CNN/US names new president
In a move that appears aimed at energizing CNN's prime-time lineup, the cable news outlet announced yesterday that Jonathan Klein, a former executive vice president of CBS News, will become president of CNN/US beginning the middle of next month. He replaces Princell Hair, the former executive vice president of CNN/US, who was named senior vice president of program and talent development for the CNN News Group.
In a telephone press conference yesterday, CNN News Group president Jim Walton said that ''when we looked at CNN/US, we felt we needed a stronger, more urgent push to the editorial direction and strategic direction." He lauded Klein as someone ''who brings a new way of thinking to the News Group."
Much of yesterday's conference call announcing the move focused on the challenge posed by the ratings-leading Fox News Channel as well as CNN's perceived problems in prime time, which includes an eclectic if uneven lineup featuring hosts Lou Dobbs, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn, Larry King, and Aaron Brown.
Although Klein declined to respond directly to questions asking whether there would be significant changes in the near future, he emphasized concepts such as passion and storytelling in discussing his programming plans.
''Interesting, arresting, provocative, engaging -- these are all words I hope can be associated with CNN prime time," he said.
Klein comes to CNN from the FeedRoom, Inc., a company he founded that builds broadband websites and streams online content. He spent a good portion of his career at CBS News, starting as a news writer before producing the ''CBS Morning News" and the ''CBS Weekend News" and launching the newsmagazines ''Coast to Coast" and ''Public Eye With Bryant Gumble."
Klein becomes the latest hopeful in a growing line of news executives brought in to reshape CNN, including Rick Kaplan, who departed in 2000 and now runs MSNBC, as well as Walter Isaacson, who left last year and is now president of the nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank the Aspen Institute.
Robin Quivers headed to TV
Robin Quivers has her sights set on daytime television.
The radio personality, best known as a cohost on Howard Stern's syndicated morning show, has signed a deal with
Melanie Chilek, senior vice president of development and syndicated programming at Sony Pictures Television, said the specifics of the show's format have yet to be worked out, but that she would like to see something that doesn't necessarily conform to the traditional talk show format. Chilek believes that Quivers's personality and background will resonate with viewers. Quivers overcame many odds, including being molested by her late father, battling with her weight and depression, and becoming the first member of her family to go to college, she added.
Quivers chronicled these events in her best-selling autobiography, ''Quivers: A Life."
Quivers will continue to appear on Stern's radio show while developing the series, Chilek said.
REUTERS/HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
'Law & Order' hires new lawyer
NBC's ''Law & Order" has appointed its newest assistant district attorney. Annie Parisse will join the long-running drama, stepping in for Elisabeth Rohm, who announced her departure in June.
Her character will first be introduced in episode 14 of the show's 15th season, according to media reports.
ZAP2IT.COM
Globe on NECN
Here's what's happening on ''Around the Globe" today on NECN:
9:30 a.m.: ''Talk of New England." Medical writer Stephen Smith joins the discussion on blood pressure and vitamin E.
12:30 p.m.: ''Globe at Home." Medical writer Stephen Smith on what you need to know about vitamin E.
4 p.m.: ''Around the Globe"
6:30 p.m.: ''New England Business Day"
8 p.m.: ''NewsNight"
Schedule is subject to change.
Radio highlights
5 a.m. & 7 p.m WUMB-FM (91.9) -- ''Creators at Carnegie Hall." Guest: Bill Frisell.
8 a.m. WGBH-FM (89.7) -- ''Classics in the Morning." Galuppi's Harpsichord Concerto.
9 a.m. WCRB-FM (102.5) -- Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4; Beethoven's Symphony No. 8. 