Media

CNN names executive producer for new Cuomo show

by Joe Concha - 05/11/18 11:56 AM ET

CNN has named Melanie Buck, a former executive producer of Jake Tapper’s Sunday political affairs program “State of the Union,” executive producer of Chris Cuomo’s primetime program set to debut on June 4.

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Buck “oversaw interviews with major newsmakers, from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Parkland, Florida Sheriff Scott Israel after the Stoneman Douglas shooting,” reads the announcement from CNN.

“Prior to joining State of the Union, Buck was a Supervising Producer for The Lead with Jake Tapper and an integral player on the show’s successful launch. During her tenure at CNN, she has covered numerous presidential and midterm elections and was part of a key group of producers working on presidential debates,” it continues.

Buck won a News and Documentary Emmy Award for CNN’s live coverage of the 2011 revolution in Egypt that led to then-President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation.

CNN also announced that Buck will be replaced on “State of the Union” by Abigail Crutchfield, who served the past year as a senior producer on the program.

Crutchfield also contributed to the network’s town hall and debate specials, including most recently one last month featuring former FBI Director James Comey and a February town hall featuring Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students shortly after a mass shooting there left 17 people dead.

Cuomo, who joined CNN from ABC News in 2013, will be competing against the two of the highest-rated hosts in cable news when his 9 p.m. show debuts next month. Fox’s Sean Hannity and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow also have their shows aired at that time.

Tags CNN James Comey Rex Tillerson Television in the United States Television news in the United States