Sunday Show Scorecard, Special “Change” Edition

By CJP | November 10, 2008

As the loyal Janes know, we here at CJP watch the Sunday news shows religiously, and then occasionally spend Monday lamenting the preponderance of men in suits the day before.

Today, we report that for the first time in our memories, three African American women appeared as guests on the Sunday Shows, one of whom showed up twice.  So even if an Obama administration changes nothing once it begins, his election already seems to have changed the faces in front of the cameras, and THAT’s change we can believe in.   Now onto the scorecard!

The Winner: 

Meet the Press:  The daddy of all Sunday shows often looks more like a men’s locker room than a public affairs show.  But Tom Brokaw broke the mold this week with a guest list that included Obama-Biden transition team co-chair Valerie Jarrett, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) and a roundtable with White House historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Newsweek’s Jon Meacham and Chicago Sun-Times’ Mary Mitchell.  Three ladies, three Janes and a first place on the Scorecard.  Props, MTP!

 

Second Place:

The Chris Matthews Show: Matthews remains the only man in Washington who always books two lady talkers for his four-guest panel.  This week included Dan Rather, Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Cynthia Tucker, New York Times’ David Brooks and Elisabeth Bumiller. Two Janes nets Matthews two Janes and a second-place finish.

 

Tie for Third Place:

This Week: George Stephanopolous interviewed Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), and then held court with a roundtable that included George Will, Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Cynthia Tucker, Newsweek’s Fareed Zakaria and former White House adviser David Gergen.  One woman, one Jane.
 

Fox News Sunday: The two guests were Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), but NPR’s Mara Liasson took her regular spot at the roundtable and kept FNS out of the doghouse.  One Jane, one Jane.

 

Last Place:

 Face the Nation: Bob Schieffer will always be our Sunday boyfriend, even when he fails the Jane count as he did yesterday with Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, New York Times’ David Brooks and Politico’s John Harris.  No ladies, no Janes, and a sigh from a disappointed CJP.

Topics: Sunday Show Scorecard

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