As I’ve explained, the comment about 9/11 was by Olberman. I’ve what Matthews might have said that would have caused him to be included. As far as your analysis, a shows ratings at any given point of time are not the whole story. The network looks at the bug picture. They’d also like to hit home runs. Fox has a much bigger audience and MSNBC thought itself entitled to a bigger piece of the pie. Donahue’s numbers were disappointing all the way through. The fact that they ticked upward a little at the very end just wasn’t enough. As they say, too little, too late. Do you honestly think that if he had closed the gap substantially with Fox that he would have been fired?
Maddox might do okay. She has to learn to not interrupt people. She’s gotten much better in that regard the last few times I’ve seen her. In the end, if people enjoy watching her show her numbers will go up and up and she will be golden. High enough and she will be virtually untouchable.
And no one has yet to point to what Matthews might have said that caused him to be “demoted”.
Just for the heck of it, here are two more recounts of why Donahue was fired. (Sorry, the link tool isn’t working for me 99% of the time, like now.)
Again I have to cite the example of Brit Hume. If he can remain in an anchor position, why would MSNBC feel they have to cave on Olberman?
Matthews voiced some pretty strong support for Obama following the Democratic nominee’s acceptance speech. However I think (purely on speculation) MSNBC was more interested in using this fracas as an opportunity because they anticipate him leaving the channel when his contract expires in 2009. There was a recent rumor that he’s considering a Senate run against Arlen Specter in 2010, and there’s always the chance he is coveting Tim Russert’s old job.
But Brit Hume and Olberman are so different. Olberman is more akin to O’Reilly or Hannity. Hume is a pure conservative, but he is not an entertainer or a bomb-thrower like those other guys. Not at all.
I heard that, as well. I don’t think he has a chance in hell to get Russert’s job he doesn’t have the temperament. And his bias is too pronounced.
Great scott. I remember that. And it was a hell of a lot scarier then than it is now. And although it was discussed at great length, and repeated on some news broadcasts, I really don’t remember it going on and on and on like these sorts of things do nowadays.
Still, I wish Barry Goldwater would magically reappear and send this current crop of “Republicans” into the daisy patch with that little girl.