"There's been something wrong with MSNBC"

[FelineOverlord]

I Smoked The RNC
@BlackKnight10k

Im sure you're all noticing that there's been something wrong with MSNBC.

• the poor framing of stories
• weird right-wing hires
• Trump monologues w/no fact check
• softball Matt Gaetz interviews
• false equivalencies of Biden/Trump
• hyping pro Trump polls
• ignoring pro Biden votes
• ignoring Bidens' economic wins
• ignoring Biden's legislative wins
• blaming Democrats for GOP disfunction

There had long been a slide into failing it's audience but I think the real inflection point, and I can't believe im about to say bring back Chuck Todd, was the hire of Kristen Welker to host MTP with her first show being an hour long pre-recorded Trump rehabilitation propaganda piece. It's been downhill ever since.

I don't know what deal was cut behind the scenes or if some kind of executive decision was made, but whatever your perceptions of MSNCB, it's not a left leaning outlet.

And that's fine. It's a business. They get to make those decisions. But they don't get to make decisions like hiring Ronna McDaniel of all people with her track record of being a liar, fraud, and Trump enabler, while hiding behind a veil of left leaning journalism. It's disrespectful to the audience.

And with the right wing turn of CNN, the NYT actually becoming the Pitchbot, and the failures of local news, there's no such thing as a left leaning mainstream media outlet. The idea that that exists is now dead.

At the end of the day, it's not about whether your outlet is left leaning or right leaning or partisan or apolitical. It's about whether your outlet is pro democracy or not. And sitting the fence on the end of democracy is as good as enabling it.

So, in the same way we can't look to the courts, or the DOJ, or Jack Smith to save us in November, we can't look to mainstream media either. Exhausting as it is, it's on us to save ourselves yet again.
Last edited
2:38 PM · Mar 22, 2024

Link to tweet

[msongs]

1. not what I see nt

[agingdem]

17. I don't either...

I rarely tune in before Nicole Wallace unless I notice something significant online...that said, I think Ari Melber has peaked and is sliding into ridiculous..he's a mid-forties guy quoting rap lyrics while dissecting Trump's criminal indictments...and then there's his guests like Trump's many lawyers/Peter Navarro/Steve Bannon...WTF!!...

[Comfortably_Numb]

34. The nauseating part of Ari's rap riffs is watching his guests obvious unease and embarrassment.

[PatSeg]

39. Yeah

Today I was wondering if there is anyone who actually likes these segments besides Ari. I usually just skip the whole silly Fallback bit on Friday. I don't get the point at all.

[Comfortably_Numb]

56. I find myself using the skip button a lot on Ari these days. Especially on magat interview segments.

[PatSeg]

67. Same here

I have mixed feelings about his show and some of the segments are pretty tedious.

[Peregrine Took]

112. Other than when James Carville is on - I have Ari on mute. No fan of recycled rethug Nicole Wallace, eitherl.

[PatSeg]

113. Yes, James Carville is always a treat

I don't mind Nicole Wallace, but I do grow tired of her. Two hours a day is too much.

[senseandsensibility]

153. Plus, her voice is annoying

I know it's superficial, but I don't like the vocal fry thing when Ivanka does it, or when Nicole does it.

[PatSeg]

154. Glad to hear that it isn't just me

The vocal fry is almost always a huge turnoff for me. I've watched video clips of Wallace from years ago and she didn't talk like that. I think it is something people pick up when hanging around certain kinds of people, usually pretentious ones I suppose. When I hear it, I get this constant urge to cough and clear my throat.

I had the same problem with Alex Wagner. I used to watch her on MSNBC during the day and had always liked her. When she came back to fill Rachel's spot, she was very different and the vocal fry was so annoying. It seems that she has since worked on it and it isn't so bad now.

It isn't just women. William F. Buckley was one of the worst. Years ago my husband was watching late night talk shows and he came into the bedroom and started talking like that because he'd been listening to Buckley. I busted out laughing and so did he once he realized what he was doing.

[senseandsensibility]

155. You're right that it's not just women

Ivanka's hubby Jared does it too.

[PatSeg]

156. Yes, I brought it up

because some people get testy if I criticize vocal fry in women. Annoying is annoying regardless of who speaks that way and it definitely comes across as very fake and pretentious. Doesn't get much more pretentious than Buckley or smug little Jared.

[Trueblue Texan]

141. I agree

I just wish he wouldn’t waste the air time on music—that’s not what most viewers tune in to msnbc for.

[PatSeg]

143. Yes, it is MSNBC not

Entertainment Tonight. I suppose that someday I'll find someone who watches Ari for the music references, but I'm not optimistic.

I think it is possible that MSNBC goes along with it because they think it might attract a younger audience, but I believe they are deluding themselves.

