Sharpton may push Cenk aside on MSNBC

[bigdarryl]

Nothing official yet just one article but if true Sharpton's viewer numbers must be through the roof I would hate to see Cenk replaced I don't know why MSNBC keeps holding two time slots for Tweety repeating the same exact show.They could put Sharpton in the 7:00PM slot Tweety must be kissing some serious ass to keep those slots http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/18/al-sharpton-msnbcs-next-host_n_901313.html

[Enrique]

1. they get an insider in there

someone who keeps his commentary within the normal range of cable TV.

Who knows if it's true that they're moving Cenk out, but I always thought it was odd you never saw Cenk's name or face anywhere in any MSNBC promotional materials on the website.

[bigdarryl]

3. Good point maybe he was just a test run but I though his ratings were supposed to be high

[jenmito]

2. Cenk should lose his show. He admits to not being a Dem., said Obama's more conservative than

Reagan, and is constantly bashing Obama unfairly. Sharpton would be a good replacement once he learns how to pronounce the names that he continues to mispronounce, and once he learns to read the teleprompter, and once he learns how to run his show. For example, when he has more than one guest, he doesn't always say to whom he's directing his quetion and they all answer at once. Right now it's painful listening to him.

[emcguffie]

4. I don't understand.

While I'm a Dem, I had no idea being a Dem was a requirement for being on MSNBC. Or being an Obama supporter, either. Is there a connection?

[FrenchieCat]

5. There are no Obama supporters on television........

and although that may not mean anything to you now, it will comes 2012, if you are indeed a Dem.

[Union Scribe]

62. If he keeps going the way he has, O'reilly will stump for him. nt

[Enrique]

8. she's right

the TV people want everyone to play the expected roles. Sharpton will follow the script.

[Enrique]

9. Cenk said some criticism on air about corporations, and included NBC

maybe someone else saw it, he pointed to something about "my employer, NBC". When I heard it, I thought, this isn't something you hear a lot.

[JTFrog]

82. Cenk got embarrassing ratings for MSNBC.

No sugar coating the facts.

[CakeGrrl]

7. Yes, he's one of the "Progressives" who have Republican-supporting roots

He was a Bush I voter and fan of Reagan.

Why is it that some of the biggest names in the "Professional Left" have Republican roots or connections to Repubs? Seems to align perfectly with their "criticism" of the President.

[GillesDeleuze]

13. use of "quotes"

to smear Cenk. "has probably never watched TYT"

[vroomvroom]

26. Try LISTENING to Cenk and then afterward THINK!

Cenk always makes perfect sense and his message is very consistent. He is a clear progressive.

I think far too many "democrats" have forgotten their values and many (including several on DU) are willing to capitulate so that they can at least call it a day, regardless if it send them even further down that toilet. Democrats have moved further right that they have forgotten who they are. And you sir are one of them

[Armstead]

31. Gee, I thought it was supposed to be a good thing when conservatives see the light

And actually change their mind.

Silly me.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

55. I've talked to Cenk about this before

his conservative years were when he was starting college. He went to the left before graduation.
I think it's a bit of a stretch to hold that against him.

[RedCloud]

70. Shows he paid attention in college, unlike a lot.

[Union Scribe]

63. And yet he now sounds more liberal than the Democratic leadership

I doubt the irony will dawn upon you.

[vaberella]

10. That's all the more reason they'll keep him Jen. n/t

[GillesDeleuze]

12. "unfairly bashes" = provides strong left based criticism

[jenmito]

38. No-it = misstating Obama's positions on things.

[GillesDeleuze]

69. how about 1 example?

[Hutzpa]

15. I think you have got this completely wrong. n/t

[Fire1]

36. Perhaps you should listen more closely. He does indeed

address the guest to whom he is speaking.

[jenmito]

37. Perhaps YOU should listen more closely. There are times when Al just throws a question out there

without saying a name to address the question/comment. He has also asked a question and then named two people to answer, i.e., "Bill or Richard?" And there have been times when he has done it the right way, while sometimes mispronouncing their names (and sometimes he's done it the right way). He also mispronounces words. He pronounced "Sharia" as "Shara" and "Shahara" and just tonight he pronounced "access" as "assess."

