The politically progressive radio talk show host doesn’t have specific plans to return to TV now that he has been dumped from MSNBC Live. But Uygur says he “would work on another cable news channel — I’d work at MSNBC again” as long as it would ”be on my terms.” For now his only concrete plan with Current is to appear tonight on Countdown With Keith Olbermann. But Uygur added in a press conference this morning that he “might have news for you in a little while about (his weekday show, The Young Turks, on) You Tube.” Uygur says that “I’m a new media guy….my plan is to dominate media from new media, not old media.” Uygur continued the blasts at MSNBC that he began last night in a video saying that the news network is “obsessed with access (to newsmakers), and you have to play ball to get access.” MSNBC chief Phil Griffin told him to change his tone and become “part of the establishment,” Uygur says. He says he doesn’t believe that Comcast, which bought a controlling stake in NBCUniversal in January, was angling to push him off. Uygur says it’s “endemic to the (media) system” that “if you’re good to the powers that be and soft on the government you’re more likely to advance.” He also said that his departure had nothing to do with the ratings that the Rev. Al Sharpton has been generating as a fill-in host for the 6:00 PM ET show. MSNBC’s decision to dump Uygur “had already been made” before Sharpton went on, Uygur says.
As for Rev. Al, we hear that his negotiations with MSNBC to formally become an anchor are in the home stretch. He’ll continue to serve as a guest host until the deal is done.
Meanwhile MSNBC is firing back at Uygur: “Cenk’s claims are completely baseless,” the network says in a statement. “In fact, we were working on a new contract, to develop him into an even bigger television talent. We did have numerous conversations with Cenk about his style, not substance. It’s unfortunate that he’s decided to depart in such a negative fashion.”
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The left-wing is goose-stepping in its continued quest to marginalize Fox News and MSNBC is poised to give poverty pimp, Al Sharpton his own talk show. The inmates are running the asylum.
What’s your problem with the First Amendment, wingnut teabagger moron?
Way to be just as tard as AaronSch…God you left wing jackasses are just as bad as the right wing assholes now…
What is Obamas problem?
“In the video Uygur explains he turned down a significantly larger MSNBC contract for a much smaller role because he was told by the MSNBC president that the decision to remove him from primetime was due to political pressure from people in Washington who did not like his “tone” which was very critical of President Obama.”
there you go media and government are controled by the ultra rich
Change the channel to Fox and rip the dial off. You’ll feel better isolated to having only one viewpoint.
It would be great if Current and Uygur could work out a deal. Now if Current TV would just get an HD channel…..
I totally agree with both statements, we want Current HD, we want Cenk on Current in HD…I wonder if the higher ups on Current are paying attention?
I think, if I recall correctly, that Keith Olbermann IS the “higher ups”. I believe his deal with Current is to essentially remake the prime time lineup into a news/talk format similar to Countdown. I think Yugur and Maddow would fit perfectly as hosts for a left-leaning channel.
Just more of Phil’s plan to make MSNBC more like FOX.
“Uygur” is Turkish for “jackass”.
I really don’t get this guy’s deal. It is true that they were working on a new show for him, seeing as the one he hosted was kind of a spur of the moment switch up. Instead, he decided to leave for… Uhm, where? Does he think he’s that in-demand? Cenk needs a wake-up call.
Did you read the article? According to Cenk, they offered him basically a roving reporter spot and more money, which is ridiculous after the kind of ratings he got. Its only now that the story has gone public is MSNBC claiming that they were creating a new “show” for him
I don’t think a “wake up call” is necessary. The Young Turks gets about a MILLION hits a day. There’s a lot of influence and audience attention out there, and likely a pretty good chunk of change for Yugur too. He’s right about “new media” too. The generation that lives on FaceBook, Twitter and smartphones will carry that stuff with them as they age and may just edge out TV as the #1 medium.
If MSNBC hires Al Shaprton to host 6pm they’ll have lost all credibility…and any attempts to marginalize Fox News. You can’t criticize FOX and its hosts and then put a gadfly, liar, non journalist like Al Sharpton as a host at 6pm. If you’re trying to increase diversity or hire an African American, there are plenty of people out there.
MSNBC has credibility? That is like saying Obama is a fiscal conservative and loves the Constitution.
Obama is a contitutinal professor and he’s the one thats actually trying to make cuts right now while republicans switch there positions because they dont want businesses to pay a dime. They dont even want to close tax loopholes
The move to put Sharpton on the air is a bad one. While his interviews with some GOPTP reps have been quite entertaining, his past lends credence to the false equivalence that MSNBC is just the opposite of Fox News.
MSNBC’s left leaning ideology doesn’t mean they tell the left equivalent of the lies Fox News does for the right. For starters, let me know when Fox News drops the “Fair and Balanced” moniker.
Cenk was getting at a lot of republicans for the crap they are trying to do to the poor and middle class and like a wild dog that he is msnbc could not train him to do what they say and he continued to bite people he knew are up to know good this is why i turned at 6pm msnbc you people are two faced!
Cenk was just a low-bro, fratboy version of Maddow and O’Donnell. Nothing special and no real loss. Olbermann, he of Sports Center and sports trivia legend, looks downright elitist compared to Cenk. Anybody who tracked his posts on DailyKos knew he just loved to stir the pot and being sensationalist (even if you were on his side). He tried to play himself as the everyman to the point of cliche when somebody criticized him. He was even calling Roger Ebert an elitist because his buddy Ben Mientkiewicz flopped hard on At the Movies.
Anybody why stick up for there friend and Cenk doesnt have a god complex so he aknowledges that he might be wrong but he hangs his hat on pointing out when we are being wronged. He points out how nothing is ever negotiated fairly so the middle class ends up footing the bill for everything. He points out how the top 5% since 1980 has earned more revenue than the history of mankind before it. He’s not beating your heads with policy he’s championing fairness.
Called it.
Seriously, look at my comment on the video where he announced he was leaving MSNBC.
If MSNBC thought Cenk was a little too vocal about politics account for Al Sharpton who is twice as vocal and not as considerate