During his tenure at CNN, Sam Feist was responsible for “Crossfire,” a show that became a model for political debates on television. Now, as he oversees C-SPAN, Feist intends to head in a new direction.
This fall, C-SPAN will introduce “CeaseFire,” a show aiming to unite individuals with opposing political views to discover shared perspectives. On Wednesday, it was announced that Dasha Burns from Politico will host the program.
“At the end of the day, Americans and members of Congress agree more than they disagree,” noted Feist, the CEO of C-SPAN. “We just never see that on television, and you rarely see that on the floor of Congress. And I wanted to change that.”
“Crossfire” ran on CNN from 1982 until 2005, showcasing a conservative and a liberal host alongside guests to discuss contentious issues. The show often featured loud and personal debates. As cable news shifted toward talk-based reporting, this format became widely emulated.
This approach arguably influenced political dynamics too, as being confrontational was often more effective for capturing attention than seeking common ground.
Comedian Jon Stewart critically impacted “Crossfire” with a notable 2004 appearance. He accused hosts Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson of harming America, a moment Begala later described as a “disemboweling.” Three months after Stewart’s critique, CNN canceled the show.
Dasha Burns expressed the disconnect she perceives between public political attitudes and their television portrayal, a gap she believes “CeaseFire” aims to bridge. “I think there is a secret yearning for this among a lot of people,” said Burns, who is also Politico’s Playbook author and chief White House correspondent. “Obviously, conflict-driven shows get a lot of views, but there’s also a substantial audience tired of the sugar high from conflict and polarization.”
Burns emphasized her efforts to maintain a nonpartisan stance in her reporting, aiming to equally cover both Democratic and Republican developments. She described her moderating style as personal and conversational, aiming to introduce fun, charm, and levity while challenging guests to leave their partisan comfort zones.
Feist stated Burns was chosen for her strong interviewing skills, conversational abilities, and her Washington connections.
The concept for “CeaseFire” came to Feist years ago from Michael Kinsley, a former “Crossfire” host. While details such as the time slot, premiere date, or initial guests have not been disclosed, there are high hopes for the show to become a staple.
Feist recounted discussions with over a hundred Congress members about friendships across political lines, and each provided a name of someone from the opposite side they enjoyed associate with. If even half of these pairs agreed to participate in “CeaseFire,” it would provide content for a year, he remarked.
C-SPAN prides itself on attracting Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike. It draws individuals interested in watching politics and government directly, rather than just discussions about it. During nights and weekends when Congress isn’t in session, there’s a necessity to offer alternative programming.
“When I got here we started talking about new programming and what we could do that was different, where there was a need in the television landscape,” Feist explained. Feedback often questioned the possibility of even having a civil conversation in Washington, which is exactly what “CeaseFire” aims to showcase.