[Fire1]

39. And Tweety ain't much better. But it's hard to distinguish who

has been addressed when the 'contributors' just jump in and interrupt one another. That's not Al's fault. When he names two people to answer, that clearly says to me that EITHER one can answer at their discretion.

[jenmito]

40. Wrong. Chris calls on one person and the other one interrupts. Al doesn't call on

nobody (sometimes) or names two people at once, which is NOT the way to do it. He also mispronounces words. He pronounced "Sharia" as "Shara" and "Shahara" and just tonight he pronounced "access" as "assess."

[Fire1]

41. I thought that was the problem. That's why you have to listen

closely. Our diction is not often the best but if he emphasized every inflection he would sound ridiculous. I detect a southern accent, as well. Many of us, particularly in the south, find difficulty with the pronunciation of certain letters. I know alot of people can't appreciate that so maybe all black folks should just keep their mouth shut and stay off television.

[jenmito]

45. No, this isn't a "black" problem. This is an Al Sharpton problem. There are several

Black people on TV from all parts of the country who pronounce "Sharia" correctly, not to mention words like "access" which is a whole different word from "assess." That's no "accent." That's just mispronouncing. And he's from NY. If your solution is to keep all Black people off TV, you have a problem. Especially if you think that's what I'M saying.

[Fire1]

54. I didn't say it was due to an accent. I said I detected a

southern accent. Since he originated from N.Y. the accent is quite possibly the result of his lineage which does indicate that his parents were from the south. I also didn't say that ALL of us experience this difficulty. The impediment (IF he has one) may not be due to his region of birth or his environment but I highly suspect that it does. What I got out of your post is simply that if people fail to meet your standards or expectations they should not be on television. You certainly have a right to watch and critique anyone of your choosing but I submit that there is ample criticism to go around, including Tweety.

[jenmito]

68. I don't know why you're making excuses for him. This is NOT a "black" thing as you and the other

poster are trying to make it into. It's an Al Sharpton thing. He's NOT good at hosting that show. Period. He has improved since his first days, but he's still not good at it. And if you think I just don't "understand" "black accents," you're WAY off. Let's just say I'm much more familiar with "Black" accents (from the South as well as everywhere else) than any other kind.

Regarding Tweety, HE bugged me when he kept mispronouncing "Fukushima" as "Fukushama" and "Daichi" as "Daiachi." He always points out the correct pronunciation of "Cheney," but then he kept making those 2 mistakes. And I wrote to him to complain about that. But there is no comparison between the two when it comes to how they run the shows they host.

[Empowerer]

51. Some of the comments in this thread are Exhibit A of why it's difficult

for minorities to break the network (among other) glass ceilings. Watching the goalposts get moved when we're talking about a black host is fascinating and sad.

These networks hire all kinds of white folks - varying from excellent to abysmal - for these spots. When it's pointed out that they should increase diversity by bringing in some minority hosts, some folks push back almost reflexively that race shouldn't have anything to do with it - what matters, we're told, is that they have the right political perspective and are willing to speak their minds.

Yet. Lo and behold, we have a potential host who fits that bill perfectly, and suddenly DICTION has become a new major criterion.

No, Rev. Sharpton doesn't speak as if he graduated from the Midwest White Guy With No Accent Academy of Broadcasting. Yes, he's not yet fully comfortable with a teleprompter (duh - he's a preacher trained to speak WITHOUT a script).

But Rev. Sharpton is one of the quickest thinking and most well-prepared, eloquent, and persuasive voices in political life. He's brilliant, committed and unabashedly liberal. He's paid his dues, he walks his talk, he tells it like it really is, and he don't take no stuff from anybody. It's outrageous that people are insisting that he doesn't communicate well enough for their tastes (translation: he sounds "too black").

Anyone who has trouble understanding Rev. Sharpton or who is uneasy with his way of speaking should consider that the problem may lie with THEM and not him.

