MSNBC goes left…and Tucker goes bye-bye?
In a must read, The New York Times’ Jacques Steinberg writes about MSNBC “going left”. And note the speculation regarding the future of “Tucker”. Carlson’s contract is set to expire soon. Will it be renewed? And does his much talked about sign-off at the end of his show last Friday relate at all to that?
But even without Ms. O’Donnell, MSNBC already presents a three-hour block of nighttime talk — Chris Matthews’s “Hardball” at 7, Mr. Olbermann at 8, and “Live With Dan Abrams” at 9 — in which the White House takes a regular beating. The one early-evening program on MSNBC that is often most sympathetic to the administration, “Tucker” with Tucker Carlson at 6 p.m., is in real danger of being canceled, said one NBC executive, who, like those who spoke of Ms. O’Donnell, would do so only on condition of anonymity.
Having a prime-time lineup that tilts ever more demonstrably to the left could be risky for General Electric, MSNBC’s parent company, which is subject to legislation and regulation far afield of the cable landscape. Officials at MSNBC emphasize that they never set out to create a liberal version of Fox News.
“It happened naturally,” Phil Griffin, a senior vice president of NBC News who is the executive in charge of MSNBC, said Friday, referring specifically to the channel’s passion and point of view from 7 to 10 p.m. “There isn’t a dogma we’re putting through. There is a ‘Go for it.’”
Why do they act like MSNBC is turning Liberal?…it’s been Liberal since it began…the only difference now is their not trying to hide it.
Comment by mlong — November 6, 2007 @ 1:45 am
Msnbc will continue to suck no matter who they fire or hire.
Comment by A.W. — November 6, 2007 @ 1:49 am
Ha! I’ll believe the “Go for it.” bit when I see them give Michelle Malkin or Tony Snow a show and tell them to “Go for it.” I know Scarborough claims to be a conservative, but he’s had a bit too much kool-aid in his years at MSDNC.
Comment by Laurel — November 6, 2007 @ 1:51 am
I remember back in early 2005, MSNBC was touting Tucker as the ratings savior. MSNBC was live until midnight! Granted The Situation was a pretty decent show, a political Pardon The Interruption, MSNBC was stupid bumping him back to 4pm (plus adding Rita Cosby). The show was never the same when he moved back to DC and did all hard news. Also, the Beat The Press segments seemed hypocritical. Maybe Tucker will go back to his old roots (bowtie) and become a commentator for Fox News. He’s running out of news networks to work for.
Comment by Matt — November 6, 2007 @ 2:04 am
Now you know why Morning Joe is as liberal as it is. Scarborough sold his sould to stay employed at the network that features Olby, Matthews and now Rosie The Hut
Comment by eddiebear — November 6, 2007 @ 2:16 am
I love the hypocrisy of posters ‘damning’ MSNBC for having alot of ‘liberal’ commentators. Where are their outrage at all the Conservative commentators on FOX? I don’t see a problem with MSNBC balancing FOX out a little on Cable.
Comment by Mike Beckham — November 6, 2007 @ 3:23 am
FOX at least makes an attempt to balance themselves. They don’t do a great job, but they make an attempt. MSNBC primetime is filled with all anti-Bush people if they hire Rosie… FOX has Allan and Greta, who doesn’t even cover politics. O’Reilly is critical over GWB on a lot of things as well, he is hardly a whipping boy for pushing lots of the White House’ agenda…
Comment by Nobody — November 6, 2007 @ 5:20 am
“FOX at least makes an attempt to balance themselves.”
Mike, you see what we have to deal with here.
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 5:32 am
The NYT is off in regards to its assertion that Tucker is “sympathetic” to the Bush Administration. Carlson routinely bashes the Administration’s wild spending and denounces the Iraq war. What I guess they are picking up on is his constant bashing of Hillary Clinton, but that is based on her plans to expand government (Carlson is a libertarian). But he is by no means a water carrier for the President.
It would be disappointing to see Tucker’s show cancelled…but I guess there was a message in that send-off they referenced.
Comment by FishOil — November 6, 2007 @ 5:57 am
The difference between the Fox News & MSNBC is night & day. Fox solicits viewpoints from both sides of the issue. A great example is on BOR’s Monday show Kirsten Powers (Democrat) & “used to be” Michell Malkin.
