BREAKING.....Current TV Dismisses Keith Olbermann

[rsmith6621]

Source: New York Times

Current TV, the fledgling liberal cable channel, said Friday that it had terminated its relationship with Keith Olbermann, the anchor that it hired just one year ago.

Mr. Olbermann will not be given an opportunity to sign off. Starting Friday night, the former New York governor Eliot Spitzer will replace him at 8 p.m.

Read more: http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/current-tv-dismisses-keith-olbermann/?src=tp

[Ian David]

1. This makes me sad. n/t

[MARCUSCO]

33. Damn, something for Billo to gloat about tonight.

You just watch (Then again, don't watch). He did this when Air America went belly up.

[Ian David]

38. If I win the lottery tonight, I'm buying Keith his own damn network. n/t

[peace frog]

83. I second that

here's hoping one of us wins mega millions.

[nedbal]

116. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation,..........

[link:http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/30/10945071-current-tv-fires-keith-olbermann|
http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/30/10945071-current-tv-fires-keith-olbermann

According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, that dispute was part of a larger chain of errors by Olbermann, who was fired for a "serial, material breach of his contract" such as the failure to show up to work, sabotaging the network and attacking Current.

That individual said Olbermann missed 19 of 41 working days during January and February and asked for vacation the night before Super Tuesday, giving the network "strong legal foundation" for dismissing Olbermann.

[polichick]

123. Sounds like he's in some kind of crisis mode.

[Bette Noir]

146. Keith says they broke his contract to save money.

Call me crazy, but I'm on Keith's side.

[xchrom]

2. ?!?! nt

[ejpoeta]

3. wow! wonder what happened.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

10. Their statement:

"We created Current to give voice to those Americans who refuse to rely on corporate-controlled media and are seeking an authentic progressive outlet. We are more committed to those goals today than ever before. Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it.”

[Jack Rabbit]

32. Translation

Olbermann was too over the top often. At least that's how I read and he was most capable of being over the top.

Does anybody know if he said anything that would seem outrageous recently?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

40. I don't think that was it. They hired him for that. Apparently he kept going at it

with management reg. the poor production values and the lack of promotion for the network. There were a couple of articles last month about this. Apparently when they asked him to do primary coverage with other network hosts he told the to go fuck themselves (paraphrasing of course).

[FedUp_Queer]

53. I suspect...

It is because the network wants partisans (though I've never watched it, so I don't know...I'm just speculating), and Olbermann is not a partisan. Or...he's just a jerk.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

54. Cenk is even less of a partisan. I have a feeling that wasn't it. nt

[TheWraith]

82. Whatever Keith's other qualities, he's always had a reputation as hard to work with.

And frankly, a lot of that prima donna quality came through on the air at times, when he'd go off basically with the attitude that he knew what should be done better than everybody else.

[FedUp_Queer]

90. As I recall, we don't agree on much. However, I could not agree more.

I agreed with him a lot on his screeds against Obama, but it did kind of have a "who the hell are you" feel to it.

[Broderick]

34. wow

[OhioChick]

4. Wonder why?? n/t

[Jester Messiah]

49. Article in the NYT attributed it to "unauthorized absences"

Could be his throat problems were/are getting worse. If that's the case, I'd suggest he take up writing Op/Ed columns. We need his voice, either on the air or in print.

[whathehell]

118. He's taken more days off than anyone on the air I can think of...

The throat absences were just a small part of it

I've always been a big fan, but he seems to have serious

issues when it comes to jobs and "playing well with others".

[awoke_in_2003]

122. unfortunately, I think you're right. nt

[Taverner]

5. WHAAT?????

He must have pissed off someone....

[supernova]

6. Wha???

I just got sat TV back.

[oberliner]

7. Statement from Current TV

Excerpt:

Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/03/olbermann-out-spitzer-in-on-current-tv-119209.html

[cindyperry2010]

8. Goddamnit

[Beaverhausen]

9. damn

damn damn damn. WTF is up with Keith?

[grasswire]

17. I think his mom's death put him in a bad way n/t

[Samantha]

114. I have thought that all along when recent criticisms cropped up

This is a middle-aged man who has been hit with two devastating top ten stressors within a reasonably close amount of time. It was also obvious before it was publicly announced that he was having health problems. I noticed it a lot but didn't post any questions because I thought it would just give rise to a lot of negative comments about him when that was the last thing he needed.

I am simply devastated by this news. I really like Elliot Spitzer, but Keith Olbermann is a one of a kind. People make fun of his huge head, but he had a huge brain that needed a lot of room. A detractor recently mentioned "no one is irreplaceable" but Keith Olbermann is. There is no one else like him. As for his personality downsides, people with a heck of lot of smarts and high standards tend to expect too much from others. In other words, they can't measure up to his same standards, and he doesn't understand why.

As far as his problems with MSNBC, I thought they were justified. I really like some of the hosts there, but with the Comcast merger, there was definitely a change in philosophy. I turn on MSNBC and see a Republican sitting there that I absolutely have little tolerance for, and I always think the same thing -- if I wanted to listen to these people, I would watch FOX news. So I switch off.

Something tells me I might not ever enjoy seeing Keith Olbermann in an anchor seat again any time soon, and that is extremely disappointing to me. I thought I would really enjoy listening to him during this election season, and I can't think of anyone else who can match him.

Sam

[whathehell]

126. He's starting to piss me off...How many people get gigs like his?

Yes, he's talented, but so are others, and they appear to be far more RELIABLE,

and able to act like grownups when it comes to work...I know people making

ten dollars an hour who have a better work ethic than he does.

As to your statement about his "personality downsides" :

"People with a heck of lot of smarts and high standards tend to expect too much from others. In other words, they can't measure up to his same standards, and he doesn't understand why".

I have one answer: Rachel Maddow...Rachel is every BIT as talented as Keith,

and she seems to LACK his huge ego and chronic inability to hold a job like most of the

other anchors on MSNBC and elsewhere....WTF is wrong with him?

I'm pissed BECAUSE I really like him, have been a huge and loyal fan, and he's

letting EVERYONE in that category with this shit. Effing A...He probably needs a therapist.

[Samantha]

161. I will tell you why I said that

Here in Washington I have had a lot of job working for extremely intelligent people (I mean super-intelligent, super-successful) that almost no one could work with. They had their important jobs because they rendered great services to their clients, and in this particular field, that was what was important, not the subordinates' lack of ability to work directly for these people. I always stuck it out and was tremendously rewarded for that for one reason and one reason only. I learned so much from these people. It was simply incredible experiences to work around them. I developed tools to ward off their explosive techniques and I insulated myself from the ramifications of the soap opera because I wanted to stay in the jobs.