[calimary]

40. I wish he'd knock that off.

What's he trying to do? I want to hear politics and political analysis. But it seems like EVERY doggone show has him quoting rap riffs and/or slang, or having guests on who are rappers. I appreciate that rap music IS an art form. A legitimate one. But why is he almost desperately trying to jam it down our throats? First, it just doesn't fit. And second, he's not a credible promoter of it.

[rubbersole]

46. Ari is trying to make up for Jr High School...

...when the cool kids made fun of his briefcase and wingtips at the bus stop. Oh, and the girls all giggled. 🤭

[PatSeg]

71. Oh my god, you could be right!

[Paladin]

94. +1000. (nt)

[PatSeg]

70. Yes, exactly

It just doesn't sound right coming out of his mouth or in the context of his show. I just don't get it and I still wonder if there is anyone out there who likes it.

[Katinfl]

95. They need to get rid of Ari.

That stupid thing he does with the rap lyrics/rappers is stupid and loses a lot of viewers. I felt sorry for Andrew Weissman yesterday when he had him on with a rapper. Weissman admitted he knows nothing about rap and looked really uncomfortable. Dumb segment.

[CousinIT]

109. Ditto that. That man annoys me. He needs a rap show somewhere.

And his reporting style is grating. He interrupts people he disagrees with constantly and talks over them. Rude...I just can't with that guy.

[rsdsharp]

135. And when he interrupts he always says, "Imma let you finish,"

which is what Kanye West said to Taylor Swift when he took the microphone out her hand at the Grammys.

Yet another nod to hip-hop that virtually nobody cares about.

[CousinIT]

139. Yes I noticed that! Ugh! N/t

[MadameButterfly]

115. Why has a post about MSNBC turned into Ari bashing?

He's not the problrm. If you aren't into rap, let the people who are and who have little mainstream exposure have their 15 minutes of fame.

The problem is that the network is owned by conservatives and the harm comes from normalizing Republicans like Ronna and the firing of liberals like Medhi Hassan, Melissar Harris Perry and Ed Schultz. Medhi was my favorite. Your favorite hosts could be next.

[BonnieJW]

97. I never watch him

That face he makes, his right wing guests, and don't get me started on the rap thing. WTH

[Mickju]

99. Ari just wants to appear cool.

It's nauseating.

[SocialDemocrat61]

105. Katie Phang is so much better

They should get rid of Melber and give the time slot to Phang.

[DDySiegs]

106. I agree Katie Phang is much bretter

[SCantiGOP]

26. I agree with you

[PatSeg]

38. Me either

I guess it could depend on what shows one is watching. I found some incredible coverage of the Biden administration, especially Chris Hayes, Lawrence O'Donnell, and Nicole Wallace. I've also see lots of fact-checking on Trump's bizarre speeches and interviews.

"Poor framing of stories" - Quite the opposite actually. In most respects, I feel like MSNNC has gotten better recently when it comes to political coverage. I would just like a little more nonpolitical news and less redundancy.

[NJCher]

75. Here are the best hosts

Chris Hayes, Lawrence O'Donnell, and Nicole Wallace

They are my favorites, too. Chris almost always leads with a good story. Love his enthusiasm and passion.

Lawrence is smart as a whip and has a good sense of humor. He will take any issue head on. He looks right into that camera and connects with his audience. My brother and I always talk about his show the next day.

Love Nicole, too, but I wish she would quit hanging around with that baby cuz I’m really tired of menendez.

Stephanie Ruhle is delightful and authentic. Plus she’s from nj.

[PatSeg]

88. Oh yes, I totally agree

I was an early fan of Chris Hayes. He is so smart and lately he has really covered the record of the Biden administration brilliantly. I usually come away much better informed and more optimistic.

Lawrence O'Donnell has gotten better and better over the years, proving there truly are "2nd acts" or in his case probably 3rd or 4th. His commentaries are among the best I've seen and his ability to goad Trump is priceless.

I know what you mean about Alicia Menendez. I don't dislike her, but I find her stiff and inauthentic, whereas Nicole seems so comfortable in her own skin.

[NJCher]

149. You know who is coming on strong

And who I forgot to mention? Katie Phang. She has so much pep--so much energy--that she sets a very quick pace for the show. It's almost impossible to get bored with her. She is loaded with confidence and I have a feeling it's from doing her homework. She knows whereof she speaks.

Yes, Chris has made a deliberate effort to highlight what the Biden administration has done, something that NOBODY gives enough credit for. I am so pleased that he does this, because it really needs to be done. Also, his wife is a lawyer and he gets into discussions with her. I think he hones some of his points by discussing issues with her and you know the best part?--he always gives her credit. You gotta' love a guy like that.

Another one I like that I neglected to mention is Alex Witt. She is on weekends at 1 p.m. The first few times I saw her I was indifferent to her, but for quite a while now I've always watched her show. She, like Katie, has a very confident delivery. There is one thing about her that bothers me a little. I think she'd look better with shorter hair. And I don't know why this is a little point with me about her appearance. I have the same issue with some of the guests who frequently appear.