MSNBC has:
Chris Matthews (Left)
KO (Looney Left)
Dan Abrams (Left)
Adding Rosie O’Donnell (Lunatic Left) would just reinforce the notion that MSNBC doesn’t care about offering different viewpoints. They might as well just announce that they don’t care about objectivity and ratings.
It’ll make it even harder for anyone to view MSNBC as a network with honesty & integrity.
Comment by Rich — November 6, 2007 @ 7:59 am
I can’t stand Rosie O’Donnell, but I’m in the minority. I used to like her old show, when she was ‘nice’ and a ‘gracious host’, but not anymore. It’s short sighted, she will not wear well over time….
Comment by cas — November 6, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Talk about fair and balanced Sean Hannity all day on his radio show spews hateful and negative things about Hillary, and Alan Combs supposed to be the balanced libral view point. Gimme a break.
Comment by chi — November 6, 2007 @ 8:33 am
Someone help me here, please. MSNBC is saying that they’re creating a voice for those who are upset by this current administration. The last time I checked, Bush will be out at the end of ‘08. When (or if) the Democrats take office, what will MSNBC bash then? Really, this just seems like a 1 year strategy. I dunno how they think it will work past ‘08…
Comment by Anonymous — November 6, 2007 @ 8:48 am
“this just seems like a 1 year strategy…’
Thats right 12. GE doesn’t care what Griffin does (he fails a lot) . NBCU will spun off after the Olympics….. next year. Bank on it.
Comment by Big Brother — November 6, 2007 @ 9:41 am
So if Rosie is on MSNBC that means she will also be on Fox. The morning trio have already done many segments on Rosie this morning. What is the obsession? They are showing clips of Rosie comments all morning.
Comment by tess — November 6, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Anonymous, if we must play off this book, they will probably be steadfast against the Republicans in the Congress and House of Rep. and any opposition to the probably Democratic majorities. With that, you can gaurentee FNC will be steadfast against the Democrats and CNN will be the middle ground as it current is a good amount of the time.
Either way, a good amount of MSNBC is still pure news content, mainly the MSNBC Live hours, alike to CNN’s Newsroom, and now FNC has no actual generic news coverage weekdays.
Comment by Chris (clind) — November 6, 2007 @ 9:48 am
If MSNBC decides to not re-new Tucker Carlson’s contract, then it will be evident beyond a shadow of a doubt that MSNBC as a whole has gone Liberal. If this happens and some think it will, then(Fox)News Corp. should jump at the chance to hire him. As far as the reports of hiring Rosie O’Donnell, this may be a good move on MSNBC’s part…after all, they have no one who gets good enough ratings to actually make it look competitive against Fox News. Maybe she will actually bring in more brain-damaged people to watch the train-wreck of a show that I am sure she will have. But we all know that she will never truly be compettiton for Fox…maybe for Larry King, but who cares about that old man, he doesn’t even get his facts straight with his guests anymore. Or did anyone NOT see his “revealing” conversation with Jerry Seinfeld the other night?
Comment by Kris — November 6, 2007 @ 9:56 am
> Talk about fair and balanced Sean Hannity all day on his radio show spews hateful and negative things about Hillary, and Alan Combs supposed to be the balanced libral view point.
I don’t understand this comment at all. What does Hannity’s radio show (which runs three hours, not all day) have to do with FNC? Fox has nothing to do with Hannity’s radio show–it’s on WABC anc syndicated by Citadel. And as far as Colmes is concerned, he has three hours on the radio too. Only his radio show IS on Fox.
Comment by johnny dollar — November 6, 2007 @ 10:14 am
tucker doesn’t really suit politicks
bring back his old show and run it instead of the doc block
put Abrams show back at 6 or w.e time it was at, put joe back at 9
since they wont bring Imus back to the morning slot
give willie that morning show or someone who doesn’t mind working those hours
Comment by don — November 6, 2007 @ 10:51 am
may I add it seems no one really wants to be there working the morning slot
Comment by don — November 6, 2007 @ 10:52 am
J$. Having a hate monger on fox dosen’t look good on FNC. His radio show can be on any radio station. SH spewing hate on FNC dosn’t make it any better. Why will conservatives have problem with it if Rosie have an opposing view point?
