Phil Griffin Gets New Title: President of MSNBC
NBC News executives today named Phil Griffin president of MSNBC. Previously, Mr. Griffin had been a senior vice president of NBC News in charge of managing the cable news network. What has changed besides his title? According to the press release, Mr. Griffin will now "take over all day-to-day managment issues at MSNBC."
Last month in a profile in the New Yorker, Keith Olbermann famously said of Mr. Griffin, "Phil thinks he’s my boss.”
No word yet as to whether Mr. Olbermann is impressed by his so-called boss' new title.
More from the release:
"I've been there from the beginning, so I couldn't be happier to get this position," said Griffin. "It's a really exciting time at MSNBC and everyone - on the air and behind the scenes -- has pulled together to help create the success we've had this year. We've really found our voice as 'The Place for Politics.' I really believe this is our time."
Phil Alongi will remain as executive producer of NBC News Specials, reporting to Griffin. In that capacity, Alongi also oversees all of NBC News' political coverage.
Griffin was named Senior Vice President at NBC News with oversight responsibility for America's number-one morning program, "Today," in April 2005. A year later he added oversight of MSNBC to his responsibilities. Prior to that, he was vice president of primetime programming for MSNBC, overseeing all primetime programming for the network including "The Abrams Report," "Hardball with Chris Matthews," "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," and "Scarborough Country."
Griffin has been with MSNBC since its launch in July 1996. He has produced several programs for the cable network including "Hardball with Chris Matthews" from 1999-2004. At MSNBC's launch, Griffin produced "Internight," hosted by Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, Bryant Gumbel, Bob Costas and Bill Moyers featuring newsmakers, artists and authors. Griffin also produced "The Big Show with Keith Olbermann" from 1997-98.
Prior to becoming an executive producer at MSNBC, Griffin was the senior broadcast producer of NBC News' "Nightly News with Tom Brokaw" since 1992, where he oversaw domestic stories on a daily basis. Griffin traveled extensively with Brokaw on major breaking news events to Somalia, Moscow and the Middle East.
In 1995, Griffin went to Los Angeles to head up NBC News' coverage of the O.J. Simpson Trial. Prior to that, he was the American Close-Up segment producer for "Nightly News" beginning in 1991. From 1988-1991, Griffin was a writer/producer for "Today," where he covered stories including the Persian Gulf War, the San Francisco earthquake and the invasion of Panama. This marked Griffin's return to "Today," where he worked from 1983-1987 as a writer/producer. Griffin left "Today" in 1987 to join "USA Today: The Television Show" as senior producer until 1988. He began his career at CNN in 1980, where he was a producer for three years.
Griffin is a graduate of Vassar College, with a B.A. in English. He and his wife Kory Apton reside in Manhattan with their two children.
Congratulations on your new channel.
Well done on the Obama [oooops] typo!! channel formerly known as msnbc.
It seems that the Morning joe campaign show has made the transition smoothly.
I do have a question about your scheduling for week of sept 9 th time slots - possibly you can air shows about life in the trailer parks ! you know - where Mr & Mrs Six pack live.
Truly a drug dealer has more integrity then your organization.
From all the six pack families living in metal homes,
MR. Griffin I cannot watch Keith Oberman. He is a nasty, hateful,mean person. Therefore as long as MSNBC has him on I will not watch anything on MSNBC.
I have many Democratic friends and they feel the same way. They can't stand him. I am sure that he is the reason that MSNBC is so far behind in the ratings of the convention.
You should not allow someone like this to show people and especially kids, that it is okay to say things like he does just because he likes it.
After watching NBC and MSNBC for the last 40 yrs I'm turning you off. I can't stand the arrogant attidude of Kieth to his fellow commentators. His reference to the 9/11 video after cutting away from Tom Brocaw, etc -- implying that they may not care what was being said -- was the last straw. Apparently you are to out of touch ( read dumb) to realize he is destroying your network.
PS: who wants to watch prison life -- enough of that to.
