Lawrence O'Donnell ... OUT? [View all]
(don't know quality of this source)
MSNBC Ending Lawrence ODonnell The Last Word Show Despite Top Ratings (Exclusive)
I can confirm that MSNBC is ending the top rated The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell, the popular show that follows Rachel Maddow at 10pm. ODonnells contract is up shortly, and the network has not made any overtures about keeping him on.
There is a fear that despite Maddows dogged liberalism, MSNBC is taking a turn to the right. ODonnell would not fit into that model. But theyve installed Fox Newss Greta van Susteren at 6pm, and more changes are coming. (This follows the disaster with Tamron Hall and the coming of Megyn Kelly from Fox News, too.)
It seems just like MSNBC to abruptly kill their own success. Theyre finally beating CNN and Fox, so why not reverse course? Crazy. ODonnells ratings have never been higher.
The Last Word has been on since 2011, and ODonnell has been with MSNBC since it began. If CNN were smart, theyd pick him up right away. Hes one of the smartest guys in the room, and a pleasure to watch. Among his credits are writing for and consulting on The West Wing.
UPDATE
My NBC sources say that ODonnells tireless criticism of Donald Trump is the cause of the trouble. ODonnell calls Trump a liar on TV almost ever night. Says my observer: Phil Griffin fought back Trumps demands to Comcast chief Steve Burke that ODonnell get fired for years. But now hes president and now its Andy Lacks decision and Andy has never run a single promo for ODonnell and he wants access to Trump for Lester Holt interview and more.
Morale at NBC News has been low for some time. My source says: This version of NBC news would have handed the Pentagon papers back to the Pentagon. The New York Times and Washington Post remain our best hope.
http://www.showbiz411.com/2017/05/15/msnbc-ending-lawrence-odonnell-the-last-word-show-despite-top-ratings