Shakeup: Kaplan Speaks: "I have a great deal of confidence"
Quotes from a Variety interview with Rick Kaplan:
> "I have a great deal of confidence in this group of people. They don't seem to have the attitude that they are losing anything. They have a real sense that maybe this can be our decade."
> "There's no 'I'll open this envelope, and this will be the winning format.' It's a matter of engaging the audience and putting on programs that are the most interesting we can do."
The article says that "during a two-hour afternoon town-hall meeting for all MSNBC staffers, the imposing Kaplan assured them there are no plans to clean house." More... 10:33:54 PM

Shakeup: Kaplan's History at CNN Comes Under Scrutiny
Ouch! Check out this line in Reuters' MSNBC shakeup story: "Kaplan's tumultuous tenure at CNN ended in 2000 with him quitting amid a major management shake-up as CNN's ratings languished near 13-year lows." Here's the rest... 10:32:07 PM

Shakeup: Imus Disses Kaplan: "Didn't he nearly ruin CNN?"
Imus didn't have anything nice to say about "that big gummy-looking, snail-gut-sucking, back-stabbing weasal" Rick Kaplan this morning. "Didn't he nearly ruin CNN?," the radio host asked. The hosts audibly laughed at the news. Apparently Imus and Rick don't exactly get along. "Congratulations to our old friend Rick; I'm sure he'll do" -- Imus couldn't finish the sarcastic sentence without laughing. "By the way, the only person on MSNBC who actually makes any news in interviewing these people is me...so that's the kind of shape they are in." (Hat tip: MSNBC MSN group posted the audio file.) 10:31:19 PM

Shakeup: Eric Alterman Praises Kaplan; Calls him the "Perfect Choice"
"Stop the presses: MSNBC-TV does something right," Eric Alterman writes on msnbc.com. "...Rick Kaplan is the perfect choice to take it over and turn MSNBC into something in which everyone associated with the network can (finally) take pride...With MSNBC he's got a near clean slate and plenty of resources to work with. Not everything he tries will work, but I'm guessing the days of Faux-Fox are over...Finally, it's a new day on cable. Let's see what it's turns out to be good for." 10:30:44 PM

CNN Clergy Report Hyped Outdated Information, Researchers Say
Uhoh: "Researchers conducting a national survey on sex abuse by Roman Catholic clergy said Tuesday that a draft report viewed by CNN was a month old and did not contain all the data submitted by dioceses," the AP reports tonight. Apparently information submitted since January has included corrections to the draft CNN obtained. CNN.com featured the news as their top story for hours yesterday afternoon... 10:29:20 PM

Primary Time: 'The Whip' Offers Tonight's Headlines
It felt like a replay of the Iowa caucus during The Whip on NewsNight tonight. Kelly Wallace with Kerry: "Advisers extremely pleased that he is victorious here in Wisconsin. They say a win is a win, no matter how close the race [may] be." Dan Lothian with Edwards: "Senator Edwards had been sensing momentum in his campaign...tonight, a much better than expected performance." Candy Crowley with Dean: "Let's face it -- Howard Dean is 0 for 17...He is coming in, we think, a distant third tonight. It's going to be very hard to pretty that up." 10:16:55 PM

Primary Time: Cablers Call WI for Kerry; Race Still Very Close
FOX, CNN and MSNBC all projected a Kerry win between 9:53 and 9:54pm. "FOX Projects Kerry Wins WI By A Small Margin Over Edwards," the lower third said at 10pm. "CNN is declaring Kerry the winner even though he’s 600 votes behind with 24% reporting!," Command Post pointed out. "CNN projects Dewey beats Truman!," a DU post joked. 10:15:54 PM

Primary Time: Media Notes From Around the 'Net
Edwards spoke to Larry King around 9:20pm, chatted with Chris Matthews at 9:30, and appeared on FOX at 9:40 // "...From seeing the cable TV coverage now, the media is giving it to Edwards tonight," a FReeper says // "We love it when TV talking heads pretend they haven't seen exit polls," Wonkette said in an interesting post earlier tonight... 9:46:13 PM

Primary Time: Tonight's Narrative: Edwards, Kerry in Two Man Race
"It could become a close race right to the end," Chris Matthews said (hoped?) on MSNBC. Joe Scarborough noted that this primary marks the first time where the media didn't call a race for Kerry immediately. Indeed, it looks to be Edwards' night: There are "a lot of slacked jaws" at his HQ, FOX reported near the top of the hour. The CNN.com headline at 9:15pm: "Edwards running stronger than expected." "Edwards is running to win," Fred Barnes said. "He's hoping for a late surge." // The other question tonight: Why did Dean fail? George Mitchell on CNN: "There was a huge press frenzy to declare him the winner before any voters were cast, and I think the voters kind of resented that." 9:17:31 PM

