CNN shot another pilot with anchor Soledad O’Brien in the “Piers Morgan Tonight” studio yesterday. Inside Cable News has a rundown of what happened, including the addition of a live studio audience. Donald Trump had a contentious interview, and other segments talked about Libya, Malcolm X and the upcoming Royal nuptials.
Elsewhere, the NY Post‘s Page Six reports that CNN is interested in adding an African American presence to its lineup, and name-dropped comedians Chris Rock and Aisha Tyler as possibilities.
A source familiar with Rock’s business affairs dismissed the report as “laughable,” while emails to Tyler’s spokesperson were not returned as of writing.
It does seem implausible that a comedian and movie star of Rock’s stature would let themselves be shackled to a daily program on a cable news channel, though that did not stop (unfounded) rumors that Alec Baldwin was eyeing a gig at MSNBC earlier this year.
CNN has tried an unconventional show like this in the past. In late 2008 it televised a weekly show hosted by comedian D.L. Hughley. That program ended less than six months later.