Fresh perspective at CNN?

CNN got a new president about a month ago, and he appears to want to get the network back to its hard-news roots and away from its, um, talking head infamy of late.

Mr. Klein said he wanted to move CNN away from what he called "head-butting debate shows," which have become the staple of much of all-news television in the prime-time hours, especially at the top-rated Fox News Channel.

First to go? Crossfire. Don't underestimate the contribution of recent dust-ups:

Mr. Klein specifically cited the criticism that the comedian Jon Stewart leveled at "Crossfire" when he was a guest on the program during the presidential campaign. Mr. Stewart said that ranting partisan political shows on cable were "hurting America."

Mr. Klein said last night, "I agree wholeheartedly with Jon Stewart's overall premise." He said he believed that especially after the terror attacks on 9/11, viewers are interested in information, not opinion.

[Well, really, viewers are interested in celebrity scandal, but still, what the nation needs is more rational input.]

In related news, bowtie-wearing schmuck conservative commentator Tucker Carlson may or may not be getting his own rant show, but it won't be on CNN.

(via pal Jer)