News Round-Up: February 23, 2018

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Fitness model Quin Bruce looks ready for date night. #ThatFace #ThoseArms #Woof

• Sixteen year-old Joshua Rush, who plays the Disney Channel's first openly gay character on Andi Mack, says it was important to him to "do it right."

• Members of the Republican-controlled Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday killed a proposed amendment to the House budget bill that would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to its nondiscrimination provision.

• In the aftermath of last week's school massacre in Parkland, Florida, several major businesses are ending their partnerships with the National Rifle Association.

• According to Donald Trump, CNN and MSNBC are "failing." But not according to the latest info from the Standard Media Index which shows that MSNBC grew its revenue from from January 2017 to last month by a 62% and CNN jumped 32% year-over-year. Fox News showed a polite 17% increase.

• Brendan Fraser says a Hollywood bigwig sexually assaulted him by fondling his butt (and more) and the incident affected his acting career.

• Out bronze medalist Adam Rippon says with the Olympics coming to a close, he would definitely take time to chat with Vice President Mike Pence about LGBT issues.

But - Rippon doesn't think the two have much to chat on: “Mike Pence doesn’t stand for anything that I was taught when I grew up, and I think that it’s important if you’re given the platform to speak up for those who don’t have a voice.”

“Mike Pence doesn’t stand for anything that I was taught when I grew up, and I think that it’s important if you’re given the platform to speak up for those who don’t have a voice.” @Adaripp tells @craigmelvin pic.twitter.com/w3No1ksMq4

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 23, 2018

Thomas Roberts Leaves MSNBC

(image via Instagram)

MSNBC has announced that out news anchor Thomas Roberts will be parting ways with the news network.

A spokesperson for MSNBC issued this statement:

“Thomas Roberts has decided to leave MSNBC for other endeavors. He’s been a valued member of the NBC News and MSNBC family since 2010, and we’re thankful for his contributions and Emmy Award-winning coverage for the news division. We wish him success in his new adventure.”

I've been surprised at Roberts' journey at MSNBC as it seems he just couldn't find the right fit in the network's range of programming.

In December of 2016, "Live with Thomas Robert" which aired weekdays at 2PM was canceled. He then took on anchor duties for MSNBC Live on weekends from 5-7 PM.

Prior to that he had hosted "Out There with Thomas Roberts," a weekly program which focused on LGBT topics for MSNBC's online digital platform.

Roberts and his team won the network an Emmy in September 2016 for their extensive coverage of the Obergefell decision at the U.S. Supreme Court which made same-sex marriage the law of the land.

MSNBC Tops All Cable Networks For 1st Time

MSNBC celebrates being the most watched cable network for the first time in the network's history.

Last week's stats also show that MSNBC has bested CNN in 29 of the last 30 weeks.

Via press release:

For the first time in the network’s 21-year history, MSNBC finished the week as the most-watched cable network during weekday prime (M-F 8-11pm) in total viewers. According to Nielsen, MSNBC ended the week of July 17-21 as the #1 cable network for all weekday prime, averaging 2.34 million viewers, ahead of FOX News at 2.25 million.

MSNBC was previously #1 in cable news in weekday prime during the weeks of May 15, 2017 (behind TNT) and September 3, 2012 (behind USA) among total viewers, but this was the 1st time MSNBC was #1 among all of cable. Additionally, MSNBC’s 7pm through midnight lineup was the #1 cable network in total viewers.

Among cable news, last week marked MSNBC’s 29th weekly win (out of 30 weeks) in M-F prime over CNN with total viewers this year. MSNBC also topped CNN in total viewers in dayside (9am-5pm) and during mornings (6-9am) with “Morning Joe.” The dayside win was the 5th consecutive weekly win over CNN, while “Morning Joe” topped CNN’s “New Day” for the 30th week in a row.

“The Rachel Maddow Show” (9-10pm) also bested both FOX News and CNN among total viewers for the 4th straight week in 9-10pm time period. “Maddow” was the 2nd ranked show in all of cable for the week in total viewers behind WWE Entertainment.

News Round-Up: June 22, 2017

Javier Baez

Some news stories you might have missed:

• Check this sneak peek from the upcoming ESPN Body 2017 issue featuring hottie Chicago Cub Javier Baez. The issue is on newsstands July 7.

• Cincinnati plans to name a street after marriage equality plaintiff/hero Jim Obergefell and his deceased husband, Jim Arthur.

• Trans activist Janet Mock says "very privileged" Caitlyn Jenner is NOT a spokesperson for the trans community.

• Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt is getting his own show on MSNBC even as liberal hosts Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell lead the network in ratings. The good news, though, is out news anchor Thomas Roberts will now host a two hour news block on Saturday evenings from 7-9PM.

