Did Olbermann quit or was he pushed?
That’s the big question after the abrupt end of Keith Olbermann’s Countdown on MSNBC. On the “pushed” side is the fact that the big Comcast-NBC merger just went through. There were hints floating around before that deal’s finalization that Comcast wanted the MSNBC asylum mellowed a bit, and whaddyaknow, out goes the lead loon. So there’s that.
On the “quit” side, well, there is a prominent job opening in DC these days. It’s exactly the sort of gig that would interest Olbermann — he has been performing much the same task for years, on NBC’s dime.
Anyhow, here’s his saner than usual sign-off tonight. What’s next for the bathtub boy?
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Update: Very interesting. MSNBC kept this hush hush right up into tonight’s broadcast.
Keith Olbermann took an unexpected bow from MSNBC on Friday, announcing on air in the last 10 minutes of his show that it would be his final episode of “Countdown.”
The departure was a stealth move, MSNBC insiders told POLITICO, with many top executives and on-air talent kept out of the loop as the decision was made. It came, one insider said, “Out of the … blue!”
More: Not about Comcast? Or as Allahpundit shrewdly speculates, maybe it was.
More: I’d wondered about this too, from Don Surber:
The FCC just approved GE’s sale of MSNBC’s parent company — NBC/Universal — to Comcast. The Obama administration just hired GE’s CEO to a big position.
I think some moves are being made behind the scene.
Hey, Olbermann, this was the president you wanted.
This doesn’t rule out Olby taking the prominent job that’s currently open in DC…
Update: It’s time to break out some Europe.
My guess is it was the suits at Comcast who see him as something less than a revenue enhancer for their bottom line…I’m no fan of Comcast,but I would have decided the same thing
Some of us hourly slave labor’s use to have something to look forward for an hour in the evening besides your bathtub mentality.
What’s the world coming to; slaves are paid by the hour now?
He was fired, plain and simple.
As for that “plum job”, PLEASE DEAR LORD, let him get it!!!!!
Given that Olberdouche really is a giant prick who is roundly hated by everyone who has ever worked with him, I expect that the only thing keeping him in his job at all was Immelt’s personal aegis.
Is this Immelts personal aegis?
http://defense-update.com/features/2010/november/18112010_aegis_ng.html
NBC denies any linkage to the Comcast deal. There might not have been a direct order but the execs at MSNBC know thiers is the heads that are really on the block right now. To say MSNBC was underperforming is to give underperforming a bad name. There will be programming shakeups, format changes, and executive shuffles and shakeups. No one is comfortable at NBC or MSNBC. You know MSNBC might have to actually broadcast news in order to boost its’ ratings either that or it will become the cable service call channel, an equally popular and profitable enterprise.
Good riddance to Keith Übermoron. Jackass. Truly an obnoxious prat. Go back to announcing studio wrestling matches.
For the love of all thats holy! Please, do NOT return to ESPN! Mebbe you can hook up Juan Williams old gig as the token moderate liberal at PBS.
Olbermann is hardly a “moderate” liberal (an oxymoron at best; see also “kindly executioner”). He was a mad dog who played to a small faction of far-left socialists bent on killing the USA and MSNBC’s ratings showed it.
Why should I care that hes gone? Would it really improve MSNBC that much?
Actually, Im hoping that MSNBC doesnt loose anymore of its rabid socialist progressives! They (the prime time loons) have been a great source to let us see inside the minds representing a great enemy of America.
Maybe theyll be kind and move Ed the Talking Anal Orifice from the 6 pm slot to the 8 pm slot.
“Ed the Talking Anal Orifice”- I like that. I hope you have not copy written it as I would like to use it.
