February 26, 2011
— rdbrewer Ace called it correctly a long time ago:
We liveblogged the first show and it was pretty clear that Kathleen Parker 1, had nothing much to say except about her One Big Topic of Sarah Palin (and nothing new there, either), and, even if you're whoring for ratings, you can't talk about her every night, can you?, and 2, was a wallflower without any command of the studio and without the sort of aggressive confidence needed to be a broadcaster.
John Ziegler makes similar points in this piece for Meidaite. Ziegler was the guest several months ago who confronted Parker about her role in the "assassination" of Palin as a candidate during the 2008 election cycle and elicited the odd response from Parker that she "didn't take part in [the assassination]; she led it." (Video below the fold.) He predicted the failure of the show then.
But the primary reason why the program couldn’t work is also the very reason Parker got the gig in the first place. She was clearly hired because she was perceived as a “conservative” who was willing to vigorously attack Palin, while not holding any particularly strong conservative opinions which might offend the largely liberal CNN audience. It is hardly a secret that the best (and perhaps only) way for an unknown or career-challenged conservative to achieve mainstream media acceptance is to be a sellout to their supposed cause (just ask Arianna Huffington, Peggy Noonan, David Brooks, David Frum, Michael Smerconish, or Joe Scarborough, to name only a few).Criticizing Palin (along with endorsing Obama) has quickly become the most reliable path to instant notoriety/credibility for ambitious “conservatives,” and Parker became the poster child for this phenomenon. . . .
However, there is apparently a downside side to getting a show this way. Much like a guy who spends all his cash to get the girl and has nothing left to keep her, Parker had no capital with which to make the show a ratings success. . . .
With no spark, no friction, no talent, and no audience base, Parker brought nothing to the table, and the show was clearly doomed.
(Emphasis mine.) As Ace said during the liveblog that first night, it was almost like Parker was right there and part of the action.
More at the link, including some first-class snark. Like Ziegler says, the show's failure wasn't an Earth-shattering prediction. I think we all knew it was going to be a dud. What is strange is that CNN wasn't able to foresee the outcome
Posted by: rdbrewer at
04:57 PM
| Comments (90)
Post contains 428 words, total size 3 kb.
Posted by: steevy at February 26, 2011 05:12 PM (1knYj)
Posted by: Janet Napolitano on a unicycle at February 26, 2011 05:12 PM (38mCL)
Posted by: Uncle Jed at February 26, 2011 05:13 PM (qPTz0)
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at February 26, 2011 05:13 PM (G/uDq)
Posted by: Fat Bald & Sassy at February 26, 2011 05:13 PM (3PyqP)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 26, 2011 05:14 PM (lXCHg)
Posted by: Nighthawk at February 26, 2011 05:15 PM (3kefp)
Posted by: rdbrewer
Last I checked, Brooks and Frum are still employed. They're doing a tour of the Left Coast and HotAir.
Posted by: goldbricker esq at February 26, 2011 05:16 PM (S59+B)
8 Can anyone pronounce "Mediaite"?
I believe it's Media-ite. Oh, and fuck Michael Smerconish. Sellout prick.
Posted by: Wyatt Earp at February 26, 2011 05:16 PM (zgZzy)
Brooks and Frum aren't doing a show on CNN with Elliot Spitzer.
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 26, 2011 05:18 PM (lXCHg)
Posted by: huerfano at February 26, 2011 05:18 PM (2pEj7)
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 26, 2011 09:19 PM (lXCHg)
I always said 'ite'....not that I said it that much.
Posted by: Tami at February 26, 2011 05:20 PM (VuLos)
Posted by: Wyatt Earp at February 26, 2011 05:20 PM (zgZzy)
Posted by: steevy at February 26, 2011 05:22 PM (1knYj)
Their knowledge of the reading habits and views of the right is nil, so they didn't know what was patently obvious to all of us: That she had no following or credibility among the right whatsoever.
