I googled this TMZ thing at it says something about celebrity gossip. Is that what Ben's going to be doing? I mean, I'm overjoyed that he'll make some bread and all, but that wouldn't be a good use of his talents. Have I got this wrong?

Also: who can replace him? I always enjoy Wes Clark Jr.'s passion.

by cosmic on 08/20/2007 12:10:44 PM EST

I am stunned!  I feel like I should post a response here, but I am at a relative loss for words on this topic at the moment.

by OneHitKill on 08/20/2007 12:39:24 PM EST

I'm happy for Ben even though it's a loss for the show.

 PS---I agree, I hope Wes Clark gets the offer.

by ihavenobias on 08/20/2007 01:03:37 PM EST

    Who is going to yell at Cenk now?
Who will be the reasonable one?
Who will take the Democrats' side too often?
Who will star in parent trap?
Who will read all the news that's left?
Will we ever get to see pictures of Contessa?

My world is ending...
First Jill, now Ben?

by koltrane on 08/20/2007 01:06:33 PM EST

I too am at a loss for words.

Let me get schmoopy here, I feel like that little kid in a cliche movie watching his parents divorce and feeling helpless to stop it and ulitmately responsible.

Personally Cenk, I would not put so much clout into TYT's being on or not on the show.

This TMZ show could get cancelled mid season.  Jill could realize that DC really sucks (I live here).

Unless they have contracts that require them to cut ties at least keep them as official cofounders and as correspondents.

I have no ill feeling towards the TMZ side of it, I know that Ben was a  "professional" reporter and all, but I find it comedic if you go back and watch all of the Absolute Truth.  Watch the eppisode that Ben cohosts in and you will see the irony.

Anyways I hope he gets paid in spades, but at the end of the day the resume of the TYT show and clout of National radio is too great.
I myself see him coming back.

by charmcity on 08/20/2007 01:08:13 PM EST

I think Wes would be the PERFECT and obvious choice to replace Ben.  He would replace Ben's pragmatic journalist centrism with his pragmatic real life military experience.  Plus he's friggin' awesome.  And he's almost as good as Ceng in the no holds barred after show segments.

by gigglehertz on 08/20/2007 01:15:28 PM EST

I love Cenks, analysis of the issues, I really enjoyed Ben's sense of humor and I have actually not listened to the show last week because he wasn't on. I don't know how I feel about this...

by oddball6996 on 08/20/2007 01:46:02 PM EST

    Wow, you're not gonna believe this, but I wrote a sketch for Jung Jurks where, in a dream sequence, I greenscreen myself into TYT next to Cenk, and I'm saying, "Gee, Cenk, it's a shame Ben jhad to leave for that great, full-time TV gig, but good for him. ..." etc.
    I am really gonna miss Ben, he was really, really funny.  I will definitely check him out on his new gig.  Ben, if you read this, check out our next episode, which isn't up yet and is from 2 weeks ago. There's a segment dedicated to you, it's the "Lyman Bostock vs. Mitchell Paige" segment.
    There is an even riicher irony that I can't go into right now, but there's big news developing for the Jung Jurks, too, which is why our last episode still isn't done yet.  Stay tuned..

by homer on 08/20/2007 02:29:09 PM EST

Wow!
Congrats on an amazing opportunity, that is so well deserved.
I know you will be a huge success and I hope you will enjoy this new exciting chapter in your life. 

You and your analysis and humor will be soorly missed and I wish you, Contessa and Rookie all the happiness and best for the future.

Please come back and visit and keep us posted on how you all are doing as often as you can.

Warm wishes for great happiness,
Stepheni

by sbandb on 08/20/2007 02:57:25 PM EST

Tony Snow is bailing on Bush for more money. Now Ben does the same thing?  I guess liberals have bills to pay too :) Good luck to him. I'm always checking out TMZ.com  How else am I going to keep up on Amy Whinehouse's crime spree?

by Zak on 08/20/2007 03:16:55 PM EST

Weird, I had a preminition last week that Ben would not be back.  Crappy news made worse by the Vancouver, BC rainy weather today.  First Jill then Ben.  Everyone is growing up, or getting older anyway, and moving on with life.  Part of me always hates it when this sort of thing happens but this is life and you just have to keep going and move on.   It'll still take some time and effort for this Turks member to be able to wrap his mind around the changeing of the guard.  Cenk will have to buck up to make this new thing fly right.  Top priority is a new co-host for the show (also known as my life line).  I put my bid in for Wes Clark Jr.   

by nedl on 08/20/2007 03:18:33 PM EST

I'm not TOO surprised by this, actually.  I'm glad Ben will still be contributing from time to time -- wouldn't be the same if he vanished completely.

