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

[tenilla]

The mainstream media was complicit in selling us an unnecessary, greed-driven war that will
impact this country andf the Middle East for generations to come. Update of The Emperor's New Clothes: All the network news channels and cable news channels reported thta the Emperor's new suit of clothing was indeed of the finest fabric, the richest colors, the most skilled tailoring ...

Could it be that Olbermann has a conscience and feels an obligation to tell us the truth?
Tom Brokaw sure as hell does not. Tim Russert did not. The New York Times did not, with
its Judith Miller stories that were dictated by Dick Cheney and spoon-fed to her by Scooter Libby.
Wolf Blitzer did not -- the entire weekend before 9/11 Wolf was hyperventilating about Gary Condit and Chandra Levy.

We need more Keith Olbermanns. He is arrogant, but he tries to tell us the truth. He comes off
as a loose cannon because we have been lied to for so long that the truth feels uncomfortable.

We do not need bottom feeder pundits like Pat Buchanan, James Carville, Mary Matalin, Joe Watkns,
and Ron Christie.



.

[glesslib]

Great insights. I agree with almost every word.

[1099]

"We do not need bottom feeder pundits like Pat Buchanan, James Carville, Mary Matalin, Joe Watkns,and Ron Christie."

Yeah why would want people who actually have experience in government and/or running campaigns giving their opinions?

Olbermann is single handedly making MSNBC an effin' joke and he's taking Matthews along for the ride.

[VSamuels]

Firstly, herein lies the problem. Giving one's opinion is fine, however; much too often these same so-called experienced people in government mix and match their opinion when a serious matter calls for facts and evidence. And, to make matters worse, we the American people have little way of discerning who or what entity may be pushing these folks buttons to come out and promote their 'opinions'.

Lastly, if these folks simply stayed in a framework of what the experience they gained in public life gave them, it would be O.K., but too often they stray into areas where they have no experience and merely offer partisan bluster and talking points to replace intelligent commentary and insight.

[soozers]

What'd I say Huff? Why'd you cut me off? Was heartily agreeing with jrsl....real news is a right wing conspiracy. If's it funny, cool and gets you riled up, against the fascists, that's my kinda news, regardless of those pesky facts!

[ThinkLiberal]

Save your sanity. Watch C-SPAN instead of these bloviating hotheads.

[Roose]

Connie Chung?! Losers shouldn't give advice and what was up with Tweety's hair last night? OMG! he needs to invest in hairspray or gel or toupee or SOMETHING!

[soozers]

you're right on jsrl! Who needs real news? All the world's a stage, after all, and why not get a bit of dramatic license and biased opinions (as long as they're couched with funny jokes of course), with all of that 'right wing' real news.
I'm with you!

[Hirnlego]

PR PR PR PR PR PR?

[jsrl317]

Who cares. These are news & entertainment programs. Some do it better than others. These stations have morphed into 24 hr politic theater for yucks and laughs mostly.

I could care less what is going on in the networks, big deal. Give me a good anchor and some cool media and some jokes mixed in with a little seriousness, I'm on board.

Love Olbermann, hate Matthews he's a d1ck. Some of the females seem to be more balanced which means more right to me since I am so skewed by MSNBC.

They have entertaining shows. Shut up don't take it too seriously and let the spectacle of news becoming the newsmaker!

[soozers]

OK! I get it now! MSNBC WANTS to appeal to the 18 to 24 crowd, primarily. Now all their anchor decisions make sense.
MSNBC Want Ad: Anchor needed. Emotional, petulant, pouty, mean. No objectivity needed (nor wanted). must know how to whip up raging hormones, indulge in fantastic conspiracy theories, and foment rabid anger among the unthinking kiddies. No common sense required, just the ability to wire into the wet immaturity of young skulls. Viva la 60's!
Ah kiddies......if you only understood how differently all this will look to you once your jello solidifies.
In the mean time, you should enjoy the 'rage against the machine' (I did), and all the grand conspiracy theories that go along with it. You couldn't ask for a better cult leader than Keith Olberman..
But alas, MSNBC, if that's the audience you want, you're ratings will always be in the bottom. Cuz guess what? The kid group is rather fickle, or haven't you noticed? All talk, no voting. And worst of all, they're out partying during your prime viewing hours...and we, the 30 to 45 group are left with one less channel left to opt for.

[stevensjohn26]

Amen!

[miladyfair]

(a) Please look into anger management. Clearly you have some issues.

(b) I am in your age group as well. However, have you noticed that we, in that age group, are not the target market and haven't been for some time? The ones with disposable income (who attract advertisers) are the 18-24 crowd. We have mortgages, children, etc. Why is this a surprise? The only exception to this is the JCP ads referencing "The Breakfast Club" - and that's b/c us "Gen X'ers" are now the parents (scary!) with kids in school to shop for.

[CostaMesaJoe]

18-34 is the actual demographic; and MSNBC does lead in that far and away.

Nice try though, looks like one idiot agreed with your nonsensical rant....

[soozers]

yes it is Costa. But my point is that is a silly audience to go for when it is such a small minority of those who actually watch political commentary. I mean they pull about 600,000 a night (excepting countdown) with fox doing almost 3 times that.
My only point is that Keith has his place with Countdown, but can't we have grown up time too?
Because I get so tired of MSNBC changing anchors like musical chairs every 6 months cuz they can't figure out how to get viewership up! I like the station and am trying to give them a bit of insight. Thats all.

[connorin]

ko is HOWARD BEALE

[ClaraBeau]

Finally something interesting to watch. People arguing about something of substance.
I hope they get rid of Scarborough. He whines too much. Matthews is too convoluted. Keith can make some points.

[DesertLight]

PA, You might be surprised to know that I watch MSNBC nightly.

PAposter See Profile I'm a Fan of PAposter I'm a fan of this user permalink

That's right, they clearly do not watch MSNBC, why would they?
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:42 PM on

[ClaraBeau]

Joe Scarborough whines, Chris Matthews can never get a sentence out with less than 3 subordinate clauses. No one ever knows what he's on about. At least Keith manages to make points even though he loves to talk on and on as well.
Finally something interesting to watch. People arguing about something of substance.

[ClaraBeau]

Joe Scarborough is a whiner. TYpical Republican.
Chris Matthews can never get a sentence out with less than 3 subordinate clauses. No one ever knows what he's on about.
At least Keith manages to make points even though he loves to talk on and on as well.
Finally something interesting to watch. People arguing about something of substance.

[ClaraBeau]

Actually makes MSNBC watching somewhat interesting.

Joe Scarborough, what a whiner he is. A lot of hot air about nothing - all sound and fury signifying nothing.

Chris Matthews tortures the English language every time he opens his mouth. He can never ask a question that doesn't have less than 3 subordinate clauses. A good way to confuse the person being asked the question. Lets Chris keep talking a little longer.

I loved it when Olbermann did that hand gesture indicating Matthews bloviating mouth.

Of course Olbermann talks non stop too. But he usually manages to make a point.

[connorin]

MSNBC’s story, dated May 16, 2004, reported that Biden told the late NBC “Meet the Press” host Tim Russert that Kerry should select McCain as a way to help heal the “vicious rift” dividing the U.S.