NEWS PANEL SHOWS

Have any of you noticed that many of the so-called 24-hour news channels spend more time with panels of people you hardly know or care about, bandying about a topic of the day as if their input will somehow shed light on a story that isn't yet fully developed?

It's getting to the point where you could just swap any of these guys out with the people on the ESPN Show AROUND THE HORN and I'm sure they'd work just fine.  I'm certain that any sports reporter would have enough sports analogies to fit in almost any discussion.

ANCHOR: We're talking Trump and the Russia probe - Robert Mueller now has the IRS involved.  Are you surprised at this?

RANDOM PANELIST: Look Trump's defense on this has been porous at best.  It's the fourth quarter, it's fourth and long, and he's punting when he should be looking to mount an offensive.

ANCHOR: Wait, Jemele Hill, what the hell are you doing on my show?

Watch Katie Bolduan's show on CNN (and my choice to use her is arbitrary -- I just happened to see her show this morning).  She has like five people on the screen surrounding her like she's Tony Reali, and they pop around the screen.  The only think she's failing to do is give them arbitrary points so we know who's winning. 

And isn't that what it's really about?  Not news itself, but winning the argument, as if this is boxing match and Bolduan is simply the ring announcer, while both sides of the aisle put up their respective gloves and try to dish out punishment and prevent tarnish to their respective reputations.  In the end Bolduan and her producers simply choose the topic and bout length.

And you know that half of these folks from obscure foundations and such are back-room favors that network executives and people like Bolduan owe from assisting their quick rise into the lead anchor chair.  That isn't me suggesting she hasn't (Bolduan or Reali, or Chris Hayes etc.) worked hard and earned it, but no one's rise, particularly for someone as young as these two are, happens without boosters.

The 24-hour news cycle doesn't have enough news to fill an entire day, or even a half day.  And though I respect Bolduan for asking some very educated and tough questions, in deference to that, her show is among many that does little but expand the news discussion to include opinions, most of which are unnecessary and speculative.

I watch these shows now and look at the clock and realize I've wasted seven to ten minutes listening to people discuss a story which needs no discussion.  There is definitely a much better use to be had of my time (and yours).