Who should replace Don Imus? Keith Olbermann

[DeepModem Mom]

AOL Money & Finance, "Blogging Stocks"
Who should replace Don Imus?
Posted Apr 12th 2007 by Jonathan Berr

What should MSNBC do now that its dumped Don Imus?

According to the New York Times, Imus generated $50 million in revenue through his shows on CBS Corp.'s radio division and on the General Electric Co. cable television network. Plus, Imus' program was dirt cheap for MSNBC to air....

MSNBC has got to come up with something. Morning television is a cash cow for both broadcast and cable networks. Let me offer a few suggestions for replacement for Imus....

1) Keith Olbermann -- He's smart, opinionated and under contract with the network. Moreover, he would regularly outrage Republicans which would make for entertaining viewing....

http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/12/Who-Should-Replace-Don-Imus/

[daninthemoon]

1. Oberman is perfect right where he is.

[Bjorn Against]

4. He could have a radio show and still keep his television show...

Hannity and O'Reilly do it, it would be great to have someone on our side doing it as well.

[Clark2008]

6. Well, he sort of does, just not full time.

He guest-hosts with Dan Patrick on ESPN radio once (maybe twice) a week. I don't ever get to listen to it, so I'm not sure how often he's on, but I know from Berry Bush's posts that KO says some pretty poignant things on that show.

[Berry Cool]

10. Normally he's on five days a week.

Sometimes he's not on when Dan Patrick's out, usually because Dan is traveling more to cover games as a result of giving up his role as a SportsCenter coanchor. I think they make him go out on the road more in compensation. Keith used to just join the substitute hosts instead, but lately he's been off the same days Dan is. I think he appreciates the breaks, really.

As nice as it might be to see Keith in the morning, I don't think he's a morning person and that would take a lot out of him--doing a show in the morning, afternoon AND at night. Reruns of last night's Countdown in the morning? Hmm. They've done it before (only at 9 AM). That would fill an hour. Go for it, MSNBC.

[DeepModem Mom]

12. I think a dose of Keith in the morning would be good for MSNBC. nt

[wisteria]

2. No. How about a politically charged, left leaning woman to host the show.

Same type of format with political guests and pundits and sports too and gossip too. I would consider watching MSNBC again if they did that.

Edited to sugest Ranni Rhodes.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. What's Nancy Skinner up to these days?

[murray hill farm]

3. I agree. KO is good where he is now.

sadly, they will probably replace it with their standard "lock up" filler.

[Bjorn Against]

7. Why can't he be where he is now and have his own radio show as well?

Hannity and O'Reilly both have radio shows, and Olbermann is certainly a hell of a lot more capable than Hannitty or O'Reilly. If he is up for it he would be great for the job.

[MadBadger]

22. He already does Radio

Though only for one hour I believe, he does The Big Show on Dan Patrick's radio show for ESPN Radio. Plus, with his new responsibilities on actual NBC and other ventures, does he really have time to do an early morning radio show as well? I think not.

[EstimatedProphet]

5. I'll replace him

I'd be happy to. It would mean a long commute, but I'd be glad to pitch in and help.

[Catchawave]

8. Wow, Imus did make a boatload of money for the networks....

bet the stockholders are pissed :evilgrin:

[Joe Fields]

9. Not sure if he would want to get up that early.

But I said several days ago that I felt a good replacement would be a simulcast of KO and Dan Patrick's show. I would like to see that.

[The Count]

13. Donahue? Just thinking they pulled his show - topping the ratings in the slot

because he was opposing the war at the time - there was once an item about the MSNBC CEO saying "after 9.11 we can't have that!"

[WiseButAngrySara]

16. That's a thought. Think it possible? ....n/t

[TahitiNut]

14. I'd be happy with Thom Hartmann ... or even Bernie Ward.

:party:

[Democrat 4 Ever]

15. I think MSNBC needs to give Keith Fucker Bowtie's time slots.

Bow Tie Boy is going to host a game show so I saw give him the time off of MSNBC to "prepare" for his game show.

I can't imagine the work involved for Keith to do a one hour show, much less two or three hours but it certainly would be entertaining. I am coming up blank right now for a list of names that would provide more ethic diversity in their programming hours. Somebody help me out here. The long and the short of it, MSNBC needs to get rid of Tweety (or at least put him in the 2-3 pm - am words, too! - time slot), ax Bow Tie Boy completely, give Dead Intern strong marching orders to shape up or ship out - his coverage, while improving, has a long way to go to becoming an honest, unbiased show. Alex Wittless could take a hike, Horrora McDonald can march out with her. There is plenty of talent out there, find people who can do the news without needing a cocktail party invite or a daily fax from the RNC to get through an hour.

I would like to see Stephanie Miller or Randi Rhodes or Rachel Maddow for the Imus slot. You could actually have a real news program, good guests, interesting discussion without having the lies perpetuated about this administration for three hours every day. They could continue to have the news people, politicians, etc as guests. It would just be a nicer, more informative way to get real talk about the issues.

[TahitiNut]

18. I agree with all that. My dream would be if Whoopie Goldberg could do a talk show.

She not only has an uncanny sense of comedic timing, she's awesomely bright and unerringly true in her sense of justice and equity. (She's one of my favoritist people in the world.) She's just the right kind of "shit-stirrer" to set the right tone, imho.

Sadly, I doubt her stand-up and movie experience would prepare her for the daily grind of a 2-3-hour talk show ... particularly a morning talk show. Whoopie's just not a "morning person."

I haven't had the chance to listen to (DUer) Miller, Rhodes, or Maddow enough to tell. But why not all three? Tag team.

[samplegirl]

17. Phil Donahue

Would be the greatest replacement.

[Bucky]

21. Donohue's a little too brainy in the morning. They need a young Al Franken there

Who would rock in that slot would be a Jon Stewart type, someone who's affable, easy on the ear, can move the pulp, and has a sharp family friendly sense of humor.

Donohue belongs in an evening time slot. The key to Imus's success was that no one ever had a problem turning him off when it was time to head to work.

[patrice]

19. Sam Seder! n/t

[krispos42]

20. Sam Sedar. I wrote a letter

I wrote CBS Radio about this. Here's a link to the letter. Feel free to keep it kicked if you agree. I think I wrote it very well, if you don't mind me puffing up my chest with pride jsut a little bit... :-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x649531

[Imagevision]

23. Nance Greggs, without a doubt!!

[Bucky]

24. I like that the list includes Gwen Ifill. In some ways, hiring her would be a twofer

First hiring her would undo the damage they've done by keeping a noted racist on the air for so long...

And second they'd save money on studio personnel costs; I read somewhere that Ifill also doubles as a cleaning lady.

:hide:

[The Count]

25. But then Fox would miss her - and her friend Condi too...Gwen did Faux's work

at their debate in 2003 - not to happy with her on Lehrer either.

[Vinca]

26. I'd love to have Olbermann fill the Imus slot.

By the time Keith comes on at night, I'm about fried from watching CSPAN, various newscasts, The Situation Room, Lou Dobbs and Hardball while I work and do other things all day. A longer show would give him time to do more in depth political reporting and more sports (which I hate, but he loves).