'Parker Spitzer' Now Parker-less

BY CHRISTY LEWIS
Anchor: Austin Kim

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“On a personal note, today is my last day on the show. I just wanted to say thank you to the viewers for tuning in. I look forward to seeing you down the road.”

Just five months after its premier, CNN’s Parker Spitzer is losing half its name--Kathleen Parker has left the building.

“CNN’s Parker Spitzer is no more. Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker is cutting ties with co-host and former governor Eliot Spitzer.”

Cutting ties is one way to put it… After months of tension and rumors of Parker’s imminent departure, news-makers are putting their own spin on how things went down.

The Washington Post says Parker left the show, The New York Post says Spitzer successfully flattened her appeal... and the ways of wording it go on.

Aside from media spinning, here’s part of what Parker herself has to say on the issue:

“I have decided to return to a schedule that will allow me to focus more on my syndicated newspaper column and other writings… it was a difficult decision to scale back my column a few months ago and, with the show going in a new direction, it is a good time to move on.”

But no matter how you phrase it, the show is now Parker-less. Word is—a new show is on the way… and a writer for Macleans is relieved.

“The show needs a revamp, as it was incredibly boring and Spitzer was the less boring of the two hosts.”

A Hot Air writer agrees the show wasn’t watchable, but is still --sarcastically-- saddened by the news.

“I’ve watched the show for 10 minutes total since it debuted. And yet, I feel a loss. If America’s most famous liberal-governor-turned-john can’t find television happiness with a Pulitzer-winning ‘conservative’ squish, what hope is there for the rest of us?”

One breakup hypothesis -- Parker/Spitzer experienced a boost in its somewhat stale ratings during a time when Parker was not hosting the show alongside Spitzer. But, Fox’s Greta Van Susteren doesn’t buy it.

“… It is because we were in a giant breaking news environment with Egypt's revolution… Let me repeat: ratings go up during breaking news. Period. The ratings were not elevated because she was out for 2 or 3 nights during breaking news.”

But some analysts have begun to wonder -- how will Spitzer do by himself? Fox Business talked to former New York governor David Paterson about his solo skills.

“…He's very bright, he’s glib, he has an opinion about everything and he expresses it well. I think he does a good show. If it doesn't work out, I’m always there to take his place.”

CNN says Parker Spitzer’s replacement show is called “In the Arena.” Spitzer will host the show alone and interview a wide range of guests about the most important stories of the day.

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1. By: newsydotcom
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4. Added :28-Feb-11
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