CNBC's Programming Theory: "Work hard, play hard"
CNBC CEO Pamela Thomas-Graham explains CNBC's recent makeover. "The governing theory behind the [new] prime-time lineup is, 'Work hard, play hard,'" she says in Newsday's Sunday editions. "During the day we're kind of the 'work hard' network. We help you make money, help you think about how to spend your money. At night it's going to be more that 'play hard' mentality." 6:53:45 PM

Does the media "worship the scream speech now"?
A poll at the Democratic Underground asks if the media will "ever start discussing real issues again," or just keep replaying the Dean scream. 64% respond to an apparent no: "'Issues?' The 'issues' are dead. We worship the Scream Speech now." Only one person thinks that "They'll cut out the stupidity eventually. Don't hold your breath, though." Fun comments over there, too... 6:53:27 PM

CNN's Bus "Looks Better" Than Other Buses, The Bus Driver Says
This site promises all the cable news news, so here's this important bit: CNN's Election Express is taking a break today, the bus driver reports. He's proud of it: "Other networks have buses, but ours looks better than theirs, and I'll race them anywhere in the country." 6:52:54 PM

CNN Shakeup: "Not a bad thing"
"This is not a bad thing," one Watercooler member writes. While noting that the loss of two bureau chiefs is sad, "this is not a layoff. Correspondents are being added; and this system is being given to restore power to the bureaus. And the early take of this appears to be [that] this will strengthen news gathering." Other people don't agree... 9:51:42 AM

On CNN: "They need to change the content"
A fascinating analysis about CNN from a "mid-sized market" TV employee: "They are changing graphics, they are changing pace, they are changing producers, they are changing talking heads... they are changing everything but what will fix the problem. They need to change the content...they will have to fall several more rating points before they finally figure out what is wrong." It's on Free Republic. Meanwhile, another FReeper chimes in with a line about rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic... 9:50:25 AM

Greta To Colleagues: Disclose Campaign Connections
Greta responds to criticism that her husband has raised money for John Kerry -- and that she informed viewers of that fact on-air. "I disclosed this so that YOU can decide whether you think my questions might be unfair or fair. This, to me, is being "fair and balanced" in that there are no secrets...Frankly, I would urge everybody in the media to do the same - disclose - if there are any even casual connections." Very interesting column... 9:31:09 AM

The CNN Shakeup: A Sign That Cable News is "Maturing?"
WashPost: New DC bureau chief Bohrman calls the CNN shakeup an "interesting step in the growth or maturing of cable news:" "Before, it was there to exist for the moment. We've not begun to cultivate a fair amount of evening programs. The different pieces need to be able to accommodate those programs and keep Washington on the forefront of breaking news. You need to be able to satisfy both." One CNN staffer says "there's a feeling in the bureau that [Kross's dismissal] wasn't handled well." 8:57:24 AM

Marin's Documentary to CNN?
Former WMAQ anchor Carol Marin is negotiating with CNN about purchasing one of two largely self-financed documentaries she is working on, Crain's mentions... 8:55:27 AM

Quote of the day
KWWL-TV Political Analyst Dr. Jeff Stein: "It used to be that any publicity is good publicity, but in this age of the Internet and twenty-four seven cable news and people commenting on performance, I don't think Howard Dean would find this publicity to be in his best interest." Have we reached the point where that cliche is no longer true?... 10:50:19 PM

! Clark Decries Debate's "Republican Agenda;" Accuses FOX of Bias
This could get interesting: "Clark...accused Fox News of conspiring against him in Thursday's debate," the Washington Post reports in Saturday editions. "I looked at who was asking the questions, and I think that was part of the Republican agenda in the debate," Clark told reporters. Quoting from a separate AP story: "Fox News spokesman Paul Schur said Clark should be used to facing tough questions about his record." Hmmm... 10:50:04 PM

Princell "Putting His Stamp" On CNN
"Hair...is putting his stamp on the network," Caroline Wilbert says in her AJC CNN shakeup lead. Other than that though, it's really just an AP re-write... 10:49:01 PM

"The first ever 3-D TV transmission of the Martian landscape"
Of course my cable had to malfunction during a special edition of NewsNight -- Miles O'Brien is taking viewers on a 3-D tour of Mars. "We will present the first ever 3-D TV transmission of the Martian landscape," the web site promises. Make sure to get your 3-D glasses ready to experience this television first." The site has featured information on obtaining the glasses (or making your own) for a week, and Aaron promo'd it many times... 10:34:59 PM

CNN Shakeup: A Move to Centralize News-gathering?
CBS Marketwatch adds this tidbit to the CNN shakeup story: "In Atlanta, ...some staffers were concerned that Hair's changes underscore the management's desire to centralize what it had often been a de-centralized news-gathering operation, and a consolidation of the general news production." Jon Friedman doesn't hesitate to note that "CNN is facing considerable pressure to re-establish itself." FR's are poking fun... 10:32:10 PM

Joe Johns Leaves NBC News
The AP's short shakeup story mentions that CNN has hired Joe Johns away from NBC. He will report on Capitol Hill. DCRTV points out Joe was with the peacock for 2 decades. 10:31:57 PM

Jim Avila Leaves NBC News
A big loss for NBC: "Jim Avila resigned amicably this week after 10 years at NBC," the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The paper mentions speculation that Avila will join ABC's PrimeTime newsmagazine as a correspondent... 10:31:46 PM

Princell Hair Dictates Dramatic Changes at CNN
Today's CNN shakeup, as outlined in this memo, is extensive. They include "a robust futures process and a fully integrated and empowered bureau system," in Hair-speak. "Today the blueprint has been laid, the map drawn," he said... (Full memo // Watercooler reaction)
    > Reporters who serve as bureau chiefs will be supplemented by people "whose sole responsibility it is to manage the newsgathering and production apparatus in their region."
    > A "revamped and expanded" planning unit will be "charged with constantly developing stories and series that will...be important to increasing time spent viewing"
    > CNN's 11 domestic bureaus will now be divided into four regions
    > A regional bureau chief and supervising producer will be added (another mgmt layer?)
    > Another Princell priority: improve the Features unit; it will now include Sports, too
    > Richard Griffiths promoted to Editorial Director; his mission: "better story-telling"
7:07:39 PM

Why Communities Like To Host Debates
...They soak up the free publicity! In South Carolina, local leaders hope to inform the nation, through the press, that their state is "more than a dumping ground for plutonium or a battleground for the Confederate flag and Martin Luther King Jr. holiday debates." MSNBC hosts a debate from there next week. More in the Carolina Morning News... 7:06:13 PM

Kross Out, Bohrman In At CNN DC
"I have asked David Bohrman to become Vice President of News and Production/Washington Bureau Chief," CNN head Princell Hair said in a memo today ."We are working with Kathryn Kross on a new role with the network and I thank her for her exhaustive efforts in DC." Bohrman was NewsNight's EP... Romenesko has the full memo. 5:13:24 PM