I don't think I recall Lawrence in his earlier years, so can't relate on how he's gotten better. Not surprised, though--he seems like the kind of person who would work to be the best that he can be. And oh, do I love how he goads trump. I like it that he comes right out and calls him stupid. Some nights he'll even tell a story or two about the latest stupidity from trump and it is oh so satisfying to just hear someone call it like it is.

Ronna Daniels or whatever her name is will be so out of her element in this crowd.

It will prol'ly be a psychological train wreck, like what we see with trump. Just a pitiful mess, dissolving before our very eyes, on national television.

on edit: woo hoo! McDaniels not appearing on air!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218804395

[PatSeg]

150. Ha, ha!

So MSNBC got the message about Ronna. Geez, I can't believe they were so dense. She was obviously a disaster waiting to happen.

Yes, Lawrence is in a class by himself. His early shows were pretty much uninspiring, but he had so much talent that eventually they became evident. We are better off for it.

I haven't watched Alex Witt in a very long time. I rarely turn on cable news on the weekends, but she is experienced and competent. Yes, I know what you mean about the hair. It used to be even worse. I often thought she needed a makeover. She's toned down the makeup, but the hair still needs some work.

I haven't warmed up to Katie Phang yet. I felt like she got off to a bad start. She was too hyper and overbearing. I could see by the looks on guests' faces that she'd rubbed them the wrong way. Apparently she is getting better though.

And yes, I love how Chris Hayes mentions his wife. It sounds like they have a great relationship. I am sure they are wonderful people to know in real life. I am in awe of his intelligence and knowledge and ability to communicate complex issues well.

[PatSeg]

151. Dupe

[ShazzieB]

128. I would add Alex Wagner to this list, as well as Jen Psaki.

I knew nothing about Alex until she took over Rachel's old time slot every day but Monday, but I decided to give her a chance, and I've become a fan.

Jen Psaki doesn't have a regular daily show (yet), but I've been enjoying her Sunday show since it started, and recently she has started popping up in Chris' slot on Mondays. So now my MSNBC routine is Jen/Rachel/Lawrence on Mondays and Chris/Alex/Lawrence the other 4 weekdays.

I rarely watch the daytime shows at all, just because I don't care to watch TV that many hours a day on a regular basis. But I'm a big fan of Alex, Chris, Jen, Lawrence, and Rachel.

[DLCWIdem]

119. Yes in fact they turn away from it

When Trump spews lies. Haven't you heard Rachel Maddows saying that they can't put him on when he spews his lies

[LAS14]

144. What about Rachel? nt

[PatSeg]

145. Rachel does some really great stories

though she is only once a week. I've always been a fan of Rachel's, but the past couple of years, I've liked O'Donnell and Hayes better. Rachel's over-explaining became sometimes irritating. Still I appreciate that she comes up with different stories and I love her podcasts.

[PatSeg]

146. Rachel does some really great stories

though she is only once a week. I've always been a fan of Rachel's, but the past couple of years, I've liked O'Donnell and Hayes better. Rachel's over-explaining became sometimes irritating. Still I appreciate that she comes up with different stories and I love her podcasts.

[PatSeg]

147. Rachel does some really great stories

though she is only once a week. I've always been a fan of Rachel's, but the past couple of years, I've liked O'Donnell and Hayes better. Rachel's over-explaining became sometimes irritating. Still I appreciate that she comes up with different stories and I love her podcasts.

[FelineOverlord]

2. Appalling

The Tennessee Holler
@TheTNHoller
·
10h
“This is appalling.”

Columnist for @MSNBC
@marisakabas2
reacts to the @NBCNews
decision to hire former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, who has been deeply complicit with Trump’s attempt to overturn democracy.

Nothing learned.

marisakabas.bsky.social
@marisakabas2

I’ve just sent them this email:

Link to tweet

[Ford_Prefect]

60. They are platforming the insurrection as it it were the Tea Party all over again.

[elleng]

3. No,

but the ronna mcdaniel thing is 'weird.'

Be sure 'we' won't watch anything including her.

[FelineOverlord]

5. She tried multiple times to overthrow the results of the 2020 election

She should NEVER have been hired. It is COMPLETELY unacceptable.

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. A new avenue of political theater. I doubt she lasts her 1st audition.

Is she willing to admit that she's been a front for a world-class fraudcon for the past 10 years?

[elleng]

11. Mebbe, but I (and most of us) only pay attention to GOOD theater!!!

[FelineOverlord]

4. Sinister

Kimberley Johnson
@AuthorKimberley
The news media's move to fascism is not because they "haven't learned their lesson." Please, stop saying that.

You cannot convince me this fascist lean is not sinister. Something is off. WAY off. And certain foreign adversaries want American democracy to fail. Do the math.

Link to tweet

[elocs]

116. Left handed? n/t

[OAITW r.2.0]

6. Okee Dokie, Smokie! LOL

They have a murderer's row of truth tellers. Biased towards Democracy? Guilty.

