We know for sure that NBC has bought the MS out of MSNBC. The name is going for sure and soon. Now, the scuttlebutt is that the programming chief, whose love story with Matthews, Carlson and Scarborough hasn't garnered any Oscar or ratings buzz, is on a fast ride out. Also making the rounds, they will dump live daytime news for all canned programming (probably adding a third shift of reruns). We should all send MSNBC a message that if they want their reinvention to be a success they can start with us. Below is the email that I sent to
MSNBC
. Please send them your progressive programming ideas as well.
This is the kind of tripe that chases away half of Matthews audience:
< MATTHEWS (about Hillary Clinton): Is she a socialist?
BOEHNER: Uh, no. I've worked with her on a number of issues --
MATTHEWS: Well, on the issue of health care, is she a socialist?
BOEHNER: She would be to the left of most people I know.
MATTHEWS: But not a socialist?
BOEHNER: I wouldn't go that far.
MATTHEWS: You wouldn't go that far? What stops you?
BOEHNER: I don't like labeling of people.
MATTHEWS: You call her a liberal. You called it Hillarycare.
BOEHNER: I don't want to call her a socialist.
MATTHEWS: Could she carry Ohio in the general?
BOEHNER: I don't think so.
MATTHEWS: Who could beat her?
BOEHNER: Anybody.
MATTHEWS: Anybody. Strong words. We'll be right back with House Majority Leader John Boehner. You can see this man's greatness. >
You're net isn't going to steal any of Fox's number because they all KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GETTING WITH FOX.
OLBERMAN: is outperforming against O'REILLY and JOHN STEWART.
THROATY McHUSKY: is doing well in the most boring timeslot of the evening doing a decent NANCY GRACE immitation.
Now look at your three blatantly rightwing shows, SCARBOROUGH, CARLSON and (yes he is) MATTHEWS all underperform for the timeslots and the marketing pumped at them.
Give OLBERMANN 4 and 8, let DAVID GREGORY toss the HARDBALLSs 3 and 7, leave team SCARBOROUGH with REAGAN and ABRAMS at 5 through 6 and relocate DATELINE to 10pm 5 nights a week.
Have the guts to be the liberal left-wing channel. With the political climate change a'blowin' it might be perfect timing. One thing for certain, you are not going to beat FOX. The reason they are so strong is because their viewers think they are the only true voice. You have to be the other real voice.