“Rabid socialist progressives”? They are not the same. I tried to write a brief primer on factions of the “left” here: http://clarespark.com/2009/12/16/perceptions-of-the-enemy-the-left-looks-at-the-right-and-vice-versa/. Yes, Marxists and left-liberals are statists, but they have an entirely different, though intertwined, historical lineage. We should be careful how we use words. “Liberals” today still permit free speech, while the full-blown totalitarians do not. Read Ayn Rand’s WE THE LIVING, and recall that she loved America, even as she warned against the totalitarian possibilities of “progressivism.”
““Liberals” today still permit free speech, ”
For now, because they don’t have the power to do otherwise.
If you think otherwise, you’ve been suckered.
This proves that America can peacefully deal with vile ignorant vicious hate monger in a civilized way. Show it the door. Why did corporate American supprot his for so long?
I like watching Keiths show it is very informative and is very straight forward unlike Fox News which many of you foolishly watch even though you know you are being lied to makes me think of the war in Iraq a war started basically on lies and was proven so yet we continue to fight there JUST DOESNT MAKE ANY SENSE.
I respect Keiths journalism so much that I got hooked onto his show i was flipping through the channels a year and a half ago seeing what all the major news networks are talking about off course Fox news just made me switch the channel right away then same thing happened with CNN but not as swift as fox I then turned to MSNBC watched the whole episode of Countdown With Keith Olbermann and was immediately hooked not only can I see the true sense of journalism from this guy I can also see what he was bringing to the show was the Truth something foxnews is the opposite of.
I am very disappointed with Keiths decision cause hes one of the last few real journalists around that will tell it like it is much less so with Jon Stewart who although chooses the satirical route with his show yet he tell you the news without covering up the truth like foxnews yes foxnews. One thing that comes to mind that may be the reason for his sudden unfortunate departure might be the Gabrielle Giffords shooting and the not surprising post response from our very patriotic politicians. I couldnt be more disgusted when Sarah Palin and the likes thereof acted like they had no accountability for what happened even though she proudly used terms like RELOAD! I can see why Keith might not want to be any part of such a corrupt and atrocious system of government where blame is passed onto each other instead of claiming accountability like Keith did and surprisingly John McCain. Although they are not directly responsible for the Arizona shooting they stood up and said something out of their hearts instead of their behinds like Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh have been doing.
I wish Keith all the best kind of like how i did the same with Dan Rather who was also a journalist I had huge respects for its a shame how we just keep sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss where the truth is very hard to come by its all up to Jon Stewart Now.
The MSNBC experience for me was like watching the inmates at an insane asylum.
You found that intriguing?
Olbermann? Journalism? Puh-lease. Tell your nurse its time.
HAHA! One of the last real jounalist! Doesnt want to be part of a corrupt and atrocious system! HAHA! That should be placed in the blind comments hall of fame! Kudos my friend for making me nearly pee my pants laughing while reading your well thought, informed response.
Kudos to you, for your finely honed sense of irony and gentle satire. I bet some of the people here actually thought you were serious! Ha ha!!!
Very nice impression of Olbermanns 7 yr. old nephew. Well done.
My God Rambo, get a grip. Professional help is available you have no reason to continue living in this fantasy land.
My apologies. I went back and read the last paragraph, frankly I had stopped reading,even schadenfreude has its limits.
No one, not even a regular MSNBC watcher could call Dan Rather a journalist. This comment was sarcasm. I now see it.
In the tradition ofadvancing knowledge, I have the word for the day:
scha·den·freu·de gloating at somebody elses bad luck: malicious or smug pleasure taken in somebody elses misfortune
Remember this word, the next couple of weeks is going to provide all thinking American Conservatives with some really great chances to use it as MSNBC comes into contact with financial reality.
Are you a real person? Did you take any grammar classes in school? Did you even attend school? Based upon your writing skills, Ive no doubt that you were Olbermanns target demographic.
Amazing, pitch-perfect parody!
Wow – exactly the opposite of reality. Youve lost your media voice that nurtures your idiodic ideology. Flushed down the toilet – good riddence. Do you need a tissue Rambo?