[FelineOverlord]

8. I've heard their daytime programming is more right wing (except for Wallace)

I don't watch it so I don't know.

[OAITW r.2.0]

10. Lets just say, when Andrea Mitchell gets retired, I'll be interested in who gets this timeslot.

[Rebl2]

13. I thought

she was supposed to retire last year-beginning of 2023.

[OAITW r.2.0]

18. Now would be good.

She's past her prime. Smart lady, but not an anchor now for a critical timeslot, IMHO.

[SouthernDem4ever]

27. smart lady married to a dumbass who said he was wrong about the real estate bubble.

Even though everyone told him years earlier that it was coming.

[OAITW r.2.0]

35. It's a wasted hour with her in command. She should join the emeritus club and be available for opinions as needed.

[BlueSpot]

58. Andrea Mitchell's retirement is the same as Trump's healthcare plan

Frequently promised but never delivered.

[Rebl2]

89. I have often

thought she doesn’t want to retire because she would have to spend time with her husband—I guess he’s still alive.

[Katinfl]

96. Way past time for her to go.

She can hardly talk anymore.

[stollen]

7. Haven't noticed with MSNBC

The Washington Post, yes.

[cachukis]

12. Hmmmmm.

[triron]

14. This is certainly alarming.

[Cha]

15. "I drifted away from them to Meidas Touch Network, Brian Tyler Cohen .. "

Link to tweet

[OAITW r.2.0]

19. Who is eleny and is it a bot? Might be a great case to see how real humans who publish under their real name get botted

I concur with the alt media recs, though.

[Cha]

24. Why do you say that? Actually I remember her

from DU.

[OAITW r.2.0]

29. OK, did not know. I do remember the name here, but does that mean it is the same person on X?

[Cha]

48. Both elenys are from Colorado.

[OAITW r.2.0]

55. So, I agree with her alt sources, but disagree (I guess) that MSNBC is failing us. Been watching for years and I see

see no great disparity with what I've seen/experienced and what this network reports. And I am a Ben Meiselas contributor on Patreon.

[Cha]

59. Good on you!

[OAITW r.2.0]

64. I support smart people who can communicate, Ben does that.

There are many others that I listen to and agree with. Been reading and thinking about US reality since 1970....maybe earlier , can't remember.

[SouthernDem4ever]

23. Great sources.

Last edited Sat Mar 23, 2024, 09:13 AM - Edit history (1)

BTC will grind down to the heart of the matter.

[Cha]

28. Yes, Brian Tyler Cohen is Amazing!

[All Mixed Up]

43. Meidas Touch and Brian Tyler Cohen are not news.

And people are foolish to treat them as news. They're partisan and it's important to understand that framing. Because they'll never report something that is not biased toward the Democrats.

That isn't news. That's just political opinion.

Like this headline from Brian Tyler Cohen:

Trump rocked with nightmare news after Ohio primary

That's not a serious headline.

Flip it:

Biden rocked with nightmare news after Michigan primary

We wouldn't take that seriously.

I think it's important that people don't get too lost in the echo chamber. These guys are good for OPINION-BASED updates - but they're not news. Even Rachel Maddow can be way more objective than any of these guys.

[TwilightZone]

45. MT headlines tend toward sensationalist clickbait.

They're often intentionally misleading, intended to generate clicks and views, and that puts their content into question.

[Wednesdays]

49. Well, then you would say Fox News isn't news, too, right?

Right?

[All Mixed Up]

57. Of course?

Why wouldn't I think that about FOX News? But it seems many on the left want MSNBC to be pretty much a FOX News clone but from the left and I disagree.

I don't particularly like the idea of Ronna being on MSNBC but I don't care if the network attempts to be some level of objective. At least when reporting fact.

[WiVoter]

142. I Like Meidas Touch

I listen to them regularly

[Joinfortmill]

16. We're in a scary place.

[moniss]

20. Excellent points

and our current struggle for a better, more honest media is a never-ending fight for our country as you point out so well.

[summer_in_TX]

21. The article says Ronna McDaniels was hired as an NBC analyst. But does that automatically mean she'll be on

MSNBC? How many of the main NBC network go back and forth? I only watch a few of the shows sometime, but I don't think the cable folks or their analysts are aired on NBC or vice versa. It doesn't make sense from a branding perspective.

[Cha]

25. And, what could she "analyze"? That

she thinks TSF won in 2020?

[OAITW r.2.0]

30. What are the details of the contract?

I suspect they want her to do a Michael Steele....will she? Stay tuned.

[SouthernDem4ever]

22. I only watch Nicole Wallace, Lawrence O' Donnell and Rachel Maddow when she's on

Even on those shows they might have talking heads that say things that seem to give the idea that the repugs should be given deference when they don't deserve any.

[Murphyb849]

31. I only watch certain hosts.

Rachel Maddow
Lawrence O'Donnell
Jen Psaki
Nicolle Wallace

The rest are a hard pass unless something significant like the Trump Indictments.

