Chris Matthews MSNBC Deal: Controversial Host Renews 'Hardball'

Chris Matthews has signed a new long-term contract deal with MSNBC. However, he is also saying goodbye to one of his programs at the same time. "I'm signing a long-term contract with MSNBC to carry on a show we started back in 1997 based on a book I wrote in 1988. To be perfectly truthful, I'd be doing what I do on the show - talking and arguing politics - for nothing even if it weren't on the air," Matthews said, declining to go into detail on the terms of his new MSNBC contract deal.

The longtime host of "Hardball with Chris Matthews" will indeed continue to host the nightly commentary program, however, he has decided to leave "The Chris Matthews Show." The latter is a half-hour Sunday morning news program that precedes "Meet The Press" with David Gregory.

Chris Matthews is better known for his role on the "Hardball" program, with which the liberal commentator has said he will continue in his new contract deal with MSNBC. Unlike a number of his MSNBC colleagues, Chris Matthews has enjoyed relative stability in MSNBC's line up.

While seen as just as fervent and outspoken as his former colleague, Keith Olbermann, who hosted "Countdown" on MSNBC's coveted 8 p.m. slot for many years, Matthews, despite his infrequent criticisms about his decidedly liberal commentary, has been an "institution" for MSNBC, as network president Phil Griffin described.

"Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough also originally hosted an evening program called "Scarborough Country" a few years back, and commentators such as Dan Abrams have had moderate tenures with the network. Chris Matthew's tenure with MSNBC outdates all of his current evening colleagues: Al Sharpton, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell and Ed Schultz.

During his time at MSNBC, Chris Matthews has not always had a smooth ride. The commentator is now famous for his giddiness, seen by many as overt bias, while reporting from the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The anchor famously seemed unable to conceal his feelings following a speech by then-candidate Barack Obama: "I felt this thrill going up my leg!" he said recounting his reaction to the then-Illinois senator's speech.

More recently, following 'Superstorm' Hurricane Sandy, Matthews was co-hosting election coverage in 2012 with his fellow MSNBC anchors. Following the election being called for President Barack Obama late into the night, Matthews said the Democrat's reelection was "a good day for America. I'm so glad we had that storm last week because I think the storm was one of those things," Matthews said, insinuating that Obama's popularity spike in reaction to Sandy's damage helped undecided voters tip the scales for the Democrat.

Matthews later offered an on-air clarification: "No, politically I should say ['it was a good thing']." In 2010, Matthews also likely left viewers' jaws on the floor when h attempted to offer a compliment to Obama's State of the Union Address, saying the president "forgot he was black tonight for an hour" while giving the annual public address.

Matthews however, is not shy about his broadcasting style. In 2008, he admitted to Scarborough on "Morning Joe" that he wanted to "do everything I can to make this [presidency] work", referring to Obama's first term in office. Scarborough, a former Florida Congressman, pressed Matthews to clarify his statement in reference to his role as a journalist. "Yeah, that's my job. My job is to help this country." Matthews responded.

The Philadelphia native has also toyed with the idea of running for office in Pennsylvania. He has since declined, though visits his hometown often. He spoke at the 2011 graduation ceremony at Temple University, and staged "Hardball" live from the campus' Liacouras Walk 'quad' in 2010 alongside former Gov. Edward G. Rendell, D-Pa. and former Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., who was running for Senate at the time.

Chris Matthews is married to Kathleen Ann Matthews, an executive at Marriott International.