Behind the Scenes at Morning Joe...

[kentuck]

Perhaps you have noticed??

Joe and Mika are seldom on the set together anymore, at least for the last month or so. And when they are, there is obvious tension between the two. What's going on? An untrained media eye says there may be trouble in paradise?

It appears that Joe Scarborough is being slowly moved out of the door, but not willingly. It would just be a guess but it looks like Joe is only following his contract until he can negotiate a settlement. The body language of everyone on the show is very telling.

Joe is usually on a remote camera, just as he was this morning, and the rest of the crew is in their studio setting. A few weeks ago, Joe sort of lost it when he felt he wasn't getting to say what he wanted to say. "Is my mike on!? Is my mike on?!" he asked? Mika was controlling the conversation and she decided when Joe would get to talk was my impression.

I think the "Morning Joe" Show will not be on MSNBC very much longer. This is just my opinion but they are doing a very poor job hiding the politics behind the curtains.

[Lebam in LA]

1. Maybe he is getting ready to run for Prez in 2016

To hear him tell it, he is responsible for the Clinton era surpluses and employment. That man has an ego the size of a bus. So sick of his "when I was...."

[Lucy Goosey]

34. He couldn't possibly, could he?

I mean, he couldn't get the nomination, right? He's so awful.

...never mind. If that party will nominate Romney, they certainly aren't above nominating Morning Joe. I could actually see him doing well in debates. Do people who don't watch MSNBC even remember him any more, though?

[Lebam in LA]

51. He is a giant...

in his own mind. It would not surprise me if he ran for something, or maybe going to look for an appointment from Rmoney. He really does think that he is superior to everyone still in congress.

[GoCubsGo]

66. He has a dead intern problem.

I don't see it happening.

[Lebam in LA]

70. So true

but with his ego, I'm not sure he would see it as a problem. You are probably right though

[livetohike]

2. I've been watching the Bill Press show on Current TV since he is on at the same time

Morning Joe was getting stale. Same old guests and you could predict their comments on any subject. I think you are right in thinking this is the end for Morning Joe.

[kentuck]

6. I like Bill Press but...

they could be a little more professional and interesting, I think? This morning, Bill was not there and his sound man took over for him and actually did a pretty good job. But, they are in that small radio studio and it is difficult for one person to carry a show for 3 hours. It would be nice to see them change the format, maybe bring in a female co-host and schedule a few more guests. And there would be no reason they could not compete with the rest of the morning bozos?

[livetohike]

16. Could it be a money problem? Surely, the producers must have good ideas on how to make

the show better. I watched the show for a while this morning, too.

[kentuck]

18. I'm sure Gore cannot afford to pay the big money that MSNBC might pay?

But I don't think it would take a lot of money to have a little bigger studio and invite a few more guests on the show? We don't really need to see the controls in the sound room, in my opinion.

[Firebrand Gary]

8. +100 Truthfully, i've been watching a lot more Current TV lately.

The War room and TYT... Though I do catch Bill in the AM

[kentuck]

11. I think Jennifer Granholm is a star!

Unfortunately, they put her on opposite Rachel.

[Firebrand Gary]

37. I agree, they should move that around. Granholm turned out to be WAY BETTER than I expected!

[jillan]

41. She is becoming my new favorite. I always liked her but never watched because of Rachel.

Now I DVR her. Watch Rachel in the evening, and watch her when I have time.

She is awesome. I wish they would flip her and Cenk around.

[valerief]

3. It's another RW POS show. nt

[1-Old-Man]

22. +1 ... why watch that garbage at all?

[Gabi Hayes]

4. what are the ratings?

[Firebrand Gary]

38. Down 11%

[Firebrand Gary]

5. What MSNBC is doing is beyond me?

I've noticed everything that you mentioned here. That use to be a great show, offering analysis, policy discussion, etc. Now, like Fox, it is a political arm of the right wing. Dan Senor? Michael Steele? Mark? Really?

I can watch only for a few minutes anymore, it literally makes me see cross eyed. If I wanted to watch a show like that I would watch the O'riley factor with multiple guest.