MSNBC/CNBC Primary Plans: Replica of Caucus Coverage
NBC has announced New Hampshire primary coverage plans. MSNBC is sticking with exactly the same plan they used during the caucus: Chris Matthews from 7am to midnight, then Keith Olbermann until 1am. On CNBC, John Seigenthaler will anchor at 8, break for Dennis at 9, then come back live until midnight. The The press release... 2:18:19 PM

The Election Express Crew Gets Along Well
Bob Franken checks in from the Election Express: "It's not that the bus isn't comfortable -- it is. But we are together day in and day out, and have managed to enjoy each other's company immensely. It must be the fact that it's kind of fun to cover a campaign like this..." 2:17:55 PM

No More CNBC World At 4am
Did you, like me, enjoy watching a bit of CNBC's international coverage early early in the mornings on CNBC? Well, it's no more. The 4am live broadcasts from London are being replaced by a Dennis Miller repeat. Here's the announcement; Digital Spy picked up on it. 2:17:21 PM

Weapons of the TV President: “melodramatic gesture and the photo op”
This story is never going to die. The Star-Ledger analyzes that speech heard ‘round the channels: “The badge, the flight suit, the turkey -- all were clearly designed to function in a world of 24-hour news, where signature images are replayed ad nauseam, replicating themselves on TV and the Internet like a computer virus.” 7:30:24 AM

CNN/FOX War: "Iowa close; speech isn't"
“Fox News claimed two political victories this week,” Caroline Wilbert says in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this morning, recaping the FOX/CNN ratings war this week... 7:29:10 AM

Brit Hume Praised for Debate Handling
Jeffy Jacoby sums up last night's debate in the Boston Globe: "Hume really was terrific last night. Maybe it's not too late to get him on the ballot." 7:28:17 AM

Inside the Debate Hall: What Viewers Didn't See
Howie is on a roll! Mr. Kurtz submits a recap of the Democrats' squabbling from his "perch inside the debate hall." He describes one moment viewers at home didn't see, where Dean "marched over" to moderator Hume during a commercial break. "Dean remains the big story, to judge from the spin room, as fully half the reporters waited by a stand labeled "Dean" for the candidate, who never emerged," Kurtz said. Also: "A debate looks very different from inside the hall than it does on television," Kurtz writes, and explains how. 12:53:46 AM

Bush on Gregory: "He thinks my job is to answer every question he asks"
NBC star David Gregory tried to turn President Bush's lunch Wednesday into a press conference. "What do you think of the Democratic field, sir?" Nice try -- no luck. Bush responded: "See, his job is to ask questions. He thinks my job is to answer every question he asks. I'm here to help this restaurant by buying food." And on it went, Rich Leiby transcribes in the WP gossip column... 12:21:38 AM

Media "exploring the psychodrama of Dean vs. Dean"
Howard Kurtz expands on his online column in the dead tree Post C1 Friday morning: "The reporters are all talking about the implosion," reads the lede, and continues: "For the media, the story now is not so much about pitting Dean against John Kerry, John Edwards or Wesley Clark as exploring the psychodrama of Dean vs. Dean." Good read... 12:20:29 AM

(un?)FAIR Part Two: Dennis Miller's Producer Conflict of Interest
And another FAIR story this morning: the liberal organization blowing a whistle on Dennis Miller's show before it even airs, naming what they call a "serious conflict of interest:" Consulting producer Mike Miller was a political advisor for Ahh-nold last year, and it just so happens that the new govern-ator will be among Miller's guests Monday. "Having a producer for a political talkshow working as a political operative is a clear conflict of interest," FAIR's press release says. Other Monday guests include McCain and Guiliani, BTW... 12:19:04 AM

(un?)FAIR Part One: Lou Dobbs' "Skewed Reporting"
Extra! (FAIR's bi-monthly print edition) calls attention to the "skewed reporting" of Lou Dobbs. The CNN anchor's favorite subject, or as FAIR puts it, "ax to grind," is immigration. "The selection of topics, the slanted sourcing and the occasionally inaccurate or incomplete information conveyed on the program all seemed calculated to convince the viewer that the U.S. is in the midst of a crisis," FAIR writes. Keep reading... 12:17:34 AM

Demo. Debate: Matthews Quizzes Trippi on "Hooting and Hollering"
Chris Matthews hosted a second live Hardball at 11pm. He led with Dean's "hooting and hollering" -- not any of the substantial issues discussed during the debate -- then interviewed Joe Trippi. Matthews asked who was digging up dirt on Dean and feeding it to the media. "I would point to the RNC. I think they're running...out there, and dumping on all the Democrats." Matthews tried to nail down specific names (Karl Rove? Ed Gillespie?) but Trippi wouldn't take the bait. Then Matthews asked him if Dean was as angry as he looked during his infamous speech Monday night. As Trippi said that "this is like, really ridiculous," the "15 seconds of tape" aired again. "You've gotta run it again right?," Trippi said. "So we can see it again?"... 11:17:43 PM

Demo. Debate: Another Round of Media Notes From NH
Greta: "The debate itself was very predictable." Campaign Carl told her that the debate was "very tame, no elbows thrown," and said that Kerry is "still firmly [entrenced] as the front-runner" // NYTimes Friday: "On TV With His Wife, a Softer, Gentler Dean" // Also NYT: "Late in the debate, when Brit Hume said he was going to ask a question related to the scream heard 'round the Net, Dr. Dean quickly said, "Please don't." But he was smiling." 11:16:12 PM

Demo. Debate: Media Notes From New Hampshire
MSNBC.com's headline called it a "polite debate" // Greta called it a "do-or-die battle" in a "critical debate" in her promo // "Only 285 days until George Bush gets re-elected," Sean Hannity said tonight. Only... 10:55:23 PM

Demo. Debate: NewsNight Wraps Up The "Gentleman's Debate"
"Tonight's debate mattered," Aaron Brown said simply. But no one seemed impressed. Candy Crowley summed it up: "Seven candidates, five days until the first priamry -- you'd think that would add up to some fireworks, but what we got was a gentleman's debate," she said. "This is a debate without a lead...it was almost staid," Brown added. 10:11:38 PM

Demo. Debate: Was Clark the Loser Tonight?
Clark advisor Jamie Rubin told Joe Scarborough that his candidate did well, but others didn't agree. As Ed Rollins told Scarborough that "Clark missed an opportunity tonight," Carl Cameron told Hannity & Colmes that "Clark is a little erratic in some of his remarks." Other pundits suggested he came in "last place." Clark's comments about Michael Moore came under heat (Moore responds)... 10:11:02 PM

