FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, U.N. AMBASSADOR
ALAN KEYES TO JOIN MSNBC

"Alan Keyes Is Making Sense" to Air Weeknights at 10PM, ET
Beginning January 21st

SECAUCUS, NJ- January 7, 2002- Former Presidential Candidate and Reagan-era U.S. Ambassador at the United Nations, Alan Keyes has joined MSNBC as host of a new one-hour commentary show, "Alan Keyes Is Making Sense," weeknights at 10PM, ET. Erik Sorenson, president and general manager, MSNBC, made the announcement today.

"We're excited that Alan is bringing his highly-regarded grasp of global issues and his larger-than-life personality to MSNBC," said Sorenson. "This network has distinguished itself as the cable news channel for smart young viewers interested in knowing about their world. Alan's deep knowledge, incredible capacity to frame debate, and provocative views will be a great addition to an already-terrific primetime lineup."

"Alan Keyes Is Making Sense" is a live one-hour talk show providing in-depth analysis and commentary on the issues of the day from politics, economics to the various cultural hot buttons. The program will originate from Washington, D.C.

Keyes received his Ph.D in Government Affairs in 1979 from Harvard University. He served during the Reagan Administration in the U.S. Foreign Service and on the staff of the National Security Council before being appointed Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1983. He was the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs from 1985-87.

Alan Keyes is also a two-time Republican presidential candidate and two-time Republican Senate nominee from the state of Maryland. His greatest public exposure came most recently through his dynamic and much extolled performances in the 2000 Republican Presidential Debates.

For the past 10 years, Keyes has reached a nationwide audience each day through his nationally syndicated radio program, "The Alan Keyes Show: America's Wake-Up Call." He is the author of two critically acclaimed books, Masters of the Dream: The Strength and Betrayal of Black America and Our Character, Our Future: Reclaiming America's Moral Destiny, with a third to be released soon. Keyes and his wife of 19 years, Jocelyn, reside in Maryland with their three children: Francis, Maya and Andrew.

Phil Griffin is the executive in charge. Steve Lewis is the executive producer.

Keyes joins MSNBC's weeknight line-up, which also includes:

  • "The Abrams Report" at 6PM, ET: The latest headlines and investigation on the American strike against terrorism.
  • "Hardball with Chris Matthews" at 7PM, ET: A provocative look at the politicians and newsmakers from the business, entertainment and media arenas that have helped shape the country's political and social landscape.
  • Emmy Award-winning "The News with Brian Williams" at 8PM, ET: The only comprehensive live hour-long nightly newscast in primetime. Using the worldwide resources of NBC News, Williams provides viewers with in-depth coverage of the day's top news stories; interviews with the world's newsmakers; and a first-hand look at tomorrow's headlines from around the world.
  • "A Region in Conflict with Ashleigh Banfield" at 9PM, ET: Host Ashleigh Banfield takes viewers inside various regions in conflict for a close-up look at the people and their struggle for survival, the politics, and the struggle for power.
  • "America at War with Lester Holt" at 11PM, ET: The only live news-hour which recaps the days headlines and the most recent developments in the war on terrorism.