BartBlog

Media Note: Word is Rachel Maddow getting her own hour on MSNBC is nearly a done deal. With snarky twerp Tucker Carlson set to get the heave-ho in mid-January, his time slot will be wide open. Maddow’s co-host isn’t settled yet, mainly due to a rumored war in the exec suites over how far to go — liberals and other progressives will get a chuckle out of this: The contretemps is supposedly over whether to go full-out far-left wing with the Maddow show or just Olbermann strong progressive. Time’s have definitely changed since MSNBC cut Phil Donahue for opposing Bush’s debacle in Iraq; the suits have realized that — surprise! — Olbermann viewers are better educated, younger, and have more disposable income than the confused older yokels who still tune in Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News babblefest, while the obnoxious Glenn Beck over at CNN Headline News has concrete shoes on his TV feet, and whatever CNN prime is cooking up with Campbell Brown calls for something more than a well-coiffed newsreader. (Have they already forgotten Paula Zahn?) Advertisers covet Keith’s younger demo, and the cable news network’s ratings and revenues are up. Next to go at MSNBC: Morning Joe Scarborough when his contract’s up and, likely, Chris Matthews will be parking his Hardball elsewhere, although he’ll continue to host the Sunday morning Chris Matthews Show on broadcast NBC. Both cable programs have been ratings losers of late, even though each host has tried to cultivate a more liberal image. Possible replacements for Scarborough and Matthews are all over the map, but they will definitely be progressive liberals and it seems the bright and funny Stephanie Miller, judging by her recent appearances as a guest on Live with Dan Abrams, is getting a close look by the Top Brass. (Abrams is General Manager of MSNBC, as well as host of his own show.) Whither Carlson? Perhaps Fred Thompson’s campaign needs a media adviser, but act quickly Tuck.Laughable: Poor Karl Rove can’t sell his fetid memoirs for $3 million bucks. Apparently the book publishing business has caught up to the fact that the Age of the Neocons is over and no one is interested in paying to read Rove polish his turd blossom and rewrite history on his own behalf. Is this the first book by a neocon that’s been remaindered before it’s even published? BTW, is it true Count Karlo is privately advising Romney? No wonder Willy Mitt is sagging in the polls.