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You are here: Home / Send In the Clown

Send In the Clown

by $8 blue check mistermix|  October 20, 20117:39 am| 87 Comments

This post is in: Good News For Conservatives

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I understand why MSNBC features Lawrence O’Donnell and Rachel Maddow. They’re smart and experienced political analysts. Ed Schultz is a mystery. He strikes me as a blowhard moron with tendency to blurt out sexist namecalling and use cheap editing tricks. Nevertheless, MSNBC is juggling its schedule to put Ed in the prime spot in its lineup (8 PM), and moving LOD to 10 PM.

Judging from the ratings, Bill O’Reilly is killing O’Donnell at 8 PM, while Ed is doing a bit better versus Greta Van Susteren at 10. Greta is clearly the weakest link in the Fox lineup (O’Reilly is on at 8, Hannity at 9 and Greta at 10), so it makes sense that Ed would do a bit better against her.

Fewer than 5 million people watched cable news at 8 PM this Monday, so why I give a shit at all is an open question, but I still hate the notion that the job of number one prime time liberal spokesman is going to this gaffe-prone idiot.

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87Comments

  1. 1.

    zattarra

    October 20, 2011 at 7:44 am

    I’m pretty sure this is designed to kill off Ed Schultz on MSNBC. Between O’Reilly and Oberman O’Donnell’s 8:00PM is tough for a liberal. Now they can kill Schultz for poor ratings.

  2. 2.

    jazzgurl

    October 20, 2011 at 7:48 am

    Yep. All we need at 8.00 p.m is Ed Schulz bawling and screaming at us through the telly in prime time. Ugh! Does MSNBC have any serious thoughts on programming at all…that is the question! (prison shows on weekends, Pat Buchanan, Morning Joe,Mika the dumbed down,… and we could go on and on.) The MSM is a misguided,surreal, freak reality show from pundits/hosts/analysts,the lot.

  3. 3.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 7:49 am

    How long has LO’D been on at 8 p.m.? Since KO left? I’d argue MSNBC is tinkering with the lineup too much. Smells like flopsweat.

  4. 4.

    Dave

    October 20, 2011 at 7:53 am

    Yes, thank you. Ed Schultz has never once said anything interesting, and in his career of saying things on television, he has been terribly ugly all the while. Seriously, the guy is an aesthetic atrocity in every way conceivable.

  5. 5.

    Elizabelle

    October 20, 2011 at 7:53 am

    Meanwhile, on liberal MSNBC, Joe Scarborough will not give President Obama a word of credit on today’s possible capture of Qaddafi.

    Per Joe, it’s “the Arab Spring.”

    And “the French.”

    Word.

    PS: I find Schultz a blowhard, and think this is a bad move.

    Any thoughts on a dream 8:00 p host for MSNBC? Even someone not currently affiliated with the network.

  6. 6.

    Violet

    October 20, 2011 at 7:55 am

    I tend to be at the gym when Al Sharpton’s show is on, so that’s the one I get to watch. He seems to have taken to wearing a vest over his shirt and tie, but no jacket. Solidarity with the working man, or something. I don’t think he’s very good at what he does. Not sure why he’s got a show.

  7. 7.

    Elizabelle

    October 20, 2011 at 7:55 am

    Report that Qaddafi has died.

  8. 8.

    SiubhanDuinne

    October 20, 2011 at 7:57 am

    Until he got the MSNBC gig, I had never heard of Ed Schultz. And while I’ve tried to watch him a handful of times, I just find him a bombastic loudmouth. Like it or not, tone matters, and I don’t watch teevee to be yelled at, even by people whose politics align with mine.

    But then, AFAIAC the new lineup is fine. I often don’t get home until 9:00 or later, so if the shuffle increases my odds of seeing LO’D and decreases my chances of seeing Schultz, that’s just dandy with me.

  9. 9.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 7:58 am

    @Elizabelle:

    Any thoughts on a dream 8:00 p host for MSNBC? Even someone not currently affiliated with the network.

