Posted on 03/14/2013 8:40:48 AM PDT by raccoonradio
MSNBC's Chris Hayes has been tapped to replace outgoing host Ed Schultz in the 8 p.m. weeknight slot, according to network sources.
In just a year and a half, Hayes has generated a cult following as host of the weekend program "Up with Chris Hayes," which takes a progressive policy wonk's approach to the news. He will now host a show directly ahead of his mentor Rachel Maddow, MSNBC's marquee name, and, at age 34, will be the youngest primetime host in cable news television.
The move, first reported by Brian Stelter of the New York Times, was confirmed by sources for POLITICO. MSNBC is expected to make a formal announcement later today, and would not reply to a request for comment.
Schultz announced on Wednesday night hat he would be ending his weeknight program and moving to a two-hour slot on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Schultz, a talk radio personality, has served as an MSNBC primetime host since 2009, and became best-known as an advocate for unions, labor and the middle class. His new show will air on weekend nights from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- a relative no-man's land for cable news programming.
Like former MSNBC host Dylan Ratigan, Schultz suggested that the move was his choice and that he wanted "to get out with the people and tell their stories." Sources at MSNBC told POLITICO that Schultz was more likely pushed out to make way for new -- and younger -- talent. By tapping Hayes, MSNBC is continuing its push to bring cable news to a younger demographic.
Hayes has long been seen as a primetime host-in-waiting at MSNBC, given his rapid success, though in Nov. 2012 he told POLITICO he'd be "reluctant" to give up the freedom and autonomy that comes with hosting a two-hour weekend show.
Hayes' replacement on Saturday and Sunday mornings has yet to be named. Sources had long speculated that Ezra Klein might get Schultz's primetime spot, so it is conceivable that he could take over on weekend mornings.
Hayes’ father may have been the first clergyman to perform a gay wedding, decades before anyone thought to try and make it acceptable.
I keep forgetting MSNBC is still around.
I’m gonna miss Ed Anger. He reminds me of that part John Belushi used to play on Weekend Update with Chevy Chase.
I don’t know who is worse: Sharpton or Shultz. UGH You know the world has turned upside down when CNN is a better alternative. :)
...I know...why don't you offer a pro-pedophile perspective?
...or, perhaps...if you built a large wooden badger...
Ick.
MSNBC... the Island of Misfit Toys
Dear MSNBC
May I be among the first to congratulate you on
programming adjustment. It really is demonstrative
of your commitment to racial, ethnic, gender, and
sexual orientation diversity although I must confess
I am at a loss when it comes to understanding
which of those categories applies to Mr Hayes.
If I could offer a little bit of advice it would be to
make sure that you soon start warming up another
fire breathing white male liberal in the “bull pen”
to replace Chris Hayes after he fails to acquire
and hold a measureable audience as was the
case with Mr Shultz.
Sincerely, your most fervent NON FAN,
Sivad
Love to see him pull a Howard Beale....
“I would like at this moment to announce that I will be retiring from this program in two weeks’ time because of poor ratings. Since this show is the only thing I had going for me in my life, I’ve decided to kill myself. I’m going to blow my brains out right on this program a week from today. So tune in next Tuesday. That should give the public relations people a week to promote the show. You ought to get a hell of a rating out of that. 50 share, easy.”
This is overkill. The obese pumpkin head could just as easily have been replaced by a horse turd.
He hasnt had that big of an audience ever since.
Think that about covers it....
Fixed it.
Is that an upgrade, or are they just replacing an old moron with a young one? Not that I’ll waste my time on either...
So that Maddow fella got a second hour. It will be watched by dozens..
“The obese pumpkin head could just as easily have been replaced by a horse turd.”
They could call it “The Road Apple Show.”
Now that you mention it, I don't recall ever seeing the two of them in the same place at the same time.
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