Friday Links & Open Thread
Latest cable news links [updated through the day]:
Thursday's numbers.
Obama is still snubbing Greta.
Greta Pix: Denver.
Farming the almanac.
MSNBC loses it? Radar snarks.
Keith blasts veteran AP reporter.
Video: the Kos connection.
Is this intimidation?
Olbermann threatens to stay home?
Fox: first with Veep confirmation.
Joe meets Joe.
Megyn Kelly: Profile,
Q&A (via TV Newser). Profile: Caroline Shively.
Hotline quotes. Cable quotables.
CNN's victory claim disputed. The other demo. CNN's Putin scoop.
Use our valuable bandwidth to post your comments on any and all cable news topics in today's open thread. Standard rules apply.fox news cable news
puck30
Just remember folks, there's a reason why Keith is no longer (to this very day) allowed back on the ESPN campus.
And one day the same thing will be said about Keith and MSNBC.
August 29, 2008, 1:01:26 AM EDT – Like – Reply
chris
i dont see anything wrong with the AP article-keith is 100% WRONG!!!
August 29, 2008, 8:27:47 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
I'm very glad to see my favorite FNC female-- Megyn Kelly getting some good press!
She does a terrific job of almost...well...selling....whatever it is she's covering. I think that's a real talent for someone in her business, especially for a 24 hour news cable channel. That sort of enthusiasm is particularly necessary in that venue.
Love her!
August 29, 2008, 9:57:24 AM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
Fox just confirmed Veep choice is Palin. Were they first?
August 29, 2008, 10:31:04 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Mark
I'm back, after no sleep last night. I'm not sure anyone slept. There was so much excitement.
Interestingly, I had very little opportunity to watch any cable or broadcast news because I was so seldom in my room. "Morning Joe" when I was getting dressed, and little else. In hotel lobbies and bars, I would catch glimpses of CNN from time-to-time. Can't say I missed the news shows, which is odd since I am such a news addict. A high level of negativity on the news that I don't appreciate until I am away from it .... And, it was good to be away from it.
From time-to-time, I would run across cable personalities, particularly MSNBC. Olbermann was much more personable that I expected, Matthews was pretty (and a bit surprisingly) arrogant, Maddow was charming and very attractive. Never got close to Chuckey T. Buchanan was amazing. I immediately liked him. A real charmer. At CNN, (John) King is a cool, personable number, and I was able to have a brief conversation with "Donna and Paul" as they were called by their fans. What a dance routine those two put on! Most the FNC people seemed to be sequestered, and I didn't see them out and about much. Some Hemmer, who I have always liked. I did see Alan, who looks even more sickly in person, but who was genuinely warm to everyone and more gregarious than I expected. Someone pointed out Kelly, who I don't think I have ever seen on television (if so, she looked very different in person), and told me she was a member of the FNC "Bimbo Squad".
Despite the lack of cable news, everyone seemed to know about the MSNBC interpersonal battles, and there was some talk about the big battle setting up will be Olbermann v. Gregory. Personally, I don't have that sense, but I couldn't refute it, either.
Brian Williams. Goodness. What a commanding presence! Probably the best looking of the new personalities. The most impeccable tie knot I have ever seen.
On the pure broadcast side, Couric seemed not so much detached as simply lost. She was wandering aimlessly.
On Monday, I heard lots of guffaws about some incident on Sunday between an FNC personality and some protesters. I don't know the details, but he had to look pretty hard to find protesters. There were fewer than at any DNC I'd ever seen, and all pretty tepid. The only protesters I actually encountered were some local cannibis folks who were actually very nice.
Someone was passing out (bogus)business cards with "Megyn Kelly, FOX African-American Fashion Consultant" yesterday. I also saw some posters with Joe Scarborough as the poster boy for "Alcoholics Unanimous". Not real sure what all of that is about, either, but people were interested in getting them
August 29, 2008, 10:44:55 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Check your wallets and your credulity, folks...
August 29, 2008, 11:27:39 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Mark
Yeah, whatever, Cecelia, same-old-same-old. I guess we all understand this need so many feel for change.
August 29, 2008, 12:14:58 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
The Caroline Shively profile piece gave credence to Media Matters, referring to it as "a Web-based media watchdog." (It's actually a far-left conservative/Republican/Fox-hating smear site.) That was kind of deflating.
August 29, 2008, 12:41:29 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Just a guess, Mark, but with his campaign slogan "change", I doubt that even your Lord and Savior Obama means blog monikers, biographies, and tall tales...