I have hope that Chris Hayes, Ezra Klien and numerous other policy, investigative anchors will usher in a new era for MSNBC. Thats my hope....

[brooklynite]

10. Providing a balanced discussion show?

While the participants may not be as progressive as you'd like, there's almost always 1-2 Democrats to balance the Republicans.

Personally, I'm not interested in a show that just reinforces my own biases, and if we're not up to debating our opponents, we shouldn't be in the political game.

[upaloopa]

13. There is no such thing as a balanced discussion with the right. They spout their ideology which has

no basis in reason and we use facts and logic.

It's like talking to one of those dolls with a string. You pull it and out come some prerecorded message.

Lower taxes on the job creators.
Attacks on women's rights
Attacks of LGBT rights
Attacks on Obama
Obstruction in Congress
Ayn Rand economics
Tea party idiocy
Willard's lies over and over
You've heard it all before. What discussion?

[CrispyQ]

45. ~lol to this:

It's like talking to one of those dolls with a string. You pull it and out come some prerecorded message.

[Firebrand Gary]

24. Then we agree to disagree, Morning Joe has not be "balanced" in months...

While I am not interested in reinforcing my own biases either, there is a clear difference. MJ is right wing crap, with shades of a show that use to be great.

[tularetom]

56. When did that show ever used to be great?

It sure as hell hasn't been since they put ass eyes intern killer Joe on there.

And it wasn't great before then when they had that douchebag that sat in the studio wearing his cowboy hat and big heavy coat. His name escapes me at the moment.

But the point is that show has always sucked.

[Whiskeytide]

14. I have to chime in on this...

... and I'm responding to your post only because it mentions some of the regular guests. Nothing personal.

I watch the show pretty regularly while getting ready for work. Probably catch 30-45 minutes total most mornings. I'm not a big fan of Scarborough himself, mostly because I disagree with him on the majority of issues. But I like the show, and I can tolerate Joe because he's really still - for the most part - what I refer to as "old school" conservative. And most of the conservative guests are similar - i.e. , not batshit crazy tea party loons. Even Steele is obviously not a fan of the Tea Party. He's cartoonish, but he's not calling for birth certificates, impeachment proceedings, rocket propelled grenade launchers in the Walmart, and the return of Jim Crow.

Whether we like it or not, there is a place in this country - and in our political dialog - for rational conservative thought. IMHO, MJ offers the closest thing to that among the morning programs.

Plus, losing MJ and replacing it with yet another outspoken progressive show that only preaches to the choir will simply allow the wing nuts to further dismiss MSNBC as commie-pinko, socialist, librul media, giving them a "you do it too" justification for the idiocy at Faux. 5 year old reasoning, I know, but I hear that all the time from my conservative friends.

[KaryninMiami]

17. I agree with you- and watch it most days while dressing for work.

Some days I find it annoying and most of what Scarborough says pisses me off and when he is condescending to Mika I find it disturbing but sometimes sometimes he surprises me (not often) by actually making sense. Other times, I appreciate hearing his side as it helps me better understand how they think. I was under the impression they were getting high ratings however- not aware that there were issues or any risk of it going away.

[kentuck]

20. Like I say, this was just my opinion.

But it seems rather obvious to me.

I keep waiting for someone to ask Joe why he thinks Reagan and FDR are comparable? What did Reagan accomplish to put him in the same category as FDR? And he always promotes Romney as " a fine family man, a successful businessman, a moral person" when he doesn't really know all that for a fact. But that is to be expected from a conservative host, I suppose?

[Firebrand Gary]

30. You're kidding right? Joe Scarborough billing Ted Cruz as a conservative rising star is BS...

Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Marco Rubio, these guys are not "old school", they are tea party nut jobs to which Joe Scarborough is promoting when he highlights them as new conservative hero's.

This morning you even had Donnie D drinking the kool aid. The Morning Joe show you are talking about is gone. It's gone and can never be viewed as credible again. Not as long as Joe Scarborough and Dan Senor are sitting on that set.

