Up with Chris Hayes - the smartest show on TV

[OKNancy]

Chris Hayes just signed off his morning television show. It has to be the smartest television show on the air.

When I was growing up, my parents wouldn't miss a show called "Omnibus". It wasn't a political series, but had topics about music, science and many other cultural topics. I remember complaining a little about having it on... I'm sure we wanted to watch cartoons or some other programming. Back then there were only 4 channels. I guess a lot of that must have made an impression on me. I remember vividly when Leonard Bernstein was on the show. As I got older I couldn't wait to watch it.

I get that same feeling when I watch Hayes. I adore Rachel Maddow, but on her show I sometimes feel that she is acting as a teacher/instructor. She often assumes her audience may not know the subject or the background, so she teaches.
Chris Hayes on the other hand assumes the audience knows what he is talking about. He doesn't talk down to the audience.

After his show is over I feel smarter, invigorated and enlightened.

[musiclawyer]

1. Yours is not the first thread to say it

Nor will it be the last. Msnbc is building up quite the stable of talent. These young men and women are not even in their prime

Lets hope management does not screw up a good thing. They can improve the morning shows a lot too

[Frustratedlady]

2. I admire Rachel, but I WISH she would quit saying the same thing

in 3 different ways. I love her grit, but after watching for 15 minutes or so, I have to grit my teeth and change channels. I hate that and I've tried so hard to ignore it, but I just can't. Please, Rachel...stop.

[Whisp]

4. she must get paid by the words a minute...

it's tires me out to keep up with her speed talk. I didn't really notice until the other day when I had her on (lately I have been trying to keep clear of msnbc and all news progs of that sort because they mostly depress me with all their self centered importance)

had her on at a low volume and man, it sounded like one of the chipmunks got excited over something. rat a tat tat tat tat.

[liberalmike27]

23. Wow

Your problem is she talks too fast, really? Maybe you should listen quicker!

She's still the only one I watch with regularity. I just adjusted my cable tier down to save money, so I lost Cenk, and Stephanie Miller in the morning. But I just get up early and listen to her from 8-11 on the Internet, and if I miss the first part, I found a Daytona station to stream that has her from 11-2 at night.

[whathehell]

31. I agree with you...I think she's great. She doesn't talk too fast for me

and I haven't noticed her "repeating" things.

I love Chris Hayes as well, but his format is different and his show

is twice as long as Rachel's.

[cui bono]

34. You can watch any of the msnbc shows online any time

Well, any time after they've posted them which is usually a few hours after air time. That's how I watch Rachel, Lawrence O'Donnell and Chris Hayes. And then sometimes other segments catch my eye so I watch some Bashir or Ed.

http://tv.msnbc.com/ Just click on video and then watch the latest clips or pick a show on the left, or go to a particular show's page by clicking it at the top of the page at the link I gave. Rachel's show I think you have to click again to get to the video. You can watch a lot of days worth going back at least a week and they're broken down by segment.

Also, if you have a podcast app on your computer or phone Rachel's show is free and you can stream or download either audio or video. Lots of times I watch it on my phone while out and about. In fact, one time I went to see her being interviewed by Bill Maher and she was signing books afterwards so while waiting in the looooong line I watched her podcast. When I got up to her I showed her that I was watching her on my phone and she said, "Oh let me see what I'm talking about." Looked at my phone, then said, "Oh, yeah, that was a good segment."

[asjr]

5. I know what you mean about Rachel but I feel she is

trying to reach the Republican voters to get them to understand. I would really like to see her replace Dances with Rove Gregory. Perhaps the amount of viewers would escalate tremendously.

[MrsBrady]

6. she's trying to teach

is how I feel about it...

and plenty of people need educating.

[ewagner]

8. Bracketing

I think the technique Rachael is using is "bracketing" the subject. It's useful where there is great nuance in the point to be made...

[Ilsa]

25. A variety of styles will reach more listeners.

Rachel is a fabulous teacher, and she's very pleasant about making her points. She's been upset and harsh only a few times, and the subjects deserved her serious take.

Msnbc is lucky to have the breadth of talent of Hayes, Maddow, Harris-Perry, their subs, etc.

[lunatica]

18. She succeeds in teaching

I'm one of those who gets it and understands the dots and how to join them. And she still manages to teach me things I miss. I'm sure some people find it tedious, but I sure don't.

[Z_I_Peevey]

14. Thank you. I thought I was the only one.

My S.O. prefers Maddow, but that's one of the reasons I have preferred the not-long-for-this-world Current lineup. I can't take the third or fourth iteration of the same point. Drives me insane.

[JaneyVee]

3. Yeah it really is great, some profound & deep insights.

[Skidmore]

7. I've become a fast fan of that show and I hope it lasts for a long time.

What I like about it is that he brings on very knowledgeable people who are not among the regular punditry and quite often I feel like I've been invited to a seminar. It's extremely educational and they go to some tough issues without flinching.

