More Pink Slips at CNN?
TVSpy posters repeat rumors of more pink slips at CNN. Correspondent Brian Cabell left CNN this week, several posts say. Another person says that Art Harris is out, as well... 11:59:20 PM

Rant: CNN's Candy Crowley Needs to Surf Some Blogs
A cold Candy Crowley on CNN tonight: "The campaign put out a final blog on Dean for president tonight," she said. Damn it, Candy, you're apparently one of the journos who doesn't 'get' it: First, it's called Dean for America or Blog for America. Second, it's not a "final blog" -- it's a "final blog post." But even that is incorrect -- there's no indication that tonight's posts were the end. A blog is a living, breathing entity -- it never really ends. I'm sorry it didn't fit your clever narrative, but you made fundamental mistakes. Do a bit more web surfing, and at least get the name right next time. 10:11:11 PM

How To Improve 'Dennis Miller:' Dump Dennis?
"If they really want to improve the Dennis Miller Show on CNBC, they'll dump Dennis," John writes in. "I saw the show for the first time the other night and couldn't believe how bad it was. I know Dennis drank Dubya's kool-aid, but that didn't mean that he had to lose his sense of humor, did it?" He suggests a replacement: "I know, give the show to Al Franken. Or better yet, give Al Franken on MSNBC, put Franken opposite O'Reilly and Paula Zahn and let Olbermann follow." What a ratings war that would be... 9:14:44 PM

Style: It's How to 'Sell' MSNBC
I like the way MSNBC is positioning its primetime shows. Two teases in tonight's newsletter are good examples. "Hey, you can get the news or you can get the news Olbermann style," the Countdown preview said. And for Scarborough Country: "Tune in and see what you can do to help as Joe continues his fight for decency on television." Offer a compelling product, and the viewers will tune in -- that is Rick's hope, and I tend to agree... 8:55:52 PM

"Big Idea" is a Great Idea
CNBC's "Big Idea" show (hosted by "renowned Madison Avenue maverick Donny Deutsch," the press release says) always features a unique mix of guests. Tonight's show (10pm and 1am) is no different: Donald Trump, Carson Daly, an NFL agent, three SI swimsuit models, and a judge on "America's Next Top Model" will appear. (Press release) 8:24:16 PM

Hardball: "We're the best, aren't we?"
The Hardball team isn't modest: "And how about our coverage last night? We're the best, aren't we? I flipped around the channels a bit last night and found the others guys pretty boring and don't have any personality....Chris and our panel delivered hard news and facts with a serious dose of fun and personality: What Emeril would call 'kickin' it up a notch'...When I spoke to Chris earlier today I called it 'Razzmatazz,' the show's newsletter said today... 8:23:46 PM

Greta Describes Difficulties of Live TV
Greta takes readers behind the scenes of last night's On the Record. "This IS live TV," she says, and explains the technical challenges yesterday evening. "At five minutes to 10, I had no idea where I would be doing the show -- or when... or even 'if,' she writes. Interesting... 8:18:56 PM

Shakeup, Day 3: Kaplan, Shapiro, Zucker: The Dynamic
The Hollywood Reporter with important details: "Shapiro and Kaplan could be on the hot seat. Sources familiar with NBC's decision said that Jeff Zucker, president of the NBC Entertainment, News and Cable Group who became Shapiro's boss at NBC News two months ago, has given the move his blessing but at the same time has told Shapiro that he is responsible for Kaplan's hiring. Shapiro said that he transferred Sorenson now -- after months of speculation about his future -- because "we had reached the point of stability"...But sources familiar with the matter also suggested that the timing is related to Zucker's recent addition of news to his portfolio. Zucker was traveling Tuesday and could not be reached for comment." Must-read... 2:34:04 PM

Shakeup, Day 3: "Maybe Rick Kaplan will catch a wave," Schonfeld says
Reese Schonfeld weighs in on Kaplan's hiring: "He probably wasn’t the right guy to hire for CNN and it certainly wasn’t right for CNN to fire him when it did. Kaplan had been directing CNN’s political coverage on the way to the 2000 presidential election. He was fired in September 2000, just when his presence was most needed and CNN’s election ratings dived...Those of you who have been following the market share reports may have noticed that MSNBC has picked up a couple of share points from CNN over the past three months. Maybe Rick Kaplan will catch a wave. Anyway he gets the dream of every fired executive, the chance to compete head on with the guys who fired him." 2:31:58 PM

Quote of the day
Joe Hagan sums up the media's reaction to Drudge's Kerry rumors in the NY Observer: "On the eve of Mr. Kerry’s denial on Imus in the Morning, TV anchors and correspondents wrinkled their noses at the foul, unnamed thing in the room. That night, CNN’s Aaron Brown read an item on NewsNight saying, 'The big political news of the day' was the impending endorsement of Senator John Kerry by General Wesley Clark, adding, 'We emphasize news.' Message: We’re not reporting these vile rumors that you may have heard about, for we are a legitimate news organization, above such scandal-mongering. (Next on Larry King Live: Laci Peterson!)" 2:29:06 PM

Shakeup, Day 3: Kaplan Promises No "Radical Changes"
Rick Kaplan certainly knows what to say to calm his employees and viewers. "One of the things MSNBC needs most is some patience with the schedule," he tells USA Today. No "radical changes" are coming, he says; "Part of the problem is that MSNBC hasn't been given a chance for shows to develop and improve." And he comments on the competition: "We're going to do great if we do great, not if they do poorly," he says. "What they do, whatever they do, doesn't impact on what we do." Good story... 10:13:53 AM

Shakeup, Day 3: Kaplan's Old Colleagues Comment
The Chicago Tribune gets some of Kaplan's old co-workers on the phone for a reaction piece. Frank Sesno: "He is volatile, but brilliant. He is capable of electrifying a room, and people will work their butts off for this guy." Tom Yellin: "It's going to change, change, change." Former CNN co-worker Gail Evans: "I would think that he would try to challenge CNN and Fox at every corner. But my guess would be he'll try to take CNN on over politics." 10:12:30 AM

Shakeup, Day 3: Wrapping Up The Newspaper Columns
Clever lead from Stephen Battaglio in the Daily News: "New MSNBC President Rick Kaplan doesn't plan to blow up the news channel in order to save it. At least not yet." But he finds an anonymous exec to quote: "...Everybody is expecting Kaplan to look at everything very critically."
|| Also: Gail Shister has details of how the deal went down || WashPost says Sorenson has more than a year left on his contract 10:12:17 AM

The Future of FOXNews.com
"Fox News Channel's Web site has always been a lean operation, but now the site has added free video and a deep politics section," this article in the Online Journalism Review says. Bert Solivan, the site's GM, discusses the site in an interesting Q&A.; Impressive: "We're averaging about 50,000 to 75,000 e-mails a week, so it's probably about 10,000 per day." A full site redesign is slated for this summer... 10:02:08 AM

Edwards Screws Up The Media's Narrative
Howard Kurtz reads between the lines: "'A much closer race than many of us had expected,' said CNN's Wolf Blitzer. Translation: The press was so busy covering a Kerry-Bush race and awarding Edwards the No. 2 spot that its members had all but discounted the possibility of an Edwards surge. Shades of Iowa, where Edwards seemingly came out of nowhere to finish within 4 points of Kerry." 9:12:31 AM