Keith Olbermann to return Tuesday night

[Ian David]

Source: NBC Universal Press Release

07 Nov 2010 8:51 PM
STATEMENT REGARDING KEITH OLBERMANN - SUNDAY, NOV. 7

From Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC:

After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy. We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night.

###

Read more: http://www.nbcuniversal.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=2458&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=7

---

Hat-tip to GottaLaff at The Political Carnival



Fair enough.

I had a feeling something was up when Keith tweeted earlier.

<snip>

From Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC:

After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night’s program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy. We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night.

More:
http://www.thepoliticalcarnival.net/2010/11/report-keith-olbermann-to-return-tuesday-night

[Odin2005]

1. WOOHOO!!!

:woohoo:

[connecticut yankee]

174. They listened to reason

and 300,000 protests.

Keep fighting, Keith!

[slackmaster]

188. They care only about audience size, which translates to the price they can charge for ad slots

:nuke:

[John Q. Citizen]

200. I liked Maddow's take on the issue. She nailed it, as usual. I don't think

Keith was wronged because he was punished for violating company policy.

I do think that having a policy (as NBC does) is far superior to having no policy (Fox)

I'm glad he's back on the air, even if I rarely get a chance to see him.

[defendandprotect]

215. Love Rachel ....but to ignore the political right wing overtones of this

attack on Olbermann would be naive --

Also, as much as I love Rachel, she did a great job of comparing

situation to what happened with others at MSNBC and at Fox ....

but didn't look at the history of her parent company GE ... what

they contribute and their long Nazi-like history.

[vanbean]

216. Not really. The fact is that Scarborough and Buchannon had done

the same, that is they made contributions to republican candidates, without asking permission from NBC. Griffin didn't know that. I think it is fair to say that there is a good chance Griffin's lawyers gave Phil a little tune-up.

[TicketyBoo]

222. I have read elsewhere

that Scarborough's donations were in 2006, before this policy was in place, and that Buchanan, as a purely political contributor (and not a host) does not fall under the same rules.

It's a dumb rule, though, having to say "Mother, may I?" before making a political contribution, and, at that, the policy I have seen stated says that journalists "should" seek approval, not that it was an absolute order that they do so. The whole thing is very strange.

[Shining Jack]

219. +1 n/t

[rhett o rick]

228. If you think they listened to reason, we have a long, long way to go. They just proved they

OWN the network and can do as they please. Dont tell me they were surprised at the reaction. Dont underestimate them or over estimate our power. They can well afford to lose money. They will pay for propaganda. KO is back but the message was loud and clear.

[Oceansaway]

2. wooooohoooooo !!...nt

[sakabatou]

3. YEAH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mznsEcZlM2I

[redirish28]

4. YES!!!! BUT does he have to apologize on air?

[Ian David]

5. No idea. We'll have to wait and see. n/t

[Iowa]

96. I don't know, but the whole thing is ridiculous...

"From Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC: 'After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy.'"

How insulting, condescending, and demeaning for a corporate scum-bag like Griffin to pretend he's got scruples and demean a stand-up guy like KO... it's just ridiculous. Griffin's condescending comment just pisses me off even more. I hope KO humiliates him on the air.

[redirish28]

99. It is and it is even more sick that Scarbourgh and Pat Buchanan give to

Republican candidates and they don't get a slap on the wrists.


KO is a class act he won't humiliate Griffin's on air. His revenge is being on and Comcast,Griffins and GE aren't getting their way.

[Iowa]

136. Class?

"KO is a class act he won't humiliate Griffin's on air. "

Screw "class". The best thing he could do for his self-respect (and for the country) is to destroy Griffin publicly. Who gives a fuck about "class"? When the plutocracy is destroying our way of life, "class" should be the least of our concerns. It's that kind of weakness that allows corps to further their agenda, as evidenced by our Caspar Milquetoast of a president. If we're ever going to have ANY hope of regaining lost ground, we've got to change that way of thinking and start fighting back. Screw class.

Furthermore, being allowed to come crawling back to your job after a public scolding is no revenge whatsoever. It's more like being put in your place. Ripping Griffin on the air would be one of the most refreshing things that's happened in journalism in years.

