This afternoon, cable news covered the funeral of 18-year-old Michael Brown as one of MSNBC’s hosts continued being part of the story.
MSNBC was the only channel to air Al Sharpton’s eulogy, dipping into it at 12:44pmET. “Order says that children bury their parents…we should not sit here today and act like we’re watching something that is in order,” Sharpton said to rousing chants from the crowd gathered at a St. Louis church.
MSNBC took Sharpton’s eulogy for 11 minutes before Chris Matthews, filling in for Andrea Mitchell, wrapped the noon eastern hour. Ronan Farrow opened his show speaking with Craig Melvin about his interview with Brown’s parents, but showing a full screen of Sharpton’s speech while Melvin reported.
During Sharpton’s eulogy, Fox News continued with its “Outnumbered” panel, who discussed topics ranging from James Foley’s beheading to what time school should start for teens. At 1pmET, “Happening Now” opened airing images of Sharpton speaking live, then turning to Garrett Tenney outside the church. CNN aired Don Lemon interviewing CNN political commentator LZ Granderson and CNN contributor Donna Brazile. Ashleigh Banfield closed “Legal View” airing parts of Lemon’s interview with the mothers of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Sean Bell.
During Sharpton’s eulogy, Fox News’ Howard Kurtz tweeted about his statements. And this morning, Don Lemon tweeted–about not tweeting.
Howard Kurtz
Reverend Al hits Ferguson police for releasing video of Michael Brown’s robbery. More on his MSNBC show at 6? — HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) August 25, 2014
Taking break from twitter today in respect for parents & lives lost. Not choosing sides. Just being human. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/uReLnQApAP
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) August 25, 2014
We’ve reached out to MSNBC to see if Sharpton will be hosting his show tonight at 6pmET, but haven’t heard back.