The Hack, The Rev, A Witch, And Some Meatloaf

Now that Alan Colmes has wised-up and left the show that treated him like an annoying scratch on the roof of your mouth, the producers of the new show "Hannity" - is it really going to be "new"? - have come up with a gimmick that will create the illusion that there is some semblance of "balance" on the program:

The new Alan Colmes-less Hannity premieres Monday with frequent Fox News guest Al Sharpton filling the liberal seat on Sean Hannity's newly christened "Great American Panel."

Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-Minn.) will fill the seat on the right. (And she should have plenty to talk about given the Senate dispute in her state between Al Franken and Norm Coleman.)


The X-factor on the panel: Meatloaf.


Monday's show will include a sit-down with George W. Bush. Hannity will conduct the interview Friday at the White House.


Hannity will employ a rotating panel in lieu of a permanent ideological counterpoint. The show will also bow a few new elements including the Hate Hannity Hotline featuring highlights from Hannity haters.

While Bachman twitches with her own special blend of ideological nuttery, I find it interesting that this firt panel would include Meatloaf. Al Sharpton is s predictable choice, as Hannity loves to inject race into just about any issue.

With Meatloaf, perspective viewers are left wondering what exactly he will have to offer. Is he really going to be there as a "liberal" countrpoint, or is going to end up agreeig with Hanntiy.

Truth be told, this same tactic has been done many times on Hannity's other show "Hannity's America" - aren't you glad you don't live there - and the same thing will happen here. It's all cartoonish ranting and raving that will begin with Hannity calling Bachman a "great American" and how "brave" she is and will end with a shouting match between him and Sharpton while Meatloaf looks confused as to why he is even there, like many of you are looking right now.