    What’s the name of that BBC host who makes politicians squirm because he won’t let them get away with not answering questions? Him.

  10. 10.

    Elizabelle

    October 20, 2011 at 8:01 am

    @Violet:

    I can’t get beyond Sharpton’s past with the Tawana Brawley hoax. Believe he’s never apologized for that?

    Can’t MSNBC get better hosts?

    Is that by design? Give them the appearance of “liberal” hosts, but not really good ones?

    Why not Martin Bashir? Maybe a rotating lineup including Naomi Wolf and some very good investigative journalists? MSNBC has deep pockets, relatively, and there’s an appetite for actual news.

  11. 11.

    amk

    October 20, 2011 at 8:01 am

    @arguingwithsignposts: Stephen John Sackur ?

  12. 12.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 8:02 am

    @Violet:

    Not sure why he’s got a show.

    Because Cenk Uygur’s “guy in his basement broadcasting on his webcam” schtick was worse.

  13. 13.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 8:04 am

    @amk: Jeremy Paxman. Here’s a “best of” video.

  14. 14.

    amk

    October 20, 2011 at 8:04 am

    @arguingwithsignposts: cenk was the worst wart of the lot. What were they thinking at cnbc ?

  15. 15.

    Elizabelle

    October 20, 2011 at 8:06 am

    I would have Al Gore on every now and then, on the environment or on someone or some company that is making our government and society work better.

    Maybe give him the occasional 8 pm special.

    Show the passionate Al Gore, who does exist (in limited quantity).

    Also a rotating feature of documentaries — not on prisons! — at 8. Get some young filmmakers out there visiting America and the world.

  16. 16.

    amk

    October 20, 2011 at 8:08 am

    @arguingwithsignposts: ah, yes. He is good too. He is the typical wry kind while sackur is more serious. Both are miles ahead of any of the ‘interviewers’ of the third rate american msm.

  17. 17.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 8:10 am

    @amk: Hadn’t heard of Sackur. I’ll check him out.

  18. 18.

    amk

    October 20, 2011 at 8:12 am

    @arguingwithsignposts: He is the main anchor of Hard Talk. The guy never raises his voice. That’s a huge plus for me. He does his research well.

  19. 19.

    Elizabelle

    October 20, 2011 at 8:14 am

    Interesting that the Pan Am Lockerbie bomber released to Libya might survive Qaddafi.

    Anyhoo, here’s The Guardian coverage on the morning’s events.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/20/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live

  20. 20.

    Elizabelle

    October 20, 2011 at 8:15 am

    @amk:

    Have not heard of either of these journalists. Thank you. Link to their work?

  21. 21.

    Capri

    October 20, 2011 at 8:21 am

    I listened to Schultz for a few years on the radio before he got the TV gig, so maybe I got used to him. I like him a lot.

    I hear over and over again that liberals need to 1)match the passion of the right wing and 2)get better at turning their message into simple 4-word slogans that are easy for everyone to understand.

    Then they get a guy who is passionate and talks in easy-to-understand sound bites and what happens? Liberals hate him because he is loud and gets a lot of things wrong (Which has to happen when you over simplify). Be careful what you wish for.

  22. 22.

    amk

    October 20, 2011 at 8:22 am

    @ Elizablle @ 20

    Sackur – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/default.stm

    Paxman – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/3094255.stm

  23. 23.

    Keith G

    October 20, 2011 at 8:25 am

    @Elizabelle: Ron Reagan

  24. 24.

    WereBear

    October 20, 2011 at 8:30 am

    I like Reverend Al. He took a while to get used to everything, but he’s getting better all the time.

    That dry sense of humor really works for me. He often focuses on things others pass over, which adds value.

    Tawana Brawley was a hoax; on a lot of people. It was clear he didn’t start it; I felt he was as hoaxed as anyone, and then you have the problem of not supporting the next rape victim if you are harsh from the outset.

