What left wing commentary is left? MSNBC has shown most of its progressive talent the door, and the morning show host is a Trump supporter.
Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow, Laurence O'Donnell. All their primetime hosts.
Yes, but for how long? It's very clear to anyone who's followed MSNBC that the channel has taken a very different turn towards less opinion-driven programming in the last year. I'd say it's much closer to CNN in terms of editorial direction than it ever has been in recent years.
I think overall, the prime-time opinion programming is going to stay. I don't think they're going to change Hardball, that's practically an institution on MSNBC, it's been around longer than the network has, as it used to air on CNBC and before that, as Politics with Chris Matthews on America's Talking.
Rachel Maddow is their most popular and successful host there currently, as her social media presence adds far more to that show than the mere broadcast itself. She's not going anywhere.
Lawrence O'Donnell is pretty much a 50/50 I think at this point. MSNBC could get rid of him, but they'd be losing a show and a host with a lot of political experience, expertise and knowledge, gained first hand. They will probably want to keep him around.
Chris Hayes and his All In show is the one that is in the most danger currently. There's been a lot of talk about replacing it, and about who would replace that show. Keith Olbermann's name has cropped up more than once. I get the feeling it might get returned to the weekends replacing Melissa Harris Perry. It had a strong following on the weekends, which was why it got promoted into primetime, but I think the show only has cult appeal, rather than popular appeal.
For me, the make or break moment for MSNBC will be who replaces Chris Hayes at 8pm.