Comment by chi — November 6, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Tucker is the only show I watch since they canned Imus. Bye-bye MSNBC.
Comment by moonbeam — November 6, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Tucker was great in the morning too. MSNBC just has no clue. They’re becoming the radio equivalent of Air America
Comment by moonbeam — November 6, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Tucker keep your head up, your being squeezed out at MSNBC your in good Company…it is time to Party, Party, Party!!! Man the lifeboats and grab Willie Geist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nzxK3MKbgY
Comment by Ree — November 6, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Great timing for me. I need a new refrigerator, and am very loyal to GE appliances. But since I am sick of the new far left agenda that MSNBC has adopted, I will now start buying Kitchen Aid instead!
Comment by Missy — November 6, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Missy, to think we got all new GE Profile appliances last year! Actually, the expensive stainless steel frig sucks. I’ll never buy GE again.
Comment by moonbeam — November 6, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Chi, pointing our the hypocrisy of the loony left is not “hate mongering”. Please provide examples if you’re going to make blanket statements like that.
I won’t hold my breath….
Comment by bigred — November 6, 2007 @ 11:43 am
“I don’t see a problem with MSNBC balancing FOX out a little on Cable.”
Its the other way around FOX is the balance to MSNBC,CNN,ABC,NBC,CBS,PBS and CNBC.
Comment by mlong — November 6, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Who after Rosie? Louis Farrakhan sounds about right for the America haters at MSNBC.
Comment by foxmeansbusiness — November 6, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Someone help me here, please. MSNBC is saying that they’re creating a voice for those who are upset by this current administration. The last time I checked, Bush will be out at the end of ‘08. When (or if) the Democrats take office, what will MSNBC bash then?
What did Fox do when they got the administration of their dreams? Folded their tents and closed shop, right? Oh wait, they didn’t. They continued in their role as lickspittle mouthpieces for the RNC.
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
8. “FOX at least makes an attempt to balance themselves.”
Mike, you see what we have to deal with here.
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 5:32 am
Um… people who actually watch the network, and don’t just simply chirp back the talking points from the “hate FOX” crowd? Must be tough.
21. J$. Having a hate monger on fox dosen’t look good on FNC. His radio show can be on any radio station. SH spewing hate on FNC dosn’t make it any better. Why will conservatives have problem with it if Rosie have an opposing view point?
Comment by chi — November 6, 2007 @ 11:02 am
This is a difference between “hate” as you call it… and disagreeing with your opinions. Hannity is a hardcore Republican… and thusly he doesn’t like the policies of Democrats, and believes that they are wrong most of the time. This is no different than any of the Air America crew, or any other hardcore liberal radio host. The only difference, is that you get personally offended, because he says that “you” and people who agree with “you” are wrong. That’s why you’re upset. It’s not hate… it’s just disagreement.
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 6, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Fox isn’t all conservatives. Colmes and Geraldo are liberals. Shep Smith is a-political. Greta is a liberal. Tucker is the only last moderate voice on MSNBC for moderates like me. I’ll be sorry to see him go but will follow wherever he lands.
Comment by moonbeam — November 6, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Arthur, Lickspittle? really, Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back? Joe Dirt GRIN
What is CNN, HLN and MSNBC, hint, they all tilt to the left at least lean in a westerly direction..there is one channel Fox that tilts right, and it has to be critized for this precieved bias but the left leaning networks, shouldn’t be critized? What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander.
Comment by Ree — November 6, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
“Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back?”
Hey, ‘you idiot’, Jesus loves everyone. Just ask LeAnn. Heh.
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Arthur, it really isn’t nice to call someone an “idiot”. Jesus does love everyone as he did die for our sins.
BTW, I’m still waiting for you to denounce DailyKos & MoveOn.Org as hate filled organizations. When are you going to step up and say they’re filled with hate?
Come on Arthur and tell us again how there is no hate on the left.
