in the 2011 biopic, The Iron Lady, where Meryl Streep played the former Prime Minister and won an Academy Award for her performance among other accolades from the BAFTA Awwards and New York Film Critic Circle.

Thatcher has battled poor health over the last few years and, according to CNN, has suffered a series of strokes following her first major reported case in 2002.

Thatcher is survived by her two children, Carol and Mark.

Zoe Barns Crashes Booker Reception, No Ribs Eaten

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It may not be viral marketing, but House of Cards‘ Kate Mara showing up at a fundraiser is a reminder the spiritual successor to K Street is coming back. The original Netflix drama is set to start up production later this month while the White House Correspondents Dinner kicks into gear, so it isn’t strange that the stars are making their way back to Washington.

Politico caught the tweet that Mara, who plays upcoming new media gadfly Zoe Barns, sent out from a fundraiser for Trenton Newark Mayor Cory Booker last night:

Does this mean Booker has secret plans to open a special BBQ joint in DC should he successfully take outgoing Senator Frank Lautenberg’s seat in 2014? Just to be safe, no one should tweet Booker if they happen to have an injured dog.

edit: our Trenton/Newark mistake came from a sudden case of wanting ribs. We regret the error! Sorry, Jersey!

Terry Moran + Ryan Lizza Win White House Correspondents Association Award

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In less than one month stars and star journalists will gather for the Annual White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday, April 27th. Today the White House Correspondents Association announced two major awards to the New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza and ABC News’ Terry Moran. Mediabistro’s Chris Ariens tells the rest of the story:

“ABC’s Terry Moran will be presented the Merriman Smith Award at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner later this month. Moran, who is not a White House correspondent, is being honored for his coverage of the Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act. According to Mike Allen‘s playbook, judges found that Moran “calmly guided viewers through the complexity, contradictions and nuance of the ruling while explaining what it means for the president and his political fortunes.”

Ryan Lizza of The New Yorker wins for journalistic excellence. The awards will be presented at the annual dinner April 27. Fox News White House correspondent Ed Henry is the current president of the WHCA. This is the fourth year in a row the WHCA has honored an ABC correspondent. Jake Tapper won it the last three years. Tapper is now with CNN.”

White House Correspondents Insider will have all the stories about the weekend and you can always get briefed at http://www.whca.net.

Photos: White House Easter Egg Roll 2013

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As spring blossoms in Washington–not that the lack of Cherry Blossoms help–we come to look upon the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Held for the fifth year under President Obama, the Easter Egg Roll was presented this year in part with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Get Up And Move campaign.

“Today we’re going to have more than 30,000 people who will pass through this yard in celebration of nutrition and health and activity,” she said. “And we could not do this if it were not for all of our wonderful volunteers, our staff, all of the terrific performers and athletes who have taken time out of their lives and their busy days to make this important. So we need to give all of them a round of applause for all their hard work.”

The annual basketball and tennis outing was not as easy for POTUS. Per the Pool:

“POTUS stepped to free throw line and kids were asked to stand on opposite sides, depending on whether they think he would sink it. Most kids moved in one direction, but one boy went to the “miss” side.

“Oh, man,” a stunned POTUS said, hands on hips. The boy didn’t budge. And three others joined.

In sharp form, POTUS released the ball. It bounced off the rim and circled it — miss.

“Come on. Come on. Did you see that?” Obama said.

It got worse. A little while later, after playing tennis, Obama started to take shots amid the kids and pros.

Miss. Miss. Off the rim. Miss. Miss. Off the rim. Airball. He moved closer to the net.

But time and again, he missed. Of 22 shots POTUS took, he made two. (22 was general consensus of poolers)[.]”

At least reading went a little better for Obama than the pick-up game.

White House Easter Egg Roll Has POTUS and K-POTUS Switch Desks

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While everyone is enjoying a rather foggy morning in Washington, there’s a distinct lack of “fool” for today’s April Fool’s. The St. “Patty”‘s Day equivalent of pranking folks and generally making the Internet unreliable doesn’t occur often inside the Beltway. Except President Obama has seemed to take a shine to Robby “Kid President” Novak as Click points out:

The diminutive POTUS replacement showed up to make the formal announcement for the 2013 White House Easter Egg Roll back in February. Today he’s one of many special guests including Beasts of the Southern Wild‘s Quvenzhané Wallis, NASCAR’s Danica Patrick, Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson, Elmo, Abby, Gordon and Rosita from Sesame Street, the full cast of Super Sprowtz and pop group The Wanted.

There’s also an “Eggtivity Zone” that ” will represent the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition as players and coaches from professional sports teams teach kids how to play sports and show kids easy, fun ways to stay active and fit.” Eggsciting.

They’ll also be a bevy of costumed characters running around the White House lawn throughout the day. According to the White House, more than 300,000 Washington residents can be expected to attend throughout the day. So hopefully you’ve got your ticket and are already in line–we hear POTUS is showing up early to make an appearance. No fooling.