PSS: I'M POSTING HERE BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND YOUR E-,AIM
Dear Mr. Griffin,
I am horrified that you have capitulated to the extreme right
(the Fascists-minded) of American politics and have allowed John McCain and his gang to intimidate you into relieving Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman, who were doing a superb job, as anchors during these elections. We do not always agree with everyone of the anchors, but at least we (of the moderate
politics) felt that we were being represented there at MSNBC, and please do not think (even though he might be a nice guy) that David Gregory can take their place. How shameful of you for having degraded them to being analysts. They are above that and you know it. It is just a ploy to get rid of them. I am afraid that we women are now feeling that MSNBC is supporting the McCain agenda whom we diametrically oppose. He is untrusworthy and nothing more than a clone of George Bush. Where was he and what was he doing to help, we middle class Americans the past 24 years he has been in Congress. I am afraid his ambitions have overshadowed his so call "love of country." He is so out of touch and cannot relate to the majority of Americans who are having a difficult time at this time, and besides displays senility at times. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? I am very disappointed in your decision and you can be sure that
unless you right this wrong, we women (make no mistake about it, as we are great in number), will get in touch with your advertisers to advise them that we will not purchase their products because of this dastardly act of yours.
I consider myself a middle of the road independent. I channel surf and watch all of the news channels. If NBC thinks that Oberman, Maddow and Matthews represent news, pull your head out of the hole it is in. Obermen is a sophomoric, cynical, pompous excuse for anything related to a profession called journalism. Maddow is a joke and might as well be a DNC spokesperson and identified as such. Chris Mathhews is a long time favorite and I at least hope his temporary insanity was caused by the previous company. It is no wonder your ratings continue to fall and have sucked for a while.
From: ARTHUR ADLER
Date: 9/10/2008 2:51:30 PM
To: philgriffin@msnbc.com; news@msnbc.com
Subject: Fw: "THE EAGLES NEST
September 10, 2008
Phil Griffin
President
MSNBC NEWS
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Dear Mr. Griffin,
Last evening MSLSD Cable News had four (4) straight hours of PRO "HUSSEIN AND ROBINETTE" and ANTI "SIDNEY and SARAH" bought and paid for, in the pocket, aggressive continuous attacks against "Sidney and Sarah" in the persons of Nazi Concentration Camp Commandant Heir Keith Olbermann on "Melt Down" aka "Break Down", Chris "Tingly Feeling" aka "Sad Sack" Matthews on "Big Balls", and Mister Rachel Maddow on "The Rachel Gay Madness Olbermann Clone Show"!
How in the hell can you expect the American Cable News TV Viewership to see this 4 hour festering Abortion by the Political Hacks, Whores, and Prostitutes picked and paid for by MSLSD aka MSNBC in any other light except Paid Surrogates of the Barcak Hussein Obama Political Campaign? It was 100% pure Pro "Curious George The Monkey " propaganda and scatalogicaldiatribe of the most obvious form! Mr. Griffin, you are committing Career Suicide!
I believe The Nazi is a very disturbed and sick man! Tonight as MSLSD aka MSNBC is promoting the hell out of, will be Heir Olbermann giving a detailed Position on his feelings about News Video from 9/11 being used within a Political Context at the Republican Political Convention. I am originally from New Jersey, I was at the Memorial Service at Liberty Park in New Jersey across the river from where the World Trade Center used to stand tall shortly after 9/11 and I talked to people there who knew Friends and had Relatives that were murdered there by the Muslim Terrorists and they felt as they do now that a 5 min. Showing of that dark day in American History should be shown 3 times a day, morning, noon, and night for years to come, but instead we sweep it under the carpet because we do not want to offend our Muslim Neighbors who may be our neighbors just like the Terrorists who lived in Jersey City among Americans for years were our neighbors and went right out and Murdered us! You have to get your head out of your ass Mr. Griffin!
Now, I am going to watch this sick pervert tonight and if he steps over the line I am personally going attempt to start a movement in The United States Of America to "BOYCOTT" all Micro Soft Products, which is the "MS" in "MSNBC" for those of you out there who may not know that fact!
You are the same pack of Dummies and Hacks that think that when Barack Hussein Obama said "It's the same as putting "LIPSTICK" on a PIG", he did not have The Governor Of Alaska in mind because of her reference to "LIPSTICK" in her Acceptance Speech? Let me ask you Mr. Griffin, do you really think that your Viewership is that STUPID. Are you saying that "WE THE PEOPLE" out here in America that may watch MSNBC ARE STUPID? Is that what you say to each other as you sit around your Conference Table at NBC and say about "WE THE PROPLE"?
At least Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams had enough sense to separate themselves from the Idiots and Anti Americans you hire to peddle your Slanted American News Reporting with an Agenda. You have gone too far. Even Mrs. Greenspan on Morning Joe this morning said, " Hussien Obama would not have said that if Sarah Palin had not bought up the word "LIPSTICK" that is how far your spin merchants are willing to go.
