CNBC is having issues? What was with this evening broadcast on The Wall Street Crisis

Usually, I don't wish to talk about gossip, but this evenings broadcast of the Wall Street Crisis special on CNBC, got me, in the words of Dylan Rattigan, 'pissed off'. And yes, words like pissed off are being used during a financial news broadcast.

These guys are usually top notch professionals. They have been involved in Wall Street in either the broker or economic analyst capacity and are experts. I am sitting down, after having DVR'd this transmission for the Wall Street Crisis and was shocked to see what happened during the 8pm est transmission of this special series. Earlier today, Dylan and Melissa seemed to be normal, but in this evenings broadcast there was an uncomfortable exchange that took place. Dylan was caustic with Melissa Frances, and Melissa fought back. Of course, she did not help matters with her nervous response, but I can't blame her.

Mr. Rattigan is the type to call you a spade to your face, and to be fair, this has been very useful. In fact I have a feeling that many politicians were watching CNBC and listened to Dylan during Fast Money and during the Closing Bell, as he admonished them for playing politics during this time of financial crisis, talking of the delays by congress. Dylan educated his audience on how and why we needed to have some sort of action done, to pass the rescue legislation. I believe due to his personality and journalistic skills, and I don't think that I am giving him too much credit, that he was instrumental in influencing perhaps some of the audience that was paying attention to his broadcasts. He of course is not alone, all of CNBC was critical, but he, in my opinion (excluding Jim Cramer who, called this from the beginning, and stated how the FED KNEW NOTHING), was a voice within CNBC and perhaps aided in getting the congress to move, at least for those that were his audience. However, its a combative personality as well, which, I was disappointed to see how he admonished Mrs. Frances about her interview of a Jefferson, Missouri mayor, who apparently, did not fit the bill of who they should have been interviewing.

He proceeded first after Melissa questioned him, to ask a very valid question about how long would it take for his city to default on their various credit, loans, etc, their liabilities owed. The mayor of this Jefferson, MO town said, actually, they were doing pretty good, they practically had no debt, which led Dylan, shortly after the interview, to criticize Melissa Frances, on the air, on her choice. Proceeding to state how this was not a good example, that this person was not representing the segment of leaders, that had problems with there Municipal Bonds and debt, and he was right. However. it seems that he put poor Melissa on the spot, and she could only laugh, nervously. Later on she pointed out that this was the reason why "they can't have us together in the same room". Now, I really wish she had not done that on the air either, but it was her own territorial protection, her own reaction to the abrasiveness of Dylan. What else was she going to do?

I mean, here you have a person, that use to have her own show (M. Frances, On the Money) which, was taken away for unknown reasons, although, it now exists in a different format, something to the extent of a show that runs along the lines of a Suzie Orman, yet is hosted by someone else (its a good show by the way). She is doing correspondent work still with CNBC,doing specials as well,(had one one the energy crisis, talking about the "Nuclear Option") and I am one of those that thinks that she still, should have her own show. Dylan is the host of Fast Money, its a fantastic show, education, entertaining, and very unique format, kinda like of the ESPN of stocks, which actually grew on me, and I watch him all the time. So, I am actually fan of both Melissa Frances and Dylan Rattigan. I think that they are major contributors to the quality of work of CNBC and its actually only because of the exchange that I am blogging my displeasure at seeing what occurred on air.

Maybe its not a big deal, I mean, they have a pretty laid back set of personalities over at CNBC, that keeps it from being as dry as Bloomberg (I watch actually, when I just need information, they are more for professionals then the regular day trader, so it can be a little dry). But, this did not seem laid back. This seems to be stemming from stress. I know that Dylan Rattigan may be stressed out about the markets, so I am not going to be too harsh, but, I mean we are all stressed. He is truly the defender of the Capital Crown, however, he really did not need to go there with Melissa.

How about how excited Dylan was for Melissa's Nuclear Option special? He looked as if he was going reach over there and choke the crap out of her, when he first said how excited he was about seeing this series. Yes, I used the word crap, but I am not on tv, I am a blogger I can say words like this. As for Melissa, there seems to be something going on between CNBC and her, or why did they decide to go with this format of, On The Money, financial self help show.As a viewer, I voiced my opinion, but at this point whatever is the cause of what occurred between these two journalis, is something that I really don't care to know. To be fair she should not have come back with, "this is why they never put us in the same room together"(she said this at least twice during the broadcast, the last time she said it, Dylan tried to save it, but was not really successful. You know what? Its good ratings). This was just blatantly obvious, and unfortunate. Through the broadcast it seemed like it would be alright, but it was very uncomfortable to watch, sort of like watching the DOW these last three weeks.


In conclusion of my rant, I want to leave a special note, if its read, which I doubt, by the CNBC staff. People, don't let stress get to you. If they are working you without sleep, better get some sleep. Don't criticize your team members, co anchors, etc.. I mean keep your banter, its entertainment, it keeps the viewers glued to the set, but stay within reasonable limits. I am hoping, that its just the stress. It 'pissed' me off, but I did see the rest of the broadcast.

Again, the CNBC journalists are excellent, but perhaps they have been working way too much, and it might be a good idea, to consider this: just like you should not be driving if you are too tired, nor should you be on the air. I don't know if this is what caused this, but whatever it was, I hope not see that again. The banter is fine, and is much appreciated, but when it really looks like two journalists are taking something personally, I really do not need to see that on the air. And no I am not going to email CNBC on this, its just an observation, I put in this blog, cause I needed to vent. Maybe the journalists over at CNBC could have a personal blog to vent through too.