Report: MSNBC ‘in discussions’ with Ed Schultz for ‘full-time’ job.

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/20/msnbc-ed-schultz/

Report: MSNBC ‘in discussions’ with Ed Schultz for ‘full-time’ job.


The New York Observer reports that “MSNBC president Phil Griffin is in discussions with syndicated talk radio host Ed Schultz about possibly joining the network on a full-time basis.” The Observer says it is “unclear what exactly the job would entail” if they reach an agreement, but notes that it has been speculated that Schultz is being considered as a possible host of his own show:

When reached by phone on Friday morning, Mr. Schultz also denied that Mr. Griffin had made him an offer. He said that he had received some kind words from MSNBC management on the heels of his guest-hosting gigs. But, according to Mr. Schultz, MSNBC brass has given him no definite word yet about his future—if he has one—at the cable news network.

Speculation about Mr. Schultz’s future role at MSNBC has focused on two time slots: the 6 p.m. hour (currently anchored by David Shuster) and the 10 p.m. hour (which currently features a repeat of Countdown with Keith Olbermann).

Schultz recently guest-hosted Shuster’s show, which set off chatter that MSNBC was potentially “grooming” him for a hosting gig.

[polichick]

1. Is David Shuster leaving?

[babylonsister]

3. I hope not. Maybe they're just trying to decide which hour he'd get.

I'm just getting used to him, and he's a vast improvement over Gregory.

[polichick]

5. That could be it - which guy in which slot. I agree - much better that Gregory!

[rox63]

6. Probably not

But he wasn't originally supposed to be hosting his own show. He took over the 6 PM slot when David Gregory left to take over MTP.

[polichick]

9. That's right, he just stepped in for him. Gregory is just a bad memory already!

[ErinBerin84]

2. and of course,

Politico's headline was "Another liberal talker for MSNBC?" Not that it's untrue, but it just figures that that is what Politico, who is trying to claim there's a left wing conspiracy, would focus on.

[tekisui]

4. Good!

[Thrill]

7. GREAT NEWS!! Please support Big Ed!!

[maxsolomon]

8. ugh. "liberal" he may be, but he's BORING on the radio

i don't find him particularly insightful. such a centrist.

and his voice sounds like Limbaugh.

[Jane Austin]

11. I think his voice sounds like a football game announcer.

Understandable, since that's what he was.

[rurallib]

20. when we could get him over the air here I would have to check the frequency

to see if I had Limbaugh or Schultz on.
Ed's ok - it could surely be worse.

[Gabi Hayes]

10. ugh gag. Sam Seder is immeasurably superior

can't believe he's not on.

big ed's a big phony; not even close to being a progressive

who needs more DLC DINOs?

[Sebastian Doyle]

22. Sam can't get a break from anyone.

He's now the ONLY original Air America talent still with the network, and they can't even give him his own fucking show. But they'll bring in TV talk show hosts to fill the holes :eyes:

[ihavenobias]

12. You know he's not my first choice, but he clearly serves a purpose

He appeals to blue collar, moderates and left leaning Republicans. He's like a non-racist, pro-labor version of Lou Dobbs. He's got the "middle American" cred with his accent, appearance and hunting, fishing and other hobbies.

Granted, *I* am not part of that demographic (aside from being pro-labor), but I think there's value with having him out there.

PS---I don't think he'd be a good fit at 10pm (I picture that going to someone with a great sense of humor, lighter style, etc.), but I could see him at 6pm (but yes, I like Shuster).

[shireen]

26. totally agree!

i made a similar point in a thread about Schultz/MSNBC a few weeks ago. Schultz would pull in some demographics that are not well-represented in the Democratic party. Most of those people have spent too much time listening to RW talking points. They're more inclined to listen to Schultz because they're more comfortable with how he looks and sounds (middle age white male with booming voice). In the process, they will see the light.

While i would personally love to see Seder or Hartmann get their own tv show, i think Schultz is the best choice for the lineup.

[riverdeep]

29. That's definitely his appeal.

And that's why we need all types to be on the air. I never understood this resentment people have for certain hosts. People don't like Randi because she's too 'in your face'. People don't like Thom Hartmann because he's 'too intellectual'. People don't like Olbermann because he's 'too pompous'. People don't like Stephanie Miller because she's 'too silly'. And people don't like big Ed because he's 'too moderate'.

You may not like any one of these hosts yourself, but each of them is like a tool in the Swiss army knife of progressive media. Each one of them hits a certain type of individual and we need all of them. Ed appeals to the truck driver in the truckstop and the hunter in Michigan. Those are types of people the Demo party needs to reach and keep reaching. I think Ed would work better in the day or early evening than at night following Rachel, but he should be given a shot. He may just not work on TV, some people don't. I didn't get a chance to see his fill in yesterday so I don't know.

[ihavenobias]

30. That's basically my take on it too.

Miller's show to me is a series of obnoxious fart jokes, sounds effects and impersonations BUT I recognize that people have different tastes, and if that's what it takes to get them some progressive news, I'm glad she's out there.

I love Hartmann, but he can be incredibly dry, so I understand why he doesn't appeal to everyone. And obviously I'm a huge promoter of (IMO he strikes a perfect balance between being funny and down to earth but also strong with hard hitting analysis) but I know there are people who can't stand the show for various reasons.

To each his own, and if we don't like something we don't have to listen to it. And sure, we can and should have reasonable disagreements about who we'd prefer to see on TV, although we should also keep in mind that ratings count.

At any rate, when it comes to progressive talk, the more the merrier, except for Lionel. ;)

[AndrewP]

32. Right on, 100%. He serves a purpose for Democrats.

[bbernardini]

33. Wait, you're saying you're a racist?

:hide:

I kid, I kid.

[ihavenobias]

34. Son of a..

:)

Good catch.

[navarth]

13. I won't speak ill of Ed, but

he ain't my first choice, or even second third or fourth.

That being said, there are a lot worse than him.

[madinmaryland]

24. "I won't speak ill of Ed, but I will"

:eyes:

[navarth]

31. ahh come on

that ain't ill. I'll take Ed if they select him. If I was saying 'Ed sucks' or some stupid shit like that, I would say you're justified in rolling your eyes. But I didn't say anything like that. If that ain't good enough for you...well just hate me then. I won't reciprocate.

[monmouth]

14. I'd love for Shuster to do MTP and give Ed his spot.....n/t

[babylonsister]

18. Ha! Good luck with that. We all have to stop watching that

poor excuse of a host on mtp before anything like that will happen.

[monmouth]

21. I thank gawd for Jason Linkins, he's the connection....LOL....n/t

[ErinBerin84]

27. heh

He sums up the Morning Shows so perfectly, especially David Gregory and his concern for taxes.

[ejpoeta]

25. i refuse to watch mtp with that dolt on there. and i can't help but wonder

as if it really matters, how can he be seen as serious when he is on the today show in the morning as a cohost?? even sitting in for matt lauer...

[dkofos]

15. He wouldn't be my choice.

[Kitsune]

16. Bleh.

Think I'd prefer the rerun of Keith.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

17. I like Ed, but I think he works better on radio

Still glad to see MSNBC buck the trend.

[NOW tense]

19. I like Ed I listen most days

Please check his head size and make sure it still fits through the door though.

[shireen]

23. that's great!

I think Schultz would be an excellent addition to the line-up.

[MiniMe]

28. I would kind of like to see Shuster at 10pm

Nothing against Schultz, but I really like Schuster and I almost never get to see his show. I'm not sure which would work better though.

[Raineyb]

35. Meh

I could think of a couple of people I'd rather see up there.

Regards