[Bluepinky]

87. Chris Hayes is good too.

He should be on your list.

[yellowdogintexas]

125. Joy Reid: Love her style and humor and she pulls no punches and takes no prisoners nt

[happy feet]

133. And she is whip smart

[yellowdogintexas]

138. She certainly is!!! nt

[emulatorloo]

90. The same group for me, plus Ari Melber.

[yellowdogintexas]

126. I enjoy Nicole Wallace and I love that she always refers to TFG as

the twice impeached,4 times indicted, disgraced former president. I think there are a couple more descriptors but I can't remember them
Her substitute does it as well.

Always makes me smile.

[WhiteTara]

32. It has always been on us to save ourselves. That's what self-governing is.

This is a government, of, by and for the people. We've been lazy as citizens and don't think of our voting as a duty, but a sometime thing with the majority of the work left to someone else to be the one to care.

[WheelWalker]

68. I couldn't agree with you more, comrade.

We each of us have to carry our own water.

[Haggard Celine]

76. This is a result of Americans

ignoring politics for too long and allowing evil people to gain a lot of power. Sure, Trump and others are responsible for what they do, but it wouldn't have happened without permission from the voters.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

33. The oligarchs who own 90% of media do not like democracy or Democrats.

[doc03]

36. That is not what I see although I overdosed on the

constant Trump Trump Trump over the last 7 or 8 years. It is just the same bullshit
day after day month after month. I know how I am going to vote and just don't give a shit
about the daily Trump drama.

[czarjak]

37. Ronna?

Really?

[calimary]

42. Bummer, isn't it!

Has there been any reason given? And what's she gonna do over there? It'd be nice to know when she's on, though, so I can tune away or go do something else.

[czarjak]

82. What could she possibly have to say that anyone would pay for?

Those people!

[ShazzieB]

130. My guess is she'll be a talking head who pops up with commentary now and then.

It'll be unpredictable, so hard to avoid her completely, but it's not like she'll be on for extended periods of time.

[CrispyQ]

108. I know some people don't make a distinction, but she's going to be a commentator for NBC, not MSNBC. -nt

[brush]

41. You have to know your hosts on MSNBC. Nicole WallaceGood. Joy ReidGood...

Ari Melber=Good but you have to tolerate his rap fan boyness. Lawrence O'Donnell=Good. Chris Hayes=Good. Stephanie Rhule=Mostly good.

Rachel Maddow=Good but is only on one day now.

You'll notice I mentioned only the afternoon host on from Nicole Wallace. "Monrning Joe" sometimes has guests on who contribute value, but not all of them.

The Ronna McDaniel hire is out of bounds IMO, but bringing back Chuck Toad...never.

[calimary]

44. Rachel Maddow has pissed me off.

You're only doing one day a week now, your majesty? And how much are they paying you? Are you still getting what you were paid when you were on FIVE days a week? I hope they made an adjustment in that. One day out of five? Then one fifth the original salary.

[brush]

47. I think you're kinda right. She took her content away from us and left us with the...

always smiling (for some fucking reason) Alex Wagner. Not a fair trade by any means.

[calimary]

61. It seriously irks me. Hell, Johnny Carson didn't even do that! And I worked at NBC when he was there.

He was HUGE, with everyone there. EVERYBODY knew what a powerful, popular, and versatile asset they had in Johnny Carson.

And he was on, for years, for 90 minutes a night, five nights a week. He eventually started cutting back, taking Monday off the live "Tonight" show with "Best of Carson" reruns every Monday night. But he was STILL ON, LIVE, four nights a week. Even when they changed "The Tonight Show" from 90-minutes to an hour-long show, he was STILL on, live, four nights a week. And his was a lot more stressful job. He had to live-interview guests or participate in show 'n' tell with guests with every accessory from talking dogs and pets of all kinds to taratula spiders. He had a monologue every night full of jokes and social commentary before every show. Then there was some bit like "Stump the Band" or other trip up into the audience to do bits there. He worked without a net the whole time, and he was quick, smart, well-informed, versatile, and brilliant! In fact, when he made a mistake, that often got turned into a brief bit of its own every bit as hilarious as what was in the script that he messed up. He finally said goodbye after THIRTY years on NBC.

I've really become disappointed in Rachel. I've lost respect for her. The whole steady well-established five-day programming gets deep-sixed because she doesn't feel like doing five days anymore??? After ten years? I haven't heard or seen any explanation that makes sense. And if it's the "I was writing a book" one, there are DOZENS of celebrities who've done similar things and don't skip out on their regular jobs for months. Fuck that.

I used to be a big fan of hers. But not anymore.

