MSNBC Wants to Add a 3rd Prime-Time Show

[ProudToBeLiberal]

Source: New York Times

By BRIAN STELTER
Published: January 21, 2009
WASHINGTON — Building on the momentum of its prime-time hours, MSNBC is developing a 10 p.m. program that would complement its left-leaning evening lineup, the cable news channel’s president said this week.

A new program could increase the competition between MSNBC, a unit of NBC Universal, and its two chief competitors, Fox News Channel and CNN, for news viewers in the time slot. Unlike most major networks, MSNBC’s original programming ends at 10 each weeknight. The 8 p.m. program “Countdown With Keith Olbermann” is rerun at 10 p.m., where it usually ranks third.

But Phil Griffin, the president of MSNBC, is making 10 p.m. a priority now. In an interview on Tuesday in a studio on the Mall, hours after the inauguration of President Obama, Mr. Griffin said that the channel needed a third original show in its lineup.

“We can’t let this momentum stop,” he said.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/business/media/22msnb...

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This is great news. Who do guys want to be the 10PM host for MSNBC? It would be great if they gave Eugene Robinson a chance to host the 10PM show.

[NMDemDist2]

1. I can't wait

I'm sure they'll come up with somebody great, Gene would be good, too bad Jonathon Turley can't do one too

a Constitutional Law show would rock and I bet we'll need one

[Indiana_Dem]

2. I vote David Shuster! nt

[tishaLA]

4. I agree. He needs a better producer than his current show, though

I like that Rachel has expanded upon Keith's stock of reporters and commentators. Shuster could build on that in interesting ways, too, but his current show has the same worn out faces we can see on any other MSNBC show.

[go west young man]

12. I'll third that nomination.

[BanTheGOP]

3. Keep it young, keep it witty...

...but most of all....NO DAMN RIGHT WING TALKING HEAD SCUMBUCKET PIECES OF SHIT!

Progressives highly preferred, absolutely nothing right of center-left accepted.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

6. don't worry

it says in the article that Keith is involved developing the 10PM show . I'm sure he'll make sure that it's a liberal.

[digidigido]

25. I Vote Stephanie Miller

[Coexist]

61. oh, man. that would be sweet.

[2Design]

5. delete

delete changed my mind

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

7. It seems liek Tamron Hall has been doing a lot more lately. Also, I heard that

Ana Marie Cox is getting a show on Air America...anyone think she could get a show????

[LeftyMom]

8. I'd like to see a less choppy show that KO or Maddow's.

Something that does longer format, more investigative stories, rather than news and commentary. That's a bit more expensive to do, but it's an important niche that's really not being filled, except by PBS and the Beeb, since Nightline was canceled.

[Politicalboi]

16. Maybe Chuck Todd

Or Luke Russert.

[glinda]

46. Todd can't as he is the WH correspondent.

[Indiana_Dem]

9. Ed Schultz? nt

[janedum]

42. Definately!! Ed Schultz!! nt

[janedum]

43. At least ED SCHULTZ is SERIOUS ... Miller & Maron are Comedians. nt

Sam Seder says "uhhhh" too much in the middle of his sentences and in between.
If he could get the "uhhhhhhs" out, he'd be okay.

[sohndrsmith]

10. Is this in reaction to Jay Leno planning a primetime show?

Gene Robinson and Laurence O'donnell (sp) - I'd kill to be able to watch a show with those two co-hosting... as long as execs don't force them to get cutesy and gimmicky like they did with Rachel... I hope she has more decision-making power on her show in the future, because some of the format just really doesn't seem to fit her level of insight, intelligence and expertise. She's entertaining and funny without all the cute labeling. Kent Jones is hilarious, too. It's the format that just seems awkward to me. It's just not as clever as someone thinks it is, in my view.

Cool. I'd pay to get rid of news show re-runs, at least on the third go 'round (or worse) Lock-up re-runs...

DO IT msnbc! Please....!

[xxqqqzme]

53. Well speaking for the left coast,

I appreciate the repeats. Getting to Keith, @ 5, & Rachel, @ 6, is tough. I prefer to watch live but many times have to settle for the repeats.

[PFunk]

11. Two words ... Sam Seder.

'nuff said.

[Bette Noir]

13. Gene Robinson! I love him!

[nsd]

20. ..

[Politicalboi]

14. They should dump

The 2 O'clock HardBall because they rerun at 4. Give Gene Robinson the 2 O'clock slot. I always feel sorry for Gene when he's on HardBall. Tweety always talks over him, or interrupts him. If Intern Joe can have his own show and degrade women in the morning why not Gene Robinson. They need a black commentator.

[alfredo]

15. A younger show, a more provocative show. Make it more activist

than reporting and commentary.

[Left Coast2020]

17. MARC MARON!!!!

GOOD COMEDY IS HARD TO FIND.

