Fox News cancels “The Half-Hour News Hour,” maybe
posted at 5:00 pm on August 14, 2007 by Allahpundit
That trapdoor had a sticky hinge but it has, at long last, opened. The producers say they might re-tool it and bring it back, which leaves it in a position not unlike Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” after he was dumped off Santa’s lap and dropped on the slide. Memo to Roger Ailes: Put your boot on its face.
They were there during my darkest hour. Forever shall I see them when I close my eyes.
Blowback
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What frightened me was how high the ratings were for this crapfest.
Damian G. on August 14, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Oh no!
It was just getting better.
terryannonline on August 14, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Just as long as they don’t touch RedEye, then it’s cool….
rw on August 14, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Didn’t even know it was still on until Rush mentioned a couple of upcoming appearances scheduled for this week.
JammieWearingFool on August 14, 2007 at 5:04 PM
It was an actual show? I thought it was the occasional skit that lasted two minutes and featured either Rush as President or Dennis Miller ranting.
Shows how big of a loss it will be.
MadisonConservative on August 14, 2007 at 5:10 PM
That show deserves a really lame last episode. How about they insult Senior Producer Bill Shine and he comes on camera to fire the bunch of them followed by a fade to black 15 seconds before the commercial starts?
Sound over the black screen: “You can’t fire me, I work for Mel Brooks”
TunaTalon on August 14, 2007 at 5:14 PM
It’s a shame, it had been getting better. To the point where I thought they had hired new writers.
aunursa on August 14, 2007 at 5:14 PM
*fizzle*
SilverStar830 on August 14, 2007 at 5:16 PM
HO! HO! HO!
Weight of Glory on August 14, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Easily the second best show on FOX News Network. Just figures they’d cancel it. Could someone please tell them to re-run Bret Hume’s show in a reasonable timeslot instead of Shawn and Ugly and/or Greta the beastly nimrod? And while we’re on the subject… give Gut a raise and an extra half-hour. And put him in at midnight. Red-Eye ROCKS.
Griz on August 14, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Actually, I think you are to blame, AP. Your site is either a buzz killer or a buzz creator; and on this one, you issued no “let their be buzz.” your fault…own up to it.
Weight of Glory on August 14, 2007 at 5:20 PM
That’s a pity, I like the show.
Spirit of 1776 on August 14, 2007 at 5:20 PM
This was probably the worst show on Fox. After Geraldo Rivera, of course.
volsense on August 14, 2007 at 5:22 PM
holy typo batman! Let’s try “there” shall we?
Weight of Glory on August 14, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! let’s not go that far.
Weight of Glory on August 14, 2007 at 5:23 PM
AP, what is your intent on the nuke blast?
Weight of Glory on August 14, 2007 at 5:25 PM
The mental image here amuses me, a lot, more than it should really.
I imagine those ratings represent the desire for conservative comedy out there rather than the actual content of the show.
Then again, I don’t have cable and can’t say for sure either way.
Esthier on August 14, 2007 at 5:26 PM
That would be Boycott time!
abinitioadinfinitum on August 14, 2007 at 5:27 PM
Santa to Michelle: What should we get AP for Christmas?
Michelle: A red Rider BB gun.
Santa: He’ll shoot his eye out.
Michelle: Maybe both and then, maybe, he will stop hounding me of an iPhone.
On-my-soap-box on August 14, 2007 at 5:31 PM
I thought it was getting funnier too. Not hilarious, but getting there.
I do agree that RedEye better be not touched. Unless they want to put it on earlier – then it would be perfect.
mjk on August 14, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Hey AP, you’ll like this:
Mitt owns stake in Evil Empire
TheBigOldDog on August 14, 2007 at 5:33 PM
What will I ever do without my 30 minutes of sporadic, canned laughter, following bad jokes and the occasional skit with Rush Limbaugh having invaded every country except Canada?
Watch Red Eye.
amerpundit on August 14, 2007 at 5:39 PM
DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!
A correct answer and we have a winnah!
J.P. Williams, the man that understands true mass appeal (i.e. content for people living outside L.A. and NYC), is in the process of starting his own cable TV network. When that TV network happens, you’ll see dramatic declines in the key demos at TBS and Comedy Central.
I can only hope that along with the new TV network, Parallel recognizes the value of Internet-accessible broadband video entertainment.
ScottMcC on August 14, 2007 at 5:39 PM
A stupid move. It was a good show.
