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Media Report

CNN hits new low

by Arthur Weinreb

September 1, 2003

CNN’s daily show, Crossfire, hit a new low during the week of August 18 when comedienne and actor, Janeane Garofalo, appeared as a guest host.

The show’s format includes having two hosts, one from the left and one from the right, who interview guests about topics of the day. These debates can be lively, especially when there is a good interplay between the two hosts. Previous and present hosts of Crossfire include, Paul Begalia, James Carville, Robert Novak, Tucker Carlson, Lynne Cheney, Michael Kinsley, Pat Buchannan, and Bill Press. Most of these hosts have a great deal of experience in the political scene as journalists (Novak and Kinsley), have served in administrations (Buchannan, Press, and Carville), or have held political office (Press). As wild as some of the views on both sides got, these people generally knew what they were talking about.

Janeane Garofalo’s big claim to fame is as an anti-war, America-hating actress. Having starred in such immortal works of the cinema such as The Cable Guy, 200 Cigarettes, and The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Garafolo’s current fame is as a result of her hatred for George W. Bush in particular, and her country in general.

"Our country is founded on a sham: our forefathers were slave-owning white guys who wanted it their way. So when I see the American flag, I go, ‘Oh my God, you’re insulting me.’ That you can have a gay parade on Christopher Street in New York, with naked men and women on a float chanting ‘We’re here, we’re queer!’--that’s what makes my heart swell. Not the flag, but a gay naked woman burning the flag. I get choked up with pride."

- Janeane Garofalo

Although Garafolo does have a college education, she held such jobs as a waitress, bike courier, receptionist, and salesperson before breaking into stand-up comedy and acting. There is nothing in her background that in any way qualifies this Alice Bundy to be a political pundit. For example, on her first appearance of her week on Crossfire, Garafolo indicated that she just couldn’t understand how tax cuts that reduce revenues that come into the government can possibly help the economy. The theory is fairly simple--if taxes are cut, people have more money to spend on goods and services. When more money is spent in the economy, more people are put to work and they are able to make more purchases, which in turn leads to more revenues from taxes coming in. Although those on the right and on the left strenuously disagree with whether or not this theory actually works, most people at least understand it. Janeane did not.

"There is no way a war in Iraq will go well."

-Janeane Garafolo

CNN’s decision to have Garafolo represent the left on Crossfire is perhaps one of the greatest steps taken in the current practice of blending news and entertainment. Ever since the three major networks lost their monopoly with the advent of cable and specialty channels, news and news type shows have increasingly been dumbed down. Her "I hate America, I hate George W. Bush" view of the world tells the audience more about Janeane Garafolo than it does about the issues of the day. On the plus side, her tattoos were nice to look at.

"When Communist U.S.S.R. was a superpower, the world was better off."

-Janeane Garafolo

Fortunately, the Canadian media has not sunk to the level that CNN and other American networks have descended to. Political shows on Canadian networks, such as CBC’s Counterspin, are at least hosted by intelligent moderators whose claim to fame did not come from appearances on Saturday Night Live. Even hosts like Judy Rebick, with extreme views, can at least phrase their philosophies in mature and reasoned ways. We have somehow avoided the silliness that seems to be increasing in American news shows, such as Crossfire. Janeane Garofalo appears on the show and has the nerve to criticize Arnold Swarzenegger.

"Iraq is a manufactured conflict for the sake of geopolitical dominance in the area."

-Janeane Garafolo

Barbara Streisand on Crossfire? We can hardly wait.