Sharpton Appears to Win Anchor Spot on MSNBC

[brooklynite]

Source: New York Times

After giving a nearly six-month tryout for the Internet talk show host Cenk Uygur, the cable news channel MSNBC is preparing to instead hand its 6 p.m. time slot to the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Mr. Sharpton’s imminent hiring, which was acknowledged by three people at the channel on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been signed, is significant in part because MSNBC and other news channels have been criticized for a paucity of minority hosts in prominent time slots. Mr. Sharpton, who is black and is a well-known civil rights activist and radio host, has been guest hosting in the 6 p.m. time slot for the last three weeks.

There had been uncertainty about the 6 p.m. slot ever since the channel’s marquee anchor, Keith Olbermann, departed in January, prompting Ed Schultz to be moved to 10 p.m. from 6. Suddenly Mr. Uygur, who had been made a paid contributor to MSNBC months earlier, was handed 6 p.m., a big coup given that he had earlier campaigned to have his progressive Web show “The Young Turks” picked up by MSNBC.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/21/business/media/sharpton-close-to-being-msnbc-anchor.html?_r=2

[JTFrog]

1. Excellent news! K&R

[Cleita]

2. I like Al, and as a fill in he was fine, however, he

doesn't have the in depth analysis skills of issues like Cenk has, nor Cenk's way of explaining things clearly, so I guess I won't be watching much. It seems M$NBComcast is starting to head back into the obscurity it was in before KO brought in progressive hosts to pad out their schedule. Instead they seem to prefer mediocrity and hopefully Current TV and Free Speech TV will start picking up the talented people M$NBComcast is starting to throw under the bus and we won't need to tune into them at all.

[GillesDeleuze]

6. yeah, cenk's analytical skills and seeing the big map

were really helpful, in a rachel maddow kind of way.

[valerief]

20. +1000

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

27. If I didn't know better...

... I would say what you mentioned in the last sentence, "sounds like a plan to me!". Cenk on Current TV would definitely pull more viewers and success to this innovative new network. Isn't that the whole premise behind Current TV? To be innovative and fresh?

[JDPriestly]

30. And maybe Current TV will get better internet ourtreach since

Cenk is an expert at that.

Cenk knows how to get internet viewers and make a internet TV work commercially.

Current TV needs the component that Cenk can offer.

Great match. Cenk and Olbermann will be a powerful team. Forget cable. The internet is the way of the future.

And think of it, they can get international exposure through the internet if they start printing articles as well as broadcasting.

[Cleita]

33. Hope springs eternal.

When Keith interviewed Cenk on his show tonight he said he would keep in touch. Maybe a show for Cenk or a place in the network might be in the works for him.

[Enrique]

3. how long was Sharpton's tryout?:

what are Sharpton's ratings like? (and don't bother pointing to that totally unsubstantiated claim that was posted here at DU today, saying that Sharpton's ratings were good.)

[GillesDeleuze]

10. 177 key demo, 633 p2

[dsharp88]

4. Rumor has it Cenk may go to CurrentTV.

Hope so. He's scheduled to be on Countdown tonight (Thursday, 7-21-11).

[daa]

7. Good I hope you are right nt

[Exultant Democracy]

11. It would be nice to see current TV capitalize on Keith and start programing around him.

I think Cenk would make a great addition to the New House Keith is building.

[lark]

14. Whoohoo

Having Cenk on CurrentTV would be awesome!!!

:headbang:

[JDPriestly]

17. Countdown does not have a good website for those of us who

refuse cable and TV for the very reason that they meddle too much in the news coverage and only rarely provide quality content.

[valerief]

21. Great! nt

[GillesDeleuze]

5. just what we need, another blowhard "man of the cloth"

wonder how all the "diamond merchants" feel about it

[Karenina]

15. What an absolutely vulgar reference.

[GillesDeleuze]

23. yeah. we'll see how long he lasts.. what a vulgar man.

[BadtotheboneBob]

22. I wish he'd drop the 'Reverend' bit...

... 'ordained' at age 10 by decree with no formal theological training that I'm aware of and never having a congregation? No better than an internet certificate, IMHO.

[russspeakeasy]

8. He must work cheap.

[GillesDeleuze]

9. he'll play the game.

[SteveM]

16. That's what Robert Mitchum said!...

When asked in an AMC interview about how he beat out so many notable actors for the movies he was signed for: "I was cheap!"

Sharpton? Well, folks, that's what passes wind for the remains of the Left.

[earthside]

12. Phfftt.

Al doesn't wear very well as a daily host.

Cenk was different, funny, sarcastic ... too potentially big for MSNBC.

Oh, well, after watching Ratigan and Matthews I need to do something else anyway.

[JDPriestly]

18. Cenk is an original thinker.

He doesn't fit a category. He is honest, sincere, genuine.

I really haven't seen much of Al Sharpton as a TV host. He has made a good guest on occasion.

[No Elephants]

25. Orignal and genuine. A TV host? No wonder he had to be fired.

[reformist2]

13. I like Al, but he's not that great a host.

He was much better making guest appearances.

[Jim_Shorts]

19. What a BULLSHIT spin article by brian stelter

How do you write an article without even getting Cenk's side of the story.

The truth is MSNBC caved because they were getting negative feedback from Washington. So much for speaking truth to power. This is why there is no real journalism left.

And it wasn't a coup that Cenk got the job in the first place, his internet radio show has a HUGE following. I wish the best for Al Sharpton but his message is not as clear as Cenks.

Orwell's 1984 is more and more becoming reality, they are constantly watering down the message to "news-speak"

Brian Stelter, if you are going to write an article, why don't you do some research first? Oh never mind, I forgot, there is no real journalism anymore. Better yet, why don't you go over to the fair and balanced network.

[JDPriestly]

31. Can you spell Comcast? That's what changed.

And you are right about D.C. dictating what we see and hear out here in the rest of America.

[No Elephants]

24. Maybe Cenk, Keith and Shuster will all end up together.

MSNBC can Have Morning Schmoe, RWer Tawd, Mrs. Alan Greenspan, Libertarian Ratigan and Changes on a Dime Matthews.

O'Donnell is okay philosophically, but watching him is every bit as exciting as watching paint dry. Bit of a scold and condescender as well.

That leaves Shultz and Maddow, the best of what Olberman and Cenk will be leaving behind.

[Hosnon]

26. I didn't like Cenk's show; judging by recent episodes, I won't like Al's. nt.

[pettypace]

28. He sucks

totally unwatchable and unlistenable if that's a word.

[erodriguez]

29. Fuck Al Sharpton. That man is bought and paid for.

$500k from Democrats for Education reform, a fake grass roots group run by hedge fund bullies that are trying to profit from the destruction of the public school system.


http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-04-01/news/29435670_1_national-action-network-sharpton-education-equality-project/2

[neoralme]

32. Don't care for the man or this ethics. I'm done with MSNBC. I

don't even care for Rachel anymore since Keith left. I'll just watch Jeopardy.