Hilts on August 14, 2007 at 5:46 PM
I know. Put it on at midnight. I can’t even stay up till 2am on weekends. It’s a good show. Greg is kinda irritating, but he always has hot chicks on. And Levy still needs more air time :P
lorien1973 on August 14, 2007 at 5:48 PM
I always thought that the conservative side had just as much ability to produce cutting satire as the left has done for years. I sense that we still have blue suit, red tie, stiffs running our philosophy and our production efforts. I found the show funny in snippets: the ACLU segments were spot on. But, when I watched the rest, it wasn’t funny it wasn’t produced well at all, and for God sakes attack when you can prove something. The left has so much for us to shine the light on…. there must be something better. I won’t believe that conservatives aren’t funny. This show isn’t and wasn’t.
MNDavenotPC on August 14, 2007 at 5:49 PM
Although I only caught bits & pieces of “The Half-Hour News Hour”, what I saw actually made me laugh out loud. I thought it was a fun right-wing answer to Jon Stewart, Colbert, SNL and every other psuedo-comedic act that thrives on bashing conservatives (and pi$$ing me off). I hope Fox doesn’t abandon the concept and tries again, soon.
BJ Phisch on August 14, 2007 at 5:52 PM
With Fox Business Channel going live in the coming months, Fox might want to turn it into FNC-East after business hours and run Brit Hume and RedEye earlier than they are rerun and run on regular FNC. Fox could have RedEye come on at 11pm EST same as it does now on the West coast. I can’t imagine that they have enough business programming to fill the non primetime hours on the new channel.
rw on August 14, 2007 at 5:55 PM
This show was worse than The Daily Show. At least the folks at The Daily Show attempt to write some wickedly funny stuff, even though they’ve lost their edge and have become too political.
mram on August 14, 2007 at 6:06 PM
Both the Half-Hour News and Red Eye suck!!!! I find them both to be sophomoric at best. I came home late one night, turned on the FOX News channel and was horrified. I thought someone had tapped into the signal and was broadcasting some drug crazed fool’s ideas of entertainment. Overall, their “other then news” programming has gone downhill of late.
It seems they are trying to tap into a “younger” demographic audience. I would imagine there are better ways of accomplishing that goal then to broadcast shows starring the losers that are left at the bar at closing time.
Zaire67 on August 14, 2007 at 6:06 PM
Now more than ever, the world needs a conservative sketch comedy show starring me and Mary Katharine Ham.
saint kansas on August 14, 2007 at 6:06 PM
I’m wondering if they are going to bump RedEye into a slightly earlier time slot eventually. They seem to have toned down some things contentwise, I don’t know if that’s because Ailes or Murdoch told them to tone it down, or if they’re hoping to mainstream it a bit, I’m hoping they bump it to an earlier slot, even an hour or two would be great. And the show needs more Levy.
Bad Candy on August 14, 2007 at 6:08 PM
I don’t have cable, so I can’t really talk about THNH beyond clips I’ve seen here at HA.
The problem with most shows (not just Conservative Comedies) is that they’re no longer allowed to build an audience. If it’s not a hit on day one, it gets pulled. Now, THNH actually got some time to develop, but, not too much time.
Someone needs to have an equal opportunity comedy show. I think there’s plenty of material on both sides of the aisle (far beyond “Bush is dumb!”) but the shows seem to focus on either one or the other (usually on left-leaning humor).
JadeNYU on August 14, 2007 at 6:08 PM
RedEye is supposed to be sophomoric, that’s what makes it fun.
Bad Candy on August 14, 2007 at 6:10 PM
I agree, but it would make sense if they switch to co-branded content from their international assets (SkyNews for European markets and STARNews for Australasian markets) outside prime time and then pick up with FBC live the next morning. Isn’t that kind of what CNBC and Bloomberg TV does?
ScottMcC on August 14, 2007 at 6:13 PM
I didn’t care for the half hour show, but RedEye I am addicted to.
calgrammy on August 14, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Yeah, I was gonna say, they can focus on world markets as filler, plus honestly, you could probably get enough banter going from the regulars that are on during the business shows to fill up a good bit of time.
Bad Candy on August 14, 2007 at 6:18 PM
I hope it takes Greta with it.
Nothing worse than 10pm, switching to Fox, seeing Greta’s face and winding up reading everything on Hot Air again, instead.
Get that man an I-Phone for heaven sakes.
Hening on August 14, 2007 at 6:24 PM
The show would have been a lot better if they would have put it on FOX Network, maybe at 11:00pm to run against the Daily Show. And perhaps with better anchors, a la Jane Curtain and Dan Akroyd style…
Potential is there…
Never thought it should have been on the news channel tho.
