Morning Joe: A second look…
When Don Imus got dropped from MSNBC, the timeslot meandered for quite a while during which MSNBC tried to figure out what to do with the slot and what would work. It became pretty clear early on that Joe Scarborough would be fronting the program with Mika Brzezinski handling the news updates but the program rotated through a series of “sidekicks” in the third chair and the format seemed unfocussed. The timing couldn’t have been worse for the network becuase Imus had been building steam to the point that I would argue it contributed to the host changes on CNN’s American Morning. But minus Imus, the timeslot cratered and stopped being a threat to CNN. I was beginning to start thinking about taking odds on how much longer Morning Joe would last.
But then MSNBC moved to 30 Rock and Morning Joe changed. Dramatically. Clearly MSNBC had been waiting for the move to implement these changes but unless you’d been watching the show, and the ratings showed that not a lot of people were, you might not have noticed.
Before the move Joe was the center of attention. After the move, the airtime was more evenly divided amongst Joe, Mika, and Willie Geist. Joe is still the headliner but now you’ll see segments where it’s just Willie by himself. Or Mika by herself. Or just two of the three. The segments became tighter. More higher profile guests began appearing; for example Rush Limbaugh, Presidential Candidates and Celebrities. And the number of in studio guests shot up to, something that was a problem even when Imus was on the air.
Morning Joe’s numbers haven’t changed that much since the move to 30 Rock but it’s hardly the same program it was before the move. The question yet to be answered it whether this new and improved version of Morning Joe will gain traction and take MSNBC back to where it was when Imus was on the air.
Either way, MJ stinks!
Comment by Anonymous — November 14, 2007 @ 10:07 am
From what I see (admittedly not much only on MSNBC.com). It looks good, three anchors much like F&F but a more upscale feel.
Comment by Mike Beckham — November 14, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Full disclosure: I’m an Imus fan who hopes his comback is not politically correct. The whole affaire was an appalling display of self-righteous hypocrisy, manufactured outrage and craven cowardly behaior by network executives.
I have nothing against Joe Scarborough. In my view, however, his show has actually gotten more dull and boring than when he first took over the slot. I did not think that was possible. Mika is incredibly lame and has absolutely nothing intelligent or witty to say on any subject. Willie was initially enjoyable, but has also descended into the doldrums of humor. Their so-called banter is so tedious, homogenized and redundant. And finally, those “must read” higligheted newspaper segments are so infantile — we did this in the 6th grade! If they at least had something provocative or insightful to comment, may be it would be worthwile. It seems that they need to rely on these “must read” segments because they themselves do not possess the intellectual resources to make the show interesting and compelling. Morning Joe is as fluffy as the Today.
Comment by ind2002 — November 14, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Hey, since Imus is going to be on RFD, the “followers” better hurry up and get a dish or directv, eh.
http://tinyurl.com/2zpnxl
Comment by Terance — November 14, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Morning Joe’s format has improved but the cast of characters are the same. The show is boring and uninspiring.
You can dress up the pig but it’s still a pig.
Comment by Bob — November 14, 2007 @ 10:24 am
Quoting Hank WIlliams:
“Good-bye, Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh”
Since MJ was born with a guitar in his hands, I’m sure the CCR version of “Jambalaya” is running through his mind.
G’bye Joe…Hello again Don.
Comment by Rich — November 14, 2007 @ 10:39 am
Amen - I dont care if MJ moved it’s show to the Trump Tower, it still is boring, self-absorbed, and minus a life!
Comment by john — November 14, 2007 @ 10:48 am
From Spud’s description (I don’t watch it myself) it would seem “Morning Joe” is morphing into a cable “Today Show”.
Comment by Grandpa D — November 14, 2007 @ 11:09 am
I never warmed to Morning Joe. Bye bye. I’ll be watching RFD-TV at 6 am on 12/3
Comment by moonbeam — November 14, 2007 @ 11:11 am
MSNBC is over. Move to 30 Rock is a precursor to the final act, “2008 Olympics”. Imus returns and that is all that matters to me…goodbye joe.
Comment by channelxrfr — November 14, 2007 @ 11:12 am
I can’t wait for Imus to come back,I have not watched MSNBC because of their shameful treatment of Imus.
Comment by Ethan Brom — November 14, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Most people are instantly turned off by Mika Breshniksky or whatever her name is. For some reason this middle aged lady thinks she is hot………….
Comment by mary — November 14, 2007 @ 11:39 am
I refuse to watch as long as Mika is on the show. She just rubs people the wrong way.
Comment by mary — November 14, 2007 @ 11:40 am
It’s definitely improved, I’d agree, but I’m not quite as enthused as Spud. Joe still needs to tone down his attempts at humor and just try to seem at ease. Leave the humor to Willie and Mika, who in my opinion could carry this show on their own.
Comment by berberry — November 14, 2007 @ 11:51 am
I read that Imus is going to be, Imus in the Evening also on HDTV so RFDTV in the Morning, and HDTV in the Evening…works for me.
