Lou Dobbs Tonight
Encyclopedia
Lou Dobbs Tonight is an American editorial
commentary and discussion program hosted by Lou Dobbs
, previously broadcast on CNN
and currently on Fox Business Network
. The hour-long show aired live on evenings every weekday, and was replayed in the overnight/early morning hours. It covered the major news stories of the day with a focus on politics and economics. Field correspondents provided additional reporting and occasionally served as guest anchors. During Dobbs' tenure, notable politicians and economists were often guests on the show, facing his often pointed questioning.
On November 11, 2009, Dobbs announced that he would be leaving CNN effective immediately. CNN anchor John King
serve as his replacement, beginning on March 22, 2010 with his new show John King, USA
. Dobbs was eventually hired by Fox Business Network, which re-launched Lou Dobbs Tonight in March 2011.
as well.
In late 1997 Dobbs hired former ABC News and NBC News Executive Producer David Bohrman
to turn the program into a more general evening newscast, which would be called "The Moneyline NewsHour." The program was half financially focused, and half general news. It was the first regular program at CNN to have its main control room outside of Atlanta.
As the show moved more towards general news and economic and political commentary, it was renamed Lou Dobbs Moneyline and then Lou Dobbs Tonight. The show was among CNN's most watched.
On November 4, 2006, a taped weekend edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight, entitled Lou Dobbs this Week, began airing. The weekend show, which aired every Saturday and Sunday night, discussed a variety of heated issues from the past week and the week ahead. The weekend show has since been canceled.
On November 11, 2009, Lou Dobbs left the network, telling viewers that the night's episode of Lou Dobbs Tonight was his last and that "some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN". Although he had a contract with CNN until the end of 2011, CNN agreed to release him early.
After his resignation, the show was temporarily replaced by CNN Tonight, a news program hosted by John Roberts and later Erica Hill
which featured reports filed by reporters who had filed reports for Lou Dobbs' program. On January 15, 2010, CNN Tonight was displaced by The Situation Room
in a scheduling shift as a result of the premiere of Rick's List
. John King's new program, John King, USA
debuted in Lou Dobbs' timeslot on March 22, 2010.
jobs to overseas facilities, as well as those businesses that had taken special steps to keep jobs on U.S. soil. Dobbs had compiled a list of companies that had outsourced that he had posted on the show's website and occasionally repeated on the air. Dobbs frequently criticized U.S. international trade
policy as insufficiently protecting American jobs, advocating in favor of what many consider to be economic protectionism in contrast to free trade
. As part of his criticism of globalization
, Dobbs often noted that the United States is running trade deficits with virtually every major trading partner it has, especially China
.
Another regular feature was "Broken Borders", which highlighted what Dobbs considered to be the problems and costs associated with illegal immigrants, and the inefficiencies in the U.S. Border Patrol and immigration policies in general.
Around the middle of the show, a daily poll was opened that was answered on the show's website. Voting for the poll continued until the end of the show, when the results of the poll along with some viewer comments were revealed. These polls were often overwhelming in their margins.
was a correspondent for the program, and the most frequent substitute anchor when Dobbs is not on. Other reporters attached to Lou Dobbs Tonight included Dana Bash
, Lisa Sylvester
, Bill Tucker, Suzanne Malveaux
and Casey Wian. The show was broadcast live from CNN's New York studios, located in the Time Warner Center
.
, allege Lou Dobbs Tonight regularly aired segments featuring, and had as on-air guests, people that the SPLC considers to be involved with white supremacist groups, without the show revealing involvement in such groups.
data.
Editorial
An opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...
commentary and discussion program hosted by Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs
Louis Carl "Lou" Dobbs is an American journalist, radio host, television host on the Fox Business Network, and author. He anchored CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight until November 2009 when he announced on the air that he would leave the 24-hour cable news television network.He was born in Texas and lived...
, previously broadcast on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and currently on Fox Business Network
Fox Business Network
Fox Business Network is an American cable news and satellite news television channel that began broadcasting on October 15, 2007. It is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation...
. The hour-long show aired live on evenings every weekday, and was replayed in the overnight/early morning hours. It covered the major news stories of the day with a focus on politics and economics. Field correspondents provided additional reporting and occasionally served as guest anchors. During Dobbs' tenure, notable politicians and economists were often guests on the show, facing his often pointed questioning.
On November 11, 2009, Dobbs announced that he would be leaving CNN effective immediately. CNN anchor John King
John King (journalist)
John King is an American journalist and is the anchor of John King, USA which appears weeknights at 7pm/ET on CNN. He is also the former anchor of State of the Union with John King...
serve as his replacement, beginning on March 22, 2010 with his new show John King, USA
John King, USA
John King, USA is an hour-long television news show that is hosted by John King on CNN. The show debuted on March 22, 2010.It airs at 7:00 PM Eastern, and as a result, shortened The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to 2 hours...
