Rita Cosby Comes Out Swinging: Two Exclusive Interviews On First ‘Live & Direct’

Is it too early to predict that “Rita Cosby: Live & Direct” will become MSNBC’s primetime savior?

With stories about Michael Jackson and Natalee Holloway, the former FNC anchor made a big splash at 9pm tonight. The show featured exclusive interviews with two Jackson jurors who now wonder if he was guilty. Tom Mesereau appeared live with reaction.

“It is great to be a part of the NBC family,” Rita said at the end of her first show. And she added: “This is only the beginning!” The MSNers love it: “I am shocked. It’s action packed entertainment!;” “This is the first time I haven’t switched channels yet for a primetime show on MSNBC;” “Rita’s new show totally ROCKS!”

The show was bold and fast-paced. “Kaplan scored big with this one,” an e-mailer says. But we’ll have to wait and see for the ratings…

> Watch the ‘Live & Direct’ intro (917kb WMV)

> Send your impressions of the show to tvnewser@mediabistro.com, or use the tip box…

Join Baratunde Thurston (left), The Onion’s Director of Digital and author of How to Be Black, for an entertaining look at creative social media campaigns in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting this Thursday, February 16. Other speakers include Morin Oluwole (Facebook), Michael Brito (Edelman Digital), and Tim Devane (bitly). Register now.