Demo. Debate: Wallace Anchoring Post-Game Show
The debate continued, but FOX's airing of it ended at 9:45. Chris Wallace anchored the debate post-game show from Washington. Wallace called the event "less than scintillating." "The candidates didn't engage, despite efforts by Brit and Peter Jennings to engage," Fred Barnes said. Carl Cameron summarized the debate well, pointing out that there was "no defining moment, no major pivotal turning point here." 9:58:09 PM

Demo. Debate: FOXNews.com Debate Coverage
FOXNews.com doing a decent job covering their debate -- the site offers three video clips, and the story has some good quotes from the event. Why no live feed like the one WMUR is offering, though? Or a message board?... 9:47:43 PM

Demo. Debate: Early Lead: "Few Fireworks;" Bush Bashing
The headline on WMUR's debate story, updated at 9:11pm: "Few Fireworks As Candidates Attack Bush In Debate." "Debating Democrats bash Bush more than each other," CNN.com says. The WashPost says that "candidates so far refrain from attacks on each other, instead touting strong points as nominee or as president." In other words -- a dull debate... 9:24:42 PM

Demo. Debate: Ding Ding!
Yes, it's the bell. "They've borrowed the Crossfire bell," one DU post said. The time constraints seemed restrictive -- we're hearing a lot of sound bites, and not much more. "The timekeeper has asked that you listen even more attentively to the bell," Jennings said around 9pm... 9:08:11 PM

Demo. Debate: Moderators Not Popular Tonight
Brit Hume and Peter Jennings don't have many fans online. "I can't stand how the moderators are TRYING SO HARD to bait them," a DU post said. There's an entire thread beating up on Jennings. At FR, one poster said: I "am amazed at Jennings. Talk about prejudice. Sickening. Talk about an agenda. Sickening. Talk about media bias. Sickening." 9:07:35 PM

Demo. Debate: "This One is Truly Wide Open"
"Journalists always have an incentive for saying races are wide open, even when they're not," Josh Marshall writes from NH. "But this one is truly wide open." Let's see if this debate changes that... 8:51:17 PM

Demo. Debate: I Can't Resist: Jennings as Second Fiddle; Democrats on FOX...
"Did Hume work for Petey at while Hume was at ABC News?" (Sort of -- Hume was a WH correspondent as Jennings anchored WNT.) "Must gall Petey to be playing second fiddle to Hume now." Meanwhile, this Watercooler member didn't let the fact that FOX News was hosting a pivotal Democratic debate slip by unmentioned: "Yes, the constantly-derided-on-Shoptalk Fox News is deemed to be THE outlet for the DEMOCRATS." 8:33:18 PM

Demo. Debate: "Make or Break Debate" Begins on FOX
Brit Hume was drowned out by applause during his welcome. The candidate intros were terribly out-of-synch; the voiceover, camera, and graphics were all out of whack. (DU showed no sympathy.) After the first minute, though, the first segment of the debate seemed to go well. I like the You Decide 2004 logo on the right side -- and the lack of a scroll. Shep promises the first question would be a doozy, and it was almost worthy of the hype: "What will you say exactly, precisely, if [you are the Democratic nominee], President Bush says, Senator Kerry is going to raise your taxes, and I am not," Peter Jennings asked. "That's a fight i look forward to," Kerry responded. Jennings gave Dean the opportunity to answer the same question, or explain his "overly enthusiastic speech to your supporters." Dean sort-of did both... 8:13:20 PM

Bennifer Breakup: An Excuse to Hear Howard Scream
"Sad news tonight at the top of the G," Shep Smith said on FOX near 8pm. He described receiving the AP news alert that Jen and Ben had called it quits. "Upon hearing the news, a J-Lo fan promised her a whirlwind romantic getaway." Cue the Howard Dean state-naming spiel, then back to "he's upset. We're all upset." Har har... 8:01:36 PM

Stunning: Conservative Watchdog Calls Media "Liberal," "Biased"
The conservative Media Research Center today released a study of 2003 news coverage titled "Still Liberal, Still Biased: How Big Media Helped the Left and Hurt the Right in 2003." The organization says the bias is obvious in coverage of economic policy, foreign policy, social issues, and politics. Of course they are going to say that -- they are a right-leaning media monitoring group. Nevertheless, the report is a great read... 7:16:56 PM

It's Trial Time: "The Rebirth of Court TV"
Diane Dimond calls the bevy of upcoming high-profile trials "the rebirth of Court TV." They don't consider the cable news nets competition. ''I say with confidence that while the others are excellent at what they do...we are the experts on trials and the legal process, so I don't see them as competition,'' a Court TV VP said. More in the Miami Herald... 7:14:58 PM

FOX News ALERTs Bennifer Breakup
"Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Kaput," the breaking news banner read just after 5:30. David Asman laughed, apparently at the stupidity of it all, when he said "this has been a FOX News alert." The MSNBC.com front page said at 5:33pm: "Publicist announces Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have broken up." "The couple has been under an intense media watch since their courtship began 18 months ago," the wire story says. Wow... 5:50:53 PM

Great Question -- But It Was Left Unanswered
"Does technology blow political mistakes out of proportion?," FOX asked as their Big Question during the 5pm hour. "I've only seen the footage 75,000 times or so," the Daily Show's Samantha Bee half-joked. A great question -- but is it really appropriate to ponder it with a comedian? At the same time, MSNBC asked "Is Dean Finished?"... 5:48:24 PM

Taking the Men-Only Sign Off MSNBC Primetime
MSNBC's primetime-anchor-photo definitely looks better with a woman in it. (The earlier version of this photo is interesting -- look how Norville takes prominence in the photo on MSNBC.com's site. Is that in her contract?...) Also, her commentary last night (on being back at NBC) is now online. 5:28:39 PM

I Never Thought of Shep as a Smoker
This Gawker tipster says Shep Smith is a 'doll:' He was "charging through the crowd to get outside of Nevada Smith's (74 3rd Ave) to be "fair and balanced" -- he took a cell phone call while smoking a cigarette. He was a doll when he came back in because when I greeted him, he said I did a good job singing. (It was karaoke night.)" 5:26:37 PM

Media Types Holding An Invite-Only Forum
"Having faithfully reported the goings-on of others, the media will get their chance to comment, pontificate — even whine — during a town hall meeting this weekend devoted to themselves," the Union Leader reports today. 350 people will attend the invitation-only forum. The Daily Show is hosting the event; they are asking reporters not to write about it, and cameras will not be present. Tin foil hat folks are going to love this... 5:24:26 PM

SOTU Ratings: FNC "Crushes" & "Thrashes" CNN
FNC's State of the Union ratings beat "all cable news competition combined," the network said today. The press release uses words like "crushes," "thrashes," and "trounces" to describe their win over CNN Tuesday night. The channel averaged 4,451,000 viewers between 9 and 11pm, compared to 1,968,000 CNN viewers and 721,000 MSNBC viewers. "In the same time period, FNC averaged 1,539,000 persons 25-54; 554,000 persons 18-34; and 1,357,000 persons 18-49, thrashing CNN by 82%, 98%, and 84% respectively." 2:52:32 PM