Posted by: AD at February 26, 2011 05:27 PM (9r1ux)
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 26, 2011 05:31 PM (9Lm5R)
Posted by: Burn the Apostrophers at February 26, 2011 05:31 PM (DLxD/)
See, this is the funny thing. It seems ridiculous to us that she would continue to right write columns. Nobody on our side reads her or had even heard of her before Palin. However, the woman now has a Pulitzer.
As far as the Washington Post is concerned she's a big deal and given how many other big name columnists have been phoning in it for years, she can probably live off that for a very long time. To make it even more insane they picked her up as a safe conservative, so they view employing her as a way to show their balance.
Posted by: AD at February 26, 2011 05:34 PM (9r1ux)
Also a horse: Kathleen Parker.
Posted by: House of Payne at February 26, 2011 05:37 PM (z79gW)
Posted by: newrouter at February 26, 2011 05:38 PM (nfC5u)
The views expressed in this guest column are those of John Ziegler alone.
Like we didn't know. Notice they don't say "not necessarily." Funny slip-up, since Mediaite is about as left as you can clumsily get. Here is what they should have said:
The views expressed in this guest column are indeed from a guest writer and not one of the staff liberals at Mediaite, so don't even think for a second that anybody, anybody here could possibly ever take such a viewpoint. Here at Mediaite, we strive to bring you slanted news because, hey, we know we're part of the with-it crowd, noble, heroic, and honorable--just like the cool kids in seventh grade. And, it is in that spirit that we decline to be clever about our bias. We like it to be obvious to the extent it is frequently gratuitous and turns people off. Actually, that might be a bit of a post-hoc rationalization, since the truth is our objective reality-testing skills are limited. So it's probably too much to ask for us as children inhabiting large bodies to be professional and adult in our delivery of the news. Just remember, we would never have a conservative-sounding take on anything. Ever.
That would be a better, even safer disclaimer for Mediaite.
Posted by: rdbrewer at February 26, 2011 05:38 PM (lXCHg)
Posted by: baldilocks at February 26, 2011 05:38 PM (T2/zQ)
I don't know of anyone who didn't see this coming.
Spitzer is a life-long Democrat and is going to defend the Democratic position. Sure, he might occasionally disagree but c'mon, that's what he'll do (my guess is that he still thinks he has a career in politics but that's another matter).
So, Spitzer defends the liberal view and Parker is going to do what? Well, she's known for criticizing Palin and conservatives. That's her MO.
And that's what she'll do.
Who wants to watch a show where one viewpoint is defended and the opposing viewpoint criticized?
Not to mention that she came across as a wooden mannequin.
Posted by: Areopagitica at February 26, 2011 05:40 PM (fqNwI)
Posted by: turfmann at February 26, 2011 05:40 PM (l4J9G)
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at February 26, 2011 05:43 PM (DsqGb)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 26, 2011 05:45 PM (bnhUq)
Posted by: Flapjackmaka at February 26, 2011 05:48 PM (c5RQr)
Or more likely it was a reward for the woman who played such a large part in the Palin takedown.
The left is pretty good about paying off traitors - see David Brock...
Posted by: 18-1 at February 26, 2011 05:48 PM (bgcml)
Is it true that Client 9 was dropping hints that he did better ratings wise when Porker was on vacation? I'm sure he didn't feel comfortable being in the extended company of a woman who didn't have a cash basis relationship with him.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 26, 2011 05:49 PM (kKA7V)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 26, 2011 05:49 PM (bnhUq)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 26, 2011 05:50 PM (bnhUq)
First, when John McCain hushed his booing crowd to acknowledge the significance of this nationÂ’s electing an African-American to the presidency.
Second, when Barack Obama delivered his acceptance speech:
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”
Amen, brother.
Kathleen Parker
Conservative Commentator
November 7, 2008
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at February 26, 2011 05:51 PM (DsqGb)
Posted by: Fat Bald & Sassy at February 26, 2011 05:52 PM (3PyqP)
The left is pretty good about paying off traitors - see David Brock...
Posted by: 18-1 at February 26, 2011 09:48 PM (bgcml)
Muhahaha and Palin's still standing.