[GoCubsGo]

177. You know he will.

And, he'll do it in a way that Griffin won't even know it happened.

[robinlynne]

201. exactly. he can just talk about campaign contirbutions and who gives them to whom.

[ooglymoogly]

191. A battle no sane person would choose. Kieth has done his

job and done it well. He has exposed lies for lies and truth for truth and that is his job. Griffin is a pipsqueak, a two faced bastard and we all know it. Even if Kieth comes on the air and says, Yes I broke a stupid rule and I am sorry, and that is the price, then so be it. Let him continue debunking the lies at any cost. The very thought of losing this thumb on the truth is mind numbing and would be a catastrophe to us who search for the truth but have no soapbox to proclaim it.

[PatrynXX]

139. hope worst persons comes back then

put comcast in number 1.

[molly77]

171. hope phil griffin loses his job over his heavy handedness

Guess he thought he could get away with it because of the republican victories. MSNBC is not liberal. Just offers a few commentators who are pretty liberal. They still have their limits. Calling chris mathews a liberal is a stretch.He might be one day but a neocon the next.

[Caliman73]

133. If he does I have a suggestion...

He should do one of those really fake convoluted, "If anyone has chosen to take offense and the legitimate actions that I have engaged in, then I am sorry that you chose to be offended" apologies. You know, the ones that Republicans always do.

[molly77]

172. caliman 73

So funny!

[PatrynXX]

138. Yeah Phil does need to apologize on air.

the rule broken is way to vaugue. Keith's a Commentator and how the heck does a liberal commentator break a rule that has the reason to have such a rule to make sure the person is impartial. o_O I doubt he knew he was breaking a ethical rule. Except for Keith it'll take awhile for me to trust Rachel again and MSNBCFOX a bit while longer if ever.

I'll make sure except for Keith I will join in a minor boycott just to have them lose a bit as well.

Only person on at that time of night that is impartial isn't even on MSNBC. He's on at Fox. Shepherd Smith on Fox Pac.

[mlevans]

199. I sincerely hope not.

Actually in my email to Griffin, I demanded that he offer Keith a very public apology. Asking Keith to apologize would be like that cretin who stepped on that gal's head asking her to apologize to him. Just as ludicrous...just as wrong.

[Hissyspit]

6. Stay tuned for the return of Ceiling Cat.

[YankeeLeft7x]

7. Wow

MSNBC sure wants to keep making money....

I am sure they did a cost analysis on this one.....

I still can't stand these NBC/GE types though and still don't trust them.

GE is a big polluter too. GE breaks loads and loads of environmental laws every damn day!!!!

[jillan]

8. Which one of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow? I can't wait!

:bounce: :toast: :party:

[butterfly77]

213. I'm hoping..

"Joe Scarborough gets his ass kicked has 2 blackeyes and numerous other injuries some major and some minor,he will be off the air PERMANENTLY.."

How do you like my story?

[Ian David]

9. He should open Tuesday's show with a Popsicle Stick Theater of Keith at his desk...

... just to throw us all into hysterics.

[Ian David]

10. YUB NUB!!!

CRACKERJACK JUNCTION sings THE EWOK CELEBRATION SONG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN62wqBdbxA

[Journeyman]

11. How does this fit into the popular "fascism ascendent" narrative pushed by so many on DU? . . .

(Right behind the "They're going to cancel the '02, '04, '06 & '08 elections" I guess, and just in front of the "BushCo caused the tsunami!" nonsense.)

[Nostradammit]

15. Actually I think it fits in perfectly

MSNBC gets to look like it's responsive to the left
and the right gets more "proof" that the media is liberal.
The whole controversy feels contrived to me.

If you don't think fascism has been ascending in this country
for the last fifty years you are comatose.

[pattmarty]

147. It has "ascended" and has arrived. You need to look no further than.........

.......Lindsey Graham's statement in a foreign country about "neutering" Iran and that fucking low life hillbilly (Perry) in Texas saying he wants to "opt out" of SS. Meanwhile the Tx legislature (the Republicans, naturally) want to end fucking Medicaid. The only thing missing is the brownshirts (teaparty?) and Kristallnacht. We have met the fascists, and they are us.