[Whiskeytide]

49. I suppose I can concede...

... that Joe has gotten a little wing nuttier in recent months - I have noticed that. But he's still less of a moron than most of the rest, and it allows us progressives to hear the voice of the opposition without having to try and watch Fux (nauseates me). Maybe the party pressures him to be more of a voice during an election year - I don't know. Whatever the deal is, I hate to see the format change dramatically. A lot of independents watch because of Joe and a perceived "balance", but I think the progressive message usually comes across pretty clear despite him. I fear those indies will largely go to Fixed if someone like Lawrence take over the morning spot. Just my 2 cents.

[Firebrand Gary]

69. I agree, the format should stay the same.

If Lawrence is added to the show I think that would be a terrible, TERRIBLE mistake. Lawrence is Joe Scarborough opposite! EGO MANIAC.... (IMO)

Many of my peeps here will disagree with me on that I do think the show was great, which is fine, we all have our own opinions. But let's remember, even Oprah said at one point "I think you guys do this better than anyone else" "I mean it, you're the best" Morning Joe was in fact a great show that promoted dialog. Now it's thinly veiled, VERY THINLY VIELD Republican propaganda!

[rppper]

50. I've noticed....I was a long time viewer...that....

During election cycles joe seems to be more riled up.....he was no different in '10 & '08.....

[MadrasT]

32. I basically agree with you.

Though I haven't had cable in a long time and now I only get to see it when I am traveling and staying in hotels on business. (So if it has changed significantly recently, I am unaware of that.)

But otherwise, yes, what you said is how I feel.

[monmouth]

7. I was pleasantly surprised to see Lawrence in the "Joe spot" this morning and it was a

good segment. Donny Deutsch always adds to the conversation.

[kentuck]

9. Joe was on for the first hour...

He was in his usual spot, with the flags flying behind him, but it was a remote - he wasn't with the rest of gang. When Barnicle has to run the show, they have hit the bottom.

Joe discussed the Tea Party victory in the hour he was there and then Lawrence came on the set. I thought he was only a guest? But he was taking over for Joe as the lead on the show.

[monmouth]

67. Thanks, I tuned in late..n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

29. I was too

I think I'd rather see Lawrence O'Donnell in this morning slot. If they need 'balance' - then pick a Conservative leaning co-host.

I only watched for a few minutes while getting ready but I'm biased. I like Lawrence O'Donnell - he is pure positive energy - and I'd rather start my way that day. Breath of fresh air.


And cablevision in my area does not offer Current TV.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

12. I assumed they were just burning off vacation time before the conventions & campaigns heat up.

[kentuck]

15. Mika was supposedly in Monaco or someplace?

..this week? Her brother was reportedly traveling with the Romney campaign.

I thought something like that at first but then I noticed that when both were there, they were not there together. Joe would come in on a remote camera. The nervous laughter from the regulars sort of gave it away...

[CTyankee]

35. No, it's a running joke of Joe's. He always refers to her absences as her being "in the south of

France" and this week it morphed into Monte Carlo. Joe has also disparaged "people living in Luxembourg."

[Ganja Ninja]

19. Seems they didn't have much trouble getting rid of Cenk or David Shuster.

What's so hard about kicking Joe Scarborough out the door?

[kentuck]

21. I think you may be talking millions of dollars with Joe...

and certain contractual obligations?

[Ganja Ninja]

23. Just get someone to goad him into an on air no no.

That shouldn't be that hard. He's a ticking time bomb pretty much anyway.

[kentuck]

25. He did say the "F" word once...

if you recall?

[UTUSN]

26. R#2 & K. The format has become tiresome. I used to let it run the 3 hours while semi-dozing

They have the same yakkers, and not just the same but some of the most unpleasant: Dan SENOR, Harold FORD Jr, not to mention the house plagiarist BARNICLE. Then they do a whole repetition once or twice of what they said the first hour.

It was Tweety who first recruited the Scab. GEIST started (on MSNBC) offstage with Bowtie CARLSON. For this format, they need one dominant character, like ugh slIMUS where everybody else is sockpuppets, with the second banana (Mika) clearly being second. Mika was subordinant for a long while, but she does seem to be somewhat more featured now.