    Right now, he’s quietly promoting healthy eating and exercise, especially for young people. He quietly lost his weight, and is quietly changing attitudes. Heck, even Dick Gregory was pushing weight loss drinks & such; one could get upset with HIM over Walter Hudson.

  25. 25.

    Keith G

    October 20, 2011 at 8:30 am

    @Elizabelle: Thanks for the link.

  26. 26.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 8:32 am

    @amk: Here’s a YT of Paxman interviewing Russell Brand. Sort of different from his interviews with politicians. Brand comes off well too.

  27. 27.

    jazzgurl

    October 20, 2011 at 8:37 am

    The Rev Al is the bomb!Love him as he keeps it real!
    Chris Matthews,…goes in an sound,blows hot and cold,cuts his guests off
    Lawrence O’Donell…is good and watchable
    Dr Rachel Maddow……good,but tends to drag on a bit
    Ed Schultz…bombastic and needs more research
    Martin Bashir..never liked him, but have to admit he has gotten better.
    Cenk Ugur was the worst! Good riddance!

  28. 28.

    SiubhanDuinne

    October 20, 2011 at 8:45 am

    Jeez. Why did FYWP eat my post supporting the idea of Ron Reagan at 8:00 pm? it didn’t have any of those ciaIis words.

  29. 29.

    A Mom Anon

    October 20, 2011 at 8:47 am

    I used to listen to Ed on the radio. I’m not a big fan,but one thing he did on Fridays was to ask small business people to call in to get some freebie advertising on the show. He’d ask them for their web address,phone number and to tell the people about their business. I loved that and wish more of our liberal radio people would do something similar.

    I stopped watching teevee talking heads at least a year ago,all it did was piss me off. Even Rachel Maddow started working my last nerve. Now I watch science stuff,foodie things or documentary type stuff. There are a few good tv shows on that I watch sometimes,but I’d rather walk the dog or damned near anything else.

  30. 30.

    batgirl

    October 20, 2011 at 8:48 am

    I’ve always thought of Ed Schultz at the left-wing’s Rush Limbaugh and that is not a good thing, IMHO.

  31. 31.

    Jay in Oregon

    October 20, 2011 at 8:49 am

    Ed Schultz sounds too much like an early Rush Limbaugh for my liking. (Not necessarily in content but in tone and manner.) In the early days of his radio show, he touted himself as a “gun owning, meat-eating leftie.”

    He was against the HCR bill during the debate, saying the Democrats needed to scrap the bill and start over. I remember a particularly tone-deaf session where he was talking about his favorite hunting lodge in Canada being in danger of closing, and was musing about buying it — the bonus being, as a business owner in Canada, he could qualify to get into the Canadian healthcare system and leave our crappy system behind. Now that’s working class!

    The last time I listened to his show, he was saying that Democrats in Wisconsin needed their own “999” plan. I know! Let’s go out and get 500,000 signatures of Walker’s recall petition in 9 days, 9 minutes and 9 seconds! We could make a party out of it! The bars are open until 2 am, right? (Yes, this is actually what he said.)

  32. 32.

    amk

    October 20, 2011 at 8:56 am

    @arguingwithsignposts: Thanks. That was a good one. Brand seems to a born-again non-believer of fame. :)

  33. 33.

    Somerville

    October 20, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Wow! I’m surprised at the Ed Schultz bashing. Obviously some of us librul elite types find it difficult to connect with the hoi polloi. It is exactly Ed’s passionate outbursts and strong advocacy for liberal policies that make for good TV. He connects with working class far better than the fake O’Reilly.

    Yes, Ed gets stuff wrong but unlike far too many of the talking heads on our TVs he has admitted his mistakes and apologised, even though sometimes, not as bad as those rightie ‘notpologies’, he has used his passion as an excuse.

    @jazzgurl Cenk Uygur – the “worst” – really? I liked Cenk and will be glad when his new show starts on Current TV. For me, Martin Bashir brings back memories of BBC as a kid – it’s the accent and his personal style. Rev. Al – I change channels and watch reruns of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

  34. 34.

    ornery

    October 20, 2011 at 9:03 am

    Glad there’s time to eat another of our own. I was afraid things were getting serious out there.

