California Election Coverage: Where Do You Go for News?

With the California gubernatorial election garnering unprecedented television coverage for a state election, the state has become a hot spot for journalists of all kinds. On the news and politics side, CBS sent Dan Rather to do his live broadcast from California, ABC sent Peter Jennings, and NBC is putting on the biggest show, shipping out Tom Brokaw and a posse of big names–Katie Couric, Campbell Brown, Brian Williams and Tim Russert. Guess that’s why they call it the Peacock.

But what’s weird about California’s recall election is that even non-political journalists are getting in on the act. Entertainment Tonight has been broadcasting from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign bus and will count down to the election results on the show tonight, while Access Hollywood is pushing its “exclusive” interview with the pumped-up star and promises “to track ‘The Governator’s’ every move as the election hangs in the balance.” Now that’s drama for you.

All of this hoopla raises a serious question, though: Is this an election, or is it, as AP television writer Lynn Elber calls it, “a combination of star vehicle, peep show and political game of chicken”?

There’s no doubt that the California gubernatorial election is getting more small-screen time than the Democratic presidential primary. What we want to know is, given the choice, will Americans watch the serious stuff, or the silly fluff? Let’s look at Tuesday’s TV options, listed alphabetically, and let Nielsen be the judge.

ABC
“Nightline” will air its first live election report at 11:35 p.m. ET/8:35 PT and a second one three hours later. There will be a special report from Peter Jennings when results are known–whenever that may be.

Access Hollywood
No information available, although the show’s Web site promises coverate tonight.

CBS
Tuesday’s broadcast of The Early Show will feature Harry Smith live from L.A. discussing the recall election. The CBS evening news will include complete coverage of the election. Check local listings for times.

CNN
Wolf Blitzer will anchor a special three-hour election report starting at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT, along with CNN’s political team of Judy Woodruff, Jeff Greenfield, Candy Crowley and Bill Schneider. Blitzer will also provide updates during primetime on the East Coast.

Comedy Central
At 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT, Daily Show host Jon Stewart goes live for “Re-Decision 2003.”

E!
E! News Live at 7 p.m. ET/PT promises coverage of Arnold tonight–no word on whether they’ll mention any of the other candidates or cover the election later if results aren’t in at 7.

Entertainment Tonight
Bob Goen is in the air with Arnold aboard his private jet, and Jann Carl has been following the “Arnold Express” aboard his press bus (called “Predator 3”) in a video diary. Check local listings for times.

Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel plans to break into its regularly scheduled primetime lineup with periodic updates, and Brit Hume will anchor an election report from Washington at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Special live second editions of Hannity & Colmes and Greta Van Susteren’s On the Record will air later. Van Susteren will be in Los Angeles.

MSNBC
MSNBC is covering the election throughout the day, with on-the-scene reports and a running ticker showing the amount of time remaining before the polls close. Later, look for Chris Matthews’ continuing coverage live from Los Angeles on Hardball With Chris Matthews starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. At 8 p.m./5 p.m. the coverage continues with Countdown With Keith Olbermann, then Matthews is back for an almost-all nighter with live reports from candidates’ campaign headquarters and a panel of pundits, including Newsweek‘s Howard Fineman and former Nixon speechwriter and comedian Ben Stein. Joe Scarborough takes over at 2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT and goes ’til 5 a.m. ET.

NBC
Mainly leaving its election coverage to partner station MSNBC, NBC has nonetheless sent big dog Tom Brokaw out to cover the results. Check local listings for times.