Today, I am a much more enriched person from having worked for those people. I think Keith Olbermann is that same type of person. And I have learned so much from listening to him over the years, I just don't care about the surrounding soap opera. Most people that successful experience back-stabbing right and left and keep on trucking, and additionally when bottom-line profits are not at the goal line often an entity will cut loose their most expensive employees to save more money by hiring people whose salaries are less.

We here on the outside don't know the truth of what actually happened here. All we know, those of us who find Keith Olbermann irreplaceable, is that it a great loss to us and we wish it had not happened for whatever reason. Why couldn't they have just granted him a leave of absence with no pay until all the technical and health issues were resolved? Current's bottom line might end up better, but this is public relations disaster.

Sam

[BigBearJohn]

172. I agree with you 100% I worked for a major studio and worked for the same kind of people as you

Keith was always a friend to us -- I think we should continue to watch his back.
I have more allegiance to Keith than I do to Al Gore, that's for sure.

[shireen]

202. +1

I think Olbermann is a perfectionist and doesn't tolerate BS. Maybe that's why he's so 'difficult' to work with ....

KO should strike out on his own. In this day and age, there's no need to rely on a network. He can carve out an internet presence and pick up a large following quite fast, and I'm sure the advertisers will follow. He's always been an innovator, and I won't be at all surprised to see him create a new way to communicate using internet tools.

The only advice I'd give him is to let go of Current. Taking legal action against them is a waste of his valuable time and talent.

Good luck, KO. Wishing you well.

[Hissyspit]

162. And Rachel did hardly ANY coverage of Occupy Wall Street while Keith did pretty much the BEST.

It's not really a valid comparison. They are different people and do different things. They are both needed, and as the poster you are addressing pointed out, we really don't know the whole story here. But why exactly does Olbermann, after all he's done, need to be kicked to the curb so quickly by so many here on this site?

HowardKurtz ? @HowardKurtz Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Plot thickens: Hearing allegation that Olbermann switched car co's and vendors because Current didn't pay the bills. Much more will come out

[whathehell]

195. That is true...

but I'm not "kicking him (Keith) to the curb"...My frustration and that of others

really STEMS from the fact that we LIKE him and we want him to "like" us enough

to, ..I don't know...Show up for work more?...Maybe not get canned repeatedly

so we're unable to see him?.

Truthfully, anyone who took off as MUCH time as Keith did, would have been canned

long ago....His unreliablity in that area was a problem at MSNBC too.

After he was fired at MSNBC, the word from the station was "You never knew, on any given day,

whether he would show up for work or not".....People paying you a multi-million

dollar salary are not going to put up with that shit, and that's just a fact!

It's true that we don't, as you said "know the whole story", but virtually EVERYONE

who has worked with him says he's got a big ego and is highly "tempermental".

I think he has inner demons, as many of us do...That being said, he needs

to either demolish them or learn to "handle" them if he wants a career in broadcast.

[SkyDaddy7]

205. I could not agree with you more!

It is one thing to lose one job but to lose every major job you get shows a pattern! I know pointing out here on DU that Keith is the problem and not all his past employers is equal to going into a church & saying Jesus was nothing but a man who was turned into a god by his followers after he died but the fact is Keith is the problem!

I like Keith but I am not going to make excuses for him or try to blame everyone else but Keith simply because I like him as many are doing.

You example of Rachael Maddow was spot on! Although I personally think she is much better than Keith on many levels, but like you said, she does not have such drastic problems with her employer & she is just as critical about elected officials including Obama!

[Auntie Bush]

152. ditto

[truebrit71]

11. Sonofabitch....

[grasswire]

12. I'm so sorry.

The fit wasn't right, I guess. Keith owns a great part of Current -- odd to think he could be dismissed. They should have parted in a different way.

Elliot Spitzer is a fine man, though.

[libinnyandia]

24. Spitzer has a few issues.

[obxhead]

41. Yes, a fine man indeed.

War on prostitution while shipping prostitutes in for his personal pleasure.

[Jester Messiah]

51. Heh

Well, if you're going to ship prostitutes in, that would be the reason to do it.

[OnyxCollie]

74. Which has a greater affect on the country-

The out-of-control financial industry, or Elliot Spitzer's proclivity for soliciting prostitutes?

[obxhead]

80. Apples and oranges.

This is a non argument. Both are crimes. Is one worse than another? Sure.

Spitzer was guilty of a crime that he dedicated a task force to fighting. I would say that takes him out of the "fine man" category.

Pointing out there are worse crimes is just silly.

[provis99]

96. how about all the crimes that the OWS people committed?

I guess you've just written them off, too.

[frylock]

133. are OWS people bilking folks out of millions of dollars?

it was spitzer's HYPOCRISY that makes him a piece of shit.

[johnfunk]

140. You mean the ones Olbermann debunked -- and Breitbart pulled from his site...

... before he was righteously smited by Jehovah?

And yeah, the alleged and actual crimes of a handful of BlackBloc troublemakers that tied themselves to #OWS and made it look bad are completely comparable to the fraud and damage committed by banksters.

Tell you what, beavis99, why don't you go back to Free Republic and vent your swill among your fellow Teabaggers?

[2ndAmForComputers]

204. This post has my Seal of Approval.

[pintobean]

206. Awesome

That's gotta be worth, like... something.
Well, maybe not.

[obxhead]

149. Not that they have a damn thing to do with Spitzer being a "fine man,"

but what OWS crimes are you referring to?

My entire argument is that Spitzer is not a "fine man." Crimes other people may or may not have committed have no bearing on Spitzer and this particular conversation.

[OnyxCollie]

165. Got it.

(I'm not trying to fight with you, obxhead. Really. I like you.)

Relative to you and I, Spitzer's a hypocritical scum bag. Next to everyone else in government, he's a saint.

For what he was trying to do to rein in Wall Street, I can look past his prostitutes. It's not like it affected me anyway.

Plus, he was taken out by worse people than he was. To them, his actions to protect you and I were criminal. That's scary. And that's who is running the show now.

Same thing with Anthony Weiner.

[obxhead]

166. We can find better people to speak for us.

It's that simple.

I refuse to support his show no matter how much he fights wallstreet. In my opinion he can't be taken seriously in that fight. he fought prostitution while taking part in it at an unbelievable level.

Now, is prostitution a HUGE crime? Hell no. I would rank hooking up for cash about 3 degrees lower than smoking a joint and I think joints should be sold like Marlboros at the gas station.

The problem is he "declared war" on what he was enjoying to the maximum extent. That can't be forgiven in my mind.