    So this Mrmix throws out his bit of chum and people come in, one by one, for their two-minute hate comment against the named target.

    The Right has won so thoroughly, so madly, so deeply.

  35. 35.

    El Cid

    October 20, 2011 at 9:03 am

    I know a number of guys who listen to XM / Sirius and they are either Democrats or just don’t like conservatives.

    They liked Ed Schultz specifically because he seemed like the sort of anti-Rush Limbaugh.

    I hear phrases like ‘He doesn’t put up with any shit’ or ‘about time they had someone who doesn’t kiss the conservative ass’. Or even that he seems like a big guy who would beat the shit out of Sean Hannity, an even I’d give up much savings to see. Things like that.

    It’s the loudness and boisterousness they appreciate.

    I think if we believe that any segment of Democratic voter wants to sit around and listen to O’Donnell or those who sound like other good Senate chiefs of staff, we’re fucking nuts.

    They’re smart guys without much college education. They watch Maddow every now & then but it bores them. One of them does semi-regularly listen to Thom Hartmann, but much more often the Stephanie Miller Show.

    These guys aren’t here on the comments blogs but they have Facebook pages and argue back against the Republicans who post various shit.

    Schultz isn’t the ideal prototype for this sort of character, but the idea of there being a liberal “Rush Limbaugh” in terms of loud mouthedness and, yes, a degree of macho posturing, isn’t wrong.

    [Note: let me clarify: Ed Schultz has extremely more than a ‘degree’ of macho posturing; it’s most of his act. I’m just noting that such bluster is not horrifyingly wrong in and of itself if it’s within some sane levels, and the more grounded it is the better — given that the potential listening audience is what it is and the alternative is either sports talk or asshole morning FM shows, for these guys.]

  36. 36.

    Woodrowfan

    October 20, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Ed’s OK in small doses. Rev. Al has too much race-baiting in his past for me to like him, not just the Brawley Hoax, but protests against Korean markets that got quite racist.

    Rachel Maddow rocks!

  37. 37.

    harlana

    October 20, 2011 at 9:06 am

    @Somerville: I have to agree with you (and this is not directed at you): What an intolerant bunch, it’s supposed to be a big tent but you want to kick out anybody that does or says stupid things on occasion but who passionately supports the working class and goes around the country having town halls so that we who still listen to his radio show can hear the voice of the people. Let’s not give him any credit for doing anything positive. K, you bunch of purists, you’ve really got a lot of nerve talking about “purity being the enemy of the good” and holier-than-thou yourselves. Do I give a sh*t that he has a big ego? KO had a big ego, too, but he did a lot of good IMO.

    Carry on in your usual, tiresome, oh so superior fashion.

  38. 38.

    ant

    October 20, 2011 at 9:09 am

    @Elizabelle:

    Any thoughts on a dream 8:00 p host for MSNBC? Even someone not currently affiliated with the network.

    Thom Hartmann

  39. 39.

    harlana

    October 20, 2011 at 9:12 am

    @ornery: yep, sort of lemming-like, ain’t it?

  40. 40.

    El Cid

    October 20, 2011 at 9:12 am

    @ant: What happened with him totally clamming up on Bill Maher? Did he just refuse to speak given John Fund and that money show woman yelling at him?

    Bill Maher always proudly lets right wingers talk over libruls, but makes sure to have libruls let the poor conservatives speak.

  41. 41.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 9:12 am

    @Somerville: There’s a reason for the phrase YMMV. I couldn’t put up with much Cenk even before he was on TV. Beshir has real promise, as long as the suits at MSNBC don’t mess him up.

  42. 42.

    El Cid

    October 20, 2011 at 9:15 am

    @El Cid: Also, when I said “any segment” of Dem voters listening to L’OD, I meant every single segment.

