CNN's Podcast-Inspired Sets: Experiment or Gimmick?

0:00On March 24, CNN is shaking up its on-air look with new casual sets and host ditching the formal studio vibe for something more like a podcast. Set up. Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper are leading the change, sitting at real work desks cluttered with papers and gadgets to feel more authentic. This comes as the network fights back against a 40% drop in viewers since 2017. Fans have kept sliding, hitting a 33 year low for primetime shows in 2023. Insiders point to a shift toward more partisan coverage during the Trump years as a big factor in losing audience trust in numbers. Viewers and media watchers have mixed reactions, with some praising the fresh energy while others call it a forced attempt to copy successful, podcasters. Former anchors like Megan Kelly have publicly mocked the effort, saying it looks awkward and desperate. Tapper even addressed it directly on air, explaining it's an experiment to show where the real journalism happens behind the scenes. Cooper has gone sleeves up at a conference-style desk, pod with maps for that busy newsroom

1:04feel. We'll keep an eye on whether this podcast inspired Tweet pulls in more eyes, or just sparks more debate in the cable news world. That's your update for entertainment and celebrity news. Today, powered by AI, I'm Cory with the Story.