This important task reveals a new twist in the plot today, as news leaks out that the unwashed masses, crying out for a savior in the media wasteland, may finally receive an answer to their prayers. Reports are coming in that the Reverend Al Sharpton will transition from his occasional fill-in slot to having his own, regular evening show on the network.
Cenk Uygur was thrust onto the MSNBC schedule in January, when Keith Olbermann‘s departure set in motion several host changes on the progressive channel’s lineup.
Now TVNewser hears Uygur may be moved out of the 6pm hour, possibly to be replaced by Al Sharpton. When the host changes happened earlier this year, the 6pm hour was simply known as “MSNBC Live,” a telling sign that MSNBC was trying out Uygur.
So what happened to Cenk? For that we turn to a reliable source, Verum Serum. It seems that Cenk might have been a wee bit too tough on President Obama and some folks became unhappy. (Be sure to click through the jump for videos from Cenk explaining his position… or lack thereof.)
According to Cenk, his numbers at MSNBC were good but the management expressed other concerns. Or perhaps the more accurate way to say it is, the management relayed the concerns of others…
Did Phil Griffin relay a message from “Washington” that they didn’t appreciate the tough talk [on Obama]? That sure seems to be the story. Then again, maybe they fired Cenk for taking 17 minutes of air time to tell a simple story at the end of which you still have to refer to the NY Times account to know what happened. That could be it as well.
Borrowing a page from our president here… “Let me be clear.” What MSNBC does with its lineup is absolutely their business, and they should do whatever they can to expand their viewership as much as possible beyond me, Ed Morrissey and the seven other people who watch it. But seriously… Al Sharpton?
I’m not saying he’s not an influential voice in liberal politics and minority issues. He absolutely is. But I have now watched the man’s performance too many times not to raise an eyebrow here. It’s not that his message is wrong for the network or that he doesn’t have the connections, but…
Here comes the tough part. I’m going to write it anyway, but I just want to set you up in advance for the fact that I know full well that this is going to draw the exact kind of fire I don’t need. As my friend Monster from The Ed Morrissey Show would say, I’m obviously about to be branded a raaaaacist. (That’s always spelled with five A’s by the way. Just check with Monster.) But let’s just plunge ahead into the void anyway, shall we?
Al Sharpton is, for all intents and purposes, unwatchable when doing free format commentary or conducting an interview. He may be aces when he delivers a prepared speech, but for this sort of environment he’s simply not up to the task. When he’s not on a set script he frequently loses track of where he was heading and stumbles into long sequences of umms and errs and hemming and hawing. His spontaneous delivery is scatter-shot at best and his follow-up questions to guests tend to wander to the point where the subject can’t even muster an answer. For a person hosting a show on a major news network, delivering information and interviewing high profile guests, the ability to keep up a steady, on topic flow of comments and questions is simply a requirement. This is who will be hosting a prime time news and politics show with this sort of format?
Send out the hounds with my blessings. I can hear the complaints already. People will imply from this that my critique must be based on the color of his skin. You’re wrong, but I know you’ll be saying it anyway. But the fact is, a position like that requires a concise, focused delivery and communication style, and Al simply doesn’t reach that bar.
Break out the pitchforks and torches and enjoy yourself.
by Jazz Shaw
from: hotair
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