• Two years after SCOTUS made same-sex marriage the law of the land, Gallup reports that 10.2% of LGBT adults in the U.S. are married to a same-sex spouse, up from 7.9% before the ruling. Additionally, Gallup estimates 61% of same-sex, cohabiting couples in the U.S. are now married, up from 38% before the Obergefell ruling.

• Crystal Griner, the Capitol Police officer who took down the shooter at a Republican baseball practice threw out the first pitch yesterday at the Congressional Women's softball game.

Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner threw the 1st pitch at Congressional Women's Softball game Wed. She was hurt in GOP baseball shooting. pic.twitter.com/M4PMI0zSfN

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2017

MSNBC Wins Cable News War For First Time Ever

Via The Hill:

MSNBC finished first in the key 25-54 demographic and in total viewers against its cable news rivals last week for the first time in its 21-year existence, according to Nielsen Research.

Overall, MSNBC finished second in all of basic cable, only falling to TNT, which aired several NBA playoff games.

Fox News finished third in primetime for the first time in nearly 17 years.

For the week of May 15, MSNBC's weekday prime averaged 2.440 million total viewers, with Fox second with 2.405 million and CNN third with 1.649 million.

For adults aged 25-54, MSNBC averaged 611,000 viewers. CNN finished second with 589,000 and Fox third with 497,000.

The big winners?

"The Rachel Maddow Show" at 9PM was #1 most-watched nonsports program for the week in all of basic cable.

The 8PM time slot was won by CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360."

The third place winner for the week was Lawrence O'Donnell at 10PM with "The Last Word." Even with his strong ratings, though, O'Donnell's contract is set to expire June 4 and is rumored to be on the chopping block.

The last time Fox News finished in 3rd place for the week (Monday-Friday) goes all the way back to June of 2000.

MSNBC Cancelling Lawrence O'Donnell Over Trump Criticism

Via Showbiz411:

I can confirm that MSNBC is ending the top rated “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell, the popular show that follows Rachel Maddow at 10pm. O’Donnell’s contract is up shortly, and the network has not made any overtures about keeping him on.

There is a fear that despite Maddow’s dogged liberalism, MSNBC is taking a turn to the right. O’Donnell would not fit into that model. But they’ve installed Fox News’s Greta van Susteren at 6pm, and more changes are coming. (This follows the disaster with Tamron Hall and the coming of Megyn Kelly from Fox News, too.)

My NBC sources say that O’Donnell’s tireless criticism of Donald Trump is the cause of the trouble.

O’Donnell calls Trump a liar on TV almost ever night. Says my observer: “Phil Griffin fought back Trump’s demands to Comcast chief Steve Burke that O’Donnell get fired for years. But now he’s president and now it’s Andy Lack’s decision and Andy has never run a single promo for O’Donnell and he wants access to Trump for Lester Holt interview and more.”

Contract expires June 4. I'll let you know where you can watch me June 5 if it's not msnbc. I'm sorry this situation has become public. https://t.co/bS8V8GXbZ1

— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) May 17, 2017

MSNBC Pulls Plug On "Live With Thomas Roberts"

Sad to hear that out news anchor Thomas Roberts shared via Facebook that his afternoon show "Live with Thomas Roberts" on MSNBC has been cancelled.

Friends,

I wanted you to hear directly from me…it is true I won't be keeping my current show weekdays on MSNBC. My last show was Thursday.

My colleagues are incredible people…and I am so proud of our team and our accomplishments. It is always a special blessing when co-workers become close friends and family. We achieved that bond and our hard work was recently honored by winning an Emmy in 2016 for Breaking News coverage of last year's Supreme Court decision on Marriage Equality. I can't thank my colleagues enough for years of their dedication to me and our show.

Also, a BIG thanks to the viewers who've been supporters of our coverage at MSNBC. Hearing from you (whether positive or negative) is always an important thing for me.
So what's next? Stay tuned!

In the meantime, I am going to be spending the holidays with my husband and family.
From our family to yours…

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year,

-Thomas

In truth, that particular time slot has been very difficult for the news network to find solid footing.

For the past few years many hosts and anchors have shifted around as MSNBC tried to figure out how to program the middle of the afternoon.

Roberts took over the two-hour show last year replacing the low-rated “Ronan Farrow Daily,” which, in my opinion, never worked.

The New York Post reports that Roberts will continue with MSNBC in a new role, while the network will rotate several of their on-staff anchors in the time slot.

MSNBC Has No Time For Trump's Fake Stories

MSNBC trolls Donald Trump while reporting on his story that he saw a secret video of a clandestine cash exchange between Iran and the US.

Note the chyron: "Trump says he watched (nonexistent) video of Iran receiving cash."

WTF!

