Parker Leaving CNN's Arena

Kathleen Parker is leaving her spot as co-host of Parker/Spitzer, CNN executive vice president Ken Jautz announced Friday.

Parker/Spitzer will be retooled to an ensemble format with several guests and contributors, including E.D. Hill and Will Cain, joining remaining host Eliot Spitzer each night. The new 8 p.m. show will be renamed In The Arena, beginning Monday.

Jautz said in a statement that Parker "decided to leave the program to focus on her writing," but the show has suffered from weak ratings and the pair criticized for a lack of chemistry since its fall premiere.

"[T]he new program will look beyond the headlines to analyze and discuss the most important stories of the day," said Jautz in a memo to staff. "The program will provide context and analysis through balanced and thoughtful discussions and interviews with a wide range of guests and newsmakers who cumulatively represent various points of view."

Jautz said Parker would continue to appear on CNN occasionally.

Read more at B&C here.