[brush]

66. They don't make Johnny Carsons anymore.

[calimary]

73. They sure don't.

I remember walking from the parking lot into the big cavernous building where you passed the studio where Johnny Carson did "The Tonight Show." The entire exterior wall of his studio featured a gigantic, floor-to-ceilling black-&-white likeness of him. He had THE primo parking space, just steps from the main entryway from the huge parking lot. It had a wooden marker with a large star in front of his parking space. EVERYONE knew who parked there. Sometimes I'd walk through that entryway and his Delores would be parked in his parking space, and it'd be "yep, Johnny is in." Like "Elvis is in the building."

[NJCher]

79. Same

always smiling (for some fucking reason)

That’s really funny. I think she wants people to like her too much. Give me a host with an attitude like a cat’s.

[brush]

81. I like that. Cats don't give a sh_t, don't need to be liked, and will report the truth, like it on not...

if they could talk.

[babylonsister]

51. Why do you care?

She's busy with writing books, podcasts, maybe even slip in a bit of fishing.

Whatever works for her is fine by me.

[calimary]

65. When people rise to prominence because they've built an audience as well as a reputation,

I think they owe that audience.

And if she needed time off, why couldn't she take Monday off like Johnny Carson did after a lot longer than ten years on live TV, and do four nights a week?

[Midwestern Democrat]

92. Not everyone is a workaholic - if someone's rich and burned out, early retirement or semi-retirement has to be very

tempting.

[ShazzieB]

132. Me, too, babylonsister.

Rachel doesn't owe any of us a daily show or anything else afaic. I'm happy to see her on Monday nights and when MSNBC is doing special coverage of things like election nights and the SOTU. The rest of the time I enjoy Alex Wagner. If I didn't like Alex, I'd no doubt be less content, but that's not the case.

Comparing Rachel with a talk show host/comedian like Johnny Carson is absurd, imo. Carson was very good at what he did, which was telling jokes, doing comedy sketches, and being an affable host, but it was totally different from what Rachel (or any other MSNBC host) does. (Not to mention, he had professional comedy writers to help with the jokes and skits. Rachel writes ALL her own naterial.)

The kind of show Rachel does involves extremely deep, painstaking research and analysis, and she's known for being a perfectionist, to an almost obsessive degree. Doing the kind of show she does 5 nights a week was exhausting for her, and she was in danger of burning out. I love her work, but I also care about her as a person, and some things are just not sustainable for some people.

I imagine Carson kept doing his show for as long as he did because it continued to be enjoyable and wasn't a backbreaking ordeal for him, not because he thought he owed it to his fans. He didn't owe anyone anything, and neither does Rachel.

[leftieNanner]

54. She explained that the 5 day per week schedule

Was killing her. You know how much research and background she puts into every block.

I miss her terribly too, but I respect her decision.

[calimary]

62. Yes, but she has a staff whose members do a lot of the research and background digging for her.

She's NOT a "one-man band".

[SlimJimmy]

103. About 30 million, give or take. Nice gig if you can get it.

[Bluepinky]

148. What she gets paid is nobody's business.

I also wish she was on 5 nights per week, but the decision is her choice to make (along with her MSNBC bosses). Rachel has worked hard for a long time, and I don’t blame her for wanting to cut back. Her significant other almost died last year and her parents are getting old; she wants to spend more time with them. I like Laurence O’Donnell too, and he seems to take a lot of time off. But I’m not angry with him about it.

[calimary]

152. Still takes me back to Johnny Carson.

Her ten years of work before she wants to bail does NOT match his 30 years before he finally retired from the "Tonight Show," and he eased out of it by taking Mondays off and doing a four-day week on the air.

It might be better if she just bails completely, OR maybe repackage her presentation for a one-hour or two-hour "That Was the Week that Was"- type of end-of-the-week news roundup show. Air it Friday evening or over the weekend, either live or pre-taped, and maybe if it plays Friday nights, it can repeat on Sunday evenings. You need the time to write books and be a normal human being with your partner, girlfriend? Okay, then. You do THAT full-time. Make a clean break. Maybe do a special from time to time if you don't want to pull the plug all the way out.

Gotta say from personal experience, I worked on the air five days a week for my whole career, and the higher I climbed, the more pressure and demands I faced. And my mom nearly died during that time, suffering the first of the big heart attacks out of several more that would follow. And I put in 20 years of that heavy lift before taking early retirement, because by then I had two small children at home and thought they deserved a full-time mom. And I realized the job(s) and management would never love me or care about me like my kids would.

So... I'm sorry but I'm still forced to sneer at her I'm-too-tired-after-ten-years complaint. AND with no little kids at home who she has to chase around or worry about or feel responsible for, while she's at the studio. Or, hell, set things up so she can do some regular or semi-regular show from a small set at home. I bet NBC would even build one for her.

[mopinko]

50. he's a good follow.

[babylonsister]

52. Who is this guy? nt

[obnoxiousdrunk]

53. I dont see it.

[rpannier]

63. Comedy Gold

They gave a position at NBC to a person who literally made a change in her name to appease Cheetolini
This should be the talking point 24/7 about her hire

[H2O Man]

69. Count on yourself.

The author here does a mean Eeyore.