[OnyxCollie]

186. Fair enough.

Thanks for the discussion.

[FedUp_Queer]

57. Spitzer was the only one with balls enough to take on Wall Street.

That's why they took him down.

[frylock]

134. spitzer's balls took spitzer down

[and-justice-for-all]

156. Ha!!! nt

[FedUp_Queer]

197. Indeed, it was hubris.

[CBGLuthier]

87. He is a terrible person and an example of the worst in american politics

The entire do as I say and I will do whatever the fuck I want mentality. Fuck him.

[frylock]

135. people want to beleive in heroes..

and spitzer did some really good things, but his hypocrisy in the prostituton matter was simply beyond reproach. i mean, if you want to consort with prostitues, that's your business. quite frankly, i think prostitution should be handled like it is in nevada. but that was straight-up bullshit what he pulled and to make excuses and defend him as many here do is laughable.

[My Pet Goat]

13. The dude has people problems...

A very intelligent guy, but not intelligent in all respects. I hope he is ok.

[YvonneCa]

79. I think he has those only with people...

...with no integrity. He was given big promises to go to Current...remember 'News Director' title? I don't think he would have made that up.

Then a boss left, another came in...suddenly that 'news director' promise/title disappeared. Wondering if that 'broken promise' has anything to do with this?

I am an Al Gore fan, and I had hoped for Current to succeed...but this is very sad.


Hugs Keith! #FOK

[otohara]

109. I Agree - Like He Was Asking to Be Fired

never wearing a tie, the black background, not very professional.

I stopped taping his show - never really cared for his interview style.

[SamG]

14. I self-deleted my own post just a few seconds ago

This one has a better source.

I was surprised to see Spitzer on Olbermann's show last night, but figured there was a reason having to do with Keith's recent health problems.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. could be. But, the fact that they won't let him sign off - makes me think it

was some specific action that really pissed somebody off. Although those two
things could definitely be related.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. Let's face it. We love how he thinks and what he says...but

it's becoming increasingly obvious he must be too hot to handle for bosses.

[RandySF]

16. *sigh* Maybe the Keith just doesn't work well with others.

Did he say anything "controversial" lately?

[Lost-in-FL]

26. Something that is very common regardless of where one works.

He seems to have a short fuse, a character flaw (or blessing) that is perhaps problematic in his line of work.

I am still shocked!

[99th_Monkey]

18. Bummer ~nt

[hlthe2b]

19. I'm reminded of an old adage from school days: "too smart for your own good..."

Last edited Fri Mar 30, 2012, 05:35 PM - Edit history (1)

I HATED that, since it was quite often used against girls to keep them "dumbed down," IMO.

Nonetheless, when someone's advanced intellect gets in the way of professional relationships, perhaps there is some small point...

I'm very sorry to see this happen, even though I've had no access to current except the rare occasions there was a working internet "stream."
I wish Al Gore and Company all the success in the world, but I am saddened.

[DemzRock]

21. He will be missed, but...

Somehow he didn't seem to be as much of a team player with the new talent. Am I wrong? Did he even welcome Stephanie to the station?

[SamG]

23. Did he welcome Bill Press? Stephanie, I can ..

take or leave, too much silliness and repetition of the same lame off-color jokes.

I wonder if he has a personality problem, a general problem with people, or some other issues, (alcohol addiction, whatever, I have no evidence, except experience with others that don't get along or have outbursts or problems relating to others, and get in trouble that way, due to addiction issues).

[FedUp_Queer]

60. I agree.

She's amusing and funny, but has no business on a serious political/news network. She seems quite partisan, too.

[SamG]

72. So little "news" and so much banter

She is fun to listen to if there is nothing else but country music on the car radio as you drive someplace, but 2 hours on Current TV? Not worth it. I tried the first day, and lasted 30 minutes.

[johnfunk]

141. I'd rather watch Stephanie than Morning Joke or any of the other cable "news" swill

... and she's a well-prepared interviewer. Plus, the coverage of Mini-Kiss and Mini-Queen never gets tired. And there are times I wish I had the "You're a lying sack of crap" song on my Android to play whenever in the presence of bullcheney...

[crunch60]

112. Kieth Olbermann has an addiction to th TRUTH, honest, factual reporting.

He says it loud and clear. I am sure that offended many people. He doesn't sugar coat the news, he's a straight shooter. I love Kieth and will miss him. If indeed he has health issues, I wish him a speedy recovery.

Current TV lost ..and so do Kieth's loyal fans.

Kieth, let us know where you will be next, I will be watching and listening .

[jwirr]

29. The first thing I noticed was his absense during the debates way back at the beginning. It seemed

like he was protesting them but then they said he had an illness. Not sure what happened.

[Ruby the Liberal]

22. I'm not surprised.

Keith has been getting a pretty bad rep the last few years. His tantrums have become legendary.

[50000feet]

37. Can you say a bit more about what you know re: KO's tantrums?

I'm not aware of any reports but have always thought he tends toward being overbearing while not suffering fools gladly - - or even at all.

[Ruby the Liberal]

50. I don't have the links

but there have been a multitude of stories published about how he went all uber-diva over having to share election coverage with other hosts (Governor Granholm took his spot, and had Elliot Spitzer and Al Gore for commentary), the low budget (and production) values related to the set and a bunch of other drama about what was going to be taped in New York and what in California (headquarters).

IMO, it wasn't his on-camera persona that was an issue. He is just reputed to be a real PITA to work with (and that goes back to the MSNBC days).

[FedUp_Queer]

61. Odd.

I knew his producer, and he never mentioned that.

[Justice wanted]

98. Did he mention what Keith was like? I can't imagine this "DIVA" personality people says he has.

[FedUp_Queer]

196. He never mentioned Keith's "Diva-ness." He DID mention

how appalled he was that ratings was the determinant on what news they reported.

[50000feet]

68. Thanks for your swift reply.

It's always interesting to see whether I have the correct intuitive read on someone I've never seen in real life and don't know much about anyway. In this case it's a "yes" -- once again. Hmm, I'll pat myself on the back, lol.

[jwirr]

25. Very sorry to see this happen. I do like Spitzer though - think he knows a lot about the banksters

that are causing so much trouble. Hopefully Current TV will continue to build good progressive programing that will give us an independent voice in the media. Maybe KO can put something together on line that is his alone.

[SamG]

27. Keith was my hero for years! I still love his style of

delivery. But this looks like he's got more personality problems than are reasonable. And, honestly, his style is too "predictable" these days.

I won't shed a tear as I did when he left MSNBC.

I think it's time for some new perspectives, new styles of delivery, I look forward to Spitzer or someone else in the slot.

