David Gregory Headlines New Show in Tucker's Timeslot

MSNBC announced a slate of changes this afternoon, leading with their new election-themed show: "Race For The White House" with David Gregory. The NBC White House correspondent has been a utility player at NBC/MSNBC for some time, regularly stepping in as a guest host — and demonstrating his range — on the "Today Show" and "Meet The Press." Gregory also took over the timeslot left vacant by Don Imus last April, temporarily stepping in to the breach before the network began trying out different hosts in that timeslot. The show will premiere on March 17th.

Also, "Live with Dan Abrams" is officially undergoing a name change to "Verdict with Dan Abrams," which will also launch on March 17th. The name change has been in the works for some time but had been on hold during the heated political primary run.

As well, NBC NewsChief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell will be anchoring MSNBC each weekday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. ET. Mitchell has regularly been seen anchoring politics-heavy MSNBC dayside coverage (often in the 12pm block); in taking over the 1-2 p.m. block she'll be permanently occupying the slot that NBC anchor Brian Williams typically takes. (Update: An MSNBC rep confirmed that Williams will still be anchoring MSNBC dayside "as his schedule permits," with no set timeslot.)

Finally, fear not for the fate of poor usurped Tucker Carlson— he remains with the network as Senior Campaign Correspondent and will continue to be sprinkled throughout the schedule as a panelist and contributor.

Other program notes from MSNBC includes trying out something new with programming in the later evening hours, reshuffling its "Doc Block" programming which has been running from 10-12 before rerunning "Countdown with Keith Olbermann." Now, Olbermann, which airs live at 8 pm, will re-run at 10 pm and the "Doc Block" will run from 11pm - 2 am. "Hardball" typically re-runs at 3a.m. and Dan Abrams' show at 4 a.m. before kicking off live programming with MSNBC First Look at 5 a.m.; details on what will occupy the now-freed-up 2.am. hour to follow. Update: And the winner is..."Countdown," with yet another re-airing. So that's three "Countdowns" per day on MSNBC.

The full press release is below.

Related:
David Gregory, NBC Utility Player [ETP]

- THE PLACE FOR POLITICS - EXPANDS POLITICAL PROGRAMMING WITH "RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE WITH DAVID GREGORY" PREMIERING MARCH 17

"Countdown with Keith Olbermann" to Re-Air at 10pm and 2am ET

"Verdict with Dan Abrams" Launches March 17

Andrea Mitchell to Anchor Weekdays 1-2 pm; "Doc Block" Expands to 11pm-2am

NEW YORK - March 10, 2008 - MSNBC, the Place for Politics, is expanding its already substantial political programming lineup next week as the 2008 presidential race continues to heat up. NBC News Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory will anchor "Race for the White House," a fast-paced daily look at the latest election news, weekdays, 6-7 p.m. ET on MSNBC. "Race for the White House" premieres Monday, March 17, and will continue through the election and beyond as the nation's focus continues on the historic Presidential campaign. Also bolstering MSNBC's political coverage, NBC News' Andrea Mitchell will anchor MSNBC each weekday afternoon, 1-2 p.m. ET

Story continues below

advertisement

MSNBC's top-rated "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" will now telecast twice in primetime, with a re-air weeknights at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. "Countdown" will also air weeknights at 11 p.m. PT/2 a.m. ET; the original telecast remains at 8 p.m. ET. MSNBC is also expanding the "doc block," which will now telecast weeknights, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. ET/8 p.m.-11 p.m. PT.

Also March 17, "Live with Dan Abrams" re-launches as "Verdict with Dan Abrams," an hour-long look at the day's news from a legal perspective, and expands to five nights a week. Each day "Verdict" will assess right from wrong and determine the winners and losers in politics, law and pop culture. In this political season, Abrams will continue to use his legal eye to stay "On Their Trail" separating fact from fiction, identifying and exposing the candidate's biggest misstatements, cheap shots and blunders, while continuing viewer-favorite segments "Beat the Press" and "Winners and Losers." "Verdict" will telecast weekdays, 9-10 p.m. ET.

"Race for the White House with David Gregory" will feature reports from MSNBC and NBC News correspondents around the country with the latest breaking political news and in-depth analysis of the campaigns. Tucker Carlson will remain with the network as MSNBC Senior Campaign Correspondent and will appear regularly throughout MSNBC's program lineup.

"Viewers are incredibly engaged this election season, with a real appetite for political news," said Phil Griffin, Senior Vice President, NBC News and Executive in Charge of MSNBC. "As NBC News' Chief White House Correspondent, David is the perfect person to lead this key hour of our election coverage. Tucker is one of the top political minds inside the Beltway, and we look forward to continuing to feature his insightful analysis."

