Viewers of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews have no doubt witnessed the fantabulous reporting of David Shuster, a perennial favorite in Fishbowl DC’s all-too-regular media hottie polls. Like us, he graduated from the University of Michigan and always has a twinkle in his eyes. Unlike us, he’s known to hate on his former employer FOX News and loves, loves, loves Matthews, although he’d never been invited to guest host. When the Reliable Sourcettes reported on his recent engagement to Julianna Goldman, we wished him well. And then we wouldn’t leave him alone until he’d do an official interview. We got on our knees (to beg), and here’s the result:

BHR: What do you love/hate about reporting from Washington day in and day out?

DS: I love the stories, I hate the humidity. Seriously, the weather here stinks. We should all move the nation’s capital to the California coast. Back to the stories… All of us who work as reporters in DC are quite fortunate compared to our colleagues elsewhere. Unlike war correspondents or people who cover natural disasters, the worst thing that ever happens in DC is somebody loses their reputation. 

BHR: How do you get along with Chris Matthews/Dan Abrams?

DS: I get along well with both Chris Matthews and Dan Abrams. Chris is the best boss and mentor I’ve ever had. And Dan is the most brilliant management choice I’ve ever seen. Dan is a great guy with a terrific view of cable news and how to improve MSNBC.

BHR: When in the hell are we gonna see “The David Shuster Show”?

DS: I get 4 minutes every night on Hardball. That’s plenty… believe me.

BHR: Will you be appearing on “Tucker”?

DS: When news warrants… That was the formula when Tucker’s show aired at 11 p.m. and that’s the formula now for Tucker’s show at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tucker’s show, and Keith Olbermann for that matter, offer unique opportunities with the live format. Both shows are terrific and just as much fun to be on as they are to watch.

BHR: Who’s got the biggest head in journalism today (figuratively and/or literally)?

DS: I’ve never thought about that. And while I’m tempted to describe a few on-air types at a previous employer, I’ll refrain.

BHR: What’s the best story about Chris Matthews that you can share that won’t get you or him in trouble?

DS: Hmmmm. Chris has an endearing way of needling his staff, including me. And when I was in Baghdad 18 months ago covering the Iraqi elections, he zinged me pretty well. Despite the mortars going off in the distance around me, the tension of reporting from a war zone… just before the show began, I heard Chris on the set in DC checking in with me through my ear piece by asking about the leather jacket I was wearing. He kept saying, “Hey Shuster, are you going to Cafe Milano tonight with that black jacket? Is it Cafe Milano tonight, Shuster?” Seconds later, the show began and viewers heard Chris say, “Let’s play Hardball.” The pre-show banter helped us all relax… especially one particularly nerve-wracked Hardball correspondent.

BHR: Does Chris have a big head?

DS: “No” metaphorically and “no” physically… at least not that I can tell.

BHR: If there’s one thing we’ve heard since coming to this fair city, it’s that you used to be a playboy. Any truth in those rumors?

DS: No… And my friends would laugh out loud at the mere suggestion.

BHR: When’s the wedding, and what color bride’s maid dresses have you selected?

DS: Memorial weekend 2007… and thankfully, my fiance has terrific taste. We’ve joked around with our families about having each bridesmaid and groomsmen represent a different color of the rainbow. That would be a good reflection on our view of the whole debate over wedding colors and etc. But, when we finally get serious about the plans, Julianna will be in charge, thank god.

BHR: Katie Couric–love her or hate her?

DS: Loved her at NBC…

BHR: Ana Marie Cox–love her or hate her?

DS: Like others, I am a Wonkette fan.

BHR: Yost Ice Arena–love it or hate it?

DS: I love Yost Ice Arena and everything else in Ann Arbor.

BHR: Finally, are you coming to our slumber party?

DS: Do you have any football tickets for the Michigan-Notre Dame game?

BHR: No.