The Hosts Thread: Joe and Mika Know Their Value

[Chloesmom]

Another direct hit by SNL.  Kate McKinnon is a treasure.  Our safe word is "partisan politics" . . . score!  They are going to be unbearable tomorrow aren't they?  In case you missed it last night:

https://www.mediaite.com/entertainment/ocasio-cortez-gets-the-snl-treatment-during-morning-joe-parody-interview/

[Jordan Baker]

1 hour ago, Chloesmom said:

Another direct hit by SNL.  Kate McKinnon is a treasure.  Our safe word is "partisan politics" . . . score!  They are going to be unbearable tomorrow aren't they?  In case you missed it last night:

https://www.mediaite.com/entertainment/ocasio-cortez-gets-the-snl-treatment-during-morning-joe-parody-interview/

My favorite part was Katty Kay trying to get a word in and then just spouting nonsense.

Oh, and Joe reminding Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that he was in Congress, too.

[Chloesmom]

2 hours ago, Jordan Baker said:

My favorite part was Katty Kay trying to get a word in and then just spouting nonsense.

Oh, and Joe reminding Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that he was in Congress, too.

The whole segment was spot on and thank you for highlighting the Katty Kay parts of it as it was almost like watching the show in real time.  And of course the cherry on top with reminding everybody Joe was in Congress back in the day.  God help him when he launches whatever campaign is percolating in their Scarborough brains.

[Eliot]

Does anyone else feel like Doris Kearns Goodwin is rushing around her house today getting her best TV outfits pressed and steam-cleaned in preparation for her inevitable "Dead President" guest appearance on MJ tomorrow?

[cased]

1 hour ago, Eliot said:

Does anyone else feel like Doris Kearns Goodwin is rushing around her house today getting her best TV outfits pressed and steam-cleaned in preparation for her inevitable "Dead President" guest appearance on MJ tomorrow?

Yes, along with Peggy Noonan, Tom Brokaw and (of course) Meacham. 

[stormy]

I'm wishing the Joe/Mika thing will be just like that tomorrow

Commenting on remembering GHW Bush in small talk.

[Ladyrain]

The lovebirds are back from their honeymoon.  Blech.   Not together.  Separate bunkers?  I can't bring myself to pay enough attention to figure out who is where. And why should I have to?  I just want the madness to end.  Give the damn show to whoever has the balls and commitment to show up to the NYC studio every day.  The sense of disjointedness from all these different locations is maddening.  There's no cohesiveness or around-the-table discussion at all with this stupid Brady Bunch visual.

[Kemper]

Just tuned in; Meeka has aged in just a week.  Didn't get a look at her chest.  I will ask Mr. Kemper.

[stormy]

I was happy to see M&J were pretty reserved this morning given the various news stories over the weekend.

I almost didn't tune in because I thought they might just be unbearable.

[Ladyrain]

6 hours ago, Kemper said:

Just tuned in; Meeka has aged in just a week.  Didn't get a look at her chest.  I will ask Mr. Kemper.

What posts did I miss about Meeka's chest?  I ask because I thought it looked inflated.  Another boob job?  Swollen from overuse?  How is a woman whose mantra is Know Your Worth able to just sit there and coo at all the mins? 

[suomi]

Scoop's new breastsesses amply demonstrate that there are two things she admires about Stormy Daniels. I guess the long-standing superior attitude toward her and the pained pronounciation of the words porn star were a facade. Quelle surprise. 

[Chloesmom]

Holy crap, Meek's has gone full Carol Brady with that hair do . . . YIKES.

[Chloesmom]

Ya know, maybe she's growing out her hair in preparation for Senator Three-Times-a-Charm's run for whatever in FL.  They seem to like big hair and big other things down there so she needs to get going/growing.

[teddysmom]

She looks really tired, and like she gets up, pulls her hair back haphazardly, throws a random top on with her pajama bottoms, and runs down to the bunker studio.

Maybe she's doing her own make up and that's why she looks so bad, she's not getting the professional contouring/highlighting application she got when she was in NY. 

This show is so tiresome. 