Or maybe Wes and Michael don't have the time?  Okay!  Open auditions for the new spot!  Gentlemen, start your YouTubes :D

by jarett on 08/20/2007 03:27:37 PM EST

Damn Damn Damn. I've become thoroughly addicted to TYT. This is driving me crazy. I get soundly hooked on the really good Air America shows and then something happens. First Maron, then Garofalo. Then Maron again. Then Sam Seder. At least this one is because Ben's got a cool break coming.

Cenk - hang in there, buddy. You da fire that keeps my sorry ass out there with an Enough sign slung over my shoulder and a positive attitude. I've learned a lot from you about how to be passionate with heart and to use my anger in the right places.

Bad days come and go. You're doing good work.

Make sure you pick a replacement who will call you out when you need it, which is about every five minutes.  Ben was an awesome voice of sanity and reason in the Turkish maelstrom. He will be missed.

by peteplace on 08/20/2007 08:15:31 PM EST

However it is great news for you, Ben.  I truly hope that this new adventure will make you happy.  Your sense of humor has been the one thing that has helped keep me sane the last few years. 

Congratulations and good luck.

by kk7931 on 08/20/2007 11:43:11 PM EST

by expats4dean on 08/21/2007 04:33:38 AM EST

I am stunned.  I'm crushed. When Jill left I was like, good riddance.  But Ben...I can't take it.  He was the show for me.  I love Cenk, but Ben was the man for me (and I'm not talkin' man crush stuff here!).  And like some of the posts have mentioned already, he was so funny; I loved his sense of humor.  And the fact that he'd talk about baseball I'm gonna miss too because I know Cenk is a football man and I'll miss Ben's take on anything baseball.

And Ben if you read this I hope you got and enjoyed the Baseball music compilation I sent you back in April.  Take care and Good Luck! 

by Spin77 on 08/21/2007 04:20:39 PM EST

So I finally went and checked out what tmz is about. Good grief....celebrity fluff?? For crissakes.

Ben, please go make some money quick and get the hell out of there. You're needed in the real world, bro.

I repeat my support of Wes Clark Jr. for a replacement, but Michael Shure (sp?) is a good man as well.

My 2 cents

by cosmic on 08/21/2007 04:23:23 PM EST

Buh-Bye Ben.  Sounds The Mankiewicz-Meister found a good match. Smart move and good timing.

 Michael Shure ... by gum, I like the cut of his jib!

 Stay on Michael, from what I'm hearing, you're the guy.  I love it how you help keep the discussion focussed on the topic of politics.  You compliment Cenk beautifully, and vice-versa.

by zippytista on 08/21/2007 06:41:53 PM EST

Hard to believe the original trio is down to just Cenk.  Ben provided such good balance for Cenk, but who can blame him for the money and not clocking in at 3 a.m. ... Ironic that Ben, instead of Jill, would be at TMZ.

Tough to be a progressive listener, though, this is not as devastating as the demise of Morning Sedition, since Cenk is still here.

My favorite Ben story was about his dad warning Robert Kennedy not to let himself be announced at a baseball game (Red Sox, I believe) because Kennedy would get booed! And Mr. Mankewicz was right. The batchelor's party in Atlantic City was pretty funny too.

I'm sure Wes or Michael or the next permanent host would be great, but The Young Turks will be different. 

by Hue on 08/21/2007 08:16:22 PM EST

What a shocker.Good luck Ben.On his replacement,is it just me or is Wes overly argumentitive with Jenk?Nearly everything Jenk says is countered,denounced or marginilized by Wes.Don't get me wrong,I think Wes is very insightful but I don't think they make a good pairing.

by fthebush on 08/21/2007 11:37:28 PM EST

... The Young Turks shifts to a Sundays-only show, ala Majority Report/Seder.

:)   (Here's hoping not.)

 Wes would be an excellent replacement.

by plooger on 08/23/2007 04:07:34 AM EST

by prettyblkgyrl on 08/24/2007 03:01:48 AM EST

what the hell is going on?  TMZ.. really?  Really...?
I'm confused...

I'm still not over Seder moving to Sundays...

This is not good, not good...

Ben say it isn't so...  Is it because Cenk never lets you get a word in edgewise?

by rogerwpu on 08/25/2007 05:52:35 PM EST

by EAPrez on 08/28/2007 11:39:35 PM EST

I hope this isn't the begining of the end for TYT. I love the show so much. I just can't begin to express how concerned I am over all the changes. First Jill, who I adored and now Ben. Cenk, you better not leave us!

by mariyahwest on 08/29/2007 05:03:08 PM EST

by ali3333eg on 03/12/2009 12:17:27 PM EST