Last Week's Cable Audience Ratings
Cynopsis has a recap of cable news ratings last week (12th to 18th). The audience %'s: In the total-day, "Fox News had 48% of the viewing, CNN 25%, MSNBC 15%; and Headline News 12%." For primetime, "Fox News had 50%, CNN 30%, MSNBC 13% and Headline News 8%." Almost identical to last week... 2:25:28 PM

Quote of the day
Rantingprofs watching NBC's news decisions: "US soldiers killed in Iraq. No story from Baghdad, just Today's headline reader reading headlines. But there's a full news piece, you can be sure, on the difficulty in selecting a jury for Martha Stewart. Indeed, as much time is devoted to a moose on the loose in a Salt Lake neighborhood as was given to Iraq." That would be funny, if it wasn't so sad. 12:45:27 PM

Why The 1/2 Hour 'News Alert' Delay?
FOX News aired part of NASA's press conference around 12:05pm, when they announced serious communication problems. Why did it take CNN.com half an hour to send out a breaking news alert? As of 12:30, it wasn't on the web site; it reached my AIM name at 12:39, my e-mail at 12:41, and my cell phone at 12:42. Wolf Blitzer reported the "Just In" news at 12:35... 12:44:26 PM

Has Cable News Magnified Dean's Dramatic Speech?
To what extent has cable news magnified Dean's troubles? The LA Times wrote of his 'late-night battle cry:' "The image of Dean repeatedly punching the air...has played endlessly on cable news networks and offered instant fodder for late-night comedy monologues," the reporters pointed out. "All of this gets more complicated in the cable news universe, where things get played again and again," Aaron Brown said last night. "CNN's Anderson Cooper mockingly played the end of Dean's rant five times in a row -- five times!," Howard Kurtz wrote this morning... 10:57:24 AM

Norville's Premiere: Web Reaction
> TVSpy: "Overly conscious of being a 'woman's' show"
> MSNBC MSN group: "Some good gets - nice solid alternative to Larry King"
> TVHeads: "I (as a male) would much prefer looking at her over Colmes and King!"
> Newsblues: "Norville nearly rose above the steroid-laced production. She is bubbly and likable and dangerously smart." 10:49:24 AM

An International Perspective in New Hampshire
CNN International's Richard Quest is on the Election Express bus. "What we are aiming to do here is understand why is this such a pressure cooker of U.S. politics?," he writes on CNN.com. Why in such a short period of time do all the candidates come to one of the smallest states in the union, spend so long, which at the end of the day, can make and break -- or break, and certainly will, certain campaigns?" When he figures it out, his reports should air on CNN domestic, too... 10:41:10 AM

BW: "There's a wall" between news and funny
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer asked Brian Williams about the recent Pew study: "People get that Bill Maher doesn't do what I do for a living. I love Dennis Miller, but we're in a different business. ... I think there's enough savvy out there to know that there's a wall between the two, and I don't see it as a challenge." 10:35:24 AM

'Deborah Norville Tonight' Premiere: Part Two
Debbie's final interview, with Casey Kasem and his wife, was live via satellite. "You ask the greatest questions," he told Norville. His wife's infomercial for her baby cribs and her reference to Norville's past "trials and tribulations" was awful, though. In her final minute, she shared "a few thoughts about new beginnings." Norville called herself a "basketcase" after her Today Show stint ended in 1991, but said she felt very comfortable back at home. "Don't let anybody ever tell you that you can't go back home again," Norville said. "You can, and you should." Overall, a strong premiere. Norville is a top-notch host. The key ingredient in the coming weeks is simple: book a variety of fascinating guests, for live in-studio interviews. 10:01:54 PM

'Deborah Norville Tonight' Premiere: Part One
The first interview, with Kerry's wife, was dull -- it was on tape, and via satellite. By contrast, the second interview, with the parents of a pilot killed in Iraq, was a notable improvement. It was live, in person, and Norville shined. She was very prepared, and it showed. The third segment, a "survivor's story" interview with a mountain climber, was also (Best question: "Why do you climb mountains?") In a filler segment called "We just had to ask," Debbie analyzed Martha Stewart's choice of handbags, and played a clip from Sex and the City. 9:56:43 PM

SOTU: Preliminary Ratings Info
43 million people watched the State of the Union last night, down from 61 million last year. Preliminary figures suggest that NBC scored the biggest audience. Detailed numbers will come out tomorrow. Reuters has more... 9:55:01 PM

Norville: First Impressions
"Good luck, Deborah," Keith Olbermann said at 8:59pm. Then Deborah Norville returned to the NBC family (she said it was "cool" to be back). First impressions: Very nice studio (3K at 30 Rock) -- it looks similar to CNN's New York studios. Nice graphic package, though the music sounds a bit bland. "We hope that you'll find us to be a fresh alternative to some of the stuff on TV," she said in her intro. A preview of the show's direction came during the first commercial break. "Tomorrow on Deborah Norville Tonight: stomach stapling surgery," a VO said. Rapper Ja Rule will also appear on Thursday's show... 9:25:40 PM

Do people have a right to know journalists' biases?
Pat Buchanan considers questions of truth in journalism at Town Hall. "The question, finally, is this: Do the people have a right to know the biases of the people from whom they get almost all their information about politics, politicians, candidates and causes?," he asks. "Seems to me that an honest journalist has to answer yes." Interesting commentary... 9:12:37 PM

MSNBC Targeting Women, CNBC Targeting Conservatives?
Interesting analysis of MSNBC and CNBC's apparent strategy, from TVHeads: "It looks like NBC is finally doing some smart things. MSNBC is going after women (and Larry King) with Deborah Norville (Heinz interview). CNBC is going after conservatives (and Hannity & Colmes) with Dennis Miller (Arnold interview). Divide and conquer. Segment the audience. Looks like strategy consultants figured out the direction for NBC." Interesting...but do Olbermann or Scarborough's shows appeal to women? 9:11:21 PM

Inside The United Nations' News Bureaus
A great story on the U.N. Wire describes media coverage of the United Nations, pointing out that the best years of broadcast reporting on the U.N. may have passed. It points out that only CNN and the BBC maintain "significant studio operations" at the headquarters. Interesting inside look... 9:10:21 PM

Would You Pay For A Women-of-FOX Calendar?
A DCRTV mailbag post asks a curious question: "When is Phaux News Channel coming out with its newsreader babe calendar? Will it be called "Me Faire and Balanced ladies"? Anybody feeling entrepreneurial? 9:01:02 PM

Countdown's Notable Quotes
MSNBC PR has put out a new edition of Keith Olbermann's best jabs. It's not on the PR site yet, but here's my favorite: "An unnamed thief who visits a pet store in the Franklin Township, New Jersey, he shoplifts two snakes, he hides them in his trousers. They bite him in the groin. By the way, that would make them trouser snakes." (Update: here's some more.) 7:16:49 PM