  43. 43.

    rikryah

    October 20, 2011 at 9:18 am

    I like Lawrence, and even like Ed, though he still hasn’t apologized for his ‘ don’t vote in 2010 bullshyt’

  44. 44.

    handsmile

    October 20, 2011 at 9:21 am

    Other candidates for the MSNBC 8:00pm “dream host”:

    Amy Goodman (Democracy Now)
    Laura Flanders (GritTV)
    Christiana Amanpour (a humanitarian rescue from Sunday morning bobble-head hell)

    The default substitute of another white man, especially one with a plummy accent, should be resisted.

    My one cent on the MSNBC schedule switch: Ed Schultz’s rhetorical skills and oratorical style is better matched up against Bill-O. His talk radio-derived manner may draw a larger, albeit older, audience at that earlier hour. (Though I must say that zattara’s cynical speculation above (#1) may well be correct.)

  45. 45.

    ornery

    October 20, 2011 at 9:25 am

    @Capri: Then they get a guy who is passionate and talks in easy-to-understand sound bites and what happens? Liberals hate him because he is loud and gets a lot of things wrong

    This thread was not about anything “Liberal” … it is an unprovoked attack on one of our very few Progressive-minded media talkers: an enforcement of purity, an exercise of attack upon those who our Dear Leader paints a target upon.

    This thread is Leftist in the original sense of the term. We seem to have lost the concept of being Liberal, in the sense of tolerance and prizing of diversity.

    The Right wants working-class America to take the label Left, and act the part, because that is a fight they can win. Seems to be working. Thanks for weakening our side with a load of crap mrmix.

  46. 46.

    piratedan

    October 20, 2011 at 9:29 am

    @Elizabelle: what you’ve described is the Current Network, financed and influenced by Gore himself, who’s responsible for putting KO back on the airwaves. He’s followed by Vanguard…a show that is usually nothing but documentary series by independent filmmakers.

  47. 47.

    El Kabong

    October 20, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Olbermann’s numbers were good, and they got rid of him. Maddow and LO’D put on fine shows (LO’D has particularly started to find his voice) and they’re pushed aside to give the prime spot to Ed? Ed?!? I think there’s more than ratings at work here.

  48. 48.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 20, 2011 at 9:30 am

    @ornery: Lighten up, Francis.

  49. 49.

    Mary Jane

    October 20, 2011 at 9:33 am

    @rikryah: I was looking for someone to mention this. Schultz has always been over the top but telling his audience not to vote was some seriously stupid emo shit. Yeah, real advocate for the working stiff.

    I like Martin Bashir but I’m unable to catch him often. The O’Donnell move will mess with my westcoast schedule. 7:00pm is dinner and Jeopardy with the family.

  50. 50.

    harlana

    October 20, 2011 at 9:35 am

    And hey, don’t tell me to stfu and stop being a “purist”, and then – i do exactly as you demand and go sit in the corner, as you demand that i do lest i be ridiculed. And I have even learned quite a lot from all of you in the regard. I have learned patience and the ability to see the larger picture, despite my own personal panic about my own situation, including my own inability to separate my personal situation from my concerns about my fellow man suffering much worse than I.

    But then don’t turn around an demand your own brand of purity from people who are actually on your side! Oh, man. Talk about whiners.

  51. 51.

    ornery

    October 20, 2011 at 9:36 am

    @arguingwithsignposts: Funny, that’s what I’m asking YOU to do, asshole.

  52. 52.

    Joel

    October 20, 2011 at 9:40 am

    Aren’t the 8-9pm time slots taken up by messers Stewart and Colbert?

  53. 53.

    Elizabelle

    October 20, 2011 at 10:02 am

    @piratedan:

    Thank you re Current. Will look into that. Can you watch it online? (Don’t usually have cable.)

    Thank you to amk for the links at comment 22.

    You guys have some good suggestions on programming. From your fingertips to — who knows? May the FSM be listening.

  54. 54.

