Overlooking the Times Square studio where CNBC serves up Fast Money, the show celebrated its one year anniversary last night. All the CNBC brass were out for the occasion, including CNBC President Mark Hoffman and Susan Krakower, co-creator of Fast Money and VP of strategic rogramming and development (left, with NBC president and CEO Jeff Zucker).
Also in attendance, the other co-creator of Fast Money, host Dylan Ratigan. Ratigan and Krakower were singled out by Hoffman during his speech. “They give their heart and soul to this show, as does everyone who’s connected with it,” he said.
Many other CNBC personalities were there, including Maria Bartiromo, Melissa Francis and Charlie Gasparino. The Fast Money traders were all present as well: Guy Adami, Karen Finerman, Jeff Macke and Pete Najarian.
Hoffman took the mic first, followed by Krakower and Ratigan. As Ratigan reached the end of his speech, and began a toast, it changed gears somewhat partway through: “Here’s to destroying and building and…well, ‘destroying Fox’ is what I was going to say, to be totally honest about it. And I was going to say something even more profane than that except there’s press in the room.”
The lighting scheme was green. The drink of the night was a green concoction called the Fast Money Kiwi Margarita. The cupcakes had actual money in them. And at the celebration for year one, Hoffman predicted the Fast Money success would not quickly be gone.
“Fast Money is a very important piece of the CNBC puzzle,” Hoffman said. “I have no doubt that I will be standing here when the 10-year anniversary arrives.”