Ed Schultz just now on MSNBC seemed surprised at his new program time

[csziggy]

As if he had not been told about Keith leaving or that his program had been changed.

I was not really watching - had just come in and turned on the TV, doing things around the kitchen - so I am not sure of the entire setup this morning. But Ed seemed genuinely surprised when Alex said something in closing about his program at its new time Monday at ten. When Ed reacted, confused, she said something about "we'll talk about it in a minute," probably meaning during the commercial break.

:wtf:

No link - just now live on MSNBC during Shriver service coverage.

[NYCGirl]

1. I think he was making a joke.

Edited to add: Since he's aleady written about it on his website.

[csziggy]

5. I did not know he had written about it - that changes things n/t

[blogslut]

2. Oh, I don't think he was surprised

I think he was winking at the audience.

[csziggy]

7. The tone of his voice was very surprised

But as pointed out above, apparently he had already written about it on his web site.

[Overseas]

3. The Ed Show was very strong in its time period according to NBC memo

NBC memo excerpted by John Nichols in his Nation article on the dropping of Keith. Seems odd that they are moving shows which were strong in their time slots.

NEW YORK – January 21, 2011 – Starting Monday, January 24, 'The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell' will move to 8 p.m. ET/PT and 'The Ed Show,' hosted by Ed Schultz, will move to 10 p.m. ET/PT on MSNBC. The announcement was made today by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC. 'The Rachel Maddow Show' will continue to air live at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

"Since its debut in October 2010 at 10 p.m.ET, 'The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell' has been a strong addition to the MSNBC primetime line-up. In the forth quarter of 2010, the show’s first full quarter on the air, 'The Last Word' ranked #2 among A25-54 and total viewers beating CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” in all key demos and had MSNBC’s strongest A25-54 performance in the 10 p.m. time period since the first quarter of 2009.

"'The Ed Show' launched in April 2009 at 6 p.m. ET on MSNBC. 2010 marked the best total viewer performance in the 6 p.m. ET hour ever for MSNBC, with 'The Ed Show' ranked #2 in both A25-54 and total viewers for the full year. 'The Ed Show' averaged 643,000 viewers in 2010 and 158,000 among viewers 25-54, while CNN’s 'Situation Room' averaged 542,000 total viewers and 149,000 in the 25-54 demographic. Ed was up 8% in A25-54 and up 20% in total viewers, while CNN has dropped –28% in A25-54 and –29% in total viewers.

"Also starting Monday, Cenk Uygur, MSNBC contributor and host of the popular web show 'The Young Turks,' will be filling in as host of the 6 p.m ET hour."

http://www.thenation.com/blog/157959/msnbc-drops-keith-olbermann

[catabryna]

6. So, what's going on at 7:00 pm?

My mistake, Tweety of course.

[csziggy]

8. Hardball re-runs, like always

Which is why I am always watching something else at 7. Sometimes I catch the show at 5, but usually I avoid Tweety.

[global1]

4. Ed's Show Is Doomed At The New Time Slot......

In the CST he comes on at 5pm. People are just getting home from work and turn on the TV and Ed - being he is the big advocate for the working class - refreshing to watch after putting in a hard day at work kissing corporate ass. They identify with his rants and it certainly goes well with a cocktail or beer.

By moving Ed to the later time slot - he will be up against more prime time programming and by that time the corporate ass kickers are settled in and watching CSI, Law & Order, The Good Wife, etc and just want to veg out.

I think MSNBC/Comcast is putting Ed in this time slot to facilitate his demise. His ratings will go down at this new time and they'll have a good excuse to deep six his program.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Rachel. How will they try and control her program?

[csziggy]

9. You could be right - Ed does not have the same prime time appeal

And the 6 o'clock time slot fits with his style much better.

I wonder when Rachel's contract runs out? I tried to look last night, and they signed her in 2008, I think, though that may have been a short term contract for the election year. They may have signed her to a longer one in 2009. I doubt that they would have signed her to a long term deal like Keith had, so would expect her contract to come up for renewal relatively soon. They may just not offer her a renewal.

And of course, if they trash their evening lineup and put in shows that are not a natural fit with Rachel's style, her audience will bleed away, giving justification for non-renewal.

[bushisanidiot]

10. Mayber Olberman is getting a new show and will be on at Ed's old time

who knows?

[nenagh]

11. Then at 8 pm..

Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC competes with Spitzer on CNN..

and Spitzer is an articulate voice for the Dems..