CNN Commentary noticed “Crossfire” trying something new earlier this week. On Monday and Tuesday, the show had all four of its co-hosts hosting together without guests.
“It’s a very special night, we have all four of the co-hosts here tonight,” Van Jones said at the open of Monday’s show, the first time the four had hosted together in the show’s timeslot since it returned to CNN last year.
During its heyday in the 1990s, and since its return last year, the show’s format consisted of two co-hosts with different political ideologies debating, often inviting on two other guests who disagree to debate politics.
“Crossfire” experimenting with its four co-hosts on together is similar to what its cable competitors have done over the years. Fox News’ “The Five” premiered in 2011 with five co-hosts debating; MSNBC’s “The Cycle” debuted in 2012 with four co-hosts.
CNN tells us the four co-hosts will all host together again tonight, and the format change is all part of “Crossfire’s” ongoing experimentation.