This is a joke,right?
Oh, you are so funny! You even have the writing style of the looney left-no structure. Funny!
Oh dear. Forgot to take your meds again, didnt you.
Olberman-MSNBC fans call it FAUX NEWS
and you forgot to call it racist
Notorious: How many times have you been told not to go off your medicines. You have been drinking the Kool-aid so long your powers of reasoning and objectivity are seriously bent. Please take your meds and leave the commenting to those mature enough to make sense.
This posting just illustrates how much you people are in the need of help.
Whos next? Maybe The Thrill Mathews? Or MadCow Rachel.
It can only get better if common sense and balance finally come to MSLSD.
Hey – it could happen.
**To Notorious Rambo** Thank you for such a funny post! I needed that laugh! To actually claim Olbermann is a one of the last few real jounalists had me rolling and shows that someone doesnt know the difference between a news reader and someone that goes out and finds then reports news. And how politicians (I share your sentiments about how disgusting Palin is) share responsibility for the Tucson shooting. Cmon you cant believe that! Cant it just be what it is? And how he may have retired because he doesnt want to be part of a corrupt and atrocious system of govt!HA! But isnt blaming Palin and other news outlets for the Tucson shooting passing blame? Instead of people admitting that we live among people that are just down right batsh*t crazy and should be locked up. If we or anyone is to blame for helping cause this then we are also to blame for every rapist, child molester, every person that drives their car into a crowd of people, every mass murderer, and so on.
But anyhoo, its not like Olberman will be missed this is apparent by looking at his ratings. So maybe he can go back to his first gig on ESPN and really tackle the pressing issues in the wild world of sports.
I share your sentiments about how disgusting Palin is
I think Rambos post was satire. Palins disgusting in what universe? Attractive mother of 5 goes from PTA to Mayor to Governor to VP candidate and doesent compromise her principles which are the heart and soul of America. Might I suggest you arent disgusted – you are intimidated.
It’s funny to me how many “conservatives” beat on Palin who has more down to earth common sense and integrity than any career politicians you can mention. She may not qualify for president, but I’ll trust her more than any you have serving presently. You seem tobe another of those who denigrate out of fear. That’s a liberal behavior.
Olberman New WH Press Secretary? Heard it here first!
Couldn’t happen to a dumber jerk. Nice satire #11.
There is zero chance Olbermann will be asked to be White House spokesman. Even Obama isn’t that stupid. Why not just give the job to Van Jones or maybe all the members of Steely Dan or a troupe of Chinese acrobats?
If Tatler had a parrot it would be squawking, “Democracy Now, Democracy Now! – Baraaaaaak!” Olbermann would of course think this beneath him.
Hmmmmm. Let’s see. Keith Olbermann. Where would he go?
“Crosshair-less” CNN would have to give Olbermann a dictionary considerably shrunken from his current one so that’s out; CNN’s taking a nap for a couple of years til they see which way the wind’s blowing.
I say talk show. Tom Hanks will be the first guest and will talk about how Congress made slaves 3/5 humans for a chuckle during a particularly boring session and how the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor because we were racists and how racist the 1st Marine Division was at Guadalcanal what with trying to push the Japanese off the island and everything.
His first musical guest can be Lady Antebellum where they will announce their new name change to Lady Internment Camp and play their new hit single, “Nature Abhors A Vacuum Cleaner”.
Steely Dan as White House Spokesman? That would be so cool…
I prefer having Olbernut, MadCow, Madhew and the rest of America’s best spewing their poison. The best place would the WH.
I finally decided to get rid of the Comcast.
Olbermann had become an embarrassment to the left and the Obama re-election campaign.
Olbermann had become an embarrassment to the Obama re-election campaign. Its easier for Obama to give the illusion of moving to the center if the loon is off the air.
Good riddance to bad rubbish. KeithO hasnt done good work in years. We can only hope hes out of his day job so he can be Obamas cheerleader 24/7.
