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

[mmerose]

I thought it wasn't a bad thing to get the knee-jerk "conservative" reaction from Tucker now and then, in the "know thine enemy" sense. He has been lively and not surly, and on the whole I like him better than Matthews.

[Peddler]

I guess changing his "bowtie" for a "regular tie" didn't help him.

[RockWater]

Bye Bye Tucker!

Replace him with Rachel Maddow or Stephanie Miller............Please NOT Ed Schultz he is sooo gross!

[jsh1120]

Like most people I tend to read/listen/watch commentators with whom I agree. I also pay attention to those who surprise me once in awhile or present an argument that I at least find worth refuting. Finally, I have to admit that I tune out people whose manner is simply annoying. Tucker Carlson fails on all three counts. So does Bill Kristol (whose columns I could write or could be written by a fairly simple computer program.) Likewise for the entire Faux Noise lineup.

I never miss a column or a PBS appearance by David Brooks. I frequently don't agree but he makes me think. And he gives me hope that the entire conservative side of spectrum doesn't consist of people with two digit IQ's. I put up with Chris Matthews because I know that outside his "Hardball" persona he's a fairly subtle, intelligent political analyst. And I tolerate Joe Scarborough, but just barely. Wolf Blitzer is simply too annoying to take in any but very small doses. I don't care what he has to say.

As far as replacements for Tucker are concerned, I'd love to see Rachel Maddow have a shot. She's funny, personable, and most importantly, she's bright and perceptive. I'd prefer to see her paired with a thinking conservative, but they're in such short supply I'm at a loss as to whom it might be. David Kuo, perhaps? I think that might be a mismatch as extreme as Hannity and that poor soul Colmes, but it's the best I can do.

Other possibilities might include Thom Hartmann (Air America out of Portland, Oregon.) I have no idea how well he'd do on TV, but he's remarkably well informed (for a media person) about the basic features of American government. And that would be a big plus.

Here in Seattle we have Dave Ross, a political centrist who's a local institution. He ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2004, but manages to balance his radio program very well. I'm sure there are others like him around the country.

All in all, Maddow looks like the best bet if she's available. A reduction in the overall testosterone level at MSNBC is certainly called for.

[jukesgrrl]

Wow, did I write a comment I don't even remember? I especially agree with, "A reduction in the overall testosterone level at MSNBC is certainly called for."

[Bricks]

I agree with most of your post. So true that even-keel moderate Republicans are so scarce. So scarce that one is hard put to find someone to sit opposite Rachel Maddow or Stephanie Miller.

Tucker reminds me of a well meaning whitebread frat boy that still hasn't figured out what he wants to do with his life. Who hired him anyway ?

I really like the lineup at MSNBC and watch it most of the time my TV is turned on. The single exception was when Tucker Carlson was on. Sorry Tucker, you always lost out to the Cartoon Network. Damn, I still love Tom and Jerry.

[RockWater]

Try Rachel maddow and / or Stephanie Miller!!!!!! YES!

PLEASE NOT ED SCHULTZ, UGH!!!!!

PLEASE NOT ED SCHULTZ, UGH!!!!!

PLEASE NOT ED SCHULTZ, UGH!!!!!

[connorin]

Now if they can just get rid of Joe, they can rename the place white-liberal-male-nbc

[bluegreen]

wow, i guess the moral is, don't mess with that snooty lady from the new scotsman!

when he went after her, that was the first time i even liked the guy. carlson, we hardly knew ye!

i am sure he and his bowtie will be back. maybe on the morning show with morning joe.

[witchie]

I can't see that I will miss Tucker... but my cat has not stopped crying....she loved him!

[anythinggoes]

TUCKER the most interesting...because he is not liberal and than they block it.BECAUSE LIBERAL IS COMMUNIST to many spin in free speech

[ErnestineBass]

GREAT!!!

Now all we have to worry about is a PBS resurrection of Schmucker's "Unfiltered".

[NeverRepublican]

Apparently the change from conservative "bow-tie" look to...no tie at all wasn't enough to stay afloat.

Your show sucks...MSNBC...we understand that you are nothing more than the conduit for the 2% of this country.

Without the "cheer leaders" in place on tv...such as Tucker or Mathews etc...the 2% would never have the control over this country that they do.

Vote America...vote and NEVER vote republican. Conservatism is a LIE.

[surfcitysteven]

Maybe he can go to fox and replace that right wing shill Alan Colmes and be the lefty part of the new Righty-Lefty show "Hannity and Tuck"

[FrogLips]

The two people who watched his show will be real upset but nobody else will.

How about Sam Seder as a replacement.

[independentrepublicrat]

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.

[GoodwithWood]

"Haaaaaaaaw, haaaaaaaaaaaaw!"