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

[hydenorhare]

Nope. Floyd The Barber is the worst on MSNBC.

He always looks like he's trying to keep the suppository in until it takes effect.

[jae1227]

Who?

[hydenorhare]

You might know him as Keith Olbermann.

[proudleftists]

Tucker has the worst program on MSNBC, Chris Matthews a close second.

[JRGris]

Matthews lets people like Ann Coulter come on his show and spew their dirt. He can't control his language and then he wants a new producer. I think the porducer deserves a new host for Hardball. Keep her get rid of him.

[Meah]

The ONLY thing good about MSNBC besides the news during the day by all of the "girls" is Keith. The Murder stuff is just absolutely creepy. I attribute this to Abrams. We watch the news and Keith. That's it. Tucker should be on Fox where he belongs. Tweety is a loose cannon. Abrams made a mistake by coming back on the air. How about David Schuster, people. He is absolutely wonderful! They could really do well if they realized that there is a HUGE need for the truth instead of spin. I get so sick of Pat Buchanan going on and talking about immigration. Now he calls it the invasion. He is uncomfortable with brown people. The guy is a bigot. This country needs people with integrity. Hello! Is there anyone there who can hear me? MSNBC? I guess not.

[halfnhalf]

What? You don't like "Karate Chop" Buchanan? I can't stand to watch the man. Somebody should tie his hands down. I figure he's on all over the place because he's on stipend from MSNBC. They gotta pay so he might as well play. Can't stand the man.

Now, David Shuster is another story. And so is David Gregory. Why don't they use these guys instead of run-off-the-mouth Mathews and gee-whiz-Tucker? When you've got talent, use it. Instead, they ignore it. And then they put Mathews on on the weekend. Ohmigod, what stupidity.

Let's hope K.O. has control of his weekend program.

[Opus007]

I can't wait to watch Olberman this weekend.

[Smokey]

Abrams made a mistake by coming back on the air.
***

I completely agree. His show is just a creepy "National Enquirer" like format.

Rumor is that they are booting Tucker Carlson off the air. Olbermann's ratings are exploding. His show grew more than 80% just last month.

Once Tucker is booted I hope they bring a more liberal show to the lineup. I would love to see a panel type show with Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell, Ron Regan, Mike Barnicle and rotating quests.

[Graywolf48]

Wow, Rachel Maddow would be great. Or how about Stephanie Miller? I only got to listen to Miller for a short time, but she was topical and kept me ROFLAO! There is soooo much talent out there for MSNBC to waste time and money with hacks like Matthews and Tucker, it's a shame.

And Keith? I'm beginning to get bored. I want information, commentary on the events of the day. All that silly crap that eats up a good portion of his show is just a waste. Not to mention it seems every time I tune in lately Olberman is not there.

Abrahams, sometimes I'll watch, most of the time I don't.

And the comment about the cross-eyed African Queen Christie, just priceless!

[Desiderata]

Don't underestimate Abrams, Meah. Shuster has been getting more and more exposure lately. Abrams must be grooming him for something.

[duridu55]

Hopefully, GE will be able to use her salary to fund a testicle transplant for Matthews.

Anything to lower the pitch of that voice.

[repubesnivel]

I can't imagine why tweety's ratings are so low. I mean, gee.

Perhaps his giving head to Tom DeLay on camera, or his fatuous description of Bush as godlike, or maybe his constant interrupting of guests when they try to make a point might be among the reasons.

He's a piece of wind blown fluff, willing to prostate himself before power.

He actually asked DeLay if DeLay felt angry when people gave him crap about his faith in god. This was right after DeLay said that when he was booked, his loony grin was so "people could see Jesus in his face".

Tweety let that one go, and I did too, loud and long and smelly!

[Opus007]

Who at MSNBC thought we would be interested in giving that creep DeLay a platform. The guy is such a slimy liar. I guess I shouldn;t have been so shocked that Ann Coulter was very far behind. What a joke. They are your ratings to lose MSNBC!

[markydefad]

Who else on MSNBC gives wack jobs like Ann Coulter, Tom Delay, Melanie Morgan & her posse of loons air time as credible experts?? And that cross-eyed African Queen Cheney apologist, Ron Christe??? Gag me!!!!

No one but "I love the smell of your man musk" Chrissy...

[PODdem]

great description and so true.
And that cross-eyed African Queen Cheney apologist, Ron Christe??? Gag me!!!!

