The TV Zone

Finally!

A genuine benefit of the writers' strike: The networks will wash out so-called "entertainment" programming tonight (don't worry - that doesn't mean "American Idol") for soup-to-nuts coverage of Super Tuesday.

Ummm. what's going on?

I ask because the networks - outside of Sunday, morning shows and the nightly news ghettos - sometimes like to pretend that there isn't even a political race for the WH going on. If you were from Mars (let's say for argument sake), then you might think one of the most exciting issues facing Americans was: Shanay or Evan? Just who WILL advance to the finals of "American Gladiators?"

What's going on is the simple fact that people are interested in politics: CNN got an unheard-of 8 million viewers for last week's debate, which would be a big number for any of the commercial majors; so it's off to the political races they go.

Here's quick run-down of everything tonight - with grateful acknowledgment to Chris Ariens of TVnewser.com who did much of this legwork. (And by the way, if you're looking for a quick non-TV wrap of some of the big questions looming, check out Glenn Thrush's posting. It's worth a look.)


• ABC: Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulos, Charles Gibson team for a five-hour blanket-coverage starting at 8:

- Why watch: At least ABC made an effort to cover Iowa/New Hampshire/Florida in primetime, which suggests seriousness of purpose. Also, the three leads are certainly solid and competent though offer little in the way of flash. But who needs flash when there are 26 states to get through?; plus, I like Jake Tapper.

• CBS: Katie Couric, along with Jeff Greenfield,Bob Schieffer and...Joe Trippi; stars at 9.

- Why watch: Schieffer and Greenfield, period. I felt sorry - almost - for Greenfield during Iowa/NH/Florida, who had to sit on his hands while former employer CNN went nuts with magic charts and whatnot. He's a terribly smart and knowledgeable guy who needs the camera; didn't get that at CBS when it counted most. Will make some amends tonight. Also, Trippi, who's another political encyclopedia.

• NBC: Brian Williams, Tim Russert, Tom Brokaw, starting at ten.

- Why watch: Why TEN? NBC's happy to punt everything to MSNBC, so one wonders why hardcore MSNBC viewers would feel a need to switch to NBC at ten, or why NBC viewers - goaded all night to switch to MSNBC - wouldn't have already vacated the main network by this time? What's the point? Simply to plant a flag? This effort feels half-hearted.

• CNN: forty hours of coverage! At least that's the promise. There aren't enough hours in a day (obviously) to fill CNN's appetite for this stuff (which is why it'll flow into the next day.) On-air line-up: Wolf Blitzer, Lou Dobbs, Anderson Cooper, Soledad O'Brien and Campbell Brown. Also starring: that "multi-touch" screen that sometimes has a mind of its own.

- Why watch: Certainly for the personalities - who include Mr./Ms. Multi-Touch. There are an awful lot of cooks in this kitchen, and though Wolf's head chef, I suspect Lou thinks otherwise. Also, this is Campbell's first major outing for CNN - supe Tuesday.

• FNC: Karl Rove joins up tonight! Brit Hume is anchormaster starting at 8, but Neil Cavuto, Shepard Smith and Trace Gallagher handle chores from four to six. Brit Hume takes over at 8.

- Why watch: Did I mention Karl Rove already? That's the major reason, of course - his first TV-post-Bush-White-House foray. This should be intriguing, no matter what he says. Also, Hume: He's become the de facto solid/ leading-man/ anchorly type on all of cable news.

• MSNBC: Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews are the evening folks (starting at 6), with analysis from Pat Buchanan and Rachel Maddow. Russert/Williams/Brokaw should dip in and out, too.

- Why watch: Coverage of Iowa/NH/Florida was pretty good, even if Matthews is insufferable.