Lets put it another way Mr. Griifin, do "WE THE PEOPLE" want a President in "The Peoples House" that is so dumb that he does'nt know what making this kind of remark will bring down upon him and this is the same "Monkey" that we will trust to be protecting America and negotiating without Pre-Conditions with Satanic Kill The Infidel Murderer's such as The President of Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, The Leaders of China and Russia, Pakistan and Palestine, etc.?
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF "WE THE PEOPLE"!
Respectfully submitted,
Arthur Charles "Buddy" Adler
Satellite Beach, FL USA
White Hot Flaming On Fire Super Conservative Independent
Overtherainbow3@earthlink.net
C; Emailed/Faxed to The President, Vice President, 2 Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates, 7 Conservative Radio/TV Talk Shows, 15 Misfit Congressional Members, Barack Hussien Obama, Keithe Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, Micro Soft Headquarters,
3 Newspapers, 3 Cable News Networks, 3 Florida Politicians, Friends, Relatives, Associates and Others across this Great Republic based upon the Bedrock of a Faith in " ALMIGHTY GOD"!
Post Script; America knows that President George Bush has an Approval Rating 3 times higher than the US Congress! And you think you are on the right side Mr. Griffin?
From: ARTHUR ADLER
Date: 9/10/2008 2:51:30 PM
To: philgriffin@msnbc.com; news@msnbc.com
Subject: Fw: "THE EAGLES NEST
September 10, 2008
Phil Griffin
President
MSNBC NEWS
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Dear Mr. Griffin,
Last evening MSLSD Cable News had four (4) straight hours of PRO "HUSSEIN AND ROBINETTE" and ANTI "SIDNEY and SARAH" bought and paid for, in the pocket, aggressive continuous attacks against "Sidney and Sarah" in the persons of Nazi Concentration Camp Commandant Heir Keith Olbermann on "Melt Down" aka "Break Down", Chris "Tingly Feeling" aka "Sad Sack" Matthews on "Big Balls", and Mister Rachel Maddow on "The Rachel Gay Madness Olbermann Clone Show"!
How in the hell can you expect the American Cable News TV Viewership to see this 4 hour festering Abortion by the Political Hacks, Whores, and Prostitutes picked and paid for by MSLSD aka MSNBC in any other light except Paid Surrogates of the Barcak Hussein Obama Political Campaign? It was 100% pure Pro "Curious George The Monkey " propaganda and scatalogicaldiatribe of the most obvious form! Mr. Griffin, you are committing Career Suicide!
I believe The Nazi is a very disturbed and sick man! Tonight as MSLSD aka MSNBC is promoting the hell out of, will be Heir Olbermann giving a detailed Position on his feelings about News Video from 9/11 being used within a Political Context at the Republican Political Convention. I am originally from New Jersey, I was at the Memorial Service at Liberty Park in New Jersey across the river from where the World Trade Center used to stand tall shortly after 9/11 and I talked to people there who knew Friends and had Relatives that were murdered there by the Muslim Terrorists and they felt as they do now that a 5 min. Showing of that dark day in American History should be shown 3 times a day, morning, noon, and night for years to come, but instead we sweep it under the carpet because we do not want to offend our Muslim Neighbors who may be our neighbors just like the Terrorists who lived in Jersey City among Americans for years were our neighbors and went right out and Murdered us! You have to get your head out of your ass Mr. Griffin!
Now, I am going to watch this sick pervert tonight and if he steps over the line I am personally going attempt to start a movement in The United States Of America to "BOYCOTT" all Micro Soft Products, which is the "MS" in "MSNBC" for those of you out there who may not know that fact!
You are the same pack of Dummies and Hacks that think that when Barack Hussein Obama said "It's the same as putting "LIPSTICK" on a PIG", he did not have The Governor Of Alaska in mind because of her reference to "LIPSTICK" in her Acceptance Speech? Let me ask you Mr. Griffin, do you really think that your Viewership is that STUPID. Are you saying that "WE THE PEOPLE" out here in America that may watch MSNBC ARE STUPID? Is that what you say to each other as you sit around your Conference Table at NBC and say about "WE THE PROPLE"?
At least Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams had enough sense to separate themselves from the Idiots and Anti Americans you hire to peddle your Slanted American News Reporting with an Agenda. You have gone too far. Even Mrs. Greenspan on Morning Joe this morning said, " Hussien Obama would not have said that if Sarah Palin had not bought up the word "LIPSTICK" that is how far your spin merchants are willing to go.
