Let's compare MSNBC to Faux News. Faux gets a lot of crossover viewership. A lot of MSNBC enthusiasts are willing to tune in to Faux News to get their daily absurdity fix. Diehard Faux News viewers possess no similar craving for logic, reason, rationality, science, humor, you name it. Is there anything more entertaining than listening to that Doofus Ollie North take on lightweight Alan Colmes while Hannitty rudely spits out barbs and chuckles from the peanut gallery? OK so maybe Faux News does have humor.
I actually endured (and I do mean endured) Olberman's show the last two nights. There is no need to tune in to Faux as a substantial portion of both nights consisted of the airing of Bill O'Reilly tape for character assasination purposes. I guess it is ratings envy
I had to laugh last night at the gal who was sitting in for Keith while he was otherwise occupied (I guess not playing golf) as his ratings languish in the tank. They aired a segment from a Chris Matthews Hardball episode done the night before where Chris nailed a talk radio loudmouth who was parroting a talking point about 'appeasement'. Matthews asked him to explain what Neville Chamberlain did that constituted appeasement. The radio guy clearly had no clue what Chamberlain did or did not do and he was really roasted. So of course, this dope was held up as the model of Republicans who don't really know anything but just spout off talking points. Ha, Ha. Then Olberman's substitute read some diatribe about a President being held accountable for his outrageous actions and being impeached, and just when you thought she was going to apply this to Bush, she revealed it was in regard to Andrew Jackson. My skunkape senses tingled at that as I knew Old Hickory was not impeached, but no matter, I thought I must have heard incorrectly. But lo and behold, they returned from a break (several segments later) and apologized for saying 'Jackson' when they meant 'Johnson'

So much for MSNBC's ownership of historical understanding
Here is the Chris Matthews trainwreck:
[ame="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24673883#24673883"]msnbc.com Video Player[/ame]
Funny, I can't find the flub anywhere on MSNBC.com.:roll: But I will keep looking