. Dobbs was eventually hired by Fox Business Network, which re-launched Lou Dobbs Tonight in March 2011.
History
Lou Dobbs Tonight began with the name Moneyline with the premiere of CNN, and was CNN's main financial show for over 20 years, for a large portion of those years aring on CNN InternationalCNN International
CNN International is an international English language television network that carries news, current affairs, politics, opinions, and business programming worldwide. CNN is one of the world's largest news organizations. It is owned by Time Warner, and is affiliated with CNN, which is mainly...
as well.
In late 1997 Dobbs hired former ABC News and NBC News Executive Producer David Bohrman
David Bohrman
David Bohrman is a television and new media executive, working in network television news, cable news, new media, internet, convergence and consulting. Bohrman created almost a dozen new TV news programs at ABC News, NBC News , CNN, and TechTV....
to turn the program into a more general evening newscast, which would be called "The Moneyline NewsHour." The program was half financially focused, and half general news. It was the first regular program at CNN to have its main control room outside of Atlanta.
As the show moved more towards general news and economic and political commentary, it was renamed Lou Dobbs Moneyline and then Lou Dobbs Tonight. The show was among CNN's most watched.
On November 4, 2006, a taped weekend edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight, entitled Lou Dobbs this Week, began airing. The weekend show, which aired every Saturday and Sunday night, discussed a variety of heated issues from the past week and the week ahead. The weekend show has since been canceled.
On November 11, 2009, Lou Dobbs left the network, telling viewers that the night's episode of Lou Dobbs Tonight was his last and that "some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN". Although he had a contract with CNN until the end of 2011, CNN agreed to release him early.
After his resignation, the show was temporarily replaced by CNN Tonight, a news program hosted by John Roberts and later Erica Hill
Erica Hill
Erica Ruth Hill is an American journalist and co-anchor of The Early Show on CBS. Prior to her current position, she was the weekday news anchor and Saturday co-anchor of the show. Hill previously worked as an anchor and correspondent for CNN, Headline News and TechTV.- Personal life :Hill was...
which featured reports filed by reporters who had filed reports for Lou Dobbs' program. On January 15, 2010, CNN Tonight was displaced by The Situation Room
The Situation Room
The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer is an afternoon/early evening newscast on CNN and CNN International hosted by Wolf Blitzer that first aired on August 8, 2005. The show replaces three politics and hard news programs: Judy Woodruff's Inside Politics, Crossfire and Wolf Blitzer Reports.At first,...
in a scheduling shift as a result of the premiere of Rick's List
Rick's List
Rick's List was a news and commentary program on CNN hosted by Rick Sanchez. The show aired weekdays from 3 to 5 PM EST. It first aired on Monday, January 18, 2010, when Sanchez's one-hour segment of CNN Newsroom was lengthened to two hours and given its own title, and The Situation Room with...
. John King's new program, John King, USA
John King, USA
John King, USA is an hour-long television news show that is hosted by John King on CNN. The show debuted on March 22, 2010.It airs at 7:00 PM Eastern, and as a result, shortened The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to 2 hours...
debuted in Lou Dobbs' timeslot on March 22, 2010.
Timeline
- 1 June 1980: premiere date of both CNN and Moneyline. The latter was hosted by Lou Dobbs.
- 7 June 1999: Dobbs leaves CNN and CNNfnCNNfnCNNfn was a U.S. cable television news network operated by the CNN subsidiary of the media comglomerate Time Warner from December 29, 1995 and of AOL-Time Warner until December 15, 2004. The network was dedicated to covering financial markets and business news.It was available in a number of...
to found Space.comSpace.comSpace.com is a space and astronomy news website. Its stories are often syndicated to other media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, Yahoo!, and USA Today.Space.com was founded by former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs and Rich Zahradnik, in July 1999...
. He is succeeded as host of Moneyline by Willow BayWillow BayWillow Bay is an American television correspondent, editor, author, former model, and wife of Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger. She is currently a Senior Editor for the Huffington Post and a special correspondent for Bloomberg Television.-Career:Bay was born Kristine Carlin Bay in New York, New...
and Stuart VarneyStuart VarneyStuart Varney is a British-American economic journalist, and as of 2011, working for the Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network. Varney joined Fox News in January, 2004 as a business contributor on many shows, such as Your World with Neil Cavuto. He also occasionally serves as guest host...
. - 19 March 2001: Varney leaves Moneyline, leaving Bay as sole host of the program as rumors of a pending return of Dobbs swirl.
- 14 May 2001: Bay leaves Moneyline as Dobbs returns to the cable network and the anchor desk of the newly-rechristened Lou Dobbs Moneyline.
- 9 June 2003: CNN announces change of program name from Lou Dobbs Moneyline to Lou Dobbs Tonight.
