MSNBC Ad Mocks FNC as Agenda-Driven, CNN as Old-Fogey Network

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I've been trying to avoid paying too much attention to the Anna Nicole Smith story, but got hooked watching MSNBC this morning as my fellow Bronx native, Judge Larry Seidlin, made a shambles of a hearing with his loose-lipped style. My attention was rewarded by spotting this amazing MSNBC promotional ad for itself. More than any of the genre I can remember, it takes pointed potshots at its cable news competitors, Fox News Channel and CNN.

As the voice over says "let's face it: there's a lot of choices out there," an attractive woman turns on her TV to what is clearly meant to be Fox News. One man complains about a ploy to discredit the administration, while another rants about how anyone could question the authority of the Commander-in-Chief. Voice-over: "you could pick someone who has an agenda."

The viewer then turns to "ZNN," where a Larry King look-a-like is talking about '60s sitcoms as an elderly gent in his bathrobe on the couch at home exults, "this is going to be great!" Voiceover: "you could pick somebody who's out of touch." ZNN -- zzz's -- we get it.Finally, the viewer flips to MSNBC. As images of Chris Matthews, Tucker Carlson and Keith Olbermann flash on the screen, the voice-over exclaims: "or you could pick someone who gives you the whole picture."

A Variety story provides this reponse from FNC: "When you've been an embarrassment to your parent company for 10 years, it certainly never hurts to take chances."

Note: Although the ad's apparently been on the air for a couple weeks it was the first time I'd seen it. Don't think anyone else at NB has written about it, but please let me know if I'm recycling an old story here.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[rjp2005]

Would anyone else agree with me that this would be an accurate add for MSNBC?

"The slickest presentation - the most high-tech look - bringing you soul-less, mind-less content - MSNBC."

[Carl LaFong]

I see KO is a contributor now to the NBC 'news' broadcast.Wait'll the 'greatest generation' denture cream buyers who hang on to the network news get a load of Waldo.

[SevenofNine]

OMG personally not all senior citizens watch CNN or MSNBC

My parents don't since their cable system start carry Fox news ROFL

[Sue Perkick]

A bit like the Dixie Chicks mocking Milli Vanilli.

[Trailerpark Badass]

When Comcast took over Adelphia, they completely rearranged the cable channel lineup, which was pretty annoying, but I soon realized they don't carry MSNBC, which kind of made everything all better.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

"A bit like the Dixie Chicks mocking Milli Vanilli."
Yeah, but there is gonna be a Milli Vanilli movie!

[Sue Perkick]

And it will probably make more money than the Dixie Chicks last tour.

[newnhdad]

Is it the station with that grizzled, old, leather faced guy in a cowboy hat whining about his health for a few hours in the morning? I thought they went to all infomercials..

[NickatNite2003]

MSNBC: A line up of one LefTard
paranoid Freak Show after another.

[Monkey Face]

"When you've been an embarrassment to your parent company for 10 years, it certainly never hurts to take chances."

That phrase alone is worth tagline consideration! LOL! Unfortunately, dial-up confines my video-watching to what I can get on my VCR, but soon...I'll have the POWER!!! LOL!

[Monkey Face]

CNN and MSNBC are akin to computer viruses. Actually, they're more related to ebola virus. I'd quit watching the news if that was all that was offered.

[SevenofNine]

SO it like Black Plague of cable network news

OH LORDY

[bray]

Why turn on MSDNC when I can go the the DNC website direct??

PRay for W and Our Troops

[kevinm13]

When you are in last place, all you can do is look up at those above you. Does anybody really watch MSNBC? (or MSLSD as Mark Levine calls it)

[Ghengis]

The only thing that I know about MSNBC, I get on FreeRepublic. I hear no water cooler talk or buzz on their programs or topics at all amongts a wide variety of friends.

[Monkey Face]

Actually, Black Plague was my first choice, but I decided to go for something scarier! LOL!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Sunnyflorida]

I agree completely with you. Fox has too many lawyers and too many wannabe lawyers as announcers and guests and very few people that understand science or geography or military matters.