[Hekate]

72. Not what I see. Query: is the OP your own long essay, or entirely someone else's from Twit?

I pick and choose my news shows/presenters, as I don’t have either the time or the desire to watch cable on a 24/7 basis. MSNBC has a selection of very good news hosts and reporters. The ones I don’t care for — I don’t watch.

[DemocraticPatriot]

74. The "problem" with the "liberal cable news channel", is that

it is OWNED by corporate MAGATs.....

We only get the truth from them,
when their magat overlords are not looking...

Back in 2015-16, I remember that they gave TRUMP
a lot of free airtime........ and I stopped watching the channel much

[SharonClark]

77. Mr Smoky appears to be talking about NBC

not MSNBC or maybe he meant to say MSM (mainstream media). With the premise of his rant being WRONG, why are so many DUers falling in line to agree and even offering their own examples of people on MSNBC who they don’t like?

It just seems strange.

[C Moon]

78. It's "MS" at NBC.

[RockRaven]

80. Sure there's something wrong, but it predates the points listed.

It's deep and structural.

Read (or re-read) Ronan Farrow's "Catch and Kill" with particular attention to the NBCUniversal/NBCNews/MSNBC execs and on-air personnel. They are just as shitty as every other company/network. Some people don't see it because they are distracted by the gratification of often being told things they wish to hear.

[mucifer]

83. Morning Joe for the most part does NOT do any of those things.

I watch it sometimes in the morning. They are VERY pro Biden.

[tavernier]

85. Absolutely.

I find it very curious that several posters here detest the show and warn others not to watch. Given, Joe Scarborough can be annoying and opinionated, but he is banging the drums loudly day in and day out against Trump, as are his guests. Yes, pre election 2016 he had Trump on as a guest, as did all the news shows. But once Trump changed from carnival barker to Mussolini Clone, Joe and crew have vigorously challenged him daily.

[DLCWIdem]

121. He does bang the Biden drum

And he was the first host to call Trump a rapist. He always talks about BIdens economic numbers. I don't like that he talks over Mika but he has some good zingers against Trump.

[Blue_Adept]

100. This is what amuses me

Joe is the only thing I actually manage to catch because of my schedule and my interest in seeing what a former republican has to say on things.

I disagree with the majority of his policy positions but he's on the right side of things with what's going on now and in talking about the absurdities being applied to Biden.

It's a little surreal at times but welcome to see.

[SharonClark]

129. Joe and Mika are all in for Biden now but they

we’re all in for Trump in his first campaign. I watch some of the program due to my schedule but Joe is the biggest blatherer and interrupter on teevee and Mika is constantly promoting her club of elite women.
I don’t like either one.

[happy feet]

137. Now they are

Don’t forget they helped put Trump in the Whitehouse allowing him to call into their show and talk as long Ashe wanted while they smiled and giggled. On the other hand they hated Hilary saying she was untrustworthy/emails, etc especially Mika-day after day.

[tavernier]

84. And speaking of Nicole

Where is she? She came back for like a day or two and now gone again. Are they trying to weed her out with this new trend?

[oregonjen]

91. Spring break with her son?

[NanaCat]

86. The twit acts like this is something new for MSNBC

It's the network that has never let go of a known right-wing bootlicker known as Andrea Mitchell. They've also hired Mitchell's heir to the GQP bootlicking throne, Katy Tur.

It's the network that hired outright fascists like Pat Buchanan, Mark Halperin, Michael Savage and Bret Stephens; completely unhinged nutbars like Alan Keyes, and the generic right-wing nitwits SE 'Sippy' Cupp, Greta van Susteren and Hugh Hewitt. Oh, and that bilious misogynist, Don Imus.

They seem to love Democrat-haters Peter Baker, Michael Schmidt and Bret Stephens of the fascist-loving NYT.

They currently employ Michael Steele, a predecessor at the RNC to Romney-McDaniel, as a regular contributor.

They gave GQPer Joe Scarborough their highly coveted morning slot.

They fired Keith Olbermann and Phil Donahue for...well, not kissing GQP arse.

NBC's top broadcaster, Lester Holt, is a known GQPer.

NBC gave Megyn Kelly a hyper-inflated salary to replace the more qualified and intelligent Tamron Hall on the Today Show. When her contract came up for renewal, Hall walked away rather than subject herself to more racism and contempt.

So is it really a surprise that they'd hire that Macy's parade standby balloon, Romney-McDaniel?

Come on. It's right in line with their modus operandi to date.

[erronis]

98. Great set of points. It's hard to see the trees when looking at the forest canopy.

Each individual decision shows deliberation and nudges in certain directions.

[LiberalFighter]

93. You are watching the wrong segments.

Between noon and 4pm is bad. After 11 pm is bad.
So so for 10 am to noon.
It might swing from 6 to 10 am. I generally watch this except maybe after 8 am.

