So, what do we do tonight? Watch ALL the news on MSNBC, or be selective?

[Frustratedlady]

I'm torn between not watching, watching them all or being selective...Rachel and Ed.

If they would train Tweety to shut up and let his guests speak, I might add him, but I get my b/p up so much when he won't stop sputtering.

I'm not into Lawrence that much, as I think he asks questions in such a way that tells his audience he is probably smarter than his guest and basically answers the question...if he ever gets it out.

What to do, what to do.

[KharmaTrain]

1. It Used To Be Called The "Idiot Box"...

...and that old chestnut needs to be polished off again. All the outrage over KO's leaving MSNBC led to the usual feeding frenzy but also should be a reminder that the corporate media is its own world, we just look in. It's a 24/7 circus intended to lure eyeballs that mean ratings that mean money. They claim "news" but the real news side has been cut back and watered down so that the cables have become infotainment...prefering to manipulate the news or sensationalize it.

For me, I'm sad that Keith is gone but in the overall scheme of things it means little to me. I'll watch as I always have...when its worthwhile I'll pay attention, when it's not I'll read a blog, listen to some music...step away from the melodrama and flavor of the moment and enjoy the real world.

Watching or not is your choice...if it makes you feel good and you think the network needs to be "punished"...more power to you. My too many years working within the "media" has conditioned me to avoid getting too attached to personalities as they're cogs in a machine...parts that can be important but are ultimately changed. These days I find myself watching less "cable news" and "progressive talk" as its overall lack of substance and over abundance of opinion distort the facts...spun to get reactions rather than inform.

Cheers...

[Frustratedlady]

5. What I find odd about MSNBC is that all the programs have the same subjects.

So, if you watch Tweety, chances are Ed, Rachel and Lawrence will headline the exact same news items, only present them a little differently. That is an irritation.

I would like to see them specialize. Tweety, on politics. Ed, on labor/corporations, Rachel on corruption in government and Lawrence could take the leftovers/misc. categories.

Otherwise, MSNBC is basically hammering their views on say...4 subjects/night? The only difference is the presentation.

However, they are my news source. CNN used to be, but I couldn't tolerate Wolf(e) any longer.

And the beat goes on....

[KharmaTrain]

10. Manipulating Of "News"

Used to be networks had only 30 minutes a night to fill with news...today its 24/7. A generation ago, networks had bureaus around the world...much of that is now gone as news has become a profit source rather than a loss leader. Instead of reporting news, the cables thrive on creating and mainpulating it. As you say, they all obssess on the same stories...but its what draws the eyeballs and creates the heat that is manipulated into making any issue into a bloodsport. It's lazy "journalism" as the "news" is now a morsel of information followed by hours of "analysis"...a lot of egos and each with a "spin". Personally I find it very tedious these days.

I used to have CNN on here 24/7...now it's rarely on. I've always felt insulted by Wolfie's patronizing delivery and the cast of "experts" and bobbleheads that report talking points rather than information. I'm grateful for the internet as there are so many sources to get information and bypass the corporate media filters and personalities. If there's an important news story, good chance you'll get more information here on DU than you will on the teevee.

Yes the beat does go on...kudos to those who listen to their own drummers!


Cheers!

[Chipper Chat]

13. With me it's the annoying commercials that restrict my TV time

more so than the content. Aleve and orange juice commercials now have audible swallowing as part of the message - disgusting. Obnoxious is a polite word for the Nationwide guy (a JarJar Binks ripoff). And we wont even go to the "pull at your heartstrings" ambulance chaser ads.

[slackmaster]

20. It was called the Babble Box or the Boob Tube in my home

My mom really hated it.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. Personally

I have other interests besides politics and television. Tonight, as most nights, I will be working on a hobby and learning new skills. After I'm done, I'll turn on the tv to watch the 10 pm local news. I doubt I'll miss anythin by leaving the tv off most of the evening.

[Brickbat]

3. Why watch it at all?

[Common Sense Party]

4. How about: Just live your life. Talk with children or loved ones. Read a book.

Do something nice to serve someone else. Don't worry about what may be going on at a cable news channel.

[MineralMan]

6. I suggest turning it off and reading stuff.

There are more ways than one to get information. Television is one of the worst.

[meegbear]

7. +10000

[bemildred]

8. I don't watch TV, TV makes you stupid.

Fortunately, the condition is reversible.

[kctim]

9. Be selective and only watch NEWS

forget ALL the propaganda spinmasters.

[Godhumor]

11. Watch what you want?

Tends to be what I do.

[bdamomma]

12. support who choose to support or if low numbers they will

take them off, why give the Right more satisfaction, and more reason to celebrate. I will definitely watch Rachel and Ed (if I can stay awake).

[slackmaster]

14. How about turning the TV off for once?

I recommend it.

[Frustratedlady]

17. I only watch it in the evening for the news.

Otherwise, you'd never know I even had a TV.

Yes, I read every day, but I DO like to get a feeling for what is going on in the political scene.

At one time when I ignored TV completely, Reagan got elected...then, Bush got elected. Can't have something like that happen again. They both sneaked up on me because I was too busy with family and local issues.

[slackmaster]

19. I doubt that your failure to watch TV in 1980 and 1988 had anything to do with Reagan or Bush...

...getting elected.

[kjackson227]

15. I'll still watch Ed (when I can), and Rachel...

the others... not so much. I'm really going to miss Keith tomorrow night for the president's State of the Union speech :(

[Lucian]

16. I suggest don't watch anything.

I won't be.

It would be a great time to read a book, to hang out with your family, to move and do something.

[Connie_Corleone]

18. I'm watching a movie.

[jwirr]

21. I am going to watch them. I do not think that KO would want us to

destroy these liberals that he more or less fostered into their programs. I do not think he left MSNBC so that he could close down other liberal voices. He wants to add his own voice in a freer venue for himself. KO is not about destroying - he is about building.

[bdamomma]

24. ..................

:thumbsup:

[madrchsod]

22. netflix movie

[rainbow4321]

23. Not at all

I would normally settle in at 7 pm (CST) to watch KO but that obviously won't be happeniing anymore.
By the time 8 pm rolls around I can find other stuff to do.
Reality is gonna hit MSNBC tonight when they see their ratings tank.
Especially with Feb. sweeps coming up.