A day after the launch event for The Weather Channel’s new early morning show “WUWA”, MSNBC’s Willie Geist has a launch date for his new 5:30amET show, “Way Too Early with Willie Geist,” or what we’re calling “WTEWG.” It’s Monday, July 27.
The launch was delayed about a month as Willie became a father, for the second time, last week.
Says MSNBC president Phil Griffin, “This is a quick show for smart people who enjoy Willie’s wit.” And who are still groggy, drunk, or both Griffin didn’t add.
The press release after the jump…
“WAY TOO EARLY WITH WILLIE GEIST” TO DEBUT JULY 27 ON MSNBC
NEW YORK – July 15, 2009 – “Way Too Early with Willie Geist” launches Monday, July 27 on MSNBC. The fast-paced show, anchored by Willie Geist, will air live weekdays from 5:30 – 6:00 a.m., leading into “Morning Joe”. Geist, who will continue to co-host “Morning Joe”, brings his signature style and sense of humor to the thirty-minute broadcast, offering viewers everything they need to know to start the morning – from news and politics to sports and pop culture. The announcement was made today by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC.
“Given the success of ‘Morning Joe,’ a pre-game show is the perfect way to extend and add value to the brand,” said Griffin. “Willie is a unique talent who has been a proven hit both on-air and online. And who better to host a show at 5:30 in the morning named ‘Way Too Early’ than Willie Geist. This is a quick show for smart people who enjoy Willie’s wit.”
“In 30 fast minutes, we’ll set the agenda and tee up the debates for the day,” said Geist. “Whether you’re waking up on the East Coast, passing out in the West, or suffering from an untreatable sleep disorder somewhere in between, ‘Way Too Early’ will be a one-stop, A-to-Z crash course for your day.”
Chris Licht, executive producer of “Morning Joe,” will be the executive producer of “Way Too Early with Willie Geist.”
Geist will also continue to host the popular satirical video blog Zeitgeist (www.zeitgeist.msnbc.com), which received more than 2 million views last month.
Geist joined MSNBC in 2005 as a senior producer of “The Situation with Tucker Carlson.” During the show’s development, producers decided Geist’s newsroom banter with Carlson ought to be part of the show. Geist spent the last segment of “The Situation” (later called “Tucker”) reporting and offering his unique spin on the day’s news.
Geist came to MSNBC from the world of sports television. He was a producer and writer for the critically acclaimed sports debate show “I, Max,” hosted by Max Kellerman on Fox Sports Net. Before that, Geist gave up a promising post-graduate career of liquor delivery to enter journalism as an editor and producer for CNN/Sports Illustrated, a 24-hour sports network based in Atlanta. He later became a field producer and reporter for CNN Sports, where he covered The Super Bowl, The NCAA Final Four, The Masters and The United States Lawnmower Racing circuit. Geist graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville where he was an editor of the school’s newspaper, The Vanderbilt Hustler.
Geist lives in New York City with his wife and their two children. He is proficient in Microsoft Word.