Primary Time: Cablers Say It's "Too Close to Call"
"Tonight, all eyes are on Wisconsin," CNN's Wolf Blitzer said at 8:59 as a "polls closing" clock ticked down. FOX presented their "Best Current Estimate" of exit poll data at 9:00:01; CNN led 10 seconds later; and MSNBC presented the numbers by 9:00:15. Blitzer called the race "closer than we expected...we don't have enough information right now to project a winner." But: "We can project that Howard Dean will emerge as a distant, distant third." Chris Matthews asked if this "showdown" is "what we've been waiting for"... 9:13:59 PM

Hardball Bumps Debbie Tonight
Deborah Norville's (pathetic) MSNBC show is being bumped tonight -- Chris Matthews is playing Hardball at both 7pm and 9pm. The show's newsletter notes Howard Dean's big night: "Could be do or die, make or break...Pick your cliche." Olbermann is manning the exit poll desk. Joe Trippi will be on hand again tonight -- I bet his comments will be interesting, to say the least... 6:43:45 PM

You Know It's A Slow News Day When...
"Just saw Fox News do a 'news alert' on the new Sports Illustrated 40th annual swimsuit issue 'flying off the newsstands,'" DCRTV Dave writes in an e-mail today. I know it's a dull news day, but come on -- can't they do another gay-marriage-bashing segment instead? 6:42:21 PM

Keith Calls Countdown "Fastest Growing Newscast in Television"
A local radio station GM suggested recently that Keith Olbermann should replace Tony Kornheiser on the AM dial. The Countdown host replies in an email to The Tennessean: "...I've just celebrated a year since my return to MSNBC. Countdown is the fastest growing newscast in television and I'm very happy doing it." Also: "I have it on good authority that Keith Olbermann's show will be around for awhile, although nothing is forever in television," Howie said today in a WP chat. 6:39:07 PM

Close Call in Iraq: NBC Crew 100 Feet from Bombing
An NBC crew in Iraq had a close call today. An explosion went off about 100 feet away as the group filmed the opening of a new school. "NBC Crew Captures Bombing In Iraq," the graphics read, though the video wasn't too impressive. No one was injured. 5:34:47 PM

'Dennis Miller' on CNBC: Steve Friedman to the Rescue
Veteran producer Steve Friedman will serve as a consultant for CNBC's struggling 'Dennis Miller,' Newsblues reports. He is currently EP for the upcoming PBS program "Flashpoints USA." He has a long history with NBC -- KNBC, 'Today,' 'NBC Nightly News,' 'Dateline' -- and created 'The Early Show' as we know it now. "Friedman met with Miller and staff this past Thursday and is due to return later today to set up shop semi-permanently," the site reports. It's a two-month contract... 5:33:50 PM

MSNBC Ratings Spike During Imus's Kerry Interview
Quoting Drudge: "Kerry on IMUS pulled .6 rating at 7:30-7:45 am on Friday -- MSNBC highest rated household quarter hour of day, outpacing evening programming." Wouldn't you love for MSNBC to go all-political, all-the-time? Become the channel that's on in every Capitol Hill office?... 5:32:11 PM

Shakeup: One Final Thought
Well that's enough Shakeup coverage, eh? LostRemote says I'm going nuts. I have been a fan of MSNBC since literally the day it premiered. I remember all the shows, all the anchors, all the highs and lows. Lately, though, I've been more inclined to change the channel. Wrapping it up with a quote from the new president. "The great talent at MSNBC, a clear direction for its programming and the power and promotional platform of NBC are a recipe for success," Kaplan said in the press release today. He promises to create a "unified vision" for the network. Let's see it... 3:41:36 PM

Shakeup: One More Round of Reader Reaction
Some more interesting viewer comments. "What can Kaplan do? How about giving up on being the next FOX," one reader writes in. "I would try to build this network around Olberman. He's witty. Intelligent. Can write great copy and get to the point. There's no bias either way. This could create a true alternative." Anybody think that'll happen? // Check out this TVSpy thought: "The writing is shoddy, the anchors are unknown twinkies (with the exception of Lester, Chris and Matthews) and nothing is enterprised. Everything is an affiliate re-tread or a network package re-run...This place needs a new agenda, a new attitude and a new way of doing things. So much money has been wasted and so many flops have occured. It ought to be real interesting." 3:40:55 PM

Shakeup: Kaplan "has accepted another daunting cable news challenge"
I like the way TVWeek positions the story: "Rick Kaplan, who interrupted his long run at ABC News to take a quixotic tilt at fixing CNN from 1997 to 2000, has accepted another daunting cable news challenge." Clever. Tidbit: "Mr. Sorenson's perseverance and articulateness have earned him well-positioned fans" at 30 Rock, the pub says... 3:40:14 PM

Shakeup: "They didn't hire him to rearrange the office furniture"
Howie, in a WashPost online chat this afternoon: "I have no idea what Rick Kaplan will do, but they didn't hire him to rearrange the office furniture. He's a high-energy, hard-charging guy who has already gone one round in the cable wars at CNN. My guess is he'll try to give MS a clearer identity (given all its past changes) and make better use of the NBC brand and resources. I guess the "America's News Channel" thing didn't work." Neither did the documentaries, the extreme commentators, the tilted-right... 1:59:51 PM