    Rob

    October 20, 2011 at 10:15 am

    Ed Schultz may be a blowhard but he’s OUR blowhard. It’s nice to have someone like him fighting back in a totally visceral manner. And, while I greatly appreciate O’Donnell and Maddow, Ed Schultz gives more heartfelt coverage of the plight of working stiffs and the American labor movement.

  55. 55.

    Bob

    October 20, 2011 at 10:19 am

    Chris Hays should replace Ed, that’s my fucking awesome suggestion.

  56. 56.

    Rob

    October 20, 2011 at 10:24 am

    Just read a post where someone declared Big Ed to be an “aesthetic atrocity”. Really? That’s what we want from those who fight for us in the media – aesthetic atrocities? WTF? No wonder we get our butts kicked on a daily basis.

  57. 57.

    Sentient Puddle

    October 20, 2011 at 10:27 am

    @Capri:

    Liberals hate him because he is loud and gets a lot of things wrong (Which has to happen when you over simplify).

    No, it really doesn’t.

  58. 58.

    hells littlest angel

    October 20, 2011 at 10:39 am

    The animosity toward Ed Schultz baffles me. He’s a good-hearted, salt-of-the-earth leftie who proudly uses the word “liberal” to describe himself. Does he occasionally get things wrong? Yes. Does he shoot his mouth off? Yes. These things are features, not bugs. One of the dumbass canards right-wingers use to demonize the left is to characterize us as “limousine liberals,” effete, over-educated snobs. Ed is the answer to that bullshit. When I want the facts, I listen to Maddow or Chris Hayes; when I want to get stirred up, I listen to Ed.

    He’s a good guy, he’s on our side and he fills a need. If you don’t like him, don’t watch him, but don’t sell him short. He does more to advance progressive causes than all of us commenting here put together.

  59. 59.

    Sentient Puddle

    October 20, 2011 at 10:46 am

    @hells littlest angel: How is getting things wrong a feature and not a bug?

  60. 60.

    hells littlest angel

    October 20, 2011 at 10:51 am

    @Sentient Puddle: It makes him a “regular guy,” rather than a “commie smartypants.”

    I know that’s dumb. We live in a sometimes dumb country.

  61. 61.

    Judas Escargot

    October 20, 2011 at 11:00 am

    @Capri:

    I listened to Schultz for a few years on the radio before he got the TV gig, so maybe I got used to him. I like him a lot.

    Same here. But I do think his style and substance are more suited to daytime radio. Plus, IMO his intended audience is much more likely to tune into AM radio during the workday, than plop themselves down in front of MSNBC to watch him.

    Not sure why the liberal hate. He speaks more to working-class issues than Maddow and O’Donnell ever did.

  62. 62.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    October 20, 2011 at 11:03 am

    I can only take Schultz and LO’D in small doses. Schultz does get a lot of things wrong in his bluster, and at least when he started, he was too much following the CNN model of partisan talking heads shouting at each other. I’m guessing that was the network’s decision. One thing that he did that was great was the scroll of how many jobs in each state the Senate killed to protect the million-a-years (not millionaires, we gotta watch that).
    O’Donnell’s good if he’s got a good guest, but on his own he’s windy and smug, and he seems to have an obsession with stunt interviews: Herman Cain, Joe the Plumber. When he’s interviewing someone he disagrees with, his contempt for them shows and he trips over his own condescension.

  63. 63.

    Larv

    October 20, 2011 at 11:23 am

    @ornery:

    This thread was not about anything “Liberal” … it is an unprovoked attack on one of our very few Progressive-minded media talkers: an enforcement of purity, an exercise of attack upon those who our Dear Leader paints a target upon.

    Jeesh, emo much? Here I thought mistermix was just expressing an opinion, which is kinda what blogging is all about. But no, apparently the Obama admin has sicced mm on its nemesis, Ed Schultz. Seriously, WTF? Is this snark?

    We seem to have lost the concept of being Liberal, in the sense of tolerance and prizing of diversity.