[Nostradammit]

224. Well - they are them. But I know what you mean.

[defendandprotect]

211. Corporatism is fascism ... and COMCAST and its new control over NBC could not be any

clearer an example of it --

Where do you read that democracy is about monopoly cable companies -- ?

Or monopoly cable company owning monopoly corporate-TV network -- ?

Or this monopol cable company -- COMCAST -- making $500 million a year and MORE

on internet PORNOGRAPHY -- ???

It's wake up time --

[onehandle]

12. Like I said from the beginning. It was a punishment. nt

[Lindsey]

14. Thank God!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe our phone calls, petitions, and emails

helped. Who knows:toast:

[pnorman]

135. Thanks for that image!

[ooglymoogly]

195. You know damn well, if there had not been such an outcry

and backlash "Indefinite" would mean fired as it does 99% of the time. Griffins name has turned to mud.

[bleever]

13. Behold the power of Bill Kristol!

I kid, I kid.

[pattmarty]

148. Didn't his father (Irving) even call him a fucking idiot?

[GrpCaptMandrake]

16. Olbermann Reinstated

Source: NBC Media

STATEMENT REGARDING KEITH OLBERMANN - SUNDAY, NOV. 7

From Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC:

After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy. We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night.



Read more: http://www.nbcuniversal.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=2458&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=7

---

Doesn't Mr. Griffin sound just the tiniest bit supercilious! "Appropriate punishment," indeed!

[corkhead]

17. I say HA!

[breadandwine]

63. Things aren't out of the woods yet. This was just a trail balloon.

The new owners of the station are right wing GOP fascists and Keith, Rachel and O'Donnell all face the chopping block.

Malloy on this:


Part 1:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x523234


Part 2:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x523235



There will be more of this sh*t. It will take protests and nightly candlelight vigils at Rockefeller Center to put a stop to it. Unfortunately, progressives in America have forgotten how to take to the streets.

[defendandprotect]

210. Misplaced --

[Odin2005]

18. Good job, everyone! The bastard gave in!

:woohoo:

[cstanleytech]

67. Meh, I wouldnt say they gave in it seems more like to me atleast that

they feel he was punished enough for violating the rules and now he can go back to work.
Now the bright side is msnbc seems to have some ethical rules for its hosts unlike some other networks *cough* fox news *cough* who allow their people to provide candidates with free on air advertising thinly disguised as interviews as well as asking people during those same interviews to send cash donations to the candidates.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

19. what a supercilious ass

sheesh.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

37. If we could recommend comments, I'd recommend yours

you hit the nail on the head.

[EFerrari]

46. A supercilious ass who blinked. n/t

[tavalon]

55. Blinked is right

6 years ago, I made an argument that the internet was in no way as strong as we wished it were. I will make no such argument today. I'm just glad I didn't have to go through that whole list of sponsors. I'm keeping the list anyway.

[niceypoo]

20. Wow, awesome

!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Hey, at least he will be back!

I think Mr. Griffin must have heard all the ruckus...;)

[tavalon]

163. He got schooled. Schooled by the company lawyers and schooled by us

He clearly has quite the ego if he could still manage to put out such a jackass statement.

[bdamomma]

182. for sure.

we can be powerful when we unite for a great cause.

[deacon]

22. WOOOOOO HOooooooooooooo. Keith + recommend!

[Oceansaway]

23. wooooohoooooo !!...nt

[Greybnk48]

24. Yippee! Now get rid of Phil Griffin. n/t

[pattmarty]

149. Yeah, right out of his 30th floor corner office window.

[BeyondGeography]

25. Fuck off, suit

Welcome back, Keith.

[Bitwit1234]

26. Now we should ask when republican contributors are going

to be appropriately punished for contributions to contributors.

[cutlassmama]

27. YAY! and the crowd cheered!!!

[Hawkeye-X]

28. KO should place Comcast/GE/MSNBC in the worst person in the world

He should yank it out temporarily and tell them up front what HE thinks of them!

Assholes!

They should be fired and the MSNBC belongs to the people!

[democrank]

29. Tah-rifick!

[madmax]

30. ^5 Everyone!!