Shakeup: MSNBC.com Posts Story; AP Updates Wire Copy
MSNBC posts the press release and pretends it's a news story, linking it from the home page. "MSNBC Cable replacing president," the title reads. (It's not on foxnews.com or cnn.com yet...hmm.) The Associated Press write-up has been updated slightly... 1:20:02 PM

Shakeup: Sorenson's New Assignment: "Long-term strategic projects"
"Sorenson will lead a smooth transition over the next couple weeks and will then join NBC News working with Shapiro on long-term strategic projects," MSNBC announced today. Neal Shapiro says that Erik's "experience and expertise will be invaluable as the news division faces new programming and business challenges." Sorenson said that he is "delighted to be handing over the reins to such a capable producer and leader." Ha ha... 12:32:00 PM

FLASH: Shakeup: MSNBC Press Release Confirms Kaplan Announcement
Quoting the press release: "Richard Kaplan, veteran journalist for more than 30 years, has been named President of MSNBC, NBC News' 24-hour cable channel. The announcement was made today by NBC News President Neal Shapiro and is effective immediately. "I worked with Rick for 13 years at ABC News and I know firsthand the energy and innovation that is his trademark," said Shapiro. "He knows every aspect of the news business, from cable to broadcast, and brings an incomparable wealth of knowledge and experience to the position." Here is the long press release. 12:29:08 PM

Shakeup: Bauder Writes It Up on the AP Wire
David Bauder's version of the story hit the AP wire around 10:10am. He says that anonymous executives at NBC and ABC confirmed the move. He doesn't advance the story, but does take the opportunity to remind readers of ratings woes... 10:31:03 AM

Shakeup: Will MSNBC Take a Hard News Approach?
In the LA Times today, Elizabeth Jensen points out that "as the presidential race heats up, the network has been relying more on its NBC News correspondents, similar to a strategy it used during the Iraq war — an approach that would play to Kaplan's strengths in hard news." Will we see an end to Access Hollywood inserts and Michael Jackson obsession? 10:27:16 AM

Shakeup: Kaplan a "very creative guy"
"Ex-'Nightliner' tapped for troubled news net," Stephen Battaglio says in the NY Daily News today. A good anonymous quote: "He's a very creative guy who knows television inside and out. Whether he can breathe life into a moribund operation is another story. But everyone agrees it can't stay the way it is." 9:16:54 AM

Shakeup: Reaction Among MSNBC Employees Apparently Positive
Good riddance, one insider writes to CableNewser: "Reaction in the ranks at MS is very positive in terms of Erik's departure. Sorensen was lethal for morale. There have been so many problems there that he did not make any effort to solve, including the use of temporary workers, the quick cancellation of promising shows and the overzealous remote controlling of the network from 30 Rock by Lack and now Shapiro." Viewers are celebrating -- check out MSNBC MSN group's special blog. 8:04:48 AM

Shakeup: "There's no reason why MSNBC shouldn't be its own powerhouse"
From the New York Post: "Kaplan, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs more than 200 pounds, is known as much for his tempestuous personality as his news acumen"..."'With the power of NBC News behind it, there's no reason why MSNBC shouldn't be its own powerhouse,' said one industry source who knows Kaplan"...Also, here's Hollywood Reporter's take on the story. 8:03:21 AM

Shakeup: Kaplan "Plunging Back Into the Cable News Wars"
Variety says that Kaplan is "plunging back into the cable news wars, signing on to lead an overhaul of struggling Peacock cabler MSNBC," in a story posted at 1am. He must not have watched Feeding the Beast, eh?... 1:38:13 AM

Shakeup: Announcement Expected Tuesday -- NYT Sources
Jacques Steinberg in the New York Times also reports the Sorenson out story, citing "three executives at NBC and ABC." The news could come in a matter of hours: "The appointment of Mr. Kaplan - and the reassignment of Mr. Sorenson to a position at NBC headquarters - is expected to be announced today by Neal Shapiro, the president of NBC News." Steinberg couldn't find a suit to go on the record, but got a great anonymous bite: "It was time for a change, to bring a new perspective to the channel." 1:35:13 AM

Shakeup: WashPost Picks Up the Story; "More Changes Lie Ahead"
Howard Kurtz pens a story titled "MSNBC Boots Its President, Hires ABC's Kaplan" on the front page of Style in Tuesday's Washington Post. (Look, I woke up at 1:00am to post this link.) He cites industry sources. "...In hiring Kaplan, 56, a large man with an aggressive style and outsize personality, the Microsoft-NBC venture is clearly signaling that more changes lie ahead." Kurtz hits the high and low points of Kaplan's career in the story... 1:32:30 AM