[LynneSin]

28. I'm going to say it and don't flame me for doing so but...

I quit watching Olbermann ages ago. I have current TV and I don't think I turned in once to see his show.

I think the man has alot of talent but he's got an ego that's pretty huge and got in the way of the message. Sometimes it was just too annoying for me. I know alot of people blamed MSNBC for Keith's dismissal but now a 2nd network has done the same - makes me think that Keith might be to blame too.

I will say that he was the best part of watching MSNBC election coverage but I also know that they'll have great coverage this year with Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz and Lawrence O'Donnell. I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe that MSNBC will end up being Faux News Jr. Sure they have a few tools like Joe Scarsborough and Chuck Todd (who reminds me of Murray from "Flight of the Conchords&quot but for the most part MSNBC seems like a safe haven for news coverage.

Maybe what Keith needs to do is take a year off, I'm sure financially he's fine. But then use that time to find himself, figure out what works and what doesn't and perhaps in a year or so we might see him back bigger and better than ever.

[johnfunk]

143. YMMV, I guess -- but I do agree...

[b style="font-weight:bold;color:red;font-size:2.3em;"]... MORE COWBELL!

[PlanetBev]

30. This kills me. We need every Liberal voice we can get

I don't know what happened, but if his ego got the best of him again, this is a heartache.

[Yavin4]

31. Now, Do You All Understand Why Rachel Didn't Follow Him???

KO is mega talented, but he's very high maintenance. He will blow up wherever he goes.

There are some people who can only work for themselves. They cannot work in a structured environment.

[SamG]

39. Rachel is better off on MSNBC and always has been.

She can go on Meet the Press sometimes, go on other shows, even the Today show, as an NBC host, she has a long long career at the GE NBC family of channels if she wants it, and can put up with all the men with more exposure, more name recognition shows, (MTP Today), and less brains than she has.

David Gregory: when did he last have an insightful thought?

[Samantha]

115. He never has had one, has he?

I watched Meet the Press for decades. I even worked there on a temporary basis (stepped in for an assistant to the producer of show who had a sudden family illness and needed time off). It was like the dream of a lifetime for me.

I tried to give David Gregory the benefit of the doubt in the beginning, but I finally gave up. There is just nothing there.

Sam

[Stardust]

201. But, he's an awesome rapper, yo!

[GoCubsGo]

95. Yes, we understand. She was and is under contract with MSNBC.

Such things don't allow a person to pack up and go work somewhere else without severe retribution.

[whathehell]

129. Rachel seems to have a much more even temperament and she's every BIT as smart as Keith if not

more so.

At very least, I think Keith needs to read a book called "Emotional Intelligence".

He appears to be lacking.

[Snake Alchemist]

35. He has become Barry Gibb. nt

[bigdarryl]

36. I hear Keith is a LOOSE CANNON!!!!

[Warpy]

42. I had a sneaking suspicion something was up

because he was absent more than he was on.

Spitzer is a good replacement. I have watched him subbing and his great knowledge of the Wall Street screw job this country is getting is going to make it hard for any guest to weasel word his way out of hard questions.

Since Olbermann wasn't given a signoff show, I can only assume there was a lot of yelling at the end.

[center rising]

43. Never really a fan of Keith, won't really miss him!!

[chrisa]

44. I'll just say it -

Keith Olbermann strikes me as someone who would probably act like a whiny child - impossible to work with. I never liked his program because he always reminded me too much of the other political show hosts on TV, and not in a good way.

[JDPriestly]

45. I wish that Current TV had a subscription internet option.

Why should I pay for cable including Fox just to get Current and MSNBC?

I don't want to have to pay for the cooking channel, etc. I want to pick and choose what I watch and what I support.

[applegrove]

46. Oh I like Spitzer.

[MrMickeysMom]

47. DEAR AL AND JOEL...

I don't know what he did... I really don't know what he did that was not in line with what I would have expected of him.

You need to explain this to me, because I am part of the audience you are trying to serve, and I don't know what he did. Perhaps it was values as expressed off camera, as I cannot see this portrayed ON camera.

On the other hand, I was enjoying (once again) Eliot Spitzer last evening. In fact, I turned to my husband and said, "you know, you can't get any better a person to fill in."

I shall continue to watch "Countdown", and I shall miss Keither Olbermann. Meanwhile, thanks for choosing the best person to take over.

Please don't confuse what I've said to be a happy note... You still haven't explained well enough to viewers like myself WHAT HE DID.

MMM

[peace frog]

86. Sad news

I watch Countdown daily and will miss Keith greatly. Best wishes to you, Keith, and I hope you won't stay away too long.

[bluedigger]

48. Poor Keith.

Maybe Dan Rather will take him in.

[rsmith6621]

52. Keith WILL BE MAKING A STATEMENT ON TWITTER SOON

He just announced it a few minutes ago....

Keith Olbermann ? @KeithOlbermann

Reply
Retweet
Favorite
· Open

I'll be putting out my statement in two ways: 140 characters at a time, and then in one fell swoop via Twitlonger.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

55. Yea he's tweeting now...

"1/ I'd like to apologize to my viewers and my staff for the failure of Current TV. Editorially, Countdown had never been better"

http://twitter.com/#!/KeithOlbermann

[Ruby the Liberal]

63. Holy shit!

He isn't pulling any punches, is he?

[iamthebandfanman]

76. Wow, ego much

..

I dunno,

just sounds like a desperate man setting fires while the ship sinks.

itll be interesting to see how this plays out

[Beacool]

144. Nothing new.

Same pompous windbag as always. It's MSNBC's fault, Gore's fault, Hyatt's fault, anyone else's fault but his.

[JNelson6563]

169. OMG! I agree with you 100%

Never thought that would happen!

Julie

[Beacool]

188. Really, why?

[JNelson6563]

203. 'Tis rare

[hlthe2b]

59. Oh, fer gawd's sakes... 140 character Tweet? Great....

I guess we'll eventually get to "piece together a statement"...

This tells me that something blew up or Al Gore and company sprung their pre-made decision on him....

[Ruby the Liberal]

64. He said he is suing them

Not a happy camper...

[CreekDog]

56. Damn

I like him.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

58. Uh-oh...gonna get litigious

"Current's statement are untrue and will be proved so in the legal actions I will be filing against them presently."

[Peregrine Took]

62. I love Bill Press. He should be on at night rather than in the morning.

He is an old time genuine lefty. He is smart and he doesn't back down and he hates rethugs just like I do.

[Vinca]

65. Big mistake.

[Ruby the Liberal]

66. KO just published his statement:

My full statement:

I'd like to apologize to my viewers and my staff for the failure of Current TV.

