During a live interview at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday, actor Tom Hanks made light of the low viewership numbers of MS NOW, a rebranded version of the former MSNBC network. The incident occurred when Hanks interacted with Jacob Soboroff, a senior national and political correspondent for MS NOW, during a segment of the network’s program "The Moment," which was being broadcast live from the event.
Hanks began the exchange by asking, “What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW?” This remark appeared to be a direct jab at the network’s modest audience size. Soboroff responded in a friendly manner, countering that the broadcast was indeed live on MS NOW. Hanks then humorously suggested, “Alright, add a zero to it if you need to,” implying that even if the network had 8,000 viewers, it would still be far from impressive compared to major networks such as Fox News.
The conversation continued with Soboroff asserting that the broadcast was attracting millions of viewers, prompting Hanks to concede with a lighthearted, “Alright, alright.” At the conclusion of the segment, Soboroff thanked Hanks for “adding the zero to our ratings today,” to which Hanks quipped, “I can hear the clicks happening before my very eyes.”
The event took place amid significant controversy surrounding the Obama Presidential Center. Reports indicate that the center has faced substantial financial challenges, leading to unpaid bills amounting to tens of thousands to millions of dollars owed to black-owned small businesses, construction companies, and tradesmen involved in the project. These issues have raised concerns about the economic impact on local communities and the broader implications for public infrastructure projects.
The Obama Presidential Center, located in Chicago’s Jackson Park, was attended by a range of notable figures, including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, David Letterman, and Conan O’Brien, along with former officials such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden. The event highlighted the significance of the center as a cultural and historical landmark, with Hanks expressing admiration for the facility, describing it as “three museums in one” and encouraging visitors to explore its gift shop, history exhibits, and art collections.
MS NOW, previously known as MSNBC, underwent a rebranding in November 2025 following its spin-off from NBCUniversal to form part of a new media company named Versant. The network aims to position itself as a source for news, opinion, and global coverage under the acronym MS NOW, which stands for My Source for News, Opinion, and the World.
The incident involving Hanks and MS NOW underscores the ongoing discussions around media consumption and the challenges faced by traditional cable networks in maintaining relevance in an increasingly digital landscape. As the network seeks to establish its identity post-rebranding, such moments of public interaction highlight both the scrutiny and the opportunities for growth in navigating the evolving media environment.
8 reports
Breitbart NewsIndependentRightFactual 60Objective 3016 days agoTom Hanks made a joke about the low viewership of MS NOW during an event in Chicago. He told a reporter, 'What can I do for the 800 people watching MS Now?' and later suggested adding a zero to reach 8,000 viewers. The article also mentions controversies surrounding the Obama Presidential Center, including cost overruns and unpaid bills to Black-owned businesses.
Bias read (Right): The article frames Tom Hanks' remarks as a 'humorous jab' at MS NOW, implying criticism of the network's low ratings. It contrasts MS NOW's viewership with Fox News, which is typically associated with conservative audiences. Additionally, the mention of the Obama Presidential Center's controversies,
Why these scores (Factual 60 · Objective 30): The article presents a claim that Tom Hanks made a specific remark about MS NOW's audience size, but lacks direct evidence or quotes from Hanks himself, relying on secondhand accounts. The comparison to Fox News viewership is speculative and not supported by data. The inclusion of unrelated informat
Breitbart NewsIndependentRightFactual 55Objective 2516 days ago Joe Biden Boasts About Stopping Oil Drilling While Driving in Vintage Gas-Guzzler with Jay LenoOn 'The Alex Marlow Show,' Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow discussed President Joe Biden, noting that Biden boasted about stopping oil drilling during an appearance on a car show alongside comedian Jay Leno. Marlow described Biden as 'bragging' about banning new oil drilling and 'mocking' those who view windmills as ineffective.
Bias read (Right): The article frames Biden's comments on oil drilling and renewable energy in a critical light, using terms like 'bragging' and 'mocking.' It does not provide direct quotes or balanced context from Biden or other perspectives, relying instead on Marlow's interpretation. This suggests a right-leaning倾向
Why these scores (Factual 55 · Objective 25): The statement about Biden's comments is vague and lacks direct quotes or sources. The tone is dismissive and critical, lacking neutrality in presenting the event.
Breitbart NewsIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 2022 days ago Marlow: Celebrities, Knicks Fans Fell for Trump's Trap When They Booed HimBreitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow discussed sports on 'The Alex Marlow Show,' commenting on celebrities and Knicks fans who booed Donald Trump.