[millennium]

On 12/2/2018 at 6:56 AM, Chloesmom said:

Another direct hit by SNL.  Kate McKinnon is a treasure.  Our safe word is "partisan politics" . . . score!  They are going to be unbearable tomorrow aren't they?  In case you missed it last night:

https://www.mediaite.com/entertainment/ocasio-cortez-gets-the-snl-treatment-during-morning-joe-parody-interview/

Alas, I must disagree that the sketch was a direct hit.   It was predicated on the idea that Scarborough and Mika exhibit barely restrained sexual tension on the show.  In my estimation, that couldn't be further from the truth.   Scarborough behaves like a boorish old man, talking over Mika at all times, only referring to her when he seeks a validation of some point he's made.  He may as well just say "Isn't that right, Mother?"   He acts like he hasn't had sex in years and doesn't care.

Mika, meanwhile, dumbs herself down whenever he's present, all meek-a and submissive.   Why don't they just put her in a 1950s shirtwaist dress with a string of pearls?   She is nothing like Mackinnon's sex-starved Mika.   

Furthermore, anyone who regularly watches the show would know that these two are almost never in the same studio together anymore.   I think there are elements in the show more deserving of satire, but if they had to go the sexual tension route it would have been funnier had they portrayed the sexual hijinks with a split screen, to underscore just how ludicrous the hosting situation is these days.

And the omission of a Mike Barnicle character is just criminal.   Think of what they could do with him.   He's already a caricature.   Or Peggy Noonan.   Or Rick Santorum and other "friends of the show."  

Instead, they did the lazy thing and made it all about the imagined "heat" between them.

[cased]

5 hours ago, millennium said:

Alas, I must disagree that the sketch was a direct hit.   It was predicated on the idea that Scarborough and Mika exhibit barely restrained sexual tension on the show.  In my estimation, that couldn't be further from the truth.  

I agree that the sexual tension not as obvious now, but going back a few years, when their "private time" was limited, it was extremely obvious (hence all the rumors, that ended up being true).

[XOQueens]

The thought of Joe Scarborough as a sexual being is just too much for me.

[Ohwell]

1 hour ago, XOQueens said:

The thought of Joe Scarborough as a sexual being is just too much for me.

Those beady eyes.  That tight mouth.  That high hair.  Just, ugh. 

[suomi]

58 minutes ago, Ohwell said:

Those beady eyes.  That tight mouth.  That high hair.  Just, ugh. 

And yet, he persisted. Successfully. With someone who was technically his employee, and in a highly subordinate position. Ugh. 

[Chloesmom]

Now I know why they keep them in separate bunkers.  They are in the studio today and I happened to look up and Mika was about a 1/2 inch from being in Joe's lap.  And this light, familiar-esque banter between them is ugh.  Go back to your rooms!

[Woodman]

 SNL could do a great skit on Mika claiming every feminist/female break through is because of KYV. It’s  so contrived (and pathetic).  Yesterday it was the new Congresswomen in the Elle feature.  Today it’s the Forbes most powerful women in the world where she trilled on breathlessly about Ann Finucane being number zz and a supporter of KYV and how they had texted yesterday on flights and Ann was going from Paris to Brussels and she’s amazing and did I mention she was a long time friend. 

Joe pointed out Mika had been scared of her and Mika agreed and then she realised that Ann was strong and clear and blah and blah and it was all fine.  How old is Mika because at that point she sounded like a 8 year old trying to get into social media. 

Why is MSNBC supporting KYV when they have people like Stephanie Ruhle who is more relatable, make MUCH more sense and has done it herself.  SR did a great piece at the end of her afternoon show yesterday in a discussion with Chris Jansen (?)

[may flowers]

One more thing the SNL skit needs to add is the leaning towers of Pisa Joe and Mika have become. Everyone else at the table (yes they are at the table...and it’s sad that is remarkable) sits up straight, but the hosts lean toward each other at such angles that I’m afraid they’ll fall out of their chairs. It’s funny because Mika seems to notice in her monitor how far she’s leaning and will suddenly straighten up, only to begin the slow process of leaning toward her sun again. Why did they bother coming back?

[Ladyrain]

12 hours ago, suomi said:

And yet, he persisted. Successfully. With someone who was technically his employee, and in a highly subordinate position. Ugh. 

Money talks. 

While clueless about her own supposed "value", she sure knows Joe's.  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[teddysmom]

Are they going to the funeral?  I saw about 60 seconds this morning, Joe was blathering on about "all the people who stop him in the airport", which in actuality is one guy yelling "hey asshole, stop holding up the line!" 

Are they going to 41's funeral?  I can't imagine why else they'd fly up to NY from FL.  I also can't imagine why they'd be invited. 

