If you haven’t been paying attention to troubled CNN lately, first of all, good for you.
Second, you really need to start paying attention.
Because the way the “Clinton News Network” is aimlessly blabbing about post-Donald Trump is more entertaining than any other dreck it puts on the airwaves.
So which network is routinely beaten by its main competitor, stemming the tide?
For now, the answer to that question, at least from CNN CEO Chris Licht, seems to be “star power” and “name recognition.”
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According to Puck News , the struggling news network is looking to bring on NBA legend and “Inside the NBA” co-host Charles Barkley to host his own “news-oriented primetime show.”
Remember, CNN has to officially replace former anchor Chris Cuomo in prime time, opting instead for an egalitarian approach with a rotating cast of hosts. And with Don Lemon and his temper tantrum relegated to the morning hours, the two carry-overs from the Trump era for CNN’s primetime block are Erin Burnett and Anderson Cooper.
Based on the ratings, those two simply aren’t cutting Dijon.
Enter: Chuck?
Could hiring Charles Barkley be a disaster for CNN?
Puck News’ Dylan Byers has been in talks with the network’s Barkley and provided some fascinating tidbits about CNN’s general status, such as its desire to turn a profit of $900 million this year (the network sees $750 million in 2022).
SCOOP @PuckNews: CNN CEO Chris Licht, forging a bold new primetime strategy, is in talks to bring Charles Barkley—yes, Charles Barkley—to the network. As previously reported, he is trying to woo Gayle King and others… https://t.co/HbCEcOsCft
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) February 10, 2023
So what would Barkley’s potential program look like?
“The show will see the 11-time NBA All-Star, Hall of Famer and current NBA analyst within the mega-popular TNT interview newsmakers, journalists and other guests on various topics of the day,” Byers wrote. “The conceit is that a genuine, outspoken, often humorous person like Barkley can be a bigger draw than the traditional self-serious newsman, and is well-suited to ask guests questions that average Americans actually care about.”
To Licht’s credit, Barkley certainly has some mass appeal.
While no one would line up to call him a complete conservative, he does seem to at least have common sense, thus placing him in the top 2 percent of all celebrities.
But perhaps Sir Charles’ most endearing trait, love him or hate him, is that he has an air of authenticity that is hard to replicate. People, especially celebrities, are so afraid of offending a subset of minorities that it seems like you’re listening to the person’s lawyer rather than the person.
That was never a problem for Barkley. For better or worse, that’s what you see when the rebound comes to the mound.
And yet, if you look at some of the reactions to Byers’ report, you can see that while some fans seem open to the idea, many of them are not.
It’s almost comical that Licht thinks what’s good for the network and what people want. None of his moves have improved the subject or his performance.
— Samhain442 (@Samhain442) February 10, 2023
I like Chuck…this would be an EPIC FAIL on CNN’s part.
— Robert or Bobby your choice (@CanenationIII) February 10, 2023
what is #CNN Thought? Are they still in the news business or what? It is not working.
— Citizen_Campbell (@campbell_elroy) February 10, 2023
I get it: ratings, clicks, referrals, promotion, etc.
How exactly does it work in terms of news value?
(Also, don’t start using late night comedy to fill space on cable news)
— Ruben Hidalgo (@RubenAHidalgo) February 10, 2023
“Comic.” “Epic fail.” “Late Night Comedy.”
Early reviews are in, and they’re not good for CNN’s reported pursuit of Barkley.
This article was originally published in The Western Journal.