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<em>Parker Spitzer</em> Verdict: Queasy, Stiff, Uneasy, Stinky
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 5, 2010
Modified Oct 5, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 5, 2010
Modified Oct 5, 2010
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When you come into office, promising that on "Day one, everything changes," and then leave office because you were caught by the feds booking hookers, of course the press is going to be merciless when you debut as a co-host on a CNN talk show. The NY Times' Alessandra Stanley described former governor Eliot Spitzer's new gig with columnist Kathleen Parker as "'Crossfire' meets 'Moonlighting'"—and that's not a good thing! "The ickiness factor of 'Parker Spitzer' may subside, but the first glimpse of CNN’s latest offering on Monday was hard to watch... Last week, Larry King told the duo that they had 'chemistry' — if so, it carries a queasy whiff of sulfur."
The Daily News' David Hinckley wrote, "On their debut show, Spitzer and Parker came off as slightly stiff pros who don't yet quite know how to talk to each other. Spitzer in particular tended to jump into everyone else's sentences, which was annoying, though not fatal. It takes any show awhile to find its rhythm. More problematic is the tight format of the show, which resembles an election debate in structure, formality and brevity of segments."
And the Post seems like it feels sorry for President Obama, given Spitzer's performance:
"This is a show about ideas, ideas that drive American politics," said a wonky Spitzer, dressed in a conservative black suit and blue tie, as he smiled uneasily addressing viewers in his opening remarks.
He then arrogantly ordered President Obama to call him so they could talk — about booting US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.
"Jobs — that’s what we need," said the former gov stiffly.
"Do yourself a favor," he said, seemingly addressing Obama as he looked directly into the camera. "Do us all a favor. Fire Tim Geithner. You need a clean sweep.
"Give me a call," he then ordered, displaying the brashness he was once known for as the head of the state of New York.
Thank goodness Jon Stewart will have a new target now.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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