Tammy Haddad Out As Chris Matthews EP

We hear that "Hardball" exec producer Tammy Haddad is officially out thanks to Chris Matthews becoming the lowest-rated host on MSNBC primetime. Matthews — a front-and-center face at MSNBC and certainly a go-to pundit on all things political, including election coverage in November and chosen as to moderate one of MSNBC's two kickoff presidential debates in April, along with NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams — has seen his ratings clock in consistently below Keith Olbermann — who is getting a network try-out this Sunday — and even Dan Abrams, who stepped in for Joe Scarborough amidst some changes to the show, yet still manages to consistently beat Matthews' ratings. Only Tucker Carlson , who is on at 4 and 6 pm, has lower ratings on the network.

Haddad, who has been with "Hardball" since 2004, caught, er, heck from Matthews last month when he unwittingly dropped an "s-bomb" on the air when he didn't know he was being broadcast. Rumor had it that Matthews wanted Haddad out after the episode, but there was no fallout, at least not then.

Last July, Haddad was named Vice President, Washington, for MSNBC, and MSNBC General Manager Abrams had this to say about her: "'Hardball' is the smartest political program on cable, and one of the reasons it is so good, is Tammy Haddad. She is one of the most tenacious, driven and energetic producers out there — she takes tremendous pride in her work for the network and for Chris Matthews and we are thrilled to have her on our team."

From the same press release:

"Tammy has been my friend for over twenty years," said Chris Matthews. "She is a big-time winner who delivers on her grand ideas."

Haddad has a long and storied career of success in cable news, including pioneering "Larry King Live" for CNN, being part of the team to take NBC's "Today Show" to number one, and was called "the most influential woman behind the TV news camera in Washington" last year by U.S. News' Paul Bedard. That she will land on her feet is a foregone conclusion; for Matthews, an old face at a network with new stars rising, things may not be so easily predicted.

We hear that MSNBC will be making the announcement shortly; email queries to the network have not yet been returned.

Update: Confirmed by TVNewser, which has more.

Clarification from MSNBC: "Tammy remains MSNBC's VP, Washington and will continue to oversee all of our political coverage, including super Tuesdays, primary coverage, debates and the College Tour."

Comments

[mellowrant]

Sure,play the blame game and not mention the fact that Matthews has turned into a blathering idiot. He really comes off like a first class jerk.

[SensibleAmerican]

Ms. Haddad, I presume, is the "sacrifical lamb"! The problem is not her, the problem is Chris Matthews! The right wing propagandists are unabashedly unhinged! When they speak, you expect the same ole' drivel with almost no surprises

Matthews claims to be a "pundit" and which he was till he made the show about himself and not the subject matter. He drools (literally) while interrupting people to drive his point home. He plays "harball" when it is convenient while he can fawn over the likes of Coulter and Judy Miller! He twists facts and/or takes statements out of context, again, to boost his predilections! In a nutshell, he wears his ego on his sleeve ...

He would do well on the Fascist Noise Channel

[Anie]

Wow, yes, it makes sense he'd blame it on a 'dame' when he's so obviously the problem. The interrupting has gotten a lot worse if that's possible. I used to watch his show regularly but can't stand all the shouting-over other people trying to answer him at all nor his really strange worship of what he considers "real man" guys like Bush and how excited he gets over that concept - and his recently expressed sorrow over the Democrats not having a manly man who, I assume then, could awaken his primitive urge to follow based on hunky appearances. The guy's turned into a sort of ape who thinks it's manly to slobber over Erin Burnett and then goes on to give an extended demo of that.

[Kundera]

"He would do well on the Fascist Noise Channel"

THAT'S SO FUNNY....you changed it from Fox News Channel. How did you get so creative??

[RecklessAbandonArteest]

I watch Chris everyday and can say I used to like the show. But sadly, I have to admit your "review" is spot on accurate.

I hated when he had Coulter for an entire hour on his show. That POS [Coulter] did not deserve the air time and I figure the only reason she got it was, as you say, so he could fawn over her.

Between him and Tucker, I have to say MSNBC's political coverage has got lost in the sewers of Paris. At times I feel like I am watching Fox 2.

[Wilbur]

Typically American! The team is playing poorly, so you ditch the coach (in this case, Haddad) instead of the worthless player (in this case, Chrissy-boy Matthews). Maybe she got canned for failing to give him his daily dose of Ritalin!!

Wilbur

[ellivsevir]

dear sensible american i agree with u 100%. mathews is an egotistical ass. alway interupting his guest. and as u stated he actually drools. ms haddad is not the reason hardball has lost rating. mathews is. i used to watch hardball all the time now only when mathews is not on

[godlessclif]

If his rating were low why didn't they just hire Zell Miller to shoot him on the air, like they did with Howard Beale in the Movie Network?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074958/
Network(1976)

[rainey]

Yeah! She's the reason his ratings are down and not because he's become a transparent and toothless shill for the White House? One more thing Tweetie is clueless about. If he were capable of any reporting or analysis, he'd have a clue.

[The 13 Colonies]

I agree!!!!He now talks more than Larry King, and interupts More....

[sonofabastard]

Agreed. It's not the producer's fault. Both Chris Matthews and Tucker Carlson are unwatchable bloviators. MSNBC needs to fire them both and get Rachel Maddow and or Stephanie Miller their own shows.

[PKSSK]

Agree, Rachel Maddow is great. Also, Mike Barnicle has been hosting this week and also has been pretty impressive.

Confirm, definitely need new Hardball host!

[Opus007]

I can't stand Tucker- he belongs on Fox. MSNBC is a bad fit. It was great getting rid of Joe Scarborough and trading up to Dan Abrams. I think that David Shuster is great when he fills in and it should become permanent. Ron Christie (Cheney kiss ass) was trying to defend Cheney's secrecy and Shuster put him right in his place respectfully with the facts. It was great- something like "You're a nice guy Ron but I cannot let you get away with that totally innacurate statement...." and he went on to report the true facts. But David Shuster does his homework and actually KNOWS the true facts.

[1differentdrummer]

Matthews is an intelligent guy and when he is good (that's 10% of the time) he's very good. The rest of the time he's inconsequential. Read a catalog, instead. You'll get more out of it.