If the Scab is ousted, he will nurse the wingnut chip on the shoulder, will abandon all pretense of having been somewhat critical of his fellow wingnuts, and will go all wingnut.

[AngryOldDem]

27. That explains it.

I assumed that both Mika and Joe were taking vacation time, but you're right: Joe is rarely in the studio anymore, and I don't remember when the two of them were on set together.

I briefly caught it this morning and Lawrence O'Donnell was hosting, which also struck me as odd. Could it be they may put him on mornings? I won't miss Joe in the least, but Mika deserves to stay, now that she's coming out from behind Scar's shadow.

Look for changes, if any, after the conventions, would be my guess.

[Lint Head]

28. Morning Schmoe is about to go.

[Whisp]

31. Guess Joe doesn't like the treatment Mika is giving him

Which he gave her on all the few shows I've seen of them.

He cuts her off, never looks at her when she does get the chance to speak - really rude jerk.

She's probably a rw arsehole and I'm not going to cry about it but still.

[CTyankee]

36. Maybe they've had a lover's quarrell?

[Whisp]

40. o geeze, that could be right.

Actions kind of fit the behaviour.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

48. lol. some of those photo promos border on "couplehood" don't they?

[CTyankee]

54. I used to think so but I'm not so sure now. Their "body language" has changed, even if the

promos are still suggestive. Or maybe his wife laid down the law. I notice they are no longer traveling around the country together...

[polichick]

33. The show is unwatchable when Joe is there - maybe the...

...powers that be have figured it out.

[Firebrand Gary]

39. It's really too bad, I like the concept of another point of view, but Joe is an ass!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. I agree 100%. think watching just our own pov is boring. we already know it inside and out. I

think having Joe state his case allows us to show the general audience the counterpoints to his
arguments.

also, he is so off the hook, to me it makes the whole show more interesting. And, there are
times when he actually puts Romney down, which is so great to watch....and such an oddity
compared to places like Fox.

[Major Hogwash]

42. They asked Joe Scarbrow that same question last month, if he thought they were moving him out,

And he said 'no', as the movers were pushing the chair he was sitting in out into the hall.

They haven't been in the same studio together for over 3 weeks now.
Joe wasn't even there 2 weeks ago when Mika came back from their weeklong vacation.
I have to admit, watching Mika host the show by herself was quite a nice change of pace.
She let everyone talk about all of the issues, and even let them finish what they were saying.
Joe's biggest problem has always been his really annoying habit of always cutting off his guests when they are talking.

So, I think that Joe is just "phoning it in" now since Romney is running the most pathetic Presidential campaign in modern history.
I don't think that Joe even feels like driving clear into the city to go to the studio these days.
Why bother?

Joe always acts like no one is paying enough attention to him when he does that lame "is my mike on" shtick.
Barnicle and Willy usually wind up patting Joe on the back, much the same way you would when calming down a 6 year-old after they have screamed and thrown a tantrum and are still a little overwrought, still sniffling and crying while yelling loud every 30 seconds or so.
It's kind of pathetic, but then, that's what MSNBC has on in the mornings.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

43. I hope it doesn't go...it's the only option, however imperfect, to me. I don't want to see a 100%

dem point of view -- I like to watch when they mix it up.

There is value in this show....many politicians watch it every day...and good points are made from our side.

I can't imagine them picking Mika over Joe myself for a surviving show....unless he wants out.

[kentuck]

44. I thnk Joe may have worn out his welcome...

Sometimes he sounds like an obstinate, ranting moron. His yelling and talking over everyone or anyone that might disagree with him may have gotten old?

I like to see a mix of views when current events or controversial subjects are being discussed. This is the best time to make your points if you think you have the most valid argument.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

47. Oh, I agree he does act like an ass ...but it makes good tv....to me anyway. Somehow, I can't

see them getting rid of HIS namesake show, though. It think if they do, and revamp it, and not have
any opposing viewpoints, it would be a huge mistake.