Gregory has led the network's coverage of the Bush presidency since 2000, reporting regularly on "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," "Today," MSNBC and on MSNBC.com. He has circled the globe, traveling with President Bush on every major foreign trip and to nearly every state in the nation during the presidential campaigns of 2000 and 2004.

In the fall of 2005, Gregory began substituting regularly for Matt Lauer on "Today." He has served as substitute moderator on "Meet the Press," and has been a substitute anchor for the weekend editions of "Nightly News" and "Today." As a political commentator, Gregory is a frequent contributor on "Meet the Press" and the syndicated "Chris Matthews" show.

Andrea Mitchell is the Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for NBC News, a position she has held since November 1994. Mitchell has also covered Sen. Clinton's presidential campaign, the 2004 presidential campaign for NBC News and is a regular panelist on MSNBC's "Hardball."

Built on the worldwide resources of NBC News, MSNBC defines news for the next generation with world-class reporting and a full schedule of live news coverage, political analysis and award-winning documentary programming -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MSNBC's home on the Internet is msnbc.com. Msnbc.com delivers a fuller spectrum of news. Drawing on its award-winning original journalism, NBC News heritage, trusted sources and Microsoft's advanced technologies, the site presents compelling, diverse and visually-engaging stories on the consumer's platform of choice. Nielsen Online reports more than 35 million unique visitors for January 2008, making msnbc.com the number one TV news site, ahead of ABC, CBS, and Fox News combined.

Members of the media can get more information about MSNBC and its programming on msnbc.com or the NBC Universal Media Village Web site at www.nbcumv.com.

# # #

Comments

[anons]

For all of Tucker's faults, he spoke his mind. Gregory is a straight -laced tool. And WHY DON'T THEY EVER HIRE ANYONE WITH LIPS..it's a bit unnerving to watch

[meljomur]

Okay so one right wing corporate media white male for another.

Please wake me when 1984 is over!

[ched]

Here's hoping that Gregory is just holding a place for Rachel Maddow while she develops a show.

With the success of Countdown, I'm baffled by the unwillingness of the suits at MSNBC (you listening, Dan Abrams?) to give another slot to a progressive. All of cable news is awash with right-wing tools, many of whom flounder (about 6 people watch Glenn Beck) or fail, sometimes repeatedly (seeya, Tucker), while Countdown is the ONLY show gainiing audience. If I were paranoid, I'd almost think that it's not about the ratings (read: money), but the message (hammer us over the head with righty talking points until it's considered conventional wisdom).

[MPeter]

You better be more professional than the punk you are replacing. Understand the trend, follow the numbers...­otherwise you are gone. Act foolish, tear down Obama, his supporters or the desire for change and you too are history.

[tallky]

and here we are on the eve of a break from Tucker's nonsense (he has the worst voice, the worst inflection!!) having to listen to him on Spitzer - HUFF PO has him quoted three times on opening page. As before, I'm so suspicious he's got family somewhere in the media - he's too bad to be on at all, now he's going, and there's a something going on with his inclusion in the newsday today - somebody is trying, hey tucker's got this !! NO, he was just packing his boxes - let him go, please.

[politicsnut]

Rachel Maddow is a fantastic journalist with a clear head. I love her comments side by side with Keith O. They're great together.

[JoelNH]

She's not a journalist, she is a pundit. And a damned good one. MSNBC should give her a show, but in my selfish interest, I hope they don't. I don't have cable and I can only hear her on my Ipod now. Perhaps is MSNBC released the show on iTunes...

Besides that; Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free.

[JoelNH]

Oh., and whats with this David "Dancing with MC Rove" Gregory? He should have been embarrassed to ever appear in public again. I really have to question the credibility of the Washington press corps. when they schmooze with the administration like that. Shame on you David Gregory. Shame on you. You are supposed to be counter to their spin, not in their pants.

[BlueberryJane]

I agree, I like Rachel and Keith too! They are great together.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Agree, but they could have done worse than David Gregory. He, at least, calls the administration to task when he gets the chance....­..that is, more than the other lap poodle "journalists".

Abrams does a pretty good job of appearing neutral on his show. None better than Keith, though.

[Tranquility]

I agree. He asked questions when the only other msm in the room who did so was Helen Thomas. He and she appeared to be the only real journalists in the room.

[kroses98]

Gregory used to call the administration to task, but has become a limp noodle in the past year or two. I used to love him, but I guess the guys at the top got hold of him, and as a result, he has lost his old fervor!