[Fire1]

56. Well said and I concur. n/t

[secondwind]

43. I like Sharpton, he calls it like it is. I hope he does a good job!

[jenmito]

46. I like him, too. But he doesn't do a good job unless he's talking off the prompter. n/t

[Union Scribe]

61. Is that a requirement to host, being a registered Democrat?

Maybe you should tell their daytime people.

[Dawgs]

64. WTF! You want to kick off an informed progressive for a cheerleader?

You sound like a Bush cheerleader. Is that what we want, a Fox News for Democrats that will say anything to prop up our politicians.

[totodeinhere]

71. So are only Democrats allowed on MSNBC? Why should admitting to not being a Dem disqualify

him from being on MSNBC? And isn't he entitled to give an opinion on MSNBC that you disagree with? Cenk certainly is not the only one who thinks that Obama is more conservative than Reagan.

[ellenfl]

6. i only watched sharpton because i always watch cenk's show.

i hope i didn't help to get him removed. i like him.

ellen fl

[vaberella]

11. Tweety is ancient and been there forever; he doesn't go anywhere. Sharpton is great.

I love him. And I've asked for them to keep him on.

[secondwind]

44. I like Sharpton also. He serves A PURPOSE!

[Inuca]

14. Good! n/t

[center rising]

16. I don't like Sharpton

He makes everything about race, and that bothers me.

[Enrique]

17. i don't think he does that anymore

you might like him now.

[Inuca]

22. He used to

and I do nto excuse him for what he used to do. But he changed I think, at least it looks so. And he is damn smart. Cenk OTOH is just loud and obnoxious and not very well informed (Sharpton is). I would welcome the change.

I would also welcome adding Ezra Klein to the stable. I follow him on Twitter and I saw that he hosted some afternoon shows recently, and will again today as a replacement for the annoying Bashir at 3ET. Did not see any, I am at work at these times. But I love smart geeks :-).

[Empowerer]

24. No he doesn't

Rev. Sharpton focuses on many aspects of economic justice and fairness for all. Although he calls it like he sees it and doesn't shy away from race when it is an issue - which makes some people very uncomfortable - he doesn't "make everything about race."

Interestingly, white commentators and pundits can talk about - and even rail about - race to their heart's content and they're applauded as admirable, brave progressives "speaking truth to power." But whenever a black commentator talks about race - even when it's only part of what they are addressing, they're immediately accused of "making everything about race," "always bringing up race," and, of course, the oldie but goodie "playing the race card."

This is not based on fact, but is an inference - which says more about the hearer than the speaker...

Unf

[vroomvroom]

27. You should try watching once...He never does that.

[Fire1]

42. Cause damn near everything IS about race. n/t

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

53. He also used to toss out the term 'homo' frequently

and referred to jews as "diamond merchants." He's a recovering bigot, at best.

[grahamhgreen]

18. That would suck. Cenk is a younger demo. A stupid move for MSNBC.

[PragmaticLiberal]

19. Cenk might target a younger demo but apparently Al had very good ratings in his guest stint.

[grahamhgreen]

48. When was al on?

[totodeinhere]

72. Not really. His ratings were not that good. For instance, last Friday, the last day he was on,

Mathews, O'Donnell, and Maddow all got better ratings than he did on MSNBC. And the Fox News show on in his time slot got better than twice as many viewers as he did in total viewers and almost twice as many in the demo. I would not call that "very good ratings."

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-scoreboard-friday-july-15-2_b77126

[Empowerer]

74. Wow - how misleading. Did you cherry pick this one day out of context on purpose?

Because if you had posted the other ratings in context, it would have told a different story .

For example, while Matthews, O'Donnell and Maddow got better ratings than Sharpton did on that day, you failed to mention that:

1. O'Donnell and Maddow ALWAYS get better ratings than whoever is in the 6:00 slot. They consistently beat Cenk, which is not surprising since they are broadcast in primetime, which always has a larger audience.
2. Only one of Matthews' broadcasts - the 5:00 - beat Sharpton; Sharpton pulled more viewers than Matthews's 7 p.m. broadcast that day.