[alfredo]

51. He was on TV when I wrote that post.

[SomeGuyInEagan]

63. I *really* liked his morning radio show.

Brilliant satire. I miss it.

[Dumak]

18. How about someone like

Henry Rollins? Or maybe a 3-4 person panel of wild and crazy people, like The View or crossfire?
Something with a studio audience. Maybe a Graham Norton type of entertainment show, with a bit more of a political bent.

[Blue State Bandit]

19. How about Phil Donahue?

I think he deserves his job back.

And why am I the first rec for filling MSNBC's 10pm slot?

[SomeGuyInEagan]

64. Man, Donahue. *THAT* was a show.

Hard to believe he was on daytime when you consider the Judge Whatever/Oprah/Springer garbage on now. It is weren't for Netflix, I'd never take a sick day.

[cosmicone]

21. Third?

I thought Rachel, Keith and Tweety already make it three programs. Wouldn't the new program be the fourth?

[aquart]

22. Because a lot more people will be looking for something to do at ten.

On account of NBC's Leno decision.

[AllHereTruth]

23. Thom Hartmann

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WatchWhatISay]

26. I think Michelle Bernard makes a lot of sense

An intelligent woman of color. I just don't get how she's even a member of, much less the President of the Independent Women's Forum. Thats akin to the American Enterprise Institute electing Jonathn Turely it's President. But I am convinced she is for real, and I always enjoy hearing what she has to say.

[Rockholm]

40. I like Michelle Bernard and Tamryn Hall.

[Born Free]

27. How about something in line with the Bill Maher show,

or someone like Mike Malloy, or Randy Rhoads or imagine a regular show by Michael Moore showing America the things we need to see? The left has many good people with many good entertainers, heck,what's Rosie O'Donnell doing these days, perhaps they need a group discussion. I hope MSNBC can find something new - our Tivo is ready to record every show...hopefully it will be funny and provocative.

[Divine Discontent]

28. Someone older than KO would be good. Some type of investigative journalism, longer in-depth stuff

and the host could discuss some topics and then lead into the investigative/informative pieces. We got two good quick and witty shows (although a segment or two on Rachel's are a bit silly named or should be axed) with great hosts, but I would like a Robinson hosted show or someone around that age, I think we got plenty of youth with Rachel, plenty of emotion with KO, and just need another progressive minded show but with an older person (I'm only late 30's) in their late 40s to 60's, that'd make me watch.

[LeftyMom]

30. Not necessarily older, but more serious.

If they're going to be a Big Serious News Network rather than an also-ran, they need a show that signals that they have arrived at some level of respectability. They need a show that's less obviously partisan, not necessarily less left leaning than Olbermann or Maddow's, but with a host who makes more of an effort at objectivity, and a longer, more in-depth or investigative format.

Oh, and they need to hire some cheap young newsreaders to kill time during the day and for the weekends rather than running prison shows whenever they don't have news content. People have a perfectly reasonable expectation that there will be news on their news channel, and in an era where people are moving away from scheduling their TV viewership, it's more important than ever to building an audience to have content whenever people tune in.

[Divine Discontent]

31. good point! I like the lockup shows somewhat, but they're always on it seems

and yes, a younger person can pull off the mature host I'm looking for. I really want something investigative or storytelling that they then come back in studio to discuss.

[LeftyMom]

32. They need a less stodgy Nightline, or something along those lines.

There's no point in talking about the exact same news stories for a third hour, what they need is a show that digs deeper and adds context. Rachel Maddow and her guests do that to some degree (and could certainly do more if the format permitted) but they really need a show that just takes a few stories a night, 1-3 depending on how much time they merit, and goes into more depth with them. I'd also like to see more foreign affairs coverage. Currently they have almost none except for Iraq.

[Divine Discontent]

33. ooh, yeah! like that idea even more - a mixture of stories from home & abroad

and that way, there's TONS to work with. I enjoyed nightline even as a 20-something, but yes, something like that with a little more perky host than Koppel.

[Auggie]

39. All great ideas

[Divine Discontent]

55. cool! maybe if there's enough of us with this view they'll see it and make a show that's worthy of

a 10pm slot. It really should be something investigative or round table discussion in appearance.

[safeinOhio]

29. With the digital switch the local NBC station

has 3 extra slots on broadcast tv. If they could run MSNBC on one during prime time they would, 1, sweep all of the prime time ratings, 2, let me cancel my DISH tv and save me a bundle of money.

[BlueManDude]

34. How 'bout replacing The Scar and his concubine in the morning?

[onehandle]

35. Stephanie Miller! Move her fine ass to NYC! nt

[tinrobot]

47. Why does she need to move? Have her do it from LA.

[onehandle]

49. I think it would be a requirement. She and the mooks filled in for a few days after Imus.

After he was toasted. They did it from MSNBC's old New Jersey studio for a few mornings. Did a good job.

