‘Crossfire’ Reflects On 15 Years Of Conflict
California has El Nino, the big wind that blows from the West. CNN has “Crossfire,” the big wind that blows from Washington.
The 4:30 weekday telecast, home of the loudest discussion of the day’s issues, celebrates 15 years on the air with a special. Hosts Pat Buchanan, Geraldine Ferraro, John Sununu and Bill Press are on hand to set up classic clips from past shows.
“Crossfire” has been criticized for generating more heat than light over the years. It’s best known for those times when combatants came close to exchanging punches.
But how often is anything said that makes news? Or even matters?
In preparing a retrospective, the show’s producers seem intent on promoting that image with combustible clips. To their credit, however, they’ve given time for critics to speak out, including Washington Post media writer Howard Kurtz.
He accuses the show of encouraging rowdy behavior. He also blasts “Crossfire” for becoming a haven for failed politicians.
Ferraro and Buchanan ran unsuccessfully for office, Sununu worked in the Reagan White House, and Press is former California Democratic Party chairman.
What Kurtz doesn’t mention is how “Crossfire” is a haven for white men.
Ferraro notwithstanding, it’s pretty much a guy’s club. Note the diminished role she plays in tonight’s show.
“Crossfire” has left a dubious mark on television. Too many political talk shows have copied its knockdown, drag-out style.
Ultimately, CNN celebrates 15 years of blah-blah-blah.
Monday, the show begins a week of anniversary broadcasts from the campus of George Washington University.
Highlights
“Sliders,” FOX at 8: Here’s a dieter’s worst nightmare: The sliders land on a planet where a fat-reducing medicine has turned everyone into flesh-eating zombies, one of whom takes a bite out of Quinn (Jerry O’Connell). Repeat.
“Dave’s World,” CBS at 8: In a first-run episode, Dave (Harry Anderson) is taken aback when he discovers that Beth (DeLane Matthews) has a secret cash stash.
Also, Dave has to explain to Mia (J.C. Wendel) that he writes her favorite romance novels under the pseudonym Letitia DeVore.
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 10: Bob McKeown takes a second look at journalist “Freeway Rick,” who has hurled charges linking the CIA to cocaine smuggling.
“Basketball,” NBC at 6: Utah meets Chicago in Game 6 of the NBA finals.
“Sabrina, The Teenage Witch,” ABC at 9: On Halloween, Sabrina uses her magic to be in two places at once. The Sabrina clone who attends Harvey’s (Nate Richert) costume party somehow decides to make an appearance without a costume on - or anything else. Repeat.
Cable Calls
“Stealing Beauty” (1996), MAX at 8: Liv Tyler (daughter of Aerosmith lead singer Steve Tyler) stars as a 19-year-old poet roaming Tuscany looking for the father she’s never known. She’s also on a mission to lose her virginity.
Bernardo Bertolucci directed the film, which features a lot of characters, with many, old and young, trying to seduce the main character. The plot is thin, as is Tyler’s character, leaving this a movie with an appeal that is only skin deep.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Model Elle Macpherson and musical group The Foo Fighters.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor John Travolta, Grant Hill of the NBA Detroit Pistons and singer Sinead O’Connor.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Mykelti Williamson.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Director Spike Lee, actor David Arquette and comedian Jeff Garlin.