3. Sharpton has consistently gotten better ratings in that time slot than Cenk did.

4. And while you are correct that Fox beat out Sharpton on that night - 310,000 to 160,000

For example, on July 15th, the day you cherry-picked - Sharpton scored 160,000 viewers. On July 1st, Cenk scored a mere 114,000 viewers. In fact, the week of July 27th, Cenk never scored higher than 152,000 - and Wolf Blitzer kicked his butt in the 6:00 hour three out of five days.

On the other hand, last week, Sharpton's LOWEST number was 160,000 (the one you cited) and he scored as high as 204,000 viewers. And he beat Blitzer EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, by as much as 74,000.

5. And while FOX beat out Sharpton on that day, let's not even talk about how badly FOX smacked poor Cenk around. No, lets . . .

On the day you cited, FOX's 6:00 hour drew 300,000 viewers to Sharpton's 160,000. But two weeks earlier, FOX slammed Cenk 299,000 to 114,000. And earlier that week, it was even worse - Fox drew 376,000 viewers to Cenk's 152,000. And remember, that was Cenk's HIGHEST rating that week (lower than Sharpton's LOWEST rating in the week you cited). In other words, on Cenk's BEST day, he had fewer viewers than Sharptons' WORST day.

So, nice try at presenting blatantly misleading information that compares apples and oranges. But I'm glad you offered an opportunity for me to provide even greater support for my point. Sharpton's ratings compare very favorably to - and in fact consistently and convincingly beat - Cenk's ratings and give MSNBC real competition against Wolf Blitzer.

[EffieBlack]

76. Nicely done ... n/t

[totodeinhere]

80. All your anaysis shows is that Cenk had pathetic ratings whereas Sharpton had only poor ratings.

Personally if I were MSNBC, I would go with someone who could actually win that time period, not merely do not quite as bad.

[Empowerer]

83. Wow - talk about moving the goalposts!

I responded to someone who mischaracterized the nuimbers to suggest that Sharpton's ratings were worse than Uygur's by showing that his ratings actually BEAT Uygur's.

However, as the numbers show, NO MSNBC host wins their timeslots so why should why should winning the 6 pm timeslot suddenly be the criteria applied to Sharpton - even before he's had a chance to build an audience? I doubt that any other host
Was expected to win a ratings war while they were still in tryouts.

[totodeinhere]

84. Ok, ok, you make some good points. I will concede that.

It's just that I am frustrated the Fox Noise always out rates MSNBC. But perhaps I shouldn't take it out on Rev. Al.

[Empowerer]

79. Apparently, MSNBC disagrees with you . . .

http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/archives/rev_al_might_be_getting_his_own_show_on_msnbc/

<snip>

Not only has MSNBC been impressed with his performance during his stint as a temporary host, they’ve been even more impressed with the ratings. The ratings for the show, since he’s been on, have come in a strong second after Fox News, regularly beating CNN and Headline News.

As a result, sources are reporting that MSNBC is seriously thinking about giving Sharpton his own permanent show on the network, in the 6PM slot, and moving Ugyer into some other capacity on the network.

[Empowerer]

21. Sharpton hits a young demographic, as well

He also will bring in significantly more minority, low-income and urban viewers of all ages - demographics that continue to be woefully and inexplicably neglected by cable news.

Frankly, I always thought Cenk's demographic was extremely narrow and rather homogeneous. It's long past time for MNSBC and the other networks to expand their horizons beyond the cramped notions of who comprises the political audience.

[grahamhgreen]

49. Al has been around forever.

[totodeinhere]

73. What makes you think he hits a young demographic? Last Friday he only got

160,000 in the demo.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-scoreboard-friday-july-15-2_b77126

[Empowerer]

75. See my post above

Sharpton's "only" 160,000 is HIGHER than Cenk's BEST ratings recently.

Sharpton obviously is doing much better than Cenk, so that "Sharpton doesn't appeal to the target audience" argument needs to be put to bed.

[totodeinhere]

81. See my post above. n/t

[WiffenPoof]

20. That Would Be A Shame...

Cenk is the only reason I watch MSNBC. I miss him already.