[cased]

3 hours ago, teddysmom said:

Are they going to the funeral?  I saw about 60 seconds this morning, Joe was blathering on about "all the people who stop him in the airport", which in actuality is one guy yelling "hey asshole, stop holding up the line!" 

Are they going to 41's funeral?  I can't imagine why else they'd fly up to NY from FL.  I also can't imagine why they'd be invited. 

I was expecting that if they ventured out of their Florida bunkers today, it would have been to DC to cover the funeral. Maybe they had some business in NY. 

[Chloesmom]

18 hours ago, cased said:

Maybe they had some business in NY. 

Hopefully closing out their contracts and getting their exit interviews.

[stormy]

Quote

1 hour ago, Chloesmom said:

Hopefully closing out their contracts and getting their exit interviews.

 

Stop wishing them gone. If they leave, I leave. There won't be anyone to complain about or to commiserate with. 🙄

[Kemper]

I only saw the last half hour or so.  Meeka was wearing her hair down; thoughts?  I don't like it..it seems to age her.  And her eyes weren't as "done" as usual.  This is catty - but they looked kind of beady.  I noticed this when Joe interrupted her and she squinted at him.  That is when her eyes looked beady.  But.  He actually apologized for interrupting her.  !!  Yet he went on.  It might have been some sort of breaking news.  Like Kelly is going to resign - for the 35th time.  I was interrupted by Mr. Kemper asking if I wanted pancakes.  So I don't know why His Nibbs interrupted her.  Like he ever needs a reason.

[Chloesmom]

5 hours ago, Kemper said:

I was interrupted by Mr. Kemper asking if I wanted pancakes.

You Know Your Value Kemper as you certainly married well my friend, asks if you want pancakes adorable!  And I am with you about Meek's eyes.  That make up guy in NY who she Instagrams about must be a magician as the cameras were not her friend today.

[EmeraldGirl]

Ok, someone help me out with what is going on. They have moved to Florida? What about the darling Jack Joe talks about constantly? So they sit in the same studio but don’t look at each other? 

The whole show really is the banter between them all at the SAME table. Otherwise Joe and Mika talk to each other while everyone just waits their turn. 

[Chloesmom]

10 hours ago, EmeraldGirl said:

Ok, someone help me out with what is going on. They have moved to Florida? What about the darling Jack Joe talks about constantly? So they sit in the same studio but don’t look at each other? 

The whole show really is the banter between them all at the SAME table. Otherwise Joe and Mika talk to each other while everyone just waits their turn. 

I was wondering the same thing but Joe just said he goes to church every Sunday with Jack and I doubt his ex gave up custody so they all must have moved down to FL and holy hell who was Deutsch's stylist today Pee Wee Herman?

[oakville]

48 minutes ago, Chloesmom said:

I was wondering the same thing but Joe just said he goes to church every Sunday with Jack and I doubt his ex gave up custody so they all must have moved down to FL and holy hell who was Deutsch's stylist today Pee Wee Herman?

It;s difficult to follow the show with everyone in different bunkers.

[Kemper]

On 12/7/2018 at 2:51 PM, Chloesmom said:

You Know Your Value Kemper as you certainly married well my friend, asks if you want pancakes adorable!  And I am with you about Meek's eyes.  That make up guy in NY who she Instagrams about must be a magician as the cameras were not her friend today.

Yes...49 years.  I think I'll keep him.  Bless his heart.

[Chloesmom]

I don't know what/if MSNBC is going to do about what Mrs. Scarborough said but for someone that claims to know zero about pop culture she sure pulled one of the most vile epithets you can come up with out of her pristine mouth.  Between saying it in the first place and that shall we say lackluster "apology" she deserves the roasting she is getting on social media and a timeout wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[teddysmom]

16 hours ago, Chloesmom said:

I don't know what/if MSNBC is going to do about what Mrs. Scarborough said but for someone that claims to know zero about pop culture she sure pulled one of the most vile epithets you can come up with out of her pristine mouth.  Between saying it in the first place and that shall we say lackluster "apology" she deserves the roasting she is getting on social media and a timeout wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Considering what happened to Kevin Hart earlier this week, I think Mika should take an extended vacation from Morning Joe. And by extended I mean permanent.  I did like how Joe was happy to talk about baseball, etc today because the old ball & chain wasn't there to roll her eyes and complain about sports or movies.  So beneath her.  