JetBoy on August 14, 2007 at 6:27 PM
That would make sense if FBC is going for pure business programming. If they are planning to pull content from FNC to fill the schedule, then Brit and RedEye should get added before any of the other content. I think there are 8 hours between Brit’s first run and rerun. RedEye isn’t rerun at all. CNBC looks to have about 6+ hours of filler programming running overnight, including 2 hours of infomercials.
rw on August 14, 2007 at 6:33 PM
Yeah they definitely are brainless childish humor. But I think, especially in RedEye’s case, it’s purposeful. No one watches TV at 12am or whatever for you know, thinking stuff. It’s for us chronic insomniacs who just want entertainment.
And Levy is the best part of the show. With Gutfeld’s Mom being a very close second.
mjk on August 14, 2007 at 6:37 PM
I join the chorus of “who cares about the 1/2 hour news hour, as long as they don’t touch RedEye.” I tried to watch that show it was horrible.
RedEye on the other hand, I wwatch religiously. One benefit of living on the west coast is that it plays at 11:00PM.
mattshu on August 14, 2007 at 6:55 PM
Yeah, it was pretty lame.
Could of been great but the personalities came off as amateur.
Like they where unsure that their jokes where funny.
TheSitRep on August 14, 2007 at 7:02 PM
good. that show sucks
Opinionnation on August 14, 2007 at 7:26 PM
Didn’t this show have the highest ratings amongst the cable news networks for Sunday? I don’t understand. Rush was just talking it up yesterday.
flyboy777 on August 14, 2007 at 7:34 PM
THHNH had zero production value. FOX News has the highest ratings and deep pockets. They should be ashamed for putting out such crap.
The on-air personalities lacked confidence and timing. Comedy writing is not rocket science. But it does require good producers to make pull it off. I just feel that FOX News never backed this show with enough writers and talent.
I love Joel Surnow for what he did with 24. But I feel like he was restrained or just lost interest in this project months ago.
***
Red Eye has survived because of the Gutfeld. He has a ton of magazine experience and knows how to appeal to the shorter attention spans of younger audiences. Red Eye is heavy on the hotties, and unconventionally funny.
Red Eye is a talking blog. If you watch the lineup just once, that should be obvious. The barebones set, the casual and often sexy attire, even the logo harken to that edgy, crude Republican in all of us.
I get the feeling, that there is a bong somewhere on set. But at least it has an American flag on it.
Anyone else notice how the whole on-set vibe changed after they dumped sourpuss Rachel Marsden?
Rant out.
The Race Card on August 14, 2007 at 7:43 PM
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makeThe Race Card on August 14, 2007 at 7:44 PM
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harkenspeak toThe Race Card on August 14, 2007 at 7:45 PM
Although I was enthusiastic about FOX’s NHHH when it was announced, after watching it a few times I didn’t get the warm and fuzzies like I did in the early days of SNL.
The format is flat with a flash of brilliance like the ACLU commercials, or during the inaugural show they had a hilarious skit on Global Warming which, I thought, should have been a weekly feature in light of today’s MSM Global Warming hysteria.
Also, the Hollywood put-down skit with Lamas is good, and Dennis Miller’s commentary also has to stay.
But, the two reporters at a desk has got to go. I suggest they ‘report’ their stories in a set similar to that of CNN’s Situation Room.
Finally, the reporter’s facial mugging must go. They should report each news item in a serious manner, which should make it even funnier.
pocomoco on August 14, 2007 at 8:01 PM
I should be the friggin’ producer because I said that after the first week… I’m not going to totally rehash again, but… First of all, those hosts don’t fit. They seem like good people, so I won’t go after them personally, it just seems like they were cast in the wrong roles. They are actors who were playing a part, complete with stage names, etc.
It should have been Dennis Miller or Colin Quinn or someone like that. Hell, even Andy Levy. But just one, not multiple hosts. Even Miller’s segments on the show are weak, because it’s an uncomfortable venue where he just spouts off a few lines and has to say “Next” so he can more on to spout a few more… it’s awkward, despite how good Miller is and could be in the anchor seat. “Next”, they need to lose the “bits” and “sketches”… Actually, some are pretty decent, but they need their own show if they’re going to go on. This show should be a conservatively tilted Daily Show, not a mixture of actors reading poorly written jokes and doing strange bits, all with the uncomfortable laugh tracks.
