Something’s definitely off on Morning Joe. Longtime viewers have noticed that Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough—usually fixtures of the MSNBC morning lineup—have been noticeably absent this summer.
And it’s happening more often than you might think.
Now, a media insider is suggesting this might be more than just a case of well-deserved time off.
Absences That Raise Eyebrows
Since Memorial Day, over a third of Morning Joe episodes have aired without one—or both—of the husband-and-wife co-hosts.
Mika has missed more than half of the shows during that time. Joe’s been gone for about a third.
To be specific, of the 49 episodes that have aired since May 26, Mika was absent for 26, and Joe for 18.
That’s a lot, especially during a jam-packed political news cycle.
So what’s going on? According to Mediaite writer Colby Hall, this might not just be about summer vacations or burnout.
Behind-the-Scenes Drama with MSNBC?
Hall believes the couple’s absences could be their way of sending a message to the network.
He speculates that things may have started to sour when MSNBC pulled Morning Joe off-air after the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
The network’s move was reportedly aimed at avoiding any misstep from the outspoken, anti-MAGA pair—especially in such a sensitive moment. But according to Hall, that decision might have deepened an already existing rift between the hosts and MSNBC execs.
Power Play or Just Poolside Relaxation?
It’s possible, Hall suggests, that Mika and Joe are using their influence to flex a bit—perhaps as leverage ahead of MSNBC’s big corporate shakeup.
The network is about to break away from NBCUniversal and become part of a new company called Versant, which will also include CNBC and other Comcast-owned channels.
With talent contracts under review and roles being reassessed, Hall implies this could be a not-so-subtle reminder that Morning Joe doesn’t work without its two stars.
The Ratings, the Paychecks, and the Stakes
Let’s not forget—Joe and Mika aren’t just hosts.
They’re power players. Each reportedly earns $8 million a year.
And even though Morning Joe doesn’t break into the millions like primetime shows, it still pulls in a solid 750,000 viewers a day.
While other MSNBC hosts—Rachel Maddow aside—continue showing up five days a week, the consistent absence of this duo has started to feel like more than a coincidence.
“They Know They Own It”
Hall doesn’t mince words in his piece. “When stars act like they own the show,” he writes, “it’s often because they do—and they know it.”
And while temporary fill-ins have done their best to hold down the fort, Hall argues that the signature “fire-and-ice” chemistry between Mika and Joe can’t be replaced.
Without them, the show just doesn’t feel the same.
All Eyes on MSNBC’s Next Move
So now the question isn’t just why Joe and Mika are gone so often—it’s how MSNBC will respond.
With a network realignment around the corner, new leadership in place, and contracts likely under scrutiny, this summer could mark a turning point in the network’s internal power dynamics.
Will Mika and Joe reassert their place at the top—or are we watching the start of a long goodbye?
MSNBC hasn’t publicly addressed the situation yet, and The Daily Mail has reportedly reached out for comment.
As for Versant, the new media company is expected to officially launch by the end of 2025.
Stay tuned—because this media drama may be just heating up.