Update: Ed Schultz was pushed out to make way for new talent

[Tx4obama]

-snip-

UPDATE: POLITICO’s Dylan Byers has more details about the shift, including a statement from MSNBC president Phil Griffin and confirmations from anonymous MSNBC sources that the programming shift was less amicable than Schultz made it out to be.

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/ed-schultz-announces-he-is-leaving-8-p-m-slot-on-msnbc-moving-to-weekends-in-april/

-snip-

Schultz, a former sportscaster and current talk-radio host, has hosted MSNBC's "The Ed Show" since 2009, where he became well known for his pro-union advocacy during Wisconsin's special election, among other causes. His new show will air on weekend nights from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

MSNBC plans to announce Schultz's replacement tomorrow, network spokesperson Lauren Skowronski told POLITICO.

-snip-

Like former MSNBC host Dylan Ratigan, Schultz suggested that the move was his choice: "I’m very proud of the work our team has done here at 8 PM, but sitting behind this desk five nights a week doesn’t cut it for me," he said. "I want to get out with the people and tell their stories. This show has been a show that has been a voice for the voiceless. That really was my mission when I came here and it remains."

Sources at MSNBC told POLITICO that that was a very generous interpretation of events. Schultz was pushed out to make way for new talent, they said.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/03/msnbc-ending-ed-schultzs-weekday-show-159273.html#.UUEnn_5gHMo.twitter

[liberal_at_heart]

1. I miss Dylan Ratigan

He was great. I will also miss seeing Ed on during the week.

[gateley]

3. I miss Dylan, too.

[Whisp]

33. He annoyed me at first

but after I saw a few shows of his - he kind of stood out as the smartest one of the whole bunch there. I sure didn't agree with some of his criticisms but he was no cowardly boot licker like most of the others at MSNBC.

[question everything]

37. Same here

He put some economic data that cannot be found anyplace else on MSNBC.

[Buzz Clik]

2. Interesting. Hasn't MSNBC been making gains in ratings against Fox News?

[gateley]

5. I wonder if they're moving YOUNGER -- I'm thinking of that show with the

four as a panel (can't remember the name of it).

And I think you're right about the ratings. Wonder why they're messing with this.

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. "The Cycle". I don't watch it, but that's the name of the show.

Krystal Ball, Toure, Steve Kornacki, and that Republican lady are the hosts. I can see Krystal having her own show.

[MrSlayer]

4. Great, the Sarah Elizabeth show coming soon.

Better looking than Ed for sure, horrendous content.

I wouldn't be surprised.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Why can't people take Ed's word for it? He's got a daily radio & tv show.

That has to be grinding. I love catching Melissa on the weekend, she gets four hours as opposed to five, and she can maintain her day job in meantime. Ed's wife has had some health issues, and I'm willing to take his word on this. I don't watch or listen to Ed, but I hope his replacement sucks, so my life won't revolve around MSNBC nightly.

[JI7]

7. i agree, it almost seems like they are just trying to create news

also it's politico

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. What would life be without "the internet"? Much closer to reality, I think.

[Fumesucker]

25. Yeah, I can remember when talk radio was the main means of getting information

Mike Malloy was on two hours a day on one station here, everything else was Limbaugh, Boortz, Savage or worse.

[sabrina 1]

10. MSNBC has a history of firing liberals. Especially when they have good ratings.

Our corporate media hates liberals. So no one should be surprised when they push them off the air.

[Riverman]

11. Ezra Klien - another reason to stop watching MSNBC so much, Love ED

Klien said yesterday on one of the shows that Ryan is not an out of touch wacko, or words to that effect, and that his budget "penciled-out." What a douche! I can't stand his pinhead analysis and the "aren't we all in the DC inner circle" pandering by such numb nuts like Wagner on NOW. If they want an bright younger talent give Joy Anne Reid a show. Klien belongs on Politico with all the other faux liberal, neo-conservative stoogges.

[sabrina 1]

12. Can't stand Ezra Klein. I remember him when he started blogging and

never liked him. He is 'safe'. I never believed he was just another person who was concerned about the country as we all were and as he presented himself to be back then. Many of us suspected he was being backed by someone or some corporate entity even before we knew that this was happening on the internet. He just never seemed legimitate. He wasn't popular, he wasn't an interesting blogger, yet he was being pushed it seemed. Now I know those instincts were correct.

I don't watch any tv anymore. And I certainly wouldn't be watching Ezra Klein, Third Way Ezra! No thanks.

[madfloridian]

14. I agree, Sabrina. He annoys me.

[liberalmike27]

15. Yea

He's kind of milquetoast, no passion, probably some rich person's kid, who couldn't really care less one way or the other.

It's the trouble with democrats, very little passion, and if they show too much on television, or while running for office, they are disposed of. Why? Anger, verve, intensity, and passion actually work. They show the person really cares about what they are saying.

