Comedy news for the right-wing? Considering the success of Comedy Central’s political satire shows, it seemed like an interesting idea. Apparently not enough viewers agreed.
FOX News Channel (FNC) has decided to pull the plug on The 1/2 Hour News Hour. The series was created by 24 producers Joel Surnow and Manny Coto as an alternative to the popular The Daily Show with John Stewart and The Colbert Report. The first episode boasted guest appearances by conservatives Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham and attracted a healthy 1.4 million viewers. But, despite multiple plugs by Limbaugh on his radio show, the audience numbers dwindled downward from there. FNC has cancelled the series after 15 episodes, the last of which will air on September 16, 2007.
There is a possibility that The 1/2 Hour News Hour may return at some point in the future. In a memo to staff yesterday, FNC Senior Vice-president Bill Shine said, “While HHNH performed admirably in the ratings and [anchors] Kurt Long and Jennifer Robertson did a wonderful job, we are considering ways to retool the show for future scheduling needs. There is still a chance you will see the program at some point in the future.” Stay tuned! 
The only thing wrong with that show is it was only 1/2 hour long. The 1/2 hour news hour should have been at least 1 hour per episode. It must have hit two close to home if you didn’t like it.
The was awful. Period
This was a great show. I sure hope they bring it back. I don’t blame the libs for hating it and not thinking it was funny. It was about them!
I liked its perspective, but it fell short. It was clear that it was a new show and it needed a boost. “The Daily Show” isn’t very funny on its own merits, but it connects with its audience. Jon Stewart is like one of those guys at a party that thinks he’s funnier than he really is. He’s just not that good, but when your audience is the under 25 crowd, it’s not hard to get them to laugh. “1/2 Hour News Hour” had some good ideas. Especially since no one (on TV, anyway) makes fun of liberals, it’s an… Read more »