MSNBC’s The Cycle’s Co-Hosts Open Up To Mediaite About Launching New Show And Facing Critics

Despite their political backgrounds, the hosts have been dogged by criticism that they are not qualified enough to host a political talk show on a major network. Touré has faced serious backlash, including allegations (based on several tweets from 2009) that he is a 9/11 “Truther,” which he laughs off: “The idea that I’d be a truther is noxious because it’d mean that I ascribe a certain level of intelligence to the Bush administration to plan and execute such an attack.”

Critics of the show often cite his music journalism career as reason to dismiss him. But he confesses that he got into music journalism, specifically writing about hip-hop, as a method to channel his deep interest in politics and sociology. “I don’t think having written about something else disqualifies you from talking about politics,” he says.

Ball, too, dismisses the “unqualified” criticism as old-world thinking, saying that “there’s an acceptance among our generation that everybody should take ownership over this country.” The hosts all agree: this is a show about “looking for solutions, we don’t want to just complain about the news-of-the-day.”

Upon announcement of The Cycle as an ensemble with four hosts, much of the media lept to the conclusion that MSNBC was obviously attempting to emulate the success of Fox News’ ensemble program The Five. On top of that, The Five co-host Bob Beckel himself offered harsh words on-air: “[The Cycle] stole our format. If you haven’t seen it, probably because nobody watches it, but, uh, okay, good luck, you’ve got no prayer.”

“The Five is very successful — we’ll grant them that — but basically all it is is Morning Joe in the afternoon.”

“Maybe Beckel is still be upset over memories of the 1984 Mondale run,” Kornacki jokes (Beckel ran Walter Mondale‘s failed presidential campaign). “In my writing, I have been sympathetic to [Mondale’s 1984 primary opponent] Gary Hart.” The group enjoys a laugh at such an obscure suggestion: “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what he was thinking about,” quipped Cupp.

Executive producer Friedman has more serious push back for Beckel’s taunt: “The Five is very successful — we’ll grant them that — but basically all it is is Morning Joe in the afternoon,” he says. “So for them to say we’re ripping them off, then my God, what does The View think? What does The Today Show think? What does Good Morning America think?”

“And anyway, imitation is the sincerest form of thievery,” he adds, smiling ear to ear.

One month into the show’s life, many have characterized the ratings as “disappointing” — The Cycle has regularly finished third place in their time slot, behind Fox News and CNN. But the hosts are relatively unconcerned with Nielsen figures. “I’d rather trust my instincts on the set and adjust based on that,” Cupp says.

“I don’t think we’re particularly stressed about the ratings,” Ball adds, and Kornacki mentions that at Salon he rarely checks the click counts; and that attitude has influenced how he views TV ratings.

Friedman is also not worried, noting that, despite the daily ups and downs, the show has grown overall in the key demographic of viewers ages 25 to 54 — up 55% since the show’s second week. All this growth, he says, without ever fully marketing the program. “We didn’t really launch the show yet,” he explains, adding that the network envisioned the show’s launch as a “soft” test run before the Olympic hiatus (which begins this Friday) so that the show can spot the kinks and work them out during a two-week break.

“It’s like taking a Broadway show to Boston first,” Friedman analogizes, “and then we’ll take a break to come back with guns blazing.”

And so on each of the four Mondays coming out of the Olympics, the show will run video packages officially introducing the four hosts to the world, focusing on something deeply personal to each person. Touré’s, for example, will follow him in New Orleans, exploring his passion for the city’s post-Katrina recovery. In addition, Friedman also plans to introduce a larger desk and “harder” music.

“When you’ve got a brand-new show and those are the only things you want to change,” he pauses and then concludes, “then you’re in pretty good shape.”

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This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.