Wouldn't MSNBC do better if they got rid of Joe Scarborough?

[WallStreetNobody]

I don't get why they have that guy on all morning. The show doesn't get great ratings and MSNBC and CNN are the cable news alternatives for people who don't want to hear the wingnut propaganda on Fox. So why does MSNBC copy that ridiculous Fox format all morning?

[FLAprogressive]

1. I suppose it's a lame attempt to be "neutral" when it comes to commentators

Whiny RWs complain about Olbermann and Maddow on all the time -- so they put Internkiller and Mika Mouse on for some "balance"

[WallStreetNobody]

5. So MSNBC cowed to wingnuts even though Fox tows the right-wing line all day? Weak.

[endthewar]

9. Here's a superb article on this topic:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/09/08/msnbc/

In particular, they contrast how MSNBC responded to complaints about anti-Hillary coverage with MSNBC's response to complaints about anti-McCain/Republican coverage.

[ProfessorGAC]

15. It Would Appear To Be Bad Business

Why pursue the market that's already been tapped and brand loyalty established? I agree with you that it's a very weak business tactic.
The Professor

[magdalena]

6. I wonder how many repukes actually watch Morning Schmoe.

I'd imagine they never venture far from Faux. I know I'd watch MSNBC more if they were "unbalanced" and got rid of their ridiculous morning and daytime programming. And, the prison shows, man I can't stand those stupid prison shows.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. Allegedly, as a former Congressman, he has an "in." n/t

[malaise]

3. He really is awful

By the way didn't he attack John Edwards $400 haircut ad nauseum? You'd never know listening to his defense of Palin's $150,000 clothes.

[TexasObserver]

4. The theory is that morning viewers are more conservative.

Also, GE wants a GOP voice early in the day, to spin for the RNC. That's Joe the Shill's job.

In spite of the spin that calls MSNBC liberal, the only left of center people they have are Olbermann, Maddow, Schuster, and maybe Matthews.

MSNBC starts the day with three hours of spin by Joe and the RNC, followed by slightly right of center vapid talking heads, with the exception of Shuster, all day long. Contessa Brewer? Alex Witt? Jesus!

[Cetacea]

7. Media problem is a huge one. We are lucky to get a few "crumbs"

Joe the Shill's got the chimpy smirk and sneaky eyes. I guess that is considered appealing.

[TexasObserver]

8. Yes. Even on the "liberal" channel, it's mainly GOP talking heads.

[noel711]

13. Oh sure I'm much more conservative in the morning...

and after I have my coffee I'm a rabid leftie.
That comment doesn't wash.

Perhaps you mean in an effort to be neutral,
they throw up the right wing crap early,
when all the dem masses are at work,
and then after we punch out at 5,
they can set up the broadcast for us workers.

I think they need to dump the scarborough sham,
and put someone great in the morning slot...

[TexasObserver]

16. You really don't understand it, do you?

The most conservative demographic is seniors.

Seniors get up early, they don't stay up late. They do watch news shows at the crack of dawn.

YOUR personal mindset is irrelevant. Sorry you don't get it.

[radfringe]

10. don't watch him and

if he's a "guest blatherhead" on the MSNBC shows that I do watch - I change the station. can't stand that guy, as bad as if not more annoying than Tucker the Bowtie

[KharmaTrain]

11. They Have To Put Him Somewhere

A couple years ago the network signed this turd with ears to a long term deal...and just like a ballplayer they gotta play him somewhere.

He was a bust-out in primetime...and did the network a big favor by being there to pick up the pieces in the wake of Imus' implosion...so they probably feel they owe him. Also, not everyone wants to have a job where you have to be at work at 4am.

Personally, I don't turn on MSNBC until David Shuster comes on in the afternoon.

[DainBramaged]

14. Schuster is now on at 9 AM, and the format is much better than before

rotating talking heads

[honkydonkey]

12. He starts my day off in a negative way...

so I don't watch it. They need to unload him and give democrats something to watch in the morning that doesn't make them want to go back to bed and never wake up.

[DainBramaged]

17. Here, last morning ratings I could find

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/morning_cable_ratings/

Morning Joe MSNBC 25-54/60,000 total/169,000 Friday Aug. 8


That is pathetic.