The Ticker: Smerconish, Cramer, Hammer…

> A tipster says: “Last Thursday, Joe Scarborough was sick, so MSNBC called a Philadelphia talk show host on short notice to sub for Joe.” Michael Smerconish told viewers that “Joe’s under the weather and I‘m holding down the fort tonight.” The 10 p.m. time slot delivered the cable net’s highest rating in the 25-54 demo on Thursday, averaging 139,000 viewers…

> ICN links to profiles of Mad Money host Jim Cramer in the New York Times and the Dallas Morning News…

> Broadcasting & Cable talks to CPJ executive director Ann Cooper about the dangerous state of affairs for war correspondents…

> Greta Van Susteren blogs about a guest (Jim Hammer) who said bullshit on-air…

> “Nightline’s defacto Washington director gave notice on Friday and is expected to depart within the next three weeks,” BCBeat learns…