In case you missed it, MSNBC has decided to replace its election coverage co-anchors Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann with David Gregory.
Having followed Matthews career since his days with the San Francisco Examiner, and watched his ascendence at CNBC and MSNBC resulting from the success of "Hardball," I wonder why he got the boot along with Olbermann.
After all, regardless of Matthews' clear liberal leaning, this disturbing leftward shift by MSNBC in recent years is certainly due to the success of Olbermann's "Countdown." NBC News and MSNBC officials have intimated such for months (continued below the fold, photo courtesy Wall Street Journal).
With the exception of Joe Scarborough's on-air squabble with David Shuster during the Democratic National Convention, the rest of the well-publicized bickering that week all involved Olbermann. These included two tussles with Matthews (here and here), one with Mike Murphy, and one with Scarborough.
Add to this the commentary Olbermann offered viewers during Thursday's Republican National Convention coverage that according to the New York Times' Brian Stelter angered NBC News officials, and the real problem at the network is clearly named Keith.
Yet Matthews got tossed as well. Could this have been a face-saving maneuver by the network?
After all, if Olbermann was the only person demoted, and was just replaced by Gregory to be Matthews' co-anchor, Keith would have come out looking the culprit. With Matthews also getting the boot, Olbermann got someone to share the blame AND the shame with.
As Olbermann gets MSNBC's best ratings, and apparently likes to throw his weight around as a result, doing something to coddle his ego might have been essential as part of this maneuver.
We may never know for sure, but even with his thrills down his legs, Matthews seems innocent by comparison to Olbermann's frequent acts of Obama sycophancy and Bush Derangement Syndrome.
Finally, as an interesting aside, an NB reader floated the idea Sunday that Andrea Mitchell's sudden change of heart concerning Sarah Palin being a good pick for vice president might have been sparked by her knowledge of the Matthews-Olbermann demotions. Maybe the word's out to cool it a little on the Obama-lovin' or risk a similar fate.
Though compelling, as "The Chris Matthews Show" is recorded on Fridays, and Drudge didn't report on Matthews and Olbermann until Sunday evening, it seems unlikely this juicy a story could have been kept quiet for over 48 hours.
Finally, for those scratching their heads about the headline, "Bathtub Boy" is Fox News John Gibson's pejorative nickname for Olbermann. Those interested in an explanation should go here.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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Keith is not part of the problem...
September 8, 2008 - 01:28 ET by AgentAmerican... he IS the problem.
I would love to see footage of Keith apparently coming within contact with Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh, on the street, just to watch him evade them as the coward that he is...
I listen to John Gibson when I have a chance. Hip Hop Week In Review is not to be missed!
Drill ANWAR
BATH-TUB-BOY...
September 8, 2008 - 07:15 ET by danybhoyAgentAmerican, Your point on Olbermann being the problem is spot on, he is biased personified. I use 1 of Olby's older bits to describe him as a "journalist", think of the NatKingCole classic "Unforgetable"..."Unprofessional...that's what, you are...Unprofessional" That bit goes to replacement players at sping training during a MLB labor dispute.
As for Gibby's radio show, I listen everyday on XM-168. You are right, the Hip-Hop Week in Review may be the best segment in talk radio. Dont dis my set...HOLLA.
"...it's still We The People, Right?" Megadeth
Can someone tell me why they
September 8, 2008 - 11:52 ET by Richard RomanoCan someone tell me why they call Olbermann 'bath tub boy'? I've always wondered why.
Here is a link to a YouTube
September 8, 2008 - 14:31 ET by Tim the EnchanterHere is a link to a YouTube version of the story. Enjoy!
Let's not forget
September 8, 2008 - 08:57 ET by kgLet's not forget Olbermann's "Mini Me" Maddok. She is getting her foot in many doors.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Noel I think you've nailed
September 8, 2008 - 02:10 ET by nicksmith112Noel I think you've nailed it.
I don't think the suits at MSNBC knew how crazy Keith was/is to the point that other like lefty outlets were writing/reporting what a loon Keith is. Will we ever hear about the behind the scene Keith tantrums??
