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CNN goes younger, hipper with Cooper
TV news is a nasty business when it comes to personnel issues. Seasoned anchors and reporters can be banished in a flash — and on the basis of a whim or a downward tick in the ratings.
Or, in the case of CNN’s quietly cerebral anchor Aaron Brown, a tick up for colleague Anderson Cooper, recently dubbed “our hottest personality” by CNN president Jon Klein. In part, that was because Cooper’s silver-haired cuteness stood out during the network’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina.
So Brown and his contemplative news show are toast, effective right now. Cooper’s “Anderson Cooper 360°” takes over Monday with an expanded 9-11 p.m. time slot, making heiress Gloria Vanderbilt’s screen-friendly son the new face of CNN.
Klein said it was a “mutual decision,” but, of course, it was not. These things never are. Brown, 56, was said to be furious when Klein paired the two men during post-Katrina coverage and hinted at turning over Brown’s time slot to Cooper, 38, several weeks ago.
Both the cool, unflappable Brown and the passionate, adorable Cooper are oh-so-conveniently on vacation this week and unreachable for comment. Good time for a major shakeup, no?
Brown joined CNN from ABC News in 2001 and was widely praised for his level-headed anchoring of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks coverage. Cooper also came to CNN from ABC in 2001 and was best-known at his previous network for hosting the reality show “The Mole.”
Not to imply that Cooper is a total lightweight. Although raised in extreme privilege, he is said to be hard-working and without pretense. He has a BA degree in political science and international relations from Yale, and he studied Vietnamese at the University of Hanoi.
It doesn’t take a genius to see what’s going on here. CNN has been thrashed in the ratings by Fox News for several years now, and CNN is searching for ways to regain its footing. Cooper represents a younger, hipper, more passionate approach to anchoring and reporting the news. He’s not likely to sway the devoutly loyal Fox crowd, but he just might bring in the MTV/VH1 crowd.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: News coverage
Comments
By Tony
November 4, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this
My wife and I were both stunned by this news. Our evenings culminate with AAron sharing the news of the day. At least Aaron has the sense to not stand in the rain. Man stands outside... during hurricane... talking. Whoopeee... there's our man. Give me a break....
By Donna
November 3, 2005 08:05 PM | Link to this
I am really disappointed about this. I think Aaron Brown was just the right mix of intelligent and thoughtful coverage with humor. Anderson Cooper is adorable; but not the kind of "objective" news anchor I am looking for. In fact, I was really aggravated at his histrionics and failure to report facts. Instead, he became part of the story. Does everything have to be entertainment these days?
By Jim Miller
November 3, 2005 03:22 PM | Link to this
My last reason for watching CNN is gone...I guess I'll just spend a little more time with CSPAN.