Its no mystery.
The useful idiot was no longer deemed useful.
Such is the fate of all useful idiots.
Wouldnt he make a perfect press secretary for the White House replacing cipher Gibbs?
Do you realize that with Keith Olbermann gone, this reduces the enemy to only al Qaeda? I hope he has to go throught the dumpsters at KFC for his next square meal.
My, my…looks like MSNBC resurrected the Worst Person of the Day and lo and behold – it was one of theirs.
KO was KOd, sweet justice.
Can Frank Rich go with him?
Rich? Jeeeeezuz…I’ll take that mutt over the likes of Krug ( crazy as a loon ) man anyday.
How krugman…how Krugman and his disgusting vermin can call themselves “journalists” rather than policical whores for the One is beyond me.
And…O’Reilly isn’t a journalist either…nor is Hannity. But…VICTOR DAVIS HANSON…is a JOURNALIST… Anderson ( I want to feel and swallow your teabag ) is not.
This is actually a surprise to me as I heard that Olbermann–not Matthews, Schultz, etc–was the only one who made them money. Yes, there was something wrong with him but you cant be a leftist if theres something right with you. I think Jamie Glasov was right, it really is a death cult.
That would be Asia. Not Europe. (heh – you have an army of Davids to nit-pick your big-hair-80s band knowledge)
Whats Olby gonna do now, go to Air Ameri… oh. wait. Does Dail Kos pay?
No, that wasnot Asia playing “The Final Countdown” in the video at the end of the article. While I agree that their sound is reminiscent of Asia, the band in question really is called Europe. See Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_%28band%29 for an article about this band that includes a mention of the song shown in the video.
Goodnight Dick. (quote from Smothers Brothers show)
“Goodnight, Dick” was a line from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, not the Smothers Brothers Show.
Yes, Comcast said this dog has got to go. No doubt. When you look at the ratings that is the answer to the question.
It’s too bad…., seeing Olberman go. I’ve never seen his show but, have heard the more choice of the sound bites. That he never made a dime as a news commentator is a problem. He was on air strictly as a function of GE’s rent seeking “green energy” government subsidies that were able to keep MSNBC on the air despite their continual hemorrhage of cash. However, Being that he is the voice of the liberal mind, there might be some value in keeping him on. Maybe a live internet stream to follow him around and always keep tabs on what libs are thinking by way of the Olberman vocal emanations. Maybe Rush, Beck, et.al. chould sponsor a pledge drive for his new program.
Who cares why he is gone? Hes gone, good!
I dont think it was too hard for Keith to accept being pushed out the door when they handed him a bag containing a reportedly 14 million dollars. He probably asked where the closest door was located.
Journalism? Olberman was a journalist? Well I guess so, in the manner of Dan Rather and Katie Couric et al. (If the news isnt what you like,
edit or chance the facts before airtime).
Hopefully this is the last we hear of Keith. Sunday Night football became watchable when he left – maybe Ill unblock MSNBC now (not!)
Frankly, I dont care which it was. As long as he is gone. Liars never prosper, is what my mother told me. But in this case, K.O. did, while the rest of us had to endure his lies.
Who really cares why Olberman gone its good riddance. And all of you liberals dont worry, there are plenty of the left wing commentators around to take his place.
Why does everyone assume this was Comcasts or MSLSDs decision?
The elephant in the room is that the move helps the administration. The last thing little lenin needs is a symbol of libwit mania spewing hate nightly through a national megaphone.
Any business that wants to thrive today only does so today because it acts as little lenins agent, particularly a broadcast business that wants to stay in business.
I believe Olbermann was fired; Hot Air has all the updates:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/01/21/breaking-olbermann-announces-the-end-of-countdown/
According to Hot Air, Olbermann was forced out at MSNBC due to office politics rather than the Comcast merger.