Yasmin Vossoughian, who co hosts First Look has been guest hosting The Beat (talk about a long ass day) and she is doing a great job. I wonder if the guest hosting gig was trying her out on running a panel discussion, etc.  I really like her.   Maybe she & Willie could take over. 

It would be such just desserts if MSNBC didn't renew Mika's contract after this.   

[XOQueens]

Trump has weighed in on the matter. Looks like MJ and MSNBC were going to ignore the slur and move on. Well. They can’t do that anymore. 

[stormy]

Do we really think Mika's been shown the exit ramp?

There have only been a few MSNBC hosts that have been sacked. Joy Reid still has her show and Brian Williams totally redeemed himself.

[teddysmom]

11 minutes ago, stormy said:

Do we really think Mika's been shown the exit ramp?

Wishful thinking on my part. 

[Chloesmom]

For me, the difference is Mika said that vile thing on the air during her own show whereas the other two had to address things that happened in the past and had nothing to do with their current positions.  Trump knew what he was doing tweeting that out earlier today as now he knows NBC has to do something besides what they do best which is ignore.

For what it's worth, again today's show was so much looser and more fun.  It's amazing the difference when she isn't there or when she's there by herself.  The most telling thing is watching guests that have been on their show when they are on the afternoon/evening shows.  They are like night and day, chatting, laughing, sharing instead of looking like the novacaine is starting to wear off after a root canal.  And Yasmin is one of my fave raves too.  So funny, great interviewer and smart.  Tomorrow should be interesting.

[teddysmom]

47 minutes ago, Chloesmom said:

For me, the difference is Mika said that vile thing on the air during her own show whereas the other two had to address things that happened in the past and had nothing to do with their current positions.  Trump knew what he was doing tweeting that out earlier today as now he knows NBC has to do something besides what they do best which is ignore.

ITA

 

47 minutes ago, Chloesmom said:

For what it's worth, again today's show was so much looser and more fun.  It's amazing the difference when she isn't there or when she's there by herself.  The most telling thing is watching guests that have been on their show when they are on the afternoon/evening shows.  They are like night and day, chatting, laughing, sharing instead of looking like the novacaine is starting to wear off after a root canal.  And Yasmin is one of my fave raves too.  So funny, great interviewer and smart.  Tomorrow should be interesting.

This too!!! 

[XOQueens]

54 minutes ago, Chloesmom said:

For me, the difference is Mika said that vile thing on the air during her own show whereas the other two had to address things that happened in the past and had nothing to do with their current positions.  Trump knew what he was doing tweeting that out earlier today as now he knows NBC has to do something besides what they do best which is ignore.

For what it's worth, again today's show was so much looser and more fun.  It's amazing the difference when she isn't there or when she's there by herself.  The most telling thing is watching guests that have been on their show when they are on the afternoon/evening shows.  They are like night and day, chatting, laughing, sharing instead of looking like the novacaine is starting to wear off after a root canal.  And Yasmin is one of my fave raves too.  So funny, great interviewer and smart.  Tomorrow should be interesting.

That’s exactly the issue for me too. She did this on air.

I get the impression neither understand why using such a slur is wrong. Even after Mika’s homophobia slipped out into public via MSNBC airwaves, Joe was tweeting about how wrong Fox is for allowing airspace for assorted -isms and -phobias. 

Edited December 13, 2018 by XOQueens

[Eliot]

Didn't Halperin get suspended for calling Obama a "dick" on the show? Kind of a double standard if Meeks skates, no?

[cased]

here is my opinion (and it may be the minority opinion):

In addition to being a derogatory term, butt boy can also mean brown noser or ass kisser. Given the context, it is very possible that this is what Mika meant.

Obviously given the derogatory connotations, she should not have said it, and she needs to be made aware to be more careful in the future. Maybe a short suspension would be warranted, but I absolutely don't think it is something she should be fired for, especially if she does not have a history of homophetic words or actions.

As for Trump jumping into the fray, that means nothing to me. It is fairly obvious by now that all he cares about is attention, and any time he finds a good controversy to take attention away from his own problems, he will get involved.

On a different, but related, note, I continue to believe that Joe and Mika have not signed a new contract and will be leaving the show when their current contract ends (which they have said multiple times is 2018). I guess we will find out in a few weeks.

[Ohwell]

17 minutes ago, cased said:

In addition to being a derogatory term, butt boy can also mean brown noser or ass kisser. Given the context, it is very possible that this is what Mika meant.