Editorially, Countdown had never been better. But for more than a year I have been imploring Al Gore and Joel Hyatt to resolve our issues internally, while I've been not publicizing my complaints, and keeping the show alive for the sake of its loyal viewers and even more loyal staff. Nevertheless, Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt, instead of abiding by their promises and obligations and investing in a quality news program, finally thought it was more economical to try to get out of my contract.

It goes almost without saying that the claims against me implied in Current's statement are untrue and will be proved so in the legal actions I will be filing against them presently. To understand Mr. Hyatt’s “values of respect, openness, collegiality and loyalty,” I encourage you to read of a previous occasion Mr. Hyatt found himself in court for having unjustly fired an employee. That employee’s name was Clarence B. Cain. http://nyti.ms/HueZsa

In due course, the truth of the ethics of Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt will come out. For now, it is important only to again acknowledge that joining them was a sincere and well-intentioned gesture on my part, but in retrospect a foolish one. That lack of judgment is mine and mine alone, and I apologize again for it.

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/gnlt4t

[Neoma]

69. Interesting...

[hlthe2b]

71. Well this is ugly... Hardly a good time to have vocal progressives going at each other...

But there you have it. sigh....

[dixiegrrrrl]

97. shit..the RW pundits will have a field day with this.

[Ruby the Liberal]

100. What, just because he is questioning Al Gore's ethics?

That is a pretty nasty screed...

[got root]

111. CourtTV

Here we come!

Leaves a lot to the imagination, eh...

[Snake Alchemist]

136. So Al Gore is unethical and only in it for the money?

Give it a rest Barry Gibb.

[LittleGirl]

67. I am totally bummed

I watched Keith and Rachel every night and last night I couldn't figure out what was going on. Neither Keith or Rachel were on. Rachel was on the Daily Show last night.

For those that don't have cable, neither do I. We fixed an antenna and computer to the tv. I finally got Current tv on-line and was able to watch it last night for the first time and he wasn't there! I had to stop using Google Chrome and install Firefox and Adobe flash to run it.

http://www.thertv.eu/
has the live feed of current.

[LittleGirl]

70. Keith's posts via twitter

and Huff Post
Edit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/30/keith-olbermann-out-current-eliot-spitzer_n_1392513.html

I'd like to apologize to my viewers and my staff for the failure of Current TV.
Editorially, Countdown had never been better. But for more than a year I have been imploring Al Gore and Joel Hyatt to resolve our issues internally, while I've been not publicizing my complaints, and keeping the show alive for the sake of its loyal viewers and even more loyal staff. Nevertheless, Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt, instead of abiding by their promises and obligations and investing in a quality news program, finally thought it was more economical to try to get out of my contract.
It goes almost without saying that the claims against me implied in Current's statement are untrue and will be proved so in the legal actions I will be filing against them presently. To understand Mr. Hyatt’s “values of respect, openness, collegiality and loyalty,” I encourage you to read of a previous occasion Mr. Hyatt found himself in court for having unjustly fired an employee. That employee’s name was Clarence B. Cain. http://nyti.ms/HueZsa
In due course, the truth of the ethics of Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt will come out. For now, it is important only to again acknowledge that joining them was a sincere and well-intentioned gesture on my part, but in retrospect a foolish one. That lack of judgment is mine and mine alone, and I apologize again for it. .

[mvd]

73. Liberals fighting each other. Makes me sad, because..

there aren't many of us left in the media. Have no idea who is at fault, but really hope Keith keeps up his needed voice.

[bongo_x]

75. there’s usually a reason...

I’ve often seen actors that I thought were good, and seemed to be fairly popular, but suddenly can’t get work and you never see them in anything anymore. Through research or word of mouth I nearly always find out that the reason is simply that they are asses and no one wants to work with them.

[SamG]

77. I agree that's often the case but

I think it will take a few weeks or longer before we learn all the details of this from both sides.

We have to wait, unfortunately. The real facts WILL come out.

[amuse bouche]

78. This is heartbreaking

Last edited Fri Mar 30, 2012, 06:55 PM - Edit history (2)

I've been reading KO's tweets. He plans on suing. His tweet log---

"I'll be putting out my statement in two ways: 140 characters at a time, and then in one fell swoop via Twitlonger."

"1/ I'd like to apologize to my viewers and my staff for the failure of Current TV. Editorially, Countdown had never been better."

"2/ But for more than a year I have been imploring @AlGore and @JoelHyatt to resolve our issues internally,"

"3/ while I've been not publicizing my complaints, and keeping the show alive for the sake of its loyal viewers and even more loyal staff."

"4/ Nevertheless, Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt, instead of abiding by their promises and obligations and investing in a quality news program,"

"5/ finally thought it was more economical to try to get out of my contract. It goes almost without saying that the claims against me"

"6/ in Current's statement are untrue and will be proved so in the legal actions I will be filing against them presently."

"7/ To understand Mr. Hyatt’s “values of respect, openness, collegiality and loyalty,” I encourage you to read of a previous occasion"

"8/ Mr. Hyatt found himself in court for having unjustly fired an employee. That employee’s name was Clarence B. Cain: http://nyti.ms/HueZsa"

"9/ In due course, the truth of the ethics of Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt will come out. For now, it is important only to again acknowledge"

"10/ that joining them was a sincere and well-intentioned gesture on my part, but in retrospect a foolish one."

"11/11 That lack of judgment is mine and mine alone, and I apologize again for it."


Edit to add new tweet--Keith Olbermann ? @KeithOlbermann

When @AlGore partner @JoelHyatt illegally fired someone else, it became a haunting movie: Philadelphia http://nyti.ms/HueZsa

------------

I love Keith but hope he's not comparing himself to The Philadelphia Story.

[tularetom]

81. If a guy gets shitcanned at one network it could be poor judgment on the network's part

If he gets shitcanned at four of them, especially four as diverse as ESPN, Fox, MSNBC and Current, we're talking personal problems, character flaws and an ego way too big for his own good.

Sorry, but I'm out of patience with this fucking prima donna. For years, Countdown was the only TV show I'd watch but KO lost me with his pompous special comments, his James Thurber readings and especially his little temper tantrums with his employers.

I have a lot of respect for people with the self confidence to refuse to be "team players" but selfishness is not something I admire.

