Infighting/on air squabbles on MSNBC to cause it to implode?

[cboy4]

Close observers of the cable noise networks say MSNBC is coming perilously close to imploding after a series of on-air squabbles involving Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough and David Shuster.

VIDEO BELOW:

“The situation at our channel is about to blow up,” a high-ranking MSNBC journalist told Politico on Wednesday.

"Do I want them to have squabbles?” MSNBC President Phil Griffin asked rhetorically. “No. But I understand they’re human. We hire smart people who are passionate about their love of politics and love of news.”

MSNBC prez defends convention team


Joe Scarborough got into an on-air tiff with David Shuster.
Photo: AP

DENVER — Amid a spate of awkward on-air conflicts among MNSBC anchors at this week’s Democratic convention, some staff members say there are sharp internal disputes at the cable network over whether its opinion and personality-driven political coverage has crossed the line.

“The situation at our channel is about to blow up,” a high-ranking MSNBC journalist told Politico on Wednesday.

Two other MSNBC sources said some of the testy on-air exchanges between Keith Olbermann — whose quick-witted and often caustic commentary has fueled ratings growth — and other network personalities were a public glimpse of much more intense behind-the-scenes turmoil.

As replays of the conflicts became YouTube hits, MSNBC President Phil Griffin gave his first public defense in a Politico interview.

“MSNBC does not have an ideology,” Griffin said. “We hire smart people who are passionate about their love of politics and love of news.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12900.html


Joe Scarborough flips out at DNC Convention -----------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adyW_-lf27Q

[valerief]

1. Of course, they totally sidestep the REAL offense, that bobbleheads manufactured

"problems" in the Dem party that never existed. That and talking over/blacking out the Dem speeches was the REAL offense.

The squabbling was actually fun. It was good teevee. But their coverage was 95% THEM and their manufactured "Dem party problems."

[Uncle Joe]

16. I second your post.

:thumbsup:

It's always been about them and that's a large part of the reason, Bush is in the White House. The corporate media in general don't want the American People to truly know their political leaders or for that matter the critical issues, just the caricatures, the corporate media wish to project.

[AndyA]

2. Note to MSNBC...here's the solution:

Dump Tweety and Joe.

Keep Olbermann and Schuster.

Give Schuster his own show.

Problem solved, the journalistic integrity of the network goes sky high, and more people will be watching.

With Keith, Rachel, and David you've got a winning combination!

[patrice]

6. I'll second that motion!

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

18. Agree with all the above, but keep Tweety and get rid of David Gregory.

[valerief]

23. The problem is it only works for the lower 95% of the country and

govt/media is designed for the upper 5%. We're supposed to behave and say, "Thank you. Poke me again in the other eye, Sir Moe."

[patrice]

3. Hey! I might even stop watching C-SPAN in order to see Keith & Joe fight it out!

More likely, I'll just move another TV into the exercise room and watch C-SPAN for INFORMATION and MSNBC for entertainment.

[Fuzz]

4. Scarborough has been a huge douchebag

[Mike Daniels]

11. Something happened during the Olympics when MJ was off the air

Joe's always been an overbearing twit prone to bulldozing over his co-hosts and guests in order to get his point across. However, up till now he usually seemed to step up to the line without going over it completely.

I don't know if this has been a factor but Morning Joe was completely off air during the Olympics while the evening shows continued to broadcast since NBC proper took the evening coverage of the sporting events. I don't know if that grated on the MJ cast but they've been overly aggressive since they've returned on air to the extent that all of them are coming off as boorish jackasses including the generally laid back Mika and Willie.

There is one other possibility...I've noticed that the show is being broadcast in a restaurant and given the time zone change they are broadcasting at 4 a.m. Mountain time. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the cast have been hitting the bars before they have to report in for make-up and show prep. That could also account for some of the punchiness that's been on display this week.

[marmar]

5. Nope. If MSNBC removes its right wing baggage (Scarborough, Brokaw), it will be fine.....

n/t

[Greyskye]

7. As much of a KO fan as I am...

...I've stopped watching the MSNBC convention coverage. Way to much talking head time, not enough given to the speakers. I moved one channel over and was much happier with the CSPAN coverage. I actually got to see all of the speakers. What a concept!

[radfringe]

13. same here

watched 99% of convention on c-span

the only time I switched to MSNBC was to see the blather reactions to bill clinton's speech... then quickly flipped back to watch biden

[spin]

8. Perhaps MSNBC could turn into a real 24/7 News Channel...

I generally watch all three 24/7 news channels. When some event happens they all focus on that story.

All I've seen lately is endless talking heads speculating on who's going to be McCain's VP or what Obama is going to say at the Convention or what Bill and Hillary really meant when they spoke.

The world is full of important stories I would love to hear about. Maybe MSNBC could provide this information and allow the other cable news networks to endlessly cover the story of the day.

Their ratings would increase and cable news junkies like me would be better informed.

[ClassWarrior]

9. It has nothing to do with their "personality-driven political format" and everything to do...

...with that verbal terrorist Joe Scarboro.

