Their Master’s Voice

I had to chuckle when I read the piece by National Review’s media editor Eliana Johnson.

She opens with this sentence: 

“MSNBC, the left-leaning [emphasis mine] cable-news network, has settled on one solution to its recent problems. It now has an executive reviewing scripts before they go on the air. The role, which has fallen to Rich Stockwell, a former executive producer of The Ed Show and Countdown with Keith Olbermann who now oversees special projects at the network, was created as several of the network’s hosts have, to the embarrassment of network brass, conducted a master class in political incorrectness. In recent months, Alec Baldwin, Martin Bashir, and, most recently, Melissa Harris-Perry have awkwardly crashed into the trinity of sexual orientation, gender, and race, leading many to wonder if there are any adults in charge at MSNBC.”

“The place for progressives” is in a catastrophic ratings death spiral. The new step of having Rich Stockwell review scripts before they air is an irrefutably pathetic attempt to impose order on the chaos reigning at the network.

Nielsen data shows the network last year posting its lowest prime-time ratings since 2007 both in the coveted 25–54 demographic and in total viewers.  Their ratings are down 29 percent from 2012.

Stockwell, the script reviewer has called Rachel Maddow the crippled cable show’s “quarterback”.  Johnson notes that “from all appearances, the inmates are running the asylum.”  Well, duh.

Johnson continues, “Sources say it is Maddow rather than Phil Griffin who provides MSNBC’s editorial direction, and that she also holds considerable sway over personnel decisions. ‘I know I’m never going to get freakin’ talking points from Phil,’ Maddow told The New Yorker last year. ‘Can you imagine? Like, what would they be?’”

Jordon Charlton over at TV Newser reports that MSNBC is disputing Johnson’s claim that Madcow holds significant power in both network editorial vision and personnel decisions.

“This is categorically false.  I have never had any role in any management decision at MSNBC.  Any source who says otherwise is wrong.”

The “queen” of Rockefeller Plaza is paid millions to spread the progressive gospel, what you and I call the socialist agenda, and repeat the talking points issued to them by the West Wing through the likes of Valerie Jarrett, Denis McDonough, Dan Pfeiffer, David Plouffe, Josh Earnest and Jay Carney.

See also:  Rachel Maddow Is Crazy, Too

Linked, and we thank you, by Cardigan at iOwnTheWorld