[amuse bouche]

91. I love..love ...love his special comments

He has a fabulous command of the English language. No one on Fox could even come close to his special rants

And I loved the tribute to his dad by reading James Thurber. Those were very special, personal moments. Loved it

To me, a Prima Dona is someone demanding their M&Ms be only orange and no wire hangers. I don't see Keith that way

He wants his programing to reflect his integrity.Obviously, that's not easy to accommodate but I'm not less of a fan because of it

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

124. I hate to disagree but those special comments got me through a lot of dark times

They were almost universally applauded to the rafters here at DU with long threads of appreciation when the Bush administration was running roughshod over America with very, very little pusback from the media.

[Hissyspit]

128. "pompous special comments?"

The one man in the country saying what needed to be said when no one else in a position of power would say it? Guides to morality and integrity.

His comments have been amazing.

[JNelson6563]

170. I think it was more the delivery than the content

At least that was my take. I could read those special comments and appreciate them but when I actually saw/heard them delivered by KO I was way turned off by the extreme self-righteousness.

I do recall too that it wasn't quite like that in the early MSNBC days but it didn't take long to change. After a time I really couldn't watch him.

Funny to see his statement on the firing. Pure narcissus. Taking the "blame" for signing on with Current but really putting the blame on them. Classic.

Julie

[Beacool]

147. Hear, hear!!!

"Pompous" describes him to a T.

[Hissyspit]

163. No it doesn't.

And the poster said it described his Special Comments, not Keith. And the idea that his Special Comments were "pompous" is ludicrous.

[Beacool]

187. I used to watch Olbermann faithfully.

After a while, his rants turned me off. Also, his obsession with O'Reilly (another windbag) was tiresome. The last time I watched him was after he delivered a 9 minute tirade against Hillary for something Gerry Ferraro had said.

I actually stoped watching MSNBC altogether around that time. I couldn't take anymore the constant sexism.

Matthews: "Nurse Ratchet", "She Devil", "the reason why she's a senator and a presidential candidate is that her husband messed around", and many other similar remarks.

Shuster: Hillary's campaign is "pimping" Chelsea. Never mind that every adult child of a candidate was out campaigning for their dad (except for Giuliani's kids and who can blame them).

Olbermann: "someone should take her to a back room and only he come out".

The hell with all of them!!!

[BeyondGeography]

84. He's a very talented child

Hope he realizes it's never too late to grow up.

[Robbins]

85. Well

No reason to watch Current anymore.I will have to go solely for MSNBC for Cable News

[GreydeeThos]

88. Limbaugh stays on the air while Olbermann is looking for a job

Something is bad wrong with the media these days.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

89. Shame. He was a wonderful advocate for the Occupy movement.

I love Spitzer, but I don't think his coverage would be anywhere near the same.

[blackspade]

92. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This really pisses me off.

[Justice wanted]

93. HOnestly Current Screwed up! The man was left in the dark on his show while all the newer shows

got sets and all the crap! They screwed up interviews. I can think of 5 times segments where interrupted by commercials when they shouldn't have been.


Keith has been sick a lot lately and I have to wonder IF that was the real reason why he was Fired.


All in all BAD move by current.

[GoCubsGo]

103. Yep.

I guarantee you the shoddy production is what instigated this. Keith doesn't strike me as someone who tolerates having things second-rate when it comes to his work. I'm sure it pissed him off, and it wouldn't surprise me if this business about it being cheaper to fire him than fix things is the reason he's gone.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

138. I remember here on DU when Keith first began at Current

Everyone was asking what bumfuck station Current TV could possibly be and wondering whether their cable channel or satellite package even included it. It was even less well-known than the Food Channel. The only reason Current is even being talked about is because Keith provided them with an instant audience.

[fasttense]

168. At the link provided by KO, Mr. Cain was also fired when he was sick

by Joel Z. Hyatt, a son-in-law of Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum of Ohio and a man with political aspirations of his own. But that was about 22 years ago. We can hope Hyatt had learned from the mistake of firing Mr. Cain, a victim of AIDS, since Hyatt lost the case.

[high density]

94. It seems pretty clear at this point that Olbermann doesn't play well with others

His ego has devoured him and it's apparently time for him to retire and stay out of the news. It's always somebody else's fault. I have no clue who would want to try and work with him now.

[totodeinhere]

101. No, he needs to syndicate his own show and be his own boss. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

106. That's what I think, too. It doesn't matter how good someone is, if he can't work with others.

Getting along with co-workers and bosses are part of doing a good job, just like showing up. If he were a woman, he'd be called a Diva.

[totodeinhere]

99. I hope that Keith comes back in another venue. We need him.

What about doing a radio talk show?

[Va Lefty]

102. Well, that didn't last very long

sucks

[thesquanderer]

104. Condaleeza Rice: "Nobody could have seen that coming." (n/t)

[fantomas]

105. Where does he go next? HBO, Sirius/XM?

Hope he can find a stable spot somewhere.

[BadtotheboneBob]

110. Al Jazeera?

No... Really... Why not? Why limit himself to just the US?

[got root]

113. Great idea

[GoCubsGo]

119. Quite frankly...

As much as I enjoyed his political show, I really wish he and Dan Patrick would go back to doing a sports show. They are like an old married couple. I have been watching "Countdown" since a few months after it began in 2004, and rarely missed it. But, I never enjoyed it as much as I did the hour or so he did on Dan's ESPN radio show during part of that time.

And, if not that, I think President Obama should hire him as a speech writer, just so long as Keith understands that the President gets the last word on what gets said.

[CanSocDem]

182. After reading this thread...

...would it surprise anyone if he went to Fox? They would make him the STAR he has always wanted to be.

.

[obliviously]

107. Maybe we could -

donate money to him to get him to post here because isn't getting fired by Al Gore kind of the end of the line?
I mean where do you go from there?

[got root]

108. He should cut the middle man, and do his thing online

Shoot If huffPo can, he sure can.

And I'm sure plenty of folks can tell him how

I would love to!

[stanchaz]

117. They USED Keith

If Keith Olbermann is "absent" from Current TV, then I too am absent from Current TV. Keith is the best commentator on TV, hands down. His coverage of OWS was unmatched. Let's hope that he will soon return to the air. We need his unique voice.

[otohara]

120. $50 Million Paycheck?

come on, used?

For that he could have at least put on a tie once in a while.

[got root]

125. lol

Put on a tie...

[Rhiannon12866]

139. Couldn't agree more!

Makes no sense to me. Welcome to DU, stanchaz! It's great to have you with us!

[Hissyspit]

121. @KeithOlbermann: With that, I rest my case RT @tvnewser @current sends out a press release with fake

@KeithOlbermann: With that, I rest my case RT @tvnewser @current sends out a press release with fake Eliot Spitzer Twitter handle. http://t.co/bReC2I1y

[johnfunk]

150. OOPS! Another Joel Hyatt fustercluck

Yes, Olbermann can be full of himself, but those who are slagging him need to take a real careful look at Joel Hyatt. He does not have a reputation as the most pleasant guy with whom to do business.

