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PARKER: MSNBC convention team has outdoor plans

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated August 5, 2008 at 12:33 a.m.

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Magnets say, "I'm a smart (donkey)" and "Get your (donkey) in gear."

Photo by Penny Parker © The Rocky

Magnets say, "I'm a smart (donkey)" and "Get your (donkey) in gear."

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While many national television news organizations are leasing indoor venues that are closed to the general public during the Democratic National Convention, MSNBC is taking its shows outdoors, where regular Joes and Josephines are invited to participate.

"Politics to the people," is how MSNBC director Geoff Hoffmann describes the news network's approach to the convention hoopla. From Aug. 25-28, look for Joe Scarborough, Andrea Mitchell, David Gregory and Norah O'Donnell to be broadcasting analysis and interviewing politicos and celebs on a set behind Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.

Broadcast coverage starts at 4 a.m. our time with Scarborough and Morning Joe and continues until midnight MST. Prime Time coverage will be hosted by Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews beginning at 3 p.m. in Denver.

PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ: The Ritz-Carlton Denver is getting down and donkey for deep-pocket Dems bunking at the ritzy Ritz during the convention. Hotel staffers are busy memorizing political facts at their fingertips, practicing checking in large groups, and creating menu and cocktail recipes in honor of the presumptive presidential nominee.

Those lucky enough to have landed one of the hotel's 202 rooms (even makeup mogul Bobbi Brown couldn't get a room) will receive oodles of schwag (they're calling them "gifts") reflecting the colors red, white, blue and eco-friendly green.

Nightly turn-down goodies will include donkey-shaped cookies and a card espousing deep-thought quotes from Sen. Barack Obama.

Other gifts include boxes of Engstrom's chocolates, bath salts and a small wrapped tree to be planted in the Denver area.

GLO-RIOUS: Gloria Neal, one of my favorite Denver radio DJs, landed a guest stint on the 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. weekday news shows on CBS 4 starting Aug. 11 through the end of the DNC. She'll report live all DNC all the time.

"Whatever's hot out of the mouths of Denverites," Neal said about her reporting focus. She'll give viewers a close-up look at what's happening in and around Denver during this historic occasion.

GILL'S GUESTS: Sure, you could say that millionaire and Quark software founder Tim Gill and his partner, Scott Miller, have magnetic personalities. To prove it, the dynamic duo sent private party invites to their DNC party in the form of magnets.

The invitation for "Gathering of State Heroes" at the Museum of Contemporary Art is a magnet itself with a map printed on the back. Other magnet mementoes are "I'm a smart (donkey)" and "Get your (donkey) in gear."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@Rocky MountainNews.com.

Comments

  • August 5, 2008

    10:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    T1anda writes:

    Somebody actually watches MSNBC??

    YUK!!