Gail Shister
TVNewser Columnnist

What, exactly, does Mika Brzezinski do at MSNBC?

It appears that every MSNBC suit has a different idea on that topic, which is why Brzezinski is on the market, according to insiders at the cable network.

Nothing official, but we hear that Mika B. has a lunch scheduled with Jim Murphy, senior executive producer of ABC's Good Morning America, early next week. Also supposedly on the docket: A get-together with "CBS Evening News" EP Rick Kaplan.

Interestingly, Brzezinski left CBS as Katie Couric was coming in.

A freelancer, Mika B. wears myriad hats at NBC Universal. At MSNBC, she anchors news on Joe Scarborough's "Morning Joe" and hosts the 10 a.m. hour. At NBC, she reports for Brian Williams' "Nightly News" and fills in on "Weekend Today."

When asked for Brzezinki's precise job description, an MSNBC flack paused, then said, "She's a dayside anchor." Period.

Hmmmm.

No wonder Mika B. — who could not be reached for comment — has yet to sign the three-year MSNBC contract on the table, sources say. She is supposed to meet with network suits later this week, they add.