RightWinged on August 14, 2007 at 8:19 PM
Some parts of THHNH were funny. But generally it was bad, the segments did not seem to fit together and the anchors seemed uncomfortable. Kurt Long, the male anchor, is really funny when he appears on other FNC shows, but his humor does not comes across on the show. Retooling would be great. And I’ll add that RedEye is great, if they touch it I will personally drive to New York and protest.
Complete7 on August 14, 2007 at 8:21 PM
The forced canned laughter took away from the authentically humorous moments. And, yeah, it was getting better.
zb42 on August 14, 2007 at 8:34 PM
It did seem to get better, but I have the last few episodes sitting on my DVR because I’ve never been that motivated to watch it.
frankj on August 14, 2007 at 8:49 PM
At first I thought this said “talking dog.” Which would be awesome.
Good point about the sexy attire. Gutfeld’s been doing pushups!
Jim Treacher on August 14, 2007 at 9:57 PM
Oh come on. The show was great. It wasn’t like the Daily Show though. It was more like SNL’s Weekend Update segment. The “Guy White, Closet Conservative” cartoons and ACLU commercials were hilarious!
Hammer on August 14, 2007 at 10:02 PM
i love(d) this show, and redeye is awesome as well :)
trailortrash on August 14, 2007 at 10:08 PM
We need good satire on our side. Too bad this falls short, so far. But at least it’s a decent start.
petefrt on August 14, 2007 at 11:06 PM
There were some brilliant moments in amongst the flat-footed lameness.
Maybe this little experiment will shine a light on the larger market for conservative comedy and open the door for some great new shows. After all, conservatives have a more sophisticated sense of humor than knuckle-dragging leftists…
JEFF_IN_NC on August 14, 2007 at 11:22 PM
The few times I have gotten to watch Red Eye, I have enjoyed it; but I can’t watch much now since I’m “employed.” I personally liked THHNH, and have recorded most of the episodes (on my computer) since I am rarely even around when it comes on. If someone wants to say I am just craving right-leaning humor, I won’t deny it; but the show wasn’t that bad. It was humorous while trying to be political, so it was already a bit handicapped. Even the lefties get significant;y less funny when they get more political (n.b.: SNL, L’il Bush, Rosie’O, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.)
Finally, one of the worst mistakes FNC has made (in my opinion) was to take away Brit’s early re-broadcast. I rarely watch them anymore. BillO is a lame-O populist wanna-be, Greta can beat a dead horse better than anyone I have ever seen, hanitty is right but I’m not really interested in coddling the lefties they necessarily have to have on to have that type of show–nor in confrontation in general. I go to FNC for news–with a healthy dose of current politics, thus Brit’s show, the only news that’s fit. Period.
urbancenturion on August 14, 2007 at 11:24 PM
The show was pretty lame.
Did enjoy the ACLU skits. They were perfect.
The celebrity bits sucked. Lorenzo Lamas? Could have been better with LOTS better writing. I’m available anytime!
Wonder why Rush is hyping this last episode? (Except for the fact he’s on it.)
Saw the male co-host of 1/2 News Show several times on Fox News last week. Maybe they’ll bring him back. Perhaps doing something more with Rush? I thought he was better than the gal. She never worked.
That’s all I have to say about it. Disappointment, especially since it had 24 & Jack Bauer implications. (Joel Surnow)
Never seen Red Eye. I’m asleep.
SouthernPride on August 14, 2007 at 11:35 PM
Oh, and who’d have thought they’d get such a hit with Red Eye? Outside of King of Queens reruns, it’s the only show I must see every night. Speaking of reruns, Gutfeld and the gang are on vacation this week, which kinda sucks.
RightWinged on August 15, 2007 at 12:02 AM
True dat. Funny story – I started watching RedEye when Hotair posted the Pat Dollard interview. It certainly beat the Tony Little infomercials or the endless Sex And The City reruns when I was being the insomniac. Then I found out it was actually funny – who knew??
I think RedEye built its fanbase by word of mouth, which is so unusual now. I’ve never actually seen an ad for it during the prime time. “Head on” commercials, yes; commercials for Red Eye, not so much.
mjk on August 15, 2007 at 12:13 AM
I liked it the few times I watched it in the beginning. It was admitted that it was a rather rushed production schedule. And for (not even) a half hour I thought they tried to jam too much in the limited amount of time they had. I also couldn’t help but see the spirit of the old SNL news spot with all the old time favorites. A little like the Chevy Chase/ Jane Curtin dealio.
