MSNBC to End “The Ed Show,” Wisconsin Dems to be Hardest Hit
My condolences to John Nichols, Mike Tate, Lena Taylor, and “media adviser to the party” Graeme Zielinski, who will be losing their usual cable TV stomping grounds to that free market creature known as ratings and an internal desire by MSNBC for “younger, cheaper talent.”
(We now await for Wisconsin liberal bloggers to claim that Ed Schultz’s woes are a conspiracy, because, well, they all are, aren’t them?)
MSNBC host Ed Schultz announced tonight that, as of April, he will no longer host his weeknight primetime show. But Schultz will stay with the network, hosting a two-hour program on Saturday and Sunday nights, he said.
“And in the big finish tonight, a big personal and professional announcement. MSNBC will be expanding its weekend programming and this opens a big opportunity for ‘The Ed Show’ and my brand,” he said. “I will be leaving this time slot at 8 PM ET and moving to Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 7 PM.”
In a statement, MSNBC president Phil Griffin said he was “thrilled for Ed and happy to be expanding our weekend programming,” adding that he was “looking forward to having Ed’s powerful voice on our network for a long time.”
Schultz, a former sportscaster and current talk-radio host, has hosted MSNBC’s “The Ed Show” since 2009, where he became well known for his pro-union advocacy during Wisconsin’s special election, among other causes. His new show will air on weekend nights from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
MSNBC plans to announce Schultz’s replacement tomorrow, network spokesperson Lauren Skowronski told POLITICO.
Speculation is that MSNBC will name Washington Post blogger Ezra Klein to the time slot. Not that I watch the channel, but I’ve been told that MSNBC has been grooming Klein for TV by having him guest host “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” from time to time so he’d get his feet wet.
But don’t worry liberals of Wisconsin, Schultz thought of you deeply in his final closing of tonight’s show.
Schultz described his new move as an opportunity to get out among the people, but pledged to continue hosting his radio show.
“I want to get out with the people, like I did in Wisconsin
,” he continued. “I want to get out and tell their stories all over the country. This show has been a show that has been a voice for the voiceless.”
“Out with the people, like I did in Wisconsin…”
Really Ed, was that like in 2011 when you tried to save DPW’s face when they didn’t take the state senate, or like in 2012, when live from Madison we all watched you meltdown as the recall was called for Scott Walker live during your own program?
Enjoy the weekends Ed.