-P

[Badsam]

25. Me too.

[vroomvroom]

28. +1,000

[PatSeg]

35. I like Cenk a lot

and was really happy when he got his own show. I'm having a hard time watching a whole hour of Sharpton. He yells a lot and talks over his guests. I know he's not the only one who does it, but he seems to do it more than most. Its the same reason that Chris Matthews is hard to watch. We don't need more yelling and rudeness.

Meanwhile, the show was still introduced by Matthews with Cenk Uygur's name.

[Dawgs]

65. +1.

[discopants]

23. Ezra Klein is doing s great job too

He's on earlier in the day filling in on one of the other MSNBC shows. I'd like to see Klein/O'Donnell/Madow be their main lineup .

[vroomvroom]

29. He comes off as a Weak Kid that'll roll over Easily (ie, a democrat, not a progressive)

Yes he looks weak and talks way too softly but he still is progressive at his heart. So i commend him.

However, I am just not use to his imagery and presentation as a progressive. Progressives to me are fighters (e.g, Weiner, Grayson). Ezra, otoh, comes off (presentation-wise) as what i consider a true "democrat": weak and spineless and willing to run from a fight at any chance.

[vaberella]

47. You talk about "progressive" as though it's a political party. It's not.

It's just the way of looking at the nation. And so Cenk is no a progressive at heart. He just is. Even if I don't agree with this politics or methodology at times.

[Vinca]

30. I think Rev. Al is kind of blah as a talk show host.

Cenk is much better.

[Armstead]

32. I agree...I love Sharpton when he's a guest. But as a host,, not so much.

[quiller4]

33. I hope so. I really enjoy Sharpton and Cenk really put me off. n/t

[flamingdem]

34. Al Sharpton knows what's up, he's doing a good job so far

and he's a Democrat, of that we can be certain.

[TheKentuckian]

50. Cementing their irrelevance.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

52. Al is a fame junkie and a joke

He may have a few decent positions, but he hurts the credibility of any cause he gets behind. He's just a step removed from a reality TV star. He's the left's Pat Robertson. I'm all for diversity in the lineup, but there several infinitely better choices available from the civil rights movement.
And anyone who happily served as a FOX News Democrat doesn't deserve a show.

[EffieBlack]

57. Oh, please . . .

And Cenk, et al are just pure-at-heart, modest public servants.

Everybody on television seeks fame to some degree. Why suddenly is that a disqualifying factor when it comes to Rev. Sharpton?

And who "from the civil rights movement" do you suggest? Is being from the "civil rights movement" the only qualifier for a minority host?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

59. I'm talking about crap like this

In case you can't see it, Michael's sign shows himself with 'the good,' over him, Tommy Mottola with devil horns as'the bad,' and Mottola again as 'the ugly.'
Jackson was driving around NYC atop a double decker bus with his legions of bizarre fans, and blaming Motolla for his tanking 'Invincible' album, calling the record executive racist and 'devlish' and 'mean.'

It was a bizarre, nonsensical affair and Al eventually had to denounce Jackson's comments about Mottola.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=101138&page=1

Anyone with have a sense of dignity wouldn't have felt the need to get involved with the whole freak show to begin with. But Al couldn't resist the cameras. He seriously entered Gloria Allred territory with that one.

It wasn't some isolated event. It's typical of his tabloid antics. He's an embarrassment to the left.

[Empowerer]

58. You think THIS is a joke?

Last Friday, I had the experience in Detroit of hearing President George Bush make a speech. And in the speech, he asked certain questions. I hope he's watching tonight. I would like to answer your questions, Mr. President.. . .

Mr. President, I heard you say Friday that you had questions for voters, particularly African-American voters. And you asked the question: Did the Democratic Party take us for granted? Well, I have raised questions. But let me answer your question.
You said the Republican Party was the party of Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. It is true that Mr. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, after which there was a commitment to give 40 acres and a mule.
. . .

We didn't get the mule. So we decided we'd ride this donkey as far as it would take us.

Mr. President, you said would we have more leverage if both parties got our votes, but we didn't come this far playing political games. It was those that earned our vote that got our vote.

We got the Civil Rights Act under a Democrat.