Caucus Ratings "Surprise": FOX with 1.5, CNN with 1.3
Direct quote from Broadcasting & Cable: "Fox News Channel edged out CNN in viewership for its coverage of the Iowa caucuses on Monday night. Fox attracted 1.5 million viewers in prime time, compared with 1.3 million for CNN. MSNBC trailed a distant third with 584,000 viewers." Is anyone surprised?... Still, look at how close CNN was to FOX. 7:16:47 PM

Norville: 1st Night: Kerry, Kasem, and a story of survival
From the Norville promos running on MSNBC: "The fascinating, the unforgettable -- the stories you can't stop talking about. ...Because if it's on Deborah Norville tonight, you'll be talking about it tomorrow." Tonight, Debbie will interview Teresa Heinz Kerry and Casey Kasem. She will also talk to the parents of the first female pilot killed in combat in Iraq, and will feature "an incredible survivor story." Details here. (FYI: Tonight, Toby Keith will be on LKL.) 2:06:43 PM

Norville: Columnists Enjoying the Today Show Angle
The Atlanta Journal-Consitution's lead contrasts Norville's controversial Today show history with her new MSNBC program: "This morning Deborah Norville returned to her old stomping grounds -- the "Today" show on NBC -- to promote her new program on sister network MSNBC." Phil Rosenthal used a similar angle in his Chicago Sun-Times preview... 2:06:10 PM

Norville: Aims to be Larry King on Steroids
In a NYDN story today. Deborah Norville points out that Larry King often airs hour-long interviews. So her counterprogramming is obvious: "talking with up to four guests each night on everything from politics to pop songs." Quoting her: "My own personal barometer for this show is if we touch an emotional button, tell you something you didn't know or prompt you to think about something in a way that had never occurred to you before, than we've accomplished something." 2:05:02 PM

Dean Not a Fan of FOX News? (Shocking!)
Josh Marshall, blogging from a Dean event in NH, notes that Dean doesn't sound like a FOX Fan: "Just now a woman got up and asked a question attacking Fox News (“an embarrassment to this country”). She hopes that all Fox News employees lose their jobs. Dean picks up the riff and notes how Fox News viewers have the highest rate of believing that Saddam was behind 9/11." 1:14:54 PM

Quote of the day
The very-quotable Mark Halperin tells Howard Kurtz: "Mistake number 51 of the 98 mistakes we make every four years is to forget that only about 11,000 people are paying attention in the year before the election. The conventional wisdom was that Kerry was toast and [John] Edwards, despite being an early golden boy, never jelled. Journalists who lock in and say those kinds of things are victims of the instant analysis culture that demands these snap judgments." 1:14:05 PM

Remembering Jerry Nachman: Newspaper Links
> NYPost: "a larger-than-life former editor of The Post who knew everyone and everything"
> NYPost Editorial: "fondly remembered for the excitement he helped bring to The Post"
> NYDN: "one of the brightest guys in the media"
> USAT: "a smart, tenacious newshound with a passion for street reporting — and schmoozing"
> NYTimes: he brought "both acute intelligence and dogged persistence to his pursuit of the news" 10:13:47 AM

"Moderating a debate is like conducting an orchestra"
That's a quote from Anderson Cooper, in his Details magazine column "After many meetings and strategy sessions, we'd decided to have the candidates seated on stools," Cooper writes. "Yes, these sorts of things are the topics of endless meetings." Interesting article... 10:13:01 AM

"The networks had already moved on"
A nice sum-up of how the media handled last night's speech in the Baltimore Sun: "Within minutes of their rebuttal, though, the networks had already moved on...ABC was interviewing Iowa winner Kerry. Fox News was assessing the political terrain in the first primary state, New Hampshire. By evening's end, it wasn't clear that the Bush administration, so sure-footed when it comes to managing the media, had ensured that the impact of this year's State of the Union address would linger for long." 9:23:21 AM

Tom Shales Reviews SOTU Coverage
Tom Shales wasn't impressed last night. "Over on the Fox News Channel, Fred Barnes, sounding as if he had walking pneumonia, allowed as how he'd heard George W. Bush deliver many an important and eloquent speech over the years, "and this was not one of them." It takes courage to say something like that on the Fox News Channel, normally a Bush cheering section." 9:22:46 AM