Bias read (Center): The article discusses a commentary on fan behavior at a sporting event and does not present any overtly biased language, sourcing, or framing that would indicate a political lean. The subject matter is primarily about sports fandom and does not involve direct political commentary or controversy.
Why these scores (Factual 50 · Objective 20): Factual claims lack specific details or evidence about the event or audience reactions. Objectivity is very low due to biased framing of Trump supporters as 'losers' and the use of emotionally charged language.
Breitbart NewsIndependentRightFactual 45Objective 1817 days ago MARLOW: MLB Players Should Just Stop Wearing 'Cuck Hat'On 'The Alex Marlow Show,' Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow criticized MLB players for wearing what he called the 'cuck hat.' No further details or context were provided regarding the specific incident or the term 'cuck hat.'
Bias read (Right): The article uses derogatory language ('cuck hat') to criticize athletes, which reflects a dismissive and pejorative tone toward the players' actions. This framing aligns with conservative rhetoric often used to critique progressive or activist behavior.
Why these scores (Factual 45 · Objective 18): The reference to a 'cuck hat' is clearly biased and lacks any factual basis or context. The article presents a strongly opinionated stance without balanced perspective.
Breitbart NewsIndependentRightFactual 40Objective 1524 days ago 'They Need to Stop': Dodgers Ripped for Pandering to Trans with 'Cuck Hat'Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow criticized the Los Angeles Dodgers for their Pride Month merchandise, specifically mentioning a hat featuring the transgender flag. The commentary was delivered during his radio show, 'The Alex Marlow Show,' which airs on the Salem Radio Network.
Bias read (Right): The article uses derogatory language ('cuck hat') to describe the Dodgers' Pride Month merchandise, implying criticism of the team's support for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly transgender individuals. The framing suggests disapproval of the Dodgers' actions without providing balanced perspectives,
Why these scores (Factual 40 · Objective 15): The claim about the Dodgers' merchandise lacks specific sourcing or verification. The term 'cuck hat' is subjective and inflammatory, showing strong bias rather than objective reporting.
Breitbart NewsIndependentRightFactual 30Objective 1021 days ago Early MVP of World Cup: ICE! (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)Breitbart News highlights ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) as an 'early MVP' of the World Cup, referencing a statement by Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow during an interview on 'The Alex Marlow Show.' Marlow claimed that ICE prevented a World Cup referee from participating due to the referee having Somali ties.
Bias read (Right): The article frames ICE in a positive light, suggesting it played a heroic role in the World Cup by blocking a referee with Somali connections. This framing aligns with a conservative perspective that often emphasizes immigration enforcement and national security concerns. The article does not offera
Why these scores (Factual 30 · Objective 10): The claim about ICE being an early MVP of the World Cup is unsubstantiated and lacks any credible evidence. The language is highly biased and lacks journalistic objectivity.
Breitbart NewsIndependentRight14 days ago Humiliation: Democrats Tom Hanks, David Letterman Dunk on Radical Far-Left MS NOW ReporterOn Friday's episode of 'The Alex Marlow Show,' Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow discussed MS NOW, a far-left organization. He mentioned that Tom Hanks, a prominent Democrat, has been criticizing MS NOW for lacking influence and viewership. The discussion took place during a broadcast that runs on the Salem Radio Network and is also available as a podcast. No further details were provided about the specific comments made by Hanks or Letterman.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the criticism of MS NOW as a form of 'humiliation' and highlights the involvement of Democratic figures like Tom Hanks and David Letterman, suggesting a narrative that portrays the far-left group negatively. The language used, such as 'radical far-left' and the emphasis on mockery
The Washington TimesParty-alignedCenter15 days agoDuring the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, actor Tom Hanks made light-hearted comments about the audience size of MS NOW, a news network formerly known as MSNBC. In a live interview with MS NOW correspondent Jacob Soboroff, Hanks humorously questioned the number of viewers, suggesting the network might have only 800 viewers. Soboroff responded by stating they were live on air, implying a larger audience. Hanks then joked about adding a zero to the number, referencing the network's potential viewership. The exchange occurred during a segment covering the event, which featured notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden. Hanks later praised former President Barack Obama's speech and endorsed the Obama Presidential Center, highlighting its educational and cultural offerings.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a lighthearted exchange between Tom Hanks and an MS NOW correspondent regarding the network's viewership during a politically significant event—the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. The content does not exhibit clear bias toward any political side, focusing instead onH
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