August 29, 2008, 1:06:49 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Ashley
OK, what kind of foul, vile, hate-filled rhetoric can we expect Keith "Check-oh-Slovakia" Olbermann to spew tonight about Sarah Palin?
August 29, 2008, 1:11:04 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mark
I think you may have something, Ashley. Although I am not in the least interested what Olbermann has to say, Gov. Palin seems to present ample opportunity to any number of investigative journalists to delve deeply into our background. CNN is already running some stories about her temperment and governance "issues". We probably all ought to be prepared for quite an onslaught. I know I am still scratching my head over this one.
I learned something interesting today. During the "Star Spangled Banner," a difficult song as any instrumentalist or vocalist can attest, beautifully, flawlessly sung by by Jennifer Hudson, CNN and MSNBC were live, while FNC was airing a McCain attack ad on Obama. It's the flag pin issue all over again, reversed! I'll be interested to hear what Hannity has to say about this.
August 29, 2008, 2:15:46 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Ashley
So Mark, are you saying that you were watching a beautiful and flawless performance of our national anthem and you decided you'd rather flip through the channels?
If that is true, not good for FNC. But to compare it to the flag pin issue is ridiculous. Regarding the pin, that was the conscious decision made by (whoever you are referencing, Obama, Brokaw, whoever it was that refused to wear it) the person to NOT wear the pin. We don't know why FNC did not air it. They have that automated system that forces commercials, who knows. Maybe you are right, but if you have specific evidence that FNC made a conscious decision to not air the performance, then produce it please.
I was in class last night, so I missed the speech and the performance. Too bad, I love Jennifer Hudson. She's Fox-Tastic!
August 29, 2008, 3:01:04 PM EDT – Like – Reply
James
OK, what kind of foul, vile, hate-filled rhetoric can we expect Keith "Check-oh-Slovakia" Olbermann to spew tonight about Sarah Palin?
Ashley | 08.29.08 - 1:16 pm | #
Just read Media Matters or their ilk. I'm sure he'll read something from one of them since he doesn't do his own research.
August 29, 2008, 3:02:22 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
"I think you may have something, Ashley. Although I am not in the least interested what Olbermann has to say, Gov. Palin seems to present ample opportunity to any number of investigative journalists to delve deeply into our background. CNN is already running some stories about her temperment and governance "issues". We probably all ought to be prepared for quite an onslaught. I know I am still scratching my head over this one."
Who'll take the odds that the McCain Campaign is whispering "from your lips to God's ear..."
August 29, 2008, 3:12:54 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Ashley
James | 08.29.08 - 3:07 pm | #
Good point, afterall his "teleprompter" is probably a computer screen logged into Media Matters.
August 29, 2008, 3:22:23 PM EDT – Like – Reply
cee
I never thought Mark could exceed his name-dropping since his poor, multi-nom days over at OLBERMANNWATCH, but I am usually wrong about narcissists...I still have much to much faith in the human race.
Isn't there an elderly man sitting on a bench at your local shopping mall eith whom you can entertain, Mark?
Also, the concern troll post is characteristic. In fact, the radical left is so defensive over Palin, I am even more comfortable with the choice. As a result, Olbermann's reaction will be predictable, like Mark's.
If J$ allows these off topic posts to stand I will be grateful only because, once again, Mark's school-girl silliness will be immortalized.
VERO POSSUMUS!
August 29, 2008, 3:24:46 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
No this will not veer off into politics, or strategic diversions, or name calling. I have spoken!
August 29, 2008, 3:40:59 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Cee, all the McCain Campaign can hope for is that the Olbermanns and the Matthews types will utter against Palin ONE FOURTH of the insults that Mark issued towards Grammie on OW.
I don't think that even Olbermann (let alone Matthews) would do that... but the McCain Campaign knows that it would seal their fate with women FOREVER...
August 29, 2008, 3:49:41 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mark
Sorry for not being clear, Ashley. I was at the Stadium. I've cried more this week than I have in the rest of my life. I learned about the case of the missing "Star Spangled Banner" from my daughter who was split-screening CNN and FNC. When she saw what FNC was (not) doing, she flipped over to MSNBC to see what it was or was not doing.
And, of course, my post is tongue-in-cheek. I thought the flag pin diversion was ridiculous, and this is ridiculous as well. A bit of end of summer, pre-hurricane comic relief. Probably force commercials, as you say. A touch of irony, to me, is all.
