Ed Schultz Nabs Nightly Show on Kremlin-Backed Cable Channel

January 14th, 2016 10:02 AM

The obvious joke is it's a lateral move from Air America radio and MSNBC to a Kremlin-backed show for Russia Today. CNN's Dylan Byers reports Schultz will host the simply titled News with Ed Schultz at 8 p.m. weeknights, where he will "focus on exploring issues that most affect working Americans, particularly within the context of the upcoming US presidential election," according to a press release. 

"In a 30-second ad for the show, Schultz promises to deliver news in the same progressive vein that he did as a host on MSNBC, championing the middle class and organized labor while fighting against Washington corruption and corporate interests," Byers reported. 

"For decades, the American middle class has been railroaded by Washington politics," Schultz says in the ad. "Big money, corporate interests has drowned out a lot of voices. That's how it is in the news culture in this country now. That's where I come in. I’m Ed Schultz. I do the news on RT America, and I'll make sure you don't get railroaded, and you'll get the straight talk and the straight news."

Straight news? That's been the Schultz trademark? Where is the laugh track? 

As MRC’s Dan Gainor has written, “Russia Today is the voice for the Putin regime and its videos highlight any ills they can find in our nation. Their United States is filled with meth labs, murders and anti-government opponents."

We're wondering what will happen when Schultz tells Putin "I'm going to torch this [bleeping] place!" if he doesn't get enough promotion.