Abby Phillip’s Wild Primetime ‘NewsNight’ Shows CNN Working for TV Boost

As a seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience under my belt, I find myself captivated by the unique dynamic of CNN’s “NewsNight” roundtable. The unscripted, free-flowing conversations remind me of lively debates in the newsroom during my early years, where passion and intellectual rigor often collided to create sparks of enlightenment.

On CNN’s “NewsNight” program, it can be uncertain for guests whether to offer a handshake or a fist bump as a greeting.

During breaks from Abby Philip’s news program, the ambiance is as relaxed and convivial as a pleasant dinner gathering.

One evening last week, before the 10 p.m. show had begun, the producers provided panelist Ana Navarro with a pillow to sit on to make her appear proportionate next to her fellow guests Olivia Nuzzi and Bryan Lanza, visually speaking. During one commercial break, conservative analyst Scott Jennings was overheard expressing that he’d discovered a new ally – the progressive figure Nina Turner – which took the program’s staff by surprise.

When the cameras start transmitting to viewers at home, however, it’s time to get real.

Navarro doesn’t mince words when expressing her disapproval of Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding immigrants eating dogs and cats. Every weeknight, she and a rotating group of analysts, journalists, and experts discuss such topics on CNN. Interestingly, during this conversation, Jennings, one of CNN’s more outspoken commentators, remains unusually quiet when Navarro questions whether Trump’s remarks are racist. Eventually, he directly addresses Navarro, stating: “I won’t defend someone here. I don’t discuss Donald Trump’s motivations with anyone, and I won’t answer your question either.

Let’s catch our breath. As Bakari Sellers, ex-politician of South Carolina and regular CNN commentator, puts it, “It’s a show that requires you to unwind after experiencing it, as it can be quite intense.

There’s no reason anyone would criticize Philip, who is known for his political knowledge rather than wrestling skills, if he chose to ring a bell to signal the close of a sparring match. It seems like producers on “NewsNight” at CNN have paired their program “Crossfire” with Fox News Channel’s “The Five,” and perhaps supplied them both with unlimited Red Bull.

Phillip mentions during a recent interview that the show requires a level of understanding about psychology due to the importance of comprehending the guests’ perspectives, predicting their responses, and anticipating their interactions. He adds that, just like people at home discussing politics or current events, his guests can become animated in their discussions.

Originally debuting following the terrorist attack on Israel last year, “NewsNight” initially appeared similar to other CNN and competing programs like Fox News Channel and MSNBC. Phil would sit alone on set, addressing the audience directly and interviewing experts, analysts, and newsmakers about daily headlines. This summer, however, CNN revamped the show—a rebrand of an earlier primetime program hosted by Aaron Brown in the early 2000s—and it has swiftly transformed into one of the network’s loudest offerings. With a volume that stands out amidst the risk-averse ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery, the show now distinguishes itself as a notable part of their schedule.

After Discovery took over WarnerMedia from AT&T in April 2022, CNN’s style has become more balanced. Programs like “New Day” that featured morning anchors Alisyn Camerota or Chris Cuomo grilling newsmakers, and shows hosted by Don Lemon discussing controversial topics such as racism, are no longer on the air. With Warner Bros. Discovery now in charge, CNN has moved away from anchors expressing strong emotions, sharing personal opinions about news events, or championing journalism ideals. The new management is cautious of such displays because they could give the impression that CNN has a liberal bias, which might deter conservative viewers.

Over the past few weeks, there have been signs that CNN is reviving its distinctive style under Jeff Zucker’s leadership once again. Most notably, they have rehired Brian Stelter, who hosted their media criticism show “Reliable Sources” and was a staple of CNN during Zucker’s tenure as president. Recently, CNN debuted a satirical comedy show that critiques current events, allowing comedians Roy Wood Jr., Amber Ruffin, and Michael Ian Black to use stronger language in their performances. This show had its premiere over the weekend, with some expletives making it past the editing process during a Friday-night taping.

Is it possible that the recent changes in “NewsNight” are proving effective? The viewership for this revamped show has been growing steadily. However, it’s important to note that the overall audience for the program is still smaller compared to its competitors, reflecting a broader decline in CNN’s ratings over the past few years. Typically, “NewsNight” attracts less than a million viewers on most nights, while shows like Fox News’ “Gutfeld” and MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” consistently draw more. Since its relaunch in late July, however, the new format has led to an 82% increase in viewers aged between 25 and 54 – a demographic highly valued by advertisers in news programs. Moreover, from September through the 11^th, “NewsNight” ranked second only to Anderson Cooper’s 8 p.m. hour in terms of viewership among this age group on CNN.

