Perennial substitute MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell has filled in for people such as Ed Schultz and Keith Olbermann so many times, the bigwigs at the liberal news channel have elected to give him his own show, The Last Word," debuting tonight at 10 PM Eastern Time. And though it seems natural to suspect that he might be a better fill-in than a regular, especially in light of MSNBC's long list of canceled shows (Phil Donahue, anyone?), I have every reason to suspect that O'Donnell - not related in any way to noted O'Donnells Norah or Kelly, and certainly no relation to noted O'Donnell Christine - will have a fine run. The former aide to the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) knows his stuff, and he has experience with how Washington works. He even has an entertainment background; he was an executive story editor for the NBC White House drama “The West Wing," and he also served as a producer and as an executive producer on that show. (He was also the creator and producer of a congressional drama on NBC – Mister Sterling, about an idealistic California senator, but it only lasted half a season.) I'll probably miss the premiere of “The Last Word” tonight - I have to go somewhere and I'll be away from my TV set - but I still look forward to seeing it.
The only question is what kind of identity O'Donnell will cultivate as a host of his own show. MSNBC hosts have distinct images. Dylan Ratigan is the self-righteous ranter. Ed Schultz is the lunch pail liberal, a meat-and-potatoes guy. Keith Olbermann is the clown. Rachel Maddow is the caustic urbane wit. That leaves the role of Washington insider, which O’Donnell certainly is, except for one thing – Chris Matthews already has that role. My guess is that O’Donnell will aim for the role of a polished, erudite Washington insider that will be a contrast to the rumpled, abrasive Matthews. These two Irish-Americans differ much in style; the Boston-born O’Donnell comes across the kind of fellow who sips lattes, while Matthews resembles the kind of guy who drinks diner coffee.
And O’Donnell can be guaranteed not to interrupt anyone.
Having said all that, all we have do is watch MSNBC at ten o’clock tonight to see how it unfolds.
The only question is what kind of identity O'Donnell will cultivate as a host of his own show. MSNBC hosts have distinct images. Dylan Ratigan is the self-righteous ranter. Ed Schultz is the lunch pail liberal, a meat-and-potatoes guy. Keith Olbermann is the clown. Rachel Maddow is the caustic urbane wit. That leaves the role of Washington insider, which O’Donnell certainly is, except for one thing – Chris Matthews already has that role. My guess is that O’Donnell will aim for the role of a polished, erudite Washington insider that will be a contrast to the rumpled, abrasive Matthews. These two Irish-Americans differ much in style; the Boston-born O’Donnell comes across the kind of fellow who sips lattes, while Matthews resembles the kind of guy who drinks diner coffee.
And O’Donnell can be guaranteed not to interrupt anyone.
Having said all that, all we have do is watch MSNBC at ten o’clock tonight to see how it unfolds.
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