Comment by Rich — November 6, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
Let’s make a distinction here. Hannity is a commentator. So is O’Reilly. That is how Fox bills them. MSNBC on the other hand has Olbermann as their “signature anchor” and alleged “journalist” who is allowed to do commentary which is far left at best and to the radical left at its worst. I’d have zero problem with either MSNBC or Olbermann if they’d just relabel him correctly as an commentator. I watch some of the Fox shows–and Shep Smith seems liberal if anything. We know Greta is because she’s admitted as much. The Fox & Friends in the morning show seems like one giant GOP cheerleading show to me so I don’t watch it. But I have to say that if you just watch a straight Fox news show, guess what? It’s straight news and I can honestly say that in the shows I do watch, I don’t see the biases. Perhaps if a few more people here watched instead of painting them with a broad brush, they’d get that it’s not 100% GOP-Friendly. Because it’s not. But you know what? If their commentators love the GOP, that’s their right because it’s their opinion and that’s what commentators do. Meanwhile, you have MSNBC & Olbermann trying to pretend he has a news show and is a “journalist” when he’s anything but. To me, their trying to sign Rosie is just one more huge red flag waving in the wind that shows just how far to the left they are turning. Will people complain about them as much as they’ve villified Fox? I doubt it. But make no mistake, there is very little difference except in the labeling and at least Fox is honest in their labels, which is more than I can say for MSNBC.
Comment by Alison — November 6, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
“Arthur, it really isn’t nice to call someone an “idiot”. Jesus does love everyone as he did die for our sins.”
Please follow the link provided and acknowledge that I was quoting another.
There’s something about the manner in which modern-day right-wing Jesus-spouters promote his teachings that don’t exactly inspire one to emulate them.
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
… er… ‘that doesn’t actually inspire’…
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
Arthur, I tell you what I’ll help you out here…
1) Yes, I do love Jesus as my Lord & Savior…does it make me a “right wing” Jesus spouter…I don’t preach my faith unto others but I won’t back down from it.
2) It’s funny being labeled a right wing Jesus spouter since I’m married to a left wing liberal who respects my views and doesn’t try to change me nor do I try to change her views. I’m also a registered independent.
3) I have enough respect for other’s opinions (unlike you Arthur who belittle others) and refuse to answer questions posed to you.
Arthur, I’m going to keep asking this question…Do you believe MoveOn.Org & DailyKos are hate filled organizations? Previously, you’ve stated that BOR’s website is “right wing hate speech” yet you refuse to condemn the far left web sites…why is that Arthur?
Comment by Rich — November 6, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Arthur, I was expecting a photo of Velvet Jesus or Myspace Jesus. I didn’t mean to set everybody off, I was joking around, quoting Joe Dirt…oh so everybody knows I watch Comedy Central now. Peace everybody. I don’t know why people don’t get Arthur’s dry wit.
Comment by Ree — November 6, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
I was joking too, Ree (altho’ I don’t think LeAnn was) - we should have known it would set them off.
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Rich - did you even bother to follow the link to the person (who commented on this site) that I was quoting? Please do so before accusing me of ‘belittling others’.
Comment by Arthur — November 6, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER,
FIRE HIM MSNBC AND YOUR WEAK AUDIENCE WILL DWINDLE EVEN FURTHER. ALL I WATCH YOU FOR IS WILLIE GEIST, TUCKER, AND TAMRON HALL.
Comment by Aaron — November 6, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
I switched from Satellite to cable when Murdoch was buying the satellite company. I have subscribed to the WSJ for 40 years and am not renewing my subscription. If I could remove the unbalanced digital scandal sheet and Republican PR station they call Fox from my cable subscription I would. Go MSNBC! GO BBC! GO NPR! All we need is a NYT station. So long Sucker.
Comment by Rubato — November 7, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
Okay, Mr. Rubato (ha! I made a funny)… if you like living in a little echo chamber where you only get to hear one point of view… and you’re committed to only listening to those who tell you what you want to hear… fine. I guess I’m just surprised that so many people are so egotistical (and yet unstable) that they need to feel they’re right all the time… and refused to be challenged.
Perhaps you’re right… but then again, if I followed your model, and only listened to people I thought were right… I guess I’d never find out if you were.
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 8, 2007 @ 3:48 am