Covering the coverage

State of the Union: Covering the Coverage SOTU: Conclusion: "One year from tonight..." Another exciting night of television -- you think Wolf or Brit or Chris are tired yet? Or any of the countless folks behind the scenes? Minute-by-minute coverage will return in a week, as NH enjoys its night in the spotlight. 'Campaign' Carl Cameron put it all in perspective: "One year from tonight, a new president will be inaugurated." 11:16:33 PM SOTU: Cablers Analyze Bush, Preview Competition The lead seems apparent: Bush defends his presidency and prepares for the election year. "I think a headline is, 'Bush is laying out the battlefield for the coming election,'" Peggy Noonan told Chris Matthews. MSNBC placed their Zogby poll data on-screen 20 minutes after Bush wrapped up. On FOX, the attention turned to New Hampshire by 10:43. Carl Cameron reported from up north (he said the temperature was around five degrees), and Chris Wallace unveiled a new FOX N.H. tracking poll. In a live report from Bedford, New Hampshire, Brian Williams told Alan Murray that "we have a brand-new race here"... 11:06:58 PM SOTU: One More Round of Notes Bill Kristol thought Bush's speech was the second-best this week: "It couldn't compete with Gov. Dean's non-concession concession speech," he joked // Frank Luntz questioned swing voters on MSNBC; he aired speech excerpts with a graph showing moment-by-moment viewer reactions atop Bush's face // Brian Wilson summed it all up on FOX: "A lot of pomp, a lot of ceremony, a lot of applause -- sometimes the Republicans stood, sometimes the Democrats did not, as to be expected in a presidential address given in an election year." 11:05:43 PM SOTU Notes: Spin Time!; The Statues of Statuary Hall CNN went to LKL directly after the Democratic response -- I would have preferred more time with Aaron, Wolf, and Paula // 10:33 -- it's spin time!: Bill Frist (R) on CNN, Chuck Hagel (R) on CNN, John Breaux (D) on FOX, and Charlie Rangel (D) on CNBC // "What's the scene like there in Statuary Hall?," Alan Murray asked Dennis Miller. "Well I'm watching some of these interviews, and quite frankly, some of the statues are more animated," Miller responded... 10:44:52 PM SOTU: On FOX, It's Democrats, Not Democratic Brit Hume, as the Democrats wrapped up: "[We watched Pelosi and Daschle] take a crack at what everyone agrees is the unenviable chore of trying to respond to the president's SOTU address." FOX's graphic called it the "Democrats' Response," while all the other channels ID'ed it the "Democratic Response"... 10:38:11 PM SOTU: Rough Draft of History -- Web Site Headlines 10:23pm, a quick scan of the news site headlines: CNN.com: "Bush cites progress, 'unfinished business." MSNBC.com: "'Work Unfinished:' Bush frames agenda for second term." FOXNews.com: "'Rising to the Tasks of History'." ABCNews.com: "'Our Greatest Responsibility'." CBSNews.com: "Bush: Our Work's Not Finished." Three out of five look to the future (and a second term)... 10:25:39 PM SOTU Media Notes: Four Television Screens Is Not Enough CNN featured a "Voice of the People" panel only minutes after Bush left the chamber // "Is Peggy Noonan [on MSNBC] a space cadet?," one DU post asks // On MSNBC, Pat Buchanan said "it was an extraordinarily effective political speech" // "I was a little struck by the president's decision to put that Patriot Act paragraph so high in the speech," Aaron Brown commented. "That's a flag as red as the president's tie in the national debate that's about to unfold" // NBC interviewed John Kerry almost immediately after the speech... 10:22:27 PM SOTU: Pundit Comments on Election Dynamic On CNN, Joe Klein called the foreign policy segment "surprisingly defensive," and said that "this was the president's response to the democratic presidential campaign." On FOX, Bill Kristol called the speech "fairly aggressive:" "It is striking that there will be real contrasts in this election campaign" -- NCLD and Patriot Act named as two examples. "Several times in the speech, the president was taking shots across the bow to his potential opponents," Jeff Greenfield said. 10:12:42 PM SOTU: Media Notes From The House Chamber VodkaPundit: "Clearly this speech is, as everyone already knew, his first campaign commercial for 2004" // On Headline News, the male anchor (I forget his name) called this "one of the most important speeches the president has given to date" // The big three networks broadcast tonight's speech in HDTV 10:02:34 PM SOTU: The Angle: Let The Campaign Begin The obvious angle for all the anchors tonight: It's an election year. Brit Hume prefaced the rest of his comments with a note that the speech takes place "in the midst of an election season." Howard Fineman on MSNBC called tonight "functionally a launch of the president's reelection campaign." "He has come to the House chamber three times before," Chris Matthews intro'd. "But with the presidential campaign in full swing, [President Bush] is no doubt feeling the pressure to connect with voters." 9:08:42 PM SOTU: Coverage Points Out Bush's Blemishes (Figuratively) "This seems more like a defense of the record as it exists," rather than a forward-focused speech, Brit Hume remarked on FOX. A pundit stated that Bush has been "aggressively" defending his record for weeks. And Jim Angle pointed out that "there are no ambitious new programs [to be announced tonight], at least in terms of money." Speaking of Bush's re-election chances, "this is in no means a sure thing," Jeff Greenfield said on CNN... 9:02:49 PM SOTU: Olbermann, WMD, and Saddam's Pants I missed it, but a FReeper quotes Keith Olbermann: "Is it more likely that we'll find weapons of mass destruction in Saddam Hussein's pants before we see that term used in tonight's State of the Union?" Keith doesn't have many fans over there... 8:40:32 PM SOTU: CNN is Ready; Fresh Graphics, Music CNN is taking tonight seriously. The (new?) soundtrack is excellent -- it hits all the right notes (har har). The graphics are fresh too -- very nice. They even turned off the damn scroll! But why is Paula sitting outside? It's 23 degrees on that roof. (She called it a "cozy little rooftop studio.") Zahn was a bit over-the-top at the end of her show, though: She said that "the world awaits" what "may be [Bush's] most important speech to date." 8:39:37 PM SOTU: Quote of the day Anderson Cooper, wondering if young people will watch the SOTU tonight: "I suppose it depends on whether a new episode of Rich Girls is on MTV or not." He used the line as an introduction to a Gideon Yago interview... 8:08:18 PM SOTU: Dennis Miller Previews the Speech New CNBC talker Dennis Miller was live from the Capitol rotunda at 8pm, previewing the SOTU with John Seigenthaler. "I think Howard Dean screwed the pooch last night," he joked. In fact, he kept coming back to the 'maniac:' "For God sakes, I wouldn't play charades with Dean, much less have him be my president." It was a great segment. "And now, we're back to some more serious reporting," John concluded, smiling... 8:07:07 PM State of the Union: Cable Coverage CNN's coverage will begin at 8:30pm. Wolf Blitzer, Aaron Brown, and Paula Zahn will anchor. At 10:30pm, Larry King will take over; at 11:30, Aaron Brown will wrap up the night on Newsnight. Repeats start at 12:30am. // FOX coverage will air from 8:55pm to 11pm, with Brit Hume hosting. Hannity & Colmes will be live at 11pm. Greta will air at midnight, but it looks taped in advance. // On MSNBC, Keith will count down to the SOTU until 9pm, then Chris Matthews will anchor until midnight. Olbermann comes back at midnight for a live hour-long recap. (Repeats start at 1am.) 7:52:15 PM

Greta Describes a "Rock and Roll" Night
Greta Van Susteren describes last night's "fluid" On the Record: "[Because of the caucus,] not only did we not know the time the show would begin, but we had no idea who would be on the show." And: "I wish we had a camera in our control rooms during nights of "rolling coverage"...You have no idea how crazy it can get in there." 7:35:26 PM

Anderson Cooper's Audience Participation
Anderson Cooper anchored 360 from the Crossfire auditorium at George Washington University tonight. (It's a lot smaller than it looks on TV.) The audience posed some good questions to guests. 7:31:25 PM