One bad apple, y'know.

NGU.

[Faygo Kid]

10. Keith is not getting along at all with Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw, either

They don't even respond directly to his questions anymore. Last night Keith asked them for their reaction to the "group hug" at the end with Obama and the Biden family, and they did not even make reference to it.

We know that Brian Williams is a huge Rush fan. He obviously doesn't like Keith at all. Tom Brokaw's comment yesterday about Bill Clinton avoiding the draft while McCain was a POW was clearly out of bounds.

Yes, MSNBC is imploding. Scarborough will be out soon, and no doubt end up on Faux; maybe CNN.

[LondonReign2]

27. Brian Williams is an utter douche bag

After the Michelle Obama speech he was brought in for his comments and couldn't say ONE positive thing. He shrugged it off with a "we'll see if it served its purpose, that isn't for us to judge". Want to bet he'll be judging the Republics' speeches and finding them brilliant? I'd love to have someone with tivo do a side-by-side of his commentary.

[Faygo Kid]

28. That's an insult to douche bags everywhere.

Like I said, the guy is a huge Limbaugh fan, and friend.

And he has problems with Keith? What a surprise.

Brokaw's not much better.

[noel711]

12. A grown-up needs to tell the children: "Grow up."

And a few of those children need a 'time out.' (Do you hear
me JOey Scarborough? Hey Joe, did you ever get those many
e-mails I sent you?)

I think this is another case of the media turning on itself;
the squabbles are part of the 'ego' package that every
cablenews outlet promotes. I've heard testy things on
other networks also...

This is a high anxiety week; but MSNBC needs to turn down the
volume, and less 'interface' with the personalities and more
read feed from the convention floor.

We watched C-Span all week, turning on MSNBC after it was
over for the 'post-game' commentary.

I could do without a few of those personalities; But broadcasting
from this high anxiety site, coupled with mountain altitude,
and certain folks probably hanging in the bar, produced some
immature temper tantrums.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

14. Scabs is smart? Hardly. Petulant, whiny, GOP shill? Nearer the mark...

You would think with Mika fellating him every morning he would exhibit a better demeanor. I have to go with an aforementioned sentiment expressed upthread and apply the label douchebag to him.

[pansypoo53219]

15. so.

the democrats are unified and the gnews are divided.

[hedgehog]

17. I thought that last comment deserved a rec!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. And they didn't even mention the Mike Murphy incident from yesterday.

I thought the crowd was about to start throwing batteries.

[TahitiNut]

20. And Politico pours gasoline on the fire ... just like the bomb-throwing right-wingers they are.

Politico is all about spreading the memes of the right-wing as the left gains ascendancy over the smoking rubble of 8 years of rape and pillage.

[cboy4]

21. Be that as it may ... it's all the talk on the journalism

industry news sites ... all of which I'm very familiar with.

http://www.newsblues.com/

http://www.tvspy.com/shoptalk.cfm

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45

[TahitiNut]

22. Narcissistic navel-gazing BY "insiders" FOR "insiders"

The most fundamental problem with the "news" media these days is that THEY think THEY'RE the "story" ... what THEY predict, what THEY think, what THEY do.

No wonder THEY get along with politicians who also think it's ALL ABOUT THEM. Overpaid media whores in bed with overpaid political hogs ... it comes natural.

[cboy4]

24. I'm sure you don't think all black people rob banks.

Or that all white people belong to the Ku Klux Klan, or that all Latinos are in this country illegally, etc.

So why would accuse the entire news media, as opposed to singling out specific journalists you have a beef with? Huh?

Do you think all cops beat the hell out of people like Rodney King? Of course not.

Come on Tahiti....how about using some critical thinking as opposed to lazy and reckless generalizations?

:thumbsdown:

[TahitiNut]

26. Q.E.D.

Why is it of more importance that the media on-air "talent" has a spat than the tellers at my local bank or factory workers assembling our automobiles?

You might take the condescending shit and stick it where the sun don't shine.

[cboy4]

31. No, I will always be condescending with idiocy.

Generalizing groups of people is not in line with Democratic values.

So tough. Know what I'm sayin?

[Phoonzang]

25. Do people want MSNBC to be the liberal FOX News?

Serious question. Do they want an actual "fair and balanced" news network, or a biased one (albeit biased in their favor)? Because just having Rachel, Shuster, and Keith doesn't get you the former.

Personally, I'm TIRED of seeing network anchors become commentators. I'm tired of hearing their subjective opinion and spin on the news. I just want the news. Analysis is fine, but really...keep it reasonable. Look to PBS as an example.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. Big steaming pile of horseshit. Rachel, Shuster, and Keith aren't like Fox.

The fact that they report the truth, honestly, appears to lead you to mistakenly believe they've got a bias.

They're the most honest people outside of PBS.

[Dukkha]

30. I only listen to it on NPR

all the speeches were aired uninterrupted last night. I gives the event a feel of old nostalgic charm to only listen to it on the radio.