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

[WorkingWoman]

THANK GOD HE"S GONE!!......It's about time!

[independentrepublicrat]

OK. I disagreed with Tucker very often but he is no more obnoxious and full of manure than Matthews or Abrams.

MSNBC should take this opportunity to add diversity and balance. They should develop a show with Kellyanne Conway on the right and someone like Dr. Harris-Lacewell on the left. Their primetime line-up is so monolithic and slanted that it has become boring and predictable.

[TheLar]

I believe this is where Hollywood would insert someone clenched their fists and crying out to the sky, "Nooooooooooooooooo!"

That is, if anyone cared. Maybe it should be "Yessssssss!" ?

Who knows. What's next for Carlson? I can't wait. My money is on host of another writer's-strike-filler game show like Amnesia starring Dennis Miller. (Link: http://www.nbc.com/Amnesia/)

Larry Nocella
http://www.LarryNocella.com/

[BetterAmerica]

Yay!

[TurnThePageGA]

So MSNBC is as unbalance as Faux News now. With Tucker and Joe they at least could claim that the station was fair and balanced unlike the false claim of Faux News. I don't agree with Tucker most of the time but I appreciate hearing the other point of view without having to go over to Faux News to get it.

[Neocon187]

He struck me as whiny; I always imagined him wearing a Lord Fautleroy suit.

[marignymitch]

This was a mercy killing. Bring on Rachel Maddow!

[Neocon187]

Don Imus told Tucker Carlson (besides calling him a "bowtie wearing pussy") that he could use an egg timer to gauge how long his show would last. He was a bit off, but I'll take it just the same.

It'll be just our luck that they give us two hours of Chris Mathews!

[alkamm]

He also called him a dick-head, so with the bowtie part, that covers the gambit of his smirking commentary. Jon Stewart nailed him as well. They should listen to Imus and Stewart, but no. Tucker, thank god we hardly knew ye.

[zona9]

Jon didn't 'nail him'. Jon was on Crossfire preaching against yell fest political shows(yep, like the one he was actually on)and then lost his temper and cursed at Tucker. It was really priceless because Stewart was holy than thou about how horrible it was that the state of public discourse had degenerated so..blah blah. And, no, he wasn't being sarcastic. He just lost his temper and revealed what a hypocrite and liar he is.

As for Tucker, it's too bad since his show was a good one. So much better than spittle spewing moron Matthews and gutless blowhard Olbermann. And, Tucker's opinion wasn't easy to predict-he had his own mind, whether you agreed with him or not. He will be missed.

[realpolitic]

That is why I liked Imus at times. He was very honest in his appraisal of other pundits, even those on MSNBC. Imus hated Scarborough, as well.

[bobzaguy]

Maybe Rush will add a co-host.

"The Rush and Tucker Show."

[carlosb00]

I dont understand how MSNBC has the insight to employ somebody as talented as Olberman but also the stupidity to support somebody as ignorant as Tucker. his show will be missed!

or maybe he will be picked up by Fox!

Then Karl Rove and Tucker can team up and set the lowest standard of american journalism!!! that will be a fantastic treat!

[Ruwa]

He is better than the other one in CNN Glenn Back.

[branchey]

Good start, MSNBC. Now get rid of Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough, and I might consider watching your network again.

[milo9]

Hip, Hip, Hooray! Finally a modicum of justice.

[scottymac11]

Tucker was a primping prima donna. He was a poor choice for an information show who managed to make every interview, regardless of guest, about Tucker.
The big question is what took so long?
Where is Rachel Maddows show ?
Bring Donahue back?

[Richter]

It finally occurred to someone at MSNBC that being smug is not a talent.