[JohnSJ]

101. CNBC and NBC is NOT the same as MSNBC

[duforsure]

102. I've started watch them less and less,

Because of their actions, I watch more online shows and not MSNBC except for a few at night. They show and help the fascist air their propaganda lies too much, so screw them.

[apcalc]

104. I believe the NY Times and Washington Post have deteriorated into right wing BS.

Now it's fluff to a degree, where it used to be attack dog truth. They both turn me off.

[Cheezoholic]

107. 4-11pm period. If your watching another time frame sorry, no liberal news or opinion shows can compete

with the vegematic daytime bullshit that's everywhere. Nearly very complaint in this thread is addressed from 4 to 11pm, let alone the topics and policy's and demands for justice. I sure as hell don't see that list happening from 4-11, and I watch it every fucking day. Half of Medias Touch and BTC's firecracker stand clips come from MSNBC news stories the night before. Quit bitching about Andrea Mitchel because she probably will get replaced by McDaniel or some other host with name and not a brain. Everything we promote on this board, and I mean EVERYTHING, is addressed in that time frame. Hell a month ago Chris Hayes did a whole WEEK on Bidens accomplishments. Either quit watching survivor naked chef island cis mind raping BS during the evening or let it go. JFC if you don't like rap its been around for over a 100 years, get used to it and it DOES draw a younger demographic to EVERYTHING we are for in a TRULY fair and balanced way that SHOWS these younger viewers what TRULY fair and balanced means while presenting them fascism on the rise. Give it a break. Those 7 hours are all we got in MSM TV, we best be happy we have it instead of groaning like a bunch of old farts who think they're smarter than everyone else (apologies to those on here that are )

It's once a month on this board and its always a thread over 100 posts long and its nothing but knee jerk bitching about the daytime and rap music and not understanding hosts trying reach out to a younger demographic. Morning Joe SUCKS IMHO but I'm not on here saying he's destroying MSNBC. When they fuck with that 4 to 11 time slot then you will see me go off, but until then its what we got and its pretty damn good IMO.

Cronkite's dead man.

Rant concluded

[ShazzieB]

134. Thanks for this!

Trashing MSNBC as a whole based on criticisms that only apply to a few shows always raises my hackles.

[PortTack]

110. Quit watching long ago...reasons sited!

[et tu]

111. medhi has started zeteo

hope it succeeds~

[oldsoftie]

114. Oh baloney. Good lord some people see ghosts around every corner.

What are you looking for, a Democrat version of freaking NewMax?

[TBF]

117. MSNBC - follow chain up to Comcast - owner is billionaire Brian L. Roberts

Has given money to both parties (as billionaires like to do) - but hasn't donated since 2012. He may not be as bad as Murdock or others, but he's also not a leftist. If he fancies himself non-partisan than that could explain both sides being shown on his network. I don't watch much TV so I'm not really familiar with these news programs - I subscribe to online papers instead. Jewish background, UPenn, could go either way this next election I'd expect given current events.

ETA - found this bio - https://www.forbes.com/profile/brian-roberts/?sh=291d26068be5

I also saw him referred to as a democrat by one source (when doing a general search), but I'd take that with a grain of salt given the donations to both parties. He may well be an ok guy, I just tend to have some reservations with billionaires controlling the media.

[DLCWIdem]

118. Ronna McDaniel was hired at NBC

Which is different than MSNBC.

[dchill]

122. This. NBC and MSNBC are NOT the same.

Grips need to be gotten.

[DLCWIdem]

124. Grips?

[ShazzieB]

136. Yeah, grips!

"Grips need to be gotten" is right. I think that phrasing is clever myself. The pluralization points out that there are multiple entities who need to get grips for multiple reasons.

[True Blue American]

120. News management and they stink.

I watch News Nation. CNN was already on a downward spiral;.

Kirsten Welker is worse than Todd. Having Trump for ban hour on her first show, I tu/rammer her toff that day. Never watched her. Again.

[erodriguez]

123. They canned Medhi Hasan and hired Insurrectionist Ronna McDaniel

[ShazzieB]

127. There's been something wrong with MSNBC? Are you kidding me?

Last edited Sat Mar 23, 2024, 07:26 PM - Edit history (2)

I haven’t noticed any such thing. Not on the MSNBC shows I watch.

I can't speak for every single show on MSNBC, of course, because I don't watch every single one. If some of the shows are doing the things this tweet is talking about, then sure, call them out. But trying to tar every show and personality on MSNBC with the same brush does not fly with me.

I'm not even going to bother arguing specifics or naming any of the people on MSNBC who I hold in the highest regard. This ridiculous tweet doesn't have enough credibility to warrant such an expenditure of energy, afaic.

[Think. Again.]

131. Judging from the vast majority of responses here...

....they are definitely doing something right to get eyes on advertisements, which is the only business they are in.

[Elessar Zappa]

140. Alarmist claptrap.