Maybe Don Imus' "nappy headed hos" incident was the best thing to happen to MSNBC? It gave Phil Griffin a chance to audition Joe Scarborough, then the host of primetime's Scarborough Country, for the morning show slot. And it clicked. Now, with sidekicks Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist, Morning Joe is attracting some 360,000 viewers on average, or about what Imus was picking up. It's also scored its host a contract through March 2011.
So 30 Rock must be quite confident with who they've chosen to moderate a show that's part news broadcast, part entertainment fodder, and an excuse for Mika to remind everyone that her brothers and father are all heavily vested in politics, right? Well. Take away what you will from this Jeff Zucker quote: "It’s probably a little unfair to call Joe a ‘space filler.' But we certainly had a need to fill in the morning." Vote of confidence, indeed. [NYT]
Editorial Director
After watching David Gregory in his 'audition week', Joe was like a breath of fresh air. But now….the only joy I get is when he reminds Mika what an elitist she truly is.
And…am I actually amused by Pat Buchanan? Ugh.
Poor Willie Geist….I feel for the man, I truly do.
I watch Morning Joe whenever I'm actually awake before 9 AM. Joe, Mika, and Willie make a great team, and Pat Buchanan is an awesome, awesome man.
You need to watch Buchanan's appearance on Colbert from the other night. Brilliant stuff.
I love this site. Please never stop.