MSNBC’s set up, but not fully functional…
This morning at 8, MSNBC Live began with Alex Witt from the MSNBC set but you could tell right away that things weren’t completely back to normal. Clue #1: The anchor desk was missing. It had been replaced by the circular glass table/desk used on Morning Joe. Clue #2: Camera orientation has not changed, apparently, for the entire broadcast. This means one of three things; either there’s a part of the set (wall monitors or the blue/red lighting panels for example) which isn’t working that they don’t want us to see or they can’t light the set properly in other areas. Or perhaps both. The third possibility is that something blew up in the news desk itself when it was being rotated during a commercial break. This would explain why they’re using the Morning Joe desk this morning as I see no reason why they couldn’t be using the regular desk. Two things that are definitely not broken are the video projection wall and the bank of monitors next to it which show outdoor pictures.
Two questions remain to be answered. One, how bad is the damage? Two, how long will it take to fix?
Update: It was the third scenario. ICN hears that when the desk was rotated something shorted out. It should be repaired by Monday.
And a third question, considering NBCU 2.0 cost cutting, how much is it going to cost?
Comment by Grandpa D — December 2, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Looking at it, at least this happened during the weekend when they operate only a few hours live allowing them time to tinker and fix these problems in that section of the studio and leave them broadcasting updates from the newsroom hole.
Still, not to this severity, but how common are cables and other items breaking or being disconnected without them knowing happen at the cable nets? I can still remember in the late days of the old DaySide set that FNL would broadcast from there and on occasion you’d see screens in the back where the cables appeared loose since the looping logo video was snowy or just poor overall.
Comment by Chris (clind) — December 2, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
“MSNBC set up, but not fully functional… ”
Your post’s title describes MSNBC perfectly…….
Comment by Nick D. — December 2, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
Chris (clind) - In regards to the loose cable situation… that may not quite be the case. In most instances, it is cheaper for a television studio to build their own cables. They’ll get the actual cables themselves on a spool, cut them to length, and attach the appropriate adapters at the end. A poorly built cable (usually an improperly affixed adapter) can result in poor picture quality.
Cables breaking are more common than you’d think… especially when you consider the amount of cables needed throughout the whole studio. Hundreds of thousands of cables… and in some instances, it only takes one, to bring everything else down.
Comment by ImNotBlue — December 2, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Bah, we are going to be infiltrated here by Imus supporters this whole week, aren’t we?
INB, thanks for the information, always kind of interesting to hear about some of the more internals on occasion. Back on topic though, at least that’s some good news for MSNBC, and like said in a past post, thank heavens this happened during the weekend.
Comment by Chris (clind) — December 2, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Being infiltrated by Imus supporters.. Not a bad thing.
Having an open mind to your cable choices.
Watch what you like and let others do the same.
…..
Comment by JAB — December 2, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
I’ve been restrained for the most part over this Imus infiltration but geeze people, your guy is back on the air, give it a rest…
Comment by Spud — December 2, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
A most amazing thing happened on the Eve of Imus’ return to the New York Air Waves. Morning “JOKE” blows a fuse and burns up the set. It wasn’t the cables or the wires. It was being bored to death that cause this temporary disaster.
I feel sorry for the 10 people that watch Morning “JOKE”. He and Mika might need a bathroom stall to broadcast from next. The show is already in the toilet.
Comment by Bruce — December 2, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
MSNBC will get the set work right.
Comment by Dan — December 2, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
bruce, thank you for adding to the intelligent discourse of this page.
very insightful. Morning JOKE.. hahahahaha — well played.
Comment by marc — December 2, 2007 @ 9:35 pm
I vowed on April 12, 2007 never again to watch MSNBC. With the exception of a presidential debate, I have stuck to that. I laugh whenever I see Morning Joke’s ratings nightmare. I will be tuning into Imus tomorrow. While doing so, I will be laughing at CBS radio, MSNBC, and all the “holier than thou” fools. Welcome back Imus!
Comment by Burns — December 2, 2007 @ 10:23 pm
I don’t like the new set at all, nor do I like their new web site format! If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!
Comment by cranberry — December 2, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
Hey Spud…Imus infiltrators are YOUR FANS TOO! We’ve watched your reporting for a long time before the NBC decision & probably more since.
You try to be objective & honest…I like that. Though I think you may have become enamoured by MSNBC since they granted you your special access to their new studio.
Spud we like what you do. Please consider posting Imus’ new show numbers…if they SUCK…most of us will get out of your hair.
Ask your friends at MSNBC if they really think the Imus thing could have been handled differently. I’ll bet the ones getting a pink-slip soon will explain how poorly NBC backs it’s employees. That’s news too.
You’re right…our guy is back & we should give it a rest. But it won’t keep us from cheering when MJ’s numbers are worthy of a 5am local show in Two-dot Montana.
Comment by Rich — December 3, 2007 @ 5:33 am
Rich, RFD has less subs than FBN. So, in my understanding, that isn’t even enough to get rated.
Anyway, I thought the Imus groupies PROMISED to stop making every thread about him once he returned? Well, a canned Imus Ranch special is on now and about :20 until he returns.
Comment by Terance — December 3, 2007 @ 6:41 am
I’m not going to be posting about Imus anymore. He’s not on MSNBC and the issue of his departure is now old news. Unless he picks a long public protracted fight with MSNBC, I see no reason why I should be writing about him.
As for his numbers I don’t have access to that info.
Comment by Spud — December 3, 2007 @ 11:18 am
I get you Spud…but the Iman explained that just about the entire MSNBC IITM production staff has moved to RFD. Do you have any insight into that?
Comment by Rich — December 3, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
Nope.
Comment by Spud — December 3, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Spud,
Without sounding self-serving. The Imus gang which includes me adds to your hits. And we all were interested what you had to say.
Continue to show how MSNBC is tanking. You do not have to mention Imus.
Comment by Bruce — December 4, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Only MSNBC can come up with the stupid ideas. Instead of Bill Wolff an Maddow, why not his wife. Now thats a show worth watching. Also, MSNBC needs to tank Abrams. He is going on the assumption that bashing the President translates to ratings. It only works for those that want to sell books. Look at Keith, Chris, Tucker, its no wonder NBC is losing money.
Comment by Homjett — December 11, 2007 @ 3:14 pm