[JessWonderin]

OMFG . . . dropped my keyboard . . . the visual forced me to stare at a 100 watt bulb and splash Old Spice on them . . .

[jae1227]

Ron Christie is such a joke.

[Opus007]

I liked the way David Shuster slapped Ron Christie down. The truth hurts and Schuster always has his facts straight!

[imusintheevening]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[cheerleaderBush]

Matthews and "hardball" deserve the 1am - 2am slot - along with the rest of the infomercials.

[Opus007]

If MSNBC wants to keep Hardball- put it on in the "LockUp" slot. I agree with Reckless Abandon on this point. Here is who I love to watch- Ron Reagan, Craig Crawford, Howard Fineman, adore David Shuster and I love the sometimes contreversail Larry O'Donnell. If you are going to have Republican on- find some with something intelligent to say- not Melanie and that other smirking blonde pundit, that insufferable blonde congresswoman Blackburn from Tennesee. What about Chuck Hagle or John Warner- if you want a GOP point of view- get someone intelligent.

[cheerleaderBush]

Blaming Haddad for Matthews and his blithering form of hack journalism is like blaming Karl Rove for 'everything' GW Bush and Dick Cheney has said and done.

Does anybody watch anything on MSM anymore?

[timetraveler2039]

The other evening on Chris' show a new low -- Melanie Morgan, attacking another female guest, suggested that if we don't support the President and the War we will all be wearing burkas! Frankly these people scare me far more than the terrorists -- they are peddling fear by the ton!

Am relieved to know that Tucker and Chris are the two lowest rated hosts on MSNBC -- I thought I was the only one who turned off the TV at one of Tucker's rants -- or got disgusted by Chris spitting all over himself after one of his pompous rants.

Change is GOOD!

[Tiger]

Melanie Morgan was on "The McNeil-Lehrer Report" representing the conservative point of view on a panel. I don't know who booked her but I can assure you they were fired the next day. Judy Woodruff was the moderator and was mortified by Morgan's behavior. I went to the PBS website the next day and they actually apologized becasue there were so many complaints. It was pretty much like watching Ann Coulter being interviewd by Walter Cronkite.

[Marlyn]

"The McNeil-Lehrer Report" is now "The Lehrer New Hour". Robert McNeil is long gone, and so is any reason to watch that show, unless you are right wing. It too has gone down ... no longer news, now just propaganda.

[sconset]

Why was my prior post censored? I didn't use any profanity, issue any threat or anything else. Why is this happening on Huffpo. I expect better from this site.

I told the truth about Matthews and his salary--that wasn't wild speculation--it happens to be the truth because someone very close to Matthews told me.

I really resent it.

[PODdem]

Shes not the problem. Matthews is. Talking about the way Fred Thompson smells like old spice and cigars and asking stupid questions makes you kind of think old Chris is a little unbalanced.

[bikerdude]

Having stupid controversial guests like Man Coulter is okay if you also don't get stupid when interviewing her. I would love to hear David Shuster or Olbermann interview her. Matthews has gotten to be bad. Calrson is worse. Abrams has this notion that we all care about Legal shit...All that prison stuff is really depressing.

[Desiderata]

I'm with you, bikerdude. I never watch MSNBC after 10PM. I can't stand watching prisoners made famous.

MSNBC, dump the "Lockups" and creepy "Predator" shows. Makes me feel I'm watching some grimmy R-rated HBO late night sleeze.

[RecklessAbandonArteest]

That's right. It's ridiculous to tune in MSNBC at night thinking there will be news. Instead they are talking for hours and hours about prisons, murderers, unsolved crimes, famous crimes, etc.

What gives? I guess maybe anyone who cares about news stops watching after XX:XX o'clock, so MSNBC decided to put fill in the time with sawdust.

I never watch MSNBC at night. It's like watching Silence of the Lambs for the umpteenth time. Heck, I think Cops is more interesting than MSNBC at night.

Update: During commercial break on Tucker they said to watch 10:00 pm for "Anatomy of a Murder." Oh yeah, I'll be sure to tune in.

[stlrfan]

Stopped watching this clown after the Reagan tribute...err...debate. K.O. is the only one with creds, sure wish his producer would stop burdening him with entertainment fluff.

[AurigaRa]

Matthews the great opportunist...

Hope this is first step toward getting this slobbering, blathering bag of air OFF the air.

[changeisontheway]

Hardball lost me when Melanie Morgan started making appearances. I refuse to waste electricity on that factually challenged shrew.