Mourning Joe- I don’t drink decaf! The only thing Joe has going on for him he is a Bama Fan.
Comment by Ree — November 14, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Morning Joe will never catch on. Never. Besides with Imus coming back on December 3rd on WABC and RFDtv, MSNBC can hang it up.
Comment by Anne B — November 14, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
here’s the release about Imus…
http://www.rfdtv.com/Press/Releases/HTML/Don_Imus_Returns.asp
Comment by moonbeam — November 14, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
I watch when I can, and I do think its improved since moving to 30 rock. Willie outside with the tree, taking a shot at the whole green is universal week, was funny. And there is more room for guests going upstairs from the today show in the future. I liked imus, but morning joe is growing on me. It has potential, but a long way to go.
Comment by chase — November 14, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
The only way I would watch M.J. after December 03 is if Mika reads the news naked with a FedEx envelope on her head, ha!
Comment by Dave-Brentwood — November 14, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
Of the three, MJ is the most watchable I think. F&F is too happy go lucky and CNN takes itself too seriously. That’s not to say its a great show, but it’s what I watch every morning because, to me, its the best of the choices out there.
Comment by Justin Williams — November 14, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
First I am happy that RFD-TV picked up IMUS. Second, Willie Geist has been on Tucker’s show lately. Guess to boost his ratings.
And finally and most importantly. Nothing will help Joe Scarborough and Company. The Titanic has not hit the iceberg yet, but when it does on December 3rd it will only have 2 hours and 40 minutes to stay afloat. Ironically the Titanic sank on April 15th. Imus was fired on April 12th. But history is changing. “Morning Joe” sinks on December 3rd. Hope he has a life vest.
Comment by Bruce — November 14, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
I have missed Tucker and Willie, but nothing MSNBC has to offer is of interest to me. I will be tuned in to RFD-TV with millions of others as we try to wash the grime of the last few months off! Welcome back, Don and team. You have been sorely missed and have a lot of time to make up. You will now be in a great setting to point out manure where you find it. As for Newsweek and NBC types, that’s when I will go and fix my face for the day. I have much shopping to do with the companies who choose to buy ads on the Imus in the Morning show.
Comment by Bobbie — November 14, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
MSNBC who???? Haven’t watched since the day they let Imus go!
Joe who??????
Our cowboy is coming back to town so mark your calendars…12/3/07!
Comment by Albina — November 14, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Spud: Talk to me buddy. It may be time to add RFD-TV to your list of stations. If it’s not news now…wait til your rating for dec 3 hit.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/arts/television/14imus.html?_r=1&ref=television&oref=slogin
Comment by Rich — November 14, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
“Morning Joe” is unwatchable….a low-quality borefest incapacitated by a dull, at times clueless host who pales in comparison to his predecessor, Don Imus.
It has zero zip, and the new 30 Rock location doesn’t change this…..the only positive is Willie Geist, but he cannot lift this mess out of its own muck.
The competition is laughable as well…all the more reason why MSNBC is showing off its renowned incompetence by foisting this 3 hour joke on its viewers…both of ‘em.
Comment by Nick D. — November 14, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
I vowed never to watch MJ, but when flipping through channels Monday, I believe, Mika and Joe were going at it for a while. Joe said she was condescending, and it looked like a real serious run-in there for a while. Mika actually seemed to try to calm things down, but Scarborough would have gone at it with her. Thir little spat kept me watching, anyway!
Comment by Missy — November 14, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
ThEir little spat.
Comment by Missy — November 14, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
That sounds like compelling TV, watching two boring people argue about who is more condescending. I’d rather pull out my eyelashes. It was nice to see Willie back on Tucker but the new guy is okay.
Comment by moonbeam — November 14, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
I honestly think the show HAS improved since the move and the on-air trio is growing on me. Used to watch Robin and Company, but CNN has screwed that up by speeding up the pace and trimming the personality factor. I’m liking Morning Joe these days and appreciate the fact they let interviews run a bit longer than most shows, if they’re interesting. The set is nice, graphics are great and the camera moves keep things interesting
Comment by dk55 — November 14, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
I have tried to watch MJ. He is a tedious interviewer. His show is boring, and uninspriing. It will never catch on, and after December 3rd, the ratings will drop further. Then, he will ALWAYS be in 4th place. I would love you to add Imus’ ratings on RFD-TV, as a comparison…would be interesing.
Comment by cas — November 14, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
Here’s a direct link to email your cable company to request RFD TV.
http://www.rfdtv.com/findrfdtv/
FREE IMUS!!!!!! IWANT MY RFD!!!!!
Comment by Harley — November 14, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Imus in the Morning will be repeated from 6-9 stealing viewers from MSNBC yet again. Payback is a bitch.
Comment by moonbeam — November 14, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Morning Joe is somewhat tolerable, but it still has a long way to go in my opinion, before it’s anything special. The ratings are also pretty bad for the show.
