Guilty Pleasures
By Associated Press
MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ host says he was surprised and disappointed the show was pulled from the air
MSNBC “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough said Tuesday he was “surprised and disappointed” the news show was pulled off the air the day before and hasn’t received a good explanation about why.
The four-hour morning news and talk show, a favorite of President Joe Biden and his fans, was pre-empted Monday in favor of a live news feed from the NBC News Now streaming service that was focused on covering the aftermath of Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Scarborough said he was told Sunday night that all of NBC News channels would be working from a single, consistent feed for the entire day Monday.
“That did not happen,” he said on “Morning Joe” Tuesday. “We don’t know why that didn’t happen. Our team was not given a good answer as to why that did not happen, but it didn’t happen.”
An MSNBC spokesman said the network had no comment on what Scarborough said.
The pre-emption attracted attention on Monday morning, particularly after CNN reported that MSNBC management was concerned that one of the show’s cast of commentators or guests would make an inappropriate comment. MSNBC said that was not true. “Morning Joe,” like other shows on the network, has often been bitingly critical of Trump.
By later Monday afternoon, opinionated hosts like Nicolle Wallace and Ari Melber anchored their regular shows, and Rachel Maddow led the network’s coverage of the Republican national convention.
Scarborough speculated that MSNBC changed its plans because of “blowback” it received from pre-empting his own show.
“We wanted to be here for our audience,” said Willie Geist, another “Morning Joe” host. “We know you trust us, and we have the utmost respect for our audience. We are here today, and we wish we would have been here yesterday.”
Scarborough said that “the next time we are told there is going to be a news feed replacing us, we will be in our chairs and the news feed will be us. Or they can get somebody else to host the show.”
It’s the second notable on-air rebellion by MSNBC personalities in the past few months. Several hosts, including Scarborough and former “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd, objected in March to NBC News hiring former Republican National Committee head Ronna McDaniel as a contributor, a decision the network later rescinded.
Before the assassination attempt, “Morning Joe” spent several days talking about whether Biden should continue running for reelection following the president’s poor performance in a debate against Trump — leading Biden to call in to the show to defend his decision to stay.
Andress says she was drunk during panned MLB anthem performance, will get treatment
After a widely panned performance of the U.S. national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby, country singer Ingrid Andress apologized Tuesday and said she was drunk.
“I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition.”
The MLB is not commenting, spokesperson Matt Bourne said.
A representative for Andress said there will be no additional comment at this time.
On Monday night, the four-time Grammy nominee belted an a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” an incredibly challenging song to sing. Clips of her less-than-popular rendition at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, went viral.
Sports Illustrated writer Alex Carr posted on X, formerly Twitter, “I’m so sorry, I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I think I’ve ever heard in my whole life.”
Here’s more to know about the incident and Andress.
Who is Ingrid Andress?
Andress, 32, began her career as a Nashville songwriter, penning songs for performers across genres, including Bebe Rexha’s “Girl in the Mirror,” Halestorm’s “Conflicted,” and the critically acclaimed “Boys,” which became an international hit for British singer Charli XCX.
Soon, she inked a deal with Warner Music Nashville and Atlantic Records for her own music, releasing her debut album “Lady Like” in 2020. Her breakthrough single “More Hearts Than Mine” proceeded the release, peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the list for 20 weeks.
In 2021, she released her second-biggest song to date, the country radio favorite “Wishful Drinking,” a collaboration with singer Sam Hunt. It also spent 20 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 47.
Her sophomore album, “Good Person,” was released in 2022.
What was the reaction to her MLB Home Run Derby performance?
Andress’ performance quickly made the rounds on social media.
Vulture blogger Bethy Squires joked that Andress sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “in cursive,” a reference to a popular Internet neologism referring to pop singers stretching vowels and accentuating their vocal fry.
Chris Wright, the executive editor of Saturday Down South, was a bit more delicate: “I enjoy Ingrid Andress’ music and have seen her in concert,” he wrote on X. “After listening to that National Anthem, I have a newfound respect for her producers and sound crew. Wow.”
This isn’t the first time a performance of the national anthem has been panned.
In the pantheon of controversial renditions of the national anthem at sporting events, Roseanne Barr’s rendition at a 1990 San Diego Padres game and Fergie’s at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game yielded similar reactions.
Following her performance, Fergie released a statement: “I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” the Grammy-winning singer said. “I’m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.”
Barr responded to Fergie’s performance, writing on Twitter at the time, “Who saw Fergie’s national anthem performance at the NBA All Star Game? I think mine was better lowkey.”
What’s next for Andress?
Earlier today, Andress had four forthcoming tour dates listed online: July 17 at Nashville’s Cannery Hall, July 24 at Denver’s Globe Hall Live Music & BBQ, Aug. 3 at Minneapolis’ Basilica Block Party, an annual music festival, and Oct. 4 at Inlet Lodge in Ocean City, Maryland, for the Country Calling festival.
Andress’ official website currently only lists the two festival dates.
A representative for Andress confirmed to The Associated Press that her “upcoming shows in Nashville and Denver have been canceled, and the venues are in touch with ticket buyers regarding refunds.”
Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour after bandmate’s Trump shooting comment
The comedy rock duo Tenacious D — made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass — has canceled the rest of their tour after Gass’ remarks about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
While onstage at a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to “make a wish” by Black. Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” an apparent reference to the rally shooting a day before that left the former president with an injured ear. The video of Gass was widely circulated on social media.
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black said in a Tuesday statement on Instagram. “After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Following Black’s statement, Gass apologized on Instagram.
“The line I improvised Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote Tuesday. “I don’t condone violence in any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement.”
The band recently completed dates in the U.S. and Europe. Their “Spicy Meatball Tour” was slated to continue Tuesday night in Newcastle, hitting most major cities in Australia and New Zealand this month before returning to the U.S. for a select few dates in October.
“Frontier Touring regret to advise that Tenacious D’s concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed,” their touring company announced in a statement on Instagram Tuesday. “Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”
When asked for further comment, a represented for the band directed the Associated Press back to Black’s statement. Details on refunds for the remaining tour dates were not immediately available.
—From AP reports
