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Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 05:04:08 AM EST
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Congratulations, Dan!

Dan Abrams has been named general manager of MSNBC.

NBC News legal correspondent Dan Abrams was put in charge of MSNBC Monday -- and his first move was to take himself off the air there. It was not immediately clear whether the legal-oriented "The Abrams Report" will continue with a different host or whether it will be replaced by another show.

Dan will now report directly to NBC's Phil Griffin, who now oversees the Today Show but will also assume duties as Executive in Chief of MSNBC....

Griffin spent nearly a decade at MSNBC in various jobs, most recently as vice president of prime-time programming. He was moved last year to help oversee the successful revival of the "Today" show.

It couldn't happen to nicer and more talented guys. No one knows MSNBC better than Phil and Dan. It was Phil that hired me as an MSNBC analyst back in 1997 (and renewed me through 1999) and I've done more shows with Dan since than I can count. I suspect in a few years this duo will be running NBC News.

I'll miss Dan's show, but legal eagles are a dime a dozen these days, and it takes a whole lot more to run a successful network. NBC News President Steve Capus made a great choice.

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    Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 12:09:19 AM EST
    Congrats to Dan, but I feel a little sad we won't get an on air goodbye. I'm glad they hired from within. "Outsiders" sometimes like to experiment to the point of distraction, or destruction, as the case may be.

    Re: Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC (none / 0) (#2)
    by weezie on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 05:17:00 AM EST
    I, for one and severely bummed that Dan isn't going to say "so long" on the air. I have developed a serious crush on him and will deeply miss his intelligence and wit...and not to mention those gray green eyes. Sigh, Dan...please come back when the Dukies are exonerated.

    Re: Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 07:41:58 AM EST
    Congratulations to Dan. I do wish him success and hope his most recent on-air tabloid-style journalism isn't an indication of the type of programming he prefers. One remembers his days as an actual reporter with respect. While I recognize the reality of the ratings chase, one can hope Dan pushes the envelope more in the direction of actual reporting of hard news (in the News Hour mode) than gossipy instant punditry on every passing blonde disappearance.

    Re: Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC (none / 0) (#4)
    by Slado on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 08:39:27 AM EST
    I liked Dan because he honeslty gave his opinion on legal, social and political matters and didn't given into pressure to take the prevailing opinion in either direction. He always asked the question that would make someon reconsider their position and wasn't a talking head for either side. Hopefully he'll infuse this type of journalism into MSNBC but I doubt it. Good luck.

    Re: Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC (none / 0) (#5)
    by Dadler on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 09:16:18 AM EST
    I gotta be honest: who cares? What reason do we have to expect he's going to do ANYTHING different with MSNBC that makes a MARGINAL difference? He's still beholden to ratings and money first and foremost.

    Dan Abrams Named General Manager of MSNBC | 5 comments (5 topical)