Ms. Hudson's performance, by the way, is posted at You-Tube. It is truly remarkable. I often wish we had a more singable national anthem. I love the way the French, for example, get into "La Marseillaise" . Or, the way we can get into "God Bless America" or "This Land is My Land, This Land is Your Land". The sentiment in the "Banner" is fantastic, but the tune is too difficult for that same level of enthusiatic participation by average singers. Ms. Hudson made it seem easy, but heart-felt.
Let me add: Congratulations for being in class. I don't know what your circumstances are, what kind of class it was, but night classes can be tough, and anyone in pursuit of the knowledge and discipline education provides gets a tip of my hat.
August 29, 2008, 4:06:45 PM EDT – Like – Reply
John
I'd say it's 50-50 within the week that Keith makes a joke about Palin's Down's Syndrome baby or gets caught in a off-mike use of the "c-word" during the convention in St. Paul.
August 29, 2008, 4:29:57 PM EDT – Like – Reply
david smawley
I thought Keith was going to stay home. I think that's a great idea as the Republican convention is really not his cup of tea.
If he does go to St.Paul, I hope he engages FoxNews contributors that kick his Countdown ratings behind, every time they are on.
The problem with KO now is that he has more bones to pick with NBC folks than FoxNews.
August 29, 2008, 7:38:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
sharm
I don't know what thread to put this on, but I have to laugh. Matthews has taken to calling Obama "Barack" because he is so afraid of screwing up. He calls everyone else by last names except Obama. I just heard him on the repeat of Hardball, stumbling saying "Biden and and and Barack... " I noticed this phenomenon the other day.
August 29, 2008, 7:43:54 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Scott
Maddow was charming and very attractive
Mark | 08.29.08 - 10:49 am | #
Markie Mark! This statement says it all. Do you have your Blue dress picked out like Keithina?
Edited By Siteowner
August 29, 2008, 7:55:34 PM EDT – Like – Reply
JC in OC
Chris is afraid that "Obama an' Biden" will sound a little too close to something else.
Did Obama's speech make both of Chris' legs tingle?
New O-B campaign slogan: Taser Tots Not Terrorists
August 29, 2008, 8:48:25 PM EDT – Like – Reply
JC in OC
Considering KO's fascination with Larry Craig, will MSNBC commandeer the airport men's room for their convention headquarters?
August 29, 2008, 8:51:01 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Evidently a mother of five kids and the youngest with Downs Syndrome (THAT would have been a prenatal-- before birth-- diagnosis via amniocentesis-- standard in a woman's Palin's age) is just not woman enough according to the attractive Rachel Maddow.
Perhaps she and Olbermann can issue standards for the Pope and for the female side of the population....
August 29, 2008, 9:06:22 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
You know that's the kind of comment that belongs over in the OlbyWatch recappers thread. You should post your comments there so they can be incoroprated into the OlbyWatch recap.
August 29, 2008, 9:14:48 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Well, I just post what I feel when I feel it.
I don't mean to do it in the wrong place.
August 29, 2008, 9:17:26 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
Oh it's never wrong for you to post here. Don't get the wrong idea! I'm just giving a plug to the OW recappers thread, where ordinary commenters can become actual bloggers, without all the muss and fuss.
August 29, 2008, 9:54:31 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
Did anyone catch the screenshot on O'Reilly tonight when he blasted MSNBC for showing "how many houses does Palin add to the republican ticket?" in the Chyron caption?
Johnny, it was at minute 42 in case you're interested in the screen grab...
August 29, 2008, 10:16:32 PM EDT – Like – Reply
James
Michael Moore sounds like he's stoned watching him on Countdown.
August 29, 2008, 10:42:45 PM EDT – Like – Reply
James
Michael Moore looked like he was stoned on Countdown
August 29, 2008, 11:12:13 PM EDT – Like – Reply
James
I was watching the O'Reilly repeat and when he was with Ingraham he pointed out MSNBC's breaking news headline during Palin's introduction saying: "How many houses does Palin bring to McCain's election chances?" or something to that extent. That seems a little snarky for breaking news headlines that should not go into any sort of commentary. This is something that will be pointed out all over the net tomorrow.
August 29, 2008, 11:50:47 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Olby Sucks
"is just not woman enough according to the attractive Rachel Maddow"
Well, consider the source, Cecelia.
August 30, 2008, 12:16:49 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
"is just not woman enough according to the attractive Rachel Maddow"
Well, consider the source, Cecelia.
Olby Sucks | 08.30.08 - 12:21 am | #
hahaha! OS, you are a stitch!
August 30, 2008, 8:41:53 AM EDT – Like – Reply
