Tucker Carlson joins MSNBC

SECAUCUS, N.J., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Former CNN "Crossfire" commentator Tucker Carlson will get a prime time show on MSNBC, the cable channel announced Wednesday.

MSNBC President Rick Kaplan said Carlson would start work next week and the show would premiere in the second quarter of 2005.

Carlson was part of the talent line-up on CNN's "Crossfire" until CNN canceled the show. Kaplan said Carlson would continue as host of his weekly PBS show "Tucker Carlson Unfiltered" while working for MSNBC.

"He is without a doubt one of the sharpest minds and best writers in this business," Kaplan said.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to do something creative and original in cable television," Carlson said.

Carlson has been a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers including the New York Times, the Weekly Standard, the Wall Street Journal and Esquire.