ROTFL....

Out News Anchor Thomas Roberts Improves MSNBC Daytime Ratings

As we begin the third week of MSNBC news anchor Thomas Roberts' run as the host of the network's 1-3PM slot (previously held by Joy Reid and Ronan Farrow), a look at the ratings shows the left-leaning news network made the right decision.

Ad Week reports:

"Roberts at 1pm ET has increased the hour by +20% in viewers and +37% in the A25-54 demo vs. the final two weeks of Farrow’s show.

"At 2pm ET, Roberts has increased viewership +2% and has grown the demo by +14% compared to the final two weeks of Reid’s show."

MSNBC Gives Thomas Roberts 2 Hour Afternoon Show

Thomas Roberts with husband Patrick

With the announcement that Joy Reid and Ronan Farrow are out comes the news that MSNBC will fill their previous 2 hour block with a lean towards more news reporting to be hosted by out news anchor Thomas Roberts.

Roberts new show is slated to begin March 2.

Top 5 LGBT Stories Via MSNBC's Thomas Roberts

MSNBC's Thomas Roberts counts down the Top 5 LGBT stories of the week.

In this week's LGBT wrap-up, attackers in Philly gay assault turn themselves in, anti-gay legislation lowers same-sex income, and more.

Washington Post reporter calls out Joe Scarborough for criticizing journalists in Ferguson, Missouri

The Washington Post's Wesley Lowery, who along the Huffington Post's Ryan Reilly, were arrested in a McDonalds last night, called out MSNBC's Joe Scarborough after the MSNBC host criticized the journalists and accused them of just wanting to "get on TV:"

"Well, I would invite Joe Scarborough to come down to Ferguson and get out of 30 Rock where he's sitting and sipping his Starbucks smugly," Lowery said during a Thursday morning appearance on CNN.

"I invite him to come and talk to the residents of Ferguson, where I've been since Monday afternoon having tear gas shot at me, having rubber bullets shot at me ... I would invite Joe Scarborough down here to do some reporting on the ground, then maybe we can have an educated conversation about what's happening here."

Lowery and Reilly are covering the events on the ground in Ferguson, where tensions continue to rise after Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed by a police officer last weekend.

(source)

MSNBC host Krystal Ball pranked live on TV

Krystal Ball, host of MSNBC's The Cycle took a live call from a man identifying himself as military personnel with an eyewitness view of the Malaysia Airlines flight that was shot down over Ukraine.

The prankster apparently identified himself as “Staff Sgt. Michael Boyd” from the “U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.”

When Ball asked him to describe what he saw, this is what transpired:

Caller: “Well, I was looking out the window, and I saw a projectile flying through the sky, and it would appear that the plane was shot down by a blast of wind from Howard Stern’s ass.

Ball: "So it would appear that the plane was shot down. Can you tell us anything more from your military training? What sort of missile system that may have been coming from?"

Caller: “Well, you’re a dumbass, aren’t you?”

Cut to a commercial break.

After the break, Ball told viewers, “We thought we had an eyewitness on the scene. That individual was not actually an eyewitness.”

Martin Bashir resigns from MSNBC after ill-advised comments regarding Sarah Palin

After weeks of fallout following his ill-advised comments regarding the former half-term governor of Alaska, Martin Bashir has resigned from MSNBC:

"Upon further reflection, and after meeting with the president of MSNBC, I have tendered my resignation," the email read in part. "It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at this special network, will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments."

In a statement, MSNBC president Phil Griffin paid tribute to Bashir:

“Martin Bashir resigned today, effective immediately. I understand his decision and I thank him for three great years with MSNBC. Martin is a good man and respected colleague – we wish him only the best.”

Bashir had been a host on the network since 2011, and had frequently raised eyebrows with his hyperbolic commentary. But his comments in November in response to remarks about slavery by Palin touched off a firestorm. Among other things, Bashir said that someone should defecate and urinate in Palin's mouth, a punishment delivered to some slaves. He apologized, but the comments continued to haunt him.

I'm no fan of Palin, but the remarks were way past acceptable for any respectability for a journalist. This is an appropriate action that needed to be taken.

Alec Baldwin's fledgling show suspended on MSNBC

Alec Baldwin's fledgling talk show on MSNBC has been suspended for at least two weeks due to the actor allegedly using anti-gay slurs in chasing a photographer who attempted to photograph his family.

The Advocate has the story:

The photographer approached Baldwin, who was with his wife and child, outside his Manhattan apartment Thursday morning, and Baldwin responded by calling him a “cocksucking little fag,” among other things. Video of the encounter was posted by TMZ.

