In the absence of the man, let the speculation commence. :-)

[Berry Cool]

Anyone read this in TV Newser (making reference to the fact that MSNBC used Brian Williams and Katie Couric to anchor the London bombing news Thursday rather than its own anchors)? All I can say is...the style of criticism, not to mention the quality of the writing (and I suspect it was written), bears a certain hallmark...also note the reference to "ratings were a disaster in 1997."

Is this "insider" someone we know? Discuss...

MSNBCers "Treated Like Understudies" When Williams & Couric Took Over

..."Neal Shapiro says 'he wants to use more of NBC's top talent on the cable news network during big stories,' according to the AP.

"But not everyone at MSNBC is happy about that. 'The Brian/Katie thing symbolized everything that's wrong with the relationship between NBC and MSNBC,' an insider told TVNewser over the weekend. 'Any credibility either of them might give to MSNBC has far less of an impact than the message to the viewers that the MSNBC people aren't good enough, and that MSNBC is basically a play area for NBC when the news isn't quite big enough to justify postponing a soap opera...'"

read the rest here: http://mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

[gkhouston]

1. snort. tvnewser strikes again.

They rarely pass up an opportunity to diss MSNBC. I often wonder if they own stock in Fox News or their sister is married to O'Reilly or something...

[Berry Cool]

2. True, but here it sounds as if

someone in MSNBC is sounding off dissing the notion that MSNBC people aren't good enough to anchor serious stories.

I don't know, the whole thing had a flavor that reminded me of someone we all know and love, being annoyed that he had just lashed out at a TV reviewer who implied that MSNBC is only a place where losers get a second chance, because what happens right afterward but the NBC anchors take over MSNBC coverage when something important happens...

[gkhouston]

3. yeah, but if that "insider" was really KO

he'd probably blog about it. He's only promised to remember to let ESPN run ESPN. He hasn't said anything similar about MSNBC. ;-)

[Berry Cool]

4. True about what he said, but....

...do you really think he'd use his blog to bitch about MSNBC? That would be like using "SportsCenter" as a soapbox for bitching about ESPN on air...which he did not do. Whatever else he did, he didn't do that.

All the more reason to believe that if someone's complaining off the record, he is a prime suspect. It's not as if he's never emailed them before.

Well, anyway, here's the latest piece of hot MSNBC poop. Lloyd Grove of the NY Daily News reported today that Dan Abrams' portrait in the lobby has been replaced by Rita Cosby's. Dan's has been moved down the hall. Supposedly Prez Kaplan is responsible. His explanation is that it is no big deal and it was only done because Rita is going to be part of their "prime time" lineup. Prime time?? Isn't she supposed to go on at 11? Well, maybe not. And if that's so, how come Imus has a portrait in the lobby too (which probably frightens small children), when he's on in the morning?

Someone is not telling the whole truth here. If I were Abrams, I'd be a little worried about now. Either that, or Tucker better continue to hope they have faith in him. At least they didn't take his picture down, though!

One small note: anyone who manages to steal Keith's and bring it to me will be richly rewarded. :rofl:

[crispini]

5. The gossip we keep up with

all because of our lurve for one hottt cable newsguy! :P

It's probably because Kaplan got sick of looking at Dan Abrams' bad tie in the portrait! :rofl:

Won't see you ladies tonight... more activism... It's all good, but boy am I tired.... :hi:

[Berry Cool]

6. 'Tis all right, I'm tired too.

Besides, that space special is on. Can't even talk about Alison. *sigh*