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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLawrence ODonnells Future At MSNBC Is Unclear
As his contract nears its end, a renewal doesnt appear to be on the horizon for The Last Word host.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lawrence-odonnell-msnbc-future_us_59162d8ce4b00f308cf5534a?bw6&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Lawrence ODonnell, host of MSNBCs The Last Word, has just four weeks left in his contract, and the cable network does not appear to be interested in renewing his deal. Four well-placed sources tell HuffPost that MSNBC has not been in contact with ODonnells team of representatives to negotiate a new deal.
The absence of active negotiations weeks before a contract expires is highly unusual and often a sign that a contract wont be renewed. News networks normally dont risk letting the contract of a host who has a highly rated program expire or even come close to expiring before renegotiating. A short time-frame puts the network at a strategic disadvantage in talks, thats why cable networks often start negotiating renewals six to nine months in advance of a contract ending.
A spokesman for NBC News declined to comment on ongoing negotiations. Although, multiple sources from inside and outside the network have told HuffPost that no negotiations have taken place.
ODonnell, who has been appearing on the network since its inception, has hosted his highly rated program since the fall of 2010. The Last Word is the cable networks second-highest rated program, according to Nielsen figures, behind only The Rachel Maddow Show.
50 Shades Of Blue
(9,983 posts)LakeArenal
(28,817 posts)But probably expected...
TheBlackAdder
(28,186 posts)joet67
(624 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)losing market share to CNN and MSNBC
I really like O'Donnell - but he always gives the air of left conspiracy (think Rachel does as well but not to the same degree). Of course, it's truth, and we all love it - but wonder if it turns off the middle of the roader? like some of the ultra right on Fox?
I would love it if they put Lawrence on earlier - like instead of Chris Hayes (annoying to me) ? He needs some new life breathed into him - he always acts tired
my 2 cents
SticksnStones
(2,108 posts)That to lose ODonnell would be a shame.
What exactly is middle of the road in these times? Folks with no opinion on most topics? Folks turned off by a deep dive in reporting or opining?
Middle of the roaders can always turn to network nightly news for their daily dose of both sides do it.
I, for one, am done feeling like the collective broadcasting of progressive voices needs to be smaller so as to not alienate the middle of the road.
BannonsLiver
(16,370 posts)NBC has her sitting on ice until later this year.
Rhiannon12866
(205,237 posts)How many of us on the left have no other source that represents us - and I'm not just talking about DU, but how many more of us are there? We know that Rachel has been getting great ratings. That Greta person from FOX News was bad enough, but O'Reilly is viewed as the devil incarnate.
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)Rhiannon12866
(205,237 posts)And without voices like Rachel and Lawrence and Joy and Chris Hayes it would be completely unwatchable.
TheDebbieDee
(11,119 posts)After calling a republican strategist a liar during the Swift-Boating" of Sen John Kerry...
chillfactor
(7,574 posts)once she is gone so am I!
TheBlackAdder
(28,186 posts)moonscape
(4,673 posts)he pops up on CNN
TNNurse
(6,926 posts)appleannie1943
(1,303 posts)Stellar
(5,644 posts)blueseas
(11,575 posts)Yes!
davekriss
(4,616 posts)However, Chris Hayes deserves watching, too. But if they'd let the host of their #2 show go, we'll be looking at Fauxnews II in 6 months. So, MSNBC, count this loyal viewer out, too.
uponit7771
(90,335 posts)still_one
(92,177 posts)OneBlueDotBama
(1,384 posts)I bet they could get him for cheap.
jodymarie aimee
(3,975 posts)I live for his show mon-Friday.
JI7
(89,247 posts)Mike Nelson
(9,953 posts)...O'Donnell and Joy Reid are my favorites. How can they be so stupid?
dchill
(38,474 posts)Tatiana
(14,167 posts)They are removing our few legitimate options for obtaining truth.
librechik
(30,674 posts)without the epic responsibilities of a daily show. I wish him well, wherever he lands. He has done a fantastic job, and I expect as much from his future.
JI7
(89,247 posts)librechik
(30,674 posts)good luck with that.
athena
(4,187 posts)I believe he's a good person and a patriot. I have enjoyed watching him ever since he was a commentator on the McLaughlin show. If MSNBC gets rid of him, they will lose me forever.
katmondoo
(6,455 posts)bathroommonkey76
(3,827 posts)and work for RT.
JI7
(89,247 posts)moonscape
(4,673 posts)dhill926
(16,337 posts)MattP
(3,304 posts)DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)liberal from boston
(856 posts)LyndaG
(683 posts)WTH? I don't get what is going on over there at all.
Different Drummer
(7,614 posts)Come on down, Bill O'Reilly (although I hope and pray I'm wrong)!
malaise
(268,955 posts)I love his program
Me.
