David Shuster Filmed CNN Pilot, MSNBC Threatens Punishment

CNN has shot a pilot for a new news show featuring MSNBC anchor David Shuster, the New York Observer's Felix Gillette reports.

According to Gillette's report, Shuster and NPR host Michel Martin co-anchor the news show pilot, which "also featured medical and opinion segments, and included appearances by several current CNN contributors, including [Reuters Global Editor at Large] Chrystia Freeland...and Jeffrey Toobin of The New Yorker."

Shuster declined to comment to the Huffington Post Friday morning.

It is no secret that CNN has struggled in the ratings: for the quarter just ended, the network's primetime shows all saw massive declines, headlined by Larry King's 43% drop from a year ago.

As Gillette notes, "it's a toss up" whether the Shuster-Martin pilot ever comes into fruition. But it is a sign that Shuster, an MSNBC journeyman who recently ceded an hour in the afternoon to make room for Dylan Ratigan's move to 4PM (despite gaining some ratings traction in the hour), may be beginning to look for opportunities outside the network he has called home since 2002. He began his career at CNN in the 1990s before moving to local news and then Fox News, where he worked from 1996-2002.

UPDATE: MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines tells the New York Times that Shuster will face punishment over the CNN pilot.

"If true, this is unacceptable and David will be punished appropriately," Gaines told the Times' Brian Stelter.

Shuster was recently punished by the network over a tweet he sent to conservative activist James O'Keefe, shortly after O'Keefe was arrested for tampering with the phones in Senator Mary Landrieu's office. In response, the network has prevented him from using Twitter since the incident.

Shuster's MSNBC contract expires this year, the Times added.

Comments

[yphili184]

09:44 AM on 04/09/2010

Yeah this sucks, its like when people in power beat up on the small guy. Obviously the guy doesn't like David and is giving him a hard time. I'd quit that gig!

[henrypapillon]

09:38 AM on 04/09/2010

Like what did he actually do that was wrong? Man, sounds like the CEO just doesn't like the guy. I'd leave if I was Shuster rather than take that crap. I like Shuster. I don't think Moanin Joe does though and he seems to have an inordinate amount of swag with the powers that be.

[rlcapps]

05:13 AM on 04/07/2010

about the twitter thing, so he says what the guy did and then what will happen to the guy in public. He gets in trouble for it. Then exactly what he says was going on and would happen occurs but strange I can't find msnbc's apology to him anywhere.

[Hot Wheels]

09:11 PM on 04/06/2010

Srsly? You're not even allowed to look around for a new job without your current boss "ripping you a new one"??

[Shake-A-Spear]

05:29 PM on 04/06/2010

Shuster is beocming Peck's Bad Boy.
I hope has the last laugh as he finds himself a new gig.
Screw the tight-assed corporate types whose main role seems to be WRIST-SLAPPER.
Wht did Shuster do that calls for bansihment?
Why not banish Larry King for DULLNESS.?

[libertyanne]

04:24 PM on 04/06/2010

Yes I just tuned in to find Ed Shultz. I wasn't aware David had been suspended since hosts sub for each other on a regular basis. I do like him and might watch him on CNN at times depending who replaces him. Long as doesn't wind up going against Keith or Rachel....

[MyrtleJune]

12:16 PM on 04/06/2010

What'd I miss? People can't look for employment elsewhere without facing "punnishment"? Is this a new law or whaaaaaat? This just sounds off the wall to me. MSNBC doesn't like shuster as proven by their constantly "punishing" him for not that bad of stuff and now he can't seek other employment as well. Sounds like a very abusive relationship. "We don't want you but we don't want anyone else to have you either" kind of crazy.

[Naithom]

01:50 PM on 04/06/2010

In the media talking heads sign a non-competition clause that's written into their contracts - basically, you can't work for the other stations while you're getting paid by them without them agreeing to it.

David broke his contract.

[MyrtleJune]

02:20 PM on 04/06/2010

Applying for job is considered working for them? Oh. Wasn't he just proposing to work for them or did they pay him? Would he then have to quit first to even apply for another job?

Too weird. Lot's of people sign non-competition clauses, even programmers, but it doesn't prevent them from looking for jobs. Seems a little heavy handed to me.

[lovetolast]

11:39 AM on 04/06/2010

I like Shuster. It will be interesting to see if he starts to regress journalistically if he hops on over to the maddeningly regressive CNN infotainment channel.

[kayla9170]

11:36 PM on 04/05/2010

I will follow David...Fellow Michigander....to CNN......Just leave Faux News Alone Dave!

[freedons]

05:48 PM on 04/05/2010

was it a contractual mess up? what ever,however i can't freeakin' beleive the news head who ever the rightwingnut is would give david any lip about that freakin' spook okeef who along with the mossad were bugging mary landruis office. i mean the guys a freakin' criminal and it was a say it with me " a criminal conspiracy " !!! they were bugging a member of the damn senate!!! there is a law or two about this particular freeakin' crime! go on with your bad self david and good luck where ever you end up but please stay away from the gop propaganda nutwork fox faux news !

[pattyg77]

04:25 PM on 04/05/2010

...I hope this is only a 'rumor' about MSNBC punishing David Shuster...I like this guy a lot...I love the way he confronts guests who speak lies & he has no delay in calling them out on their lies...I think he is truly an asset to MSNBC.

[Sloane7]

02:16 PM on 04/05/2010

+ Team Shuster here.

[hoffalypse]

12:49 PM on 04/05/2010

Shuster is a joke, and intellectually dishonest... Much like when he called himself a "politically independant Journalist"... I don't mind someone leaning to the left, but admit who you are, it insults peoples inteligence when u tell them that u are an independant.

[henrypapillon]

09:40 AM on 04/09/2010

I think if you are going to say that you shouldn't pretend to be independent but should admit that you are a Republican before you criticize Shuster.

[Lindaspy]

11:10 AM on 04/05/2010

I like David Shuster too,,,I am a senior citizen and find him quite refreshing from the shouters that are normally on the air. My son told me along time ago working relationships are totally different from when we were in the workforce. He is right, there is no loyalty anymore with employers to the employees. How is it that the employers don't stick up for the employees when they make a mistake?
They are in the eyes of the public I understand, but to lambast them publicly is a disgrace. You will be fine David,,your a fine young man. Good luck to you.

[Naithom]

02:06 PM on 04/06/2010

Linda,

Back when we were young we were taught that if you signed a contract, you held to it. Unfortunately, David broke the non-competition clause in his contract when he filmed a pilot with CNN. They could have fired him for breaking his contract but instead punished him.

[Dabb]

01:30 PM on 04/09/2010

Naithom,

You seem to know something about this contract. So fess up here.

I see a potential problem with MSNBC letting this information out to the public. Makes me wonder is there is some employee privacy violation here.

But you seem to know, Naithom. Why don't you tell us what is in David's contract with MSNBC? What in the contract says they could fire him for filming a pilot with a competitor? How much was David paid to film the pilot? Was Michel Martin of NPR also breaking a contract with NPR?

Since you seem to be in the know, Naithom, why don't you give us the facts so that we all can make an intelligent judgment on this situation.

[reggieb]

10:52 AM on 04/05/2010

I like Shuster. I don't watch CNN - might watch Shuster.