What has become evident is that when real news happens MSNBC is not even the first choice for the far left. Even worse is that when there is a compelling missing person Keith's audience runs over to Nancy Grace...lol.
Lets not forget the Prison shows that always get better ratings then any on the MSNBC primetime shows...lol.
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Bathtub Boy slap down!
September 8, 2008 - 02:17 ET by Parker1227Bathtub Boy is more than just a commentator/journalist, he is a leftist activist - a "community organizer" pretending to be a journalist.
Real journalists have opinions, and express them in the right settings, but they don't ignore facts for the sake of the cause.
Keith does.
Not the Opinion but the Fighting
September 8, 2008 - 02:31 ET by usinkoreaMy second thoughts on this news of change at MSNBC was interesting --- Maybe the change was thought necessary - not because of some recognition the coverage by these two was too far left but more simply because --- the two and others could not control themselves when it came to internal bickering?
My initial reaction was the same as people who commented on the other threads related to this story -- that the bias coverage had just reached a tipping point for the big shots at the network.
But, on second thought, I think it is just as likely - it wasn't the level of bias - but the amateurish look of the coverage with all the on air dustups and hot mikes and things like Chris Matthews telling the producer he'd wrap it up in a minute and so on.
If the bias had been just as strong - but carried off in an seamless manner - would these changes have taken place?
I doubt it.
For example, if Olbermann had been able to control himself long enough to pose his editorializing on the 9/11 theme as a question rather than a direct-to-the-audience political soliloquy, would the powers that be have found a problem with it?
If he had not blurted out his hot mike shovel comment and waited to ridiculue Scarborough's opinion on the McCain campaign gaining ground - especially - again - by phrasing his attack on Scarborough and the Republicans in the form leading (rhetorical) questions, ------- don't you believe the powers at MSNBC would have decided their decision to put two heavily partisan people in charge of their "straight news" convention coverage ----- a smashingly good success?
By putting Olbermann and Mattews in charge of the coverage, the big shots at MSNBC obviously wanted the coverage of the conventions slanted toward the left.
Did it really go too far for them?
Or was it all the other unprofessional hiccups that got them angry enough to make changes?
Un-opposed
September 8, 2008 - 02:57 ET by Texndoc"if Olbermann had been able to control himself long enough to pose his editorializing on the 9/11 theme as a question rather than a direct-to-the-audience political soliloquy..."
For years now, Olbermann has run a show where 100 percent of those who appear agree with everything he states. He can't pose a 9/11 question to a guest because there is the possibility of the guest not agreeing with him. Hence, he sermonizes. Remember after the Giuliani speech, he made the point three times the DNC should run with "Having been a POW is not a requirement for running for President." It was Brokaw who finally shot down his balloon with "you left out the end of the quote 'courage is', Keith" .
Too Late
September 8, 2008 - 04:34 ET by Red JeepSo what, NBC? The damage is done. The next election of a president is in 2012. By then Matthews could be retired and Olbermann fired by then. Both just a faded memory during the 2012 election of the 2 wacko reporters who tried to infuence the ’08 election.
McCain May Win and Jeff Immelt is Scared
September 8, 2008 - 05:20 ET by allanfIf McCain wins the election, there will be serious consequences for GE and Jeffrey Immelt. NBC has taken sides in this election and it is a little late to say "I'm sorry".
Yes, I'm sure Andrea got the message one way or another. These folks are not changing out of a sense of right and wrong. They are changing because they are now afraid McCain may Win
Don't forget the Clintons!
September 8, 2008 - 07:15 ET by BruzillaDon't forget the Clintons! They have had it in for Mathews since he failed to tow the line for them. It wouldn't surprise me if they pulled some strings at MSNBC and said "if you're getting rid of one problem child, why not take out two?"
Nah, it's not the
September 8, 2008 - 07:44 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarNah, it's not the Clinton's.
No mysterious "suicide" involved in this story.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
Tow the line Bruzilla? Surely you jest the only line towing
September 8, 2008 - 08:14 ET by Dee Bunkhas been for your Obamamessiah. The Clintons were fine with FOX even because they were the only network that was anywhere near fair to her.