[imademocrat]

I really used to like David Gregory until I heard him on the Diane Rehm show a few months ago. He was asked a question by a listerner and instead of answering it, he insulted the listener by saying that the question reflected a political point of view, and getting all whiney. That's when I realized he had gone over to the dark side. Personally, I'd rather have Rachel. I would think any cable network should hurry and snap her up. She is intelligent and humorous, and brings a unique point of view.

[bison1]

Rachel Maddow should have a show.

[njdon]

yea!

[wish4change]

I haven't watched MSNBC for 6 weeks or more, mainly because of Joe Blow, Mika, Chris Matthews, Tucker and the smallness of Andrea Mitchell when discussing anything Hillary. Its a shame she's asigned to covering the Clinton campaign because of the hatred she has towards the two of them. In fairness to Gregory I will watch a show or two but if the Hillary bashing continues during his airtime, it'll be goodbye MSNBC once again. BTW, why another white male - don't you know any females worthy of their own program???? Rachel?

[Hagrid]

Mika is a camera hog and does tend to talk over guests and Morning Joe alike.

Whatta putz

[Anndoheb]

I totally agree with the bashing of Hillary complaint. While Olbermann's sneer worked for me when it was aimed at the Bush administration, his targeting of Hillary now is so obvious that I can't watch the show anymore. While I am leaning toward Obama because of Hillary's vote towards war with Iran, I would like to see fair coverage of everything else.

A big vote here for Rachel!!!!! Stephanie Miller cracks under pressure and Ed mostly just rants. Rachel is a progressive journalist. Even tempered, making her points with valid sourced material. And she's not trying to stay buddies with Bush like Gregory (he is great, don't get me wrong, but I would like a progressiv­e.) Would love to see her in Tucker's place and am happy to finally see Tucker go!

And what is with Mika? Does she have an off switch?

[politicsnut]

You should watch CNN- Clinton News Network where Wolf Blitzer idolizes Hillary and can't see no fault in her. Obama doesn't even exist in his view. I can't stand it!

[dajay]

CNN- is actually fair to both candidates. I know it is must be shocking, for an Obama supporter, to have to watch a network or commentator like Cnn and W. Blitzer, that doesn't blatantly trash Hillary Clinton on a daily basis and only put pro-Obama commentators and stories on.

[gregnsf]

You should listen to Jack Cafferty (Caferty? whatever). He's the one that acts like the id to Wolfie's superego and he CAN'T STAND HILLARY. And it's very obvious.

[Adjuster]

It should have been Rachel.

[BOfever]

She has a face for radio, on TV her looks would get her NO RATINGS.

[kroses98]

Better, Randi Rhodes!!!

[manumoka]

Stephanie Miller would be perfect, but too good to expect.

[Schnitzel]

I'd like to see that time slot taken by Ed Shultz or Stephanie Miller. I think some satire, properly administered, might be nice.

[realpolitic]

Ed Shultz is entertaining!

[xargaw]

As entertaining as s. Miller is, I dont think she is knowledge heavyweight for this kind of consistent programing. E. Shultz is very good, but I would hate to see progressive radio loose him. R. Maddow could carry this hour beauifully because she has the brains and rapid response reasoning to be excellent on TV. She is probably intelletually the smartest of the bunch. I am disappointed that they chose Gregory. He is way too chummy with the Bush Administration. He is just another Russert in the making. That picture of him dancing with Karl Rove makes me sick! I have seen him miss many opportunities in press conferences and heard him repeat incorrect GOP talking points on air way too many times to think much of him as an honest broker. He is corporate all the way and that is probably why he got the spot. As for Andrea Mitchell, please. If the woman was not Mrs. Greenspan, she would have been put out to pasture long ago. Talk about an intellectual lightweight.

[Ranta]

Stephanie yes. Ed no. He sounds too much like Rush. The same ego. The same arrogance. The man starts every sentence with the word "I".

I have XM radio. Ed is on from 12-3pm. It's gotten so bad CNN and Rush are better entertainment in that time slot. And that's coming from a Socialist.

P.S. Why are their always more pending comments than comments on Huffpo now days?

[realpolitic]

If you are a socialist who listens to Rush you must have nothing but contempt for yourself.

[connorin]

and for gaia's sake we certainly do not want anyone who will stray from the white male democrat line at nbc...

I mean keith,chris, dan, david...iw ould be terrible if they had someone of another color, sex, race, point of view than any of their other hosts...pe­ople might think they were a balanced network then

and they rip on murdoch for partisan coverage..­.puh-leeez­e

[smitty187]

Stephanie definitely, Randi, definitely. Ed Shultz - no way. He has become tweetys shill for his anti- Hillary bashes & loves the camera too much, is way too uninformed (he just heard of MoveOn.org six friggin months ago), he's a shill. Even Airamerica buried him. I used to like some of "big eddie", but after his performances on Matthews & Larry King, ugh. I don't care so much that he hates Hillary, but he sounds dumb doing it. Stephanie & Randi, especially Randi, are well researched & fearless. Stephanie is fun too. I loved her when she filled in for Imus. Now that joke scarborough has putrified that spot, can't watch it.

