Dear MSNBC: PLEASE give Melissa Harris-Perry her own show

[Empowerer]

She is scary good. She doesn't even seem to have a learning curve - she's rolling like she's been hosting a television show for years.

Please do us all a favor and put her in your lineup permanently!

[Booster]

1. I'll gladly second that. She gives me a calm feeling that I don't

get from the others.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I agree. She's incredibly smart and communicates extremely well.

She's also very pleasant and likable. But then, isn't she a teacher? :)

[woolldog]

3. I don't think she's very good as a host.

Doesn't seem like she's speaking in her authentic voice. It's her speaking lines by Rachels writers which seems right for Rachels personality, but not Melissas.

[EffieBlack]

5. Hunh?!

Wow . . .

[bluedigger]

6. Well, she is working with RM's people.

They both have to adjust.

I bet she's a great lecturer, when she's working with her material.

She's good - better than LO'D was starting out, and Rachel, too, I think.

[woolldog]

13. I'm not a fan of LOD

I've been watching his show lately because his take on the debt ceiling politics is so interesting. I don't remember Rachel ever being rough.

[Empowerer]

7. What an odd criticism ...

But let's play it out - when she gets her own show, she'll get her own writers who will write for her in her own voice.

Or can she not qualify for her own show because she doesn't already have her own writers, which, of course, she can't get because she doesn't yet have her own show?

:shrug:

[woolldog]

11. Lemme put it this way:

she doesn't sound authentic hosting the show. Like her as a contributor; not impressed with her as a host.

[Stuckinthebush]

28. Agreed

She was ok, but I like her better as a contributor.

[Politicalboi]

30. I felt the same as you

I'm sitting here watching the late rerun 1:00am and she is kind of acting like Rachel. But she would be a good choice for their line up at MSNBC. If they would only get rid of the rerun of Tweety.

[Wait Wut]

41. I like her, but agree with you.

I don't think she's ready. Maybe a few more fill ins for vacations will smooth her out a bit and give her some more confidence. She seems nervous and tense.

Great contributor, though.

[jenmito]

46. Wait Wut???

She has been doing PERFECTLY. If anyone wasn't "ready" it's Al Sharpton. She seems so comfortable not only reading the prompter, but throwing her own comments in. She doesn't seem "nervous and tense" at all.

[Wait Wut]

47. Just my opinion.

I just think she needs more time. I don't get to see Al, so I can't judge him one way or another. My husband did say he likes him.

I'm sure that we'd disagree on several things. I love The Fast and The Furious saga and love Vin Diesel. That, to a lot of people, is hilarious. I'm not going to argue with anyone about it, though. I also prefer Larry O'Donnell to Olbermann and Maddow. That, on DU, is a sin.

Also, too, and...my favorite color is green and I'm a Cubs fan. Far more important things to argue about than personal opinions. I'd like to see her progress and possibly get her own show in the future. I'll leave it up to her.

[jenmito]

50. I don't see how she can improve on anything...

she seems to be so comfortable both reading the teleprompter and adding her own comments (she has commented about how she went to college in N.C., for example). She has great questions/comments for her guests, and is so smooth in her delivery. Al Sharpton, in contrast, mispronounces words and names constantly, but he's good sparring with his guests. HE needs more time. SHE doesn't.

I love Larry O'Donnell as much as Maddow, and more than Olbermann. So if that's a sin, I'm going to hell (which I don't think exists) with you. I think Al Sharpton should/could take the 6pm slot if he improves in the areas I mentioned, but I think Melissa Harris-Perry should/could take the 7pm slot right now (instead of Matthews' repeat) if she wants it, but I have a feeling she's too busy.

[Merlot]

12. That's what I was thinking to. She shines when she's interviewing someone

and speaking freely. Not as good when talking to the camera. And yes, it may be a stylistic thing, the words are written for Rachel who has a very distinctive delivery. Melissa would need to find her own style if she had her own show.

But Ill probably skip the rest of this week if she's the host.

[EffieBlack]

14. Isn't that the case with anyone guest hosting any of these shows

since it's not likely that the network would bring in brand new writers just for them.

As I said, it's odd to criticize a guest host because she doesn't have her own writers.

[woolldog]

21. No it wasn't true of rachel

when she subbed for Keith. And it's not true of smerconisch when he subs for Chris Matthews.

And of course no ones criticizing her for not having her own writers. Her delivery isn't very good. It sounds canned.

[EffieBlack]

22. I guess it's in the eye of the beholder

I think she sounds fantastic and very natural - and obviously, I'm not the only one.

And I recall that Rachel sounded very stilted at first until she got her sealegs.

[woolldog]

23. Indeed.

She sounds natural and great when she speaks extemporaneously. But you're right it's possible her delivery will improve as she gains experience.