Posted by: Flapjackmaka at February 26, 2011 05:53 PM (c5RQr)
The Morons are way ahead of you. Either SJP or Joolia Roberts.
Posted by: goldbricker esq at February 26, 2011 05:59 PM (S59+B)
Posted by: goldbricker esq at February 26, 2011 09:59 PM (S59+B)
You also forget Helen Hunt.
Posted by: Holger at February 26, 2011 06:00 PM (YxGud)
Posted by: goldbricker esq at February 26, 2011 09:59 PM (S59+B)
You also forget Helen Hunt.
Posted by: Holger at February 26, 2011 10:00 PM (YxGud)
What am I, chopped liver?
Posted by: John Kerry at February 26, 2011 06:02 PM (9Pzy7)
You also forget Helen Hunt.
Hmm, don't see it. I'd believe Minnie Driver before Hunt.
Posted by: goldbricker esq at February 26, 2011 06:02 PM (S59+B)
Had CNN debuted a show exclusively hosted by Elliot Spitzer, they would have come under heavy fire for giving a disgraced whoremonger an hourlong five nights a week to expound on his bullshit. Throw in some kinda sorta wishy washy "conservative" co-host, someone too wholesome to criticize, and voila! In the clear. Ask her to do it for a few months, just enough time for Spitzer to build some credibility, and then let her split when it suits her.
And wouldn't ya know it they've already got Spitzer's new show titled and formatted and ready to go less then a week after Parker's announcement. No fuss, no muss.
Posted by: Robert at February 26, 2011 06:02 PM (4q6A5)
Posted by: jewells45 at February 26, 2011 06:05 PM (Z71Vg)
Muhahaha and Palin's still standing.
Posted by: Flapjackmaka at February 26, 2011 09:53 PM (c5RQr)
Perhaps, but absent the media hitjob, Palin would be VP today.
As an interesting question, would we be going into 2012 with VP Palin perched to take on McCain in a primary fight?
Posted by: 18-1 at February 26, 2011 06:06 PM (bgcml)
Posted by: gesc at February 26, 2011 06:07 PM (AIIyH)
You also forget Helen Hunt.
Hmm, don't see it. I'd believe Minnie Driver before Hunt.
Posted by: goldbricker esq at February 26, 2011 10:02 PM (S59+B)
Shit. I gotcha' all beat. Assholes.
Posted by: Princess Camilla at February 26, 2011 06:07 PM (+yLk4)
Posted by: Elliot Spitzer at February 26, 2011 06:11 PM (azgo2)
Posted by: CNN at February 26, 2011 06:12 PM (4Kl5M)
Posted by: Sponge at February 26, 2011 06:14 PM (CdX98)
As an interesting question, would we be going into 2012 with VP Palin perched to take on McCain in a primary fight?
Posted by: 18-1 at February 26, 2011 10:06 PM (bgcml)
You think he'll run again?
Posted by: Flapjackmaka at February 26, 2011 06:15 PM (c5RQr)
Could Spitzer possibly step up and fulfill that role, or would the grind be too much for him?
Posted by: Fritz at February 26, 2011 06:16 PM (/8mBu)
Posted by: robtr at February 26, 2011 06:17 PM (hVDig)
You think he'll run again?
Posted by: Flapjackmaka at February 26, 2011 10:15 PM (c5RQr)
If he had won in 2008? Yes.
Posted by: 18-1 at February 26, 2011 06:19 PM (bgcml)
If he had won in 2008? Yes.
Posted by: 18-1 at February 26, 2011 10:19 PM (bgcml)
oh. well in a way im glad he did not. He might've passed the public option.
Posted by: Flapjackmaka at February 26, 2011 06:20 PM (c5RQr)
Posted by: FlaviusJulius at February 26, 2011 06:24 PM (qIHlG)
I'm a Sexual Tyrantosarous!!! Call me.
