Entertainment Editorial: Who’s Your Favorite MSNBC Host?

It’s pretty rare I get to combine politics with entertainment but I’m hoping today will inspire some discussion.

MSNBC is known as the “liberal Faux News” for its brand of liberal commentators, and today I’d like to know who your favorite is?

If I had to pick a favorite among the “five core commentators” (Chris Matthews, Al Sharpton, Ed Shultz, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell) that make up MSNBC’s nighttime block, it would be tough. There are really none that I don’t like but not any that I unequivocally love either. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses. Such as…

Chris Matthews. Strengths: A feisty, no-nonsense style that really slices through the bull. The closest the leftwing has to a real, Bill O’Reilly style blowhard (but funnier) and I mean that in the most positive sense. The one I watch most often. Weakness: He won’t let his guests get a real word in edge wise, ESPECIALLY when they’re agreeing with him. Has been almost completely consumed with covering the Republican nomination for president, even people interested in the election (like me) are getting pretty exhausted with the lack of topic diversity in his show. How many times can he cover Mitt Romney’s poll numbers and make it fresh?

Al Sharpton. Strength: A surprisingly strong addition to MSNBC. As the network’s only black commentator, he’s not afraid to call Michael Steele or Ron Christie out (something the other hosts seem hesitant, if not scared to do), he has Matthews’s energy but a much better range of topics to cover. And unlike the other hosts, Sharpton has a clear record of putting his muscle where his mouth is. You get the sense he not only believes this stuff (a problem for someone like Ed Shultz) but can also impact the real world with his political groups. Weaknesses: Occasionally goes over-the-top with anger and that disguises just how nimble and clever Sharpton can be.

Ed Shultz. Strength: Like Matthews, Shultz’s primary strength is his forceful personality. This guy has “Everyman” appeal in spades and also seems likable enough to attract moderates to the cause. Knows how to charm his guests without coming off as a butt kisser. As strong an advocate as anyone for union rights, and it’s great to see that issue take center stage as opposed to, say, some of the social issues clearly closer to Maddow or O’Donnell’s heart. Weaknesses: And yet, I wonder how credible Shultz is. I get the sense he might not really believe anything he’s saying and could be a lot more conservative than any of the other hosts.

Rachel Maddow. Strength: More than any of the other commentators, she’s the one who breaks stories. If any of these folks are actually going to wind up doing investigative journalism, it’s Maddow. In terms of the topics she covers, no one can beat her. Weakness: Her style is a bit too heavy on smarmy, know-it-all dorkiness. I know that is extremely subjective and others will be furious I’m even saying that, but…it’s there. Maddow has the persnickety vibe of someone you probably avoided in high school.

Lawrence O’Donnell: Strength: As the most conventionally handsome of the commentators, his appearance (the guy could sub for Brian Williams if he wanted to) lends instant credibility to whatever he’s saying. Weakness: Until he goes too heavy on it and looks like a cult leader. An example of that is when he looks too long into the camera while delivering his sermons, as if trying to hypnotize the audience.