Too bad I don’t get RFD-TV. I have Comcast in NJ.
Comment by Christopher — November 14, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
Morning Joe is a snoozefest and I’m hearing Joe and Mika don’t even get along. Not a good sign if they’re already tense a few months in…
Christopher - Time Warner doesn’t carry it so we’re getting DirectTV.
Comment by Melanie — November 14, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Where are you hearing that, Melanie? That’s very interesting, because I thought it seemed like there was some sort of tension between those two recently. All the more reason not to like Joe, as far as I’m concerned.
If MSNBC is not going to go outside to find someone to host this mess, maybe they should try swapping Joe with Dan Abrams. I’ve never been a huge fan of Dan’s, but I think he might have better chemestry with Mika and Willie.
Comment by berberry — November 14, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
I don’t think anything will ever fix the morning mess. At least with Imus they could guarantee that they would at least beat Headline News. Now they barely ever do.
MSNBC is just a mess.
Comment by Christopher — November 14, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
Goodbye and good riddance to Imus. Someone put the old man out to pasture Let him retire.
Morning Joe is a fun program to watch. Joe’s always has something interesting to say and Mika is a classy lady that really is hot.
Comment by John B. — November 14, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
I have DirecTV and already get RFD TV but I won’t be watching that old, obnoxious self centered jerk Imus on it.
Morning Joe’s a better show and John’s right Mika is hot and also a class act.
Comment by MikeG — November 14, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
I guess John and Mike are Morning Joe’s two viewers. Glad they have some support because they are going to need it when radio icon, Don Imus, returns on 12/3. Mika is old - hot is not the word my husband has used to describe her…what is she, 45-50?
Comment by Melanie — November 14, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
#20, I’d have to agree with you there, I mean, the new look for Robin is good but the speed is a little much to me, F&F has always been kind of the triplets who can’t stop making stupid remarks, and CNN itself has just been too bland to create a news program. None of them really catch my eye most of the time, and usually I’m not up to watch them on the west coast, so I usually just catch the first hour of CNN Newsroom before running out the door.
Comment by Chris (clind) — November 14, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZr6-DJ-2Pc
This is dedicated to Morning Joe and MSNBC, especially Steve Capus.
Comment by Anne B — November 14, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Screw MSNBC. Don’t watch the garbage.
Comment by Tom — November 14, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
Robin is the best of the group….little fast but that should settle with time. Rightwingnut Joe is just another poor attempt to steal Faux News viewers…
Comment by hiflyer — November 15, 2007 @ 9:24 am
It is every bad saying…paint drying, grass growing. It’s
truly a bore.
Comment by Liz — November 15, 2007 @ 10:22 am
Melanie your husband must be blind.
Mika is a fine looking lady and she is closer to 35 than 50.
Joe and Mika make a good balance and work well together.
Joes a GOP and Mika’s dad worked for Jimmy Carter.
Comment by DonDeAgo — November 16, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
i prefer MJ to the other two cable
morning shows. Mika B is about the
thruthiest chic on the tube. Joes a
bit of a dud for sure but he and Mika
balance eachother quite well.
i cant stand the 3 stooges on F&F’s.
CNN is def the most boring morning show
around.
Comment by joshe — November 17, 2007 @ 12:38 am
MJ is an embarrassment to MSNBC due to Scarborough’s unprofessionalism. He makes every 3rd story about himself or his family, compulsively pokes fun at others, but whines when others criticize him (”it make my mother cry”) and spouts off incorrect information with abandon. He’s got the worse combination of narcissism and poor impulse control. How long with MSNBC put up with this buffoon?
Comment by Chris — December 11, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Get Mika off the air….she is so banal and uninformed about what she’s reporting and who she’s interviewing it’s embarassing. She clearly has no idea about politics and yet they’ve cast her around the country with Joe Scarborough following the primaries. She sits there smarming, smiling and nodding apporval at herself in the camera and when she does pipe up it’s usually with a disarmingly dumb comment. She said Edwards would become a kingmaker for Clinton, and this morning told Axelrod ‘her sense’ is that the Republicans would prefer to run against Hillary than Obama (duh!). You can see Scarborough squirming in his seat…
Comment by No thanks — January 29, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
MSNBC has a strong civil suit against whoever hired cHucKLeHeaD Mika. Why not just have a recording of her chiming in with an endless series of childish interuptions, “hhhmmm… yeeeah” Oh Boy.. Yes! Woow! Oh No.. HHhhmmmmm… Uh-Oh.. Right! hhhHHMMMM.. Oh no?” …As she poses over and over for the camera.. (Hey look at ME folks!)
Comment by Ed Cage — July 27, 2008 @ 6:45 am
I am convinced that meka is just a stooge, she will go with every position , she has no back bone or generic opinion, just nod and agree, what a waist of time.
Comment by Deryck — September 5, 2008 @ 10:52 am