Posted by: Elliot Spitzer at February 26, 2011 06:25 PM (azgo2)
Posted by: Elliot Spitzer at February 26, 2011 06:29 PM (azgo2)
Posted by: ManBearPig at February 26, 2011 06:30 PM (qIHlG)
Posted by: sam.j at February 26, 2011 06:33 PM (geNJV)
Posted by: Bill Carson at February 26, 2011 06:45 PM (ii5TW)
Posted by: Jimmy Page at February 26, 2011 08:36 PM (ychgM)
Mr & Mrs. Barack Obama,
Kathleen & Barack Obama,
Mrs. Kathleen P. Obama,
Ms. Kathleen Parker-Obama.
Posted by: NC Mountain Girl at February 26, 2011 08:48 PM (Et0pc)
Posted by: House of Payne at February 26, 2011 09:37 PM (z79gW)
No, not a horse. A nag. Hard to tell when the show you're looking at is all filmed through a blue filter, though.
Posted by: Bill H at February 26, 2011 08:52 PM (q8CmE)
Posted by: A Balrog of Morgoth at February 26, 2011 08:53 PM (0IPsJ)
Posted by: MrScribbler's Proctologist at February 26, 2011 09:10 PM (p6fOG)
Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at February 26, 2011 11:04 PM (swuwV)
Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at February 26, 2011 11:08 PM (swuwV)
Posted by: maplestory mesos at February 26, 2011 11:52 PM (YLorm)
All this is speculation. I'm guessing somebody watched the show, but it wasn't me. I've no use for Parker and less for our vicious, lying, hypocritical ex-governor.
Posted by: MarkD at February 27, 2011 04:27 AM (6CLxP)
Years ago I read her columns, and thought they were pretty good and an easy, relaxing read with a cup of coffee. Since she insulted all Conservatives and Christians, I have ignored any column she wrote. I did not watch her recent flirtation with fame and a man who consorted with prostitutes (with his socks on). This Parker/Spitzer show was a desperate shot at best and she failed.
Over the years, when she sought to be relevant, her columns became trite, cutesy and always, always a beat or a week behind other opinion columnists. Her columns were often a retread of other's opinions and rarely her own ideas. You see, she did not appear to actually form an opinion until she saw the lay of the land or where the wind was blowing (sort of like her great and articulate Dear Leader of a President who flew her during the campaign as she swooned like a teenager). She immediately got on the "I hate Palin" bus with personal attacks (due to her husband's comments that Palin had good legs or was good looking). Very high school "mean girl" behavior, and that of an insecure woman.
The Palin attacks fed her middle-aged ego. She was being noticed! She busily collected the emails sent to her from the knuckle-dragging conservatives, tallied them with the pro emails from the brilliant liberals and moderates from their caves at the Democrat Underground. She'd found her new sweet spot being a conservative basher, which (she thought) might continue to lead to White House dinners and Georgetown cocktail parties, and a new career as a TV pundit.
The problem was this: she did not consider the risk if the Obummer Administration nosedived, or that there would ever be a conservative cover she could not mea culpa back into. Townhall booted her to the curb. National Review will occasionally list her column, but she is no longer part of the A team, except with a few who seem willing to forgive her as she is so "talented." If FOX News hires her to be a milquetoast place holder, then whatevah. She simply cannot compete with the likes of Megyn Kelly, Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham and others.
She needs to keep writing her little ditties for the WaPo and polishing her Pulitzer that she obtained for the thirty pieces of silver---the price of the conservatives she threw to the wolves. May her Pulitzer keep her warm at night.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky at February 27, 2011 06:26 AM (oTjfX)
Posted by: some dope at February 27, 2011 08:46 AM (BZEkR)
Posted by: banshee at February 27, 2011 08:58 AM (viAWf)
Yeah Parker is like the tease that shows the crowd everything she had and wonders why no one is interested anymore, the mystery is over!
Posted by: Africanus at February 27, 2011 09:30 AM (EDjAd)
Posted by: Rich K at February 27, 2011 10:30 AM (X4l3T)
Posted by: Ex Dem at February 27, 2011 05:50 PM (LO+hL)
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Posted by: Have Blue at February 26, 2011 05:05 PM (mV+es)