[kentuck]

52. I think MSNBC has already made the decision to bring in more conservatives...

...and they will bring them in slowly between now and the election, much like they did with S.E. "What's her name"? Cupp.

That is why they have Senor on so often, as well as Michael Steel, to go along with Joe. I think they will cover their bases with enough conservatives, just in case Romney wins.

[CTyankee]

53. I wonder about this. They've had several complimentary stories in the MSM about how

popular the show is. There was even a piece in the NYT Sunday Magazine on the show. It didn't sound like it was on its last legs or on the way out.

Of course, his personality may be such that he just can't take any challenge to his authority and it has to be "my way or the highway." Pretty self destructive, IMO...if that is the case.

The other possibility is that he has a "better offer" of something else. Or maybe he's just tired of the show, sees his party going up in flames and doesn't want to be around for the next four years of Obama. People like him, I have found, are always looking out for "the main chance..."

[Laura PourMeADrink]

55. Here's a theory....Maybe Mika just got so pissed off at him, and the way he treats her, and

the way he acts, and MSNBC told Joe.."I know you like being with your family in the summer, why not take a little break. You seem
way to stressed and aggressive, cool off a bit."

Frankly, I think he dislikes her too. She has kind of a tad of her father's personality...maybe a bit too anal retentive?? just a hint?

I just pulled up his article on Politico...and this article he wrote about hiring producers and Mika, is kind of veiled in dislike, in my opinion.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79281.html?hp=r2

[CTyankee]

57. THis could also be just a summer schedule for the two of them...

I'm sure their contracts have something like that for the slow month of August and before the campaign really kicks into high gear in September. I know if I were them I would want to get a breather before the onslaught.

[winstars]

59. That's my thinking also... If next week its more of the same somethings up.

What was funny to me is that the video feed from Scab's "undisclosed location" is not very clear and the audio, at least last week, was dropping out here and there. (which was fine by me!!!) This week it seems better and they seem to have the fake green screen flags behind him now, similar to the fake green screen flags he has behind him when he is at 30 Rock. What is with that anyway??? MORE FLAGS.... AND I WANT THEM FLUTTERING....A LOT!!!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

60. well...he posted a pic of his wife "on the Cape" as of the middle of July.

[kentuck]

61. Also, as I recall...

When Mika wrote her book a year or so ago, she re-negotiated her contract so that Joe was not paid millions more than she. Maybe there is some lingering resentment about that?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

65. I don't know...but I was just reading that they have a production company together

and were going to produce a documentary...but it feel through last month. So...they obviously are partners. Think
they may realize they "go together"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/joe-scarborough-mika-brzezinski-roger-ailes-hbo_n_1650743.html
Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski were set to executive produce an HBO movie about Roger Ailes, according to a Deadline Hollywood exclusive. As of Thursday, however, HBO has decided not to proceed with the project.

The site's Nikki Finke reports that the "Morning Joe" co-hosts had signed as executive producers for the film, which would be based on Gabriel Sherman's upcoming biography about Ailes. A source had described the movie, saying, "HBO prefers to take on Fox News through Ailes. The idea is that it should make Fox News look like a Mafia, and you get into this through Ailes, sidestepping Murdoch, not approaching the story head on."

On Thursday, HBO Films President Len Amato told Finke that the company will not pursue the Ailes movie. "It had become clear to us before even receiving a script that due to our company’s CNN affiliation the film could never be seen as objective,” he said via email.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

58. Talking over everyone is the "new normal" on talk shows

All right-wing talk shows seem to thrive on it.

Tweety loves to talk over his guests, if they happen to disagree with him.

I like to hear differing points of view, but when everyone is talking, nobody's point of view is coming across. It's just annoying. But not to worry, I have a remote control ... zap.

[Motown_Johnny]

62. Your Morning Willie... Starring Willie Geist. Or Mornings with Mica

Either one would be fine with me.

[CTyankee]

63. Your Morning Willie....

THAT'S my big laugh of the day! I can't stop giggling

[kentuck]

64. Willy and the Poor Boys :-)

CCR

[malaise]

68. Something is wrong

You're right.