[Hissyspit]

158. Yup. Olbermann's actions are public. Hyatt's not so much. All the

Last edited Sat Mar 31, 2012, 01:14 AM - Edit history (1)

amazing stuff Olbermann has done, some of it pretty gutsy, and people in this thread are jumping at the chance to trash him, not even knowing the facts.

It's not like Hyatt and Gore didn't know who they were getting, is it?

[nashville_brook]

183. [phone]

[hyphenate]

127. Keith has to squelch

his ego to some extent. He's going to keep doing this until he isn't able to get a job anymore, otherwise. I watch Countdown for him as welll as the news, and I have missed him all the times he's been out lately. I suspect there has been a problem for awhile now.

[spooky3]

130. I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope that Keith will soon find a good fit at a network

that has the capacity to give him an appropriate, well-supported platform.

I don't feel I can trust the limited information that gets released to the public to make a judgment about exactly what happened with Current.

But in an industry that has plenty of room for Bill O'Reilly and his ilk, there very definitely should be a niche for the far superior Keith Olbermann.

[Odin2005]

131. This sucks!!!

[rurallib]

132. Next stop FreeSpeechTV or Link?

can't imagine where else he would fit.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

145. FSTV is the best bet

[totodeinhere]

157. Free Speech TV has extremely limited carriage.

It's on Directv and Dish Network and two small cable systems, one in Vermont and one in Oregon, and that's it. And to get it on Directv you need a special dish that a lot of subscribers don't have.

I think a better alternative would be for Keith to self syndicate a radio talk show.

[Rhiannon12866]

137. Noooo! Dammit all.

No wonder I haven't been able to find him. I thought that they just stopped showing the latenight repeats...

[dawnie51]

142. Some things make more sense now;

I have noticed that Keith's set has been a black hole since December; I couldn't understand why it was taking forever to get him the halfway professional set he had used when he first started with Current. Then, after hearing the news, I made sure to check out the new show with Spitzer, and lo and behold, Spitzer is sitting in a beautifully designed, lovingly lit studio. It was clear that Current has been trying to shove Keith out the door for some time; you only had to see the change in the sets to understand it. I do like Spitzer, and think he is a fine progressive voice, but no one is as good as Keith. I wonder if Keith referring to FOX as "the whorehouse that is FOX news" had anything to do with this. We should have all seen it sooner, but it was glaringly clear tonight. I would imagine that Keith fought the good fight, but you know, if a boss wants you gone, they will make your life hell until you go.

[johnfunk]

151. It's the old Countdown set, ironically.

[WeekendWarrior]

148. When a guy gets fired

or quits as often as Olbermann does, you have to believe that he must be a complete asshole.

[KamaAina]

189. Superstars are often complete assholes

Diana Ross once canceled a concert in New Orleans because her dressing room was painted the wrong color. Srsly.

But people put up with that crap because she's Diana Freakin' Ross. Should be the same with Keith.

[WeekendWarrior]

209. I don't think

anyone should be given a pass for that kind of behavior, no matter how talented they might be. That's complete bullshit.

[Flatpicker]

153. I don't get

Why he doesn't just produce the show independently and then sell the hr to various networks.

Would seem to fit his style and he wouldn't have to deal with working for an individual network.

As much as I like what he has to say, it seems that the back office stuff is becoming too much.

[ailsagirl]

154. Current TV...

Last edited Sat Mar 31, 2012, 03:36 AM - Edit history (1)

has gotten over 700 outraged comments--and more coming by the minute. I miss Keith already.
Damnit all!!

[and-justice-for-all]

155. Big fucking mistake...

I love Cenk, Jennifer and Miller...but no Olbermann, no Current.

[KamaAina]

159. Breaking: Current TV dismisses any chance it had of breaking into the first tier of cable channels.

Like the ones I have.

[Hissyspit]

160. @HowardKurtz Plot thickens: Hearing allegation that

HowardKurtz ? @HowardKurtz Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Plot thickens: Hearing allegation that Olbermann switched car co's and vendors because Current didn't pay the bills. Much more will come out

[otohara]

177. It's About Money

figures.

[Tripod]

164. Makes me sad too! n/t

[BeHereNow]

167. There is Bill Moyers, and then there is Keith...

Sorry, but Keith has the reporting / commentary skills of an
an angry hornet. Versus Moyers, or Amy Goodman.

Sorry, but I wont miss him and I hope The Young Turk is not far behind this fate.
I can't respect Current TV the way I do Bill Moyers or Amy Goodman
until they line up some serious journalists.

Love Jennifer Granholm and many of their movie and documentary shows-
The talk SHOW hosts, and the key word is "show" I can do without.
On edit: I have to say this:
I personally see the hysteria generated by TYT and Keith, the equivalent
of the talking heads on Fox and other corporately owned networks-
So Kudos for Current for not encouraging that trend of "journlalim and commentary."

Looking forward to Spitzer, as I find his intellect extremely engaging.
Keith and Cenk, not so much.
My 2 cents.
BHN

[MrMickeysMom]

180. I respect your opinion, but wonder... "who are/were the viewers on Countdown"???

I was a strong follower of that show because of Olbermann. I can tell you that I enjoy listening to additional line up, but if I wanted everyone on Current to be the same, I would have stayed with MSNBC, where it seemed that pushing slightly over bland mixed well with some intelligent commentary attracted, yet did not offend enough viewers. Safe....

What I feel many want and what I wanted and was energetically portrayed by that crazy uncle I invited into my living room, which wasn't necessarily safe and non-offending. I don't feel reality is portrayed appropriately unless you have someone like your crazy uncle make a point CRYSTAL clear, as Olbermann often did.

Current had, just the very week of Keith's firing, shown the movie, "Network"... The character who everyone understood and was the soul of that movie, Howard Beal, is exactly why I have connected so well when awaiting what story people will be talking about, a la Keith Olbermann.

Somebody thinks we don't need a Howard Beal, apparently. That's a damn shame. I think we need him more than EVER now...

We had it in Olbermann, and it will not helped this network, who apparently appreciated the movie, "Network".

Al Gore, you didn't fight for the worst mistake made when the SCOTUS and Florida stole that fucking election, which left us in the dump. How are you going to recover from this shrinking violet mistake?

[zanana1]

171. He did "play hooky" alot.

I always looked forward to his show, but many times he wasn't there and somebody had to "guest" host for him. I don't claim to know why, but it did bother me.

