So Who Should Have Replaced Gregory On MTP?

[stopbush]

I think they should have gone back to the earlier format where a panel of three journalists questioned the guests.

Any single host is going to have an agenda, and they're all very aware of the star status the show bestows on them within the beltway.

Another blown opportunity by NBC, IMO.

[brucefan]

1. One Word

Rachel

[stopbush]

8. I find Rachel to be unwatchable these days.

She prattles on and on and on with the set-up to her lead story every night. It's boring and childish. Repeating what you've said 5 times so us dummies will get it isn't in-depth journalism.

I can't imagine her as the host of MTP, let alone the fact that she's a overt partisan. The show needs some balance. Sadly, NBC has decided to continue the RW bias of their host. Rachel wouldn't be an improvement in that area. She'd just be the opposite end of the spectrum.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

15. I understand about the lead up to the stories ...

... and it annoys me too, however, her interviews are impeccable. You have to give her credit on that.

[stopbush]

20. I would, but I've given up on her show due to the lousy set-ups.

I can't stand to sit through the BS.

[Rose Siding]

41. I learn something about the context of the news every time I watch her

Just last night I learned about sunset towns for the first time.

And I don't think she's so much partisan as factual. Her reporting is more he/she said vs facts rather than simply "he said she said"

Facts are not necessarily balanced.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

44. She talks about events in a context, like a professor.

Her long introductory stories explain history of a topic, and she provides context. I appreciate that. But then I enjoyed college and graduate school.

[MohRokTah]

2. Rachel Maddow eom

[joeybee12]

3. They only had so many right wing nutjobs to choose from and Toad won...

I say cancel the worthless show altogether.

[Cha]

32. Exactly.. they're having Andrea Mitchell joining in.. for hell's sake. They aren't even trying..

But, Toadster has been earning his creds..

"Andrea Mitchell will serve as moderator of Meet the Press this weekend, and will continue to be a central figure of the broadcast, along with some new names that we will announce in the coming days."

tt http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025387147

[madokie]

33. I did that very thing about 5 or 6 years ago

Before timmy left us for happier hunting grounds
I don't mean any disrespect, just happy that I don't have to listen to that partisan hack anymore is all. If you don't think he was a partisan hack I don't know what to say other than pardon me

[SoCalDem]

36. Chuckie was being groomed by his mentor

but when he died suddenly, Chuck was still too "new" so they had to give it to Gregory (or someone like him)..

I can see him doing it for a few years, and eventually it will go to the son... We are sure seeing a lot of him lately..

Media is very much like a monarchy... they love the legacy thing

I do not watch any of those shows.. and most people do not..

It;s an echo chamber rehashing the same stuff we have all watched for a whole week... stale "news" presented in a stale environment..presented by stale retreads..

[winter is coming]

4. A panel of three old-time journalists would be fine.

If it had to be one person? I always thought David Shuster was pretty on top of things and pretty even-handed.

[RKP5637]

9. Yep, I liked David Shuster too. n/t

[stopbush]

17. Shuster is now on Al Jazerra. I can't imagine him wanting to return to NBC

after the tried to shut him up a couple of times.

[winter is coming]

21. I can't, either. Didn't realize he was on Al Jazeera. I'll have to check it out. n/t

[vt_native]

5. Cenk Uygur

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. Lewis Black.

That would be an entertaining hour of Lewis ripping new orifices in the politicians. He might accidentally discover a head lodged in said posteriors.

[stopbush]

10. Bill Maher...if he'd take the pay cut.

He'd need to do his homework, though. He doesn't drill down very far into the issues in his prep for Real Time.

[global1]

7. I Like The Panel Concept But How Do You Select And Stack The Panel?......

Two right wingers and one progressive? Two progressives and one right winger? Three right wingers? Three progressives?

The problem with a panel unless it is an even number of panelists is that people will still complain that the deck was stacked.

[merrily]

31. If by progressive, you mean something akin to liberal, they tend not to make it

on the panels of the Sunday talking head shows, only centrists and even further right. For example, I have to keep reminding myself that Cokie Roberts is on panels to represent a Democratic point of view. (I wish she'd keep reminding herself of the same.)

[Fantastic Anarchist]

11. I brown turd would do a hell of alot better. nt

[sufrommich]

12. Maddow. nt

[Rex]

13. Mike Malloy.

nt.

[LibDemAlways]

38. I would watch. Too bad the NBC suits would

never hire him. With Todd at the helm, the show's demise will only be hastened.

[Rex]

46. The M$M can go into complete decline as far as I am concerned.

Very few of them are actually interested in real news imo. Almost all of it is information-tainment and medical adds now.

[gratuitous]

14. I'd do it

For half of Gregory's overinflated salary and twice the preparation. I'd have a rotating panel of reporters, pundits and interested persons to fill out the host table. It would probably take about four hours to winnow out a good half hour (at least to start with) to edit out all my "That's horseshit, you lying fuck!" rejoinders, but I'd get the hang of it pretty soon, I think.

NBC: Call me.

[Historic NY]

16. Jon Stewart...

with Colbert at CBS this would be spectacular.

[eShirl]

18. depends... is Russell Brand considered "Press" ?

seriously though, I do like the 3-journalist panel idea

[Beaverhausen]

19. Keith Olbermann

[A-Schwarzenegger]

22. Gary Busey.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

24. Gotta go with Busey. nt

[A-Schwarzenegger]

26. Fun!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

27. Almost forgot..... IMHO.

[LuvNewcastle]

30. The ratings would go through the roof!

I haven't watched MTP in years, but I would tune in every week to see that.

[eShirl]

40. "Hello lamp! Oh, excuse me: Senator."

[LuvNewcastle]

23. Anderson Cooper

I don't think he's seen as a partisan. I'm not really sure what his political views are. Seems someone like that would be ideal.

[SummerSnow]

25. Me. I should have taken over MTP. lol

[OilemFirchen]

28. Though I often find him cloying,

Charlie Rose.

[ailsagirl]

29. Martin Bashir

I miss him so much!!



I know-- dream on...

[mwrguy]

34. Michael Moore

[JEB]

35. Past time to replace MTP

as it has been damaged beyond repair by all the sucking up to GOP POS like reverse ace McCain.

[derby378]

37. Keith Olbermann

If they could have swayed him back from ESPN with an iron-clad "hands off" policy from Comcast's CEO.

[bettyellen]

39. Melissa Harris-Perry

[Capt. Obvious]

42. Chuck Todd

[Brother Buzz]

43. The great Reverend Al Sharpton

He could and WOULD keep it on the straight and narrow

[MurrayDelph]

45. Trymaine Lee

[ZX86]

47. Obvisously Maddow.

A lot of people poo poo the idea of Rachel because they say Republicans would refuse to come on. The reality is high profile Republicans would refuse to appear. The solution to that is simple. You just book Louie Gohmert week after week. "Here representing the Republican party....Louie Gohmert! Joining Gohmert, Todd Akin, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Bachman!"

The Republican leadership would eventually relent and start sending people who could at least appear sane for 10 minutes or so.

Of course this will never happen because NBC has no interest in quality journalism or informing the public. I predict the tired routine of Chuck "It's not my Job" Todd framing Republican talking points as questions to Democrats and my personal favorite, taking popularity polls based on Republican lies told all week and repeated in corporate media ad nauseam then asking Democrats why they are so unpopular with the American public.