Jerry Nachman: Reporting from Heaven

Jerry Nachman Memorial Service Announcement MSNBC has just released details for the memorial service: A memorial service for Jerry Nachman will be held on Thursday, January 29th at 11:45am at the Riverside Chapel, 331 Amsterdam at 76th Street, in Manhattan. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that donations be made in Jerry's name to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, online at http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/30.cfm or by mail: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106 5:15:39 PM The Last Edition of Nachman's Newsletter MSNBC sent out the last edition of "The Nack Today Insider," Jerry's e-mail newsletter. "It is with great sadness that we inform you that Jerry Nachman passed away overnight. He was a great friend and colleague to all of us here at MSNBC. We are going to miss him terribly...To send your condolences, hit reply to this e-mail, or write us at [email protected]." 5:13:16 PM "In heaven already doing some investigative reporting" The Hardball newsletter today calls Nachman "a guy who's held basically every position you can hold in the news business from print, to radio, to TV." Other excerpts: "Jerry was a true old school soldier in this business...He was no pretty boy reading a teleprompter...Jerry was a well traveled reporter who touched most of the major media figures out there and nurtured a lot of careers...I'm sure Jerry's in Heaven already doing some investigative reporting." 5:12:54 PM Nachman: Viewers Express Shock and Sympathy "[I] always loved Jerry's takes on the news," this TVHead says. Jeff Jarvis writes that "TV news lost someone who loved TV news and knew its potential. TV lost a smart one." A TVSpy member called Nachman a true character of the business gone way too soon." This Free Republic post wraps it up: "He was a true newsman. They don't make them like that anymore." 5:10:16 PM Nachman: "Well-known," "Outside-the-box" The reactions to Jerry Nachman's passing have come quickly. TVWeek calls MSNBC's EIC "one of the most well-known, outside-the-box and colorful characters in his generation of television newsmen." "I feel honored to have had him in my life," CBS2 anchor Dana Tyler said. (He was a VP at WCBS for years.) Here are AP and Reuters stories... 5:09:52 PM Nachman's "passion for covering news" Lester Holt presented a retrospective on Jerry Nachman's career during the 4pm hour. "He hired me, at the ripe old age of 20," Holt pointed out. "If you wanted to work for, you had better share his passion for covering news. That's what Jerry was -- a reporter." Holt wondered how Jerry would have "written the headline of his passing," and answered: "No doubt, something short, punchy, and even witty. Something just like him." 4:33:14 PM Nachman's Passing: MSNBC Statement MSNBC executives released a statement today on the passing of Jerry Nachman. "Jerry was well-informed, candid, witty, and charming. He was also a gifted newsman and executive, and his passing is a loss not just to NBC but to the entire profession," said Bob Wright, GE Vice Chairman and NBC Chairman and CEO. "Our hearts go out to his friends and family." Read the rest. 4:32:46 PM Nachman's Last Story: Michael Jackson On MSNBC earlier today, Sam Shane spoke with Lester Holt about Nachman's life. Lester pointed out that the "last big story he was working on...was in California covering the Michael Jackson case for us." Holt said that Nachman was "very eager to get back in the field..."His career many times way up in the big bosses' office, but ultimately he always wanted to get back to the newsroom." You can view the full discussion here. 4:32:01 PM Jerry Nachman, 1946-2004 MSNBC Editor in Chief Jerry Nachman died overnight. Nachman was diagnosed with a malignancy in his gall bladder last year. He was 57. His passion for news was contagious, as Erik Sorenson said today. To say he will be missed is an understatement. 4:13:46 PM

Can I Be A Pundit?: CNN Pays Clark $490,000
Remember Wesley Clark's stint as a CNN pundit during the war in Iraq? Well it paid off handsomely for the former general -- a total of $490,000, according to records released by the Democratic candidate. That's the highest single payment he received in speaking fees since retiring from the military, the Nashua Telegraph reports. 10:04:32 AM

Miller, Straddling the News/Entertainment Line
Another preview of Dennis Miller's show, and another clever quote: "I'm not going to go out there and do comedy-style news. We hope not to blur the line between news and entertainment; we hope to obliterate it, quite frankly. Just when you think this is a news show, it gets a little funny, and vice versa." More at Zap2It... 10:03:15 AM

CNN Requiring Sensitivity Training?
Jack Cafferty spouted sarcastic comments about it yesterday, and again this morning -- CNN is apparently requiring sensitivity training for its employees. Whose bright idea was this?, one TVSpyer asks. Another person says it's ongoing, so perhaps this is just the latest round. "It never worked" for me, Cafferty said on AM today... 9:55:09 AM

Stewart Trial Not a Media Circus
Newsday double-teams Martha Stewart coverage: Here's a preview of how news org's will (or won't) cover the trial, while this story points out that "on the eve of her big trial the courtroom apparently is not yet a sellout." "Strange," Gawker remarks. "Could it be... that the media realize people are sick of hearing about the intensely dull Martha Stewart trial?" 9:54:56 AM

Utley Not A Fan Of Cable News
Garrick Utley gets another NY paper profile -- today, the Times steps up to bat. Choice quote: Reporting has been replaced with "interminable talking heads [and] an unceasing pressure on cable news channels to focus on whatever story creates enough of a sensation to hold on to viewers for as long as possible." 9:53:37 AM

Debbie's New Site; Photo Gallery for TV Host?
Deborah Norville's MSNBC web site is up. The Photo Gallery under "Other Deborah Links" seems inappropriate somehow. None of the pics are as good as this one, though... 9:53:23 AM

Caucus Coverage: The Day After
> These N.H. voters will be on CNN next week
> The DMRegister summarizes pundits' wisdom
> This Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel columnist was channel-surfing
> Boston Globe: "Momentum is focus of TV coverage"
> WashTimes wraps up the media's warped coverage 9:34:38 AM

Click here to view CableNewser's Special Edition: Covering the Iowa Caucus
All the reports from 11am on Monday to 12am on Tuesday are posted on this special page. 11:59:30 PM

"The pundits woke up early this morning"
The pundits woke up early this morning, blanketing the news shows. Fox & Friends' question of the day: "Caustic Caucus: Clear winner or cloud of confusion?" The banner read "All About Iowa," and a graphic previewed an interview with Howard Dean at 7:40. He was on A.M. minutes before -- Bill Hemmer interviewed Edwards and Gephardt in the first 15 minutes. Mike Barnicle anchored MSNBC coverage from Boston, saying that "Imus slept in today," but he couldn't compete with entrenched morning shows... 7:31:23 AM

Media Notes from Iowa
Elizabeth Jensen previews the new polling system's "first big test" in the LA Times // This blogger noticed a Dean bumper sticker affixed to a FOX News sat truck // This is Tom Brokaw's last caucus... 7:30:19 AM

When "a Michael Jackson story comes on, people watch"
Two windy city follow-up stories on the Jackson "freak show:" "It's one of those stories where a lot of people say they're not interested, but they are," NBC's Jim Avila tells the Chicago Tribune. "The research shows that whenever a Michael Jackson story comes on, people watch." And Richard Roeper in the Sun-Times "kept wondering when someone was going to bring up another element in this story. You know. The kid." 7:22:58 AM

Deborah Norville Readies for MSNBC Prime
Deborah Norville talks to Peter Johnson for a USA Today column. Regarding suggestions that her show may take a tabloid spin on the news: "No way" is the response. "I'm about as straight an arrow as you'll find out there," she says. Details... 2:58:06 AM

! "One big Iowa Caucus Channel"
A day shy of three years ago, President Bush was inaugurated. Today, eight candidates will try to stop that from happenine again. So grab your remote. "Today, a good chunk of your cable dial transforms into one big Iowa Caucus Channel," the New York Observer opines. Keith Olbermann has called it the sportscenter of politics. "Turn on the news anytime of day and you're guaranteed to catch CNN's Judy Woodruff in a cornfield or Fox News reporting live from Farmer John's back barn," the Seattle Times said last week. This site will feature minute-by-minute analysis of the media coverage all day and night... 12:07:38 AM

