This is a good move. Olbermann serves a purpose, but he isn't a journalist.

[Cali Coug]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/bu...nt&oref=slogin

He shouldn't be in the anchor chair. I do like Matthews more, but he hasn't done well with Olbermann by his side either.

Gregory should be very good in this role.

[myboynoah]

Wow, such a big step.

MSNBC is a joke, a full on joke. They give Rachel Maddow a show?

The Air America of television news programming.

[exUte]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

That doesn't make them a joke. It makes them a counterweight to Fox News. That said, you have to have people who at least appear impartial in the anchor chair. The role of the anchor is vastly different from the role of the commentator.

vs. Fox?

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

That doesn't make them a joke. It makes them a counterweight to Fox News. That said, you have to have people who at least appear impartial in the anchor chair. The role of the anchor is vastly different from the role of the commentator.

You'd be hard pressed to find any regular anchor on Fox News--particularly Brit Hume--acting like Olberman and Matthews.

[RedHeadGal]

I have enjoyed Olberman and Matthews each separately, but they never worked together as co-anchors.

Of course, I never watched a single minute of convention converage of either party. Now it sounds like I missed so funny moments.

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by Tex

You'd be hard pressed to find any regular anchor on Fox News--particularly Brit Hume--acting like Olberman and Matthews.

Except O'Reilly or Hannity.

[MikeWaters]

O'Reilly is impartial compared to Olbermann. A good comparison is Hannity. It's like if Hannity were the anchor for the dem convention on Fox.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

O'Reilly is impartial compared to Olbermann. A good comparison is Hannity. It's like if Hannity were the anchor for the dem convention on Fox.

I agree, and O'Reilly isn't really an anchor anyway. Hannity is the best comparison, and he is clearly not an anchor nor do I think he would want to be.

[RedHeadGal]

Originally Posted by Tex

I agree, and O'Reilly isn't really an anchor anyway. Hannity is the best comparison, and he is clearly not an anchor nor do I think he would want to be.

Just out of curiosity, what's the definition of "anchor" here? Matthews and Olberman are talk show hosts. That they were "anchoring" certain nights of news had them in a role that was similar to what they normally do--asking questions of commentators and journalists.

Having said that, as I mentioned, the combo didn't work, and I'm just as happy to have David Gregory heading it up. I'm not really sure what will change, though, other than perhaps eliminating some awkward moments.

And I'm sorry, but Brit Hume isn't exactly the picture of impartiality. He also sometimes functions as a commentator, IMO, as on Fox News Sunday (the one time I try to get a glimpse into the dark side of political reporting).

My point being that all these lines are incredibly blurred, thanks largely to the cable news niches that have formed.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

I'm not talking about the anchors. I already said they need a new anchor. I am talking about the general views expressed by Fox and MSNBC serving as counterweights to the other.

I think you rarely see Juan Williams, Nina Easton, Mara Liason, Greta van Susteren, etc. treated the way Joe Scarborough was treated.

And it seems the Clinton campaign (no Republicans they) wasn't exactly thrilled with MSNBC's Obama-love either.

Originally Posted by RedHeadGal

Just out of curiosity, what's the definition of "anchor" here? Matthews and Olberman are talk show hosts. That they were "anchoring" certain nights of news had them in a role that was similar to what they normally do--asking questions of commentators and journalists.
...
And I'm sorry, but Brit Hume isn't exactly the picture of impartiality. He also sometimes functions as a commentator, IMO, as on Fox News Sunday (the one time I try to get a glimpse into the dark side of political reporting).

Brit's a conservative and his colors show when he's commentating. But he's a consummate professional when acting in the role of anchor, by which I mean, conducting interviews, leading discussion panels, and reporting straight news.