Where does MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ film? Why are Joe and Mika in different locations?

MSNBC’s morning program “Morning Joe” uses a combination of spaces in New York City, Florida and other locations, a somewhat unusual configuration for a regularly scheduled program due to some unique circumstances.

Normally the show is assigned to the MSNBC part of Studio 3A in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

However, both hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough often host the program from remote locations, which often results in one or more of the hosts, including regular contributors, appearing in separate boxes on screen.

One or both hosts sometimes appear on the show from remote locations with a video screen behind him or her featuring imagery meant to match the show’s Washington, D.C. backgrounds.

In the summer of 2017, the New York Post reported that the pair, who had secretly been dating but had recently made their relationship public, would sometimes create the appearance of being in different locations by having each host appear in “boxes” with different backgrounds, even though they were often sitting in the same room just yards apart.

After their relationship became public, Scarborough changed his voter registration to Florida in 2018. Around the same time, MSNBC built a studio inside one of his properties outside of Jupiter, Florida.

At the time, Page Six also reported that sources said Scarborough made the change, at least in part, to avoid paying Connecticut’s 6.99% income tax. He previously was a registered voter and resident of that state.

Florida has no personal income tax, which could save him around half a million dollars per year in taxes, according to sources, though others have denied that’s the reason for hosting out of Florida.

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However, to be considered a Florida resident for tax purposes, Scarborough must be in the state at least 183 days of the year.

To help facilitate this, MSNBC installed additional video screens in the home studio to make it possible for the two to appear seated next to each other on-air, while panel members typically appear on set back in New York.

Both hosts also occasionally host from other remote locations based on where news is happening or to accommodate their personal travel schedules, speaking engagements and field assignments. For special editions, especially around election season, one or both hosts may travel to political hot spots and host shows using special setups in locales such as coffee shops or outdoor venues.

It’s worth noting that Scarborough’s reportedly splitting time between various locations in order to avoid paying income tax in one state is perfectly legal and not uncommon. Fox had also built a remote studio inside of a building on Tucker Carlson’s Maine compound in a similar arrangement.

In June 2022, “Morning Joe” debuted a completely new home-based studio inside of the couple’s Miami apartment.

Read more news about “Morning Joe” and MSNBC.