Scarborough Takes "Unpaid Leave" From Law Firm
Howard Kurtz continues to push the Scarborough / conflict of interest story. In his column today: "MSNBC says it erred in saying that talk show host Joe Scarborough has severed ties with his law firm to avoid conflicts." Kurtz explains... 12:04:01 AM

The Morning Shows: Caucus Day
Try to follow along. John Kerry will appear on Today, Good Morning America, and the Early Show tomorrow. Dick Gephardt will be interviewed on Today, GMA, American Morning, and Fox & Friends. John Edwards will appear on Today, GMA, and AM. No word on Howard Dean's plans for the 7am hour... 9:31:38 PM

Dean: "All [O'Reilly] does is shouts at his guests"
Overheard on C-SPAN as Dr. Dean shook hands and signed autographs: "Will you go on O'Reilly?," one man asked. "No, because all he does is shouts at his guests," Dean responded. Crosstalk ensued, then the man asked: "Are you afraid of him, governor?" "Nah," Dean said, then the crowd drowned him out again. C-SPAN has been airing live campaign events all day -- it's great TV. 7:09:30 PM

Pre-Caucus Notes from the Campaign Trail
CNN went live to their competitor's bus today! Mark Halperin appeared on Reliable Sources from one of ABC's buses. // Poor Gephardt -- his taped interview was cut off in mid-sentence during Late Edition for a Carter/Dean presser. // This TVHeads poster has been dissapointed by MSNBC's lack of coverage this weekend, and this TVSpy'er said the same thing about FOX... (Updated, Buchanan reference removed, 11:46pm) 7:07:07 PM

Caucus Coverage: Fox News Channel
Sunday night, Brit Hume hosts a special report at 9pm. On Monday, Brit Hume will host a special report from 8 to 10pm. He will anchor from the Iowa Statehouse Rotunda. At 10, Hannity & Colmes will debate the results, and at 11, Greta Van Susteren will wrap up the coverage. Repeats will start at midnight. (Updated 9:04pm) 6:27:56 PM

Caucus Coverage: CNN
This weekend, The Capital Gang, Late Edition, Inside Politics Sunday, and CNN Presents are airing live from Iowa. On Monday, Bill Hemmer will report from Des Moines on American Morning. Anderson Cooper will preview the night at 7, then Wolf Blitzer will anchor at 8; Larry King will interrupt at 9, then back to Wolf in Des Moines until midnight. Larry King will be live again at midnight. Notably, there will be no sign of Paula Zahn or Aaron Brown that night -- Blitzer will be the lone anchor, I hear. 6:27:34 PM

Quote of the day
From Saturday's Des Moines Register, describing tomorrow night's Iowa caucus: "It's been compared to planning a wedding for 100,000 people that's going to be nationally broadcast." (Ben Foecke, Iowa Democratic party caucus director)
6:20:09 PM

Robert Novak, ESPN, 3:00am, and the Marriott
Ellen Warren also passes along this "blogalicious" tip: "Whatever you do, make sure they do NOT give you a room next to Novak," a source told her, referring to the CNN commentator. "Novak had SportsCenter on at top volume until midnight. Then he turned it back on and blasted me awake at three in the morning!" 2:41:02 PM

1,300 Journalists Descend on Iowa
In a campaign diary, the Chicago Tribune's Ellen Warren says the caucus are Extreme Journalism: "an every-four-years class reunion for political reporters." She says that the Democratic party estimates 1,300 journalists are in the state, from 30 states and 15 countries. "Do the math. That's one media type for every 100 or so of the 100,000-120,000 Iowans predicted to vote in the caucuses." 2:40:11 PM

New Polling Process to Debut Tomorrow
David Bauder previews Iowa caucus coverage in this AP piece. "For TV news organizations, this represents the first test of a new polling and vote-counting system," he says. "Caution is the watchword," Tim Russert says. He has another whiteboard this year... 12:41:19 PM

Will The Media Rush to Report Entrance Poll Data?
Reliable Sources also discussed the Democrats' request to hold off on reporting entrance poll data. CBS's Byron Pitts' reasoning for why the networks haven't agreed yet? "It is a very competitive environment." This will be a less of a problem tomorrow, but: "The news networks know the results, and then they have this wink, 'we don't know what's going on,' but then all their conversations are geared to the fact that they know what's going on," Jonah Goldberg lamented. 12:33:21 PM

"The press spectacularly underestimated Howard Dean"
Under the title "Poll-Crazed Press," Reliable Sources discussed the expectations game ahead of the Iowa caucus. ABC's Mark Halperin called it insane -- "it's allowing a very small number of political journalists to decide what the results mean." Halperin named two errors the press has made with Dean: "I don't think we scrutizined him enough in the early part of the year...and I think over the last month...we've given him an incredibly disproportionate amount of scrutiny. That's played too decisive a role here at the end." 12:32:41 PM

When The 'News Alerts' Hit Home
A compelling must-read in the St. Petersburg Times this morning: the story of a Texas town, pop. 932, where 11 young men are serving in Iraq. The writer describes a family hearing of a mortar attack on FOX News. Then the phone starts ringing. Then another morning, another mother. “Mrs. Henry is a wreck, transfixed by her TV and tied to her telephone, in case something happens. When the Army doesn't call or come, friends and families can only assume their boys are safe.” Powerful. 11:25:46 AM

Fears of "all commentary, all the time"
The EIC of the Daily Telegram (Adrian, Michigan) says he hopes “other networks don't follow O'Reilly's lead.” Dave Clark has qualms with the direction journo may be going: “All commentary, all the time would be the biggest mistake of all. That's not news. That's the difference between the news and ‘The Daily Show.’” Here’s his commentary. 11:24:14 AM

Up Next: New Hampshire
The Boston Globe previews preparations at the Bedford Village Inn, where television cameras plant themselves during the NH primary. Carl Cameron says the waterfall outside the inn is great for live shots. Candy Crowley says “there's something about [N.H.] that says democracy." 11:10:14 AM

! CableNewser 'Questioner:' Covering the Caucus
CableNewser’s second ‘Questioner’ discusses the Iowa caucus with Dave Busiek, the news director at KCCI-TV in Des Moines. Busiek is the past chairman of of the Radio-Television News Directors Association. The caucus is “a big story for us...the eyes of the nation are watching,” he says. On the national media’s sudden attention: “We're all reporters, so we understand what it's like to parachute into a community and try to do a good job summarizing the events surrounding a big story.” Read the full Q&A.; 12:38:01 AM

Naming Names: Journos' Political Contributions
Howie Kurtz has the front page of the Washington Post in Sunday editions: “More than 100 journalists and executives at major media companies...have made political contributions in recent years.” He says some of the donations violate their employers’ policies, but the policies vary widely; Kurtz lists names and prices. Notable: $1000 from Cavuto to Bush; an ABC correspondent donated to Democrats. Wow, give the left and right more fuel for their bias fire... It’s a must-read. 12:34:44 AM