    Do you seriously not see the irony here? Mistermix posts an opinion about Ed, several people agree with him, and then you and a couple others go nuts about how this is a somehow a betrayal of progressivism and an attempt to kick Ed out of the tent. You complain about everyone else’s “two-minute hate” against Ed, and respond by posting your own against mistermix.

    Funny, that’s what I’m asking YOU to do, asshole.

    See, now THAT is tolerance and respect for a diversity of opinions.

  64. 64.

    Jay in Oregon

    October 20, 2011 at 11:44 am

    @rikryah:
    I’d forgotten about that. Did Ed ever explain why swinging the vote towards the Tea Party whackjobs would get us better results?

  65. 65.

    SteveinSC

    October 20, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    @hells littlest angel:

    The animosity toward Ed Schultz baffles me.

    It’s no mystery here on the Island of Unloved Prigs. Schultz is fair with his guests and has got balls, objects sorely missing from the crowd of Exquisite Prigs who have taken over this blog. I like Chris Hayes and the Rev. Al is funny on someone else’s show and a flop on his own. None of them fight fire with fire except Ed and yeah he is a creature of the people–including Granby High in Norfolk, so fuck BJ, land of the bloodless Prigs.

  66. 66.

    harlana

    October 20, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    @SteveinSC: well, i guess their sensitivities are more delicate than i thot. go figure.

    also, “hey” from SC

  67. 67.

    harlana

    October 20, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    And, finally, I like it all. Each person on the MSNBC evening line-up has something to offer. Diversity is a good thing.

  68. 68.

    Kewalo

    October 20, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    When I first heard that they were changing O’d’s time slot my first thought was that since KO was on at the same time he was taking viewers away from MSNBC. So they are moving O’d to try and keep those viewers. I think that both men probably have the same type of followers and that Ed has a different demographic. I watch KO rather then O’d and usually skip Ed anyway. Although like many here I like Ed, I think he’s a good liberal and reaches folks that wouldn’t necessarily watch KO or O’d.

  69. 69.

    ChrisB

    October 20, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Is it anyone’s impression that Olbermann has moved further to the left since moving to Current, with O’Donnell occupying a more establishment left position on MSNBC?

  70. 70.

    Judas Escargot

    October 20, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    @ChrisB:

    Is it anyone’s impression that Olbermann has moved further to the left since moving to Current, with O’Donnell occupying a more establishment left position on MSNBC?

    Yes, and there’s nothing wrong with either.

    KO seems to enjoy being his own boss (they let him do as he pleases, unlike MSNBC). KO’s also been dedicating at least half of every hour to OWS coverage, which I appreciate. He’s actually doing “news” now.

    LO’D is more of a process wonk, because of his Senate background, and IMO he’s at his best when he plays The Explainer to his viewers.

    Ironically, I’m more likely to see LO’D when he moves back to the 10pm slot.

  71. 71.

    Jay in Oregon

    October 20, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    @hells littlest angel:

    Does he occasionally get things wrong? Yes. Does he shoot his mouth off? Yes. These things are features, not bugs.

    No, getting things wrong is not a “feature”. See Anderson Cooper and the “47% don’t pay taxes” gaffe.

  72. 72.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    I love how we eat our own. Ed appeals to many working class people I know. I know cons who like Ed because while they think he’s wrong as a liberal commentator, they appreciate his passion and his love of the working people.

    There is nothing wrong with having a blowhard. People call us out for having too many doctoral type hosts (God, I LOVE Thom Hartmann but I know he isn’t for everybody). I listen to Ed, he has his moments where I want to yell at him and he has many more moments where I say right on.

    Can we just admit that while he’s not for everybody, he’s not a bad guy to have on OUR side fighting and speaking for those who don’t always like long winded explanations of policy?

  73. 73.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    @ChrisB: No. Lawrence has stated many times how he’s a proud s-list and has ranted on things farther left than Keith ever did.

    I do agree moving to Current has brought out Keith’s more liberal impulses and I love it.

