Beneath the Growl, Michael Savage Is a Softie

David Brock is manic, systematically influences liberal media: Tucker Carlson

(NEWSER) - The right-leaning Daily Caller last night published the first in an investigative series about Media Matters for America, alleging that the liberal media watchdog is in bed with the Obama administration, as well as a number of media organizations and bigwigs, and that founder David Brock systematically attempts to influence the media. One memo states that Media Matters "intends to spend nearly $20 million in 2012 to influence news coverage," according to the story. Brock himself declined to comment. More highlights from the extensive article, which is bylined by Daily Caller editor-in-chief Tucker Carlson and three other authors and was culled from multiple sources, including internal Media Matters memos: More»

Conservative media pile on Gingrich

(NEWSER) - The conservative media have apparently figured out that Newt Gingrich could actually win the Republican nomination, and they are responding with a breathtaking collective attack on the candidate. Politico rounds up the highlights, noting that "this is just a sampling of what's hitting Newt."

• In the National Review, Elliott Abrams writes that Gingrich often undermined Ronald Reagan, in what Politico calls "a devastating takedown." In another recent National Review piece being circulated by conservatives, the editors ramp up their opposition to Gingrich and urge conservatives not to support him.
• R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. of the American Spectator compares Gingrich to Bill Clinton, calling them both "1960s generation narcissists" and noting that, for "girl hopping" Gingrich, "there are private encounters with the fair sex that doubtless will come out."
• On her website, Ann Coulter minces no words: "Re-elect Obama, Vote Newt!" Her column blasts Gingrich's "hotheaded arrogance."

It's getting a one-hour special next month that could lead to more

(NEWSER) - NPR's popular Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me is heading for the bright lights of television. The quiz show will get a one-hour special that will air Dec. 23 on the cable channel BBC America, reports AP . The New York Times sees it as a "try-out of sorts"—if it does well, expect to see more next year. Host Peter Sagal wasn't divulging much: "No comment. (I've always wanted to say that to the New York Times.)" The shows draws 3.2 million weekly listeners on the radio. More»

Emergency Alert System gets first national test at 2pm Eastern

(NEWSER) - Turn on the tube or radio tomorrow at 2pm Eastern time, and you’ll be witness to the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. It's expected to last about 30 seconds. Though the system has been used locally for concerns like weather alerts, this is the first time it will be tested at the national level, ABC News reports. More»

His office want to know: Were rules broken?

(NEWSER) - Joe Biden is not happy about the ambush interview that landed him on cable TV—and he’s letting the press gallery’s standing committee of correspondents know about it. Jason Mattera of the conservative blog Human Events caught Biden off guard last week by asking to take a photo with him while Biden was signing autographs. Then Mattera hit him with questions about factually dubious statements he’d made recently connecting rape in Flint, Michigan, to rising unemployment. More»