Andy Lack Turns Focus to MSNBC

New NBC News boss Andy Lack has a full plate trying to get the network's news division back on track and figure out what to do with his suspended lying main Anchor.

But Lack also has to try and fix the very broken MSNBC and that isn't going to be easy.

Mediaite reports that Lack is often attending MSNBC chief Phil Griffin‘s 11:30 a.m. editorial meetings; and, to quote one witness, Lack regularly appears “underwhelmed” with the story pitches. 

Even more daunting for the staffs of three struggling MSNBC programs, Lack has requested evidence that their shows remain viable. 

A couple of weeks ago, the executive producers of Now with Alex Wagner, The Ed Show, and All In with Chris Hayes were told to prepare “sizzle reels” of the best their programs have to offer. Theoretically, this exercise will help them identify what works best on their respective shows but, in reality, our sources say, any or all of these shows could soon be on the chopping block. The senior staffs of all three programs, we are told, are now concerned that their days are numbered. 

Mediaite reports that Lack is considering a total overhaul of MSNBC’s daytime programming. The days of Lack’s predecessor Patricia Fili-Krushel deferring to Griffin’s judgment on programming are, according to our sources, officially over. 

The big question, of course, remains what will Lack do with Griffin himself. NBC insiders tell Mediaite that while Lack likes Griffin personally, he has serious questions about Griffin’s ability to effectively run a big cable network like MSNBC. And, so far, we hear, nothing Lack has seen has changed that impression.

There’s a new sheriff in MSNBC town and he’s apparently taking names and preparing to make the changes necessary to make the network competitive again.

Stay tuned....