MSNBC Infighting Boils Over

MSNBC problems seem to be everywhere, with a truckload of stories, infighting caught on tape, and bad ratings. Here is a collection of links that chronicle the implosion at MSNBC during the Democratic National Convention.

The Infighting
Round 1: Joe Scarborough Vs. Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews On McCain's Gains In The Polls Round 2: MSNBC Round 2: Joe Scarborough Vs. David Shuster
Round 3: MSNBC Drama Pervades Convention Coverage: Olbermann vs. Matthews, Attempts To Get Guests Banned For Round 3
Round 4: Keith Olbermann Caught Saying About Mike Murphy: "Let's Wrap Him Up"

The Reactions

MSNBC Journalist: "The Situation At Our Network Is About To Blow Up"

Connie Chung On MSNBC Infighting: "Grow Up!"

"Daily Show" Mocks MSNBC Infighting: "It's Lord Of The Flies On The NBC Roof!"

"Nobody Can Believe How Much Keith Olbermann Is Getting Away With"

And, Most Importantly, The Ratings

MSNBC In Distant Third In The Ratings

Comments

[Mattie]

David Shuster was on FOX, enough said!

[MorningJoeMikaIsMarried]

David Shuster is no longer on Fox enogh said

[LASteve]

It's a disease once caught, can never be cured.

Foxites. The overwhelming desire to report the news, not make it up.

[UrbanInterloper]

All cable "news" channels are soul-destroying wastes of time, MSNBC included. Olbermann is a refreshingly substantial departure, but only if you don't watch him every day.

Very soon, Rachel Maddow's new show will be one of the best things on TV, period (not just on cable "news", but in general), and if it's anything like her radio show, you will want to listen every single day. It will never get old or tiring. That is, it will become one of the best things on TV as long as NBC execs don't give her the Phil Donahue treatment and boot her off the air for short-sighted political reasons that are actually damaging to their bottom line.

I guess we stay tuned to see what happens...­or not.

[JonStewart4President]

I'm fine with Olbermann, Maddow and Schuster. But Scarborough and Buchanan are always unwatchable and Mathews is sometimes so.

But all these reports of infighting? Eh. Still the cable network that is the most balanced. Even independent studies by the Pew Center confirm that it is.

And hey, maybe this will get more people to tune in to see the shenanigans, in which case? Bonus.

[CynAnne]

I agree, JS4Preside­nt..and I think this sounds like an attempt by 'subversives' (perhaps receiving 'filthy lucre' in secret from "Arrrrr" Murdoch, for spreading this kind of gossip?) to try to 'destroy from within', creating reality from 'perceived perception' - nasty work..but JUST what you'd expect from the Rovian playbook..­! ;) ...

[ladyv]

You know, I dunno about Buchanan. Honestly..­.he's such a reliable lolcow. Why put a lolcow out to pasture when he still gives so much easy milk?

[ruthross]

I found that between the train whistle, the yoyo on the loudspeaker and Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann yammering away at each other and making what they thought were intelligent pronouncements about Democratic politics (my friend and I would make better pundits than these two--especially Matthews), it was better to watch the convention on PBS with Robert Lehrer, Mark Shields, David Brooks (yes, even Brooks), and the 3 historians. I got less stupid and redundant commentary (these guys don't like to hear themselves talk ad nauseum), intelligent remarks and all-around a more objective view of the proceedings. No fights.

[ayc]

C-Span is even better; no talking heads at all. And they actually show the speakers.

[ohiomark]

MSNBC is an example of that tree that falls in the woods when there is no one there to hear it.

[jupitor]

The problem is that Kieth say Fox an Cnn get a way with trashing Obama for so long, he decided that obama needed a champion! Oh I'm sorry, they really could care less. This is about EGO"S!

[themodernleader]

Keith Oberman, a commentator I respect, is getting into hot water for lack of repertoires of modern leadership. Traditional leadership repertoires could bring him down. If he emulates Senator Obama in interpersonal relationships Oberman can't go too far afield.

[steamboat]

He's a total PHONY !

[FiLoLi]

Protesters have been drowning out MSNBC all day. I don't know what those guys are saying on their blowhorn, but I love them. This is great TV. As for all this on air fighting, it might be a stunt. They noticed how much attention The View got once the ladies started fighting. I watched just to see the feathers flying.

[Fair]

It's Alex Jones the Truther from the Radio.

[ohiomark]

Alex Jones keeps getting nuttier all the time. I guess these "truthers" don't realize that the louder they yell, the less we listen.

[modelt5271]

simple solution, send Scarborough to Fox where he belongs

[foolchild0]

I thought MSNBC's ratings were going up, even though they are still in last place.

That's all I've been reading about for months. And now, suddenly, it's all about how low their ratings are.

Could it be some people feel threatened by this, hence the imminent collapse narrative?

[UnbiasView]

Their ratings go up on a PERCENTAGE BASIS but they can't compete on a TOTAL VIEWER BASIS.

Keith tells you his ratings are up 50% to 1 million viewers while Fox's are up only 25% but up to 3 million viewers . . .

[pearlone]

actually they can and do. Check out media bistro's tv newser site. Gives number of viewers per hour for each cable news network. This week is skewed by conventions -- many more than viewers than usual, but check it out after the conventions. Also, Fox's ratings are down for the year.