Growing up in the school years there was always some kid that nobody liked because he was a sissy tattletale who whined a lot to the teachers. I had often wondered what those kind of guys grew up to be. After I saw Olbermann I knew.
[...] wanted the MSNBC asylum mellowed a bit [...]
By replacing Olbermann with ODonnell?
Surely you jest.
Ann Coulter’s column on the 19th maybe had some effect? Nah, I don’t think any Lib leftists ever read Ann Coulter.. They are too busy researching Plato’s “Alegory of the Cave”. The Liberal Left is desperate to know the secret of getting ‘Cave Mentality’ solidly in force across the USA.. like North Korea’s totalitarian dictator has done.
If Olbermann got ‘pushed out’ one can only hope for defenestration from a rather tall office building in mid-town Manhattan. Pleas God, oh plz plz plz……
I’m sure there will be many liberal tears streaming over the firing of perhaps the single most despicable person ever to show their face on a tv. This madman has called Tea Partiers racists,bigots and Nazis. He has insulted conservatives in general,questioning our intelligence,manhood and loyalty to country.
If I never hear his voice again or see his mug,it will be too soon.
The name liberal should be given to someone who is free and allows others to be the same. You know liberal,from the word liberty.But I suppose it alludes to someone that is liberal with someone elses money,e.g. Democrat.
#41 Blogengeezer: I dont think any Lib leftists ever read Ann Coulter…. Smart conservatives also dont read Coulter as she is a blithering idiot who gives conservatives a bad name.
Coulter is a pundit…a commentator you doofus.
You must be suffering from hypoxia if you think otherwise. Come to think of it…so is all of Colorado. “Rocky Mountain High?”….
Bird brains and squirrel brains.
Olbermann was a loose leftist canon who blew himself out of the job.
The question in not was he pushed?Is why wasnt he shot?
Keith has the contagious virus going around MSNBC called the ODonnell Syndrome. Keiths so called show routine never included a smidgeon of intelligence but now its even worse, he now sounds like a cross between Mel Gibson and Ed Schultz. As the syndrome progresses it will cause Keith to fall into the Chris Matthews phase. This will lead Keith to start spitting when he pronounces certain words, it’s similar to Sylvester the Cats lisp. Sylvesters lisp of course was much worse but at least the people he talked to stayed dry. The next phase is the Dylan Rattigan phase and he will find himself starting to spend time in Hugh Hefners grotto and believing the women when they tell him you were great or he will start believing the info coming out of MSNBC. The last stage of the syndrome is called the Lawrence ODonnell psycho phase. This phase will start with an eye tremor or eye itch, similar to the one that Inspector Dryfus had (Inspector Clouseaus enemy) in the Pink Panther movies. The angrier you get, the more it twitches. The more it twitches the angrier you get. And of course with this last phase, he will start believing the notes the Progressives have him reading.
The delusional Keith Olbermann seems outraged that several media outlets said his program is in danger of being canceled due to low ratings.
He refuted the vile rumor that his ratings are spiraling downward at an ever-increasing rate. “First the small picture on how conservatives come to believe the crazy, nonsensical, totally fact-free things they believe,” Olbermann said. “How they transform discernible, provable lies into their wishful thinking version of the truth.” He then insisted that stories of his plummeting ratings are a figment of conservatives’ imaginations and even bragged that the program’s audience has grown. Just one problem? OIbermann is flat-out lying. His ratings are going down. Big time. Bottom line: Olbermann’s audience is rapidly dwindling away. Obviously, the same math used by the President to explain how Obama Care won’t grow the deficit is being used by Olbermann to explain how his ratings are growing instead of shrinking. And we suspect the same math is also being used to explain the number of jobs created or saved and maybe even how the world is heating instead of cooling. I have to be honest though. I will watch Keith on one condition. If it has Lawrence ODonnell or Bill Mayer, you know its going to be like watching a bunch of squirrels’ having sex with a football. Delusional Supreme.