Lets put it another way Mr. Griifin, do "WE THE PEOPLE" want a President in "The Peoples House" that is so dumb that he does'nt know what making this kind of remark will bring down upon him and this is the same "Monkey" that we will trust to be protecting America and negotiating without Pre-Conditions with Satanic Kill The Infidel Murderer's such as The President of Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, The Leaders of China and Russia, Pakistan and Palestine, etc.?
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF "WE THE PEOPLE"!
Respectfully submitted,
Arthur Charles "Buddy" Adler
Satellite Beach, FL USA
White Hot Flaming On Fire Super Conservative Independent
"THE EAGLES NEST"
Overtherainbow3@earthlink.net
C; Emailed/Faxed to The President, Vice President, 2 Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates, 7 Conservative Radio/TV Talk Shows, 15 Misfit Congressional Members, Barack Hussien Obama, Keithe Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, Micro Soft Headquarters,
3 Newspapers, 3 Cable News Networks, 3 Florida Politicians, Friends, Relatives, Associates and Others across this Great Republic based upon the Bedrock of a Faith in " ALMIGHTY GOD"!
Post Script; America knows that President George Bush has an Approval Rating 3 times higher than the US Congress! And you think you are on the right side Mr. Griffin?
Attention to Phil Griffin:
Probably a waste of time, but since there is no email address posted for you, I thought I would try this...a letter to 30 rock would I'm sure be useless,...firstly, the fact that Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews were moved as anchors on election night is a travesty. i know you are in competition with Fox but the way to combat that is not to cae to the right winger.. the progressives in this country need a voice too and your channels normally provides that...David Gregory is absolutely no sub for them...he may as well work for CNN...he has no real personality. Secondly, congratulations on the Rachel Maddow show ...she is great... finally a woman who is a progressive voice on your channel..Mika whatever - her -name is poses as one but she is such a simpering wimp to Joe Scarborough it's disgusting .Andrea Michell is OK, but even tho she tries we know who she is really for....and lastly, I have watched my last Morning Joe show...I have been writing to them constantly in their pro McCain stand, but it's no use...this morning two ads came out, one for Obama and one for McCain...they deliberately chopped Obama's (at Mika's request, too) and then mocked it for 3 hours...and then played McCains' in its entirety ...if you accept these ads from the campaigns why don't you at least let us see them...Morning Joe always does this...Obama's are always cut and criticized and McCain's alwyas played over and over and praised...I know Joe is a right wing republican but he should allow the American people, who watch him, make up their own minds...so goodby Morning Joe...I will keep with Rach, Chris and Keith and Shuster and some daytime people...also I'm sure CNN will show the ads in their entirety...if I find enough of them over there I can always switch to daytime CNN.
Geeez girl what show were you watching.
These same people your talking about are so far into the Obama camp there most likey getting paid.
I have never seen such pandering of this type by a network station > truly every thing is up for sale here in cable land.
? Maybe you should watch this show after you have taken your medications.
Good Luck on your site and reason classes.
W.L.
I am not very good at emails, but found any avenue I could to express my complete repugnance towards keith Oberman. He is a childish, burish, arrogant man, with such obvious envy of Bill O'Reilly that it is almost funny, except for the fact that he is on t.v. during my dinner hour when I flip channels, and I have a hard time finishing my dinner without bringing it back up again. He reminds me of a child who has little temper tantrums towards the camera when the people don't see things quite the way he wants them to. We wouldn't tolerate such boorish behavior with our family, much less with someone who gets paid to behave like a jerk! By the way, tell Rachel it wouldn't be a bad idea to put a little necklace or earrings on. She's very pretty, and it wouldn't make her "overly feminine", if that's what concerns her. She's very bright, and I hope she doesn't fall in the dumps of Oberman. Thanks for listening.
This country is divided into two major groups: Democrats vs Republicans. However there is a canker worm in the republican party that divides them as well: 1. Far right conservatives/evangelicals(who supposed to have zero influence in any political system) 2. Moderate Conservatives 3.social Conservatives
If you notice..the Democratic party isn't divided at all.
it's a shame but this is the reality in our country. Maybe we should try and elect a candidate this time around with very little divisive theories.
Clearly neither mccain nor palin are advocating unity.
This is pathetic and sad.