MSNBC Cancels Tucker Carlson's Show

UPDATE: David Gregory will headline a show in Tucker's old timeslow. Read about the changes here.

ORIGINAL ITEM: TVNewser is reporting that MSNBC will announce Monday that Tucker Carlson's TV show is being canceled:

Insiders tell TVNewser Tucker Carlson's 6pmET show Tucker is getting the axe, but Carlson stays on as a political contributor to all MSNBC shows at least through the 2008 election. The official announcement, expected tomorrow, will include details about who will replace Tucker at 6pmET as well as other political programming additions. Sources say the network is going to beef up its schedule with more NBC News talent.

In recent days, Jossip, as well as other blogs, ratcheted up the talk that Tucker would be replaced "for a new project." In its 33-month run, Carlson's show has had two names, four time slots and multiple formats. At 6pmET, it builds on its Harbdall lead-in on some days, but loses audience on others.

Keep reading.

Michael Calderone at the Politico spoke with Carlson Sunday night, who confirmed that MSNBC canceled his show:

Tucker Carlson's MSNBC show "Tucker" has been canceled, with an announcement from the network coming tomorrow.

I spoke with Carlson this evening, and the host confirmed reports on media blogs in the past few days about the show getting canceled. But otherwise, Carlson declined comment at this time.

Carlson was on his way to New York where he'll appear on Joe Scarborough's "Morning Joe" at around 6:30. Have a feeling Scarborough will bring it up then.

The move is hardly unexpected. In November, the New York Observer reported that Tucker's days at the network were numbered:

Rumors have been flying recently that Tucker Carlson could soon be on the way out at MSNBC. In a report that aired this morning on NPR, Phil Griffin, a senior vice president at the cable network, described Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews as part of the MSNBC "brand". Asked whether Mr. Carlson was also part of that brand, Mr. Griffin replied: "He is right now."

Comments

[weinbob]

While I found his commentary and reporting during off election years to be less than inspiring, I found his viewpoint and some of the journalists who frequented his show to be worth watching during the election cycle.

I dont know what is happening to me, I voted R last two elections, used to be a big Chris Matthews fan until he turned against Bush and war and now several years later I think he is the best and plan to vote Obama.

But I actually liked Tucker, and Shuster got a raw deal. Pat B and Tucker had some lively discussions, I Tivo all the news shows with a dual tuner and I fly thru all the shows on multiple channels stopping for interesting guests and or topics. I actually will miss Tucker and worry that David Gregory as Andrea Mitchell attempt to balance their journalism skills by always attempting to present both sides of each argument regardless of how bankrupt the Clinton argument is.

[starcycle]

Aside from most of his editorial comments and opinions, his show wasn't actually that bad. His guest choices seemed mostly balanced, if anything more often leaning to the left. He would frequently have on serious Clinton spokespersons when no one else would (Lanny Davis, the Mclean (?) woman, etc.), as well as Obama spokespersons, while I don't recall ever seeing anyone on the show from Mccain's campaign, for example. His style and intent was less to push an ideological agenda and more to be an agent provocateur, it seemed to me, which tended to stimulate fair discussion and responses from his guests. And usually he at least allowed the guest to answer, unlike drooling pit bull matthews. All in all, it wasn't as bad as most people make out, and it definitely was steps above anything on Fox or CNN.

[randyw]

I can't imagine how MSNBC will ever regret this decision , I think it is one of their best moves ever! This will rank right up there with their move to cancel Rita Cosby ! In all fairness I could be entertained by Tucker on occasion but not often and the more I watched his show the more of a jerk he seemed to be! Once he's gone I doubt he'll be missed! Countdown is a much better show , I love how Olbermann spews the venom at Boosh everynight : He's the only guy on TV news with the balls to stand up to Boosh! Of course The Colbert Report is even better and Colbert pulled his sarcastic act right in Booshs' face that time although I'm not sure Bossh "got it" !

[theuniversal]

Good.

[wallyinindy]

Good riddance. I never knew why he invited guests on the show just to talk over (actually scream over) any body who had an opinion opposed to his. I'd love to see Rachel or extend Keith to two hours. I'm not so sure about David Gregory.

[butch5]

Hallelujah! This smug little twerp is going. I never understood how he got so much air time anyway. Refreshing to read so many like minded folks here. Lord have mercy, Randi Rhodes would really rock the TV airwaves. We can only prayer. Rachel is very cool also.

[aga6943]

He came onto the scene by just showing up in his mothers chair one day when she retired. She will have to work hard to get him another job now that people know him..

[oscarp]

It was about time. Now CNN should follow MSNBC steps and get rid of some others too, for the benefit ot millions of viewers who are sick and tired of so many biased unprofessionals.

[mrdontplay]

hate to do this guys but i gotta go back to old school here:

ayeeeee haaaaa!

[chappelforpres]

Don't forget to take those ridiculous bowties with you.

[byrdlegs]

Wow! He actually lasted 33 months! Damn MSNBC, what were you thinking?

[irishgawdess]

It's about freakin' time. If I had my way, he wouldn't be allowed near a TV camera. He has nothing to offer any of the political news shows.

[shadow322]

Tucker's venemous style was not news but rather a projection of a neocon's wish list for presenting the day's events to the general public.

[protagonia]

That's "Words" finely smythed.

I look forward to more of your wit.

[JAMES GORMAN]

BRAVO--I AM GLAD TO SEE TUCKER GO--HE HAD A SHALLOW GRASP OF POLITICAL REALITIES,
AND LOVED TO GRAB SOME CONVENTIONAL OLD BROMIDE AS NEWFOUND WISDOM, AND
THEN HARP ON IT IN A FRENZIED FIT TO EXCLUDE ANY REAL DISCUSSION.
I ESPECIALLY DISLIKED HIS APPROACH TO RELIGION--AS A CATHOLIC, I CERTAINLY KNOW
THE CHURCH, AS PAUL VI NOTED IN CLASSIC UNDER-STATEMENT, 'IS NOT LOVED BY ALL.
BUT IT IS LOVED BY MANY MILLIONS UP INTO THE BILLION PERSONS--AND MANY OF US ARE
NOT SO DUMB. EVERYTIME TUCKER APPROACHED RELIGION, WE GOT THE OLD SAWS ABOUT
CHURCH AND STATE, AND TAKING AWAY TAX-EXEMPT STATUSE FOR ANY UTTERANCE ABOUT
PUBLIC MORAL LIFE. TUCKER DID NOT GRASP, OR WANT TO GRASP, WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS ABOUT "NO ESTABLISHED RELIGION." NOR DOES HE UNDERSTAND THAT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IS A TINSEL PHILOSOPHIC TOY--IT DOES NOT EXIST IN OUR CONSTITUION OR IN OUR LAWS NOR IN THE LAWS OF MAJOR CIVILIZED STATES THIS SIDE OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT. JAMESGORMAN

[irishgawdess]

James, I can understand why you are yelling (post in all caps). I'm pretty happy about it too!

I appreciate that you wrote "He had a shallow grasp of political realities." He pretty much has a "shallow grasp" of everything. He loves to hear himself talk when in reality he is a such a bore.

I hope he just fades away.

[MexRich]

There is a TV God. I can't believe this sissy stayed on the air so long.