(35,454 posts)Leith
(7,809 posts)I really like Lawrence O'Donnell and his show.
But, here's another possibility: he's retiring. He's 65 and he has done a lot of good in his long career.
No, I don't have any special insight. It's just my hope.
Leghorn21
(13,524 posts)like a life untethered to his alarm clock for a while!!...sigh...I watch him always, but your "retirement" thought takes some sting out of his departure...not much, but some...(sigh again)
SticksnStones
(2,108 posts)Link to tweet
I'm slightly surprised that DU isn't somewhat up in arms over this...the tone around here lately is..different, IMO
babylonsister
(171,057 posts)elleng
(130,872 posts)but some/sometimes can't keep themselves from destroying the 'good.'
Sounding like 'Watergate break-in' scheme, DUMB DUMB DUMB!
babylonsister
(171,057 posts)He's a money-maker though; that's what it's all about, I thought. Maybe he's too mouthy? I love that about him!
tinrobot
(10,895 posts)The article says that's not happening.
elleng
(130,872 posts)MOUTHY YES!
KeepItReal
(7,769 posts)He doesn't care about ratings. Just a corporate-friendly POV.
I think he wouldn't give a damn if all MSNBC aired was "Lockup - West Bumblef@ck" 24/7.
GBizzle
(209 posts)And get it over with.
underpants
(182,788 posts)Insightful. Complete. Experienced. Etc.
crazylikafox
(2,755 posts)HipChick
(25,485 posts)TeamPooka
(24,221 posts)RussBLib
(9,006 posts)that would be very hard to do. Lawrence does an exceptional job at breaking things down.
He always has the best insights into explaining what's going on in congress. Hope they renew him.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)Turned off MSNBC during the election and will not turn back as it becomes MSRNC.....
defacto7
(13,485 posts)that would stop it's rw disease. Guess not. Guess no one has the courage to make one.
CousinIT
(9,241 posts)...regardless of the record ratings they are now enjoying.
He will likely be replaced with a RWNJ.
With Trump In The White House, MSNBC Is Resisting The Resistance
The gap between the success of the primetime lineup and the investment of leadership in that very success has started to become public. ODonnell, for instance, has the networks second-most watched show, but it gets little in the way of promotion, a point he made himself on Twitter last week.
ODonnells contract will soon be up for renewal. Keeping the second-best performing show is typically not in question at most networks ― but at MSNBC, it will test whether Lack gives into, or continues to resist, the energy of the resistance.
Lack has targeted the networks progressive programming since arriving at the network in spring 2015. He started with the daytime shows: Shows from Alex Wagner, Joy Reid and Ronan Farrow, as well as The Cycle, were canceled and replaced by straight news. (At the end of 2015, my own contract with MSNBC, which ran for three years, was not renewed; I had no interaction with Lack.) Lack brought in Chuck Todd to host a 5 p.m. show. He canceled Al Sharptons 6 p.m. show, and ran one from Bloombergs Mark Halperin and John Heilemann in its place.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/andy-lack-msnbc-donald-trump_us_5907422de4b0bb2d086fb7a8
CousinIT
(9,241 posts)Let's call MSNBC and let "executive" Andy Lack know what a colossal mistake it would be to let @Lawrence O'Donnell go: 212-664-4444
SOURCE:
Link to tweet
nadine_mn
(3,702 posts)There was an article (of course I can't remember where) about how the nightly MSNBC shows are vexing Andrew Lacks because he wants to turn the network into a more conservative (ie FOX lite) network. Unfortunately for him the remaining "Lean Forward" shows like Hayes, Maddow and O'Donnell are ratings gold, while every new host/show with the right wing bias (Greta for example) has tanked.
I don't understand how the incredible talents that MSNBC got rid of or forced out (Tamron Hall, Martin Bashir, Goldie Taylor, Melissa Harris Perry, Keith Olbermann, Dylan Ratigan etc etc) aren't snapped up and become their own damn network. I mean I know the complexities involved, I am just thing that currently there is a huge void in media - the absence of left views, at a time when people are craving it which even if you don't agree with the message you should at least agree with ad $$$
csziggy
(34,136 posts)Since there has been noise about him wanting an evening show on MSNBC.
If so
I will start recording Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow in the middle of the night and watch them the next day.
Madam45for2923
(7,178 posts)DownriverDem
(6,228 posts)He is one of the best with backing up his reports. I watch both Rachel & O'Donnell. Too bad about his show.
eppur_se_muova
(36,261 posts)Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)He'll be fine. And if he's not renewed, he'll probably still be a guest pundit on this and other networks.
Nice guy. I hope things end up well for him.
Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)"Say it ain't so"...
C_U_L8R
(45,000 posts)(even Matthews). Here's a readymade lineup.
Are you paying attention Amazon, Apple and Netfix?
Bring on Keith too and you'll have a loyal passionate audience like no other.