[Hamlette]

16. you nailed it. Plus he can get people with opposing views on.

The nightly MSNBC lineup can't/doesn't bring on anyone from the GOP. Last week (or the week before?) Chris had a tea partier on to talk about the tea party, not its views but is is it dead, did it ruin the GOP etc. And he had on some republican from a state, (New Hampshire?) who thought the tea party had done great damage to his party and he wanted him out.

It was a great discussion. I remember thinking the MSNBC nightly shows should try to get a smart republican who doesn't have a big name on to debate/discuss the issues.

Up is the only show where I have to pay attention or rewind (I'm usually doing something else when I'm watching talking heads/news shows...like making quilts or playing solitaire or surfing. Trust me, you can read a whole book while Rachel is on!)

[plethoro]

9. Very good post. I love Chris Hayes. He keeps me

going because I think, maybe not accurately, that others know what he is saying. I stopped watching RM about a year ago because of her didactic mannerisms.

[Lionessa]

10. It is certainly my fav on MSNBC. Thank goodness they put it up online afterwards,

so I can watch it, and on my time schedule.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/

[Bluenorthwest]

11. I love Chris and his show...but I'd still love to see some shows that really were like Ominbus

which highlight other aspects of our culture along with the political. Lenny was on Omibus a few times, an excerpt is below for your enjoyment.
Also guesting on Omnibus-Orson Wells and Peter Brook with a bit of King Lear, Jonathan Winters for the first time on TV, William Saroyan the playwright, Frank Lloyd Wright...most of these can be found on You Tube or other internet places....that's where I've seen them all because the show was prior to my time....

[OKNancy]

15. Thanks so much. I didn't even think to check out youtube

Alistair Cooke was on it too. I totally forgot about that. I was pretty young... but old enough that it made an impression.

[Bluenorthwest]

22. The shows are a treasure trove of great, great things.

Thanks for mentioning Omnibus!

[coldbeer]

12. I enjoy being taught by Rachel.

I am starting to follow Chris. These are interesting commentators.
I refuse to watch Mourning Joe and any shows with Russert and
Cupp. Rachel and Chris seem original.

[LittleGirl]

13. I live in Mountain time so the show it too early

to watch for me. I usually don't turn the tv on until after 6PM.

[Hamlette]

17. me too, trust me, if you can, invest in Tivo or check to see if you can watch it online or if they

do podcasts, really not much to see so a listen will be most of it.

[cui bono]

35. You can watch any of the msnbc shows online any time

Here's info I just posted to an earlier post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2183554

[Walk away]

19. I had the exact same experience this morning...

Do they rebroadcast that show?

[OKNancy]

21. I don't think so. My favorite part was the last section

with the four authors.

[Walk away]

24. I liked the woman from Occupy Wall Street.

That is the first time I have ever seen someone from that organization as a panel participant and not just being interviewed about Occupy. I thought that was pretty cool and she was very excellent.

[chieftain]

30. Up is by far the best show on TV.

The topics are timely, the guests informed and Chris is so well read that the 2 hours always deliver value. I agree with you about the authors' segment today. It featured clips from the President's most important speeches coupled with the novelists' critiques of his story telling ability. It was particularly moving when the authors picked up on Chris' comment that fiction exercised a person's empathic muscle. The ensuing discussion provided eloquent insight into these novelists' approach to sharing deeply human moments with their readers.

[gblady]

20. I love Chris's show.....

I am so grateful that it is online as I am not up at 5am on weekends...

I love the format with the often lively discussion. He frequently has on persons
with a conservative point of view, and treats them with respect, which I greatly admire.
All the while, he clearly states, and factually backs up, his own progressive POV.

[TDale313]

26. Chris Hayes is great.

Saw most of his show this morning. Really good. Love Rachel and MHP as well. MSNBC has some wonderful talent.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

27. Chris is awesome, but he could use some speech therapy. nt

[whathehell]

32. "Speech therapy"? For what, pray tell?

His speech sounds just fine to me.

[cui bono]

36. What? I don't see why.

I wish he would style his hair the way he used to when he started on msnbc, with some product in it and a little spikyish on top. Now he looks so dorky.

But Ezra Klein could use speech therapy. It bugs me so much the way he says "didn't" and some other words I can't think of atm. I've never heard anyone else pronounce some of the most common words the way he does.

[ladym55]

28. He has great guests, too

I love the discussions and the topics. I always feel like I've learned something. The four writers were terrific this morning. We have MSNBC on all morning on weekends. We start with Chris over breakfast and do our chores with MHP and her guests in the background.

[limpyhobbler]

29. I agree the Up With Chris Hayes show is very good

The Bill Moyers joint the PBS is also good.

[Kurovski]

33. They give people time to talk beyond all those godam time-wasting "sound bites"

Gotta have coffee before I settle in to Chris.

[OKNancy]

37. .....and again. The Sunday show.

Very moved by his personal tribute to Aaron Swartz.