MSNBC's Prime Change: Abrams' Memo

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/msnbc/msnbcs_prime_change_abrams_memo_39408.asp

<snip>

Beginning on Monday July 10, we will air two hours of taped programs at 10 and 11 pm Monday through Friday. Friday night taped programming has been an enormous success for us. As a result, we will complement our live primetime shows with programs from our library of long form shows. I believe this change will allow MSNBC to better reflect the numerous outlets that make up NBC News. The same way Dateline is a critical piece of NBC News, taped programming should be a critical piece for us as well. As we begin to ramp-up production of new programs, we will work closely with the team over at Dateline NBC to create hours on topics ranging from news of the day, to crime to the war on terror to politics. Of course we will also cover human interest stories which have long been a staple at Dateline as well.

I am thrilled that Scott Hooker will continue to serve as Senior Executive Producer of Documentary Production and Development . I am also pleased to announce that an old friend of MSNBC is back in house. Michael Rubin has returned to MSNBC after a 5 year absence and will serve as Vice President, long form programming. Mike has had a distinguished career producing long form programming here and at CBS News. Together, Mike and Scott will lead our efforts as we continue to build our tape inventory.

Rita Cosby is going to expand her role with us and become the primary anchor of "MSNBC Investigates." We need Rita to help take us to the next level. She will lead the newly created "Rita Cosby Specials" unit. As always, when there's a big story, Rita will be there. In addition, Rita will be one of the hosts of our documentary programming. "Live & Direct" has made headlines literally from its first day on the air and I expect that her new unit will continue to do so. I want to thank Rita, Angie and the whole team for their hard work and dedication over the past year.

Tucker Carlson will move from late prime to early prime, taking the place of my show at 4 and 6 pm eastern time. I'm excited to have Tucker jump-start our primetime lineup from his new home-base in Washington. Expect to see a number of new segments which will help better brand the show in the mold of . .well. . . Tucker Carlson. The goal. . . to have him to do a better show than I did! I believe that this schedule will help take us to the next level. I'm lucky to be able to work with such a great team here at MSNBC. Thanks for all your continued hard work.

<snip>

[AlCzervik]

1. " We need Rita to help take us to the next level" LOL you know what that

sounds like? Every company i've ever worked at has had a "Special projects" land, thats where people got "assigned" to right before they got canned.

[bdamomma]

2. no mention of Tweety or our man Keith

I heard they were going to keep both Tweety and Keith where they are. No mention of Joe Scarborough though, I am only interested and watch Keith.

[insane_cratic_gal]

3. not a single word about Olbermann?

I sincerely hope Dan isn't some rw wackadoodle

[rwheeler31]

4. More crap,

when will we get smart?

[bdamomma]

5. they are just giving us or everyone "fluff news"

the dumbing down of Americans continue.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Sounds like more of the same......

only perhaps without scarborough? tucker carlson in two spots? :puke:

I really did hope they would be bringing in some new talent, and i sure as hell hoped they would dump cosby, tucker & scarborough. If this is their big plan to save the network, I'm not at all sure it'll work. Dateline re-runs, yeah that's the ticket. K.O. ROCKS!

[C_U_L8R]

7. I hit the clicker

as soon as that taped "investigation" crap comes on,
Good thing they are putting Rita on them....
less clicker finger work to do :-)
One click and they're gone.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

8. There was an earlier thread posted in the week that said

Keith and Tweety were safe (I'm more concerned about Keith; I hate Tweety).

[GeorgeGist]

9. This is all you need to know what constitutes a Big Story to Danny boy

As always, when there's a big story, Rita will be there.

[flordehinojos]

10. ABRAMS IS, how do you say, CONDITIONING (?) MSNBC to become bush's latest

propaganda tool. MSNBC begins to sound like a canned version of propaganda 24/7 with the "news of the day, to crime to the war on terror to politics. Of course we will also cover human interest stories which have long been a staple at Dateline as well."..with probably only one version of the stories if you look at the lineups he has lined up.

Tucker Carlson
Rita Cosby
his own right winged brainstorms

what a puke!

[Bucky]

11. Is Scarborough out for health reasons? Weak ratings?

Lose another intern?

[Berry Cool]

12. Scarborough isn't out, sad to say.

He keeps his show at 9 pm, after Keith. It's from 10 to midnight that MSNBC is running the canned programming.

[fearthem]

13. Dan's not up to the job!