The fresh format marks one of the initial visible changes on-screen since CNN appointed Charlie Moore, an experienced producer from Cooper’s show, as its new head of primetime programming in a vice presidential role. This move signals that the network, now under CEO Mark Thompson who has emphasized the development of a new digital strategy, recognizes the need to compete for TV viewers, rather than relinquishing this battle. Although Warner Bros. Discovery’s traditional CNN fees and ad revenue have decreased but are still substantial, running primetime shows that fail to attract over a million viewers nightly is akin to letting termites continually damage the foundation of an elegant mansion.

News outlets frequently debut innovative ideas during significant events like election periods as a testing ground. For instance, ABC News introduced “Nightline” amidst the Iran hostage crisis in 1979 to provide late-night updates to U.S. viewers. Similarly, MSNBC premiered “The 11th Hour” in autumn 2016, initially positioning it as a temporary show airing each night until Election Day, which Brian Williams referred to as a “pop-up” program. However, the show persisted beyond his departure in 2021, with producers recognizing an opportunity to share breaking evening stories that might influence the following day’s news cycle.

On “NewsNight” each weekday evening, you’ll find a dynamic panel that frequently features voices such as Kara Swisher, Gretchen Carlson, Cari Champion, Jemele Hill, and Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina. This panel is not static, but rather evolving, with contributors from diverse backgrounds lending their perspectives to the discussion. The panel might include someone who was once an advisor to former President Trump, contrasted with a protege of Senator Bernie Sanders. These individuals come from various spheres, including sports, culture, or politics. What’s unique about these panels is that they seldom resemble the traditional cable news lineup, which has often been dominated by white men discussing policy in Washington.

Occasionally, Philip finds it necessary during broadcasts to take advantage of commercial breaks to remind the audience that they may struggle to understand the conversation when multiple people speak simultaneously.

There have been some intense exchanges, particularly on talk shows where producers enhance the tension by superimposing a split-screen comparison of speakers. A July broadcast involving Mace, professor Michael Eric Dyson, and Democratic strategist Keith Boykin became discordant as they struggled to agree on issues, with Mace refusing to address Vice President Kamala Harris’ first name as requested by the other panelists. In August, columnist LZ Granderson and political analyst Tara Setmayer found themselves increasingly irritated by comments made by conservative commentator Reihan Salam, and the feeling seemed mutual.

Even though guests are advised to express their opinions freely, Hill shared that he was well-aware of the informal nature of the roundtable discussion prior to his appearance. He explained, “I’d participated in similar conversations before, so I knew it would be an open and interactive dialogue.” Just before going on set, a producer emphasized that Hill didn’t need to wait for questions from Abby, but could jump in with his thoughts whenever he wished, making the experience feel like a casual conversation. The producer made it clear that there were no restrictions placed on Hill during the discussion.

Essential elements like these are crucial. As Phillip puts it, “I simply urge individuals not to abandon their genuine selves upon entering.” He stresses, “This is vital for the success of our endeavor.

If “NewsNight” appears unconventional in comparison to typical CNN programming, it’s because we’ve intentionally set it apart, asserts Eric Hall, the show’s executive producer. He explains that this differentiation is key to its success.

He believes these types of discussions are what nighttime viewers prefer. After a long day filled with news updates, they’re looking for an opportunity to unwind. On “NewsNight,” they might even find closure. As he puts it, “Open dialogue, open debate, and a host who creates a secure environment where everyone can express their opinions, often leads to more agreement than disagreement.

Despite the heated discussions on the panel, Philip consistently manages to keep her emotions in check. “I won’t deny there have been instances where I’ve felt the urge to,” she admits, but she believes it’s not beneficial for her audience if she contributes to the noise. Her calm demeanor seems to add weight to her words. Panelists rarely question her when she disputes an argument with facts backed by CNN reporting. “I strive to ensure that if I hear something incorrect and know it, I will speak up about it,” she explains.

On ‘NewsNight’, contributors are given a unique opportunity: to delve beyond brief soundbites (although navigating through fellow guests can be challenging). As opposed to most shows where guests line up next to a table, reminiscent of Leonardo DaVinci’s painting of The Last Supper, ‘NewsNight’ sets its panelists facing each other. This arrangement makes it difficult to mimic a casual conversation, according to Jennings. On this show, panelists are expected to be ready to discuss topics for most of an hour and cannot rely on pre-prepared talking points. Moreover, he stresses the importance of active listening to fellow guests.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but wonder if CNN will continue to keep “NewsNight” simmering with intensity. The network has assured us that they will uphold the panel format all the way until the 2024 election, as confirmed by both Phillip and Hall. Essentially, it remains in existence to address the unfolding news events and provide a platform for discussion. As Philip aptly puts it, “We’ll see what the news is and go from there.” However, I can’t help but notice the ratings and keep a close eye on their evolution.

2024-09-18 20:49

Abby Phillip’s Wild Primetime ‘NewsNight’ Shows CNN Working for TV Boost

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