[sendero]

28. I've been pushing this idea .

.... since I got here. I truly believe that a lot of voters who don't really understand the issues (and that is a LOT of them) choose based on passion and vehemence. Something Dems rarely bring to the party and Repugs often do.

The issues facing us today with respect to what the govt spends its money on and where it gets it are not minor ones, the outcome/decisions will determine the fate of the country for decades to come.

[liberalmike27]

13. Agreed

I've been expecting them to be shown the door one-by-one. I believe the pushed out, more than I believe he's just quitting. It's like Cenk, or Dylan, who both were hitting a little too close to the corporate bulls-eye as to our problem, that the rich and corporations own everything. They probably made Keith's life too difficult, though clearly he made his own problems as well, after both of his parents dying. He probably needed time off--I wish he'd reemerge with a vengeance.

Truth is, all I watch regularly is Rachel Maddow these days. And she's a little conservative anyway. I've always said Ed has a better radio show, from 11-2 Central, as he's got callers, and the radio show has always been more liberal. Like most shows that have call ins, they tend to be more liberal than the corporate media offers by design.

[Glitterati]

30. The problem is that Ed Schultz is NOT liberal

not by a mile.

In fact, there are 2 MSNBC shows I refuse to have my TV on for - Ed Schultz and Chris Matthews. Both of them are Third Way Democrats, and that's being polite. They are both as conservative as the day is long.

I'm glad to see Schultz out of prime time. Now, if only we can do the same to Chris Matthews.

[Whisp]

34. 'The are both as conservative as the day is long'..

I first read that as:
They are both as convertible as the day is long.
That one sounds good too! They are weathervane assholes, go with the flow, yell when everyone else starts yelling, followers, herd runners, actors. Sure they have their good days once in a while but not enough of them.

[Glitterati]

35. Exactly!

I don't watch Ed, simply because I did at first and can't stand his politics.

But, Chris Matthews is an insult to intelligence. The man changes his position, just long enough to reel liberals back in, by putting his finger in the wind when his ratings start to drop.

Never fails with these "convertibles," ratings drive their politics, nothing else.

[green for victory]

38. fat head shultz was a republican before he found out he could fake being a "liberal"

it's right there in the record.

He did manage to fool a lot of people though. Yelling and screaming like he does.

He's a fraud, a liar and a scumbag.

[Le Taz Hot]

16. Tell me it's not going to be Sippy Cupp.

I saw her for the first time two days ago. Good god what a train wreck.

[Tx4obama]

17. It will not be S.E. she is a republican. They won't give her a prime slot. n/t

[demgrrrll]

18. I hope it is Joy Ann Reid. I like her. I will not watch Ezra Klein.

[chillfactor]

19. Chris Hayes is my choice

if Ezra Klein is the pick as is being rumored..I will not be watching MSNBC during that time slot...

[DakotaLady]

21. My feelings about Ezra ...

are the very same. Whenever he fills in for one of 'regulars' I turn the TV off. Go back to MSNBC after he has left the building. Wasn't he just on a Forbes List recently? Wish now I had bookmarked the article. Maybe Mister Google has something ... will have to check tomorrow ... me sleepy.

[CTyankee]

24. I saw Ezra on Chris's show a few weeks ago and he was just fine, IMO.

He didn't sound all that mainstream in that show. And when I have seen him on Morning Joe he has been way left of the spectrum.

I'm going to have to wait and see on Ezra...

[mzmolly]

36. Ed Schultz

is my choice.

[Politicalboi]

20. Why not push Tweety out

Or at least get rid of his second and third rerun shows.

[Javaman]

22. politico is the last site I would go to for factual information. nt

[dembotoz]

23. maybe keith????? oh please oh please oh please

yeh i know.....................................

[AndyA]

26. New York Times says Chris Hayes got the spot

Chris is too enthusiastic for me. He speaks quickly and not always distinctly, and I keep thinking he might benefit from a calmative. It's fine to be really, really enthusiastic from time to time, but Chris is constantly that way.

I'll keep an open mind and hope that he settles into the new spot--and calms down a bit from time to time.

Link: http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/chris-hayes-to-take-over-8-p-m-show-on-msnbc/

[warrior1]

27. he's a brilliant choice.

[Zen Democrat]

32. I like Chris on weekends with a couple of hours and extended discussions.

He's brilliant and energetic. If he does have the job, I'm thrilled for him. And relieved that it wasn't Ezra, Sippy, or any of the Killer Joe minions.

[Zen Democrat]

29. I don't believe a word out of Politico.

I believe Ed. His wife is battling cancer and this is good for him to have more time. Plus, MSNBC had needed a Saturday/Sunday evening show for a long time. It's a win/win. I like the idea of Ed being a Charles Kuralt-type "on the road" for the working class.

As for a replacement, what about Jennifer Granholm from Current? She's a great voice for labor with a pretty face.

Other than that ... Soledad O'Brien from CNN is amazingly good.

But make everyone happy and just bring back Keith Olbermann.

[lonestarnot]

31. What bullshit! Politico bullshit.