Come to think of it, they would be better for mornings. Morning Joe, sucks.

[THUNDER HANDS]

36. how about Dan Rather

I'd like to see him get a show.

[Doctor_J]

37. Complement its left-leaning line-up? uh-oh

Sounds like they want to bring in a winger. Hope not

[Doctor_J]

38. Bring back Donahue?

Seriesly, a little color would be a nice complement.

[Rockholm]

41. Bring Ashleigh Banfield back...or David Shuster.

[bigworld]

44. How about just a straight-on news program?

I mean, I love Keith and Rachel, but I think MSNBC needs a prime time rolling news program instead of another hour of opinion.

[HomerRamone]

45. Two hours of this stuff every night is too much to follow already!

Stewart and Colbert are my first choices anyway because they make me feel something better than anger...

[Blue State Bandit]

48. Donahue, Banfield, or Rather. Or how about all three?

These three, of all possible candidates, I believe deserve a show.

10pm was Ashleigh's spot (Ashleigh Banfield on Location) until she was canned in April of 2003 for speaking out about news coverage of Iraq.

Phil was canned just 2 months earlier at a time when he had MSNBC's highest rated show (beating Tweety) because he would be a "difficult public face for NBC in a time of war".

And we all know what happened to Dan Rather.

I think they would make an outstanding team. All three bring unique qualities to the table. All three have shown true grit. But more importantly, all three have wide respect within MSNBC's viewer base. It would be a natural progression.

As to format, Chris Mathews covers the general "day to day" in an interview and panel discussion format, Shuster focuses on the executive branch, and the Olbermann/Maddow shows are complimentary. What is missing, is an in-depth, team based investigative journalism program.

Call it something like "Between the Lines", "A Closer Look", or "The Break Down".

[JaneQPublic]

50. How about the return of Rita Crosby, aka "Throaty McHuskyton"?

NOT!

[Ian David]

52. Give the show to Sam Seder and Marc Maron!

I loved their old shows, but their new "Breakroom Live" show... well, it doesn't SUCK, but I don't exactly love it.

I listen to it almost every day, but I've stopped going back and listening to the podcasts of the shows I've missed.

Anyway, maybe I'm not doing a very good job of selling people on the idea of giving Marc and Sam a TV show.

But look at it this way-- they've both done much better work before, and I believe they can do so again.

Notice I'm not suggesting Stephanie Miller.

I like her radio program too much just the way it is to risk having MSNBC screw it up somehow by giving her a TV show.

[SharonRB]

54. Nancy Skinner

She'd be a fresh face, not a recycled pundit from their other shows. She's done a lot of TV in addition to her radio shows and ran against President Obama in the Senate primary in Illinois -- she has a unique inside perspective on him. She'd have no trouble getting excellent guests.

[TroglodyteScholar]

56. Do you guys have trouble with reading comprehension?

...program that would complement its left-leaning evening lineup...

To me, that looks like they're going to bring in a righty.

[ShortnFiery]

57. "To me, that looks like they're going to bring in a righty."

I agree but would argue to the "suits" at MSNBC that Mourning Ho-Jo makes up for ALL the left leaning shows later on in the day.

Joe Scarborough is a rabid right wing nutcase. He's just VILE. Therefore, MSNBC, your illustrious quest for "balance" has been more than met.

[tan guera]

58. Hands down, easy answer!

HOWARD DEAN!!!!!

[RamboLiberal]

60. Disagree - Build on the momentum

KO is the perfect lead-in to Rachel. Rachel as a lead-in to a righty. NO! If you put a righty at 10PM all MSNBC will hear is the change channel buttons in all those homes.

Now I'm not saying its beyond the IQ of programming executives to pull such a move. They astound me at times with their programming stupidity.

[LeftyMom]

65. Well, apparently somebody does.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complement

Adding a winger wouldn't complement their existing programming at all.

[KamaAina]

59. Okay, I'll do it

if you insist.

Resume: several years on college radio (New Haven and NOLA), one uncredited film appearance, and most importantly, the guy who shared a cubicle with me for a year and a half walked in there a staunch conservative -- and came out an Obama voter (though he remains anti-choice)!

[ceedie]

62. BIG EDDIE!

He has it all! I would love to see him in prime time. Personality plus! If not Big
Eddie, then Stephanie Miller.... she is wonderful!

[Enrique]

66. what's Aaron Brown doing these days?

remember him?

[underpants]

67. HellOOO ...I am in the room!!!

Stephanie Miller would be great and would KILL in ratings

I really liked the old Aaron Brown show on CNN-it was a pause and reflect thing on the day's events. But that is just me. It was the only place with anyone against the War on Iraq got any regular air time before the war (Wes Clark)