[Merlot]

24. I didn't criticize her for not having her own writers

In fact, I didn't even criticize her. But I didn't enjoy her delivery very much.

However, if women is a pro it doesn't matter who the writers are, they will deliver in an engaging manner.

[Puglover]

32. I totally agree.

And I love her. She was pleasant but somehow flat. Perhaps with her own writers?

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EffieBlack]

4. You're right about her learning curve . . .

Everyone else I've seen getting a tryout definitely has a learning curve - and seems a somewhat hesitant and a little rough around the edges. But not Prof. Perry. If I didn't know any better, I would have assumed that she had been an experienced host.

She is SO good - she definitely should get her own show.

[BattyDem]

8. She really has been awesome, hasn't she?

I was not looking forward to a week without Rachel, but not only has Melissa made it bearable, she's made it wonderful! Her insights, her knowledge and the way she explains the most complex issues ... I'm hooked! :)

[Armstead]

9. Eloquent, honest but inspiring -- Quite a rare combo on TV these days

[Parker CA]

10. I've been loving it. She's got a very lyrical and poetic way of stringing together her words.

Very easy to listen to and also surprisingly soothing.

She would, like anyone, do even better with her own writers, but she's been great.

[Sportsguy]

15. Is This Some Sort Of A Pattern?

Is it even safe to take a vacation any more? Yes, she's great, but I like Rachel better. Maybe in a different time slot?

[EffieBlack]

16. I don't think she's being tried out as a replacement for Rachel, nor should she be

But hosts DO have to take vacation occasionally and, unless the network is going to show Lockup reruns (yikes!), they put in a guest host - which also provides a great opportunity to try out people they're thinking of hiring permanently.

I don't think Rachel is any danger at all - in fact, MHP said as much yesterday when she explained that Rachel was JUST ON VACATION and would be back.

But there are other places that MHP could be moved to - she could replace Dylan Ratigan at 4, or one of the Chris Matthews slots, or the Ed Show.

[Armstead]

20. Or a Melissa and Maddow Show -- They could be awesome as co-hosts

[Empowerer]

40. Interesting idea

But I'd rather not have the only two women lumped together on one show.

[cilla4progress]

17. Hear hear!

[patrice]

18. YES!!!!

[emulatorloo]

19. She's got a very demanding day job.

[Mira]

25. + 1000 One hour of Tweety is plenty. Why repeat it? n/t

[southernyankeebelle]

26. I like her too. But not Maddow's time slot.

[onpatrol98]

27. I'm a fan!!!

[Cali_Democrat]

29. I used to like her a lot...she is indeed a brilliant woman

My sister took her class at Princeton.

Unfortunately she has become quite the bootlicker of Obama's footwear. I wish she questioned the administration a little more.

Just my 2 cents.

[Vinca]

31. I agree . . . but that seems to be what MSNBC is looking for these days.

[tweeternik]

34. She is excellent !! Rec'd!! n/t

[Yavin4]

35. I am Totally in Love with Her

Head over heels in love.

[Tarheel_Dem]

36. I couldn't agree more!

Her segment on the demise of Detroit and New Orleans are things you just don't hear in the M$M. It is certainly refreshing to say the least.
:kick:

[Pisces]

37. The chart she used to show how many laws Pelosi got through 400 + vs. the 12 Bohener has

gotten this term was embarrassing. Should also point out how terrible it is in Congress.

[Roy Ellefson]

38. I like her

she's hot

[CitizenLeft]

39. totally agree - 2 nights now, practically flawless and completely relaxed.

Wonderful job!

[vanlassie]

42. I agree she is scary good.

I noticed she was lots better yesterday just from the day before. She's adorable too.

[Raine]

43. I like her abit better than Rachel, she's calmer, less hyper.

I like Rachel too but sometimes she's so over the top she wears me out.

[Empowerer]

45. I think they're both great - they both deserve to be on the air

[Mid_FL_voter]

44. She is awesome

And she deserves her own show!

[Jersey Devil]

48. Rachel wouldn't be the first to be Wally Pipped

I think there is plenty of room for both of them but you never know about taking a day off or a vacation.

Wally Pipp was the Yankees' first baseman who took a day off in 1925 because of a headache. Lou Gehrig replaced him in the lineup and started 2,130 consecutive games from there. So when ever a good athlete in a sport gets injured and is replaced by a potential star, people refer to the injured athlete as being Wally Pipped.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_wally_pipped_mean#ixzz1TVFkIzjQ

[COLGATE4]

49. I think she's better as a guest than as a host. She seems to be

copying Rachel's mannerisms and delivery. That said, she's still 1000 times better than watching Tweety, particularly in re-runs.