Al Sharpton to host fulltime at MSNBC

NEW YORK, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Minister, activist and former U.S. presidential candidate the Rev. Al Sharpton will become a full-time host at MSNBC, the network's president said.

Phil Griffin Tuesday announced Sharpton, who for most of the summer, has been filling in the 6 p.m. EDT time slot held by Cenk Uygur, will take the chair permanently hosting, "Politics Nation" beginning Aug. 29.

"I am very happy and honored to join the MSNBC team as we collectively try to get America to 'Lean Forward,'" Sharpton said in a statement. "It is a natural extension of my life work and growth. We all learn from our pain and stand up from our stumbling and one must either learn to lean forward or fall backwards. I'm glad they have given me the opportunity to continue my forward lean," thewrap.com reported.

The saying in show business has always been, "it's who you know," and Sharpton's relationship with Griffin was a allegedly a factor in his selection.

"I've known Reverend Sharpton for over a decade and have tremendous respect for him. He has always been one of our most thoughtful and entertaining guests," Griffin said in a statement. "I'm thrilled that he's now reached a point in his career where he's able to devote himself to hosting a nightly show. 'PoliticsNation' is going to be an incredibly strong kick-off to our evening schedule."