MSNBC Progressive Purging Lawrence O'Donnell?

"Lawrence O’Donnell, host of MSNBC’s “The Last Word,” has just four weeks left in his contract, and the cable network does not appear to be interested in renewing his deal. Four well-placed sources tell HuffPost that MSNBC has not been in contact with O’Donnell’s team of representatives to negotiate a new deal.

The absence of active negotiations weeks before a contract expires is highly unusual and often a sign that a contract won’t be renewed. News networks normally don’t risk letting the contract of a host who has a highly rated program expire or even come close to expiring before renegotiating. A short time-frame puts the network at a strategic disadvantage in talks, that’s why cable networks often start negotiating renewals six to nine months in advance of a contract ending.

A spokesman for NBC News declined to comment on “ongoing negotiations.” Although, multiple sources from inside and outside the network have told HuffPost that no negotiations have taken place.”*

Hosts: Cenk Uygur

Cast: Cenk Uygur

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Young Turk (n), 1. Young progressive or insurgent member of an institution, movement, or political party. 2. A young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations.(American Heritage Dictionary)

[MaryThompson]

I only really watch Rachel & Lawrence on MSNBC. If they leave the channel, I'll follow them not stay with the channel.

[Aritul]

If MSNBC drops O'Donnell, I hope he gets picked up elsewhere. I thoroughly enjoy his show.

[DeMonSpencer]

They also removed most of the black hosts or pushed them to weekend slots. Joy Reid, Melissa Harris Perry, Tamron Hall, Toure, Al Sharpton are all gone or relegated to odd weekend timeslots. They also stopped covering the social justice movement. None of the prime time shows even mentions new stories where police kill unarmed black men and teens anymore. They use to cover those stories then they totally stopped. That can't be a coincidence when every show stops covering something all at the same time. I'd love to see that internal memo. I don't know what direction they're going in but it sure isn't friendly to black people.

[imisstoronto]

Lawrence O'Donnell is an excellent host and definitely worth keeping!! I watch his show regularly. We liberals need a voice!!!

[sdg]

MSNBC's loss will be someone's gain. One of the best news presenters out there.

[MarchallWhite]

The reason I started watching MSNBC is because of voices like Martin Bashir, Ed Schultz, Lawrence O'Donnell, Rachel Maddow, Al Sharpton, and Chris Matthews.

[ethanandrade]

Yeah I don't know if this has to do with it as well, but I've also noticed Lawrence has not been on air as much as usual like even tonight he's not on.

[brahmburgers]

I like O'Donnell's outspoken insights. If he's dropped by corporate media, hopefully he will land on his feet somewhere else, or independently, and continue his sage commentaries.

[zorany]

I wonder what Rachel Maddow thinks about what's going on at MSNBC.

[rougeful]

i'm glad MSMBC lost keith olberman because GQ picked him up and that's were i discovered him and he is awesome

[darlenebimbai]

I happen to love Lawrence, it'll be a damn shame if he's booted.

[robm]

Please keep Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC!

[DragonFae]

Lawrence O'Donnell is basically the only part of MSNBC I watch. If he is fired, I think TYT should hire him if they can afford him. He's really thoughtful and intelligent.

[Wes_Jones]

Hayes+Maddow+O'Donnel are the only cable news shows I watch.

[colinsilver]

WTF? Lawrence is freaking awesome. He's the second best reason I watch MSNBC.

[deafforever]

Lawrence O'Donnell is probably the only mainstream host I'd ever considered worth listening to for a milisecond.

[mrsg]

For those knocking Lawrence O'Donnell as a neoliberal, he was the only one in the mainstream media I recall covering an entire Bernie Sanders campaign event during the primaries. The Last Word often has a guest host on Fridays. I remember one Friday night last year (IIRC: March 25, 2016) O'Donnell gave the entire show over to coverage of the Bernie Sanders rally in Seattle. He also uses his platform at MSNBC to promote the KIND fund, a UNICEF partnered charity he started to help kids in Malawi schools get desks. Not progressive enough for you?

[angusbrownfield]

MSNBC: keep Lawrence O'Donnell. He knows what he's talking about, he has great style, he has history. And, we need him.

[indiarose]

wherever Lawrence goes....I'll follow him.

[lindataylor]

I will really miss Lawrence O'Donnell. I almost cried when Keith was asked to leave MSNBC. What is going on? Will Rachel be next? I hope the public is not going to be blasted with another FOX News.