Ventura reaches deal with MSNBC

KSTP-TV ^ | January 20, 2003

[Timesink]

Ventura reaches deal with MSNBC

WATCH VIDEO
Updated: 01-20-2003 07:38:55 PM
Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has signed a deal for a new talk show on the MSNBC network and the Mall of America has been scouted as a possible location.

Negotiations between Ventura and the cable network were widely reported in November. KSTP' chief poilical reporter Tom Hauser says three unidentified sources confirmed to him that an agreement had been reached.

Since taking office in 1999, Minnesota's flamboyant governor had been a regular on the cable television news circuit. Ventura decided against running for a second term and left office Jan. 6.

MSNBC is an all-news cable channel whose top-rated show is "Hardball" with Chris Matthews. Ventura has appeared often on the program, several times as Matthews' only guest.

The exact format of Ventura's show had not been decided, but it would include media criticism and a discussion of current events. A start date for the new show had not been set.

MSNBC President Erik Sorenson attended a farewell party for Ventura on Jan. 4. While in town, Sorenson and Ventura's attorney scouted locations at the Mall of America.

Mall spokeswoman Monica Davis confirmed the visit and the network's interest in the mall. She told Hauser that no agreements between the mall and the network had been signed.

[Timesink]

Well, THIS is certainly just what MSNBC needs to increase their ratings! </sarcasm> Is this network being run by monkeys?

[Timesink]

Ventura Talking with MSNBC about Show at Mall of America.

Former Gov. Jesse Ventura has signed a deal for a new talk show on the MSNBC network and the Mall of America has been scouted as a possible location, according to Mall officials.

Negotiations between Ventura and the cable network were widely reported in November. Since taking office in 1999, Minnesota's flamboyant governor had been a regular on the cable television news circuit. Ventura decided against running for a second term and left office Jan. 6.

MSNBC is an all-news cable channel whose top-rated show is "Hardball" with Chris Matthews. Ventura has appeared often on the program, several times as Matthews' only guest. The exact format of Ventura's show had not been decided, but media reports say it would include media criticism and a discussion of current events. A start date for the new show had not been set. MSNBC President Erik Sorenson attended a farewell party for Ventura on Jan. 4. While in town, Sorenson and Ventura's attorney scouted locations at the Mall of America according to Mall spokeswoman Monica Davis.

Neither a spokeswoman for MSNBC nor Ventura's attorney immediately returned telephone calls seeking comment from The Associated Press.

[Hunble]

Notice, that time-slot on MSNBC has dropped like a rock since they got rid of Allen Keyes?

Go Jesse Go!

[jqpublic]

Yeah, I'm SURE this will help MSNBC win the ratings battle.

NOT.

However, if this keeps Jesse from EVER thinking of running for politics in my state again, well, it's a sacrifice that I'M willing to make.

My prediction: So-so ratings in the beginning, fading quickly to obscurity.

Just like his role as governor.

Buh-bye, Jesse. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

J.Q.

[Howlin]

[Howlin]

Keyes' numbers were lower that Donahue's.

[krb]

Yeah, I like Keyes a lot, and I gave him money, but his show sucked. Well, it didn't suck per se, but it was pretty dull. But I am glad they gave him a chance, and I do think that they gave him every chance to succeed.

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

I thought Keyes' numbers were about the same as Donahue's.
(Of course, they couldn't have been much lower, considering
Donahue is only pulling a .3 or .4!)

Plus, Donahue had the advantage of a massive free media
blitz in newspapers, radio and TV before his launch. Keyes'
roll-out advertising was done primarily on msNBC while it
was covering the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

[Howlin]

200,000 or less at his high point. Dismal.

But at least he was on at 10; Donahue is KILLING Matthews.

[Hunble]

Who has the actual numbers?

Perhaps my memory is not that good, but Danahue's numbers ended up being LOWER than Keyes's.

And yes, the Alan Keyes program was rather bad. He allowed the TV people to dictate how his program was conducted.

That changing into a sweater before talking to "real people" was down right insulting. Keyes knew better!

[Howlin]

Keyes' number was a .2.

[Howlin]

From a Feb 28th, 2002, article:

In Wednesday’s Washington Post, de Moraes pointed out that when MSNBC on February 21 skipped the Pearl death to stick with women’s Olympic curling, it “nabbed an impressive 1.1 million viewers from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CNN and FNC trailed with 980,000 and 900,000 viewers, respectively.” She wondered how MSNBC General Manager Erik Sorenson is “going to explain to the bright bulbs at GE that daytime curling coverage nabbed bigger audiences than February averages of prime time stars Chris Matthews (507,000 viewers), Brian Williams (389,000), Ashleigh Banfield (353,000) and Alan Keyes (226,000)?”

[Howlin]

BTW, nobody would ever answer that question about the numbers.

However, Common Tator came by those through that article.......alas, Common Tator has disappeared!

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

I agree that msNBC gave Keyes enough time; it just didn't
work out. I thought Keyes got really stale when he
decided to lead off with the Middle East almost every single
night. There were several times that I tuned in and was
almost bored to tears because it was the same debate
over and over again, just with different pundits.

Alan Keyes is best when he's speaking out on cultural
issues, government red tape, states' rights and a national
sales tax. I wish he had spent more time on those issues.
He could've done the Middle East stuff only when there was
significant movement or breaking news.

[Hunble]

Although I worship the ground he walks upon, I have to admit:

After watching the Alen Keyes show 3 times on MSNBC, I have not tuned into that channel since.

So seriously, I have absolutely no idea what has happened after that time.

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

Thanks for the numbers. It's getting to be almost comical
how msNBC fails at just about everything they try.

As for Donahue killing Matthews with a weak lead-in, I
won't shed any tears for loudmouth Chris, considering how
he's done a full Scott Ritter flip-flop when it comes to
Hillary Rodham. Matthews lost ALL the respect I ever had
for him when he conducted that SOFTball, pandering town-hall
interview with her a few weeks back.

[Howlin]

What I can't understand is if you and I understand how horrible it will be -- or how bad this show will be -- after all, we ALL knew Donahue wouldn't make it -- why don't these "experts?"

[Hunble]

I absolutely agree with you, and that is why I was disgusted with his TV show.

I am wise enough to understand the realities of TV and knew that this was not his choice.

Is this why 'CAL' was banned from FR? She was strongly defending him and perhaps some feelings got trampled upon.

[Hugin]

IMHO Keyes problem was that TV, even news, is an entertainment media. Keyes simply wasn't entertaining on TV. In that regard, Jesse Ventura has a better understanding of the medium than Keyes, and will probably be more successful. As to content, I guess we'll see.

[Hunble]

Hey, I will personally pay Jesse Venture $1,000 on Pay-Per-View to watch him kick the hell out of the Governor of California!

What the heck, in one month, Gov. Davis could actually balance the California budget.