home

CNN Puts Novak in 'Time Out' After Set Walk-Off

Bob Novak, unhappy at being interrupted by James Carville, who then made fun of Novak, said to Carville on the air, "This is bullsh*t" and walked off the set. Crooks and Liars has the video.

The segment began with Novak joking about the Katherine Harris make-up flap. Novak proceeds to political analysis of Harris's chances in the Senate race. Carville interrupts him, and he asks to finish. Carville responds:

Carville: "You've gotta show these right-wingers some kind of backbone, you know, the Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you show them you're tough."

Novak says "that's bullsh*t. Then he says "Let it go." But, the segment host, Dan Harris Ed Henry, threw the next question to Carville instead of letting Novak finish his answer. So Novak walked off the set.

Media Bistro reports a CNN spokesperson later said:

"Bob Novak's behavior on CNN today was inexcusable and unacceptable. Mr. Novak has apologized to CNN, and CNN apologizes to its viewers for his language and actions. We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off," a CNN spokeswoman told us.

The AP now has the story.

I think it was purely an ego thing. Although, I haven't watched Novak and Carville much, so I'll defer to those who do:

< Memory Problems | Bush Sends Commendation Letter to Gang Leader on Death Row >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    Re: CNN Puts Novak in 'Time Out' After Set Walk-Of (none / 0) (#1)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:56 PM EST
    Perhaps a McGuffin. He knew he was going to be asked about Plame but so what...a few more lies shouldn't have sent him off his nut. Maybe he needed to make a scene so they could put him on ice in a showbiz way. Rehearsed from the start.

    Re: CNN Puts Novak in 'Time Out' After Set Walk-Of (none / 0) (#2)
    by MikeDitto on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:56 PM EST
    Carville and Novak traded far worse barbs daily on Crossfire for years... I think Novak was intoxicated. He was not acting right (even for Novak).

    Re: CNN Puts Novak in 'Time Out' After Set Walk-Of (none / 0) (#3)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:56 PM EST
    I was kinda disappointed. I mean, Carville & Novak have been blistering towards each other and this was so mild in comparison, so I was surprised. Novak had that look of 'no more of this crap.' Don't know what it is. The heat?

    Re: CNN Puts Novak in 'Time Out' After Set Walk-Of (none / 0) (#4)
    by jimcee on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:56 PM EST
    I can't say he was drunk or ill but it was certainly a rather odd moment for the annals of screaming skull TV! I think it could be billed as 'The Dark Prince vs The Alien'. Hey wait, isn't this a remake of a bad sequel? I think ol' Bob should go sailing with Mr Cronkite so we don't have to listen to either one of them for a while. Doesn't anyone retire quietly anymore?