CNN Greenlights Van Jones-Hosted Series

CNN political commentator Van Jones will host a new bimonthly prime-time series on the network beginning in January.

CNN’s one-hour The Van Jones Show will build on Jones’ The Messy Truth town hall shows that aired on CNN throughout 2017 by speaking directly to voters across the country to explore the raw, emotional policy debates and culture wars taking place in America, according to the news network.

In addition to The Van Jones Show, CNN has greenlit the production of a second Jones-hosted series, which will focus on reconciliation, hope and redemption within the criminal justice system. The as-yet-named series will be developed in collaboration with Citizen Jones, a production company.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.