Hannity & Colmes Soon to be Just Hannity

For years, any time a liberal would complain that FOX "News" wasn't Fair and Balanced as advertised, a conservative "FOX Fan" (is there any other kind) would point to Hannity & Colmes as evidence. The Crossfire-type show pits uber-conservative Sean Hannity against self-avowed moderate Alan Colmes. And while a moderate is as close to "liberal" as FOX can get, the show nevertheless has a pronounced tilt to the right in subject matter, and with guests.

I used to watch occasionally, strictly for the unintentional humor and as opposition research. But since the debut if The Rachel Maddow Show, I've rarely darkened my home with the sights and sounds of H&C. The Other Half is particularly grateful for that, since he can barely stand the sound of Hannity's voice.

After a dozen years on the air, Colmes has apparently gotten tired of being Hannity's whipping boy. He's leaving the show, leaving Hannity the sole host. Having sampled the Colmes-less Hannity's America a couple of times, I simply cannot imagine that the switch will be a success. Without even a half-hearted counterpoint, Hannity is a sputtering mess. The show--unless they have something else planned--will likely be simply a televised version of his radio show.

Now, I'm aware that Hannity's radio show second rated only after Rush Limbaugh (and ahead of the freakish Michael Weiner Savage). Maybe it is possible to retain that same big audience. But I'm not so sure. Radio is a habit. With TV, there are many more options, and Hannity is relentlessly, boringly repetitive. He's got a huge, multi-million dollar contract with FOX "News," so I'm sure they won't let the show die. But I'd entertain taking bets on how long he goes without a co-host.

For some reason, I keep thinking of Laverne & Shirley after Cindy Williams quit. The show was known by critics as "Laverne & Furniture." Maybe Hannity's new show will be "Hannity & Garish Set"

[Excerpt]

Hannity to Go It Alone, Without Colmes

“Hannity & Colmes,” the longest-running program on the Fox News Channel, will soon be without Colmes.

Alan Colmes, 58, the liberal half of the 9 p.m. show, will leave his daily hosting duties at the end of the year, the network announced Monday. . .

Read more at: New York Times