White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of one of the most powerful clubs in America.

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:

The Bittersweet Tuesday Job Announcements

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Daily Beast Bipartisan Brunch
It’s a rough day if you’re Ray LaHood or a CNN employee–but congratulations John Kerry!

Starting out with the good news today is John Kerry was unanimously approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That was the expected announcement this week. CNN, however, decided that such a thing was too boring for a Tuesday and launched a mass exodus/hiring spree just to see if we can keep up.

Chris Cuomo is leaving ABC for CNN.The younger brother of Andrew will take point as morning anchor for CNN, which is a rough spot since that’s where Soledad O’Brien is supposed to sit. Matt Whitaker,an executive vice president and managing editor, announced this morning that he’s leaving the network due to new CEO Jeff Zucker‘s “forceful ideas about where to take CNN’s reporting, programming and brand.” Also out? Long-time husband-and-wife duo James Carville and Mary Matalin. Erick Erickson is also gone, but where else could he find an opening?

In the flurry of media news, it seems someone confused Ray LaHood causing him to announce his resignation as transportation secretary.

“I want to thank Secretary LaHood for his dedication, his hard work, and his years of service to the American people — including the outstanding work he’s done over the last four years as Secretary of Transportation,” the president said in a statement.

No other information was given from the former republican Representative from Illinois. It’s a strange ebb and flow around CNN and the cabinet these days.

edit: We mixed our Cuomos up! Andrew Cuomo is Chris’ brother and current governor of New York. Mario is the former governor of New York and father to both Andrew and Chris. We regret the error.

Will Couric Stay At CBS?

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Katie Couric at CURE Annual Chicago Benefit April 16, 2010

With her contract expiring at the end of May, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric has a big decision to make. But as David Bauder from the Associated Press reports, “her next choice is likely to be fraught with more risk, and may not truly be hers.”

Folks have been speculating for some time whether Couric would remain behind the anchor desk. But talk heated up last week when “60 Minutes” head Jeff Fager was named CBS News chairman with Bloomberg’s David Rhodes at his side. Deciding whether Couric remains after her current contract expires at the end of May will likely be their first point of business.

Couric, the first solo female anchor of a network evening newscast and veteran “Today” co-host does have options. Bauder writes: “Couric has discussed the syndicated talk show market with her good friend and former colleague, ex-NBC Universal chairman Jeff Zucker. A shorter-term extension with CBS to stay put, at least through the 2012 election, is possible, as is a move to cable where other big TV personalities have found homes, such as Oprah Winfrey, Conan O’Brien and Martha Stewart. Of course, the Web is yet another alternative for Couric in today’s marketplace.”

Bauder quotes WHC Insider‘s own Tammy Haddad:
“She’s got to find a place where her interview skills are used,” said Haddad, a veteran TV producer who worked with Couric in the 1990s. “She has that rare ability to make something happen every time she interviews somebody and every time she’s on-screen.”

Couric’s former “Today” partner, Bryant Gumbel, created his own niche with his well-respected “Real Sports” show on HBO, Haddad noted.

To read the full article go HERE.

Jeff Zucker To Leave NBC

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Jeff Zucker plans to step down from his position as CEO at NBC upon completion of the Comcast merger.

The New York Times’ Media Decoder reports Zucker informed employees via email this morning that he would leave once the takeover is finalized and that it was not exactly his choice.

“We had both gotten to the same place,” Mr. Zucker said. “He made it clear that they wanted to move on at the close of the deal and I was completely comfortable with that.”

Zucker has been a fixture at the company for literally his entire professional career. Regardless, this sure is an action-packed Friday if you’re an executive at a cable channel/news network.