Obviously given the derogatory connotations, she should not have said it, and she needs to be made aware to be more careful in the future. Maybe a short suspension would be warranted, but I absolutely don't think it is something she should be fired for, especially if she does not have a history of homophetic words or actions.

I agree.  I don't even like Mika but I don't think she should be fired, although I think a short suspension is warranted.  

I had never heard the term "butt boy" until Mika said it.  I've heard news analysts/contributors on tv using the phrase "bend over and grab their ankles" to describe an ass kisser, and never heard any outrage.   People just laughed. 

[teddysmom]

21 minutes ago, cased said:

In addition to being a derogatory term, butt boy can also mean brown noser or ass kisser. Given the context, it is very possible that this is what Mika meant.

I just want to see her squirm tomorrow. 

Odds we'll see some fake tears? 

Edited December 13, 2018 by teddysmom

[may flowers]

Without the exposure the show gives them, Joe and Mika have no power or influence. Mika may think she’s very special, but the reality is she’s spent her life being “daughter of” “co-host of” and now “wife of.”    Her work history is unexceptional and forgettable - which she would never accept - and if she leaves the show she has no platform.  Joe has spent years building a corporate power base within NBC - if I’m not mistaken his former Scarborough Country producer Noah Oppenheimer is now the president of NBC News. Joe bragged in some interview about  the power his people have within the network, including Willie, Nicolle, Kasie and others - and how they all have him to thank for it. (That’s a paraphrase based on memory; can’t find the article.) Joe as a former congressman will always ave punditry, but not much more if he leaves.  

 

That’s why I don’t think they leave, and I don’t think Mika gets any punishment other than a warning - maybe. Joe has his hooks in deep there. 

[cased]

3 hours ago, may flowers said:

Without the exposure the show gives them, Joe and Mika have no power or influence. Mika may think she’s very special, but the reality is she’s spent her life being “daughter of” “co-host of” and now “wife of.”    Her work history is unexceptional and forgettable - which she would never accept - and if she leaves the show she has no platform.  Joe has spent years building a corporate power base within NBC - if I’m not mistaken his former Scarborough Country producer Noah Oppenheimer is now the president of NBC News. Joe bragged in some interview about  the power his people have within the network, including Willie, Nicolle, Kasie and others - and how they all have him to thank for it. (That’s a paraphrase based on memory; can’t find the article.) Joe as a former congressman will always ave punditry, but not much more if he leaves.  

 

That’s why I don’t think they leave, and I don’t think Mika gets any punishment other than a warning - maybe. Joe has his hooks in deep there. 

I do agree with all of this, but if they were planning on staying, their move to Florida does not make any sense.

Also, in the Vanity Fair article about the wedding, Joe is quoted as saying something along the lines of "A year ago, we made the decision to live a lower profile life" (quoting from memory).

The Florida move fits with this, but maybe Joe also meant that they decided to leave MJ when their contract ends. 

Edited December 14, 2018 by cased

[XOQueens]

36 minutes ago, cased said:

In addition to being a derogatory term, butt boy can also mean brown noser or ass kisser. Given the context, it is very possible that this is what Mika meant.

I mean, contextually, to me, it’s pretty clear she meant it in a completely derogatory way. Anecdotal, of course, but I have never heard “butt boy” used in any way other than a homophobic way. 

It’s just, I have a hard time exusing any homophobia in 2018, latent or overt, and an even harder time explaining away the word choices of someone who is being paid millions to say words. Maybe that’s on me and I’m too cynical. But then again, Mika has sat in her bunker and lambasted others for their poor word choices. So. 

[teddysmom]

31 minutes ago, may flowers said:

Joe bragged in some interview about  the power his people have within the network, including Willie, Nicolle, Kasie and others

Joe is so full of himself.  Nicole Wallace doesn't need Joe Scarborough and  Willie has probably stayed because he wants the hosting job when they leave.   His bragging about building a power network is bullshit.  Power at MSNBC is Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, Joy Reid.  Nicole has a great show, and she had the media savvy way before she went on MJ.   She was Director of Communications in Bush 43 Administration.    

  I still haven't figured out why Kasie has a show. 

[teddysmom]

43 minutes ago, cased said:

he Florida move fits with this, but maybe Joe also meant that they decided to leave MJ when their contract ends. 

They're lowering their profile because Joe wants to run for office, and Mika thinks being the wife of a guy who got beat in the FL primary is a step up from being the wife of the host of a 3rd rate cable tv show.