If they ‘retool’ as they say I hope they get more time.
auspatriotman on August 15, 2007 at 1:32 AM
I liked it the few times I watched it in the beginning. It was admitted that it was a rather rushed production schedule. And for (not even) a half hour I thought they tried to jam too much in the limited amount of time they had. I also couldn’t help but see the spirit of the old SNL news spot with all the old time favorites. A little like the Chevy Chase/ Jane Curtin dealio.
If they ‘retool’ as they say I hope they get more time.
auspatriotman on August 15, 2007 at 1:32 AM
Good concept, but amateurish execution. It could use some polish or “retooling” or whatever. It needs to be a little slicker. Just dissing a Dem is funny the first few dozen times you hear it but at some point the underlying humor and timing need to be there. The bit needs to be funny, not just poking. Simply poking Dems drags the thing down to the level of recent SNL seasons where they get their obligatory laugh by poking a Republican even when the underlying humor isn’t there. Eventually the luster wears off that and it becomes dull.
They need to hire a conservative troupe from Second City or something.
crosspatch on August 15, 2007 at 2:08 AM
They really do need to put a conservative spin funny show on like that..just more funny. It was always hard for me to find it on my guide and when I’d go to program it to tape it, it never found the next episode like my other programs of shows do.
I hope they redo it and come back. I get tired of the constant liberal attacks being funny on other shows.
Highrise on August 15, 2007 at 2:11 AM
I’m telling you, J.P. Williams could put a HHNH-type thing together tomorrow with his existing talent pool and it’d be every shade of awesome.
ScottMcC on August 15, 2007 at 2:16 AM
So now there’s like 7,398 comedy shows making fun of conservatives, and 0 comedy shows making fun of liberals? Sounds like a job for Fairness Doctrine…
Halley on August 15, 2007 at 4:05 AM
MJK, are you saying we should eat Sarah Jessica Parker?
RightWinged on August 15, 2007 at 4:51 AM
The show drew strong ratings during its first week or two; seemed to be getting better. I had high hopes for it as a satirical newscast; kinda like a counterweight to Olberwomann’s senseless rantings on MSNBC.
Anyhoo, sizzle-fizzle. I’d love to write for them if they need some help; and I agree: DON’T TOUCH RED EYE
nationspatriotcom on August 15, 2007 at 5:22 AM
Watched it a few times. It was OK. Better than MSTUVW-NBC.
saved on August 15, 2007 at 6:15 AM
I agree with the commenters who say the show was getting better, but I don’t think it belongs on FoxNews. Neither does Red Eye, for that matter. And Jerry Rivieria doesn’t belong on the air at all. Neither does Greta.
Aw, hell, let’s just come out and admit that it’s FoxNews that needs retooling.
Xrlq on August 15, 2007 at 7:07 AM
Wow, I’m surprised after reading the previous posts. I really like the Half Hour News Hour, especially Jennifer Lange! It was laugh-out-loud funny at times. I especially enjoyed the news portion of the show, the ACLU spots, and of course Dennis Miller. There were some semi-lame skits, but overall, it was must watch TV.
Not only that, but I can’t stand Red Eye! I really must have bad taste :-)
I agree that Brit Hume should be rebroadcast at a better time. Best show on FOX!
Ordinary1 on August 15, 2007 at 7:56 AM
Seriously, the final episode should have a black screen with “Chocolate Rain” playing.
Sensei Ern on August 15, 2007 at 9:05 AM
I can’t believe FOX News is #1 in cable. Ok, I just considered the competition and now I understand.
I am glad I no longer watch TV, it’s bad checking FOX’s web site.
A few of the many annoying aspects of FOX NEWS:
1. Alan Colmes arching that eyebrow and acting as if he is anything but a Leftist Shill.
2. Greta Van “My Face Never Moves” following the same story over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.
Sorry but her brush with Botox makes it hard to take her seriously.
3. Appearances by the Perpetually Outraged Man, aka Geraldo, spiritual cousin to Islamic Rage Boy. GET HIM OFF THE AIR ALREADY. He throws hissy fits on air for God’s sake.
4. Shep “Dude I Was in a Fraternity” Smith. C’mon FOX, I’d like my news without a side order of drama queen please.
Brit Hume? Double thumbs up.
Montana on August 15, 2007 at 11:40 AM
I love watching Hume. He should be on a better time slot. Greta should be moved to 3am or something.
crosspatch on August 15, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Nice website!
jambus59 on August 15, 2007 at 2:59 PM