[bibb]

Scarborough is a jerk. I watched him rudely interrupt David Schuster, insult him personally, and dominate the conversation so that none of the other journalist could get a word in. In the few times that I have tuned in to that show for early morning information about politics, it appeared to be a typical way that he operates. If you don't agree with him, he shouts you down and calls you names. His "co-host" Mika is a milktoast that just sits there meekly saying, "Oh.....Oh­... Come on now."

There are no intelligent, political exchanges of ideas on that show. It appears to just be a continuous opportunity for Scarborough to pontificate.

I'll get my information from NPR from now on.

[JohnnyRivers]

Get the hook... Joe's got to go!

[Fair]

Joe belongs on Fox, but like Tucker he doesn't get along with most of the pundits on Fox or Murdoch.

[bigmiz]

Are they unable to get the guy to stop yelling on the megaphone?

I guess 9-11 was an inside job

[UnbiasView]

That is the professionalism on MSNBC wanting to have an outdoor set . . .

[UnbiasView]

They moved it upstairs though, they had they set by the people but he was even louder and there were giant pot leaves in the background.

[jgalvan]

Wow, you would think that MSNBC would have given more thought into location of their broadcast, with its annoying to me think how it must feel for the commentators. I hate to say it but MSNBC really messed up on the convention coverage with all that train and megaphone blast.

[radicaldj]

Now I am stuck with Wolf Blitzed! Ugh...get indoors!

Silly multi billion dollar company...

[Fair]

That's Alex Jones with the megaphone.

[UnbiasView]

This is embarassing for MSNBC and the Democrats.

Next time . . . 100% chance MSNBC wants to be away from the people.

[veteran1964]

Oh Yeah! The Republican Convention will be crisp and clear for all to hear. The MSM will probably show it gavel to gavel with no pundits anywhere. This is the most prejudiced news media I have ever seen in regards to Hillary, Obama and the race and gender cards. They were the ones that brought it up. Hillary's people are mad at Obama, but the news is who started all this crap.
C-Span has done a fantastic job and will probably give the Rep. Convention the same courtest. At least we have one news organization that is not biased.

[bazokbros]

He's really annoying but I'm laughing how pathetic and miserable MSNBC's coverage is of the convention. Huge mistake broadcasting in front of liberal convention goers. I wanted to watch MSNBC's coverage, but I can't because of the megaphone is so loud and stupid.

[cnick]

And what is Sean Hannity, some angelic and fair observer of life in America??? He is evil through and through, Olbermann tells the truth, Hannity lies every day!!!!

[UnbiasView]

Hannity is Olbermann on the other side . . . they are the same people.

You just hate Hannity because he found Rev. Wright and Ayers right?

[JohnnyRivers]

No. You are wrong. They are very different.
Sean Hannity is IQ dumb and KO is IQ smart. Yes... They both have big media voices but KO is on the correct side of issues and Hannity is just serving heeping helpings of stupid to rednecks.

[Mattie]

I think Olbermann is O'Reilly on the other side, their egos are both enormous they are big talking heads that think what they have to say is more important and interesting than it really is. Olbermann has become unwatchable, I wouldn't even consider watching O'Reilly to find out what his show is about, I see enough clips else where to know, I'm not interested­..

[NubianFirethorn]

Matthews, Scarborough, and Olbermann are mammoth egomaniacs who have their own shows and are not used to sharing the spotlight. Olbermann is also a blantant hypocrite who has insulted and raged against Hillary and Bill Clinton for over a year. But ,after the Clinton speeches, when Hillary was no longer a threat to the nomination of Obama, who is clearly favored by Olbermann, he praised them profusely.

[Ockham]

I love Olbermann. I'm confident that if they let some new blood onto the network and give Keith/Chris a few weeks off, they would be fine. As long as their vacation is nowhere near the RNC.

And I don't really enjoy seeing criticism against MSNBC when it's really one of the only competitors in the media who can give us both sides of an issue, not parrot republican attack lines.

[UnbiasView]

Wow . . . both sides . . . from Olbermann?

You are as delusional as the people that think Hannity gives both sides.

[Ockham]

I was referring to MSNBC's overall coverage. I know full well Olbermann gives the liberal side. Read carefully and please please PLEASE keep discussion civil.

[frappe]

I agree. Give MSNBC a break. Personally, I like the changes that they are making. They are making progress and soon, if they do it right, they'll be able to consistently and steadily increase their popularity over time. The current state of the MSM is pathetic as far as "Democratic representation" is concerned. Just about all of the media has been bought up by conservative nutjobs -- radio, tv, and newspapers. That creates a huge opportunity for a good profit-driven corporation like GE to take advantage of, as Democrats are largely orphaned by a conservatively driven MSM. Fill that void and the ratings can potentially rise "sky high".

[UnbiasView]

"That creates a huge opportunity for a good profit-driven corporation like GE to take advantage of, as Democrats are largely orphaned by a conservatively driven MSM"

I really doubt that . . . it allows GE to get their "green" message out though because GE makes all those green products and also is in line for massive government subsidies when the alternatives start getting funded.

[UnbiasView]

I'll let you make the decision on media bias in the election:

Media Donations Favor Dems 100-1

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=301702713742569