The Silencing of Mika Brzezinski
Early in the launch of the MSNBC's morning television show "Morning Joe", the network assembled a cross-section of commentators if you might recall: Joe, Mika, Willie, John Ridley, and David Shuster. After the Imus debacle and the network choosing to cancel the show, the replacement with the above lineup drew new audiences with intelligent dialog regarding predominantly, politics, officially in September, 2007.
Joe Scarborough is known for his nightly MSNBC news show, "Scarborough Country", providing viewers with political analysis with a right, if not, Republican slant. Scarborough is a former Republican congressman from Florida. The show's ratings were dismal at best, and it seemed that the morning slot suited him for the better.
The early success of "Morning Joe", from this writer, was the appearance of balanced conversation of the daily events unfolding in the political sphere. The strongest counterpoint of Scarborough's conservative view was Mika Brzezinski. The sometimes, contentious banter provided the show with a center core that drew viewers in from all sides of the political spectrum. Mika, in her honesty, often prefaced her views stating that members of her family were involved in the campaigns of Senator McCain and Senator Obama. The show began to attract a wide variety of "power" guests, opinion writers, and the attention of the campaign strategists. They were hitting their stride and getting notice.
At some point in late November, early December, one of the prominent commentators slipped away - John Ridley. He is understandably a very busy and in-demand well written author of opinion pieces, but his absence began the shift of the careful balance of the show. With that, Brzezinski had to step up her presence as the counterpoint to Scarborough. She received rave reviews for her refusal to report on the Paris Hilton story. The result was electrifying, captivating and provocative. Her popularity began to soar and Scarborough often noted of it on air. Her elevated side-kick status served to satisfy both sides of the aisle, ever catapulting the show's ratings and respect.
What was the tipping point that ended and silenced Mika's astute point of view? Was it Scarborough's unseemly attack on her father? Did Mika have a seismic change in her political position? Did she choose to shift towards "reporter" vs. "commentator"? I have another option to consider.
In all business environments, and social structures, there is the "pecking order". After all, it is Joe's name on the moniker and it would be apropos to give him homage. Mika's popularity on the show somehow violated that pecking order, whether it be in the ego of Scarborough, the network programming executives, or her own foresight. The unfortunate result has been the silencing of her counter-analysis. The result has been the programming backtrack to the "Scarborough Country" format with co-anchors touching on the "other" stories in the news headlines with an occasional counterpoint to Scarborough.
This unfortunate choice in direction of the show is disappointing to many, once excited, viewers. Here's a comment from viewers in response to the glowing review back in January by TV Guide, with an interesting bit of advice:
"...I am now hooked as long as Joe Scarborough stays the Joe Scarborough of Morning Joe and not the Joe Scarborough of Scarborough Country. That show was way too partisan. And believe you me I want a show that is non-partisan towards both major parties as these days I am starting to think of myself as an Independent instead of a lifelong Democrat. Interesting!!!!"
"Also, I think Joe has gotten to "caught up" in himself. His head is becoming quite inflated and I am sure your CHEER will make it even bigger. Gee, I wonder if anyone wonders where I stand. For me, it is just the negativity on some of these programs --- he went from a decent guy to a guy who has to slam others (negative) for ratings."
That article was posted at the end of January, 2008, and a lot has changed since. Today, is it that Mika is suffering from a really bad case of laryngitis or has office politics made an unfortunate programming decision. Tuned out...for now.
Source: http://carolh11.newsvine.com/_news/2008/04/28/1457036-the-silencing-of-mika-brzezinski