  74. 74.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    @harlana: This. Don’t like Ed, don’t watch but know he is preaching to people who like bombasticness. Don’t like Lawrence because maybe he’s too cerebral? Maybe Rev. Al is for you.

    I see what MSNBC is doing and it’s fine. The day Ed starts getting racist and pulling a Glenn Beck is the day I will agree he needs to go. Until then, I appreciate the fact he’s just another different voice that stands up for the liberal point of view.

  75. 75.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Right now he’s got a scroll of all the Republicans who killed the jobs bill.

  76. 76.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    @Rob: Troll post. I read that and thought how his looks matter?

    Righties call him fat, they call Maddow a boy and they call Olbermann a jerk and arrogant. If somebody’s looks or demeanor were the reason I watch or listen than I’d be a Fox groupie years ago. Simply due to the female hosts love of short skirts and model looks.

  77. 77.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    @Woodrowfan: Rev Al yells too much. Ed talks loudly and it does annoy me BUT he’s learned to tone it down a bit since he first debuted on tv.

    I wish they’d give Mike Papantonio a show.

  78. 78.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    @ant: Thom is Lawrence. A cerebral, brilliant man who would never cut it in prime time. Thom is best suited to what Current is doing. Al Gore, are you reading this?

  79. 79.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    @El Cid: Thom talked briefly about that. He deferred to Bill many times while telling his caller that the show isn’t supposed to be about them yelling over each other. Thom handled himself just fine. When he had the facts, he shot down John Fund. A guy like Fund is looking for a fight and that just isn’t Thom’s style.

    I will say Penn Gillette was a bit disdainful to Fund a couple times in the discussion. Bill is good at shutting that blowhard down anyway, so it was awesome when he called Fund a liar for some dumb comment he made.

  80. 80.

    hells littlest angel

    October 20, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    @Jay in Oregon: I was being glib. I shouldn’t have been glib. Alright already.

    But I love Ed Schultz.

  81. 81.

    The Populist

    October 20, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    @handsmile: Seeing how Bill sells himself as a salt of the earth, working class roots guy, Ed makes sense as counterprogramming. Many people who watch O’Reilly will tell you they are “independents” (much as Bill does even though we know it’s not true). I can see Ed peeling off some of those viewers who like a host who talks loudly about the issues while defending their core principles.

    It will be interesting to see how the ratings look in a month or two.

  82. 82.

    David Koch

    October 20, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    Olbermann has always been insufferable. Like the time he spent 10 minutes screaming that Hillary was trying to induce followers to assassinate Obama.

    Fucking nutz.

  83. 83.

    virag

    October 20, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    al gore has his own network. he’s hired olbermann and cenk for it so far.

  84. 84.

    virag

    October 20, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    msnbc can’t really believe that big ed will do anything to take viewers away from bill o’reilly, and i don’t think they believe they have much hope against the hardcore olbermann fans either. it looks to me like this move is about cnn. the super geniuses at msnbc probably hope that the o’donnell/big ed switcheroo will help msnbc against the cnn lineup. from the recent industry chatter, cnn believes it will take msnbc’s lunch money in prime time without olbermann to bring viewers to msnbc.

  85. 85.

    ABL

    October 20, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    I’m with mistermix. I don’t trust Ed Schultz. I generally am wary of nascent liberals with rabid right-wing pasts. It just doesn’t sit well with me.

  86. 86.

    CaliCat

    October 20, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    Except for Sharpton, MSNBC is terrible. They’re the TV version of the Huffington Post. They’re all about trying to be the “FOX of the left” which is a ridiculous concept to begin with. They basically pander to whatever left-ish demographic they think will watch them the most. Add to that the weekend prison shows and it’s clear MSNBC is not serious about anything remotely resembling journalism.

  87. 87.

    piratedan

    October 20, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    I love TRMS…. she’s concise, fact driven and has a quirky sense of humor and isn’t afraid to call out Dems or R’s alike, tho she mainly focuses on the perpetual lie factory that is Murdoch’s empire and hypocrisy of R’s in general. When she gets something wrong, she apologizes.

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