I really like Tucker Carlson — but the format of his new MSNBC show, "The Situation," has yet to gel. I’d kill the bit in the end with the bow tie undone, and standing around b.s.’ing with Willie someone about news that didn’t make the show. It’s an overplay to informality, and just not needed.
Tucker’s somewhat libertarian views on medical marijuana, his fondness for Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead — and other "unconservative" offbeat polemics makes the point. You need to watch the show a few times before getting a fix on where he’s coming from as an open minded conservative who likes to have fun. Hooray for that.
As Tucker recently interviewed Phil Lesh of the Dead for his past show on PBS, his new show would benefit from a quick 5-7 minute segment that incorporates a few hipper guests and topics — but intellectually suited and grounded.
But while the format still needs work, the talent is eclectic and superb. Jay Severin, Rachel Maddow and Max Kellerman all add a bit of non-beltway sensibility and fresh air to the bloviating dc chatter we see so much of in cable tv newsland. Severin is smart, and has an interesting and ironic sense of humor that’s amusing. Max Kellerman, a super bright Columbia grad and wonder boy of boxing moderators is also excellent. As a boxing addict who respects his talents, it was great to see him tapped for the show. Very diverse, non-establishment perspectives.
The show, right now, is like a good bottle of wine: still young , still a bit tightly wound; needs to open up a bit. give it time.
