Rita...Tucker...Joe...been nice knowin' ya. Good luck on the job hunt.

[Human Torch]

Excerpt from the NYT article on new MSNBC head Dan Abrams and the plan to deep-six "some of" the channel's current programming.

:patriot:

The channel has already moved two hours of what is known in television as long-form reports onto its Friday night lineup, displacing its lineup of talk shows from 9 to 11 p.m. on that night. That model is doing well enough to be considered as a wider plan for MSNBC going forward.

One senior NBC executive said, "There will probably be one to two hours of long-form taped shows every night in prime time." The executive spoke on condition of anonymity because the decisions were not final and would affect some of the prime-time hosts, like Rita Cosby, Tucker Carlson and Joe Scarborough, now working on the channel.

Two of the channel's hosts, Chris Matthews of "Hardball" and Keith Olbermann of "Countdown," clearly will not be affected, because MSNBC's managers consistently cite those programs as long-sought breakthroughs.

"We've just got to build on those two shows," Mr. Griffin said, sitting beside Mr. Abrams in the conference room at MSNBC. "It's critical. We have to capitalize on their success."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/business/media/26msnbc.html?_r=5&hp&ex=1151294400&en=bb5a7429eb4bd81b&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=slog&oref=login

[babylonsister]

1. Tweety mentioned in the same breath as KO is an insult imo. nt

[Catherine Vincent]

2. I agree.

Matthews is too much of a media whore.

[Human Torch]

4. Tweets is the "Cash Cow" for the channel...

...and ditching Olbermann would only complete MSNBC's journey to the dark side. They'd immediately become nothing more than a Fox wannabe, and I believe that Abrams and the powers that be understand that.

:patriot:

[Clark2008]

6. Actually, Olbermann's become the cash cow.

He is the channel's No. 1 rated show, particularly in that much-sought-after 24-54 demographic.

Way to go, Keith! :loveya:

[MADem]

12. Olbermann is the guy, Tweety pulled less of a share than Donahue

when Donahue got axed for purely political reasons.

They might want to actually LOOK at what Olbermann covers, and how he does it, and use that template to broaden their market share, the ditzes.

[Oceansaway]

3. aaaahhhhh, see they ate too many

shit sandwiches.....now they have the 'runs'....LOL

[AndyA]

5. I hope the door hits them on the butt on their way out.

And I also hope Tucker's silly bow tie gets caught in the door as it slams shut. I hear PeeWee Herman is looking for a new sidekick. Tucker would be perfect for the job, he's even sillier than PeeWee.

[truebrit71]

7. Excellent news!! If they get rid of Fucker Carlson, Rita "The Throat"...

..and Joe "I killed an intern and all I did was get away with it" Scarborough that will be a significant step in the right direction....

[Radical Activist]

8. Pandering to the Fox crowd didn't work eh?

Good. Now bring back Donahue and I might start watching again!

[Clark2008]

9. But this is just on Friday nights...

I guess the tedious threesome of Squint, Throat and Bowtie are only going by the wayside on one night (and, haven't they been doing this already?)

[Catherine Vincent]

10. I guess they'll be called Hardball "cold shots" now.

[foreverdem]

14. OMG! That's right, Cat

Those 'Hot Shots' will be unemployed shots, now.

[babylonsister]

11. Strong suggestion here, Abrams: Get Ridda Whora O'D! nt

[Johonny]

13. Did anyone think

Tucker Carlson would make it. I mean the guy fails at this type of show time and time again. He's not funny, not hip, not interesting, not crazy... he is a non-talent.

[rucky]

15. Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya! n/t

[imax2268]

16. BYE BYE...

RITA...go eat some throat lozenges...

[annabanana]

17. to "capitalize" on Olbermanns success

I suggest they get more anchors who TELL THE TRUTH!

That oughtta do it.

[Norquist Nemesis]

18. Please! Please DON'T give Tweety 2 hours!

Please!!!!