Hardball with Chris Matthews

8 Ratings: 0.0

A television show airing on MSNBC weekdays at 5:00 P.M. ET

Hardball with Chris Matthews is a talk show on MSNBC, broadcast weekdays at 5 and 7 PM hosted by Chris Matthews. It originally aired on now-defunct America's Talking (as Politics with Chris Matthews) and later CNBC. The current title was derived from … see full wiki

Tags: Tv Shows, Television Shows, Cable News, Cable Shows, Chris Matthews

1 review about Hardball with Chris Matthews

Showing 1-1 of 1

Sort by:

Chris Matthews' over-the-top approach has landed him right at the bottom of the cable news ratings.

Dec 5, 2009

by drifter51
posted in Politics Your Way

Rating:

-3

I just can't figure out what's gotten into Chris Matthews,   When "Hardball" debuted on CSNBC back in 1997 I instantly became a fan. The show was lively, fast-moving and usually very informative. There were actually reasonably intelligent discussions of the issues of the day. I felt like I learned something new each day and I swear I really did not know what Chris Matthews' politics were. In those days I found Chris Matthews to be superb at what he did. Then for some unknown reason things changed radically a few years ago. For me "Hardball" is now a complete waste of my time. I learn nothing.

Perhaps it was MSNBC management or a high-powered media consultant who suggested the new direction for "Hardball".  Maybe it was Chris Matthews himself who had a notion. But a check of the ratings book over the past couple of years clearly indicates that the format is not attracting viewers. "Hardball" is consistently the lowest rated of the cable news shows and has been for the past couple of years. At 5:00 P.M. "Hardball with Chris Mathews" is attracting around 550,000 viewers. Meanwhile, Glenn Beck''s show on Fox News Channel which debuted in January and airs opposite "Hardball" now boasts an audience of close to 3,000,000 each afternoon. Chris Matthews may enjoy ranting and raving but he is merely preaching to hard core lefty's. No one else is watching!

These days that cast of charactors who appear on "Hardball" include the conservative commentator Pat Buchanon, the left-wing author and journalist Christopher Hitchens and Newsweek magazines Chief Political Correspondent and NBC News analyst Howard Fineman. I must say that Howard Fineman is another person I am very disappointed in. Once a very respected reporter Fineman has turned into nothing more than a cheerleader for the Democratic party and everything liberal. He has lost just about all credibility in my book.

Over the past year Chris Matthews has made any number of incredibly stupid remarks that have greatly diminished his stature among many Americans.  During MSNBC's coverage of the Potomac Primary, Matthews had this to say about then presidential candidate Barack Obama; "I have to tell you, you know, it's part of reporting this case, this election, the feeling most people get when they hear Barack Obama's speech. My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often."   No self-respecting reporter worth his salt would be caught dead making such a remark. Then shortly after the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy Matthews observed "Barack Obama is the last of the Kennedy brothers".   You've got to be kidding me!   And just this week Matthews critiqued the President for choosing the United States Military Academy as his venue for a speech on Afghanistan , referring to it as "the enemy camp".   Lots of Americans were outraged by this remark and Matthews was forced to apologize on the air. Sorry Chris but given your dismal ratings and stupid remarks if I were your boss you would definitely be out the door by now.

Having said all this I still think that Chris Matthews is a bright guy who can still do an informative and entertaining program if he really wanted to. But until such time as that happens I for one will definitely not be watching.   Not recommended!

Chris Matthews' over-the-top approach has landed him right at the bottom of the cable news ratings.

What did you think of this review?

Helpful

Thought-Provoking

Fun to Read

Well-Organized

Post a Comment

NJExit34 September 08, 2010

Absolutely. The fall from provocative to pathetic for one of Philadelphia's "finest" has been remarkable. Matthews did himself a dis-service when he used Olberman's shreikfest as a yardstick for tone and tenor. Olberman doesn't care that most sane viewers think he's an a-hole. Given Matthew's history and resume he not only knows better but his mentor, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, must be spinning....

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review