MSNBC 人気番組のプロデューサーが新番組へ

先週と今週、MSNBCでは『カウントダウン (Countdown with Keith Olbermann) 』が休暇を取り、代理にローレンス・オドネルが出演している。そのオドネルは秋から新番組を担当する。プライムタイムの夜10時に生放送の番組を投入するのは4年ぶり。新番組を指揮するエグゼグティブ・プロデューサー（EP）を『カウントダウン』から引き抜き、その『カウントダウン』もEPを新たに起用している。

『カウントダウン』は現在のMSNBCの基礎を作ったと言って差し支えない。斜に構えたニュース番組から「オピニオン・ジャーナリズム」へ変化した、これがすべてを物語る。ローレンス・オドネルは「オピニオン・ジャーナリズム」となるのだろうか、或いは『PBSニュースアワー』程度のインタビュー番組となるのだろうか。彼の個性が上手く作用するのはどちらなのか。

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GREG KORDICK NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, NEW LAWRENCE O’DONNELL PROGRAM

NEW YORK – July 22, 2010 – Greg Kordick has been named executive producer of the new Lawrence O’Donnell program which will debut this fall at 10 pm ET on MSNBC. Kordick will report to Izzy Povich, senior executive producer of the O’Donnell program. The announcement was made by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC and is effective immediately.

“Greg’s an extraordinarily talented producer,” said Griffin. “We’re lucky to have such an abundance of talent both on and off the air at MSNBC.”

Kordick has been a senior producer with “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” since the show’s launch in 2003. He joined MSNBC in 1997 as a writer with “Morning Blend,” later working as a line producer on primetime programs including “Ashleigh Banfield On Location,” “The Abrams Report” and “Scarborough Country,” and coordinating MSNBC’s news coverage of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

Kordick began his career with NBC News in 1995 as an associate producer for NBC Nightside.

Kordick is a graduate of Northwestern University, with a bachelor’s of science in journalism. He resides in Jersey City with his partner Tim Billiter.

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RICH STOCKWELL NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, “COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN”

NEW YORK – July 22, 2010 – Rich Stockwell, longtime senior producer, “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” has been named executive producer, effective immediately. The announcement was made today by Phil Griffin, President, MSNBC.

“Rich understands the vision and sensibility of MSNBC as well as anyone. He’s a terrific producer and I’m thrilled to announce this new role for him,” said Griffin.

“Rich was the driving force behind the free health clinics to which our viewers so generously donated,” said Olbermann. “As I said to our staff when I informed them last night, I’m delighted to be able to utilize his masterful leadership to a far greater degree than ever before.”

Stockwell has been with “Countdown” as senior producer since the program launch in April, 2003. He joined MSNBC in 1996 as a field producer, later becoming a senior producer for MSNBC dayside in 2001. Stockwell began his career with NBC News in 1992 as a writer and producer for NBC Newschannel.

Stockwell is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He resides in New Jersey with his wife and three children.

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MARTIN BASHIR NAMED MSNBC ANCHOR AND ‘DATELINE NBC’ CONTRIBUTOR

NEW YORK – July 22, 2010 –Martin Bashir has been named MSNBC anchor and contributor to “Dateline NBC.” Bashir will anchor a daily afternoon program on MSNBC in addition to his new role with “Dateline NBC.” The announcement was made today by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC. Bashir will begin at MSNBC and NBC News in September.

“I’ve followed Martin’s career for many years and have always admired his work,” said Griffin. “He fits in with what MSNBC wants to be: he’s smart, original, and thoughtful. I couldn’t be happier to bring someone of his caliber to the network.”

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining MSNBC and NBC,” said Bashir. “This is a rare and special opportunity – to host a daily news and current affairs show and also work on long-form journalism both at MSNBC and with ‘Dateline.’ This is an enormous privilege and I cannot wait to get started.”

Bashir is best known for making landmark documentaries including “Living With Michael Jackson,” which 27 million American viewers tuned in to watch in 2003 and prompted an extensive police investigation of the singer. He also conducted an exclusive interview with the Princess Diana, which remains the only television interview with her.

Most recently, Martin Bashir co-anchored ABC News’ “Nightline” since October 2005. He joined ABC’s newsmagazine “20/20″ in September 2004. His first work for ABC was a memorable investigation into the BALCO steroids scandal that accused former US track star Marion Jones of cheating. In May 2008, Bashir anchored a documentary on the Sistine Chapel for “20/20,” which marked the 500th year since Michelangelo began painting the ceiling frescoes.