Jan. 18, 2005

CNN Calls It a Wrap for “Crossfire”

Cable News Network Plans to Bring “Inside Politics” to the University on the Heels of Retiring the Seminal Political Debate Program After More than Two Decades of Telecasts

By Thomas Kohout

After more than two decades as the leader among political debate programs CNN has decided to retire “Crossfire” as a stand-alone program. The show, which premiered in 1982, has telecast more than 640 programs from the Jack Morton Auditorium since the network teamed with The George Washington University on a full-time basis in April 2002. The announcement came shortly before Tucker Carlson hosted his final “Crossfire” Jan. 6.

“Crossfire will continue from GW for the next month or two while we develop a new ‘Inside Politics’ with ‘Crossfire’ program that we hope to bring to GW,” announced CNN Senior Executive Producer for Political Programming Sam Feist.

“We knew this would not last forever, but it has been a very successful three-year run,” said GW Vice President for Communications Michael Freedman. “We now look forward to production of ‘Inside Politics’ at GW and what we hope will actually result in an expansion of opportunities for student involvement.”

Since CNN’s “Crossfire” moved to GW more than 106,700 visitors have participated in the show as audience members, 185 students have served as volunteers, 18 students interned on the show, five academic courses involving the half-hour debate program were developed, and millions of people around the world tuned in to watch the program air “live from the campus of The George Washington University.”

The plan to bring “Inside Politics,” a one-hour program hosted by Judy Woodruff currently running 3:30 to 4:30 pm each weekday, is the result of the relationship built between GW and the cable news giant. Freedman cited the efforts of Coordinating Producer Heather Clapp Date and others for creating the perfect environment for CNN.

“I really believe that CNN was blown away by every aspect of their relationship with the University from the venue to the enthusiasm of our students to the hard work by our staff and the volunteers,” said Freedman. “If they weren’t, our relationship with CNN might have concluded, instead it’s actually going to expand. It is a wonderful rabbit to pull out of the hat.”

“GW has been a terrific forum to do a political program,” Feist said. “Having a live audience to participate in a political forum is very beneficial. Politics is about winners and losers so hosting a program in a public forum helps make a better show.”

“This partnership has provided a unique educational and enrichment opportunity for our students, not only in the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) but across the University, to witness and participate in national public policy dialogues,” said President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. “Through internships and volunteering on the program, as well as participating in the debates each day as members of the audience, GW students have gained a new understanding of the inner workings of network television and Washington politics. This has been a truly exciting venture and we look forward to continuing this long and fruitful relationship with CNN.”

The partnership was forged when GW hosted two weeks of live, nationally televised CNN “Crossfire” programs telecast from the Jack Morton Auditorium in the Media and Public Affairs Building Sept. 17–28, 2001, following the tragic events of Sept. 11. Each night, more than 300 students, faculty, and staff watched as a parade of political figures joined the “Crossfire” hosts in an effort to make sense of the national tragedy.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu

Related Link

CNN Crossfire at GW