[BigBearJohn]

173. Amazes me how many people here used to call KO their friend and are now abandoning him. Disgusting.

[90-percent]

174. One Irony

In the end, it appears that Keith is a problem hire. No more or no less than any other of us worker bees out here coping with might-makes-right modern American Management.

His issues at work could be similar to issues I've always bridled at, simply the power your employer can chose to exercise over you.

I have something of an "inner Keith" myself that I've carried with me my entire work life. I have to do some failure analysis* on my career and figure out my unconscious self sabotage.

Keith has a beautiful mind and he owes it to our violated Democracy to get on the ball and tell the most Americans he can what he sees going on all around us and what we need to know to be an informed citizenry.

If he's great enough to be the bar none best broadcast journalist in a generation or two, then shirley he can brainiac his way to a high quality and stable soapbox.

-90% Jimmy

* I'm into Quality as a discipline in manufacturing. I am still enamored of the principles of Dr. Deming about quality. The info in this vid I think contains PROFOUND KNOWLEDGE About the nature of people working as groups and the remarkable cluster fucks that can arise if you are not well educated in failure analysis, a form of the pursuit of quality.

&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLD2E14713F80296B0

[CanSocDem]

184. "The Normalization of Deviance"...

I like that. Good video.

.

[Mosaic]

175. Current is toast

Never watched them anyway except to see Keith. F#ck em!

[Recursion]

176. I've got a friend who's been banned from every bar in south Boston

Eventually I stopped blaming the bars.

[BeHereNow]

199. Exactly- there does appear to be a pattern here,

And I have yet to hear KO offer any explanation or take any responsibility
for HIS part in this repeating pattern.

BHN

[MrMickeysMom]

178. After seeing Eliot's "first" show... this will NOT DO for an Olbermann replacement...

Re: Spitzer... There's being a good guest, and there's being a great host where you bring your presence to Current TV and engage the viewer. After seeing Spitzer's pilot show last evening, I don't believe he'll be in that slot for long. It's just not there.

I have nothing but admiration for Spitzer. As some have pointed (especially on Current's blog), you better understand how important Spitzer was in the fight against Wall Street, or you're woefully ignorant about his credentials. But, the person behind the top news program - he AIN'T.

Current has made a colossal MISTAKE in firing Olbermann. I still will watch for TYT and Jennifer Granholm, as they are superb as an evening line-up, but...

Go back and review your mission statement for this network, Al and Joel. You should have thought this out better.

[newspeak]

179. ya'll can say what you want about KO

but my family love him. He's articulate and passionate. we were excited when we found out he was going to be on current. What we noticed was a second class set and we had to turn the volume way up-something was wrong with the sound.

well, some think keith has a big ego; but his ego isn't so big that he actually cares about other people. I remember when he shined the light on the uninsured and underinsured in our country. And, the donations to the mobile clinics around the country, to help us.

Under little boots, while the rest of the MSM whored for the WH, KO was telling us the truth, especially, when it came to the overreach of power and our civil rights.

I hope he finds another venue, because if and when he does, this family will be there.

[MrMickeysMom]

181. Well said...

I'm sure we are being read here at DU (Thom Hartman).

Don't be surprised if RT picks him up. After all, Max Keiser Report (Financial Scandals and all) is a show that allows the host to tell it like it is.

Olbermann is all this and more. If he joins RT, I'll lobby like hell for our cable to pick it up!

[glinda]

185. Personally I don't know what happened. KO is a very

independent thinker and extremely smart, regardless if one likes his delivery or not.
I like him but had felt he was sort of boxed in there. Am hoping he charts a new course via radio or somewhere where he will have the opportunity to develop his audience.

[totodeinhere]

190. Could Keith Olbermann Be Heading to Showtime?

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/coming-soon-to-showtime-keith-olbermann_b119017

According to this article it's a possibility. I actually think it's a good idea. Put him on HBO or Showtime and let him say what he really thinks. The downside of course is a lot of people might not want to pay for Showtime or HBO or can't afford it. But it might be Kieth's best shot. I think he is finished on basic cable.

[90-percent]

198. Current TV Cable line up market share?

I have Charter Cable and some kind of discount bundle package contract. Charter does not carry Current TV and does not intend to, apparently. My option seemed to be to get Direct TV or AT&T and then I'll probably lose something I like to gain prime time Keith.

We get your HBO's and one or two other biggies. At least with Keith on Showtime I can choose to pay to get him.

Just how many homes does Current presently reach, anyway? My guess is perhaps only a third? I bet Fox New is at around 98%. How did this happen?

-90% Jimmy

I still hope I can get Current. Bill Press, TYT, Stephanie Miller and other stuff that's progressive still makes me yearn for Current, however. I even lobbied DU help to social network Charter and sent many many requests. I did get a human being response on facebook, so that seems like it could be effective if I could get a little DU love from a half million of you?

[itsrobert]

191. All I know is the sound and picture quality is a lot better for Stephanie Miller's show

I think Keith had a bunch of armatures in his show's production. I don't know if Olbermann is responsible for that, but the lack of quality showed on Current.

[SoFlaJet]

192. I wouldn't want to work at a network that employed

That asshole Cenk-strange how Keith didn't seem as happy when he came on board...

[BeHereNow]

200. I thought I was alone!

Nothing changes my channel faster than Cenk.
CAN NOT stand that show.
The reason a person like Bill Moyers is SO effective is
that he takes his personality out of the interview and
focuses on the information.

I'm liking Jennifer Granholm more and more for that very quality.

Keith and Cenk?
Their personalities interfere with the MESSAGE.

BHN
On Edit:
If I wanted to listen to screeching outraged hosts, I would tune into Fox.
I watch when the host is skilled at getting out of the way and letting
the subject or topic reveal its information in a neutral environment- Moyers and Goodman
and both experts at it.

[SoFlaJet]

207. After he moved to Current

I decided to give Cenk another shot but it was during his 3rd show when he started in on his "Obama isn't good enough so I'm not going to vote for him I swear" act that I changed the channel and haven't gone back. Even KO's show on Current was so drab LOOKING that it was almost too boring to look at and watch. I was watching the night that the lights went out and apparently Keith said "fuck it-leave them off" that I felt the show was in trouble. It's too bad that he got screwed by the new MSNBC owners that demanded he be fired as part of the sale. I know that feeling of being happy at a workplace and then having it pulled out from under you. Luckily for Keith though, at least he (unlike me) doesn't have to worry about whether or not he can afford to live this month.

[AsahinaKimi]

193. it does tend to sound like he

can't keep a job. I thought Current TV would have been a great match for him. Looks like we were wrong.

[AngryAmish]

208. Cluster B