(MSNBC)
Is Lawrence O’Donnell’s last word on MSNBC coming sooner rather than later? If the primetime host and the cable network don’t soon come to terms on his contract, which expires on June 4, 2017, The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell will effectively be cancelled. Should that come to pass, however, O’Donnell sounds confident he’ll move to another network.
A former Senate Finance Committee chief of staff, who executive produced and wrote The West Wing for NBC, O’Donnell has hosted the hour-long political news talk show for nearly seven years. The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell first premiered on MSNBC in September of 2010.
Rumors have been circulating for days, but this morning, after a fan posted that he was sorry the host was leaving MSNBC, O’Donnell finally addressed the situation, tweeting, “Contract expires June 4. I’ll let you know where you can watch me June 5 if it’s not msnbc. I’m sorry this situation has become public.”
Contract expires June 4. I'll let you know where you can watch me June 5 if it's not msnbc. I'm sorry this situation has become public. https://t.co/bS8V8GXbZ1
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) May 17, 2017
The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell: Ratings
Deadline reports The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, along with its lead-in, The Rachel Maddow Show, and its follow-up, The 11th Hour With Brian Williams, have been doing quite well in the ratings lately.
Two days earlier, MSNBC boasted a first-place finish among cable news networks in the weekday primetime news-demo ratings last week. It marks MSNBC’s first such win since the week of December 29, 2008. Three MSNBC programs finished No. 1 in the news demo in their time slots: The Rachel Maddow Show at 9 PM, The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell at 10 PM and The 11th Hour With Brian Williams at 11 PM.
Only, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, MSNBC’s ratings news got drowned out by all the noise about O’Donnell maybe about to exit the network, what with just a few weeks left on his contract and no new deal pounded out, and reports NBC News chairman Andy Lack might be mulling whether he would prefer to move The 11th Hour host Brian Williams into the 10 PM slot.
Last week on Thursday — the day NBC News aired Lester Holt’s jaw-dropping interview with President Donald Trump, to the benefit of NBC News programs across the broadcast network and MSNBC (including O’Donnell’s, which ranked No. 1 in its slot in the news demo and No. 2 in all of cable TV), the primetime show host thanked viewers for their support, adding meaningfully, “We need it”:
The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell: Conflicting Reports on Contract Talks
On May 14, freelance reporter Yashar Ali, who contributes to both The Daily Beast and New York Magazine, reported on Huffington Post that four “well-placed” sources had confirmed that MSNBC had not contacted O’Donnell’s representatives to work out a new deal.
According to Ali’s report, O’Donnell is not tight with NBC News chair Andy Lack, perhaps because he reportedly refused to move his show to 6:00pm. Per Ali, O’Donnell’s current deal guarantees a primetime slot. What’s more, Ali asserts President Donald J. Trump has, in the past, encouraged MSNBC President Phil Griffin to fire O’Donnell — more than once.
A few hours after O’Donnell revealed his potential end-date, Variety reported MSNBC issued a statement saying it is negotiating with the host. Will they be able to come to terms? Stay tuned.
What do you think? Are you still watching The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell TV show? If MSNBC cancels this TV series, will you follow O’Donnell to another network? Let us know, below.
You have a winning team at msnbc with Rachel maddox and Lawrence O’Donnell. They compliment each other so well that the effect won’t be the same. Either he should come before her or after her. The 6o’clock time frame does not work . It will stop people from watching either because where else do you get two consecutive hours of political brilliance. It’s a gem that shouldn’t be touched.
I’m a big fan of the “Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell. Lawrence has been a refreshing voice of reason exposing the truth concerning political news. It makes no sense to cancel the #2 rated political news commentary show. I don’t follow news networks, I follow people with integrity. So, I will go wherever Lawrence O’Donnell ends up. Thank you Lawrence.
I love Lawrence O’Donnell and Rachel Maddow. Best in TV Need today and if they let Lawrence O’Donnell go I will follow him. I hope he goes to CNN.
I plan to follow Lawrence O’Donnell to his new network. Cannot imagine how msnbc can manage a defeat from the jaws of victory!! After finally becoming the number one cable news channel….they decide to change their lineup. Last word should be in it’s time slot for after all it is called “the last word”. Both Griffin and Lack are changing msnbc by bringing in Greta and Megan. They will be doing what hillary did which caused her loss…going after red states without paying attention to the blue states. Watch msnbc lose their Progressive and liberal viewers!
Please dont go. I just decovered MSMBC and I just love the succession of shows starting with Chris Mathews ending with the 11th Hour. They explan all the events of the day. I will follow Lawrence. Where. Ever. He. Goes. I would dislike missing one of the other shows to do so however. Thank you,
Barbara Burnsed
Wy democrat minority
This is a big mistake for MSNBC! I will follow Lawrence O’Donnell wherever he goes and seriously wonder about the future of MSNBC if they make decisions to not renew Mr. O’Donnell’s contract who is an outstanding anchor with an outstanding show!
It does not make any sense and I wonder what is behind this move!!
If they DO foolishly fire him, I’l follow him wherever UNLESS he comes on somewhere at the same time as Rachel. Lawrence is one of the BRIGHTEST bulb onMSNBC”s fading???? tree. Incidentally, Joy is NICE, but she talks too fast and steps on people’s replies. I turn on MSNBC at 6 every night. Now where will I go after Rachel? So Lawrence says Trump is a liar? REALLY? Trump lies? Actually, I don’ think he KNOWS he lies .Poor dumb critter.
If they cut off their noses to spite their faces (the network) by not renewing Lawrence’s contract, I will find him somewhere and begin to wonder just how far right MSNBC is going
Lawrence O’Donnell is the absolute best – he cannot be replaced and gives MSNBC credibility!!!!!!!
Lawrence is smart as a whip and entertaining too. We will follow him wherever he lands
O’Donnell isn’t brilliant. MSNBC will bring him back. Not printing my stuff again TVSF?
My husband and I will follow Lawrence anywhere he goes!!! His show and Rachel’s are THE best on any network. MSNBC better not screw this up.
O’Donnell is BRILLIANT! I’ve watched him faithfully for 7 years. I’m devoted and would hate to see him leave MSNBC. I’ll follow him wherever he lands.
I will be amazed if MSNBC lets him go. He is Rachel Madcow’s best friend. He predicts the end of the world just like she does. They are like 2 peas in a pod. If he does leave(which I doubt) he will go straight to CNN. He leans so far to the left that MSNBC and CNN would both be stupid not to sign him. he is part of the Get Rid of Trump movement and never says a bad thing about Hillary. I’d love to see him off TV, but he’ll be fine.
Larry is boring. MSNBC is the best comedy channel & Larry isn’t even funny.
Please do not cancel Lawrence O’Donnell show. I will not watch MSNBC anymore!