I'll follow wherever he goes!
Doreen
(11,686 posts)are my favorites. I like it a lot when Rachel and O'Donnell talk while changing news casts. I love it when Rachel ends up staying for more of his show. Those two are the best ones for not backing away on their beliefs about what is going on. If they all disappear from MSNBC I will quit watching it. I could never warm up to Greta...in fact I can not stand her and if they get more like her they are going to ruin that channel completely.
spiderpig
(10,419 posts)What on earth is going on at MSNBC???
I guess the one upside is that if they continue in this direction, I'll have more free time to walk the dog.
Doreen
(11,686 posts)They will get more mommy time.
StevieM
(10,500 posts)the evening's program in different ways.
kentuck
(111,082 posts)Lawrence always seemed to have a unique perspective on the news.
It will be a big loss, in my opinion.
BeyondGeography
(39,370 posts)Fox is falling apart and Andrew Lack wants MSNBC to be more like Fox. O'Donnell has the most grown-up show on the channel. Suits live to fuck up a good thing, I swear.
pnwmom
(108,977 posts)PsychoBabble
(837 posts)Hope they enjoy their crowd ... won't include ME if they keep this up.
Lawrence and Rachel provided a 1-2 punch of intellect that was hard to match.
Jack-o-Lantern
(966 posts)Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)No loss.
StevieM
(10,500 posts)IADEMO2004
(5,554 posts)If her physical and mental health allows. I imagine she works too many hour now.
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)It would be sorely missed. Lawrence gives a unique, insider prospective from his years working in Congress. He knows how things work there so he is really good at calling bullshit.
TeamPooka
(24,221 posts)They literally only want me for two hours a day when they used to have me for 10.
flamingdem
(39,313 posts)grrrrr
chimpymustgo
(12,774 posts)n/t
Scruffy1
(3,256 posts)The MSM has been dead for years.If anyone gets even a teeny bit out of the narrow band of thought allowed they are gone. I'm sure he is very rich and doesn't have to worry.
Greybnk48
(10,167 posts)R B Garr
(16,950 posts)DDySiegs
(253 posts)I personally believe he is better than Rachel (much as I appreciate her).
Tonight, I called MSNBC at the following number (212) 664-4444. I asked to speak to some one in MSNBC management, and was switched to the MSNBC news extension. I left a message that they will most probably lose me as a viewer if they drop Lawrence.
Of course, I didn't get a live auditor, it being Sunday evening. but I did establish that the above number can get you into MSNBC, unlimited to any particular program.
I urge everyone who agrees with me to call the above number tomorrow and let the network know how you feel, so that Lawrence's support can be registered with them.
Best_man23
(4,898 posts)They will lose ratings, and eventually advertisers, if MSNBC allows O'Donnell to walk. And I think if Lawrence is released at the end of his contract, there may not be a "non-compete period" so he could start working for someone else very quickly.
If VICE channel was interested in starting a prime time weeknight news lineup, O'Donnell would be a great first building block. Hire Lawrence and Keith, then Joy Reid once her contract ends, then eventually Rachel once MSNBC lets her go. I watch VICE regularly and I think they have some of the best journalism going. VICE could have a weeknight lineup of:
7-8: Joy Reid
8-9: Keith Olbermann
9-10: Rachel Maddow
10-11: Lawrence O'Donnell
VICE's ratings would soar and everyone in the Resistance will tune in this lineup. Someone should tell Lack that a "Fox Lite" MSNBC would at best play third fiddle to Faux News and the forthcoming Der Sturmer network (AKA Sinclair Broadcasting).
tavernier
(12,382 posts)and have been for a while. Latest news is that there was pretty bad blood with NBC after they pulled that dirty little trick on her. Don't know if that factors into anything or not.
Tom67
(40 posts)Chris Hayes is a bit to naive or my taste.
jambo101
(797 posts)Glimmer of Hope
(5,823 posts)Andrea Mitchell and Greta, et al are awful. I just don't get some of their casting decisions.
moonscape
(4,673 posts)for at least a month after the election.
MelissaB
(16,420 posts)Mr. Ected
(9,670 posts)Makes you wonder how long Rachel is under contract over there. And how welcome she feels in her fast-changing work environment.
I really like Lawrence. He oozes sincerity, and he seems to love being a Democrat. A real team player.
ecstatic
(32,688 posts)like he is a little too entertained and amused by trump. I'm horrified by trump.
LibraLiz1973
(8,197 posts)The amusement is more about the Republicans being pussies.
Raster
(20,998 posts)Dalai_1
(1,301 posts).... right now Lawrence's ratings higher than Hannity... I think Trump has weighed in on this because of Hannity....
Tweet from Lawrence this morning
"I wish I could tell you it isn't possible. If the President wants someone in corporate media fired that person's job is in danger."