- November 4, 2006: weekend version of Lou Dobbs Tonight, named Lou Dobbs This Week, debuts.
- 26 September 2007: program began broadcasting in high definitionHigh-definition televisionHigh-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
. - 5 November 2007: Lou Dobbs Tonight switched timeslots with The Situation Room's third hour making the latter one single news block starting at 4 PM Eastern. Lou Dobbs Tonight started airing at 7 PM ET.
- 11 November 2009: Lou Dobbs announces that the night's show is his last, and that he is leaving the network effective immediately. Interim occupants of his timeslot afterward included documentaries, CNN Tonight, and the third hour of The Situation RoomThe Situation RoomThe Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer is an afternoon/early evening newscast on CNN and CNN International hosted by Wolf Blitzer that first aired on August 8, 2005. The show replaces three politics and hard news programs: Judy Woodruff's Inside Politics, Crossfire and Wolf Blitzer Reports.At first,...
. - 10 November 2010: Fox Business NetworkFox Business NetworkFox Business Network is an American cable news and satellite news television channel that began broadcasting on October 15, 2007. It is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation...
announced that Dobbs will host a show on the channel. - 3 March 2011: Fox Business announced that Dobbs' new show on their network will have the same name and time slot as Dobbs' old CNN show. Lou Dobbs Tonight re-launched on March 14, 2011 at 7 PM ET.
Regular features
One regular feature on the show was "Exporting America", in which Dobbs documented the American companies that had outsourcedOffshore outsourcing
Offshore outsourcing is the practice of hiring an external organization to perform some business functions in a country other than the one where the products or services are actually developed or manufactured. It can be contrasted with offshoring, in which the functions are performed in a foreign...
jobs to overseas facilities, as well as those businesses that had taken special steps to keep jobs on U.S. soil. Dobbs had compiled a list of companies that had outsourced that he had posted on the show's website and occasionally repeated on the air. Dobbs frequently criticized U.S. international trade
International trade
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product...
policy as insufficiently protecting American jobs, advocating in favor of what many consider to be economic protectionism in contrast to free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
. As part of his criticism of globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
, Dobbs often noted that the United States is running trade deficits with virtually every major trading partner it has, especially China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Another regular feature was "Broken Borders", which highlighted what Dobbs considered to be the problems and costs associated with illegal immigrants, and the inefficiencies in the U.S. Border Patrol and immigration policies in general.
Around the middle of the show, a daily poll was opened that was answered on the show's website. Voting for the poll continued until the end of the show, when the results of the poll along with some viewer comments were revealed. These polls were often overwhelming in their margins.
Correspondents and production
Kitty PilgrimKitty Pilgrim
Kathryn Pilgrim , known professionally as Kitty Pilgrim , was a New York-based anchor and correspondent for CNN for 24 years. Pilgrim anchored her own broadcast, Early Edition, in 1998 and 1999 and served as an anchor for CNN, CNNI, CNNfn, and Headline News for more than a decade...
was a correspondent for the program, and the most frequent substitute anchor when Dobbs is not on. Other reporters attached to Lou Dobbs Tonight included Dana Bash
Dana Bash
Dana Bash is an American reporter and anchorwoman for CNN who currently covers the Capitol Hill beat alongside Jessica Yellin and her husband John King. Previous to this assignment, she was a White House correspondent for the network.After completing her undergraduate political communications B.A...
, Lisa Sylvester
Lisa Sylvester
Lisa Sylvester is an American Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist and television correspondent. She currently reports on CNN's The Situation Room.-Career:...
, Bill Tucker, Suzanne Malveaux
Suzanne Malveaux
Suzanne M. Malveaux , is an American television news reporter.She is currently the anchor of CNN Newsroom 11am to 1pm. Before that she was White House correspondent for CNN and primary substitute host on CNNs "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer"...
and Casey Wian. The show was broadcast live from CNN's New York studios, located in the Time Warner Center
Time Warner Center
The Time Warner Center is a mixed-use skyscraper developed by AREA Property Partners and The Related Companies in New York City. Its design, by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, consists of two 750 ft towers bridged by a multi-story atrium containing upscale retail shops...
.
Criticism
Critics of his broadcast, such as the civil rights group Southern Poverty Law CenterSouthern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is an American nonprofit civil rights organization noted for its legal victories against white supremacist groups; legal representation for victims of hate groups; monitoring of alleged hate groups, militias and extremist organizations; and educational programs that...
, allege Lou Dobbs Tonight regularly aired segments featuring, and had as on-air guests, people that the SPLC considers to be involved with white supremacist groups, without the show revealing involvement in such groups.
Ratings
Its highest rated show in 2008 was the day after the presidential election - two million viewers. Lou Dobbs Tonight was off by 15 percent between January 26 and February 22, 2009, according to Nielsen Media ResearchNielsen Media Research
Nielsen Media Research is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre films and newspapers...
data.