Scarborough Takes a Shot at CNN’s ‘X-Files Cable News Programming’

In a New York Times piece on cable news ratings, Joe Scarborough takes a shot at CNN for its “‘X-Files’ cable news programming” regarding the network’s ongoing coverage of the missing Malaysian Airlines plane.

CNN has made some ratings gains in the past few weeks, with the network’s morning show New Day nearly doubling Morning Joe in the demo just last week, partly due to CNN’s near-non-stop MH370 coverage.

Times reporter Bill Carter reached out to Scarborough for comment on New Day overtaking his show in the ratings, and he let loose with a sharp jab aimed at his competitors.

“CNN has made itself a punch line on the ‘Daily Show’ for its phony breaking-news headlines and breathless coverage of random ocean debris… ‘Morning Joe’ topped CNN in the first quarter by covering hard news, just as we have for the past five years. We will do the same in the future and won’t be distracted by ‘X-Files’ cable news programming.”

And no, CNN has not changed its official slogan to “I Want to Believe.”

Update — April 29, 5:13 p.m. ET: A CNN insider tells Mediaite the following: “Joe has clearly become unhinged by his third place ratings.”

[photo via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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