We got the Voting Rights Act under a Democrat.

We got the right to organize under Democrats.

Mr. President, the reason we are fighting so hard, the reason we took Florida so seriously, is our right to vote wasn't gained because of our age. Our vote was soaked in the blood of martyrs, soaked in the blood of good men, soaked in the blood of four little girls in Birmingham. This vote is sacred to us. This vote can't be bargained away. This vote can't be given away.

Mr. President, in all due respect, Mr. President, read my lips: Our vote is not for sale.

And there's a whole generation of young leaders that have come forward across this country that stand on integrity and stand on their traditions, those that have emerged with John Kerry and John Edwards as partners, like Greg Meeks, like Barack Obama, like our voter registration director, Marjorie Harris, like those that are in the trenches.

And we come with strong family values. Family values is not just those with two-car garages and a retirement plan. Retirement plans are good. But family values also are those who had to make nothing stretch into something happening, who had to make ends meet.

I was raised by a single mother who made a way for me. She used to scrub floors as a domestic worker, put a cleaning rag in her pocketbook and ride the subways in Brooklyn so I would have food on the table. But she taught me as I walked her to the subway that life is about not where you start, but where you're going. That's family values.

And I wanted somebody in my community -- I wanted to show that example. As I ran for president, I hoped that one child would come out of the ghetto like I did, could look at me walk across the stage with governors and senators and know they didn't have to be a drug dealer, they didn't have to be a hoodlum, they didn't have to be a gangster, they could stand up from a broken home, on welfare, and they could run for president of the United States.

As you know, I live in New York. I was there September 11th when that despicable act of terrorism happened.

A few days after, I left home, my family had taken in a young man who lost his family. And as they gave comfort to him, I had to do a radio show that morning. When I got there, my friend James Entome said, "Reverend, we're going to stop at a certain hour and play a song, synchronized with 990 other stations."
I said, "That's fine."

He said, "We're dedicating it to the victims of 9/11."

I said, "What song are you playing?"

He said "America the Beautiful." The particular station I was at, the played that rendition song by Ray Charles.

As you know, we lost Ray a few weeks ago, but I sat there that morning and listened to Ray sing through those speakers, "Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountains' majesty across the fruited plain."

And it occurred to me as I heard Ray singing, that Ray wasn't singing about what he knew, because Ray had been blind since he was a child. He hadn't seen many purple mountains. He hadn't seen many fruited plains. He was singing about what he believed to be.

Mr. President, we love America, not because all of us have seen the beauty all the time.

But we believed if we kept on working, if we kept on marching, if we kept on voting, if we kept on believing, we would make America beautiful for everybody.

Starting in November, let's make America beautiful again.

Thank you. And God bless you.

---Rev. Al Sharpton, Democratic National Convention, July 28, 2004

[AtomicKitten]

60. What precipitated this talk about Sharpton replacing Cenk?

No host is going to want to take a vacation lest their guest host move in and replace them. I think those pushing Sharpton would be better served advocating for Tweety's second hour than trying to push Cenk out. Cenk has a solid hour that would be missed.

[Dawgs]

66. Cenk talks like an informed progressive that isn't a cheerleader.

The cheerleaders don't like him, and have been pushing to get him replaced since he started.

[PragmaticLiberal]

77. There are rumors all over the internet about Al replacing Cenk.

Al Sharpton could be made MSNBC's next host, TVNewser reports.

Sharpton has suddenly become a frequent presence behind the anchor desk for the network. He has guest hosted "The Ed Show" multiple times and, for the past two weeks, has been filling in for Cenk Uygur at 6 PM. It is in that slot that Sharpton may emerge victorious, TVNewser writes, with Uygur being pushed aside.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/18/al-sharpton-msnbcs-next-host_n_901313.html

[falcon97]

67. Cenk is not a good host.

I agree with many of his points, but they get lost it his stumbles. It just doesn't translate well on TV. I tried to watch him, but can't. I've been suprisied to find myself thinking that Sharpton is much smoother on television.

But Cenk has an important POV that should be heard in some forum.

[PragmaticLiberal]

78. Cenk's officially out.