Tucker (television program)

Infobox Television
show_name = TUCKER


format = Talk show
runtime = 60 minutes
creator =
starring = Tucker Carlson
Bill Wolff
country = United States
network = MSNBC
num_episodes = 201 as of April 20, 2006
first_aired = June 13, 2005
last_aired = March 14, 2008
website = http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8063292
imdb_id = 0465352
tv_com_id = 36732

"TUCKER" was a television program on MSNBC, hosted by Tucker Carlson. The show was canceled by MSNBC, airing its final episode March 14, 2008.

"The Situation with Tucker Carlson"

Prior to July 10, 2006, the show was known as "The Situation with Tucker Carlson". In the show, Carlson debates with several other guests: one segment involving a liberal and one with former "Around the Horn" sports show host Max Kellerman. Kellerman has to provide an argument against Carlson's opinion, regardless of whether he himself disagrees with Carlson. This style has prompted comparisons to sports talk shows that use a similar format, such as ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption". "Tucker" is produced by Bill Wolff, who worked with Kellerman on two other "PTI"-styled sports shows, "Around the Horn" and "I, Max".

In addition, Carlson interviews guests, most often politicians or newsmakers. The show aired on MSNBC weekdays at 6 PM ET. Commercials for the show branded it as TUCKER (Live).

egments

The show had seven regular segments. This format was generally followed, except in such extraordinary cases as the two episodes broadcast from London after the 7 July bombings and episodes broadcasted during / after Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Rita.

First, there was an opening segment in which Carlson introduces his panelist and debates four to five news stories with him or her. Second, in "Crime Blotter," Carlson introduced three stories about "wrongdoing and justice served" and typically discussed one of them with a guest, usually via satellite, on a number of topics related to a situation. Third, in "The Outsider," Carlson debated a variety of news-inspired issues with Max Kellerman, who played devil's advocate regardless of his personal viewpoint. Fourth, in "Curious Situation", Tucker introduced a story in the news and Tucker was joined by a guest, usually via satellite and typically pre-recorded, to discuss this situation. Fifth, in "First Look", Tucker was joined by his senior producer, Willie Geist, to take a look at tomorrow's news. Sixth, in "Voicemail", viewers were encouraged to call in and leave messages for Tucker. Four to five messages, on a variety of topics ranging from stories that aired on the program to a drinking game for the show to Tucker's bow tie, were aired and commented on. Finally, in "The Cutting Room Floor," Carlson joked about non-serious stories with his senior producer, Willie Geist, son of Bill Geist from CBS.

The original format of the program, prior to its move to 11 p.m. on August 8th, 2005, initially had six regular segments. First, there was a segment in which Carlson introduced his two panelists and debated five to six news stories with them. Second, in "Op-Ed Op-Ed," Carlson introduced three editorials from newspapers nationwide and debated them with the panelists. Third, in "Free Speak," Tucker spoke with a politician or newsmaker, usually via satellite, on a number of topics related to his or her situation. The fourth segment followed the same structure as the first. Fifth, in "The Outsider," Carlson debated a variety of news-inspired issues with Max Kellerman. Finally, "The Cutting Room Floor," segment of the show remains the same now, as it did in the past.

After the show changed its name to "Tucker" and time slots to 6PM, "The Outsider" was removed and new segments like "Beat the Press" were added. The segments were later dropped, replaced instead with a panel discussion with two or three guests. It usually runs 2-3 segments.

When Geist moved to Morning Joe, the last segment that regularly featured him instead had fellow MSNBC producer and contributor Bill Wolff.

Cancellation by MSNBC

Tucker Carlson's MSNBC show "Tucker" was canceled and replaced with Race for the White House with David Gregory. His last show was shown on March 14th, 2008. Carlson confirmed the reports, and the host confirmed reports on media blogs about the show getting canceled. He will continue to be a political contributor to MSNBC.

Guests

There are rotating guests, including MSNBC political analyst Pat Buchanan, The Hill associate editor A.B. Stoddard, Democratic strategist Peter Fenn, Newsweek Magazine's Richard Wolffe and Democratic analyst Hilary Rosen.

Substitute hosts in the past have included MSNBC's Alison Stewart & Chris Jansing, WABC radio host Curtis Sliwa, sports host Max Kellerman (himself a former frequent guest) and Willie Geist. Geist can be seen at the end of most editions in a segment called "In Other News," similar-in-format to "The Cutting Room Floor." On February 7 2008, substitute host, David Shuster, made controversial comments regarding Chelsea Clinton, resulting in his suspension from MSNBC.

"Untied" - Tucker's MSNBC blog

On October 13, 2005, Carlson launched his own blog on MSNBC.com known as [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8063563/ "Untied"] . The blog, updated regularly, serves as a forum for viewers to e-mail Carlson about topics ranging from guests on the show, politics, gardening, fishing, and addressing the age-old question of 'boxers or briefs'. Carlson will post responses to these e-mails, as well as respond to general topics in the news, on this blog.

Canada

Carlson has made [http://mediamatters.org/items/200512160012 several critical remarks about Canada] in the past. For example, on the Dec 15th 2005 broadcast of his program, Carlson likened Canadians to "stalkers" and "your retarded cousin."

Broadcasts outside US

MSNBC and NBC News programming is shown for several hours a day on the 24 hour news network Orbit News in Europe and the Middle East. This includes "Tucker" and several other MSNBC shows.

External links

* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8063563 Untied - Tucker Carlson's MSNBC blog]