Baldwin apologized for his conduct in a statement posted on the MSNBC website Friday. “What I said and did this week, as I was trying to protect my family, was offensive and unacceptable,” the statement reads in part. “Behavior like this undermines hard-fought rights that I vigorously support. I understand ‘Up Late’ will be taken off the schedule for tonight and next week.”

Openly gay CNN host Anderson Cooper didn't take to Baldwin's behavior or response too kindly:

Wow, Alec Baldwin shows his true colors yet again. How is he going to lie and excuse his anti-gay slurs this time?
— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) November 15, 2013

Just read Alec Baldwin's latest excuses. They are actually so ridiculous they are funny
— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) November 15, 2013

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus gets evasive with MSNBC's Thomas Roberts

Talking Points Memo points up a heated interview today by Thomas Roberts and the RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

Priebus spent much of his air time decrying Obamacare saying no one in America wanted or had signed up for the new insurance exchanges. Roberts followed up with a line of questions wondering why the government has to be shut down for the House GOP to deal with making any fixes they want to Obamacare.

"Why do we need to attach the solutions or changes that go along with the law that has been vetted by the Supreme Court, by a mandate by the people reelecting the president and both houses of Congress," Roberts asked. "Why should that be attached to to shutting down the government and as the president is saying basically writing a ransom note and asking for some type of goody bag in response for Congress doing its job to govern?"

"Those are some pretty good talking points," the RNC chair shot back. "Let me just rewind."

"They're not talking points," Roberts interjected, referring to a speech Obama gave in Maryland moments before the exchange. "That's directly from what the president just gave us."

"I think you should apply for a job in the Obama administration," Priebus said later, after several minutes of sparring with the MSNBC host.

"No, I'll come work for you guys and help you sort out what's going on because your message is befuddled," Roberts said.

Good for Thomas Roberts for pursuing the answers to his questions.You can watch the exchange below:

August 26 - Chris Matthews/Hardball moves to 7pm EST

We all have folks who inspire us; who make us think "man, I wish I was that smart/talented."

One of those guys for me is Chris Matthews on his MSNBC show Hardball. Chris is tough with his guests,  Republicans and yes, with Democrats too, when he thinks they're calling bull.

I try to keep up, get smarter and stay aware of what's going on in the news cycle - both on the surface and underneath. Chris inspires me to understand and see what's really happening.

Just my personal invite to tune in and learn from someone who's been in DC a long time, and doesn't take the "talking points" for gospel.

Chris Matthews and Hardball move to 7pm EST/4pm PST on August 26th.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

George Takei: Russian Olympics is "situation of good vs evil"

Original Star Trek star and LGBT activist George Takei guested The Last Word to discuss with Lawrence O'Donnell the current issues involving LGBT athletes participating in the Sochi Olympics given the new anti-gay laws passed in Russia.

"This is a situation of good vs. evil," said the 76-year-old married activist on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. "It is evil that is happening there, and we must not play into Putin's game."

Calling the antigay climate in Russia "a terrible situation," Takei urged athletes, corporations, and everyday citizens to boycott the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Sochi, Russia. Alternately, Takei suggested that the 2014 Olympics "must get out of Russia," suggesting Vancouver, Canada, as a friendly location that already contains the infrastructure to support the Olympics, as it hosted the 2010 Winter Games.

"There are athletes that are gay or lesbian and their supporters are gay or lesbian too, and they are being put in danger and if something horrific happens — and it’s very likely given the kind of history of what’s been happening there — the responsibility is great," said Takei. "The [International Olympic Committee] can move the Olympics out. There is enough time to do that yet… [But] the clock is ticking."

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

(via Advocate)

Alec Baldwin to host new MSNBC show

Word comes from senior sources at MSNBC that Alec Baldwin (seven seasons for NBC's 30 Rock; frequent host of SNL) will get his own weekly show on the progressive news channel.

From Mediaite:

According to our source, the so far untitled show will air Fridays at 10 p.m. ET and will feature a large dose of Baldwin’s outspoken liberal politics.

The MSNBC 10 p.m. hour is currently occupied by Lawrence O’Donnell, but only Monday through Thursday. As such, this new Baldwin show will not replace any of the network’s primetime talk shows — just the Lockup prison documentary series that airs Friday evenings.

Our source insists its a done deal but there is no question MSNBC is not quite prepared for an announcement. Yet.

For a bit of foreshadowing, perhaps, check out the video below with Alec Baldwin reading teasers for Lawrence O'Donnell in May of 2012. Perhaps the idea for his own show has been in development going all the way back to last spring?

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

MSNBC's Thomas Roberts on Anthony Weiner's sexting friend: This chick is so batshit

I hate to even share this because I like Thomas Roberts a lot. But it really just goes to prove that he's human like everyone else and he was just saying what he thought.

Roberts did make an on-air apology for his language later in the broadcast.