[Durango]

Wasn't he in the White House Press Corps when Bush gave that scripted press conference. You know, the one where he was asked "how his faith carried him through" (Yes he was there. I saw him on Bill Moyers.)

He just sat there and went along with the criminal conspiracy that brought us the Iraqi War.

He and ALL the other whores in the media who went along to get along, including in particular Andrea Mitchell, should be fired and disgraced. Not promoted.

But he does have nice hair.

[realpolitic]

Gregory has kowtowed to Bush on many occasions. He was even dancing with Rove on stage at one of those White House-press dinners

[kroses98]

And don't forget that he also did that stupid dance with Karl Rove!!!

[Perdurabo]

Awwww... poow wittle bow tie boi wooses his job.

[realpolitic]

Yes, he may have to work for a living finally or may may retire to care for his string of polo ponies.

[desthmoneses]

wow another conservative white guy in a suit to take over, I predicted it but I didn't think they would do it so fast. I wonder if anyone even mentioned a possible woman or minority replacement.

[mi]

gee,
how unimaginative, David Gregory?
at least tucker made me mad, gregory will put me to sleep.
they could have really made some points with a true
original, sharp progressive like Rachel Maddow.

[OhPlease2007]

After Jon Stewart slammed Tucker Carlson, Carlson seemingly took off the bow-tie and became mildly tolerable in being 'a tad bit more objective' in his own brand of pundit spin meistering; beyond his un-objective seeming bias/disdain for the Clintons, that is.

But it would seem -- in my opinion anyway -- that the switch from Carlson to Gregory had more to do with ratings, than anything else. And if this is true, can we count on Matthews getting the hook as well? Will Christmas come early this year? Matthews may be a loyal political junkie, but is THAT enough to save his own seeming tanking ratings at MSNBC??? Doesn't MSNBC's audience deserve a more objective political junkie who doesn't seemingly try to lead studio guests towards their own way of thinking? Wouldn't that, in itself, improve upon the ratings at MSNBC for those time-slots? How is it that Matthews gets 'two' separate hourly time slots? In my opinion, that is clearly NOT genius going on at MSNBC.


In my opinion:


A. Gregory should take the Four O'Clock time-slot away from Matthews, going on the air *before* Olbermann's news at the 5 O'Clock slot. Gregory is a good reporter, but since most are too busy to turn on the tube in Carlson's former time-slot, ... will it really make that much of a difference in ratings anyway?! I don't believe it will. You have to put in Gregory before -OR- after Olbermann!


B. MSNBC used to have a good show with Ron Reagan -&- Monica Crowley in 'Connected Coast to Coast' ... debating the issues from a left and right perspective; MSNBC should bring THEM back to replace Carlson's former MSNBC time-slot!



MSNBC - Connected Coast to Coast w/ Ron Reagan & Monica Crowley

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6862172/






It clearly doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that you can't put a respected Washington D.C. reporter in a time-slot that that doesn't garner the kind of viewership ratings that Gregory has earned from being in the field for may years now. Right? ... Right! ;)





Source: YouTube(Jon Stewart on Crossfire)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE

[Alablanca]

RACHEL MADDOX OF AIR AMERICA, WITH MSNBC DESERVES TO BE ANCHORWOMAN, SHE IS POLISHED, SMART, INTERESTING AND FAIR. HOPE MSNBC CONSIDERS HER FOR A HIGH POSITION.

SO HAPPY TUCKER CARLSON IS HOPEFULLY RELEGATED TO LITTLE TIME ON MSNBC - THAT SHRILL VOICE !

[RossaRoony2]

They've finally succeed in kicking the last conservative off their network. It is now populated completely by truely crazy, extremely grumpy, liberal hosts. We've got Matthews, who seems to disdain everyone he's ever met and imposes his stupid, narrow narratives on every event; we've got Olberman, who is toxically sarcastic; we got all those dips on during the day; we've got Joe Scarborough, who is a childish conservative and generally agrees with everything that is said, or disagrees stupidly; and now we've got Gregory, the jerk that has sought to peeve Bush rather than ask real questions during his time at the White House. MSNBC has become a fringe network no better than Fox News.

[LeftLeaner]

He has become a total Washington Insider - no longer asking the hard-hitting questions he was once so respected and admired for.

Most do cave in, after awhile, and learn how to play the game.

He's just more subtle about it.