JOSSIP REPORTS
There’s a big reason why MSNBC would like to quiet any knowledge of David Gregory’s off-camera behavior and sluggish ratings. David Gregory, you see, is supposed to be the next Chris Matthews.
Oh, did we say next?
We meant he’s supposed to replace Chris Matthews.
MSNBC head Phil Griffin has been pushing for Matthews’ exit for months, if not longer, we’re hearing. Though Matthews remains a large part of MSNBC’s brand, he hasn’t been delivering the ratings; Hardball regularly comes in third in its timeslot. And the rise of Keith Olbermann’s Countdown proves MSNBC can remain competitive, and perhaps Matthews isn’t the one for the job.
Which is why Gregory’s installation as a 6pm talking head is so crucial to Griffin’s strategy. By ramping up Gregory’s image now, before the election, he’s better suited to take over Matthews’ slot when his $5 million-per-year contract is up next year.
But as Jossip’s reports have chronicled, Gregory isn’t up to snuff in the personality department (what with his screaming at waitresses) or ratings (his show is averaging fewer viewers than Tucker Carlson’s program did in the same timeslot).
And that’s bad for Griffin, because without Gregory as a trophy commodity, he’ll have much less leverage to oust Matthews, or at the very least, cut his grand salary.
Gregory needs to become a viable alternative for Matthews in order for Griffin’s plot to play out.
This could explain why MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines has shot down our Gregory items, calling them “complete and utter B.S”; not because they’re inaccurate (are a half dozen unconnected sources lying?), but because any notion that Gregory isn’t respected foils the Matthews ousting. Then again, Gaines is also the guy who asked the New York Times to take Tim Russert’s outfit off the record. (It’s also why clamping down on MSNBC leaks has been a goal there.)
Adds one MSNBC source: “Ask Jeremy Gaines & Co. if they are really pleased by David Gregory’s Race for the White House audience. The fact is that last week’s average for Gregory (excluding Tuesday when he wasn’t on) was lower than Tucker Carlson’s weekly average going back several months before Carlson was cancelled. […] [Race is] a disaster… just like all the other shows Phil Griffin has been involved with. The only true MSNBC success, Countdown, was a program Griffin had nothing to do with. That tells you all you need to know.”
Editorial Director
Gregory will never become viable, he is a big glomb and very arrogant. He was on the Today show filling in about a month ago, he was obnoxious, but found time to plant his lips on Obama’s ass. He is so transparent, just not likeable and has no charisma.
How would a show ever succeed when you surround yourself with such a “supporting” cast.
After listening to Rachael M, I’m thinking MSNBC is in fact the mouth piece for Air America
The only one with half a clue is Joe Scarbourough.
Bring Back Tucker- go BUBBA
What problems do you wingnuts have with the First Amendment?
And what’s your opinion of African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native Americans, Jews, non-submissive women, gays and lesbians–as if we didn’t already know?
It’s kinda of hard to keep track of which one of these bloated, left wing cocksuckers wants what?…NO ONE CARES!!!
April Ratings: MSNBC Up in Total Day & Prime
MSNBC was the only cable news network to show a total day, Total Viewer increase year-to-year, averaging 342,000 in April ‘08 vs. 333,000 April ‘07. Last year, all networks saw increased viewership as a result of the coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings.
MSNBC also saw gains in prime time year-to-year, up 17% in Total Viewers and up 13% in the A25-54 demo.
Countdown with Keith Olbermann again finished in second at 8pmET, topping CNN’s Election Center. Both shows trailed FNC’s The O’Reilly Factor. The time period saw an A25-54 demo gain of 21% for MSNBC, while FNC fell 12% and CNN dropped 23%.
At 6pmET, Race for the White House with David Gregory gained 46% it Total Viewers and 15% in the A25-54 demo, compared to last year when Tucker Carlson occupied the hour. Also up for MSNBC was the 5pmET edition of Hardball with Chris Matthews, up 13% in Total Viewers.