When Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann were removed from anchoring duties in September, the question of how they would contribute on political nights was raised. It was answered on debate nights already, and we’ll see the plan in action tonight.
It appears the change tonight will be from “anchor” to “host.” The Huffington Post noted yesterday Matthews said during Hardball, “Please join me and Keith Olbermann as we host MSNBC’s election night coverage, and there’s nothing like it anywhere else. Anchored by David Gregory.”
Last night on Countdown, Olbermann mentioned the “host” role twice, saying, “Chris Matthews and I will host for you. David Gregory anchors, Rachel Maddow and Eugene Robinson join us at the desk.”
An MSNBC spokesperson tells TVNewser, “We’ll have a five person desk, with Keith, Chris, Rachel and Eugene, in addition to David. Of those four, Keith and Chris will play the most prominent roles, hence the term ‘host.'”
According to NBC’s original release, “MSNBC’s Election Night coverage kicks off at 5 p.m. ET, anchored by David Gregory with Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and Eugene Robinson at MSNBC Election Headquarters in New York.”