David Gregory may be
September 8, 2008 - 07:52 ET by maggieqpublicDavid Gregory may be biased, but he is more subtle than either Matthews or Olbermann and he isn’t known for endless editorializing.
So, my opinion about why Matthews received the same treatment as Olbermann….. he abandoned the anchor/moderator skills that brought him to the top, and, like Olbermann, his ego and ‘on-stage’ persona spun out of control.
Debates/conventions/primaries have been anchored at MSNBC by a couple of gentlemen who have schoolgirl crushes on Barack Obama. The serious question about the demotion is, “What took so long?”
right maggie
September 8, 2008 - 07:56 ET by Cool ArrowWhen I first noticed Matthews, he was slashing and burning on Bill Clinton for hei Philandering.
He was a hoot to watch. I thought for a while he was a conservative. But that was back when Arianna Huffington was a conservative too.
The things people do for notoriety.
Uhhh, My Christian Faith
Love Yall
September 8, 2008 - 08:21 ET by cvgbuckeyeYall are just great but dreaming just a little. NBC/MSNBC is so drunk with socialism, white liberal guilt, MSM denial that Olbermann and Matthews will be there until the bitter end.......and the end WILL BE bitter.
Something very dramatic will be required before they back off. This type of unfettered arrogance has never been seen before, even when we consider an MSM that has been an arm and tool of the democrat party since Kennedy. They are convinced that they are on the precipice of "Final Destruction" of Conservatism. They can smell it, they can feel it, they can taste it and they are, therefore MSM liberalism on steroids.
The Sarah Palin thing has thrown them into total panic and their long lost judgement has now become evident even to the people who lean slightly to the left.
Some personal event with Olbermann or Matthews or one of the others is destined to take place over the next 60 days or so. NO ONE can operate with such dishonesty, before the entire public, in such an unapologetic way without a MAJOR breakdown. We have yet to see the real McCoy but it is in the offing.
I will relish it.
Hard to believe that there
September 8, 2008 - 12:58 ET by maggieqpublicHard to believe that there was a time when Chris Matthews worked hard to appear ‘down-the-middle’. My husband and I even speculated about a possible medical condition to account for his astonishing transformation.
And thanks for the reminder about Arianna… if she and Michael had been successful, Arianna would be the wife of a ‘conservative’ U.S. Senator from California. What a fraud that would have been… all the way around!
My Birthday
September 8, 2008 - 08:17 ET by DerryWOW! what a b'day gift i get from this. Keith Olbamamann gets canned from doing election coverage. Maybe for Christmas NBC will can him permantly. Happy birthday to me!
Office Politics
September 8, 2008 - 10:18 ET by deerjerkydaveMatthews gets the boot partially because of office politics. From previous reports, MSNBC execs were in love with Olbermann. They couldn't demote Olbermann without also demoting Matthews. If they only demoted Olbermann then they would be placing ALL of the blame on him which they don't want to do and lose him completely.
DJD, You're Right!
September 8, 2008 - 12:02 ET by Secret ConservativeI agree that the only reason Matthew is being punished is because they couldn't bring themselves to punish just Olbermann. I can just see the meeting now:
Matthews runs to the Boss to complain because Keith is being snarky and picking on him and Olbermann defends himself by complaining about Matthews and finally the Boss gets sick of the whining and says,
"All Right! I'm sick of listening to this! Neither one of you is going to go to Disneyland - er - anchor the election coverage this year. Now go to your rooms, both of you!"
The noise got to loud
September 8, 2008 - 10:35 ET by zachlindIf the noise had not gotten so loud I don’t think NBC suits would have done anything about KO and Chris. I’ve always thought, given Steve Capus and other NBC management’s political leanings, that MSNBC was just a playground for them to express their REAL feelings. As I said in an earlier response to a post by Noel, I’ve written often to GE with appropriate copies to NBC and MSNBC.
Olbermann should hold a
September 8, 2008 - 11:45 ET by moonjohnOlbermann should hold a press conference where he states that his replacement shows that MSNBC is a Racist, Right Winged, Media.