[babylonsister]

31. Hahaha! Tuesday night KO-"must see" TV! nt

[felix_numinous]

32. Yesssss!!!!

:woohoo:

[pacalo]

33. He has determined what's appropriate.

The one who thinks Fox News & Roger Ailes are the future models for "news".

Mission accomplished: Humiliation of Keith through demanding that he apologize on air for contributing to Democrats, & because he refused to do it, was suspended like a child.

But despite the unfairness of what happened, my husband & I will be happy to watch Keith again while enjoying our supper!

[Yeahyeah]

34. This is just til they figure out which teabagger to replace him with.

[babylonsister]

35. I bet Griffin couldn't wait to get him back on the air after the

shitstorm he stirred. Bet he didn't see that coming. :evilgrin:

[indy legend]

70. If Griffin couldn't have seen this reaction coming from Keith's

fans, then he is a much bigger right wing dumb fuck than I ever gave him credit for. WELCOME BACK KEITH, and fuck you Griffin, MSNBC and Comcast. I trust we will hear your apology to Keith at 8pm Tuesday night, right. Progressives trying to save the only media outlet we have left will not forget this or you, you Koch sucker. The "shit storm" for you has just begun.,

[pattmarty]

150. If he didn't he shouldn't even hold an assistant managers position........

......at fucking McDonald's.

[Frisbee]

203. He may or may not have...

it may well have been a trial balloon to see what he could get away with and how much backlash there would be for dumping one of the few progressive/liberal voices in the M$M. If there had been little public outcry, I suspect Rachel, Ed and Lawrence would have been living on borrowed time. Hopefully the message was loud and clear, and this will put an end to any ideas they may have about dumping the more liberal voices.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

36. MSNBC shouldn't have singled Olbermann out, showed their idiotic bias

its ok for Joey the Scar to donate to GOP, just don't anyone dare donate to DEM.

[RamboLiberal]

38. Good work all - Griffin caved

I'm betting Griffin was getting heat from his bosses. He was costing MSNBC a lot of bad publicity & potential $$$ losses from ad buyers. I'll be interested to see the ratings Friday to see how much of a dive they took. You know they have to guarantee ad buyers a number of eyeballs & may have to rebate money to ad buyers for that hour Friday & Monday.

[Bellcon10]

192. How do we know Griffin caved

It seems like he was suspended and now reinstated. Now if they said he would be suspended for 2 weeks and then it was shortened to two nights I would agree. It seems as though the punishment fit the crime.

[RamboLiberal]

207. Oh he caved - reports are KO demanded an apology

from MSNBC & got it.

[Ian David]

39. Yes, Griffin had to feel that Keith was appropriately punished...

[rocktivity]

40. I thank Mr. Griffin, and in turn, accept his backhanded apology for overreacting.

Keith did nothing wrong by making his donations, but in not notifying management. The punishment of indefinite suspension without pay was NOT appropriate to the "crime." Kick, rec, and CUE THE VONAGE THEME!

:woohoo:
rocktivity

[MrsCorleone]

41. This is fantastic!

Now, let's just hope that this didn't result in a stifling of reports on Citizens United, fracking, etc.

I suppose we'll know soon enough.



Great to have KO back! :woohoo:

[GrpCaptMandrake]

42. Ultimate speculation

Does this set up a breach of contract claim on Keith's part?

One would think that suspension without pay is a clear breach, especially given the weaselly language upon which Griffin relied.

[tavalon]

56. That will be settled by the lawyers

and rather quickly and quietly. Keith got a 4 day vacation with pay (we won't know that for sure, but I'm fairly sure I'm right on this). Phil Griffin got a world of hurt. I think he might get to keep his job, though, considering how quickly he backed down.

[Eric J in MN]

100. without pay

http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_16533262

[tavalon]

157. That was then and this is now

No way to confirm it but Phil is going to grovel, whether in reality or through payroll. I suspect it kind of depends on Olbermann's mood and he isn't known for suffering fools gladly. Phil qualifies as a grade A fool right now. Too bad we'll never be able to confirm it but if we could, my money would be on this changing to a paid holiday.

[MrMickeysMom]

91. I seem to recall that the word, "shall" was not in the language...

... of getting permission (from the big house) on whether your campaign fucking contribution was gonna be "okay". What a load that was, if I am recalling it correctly.

Who the hell can make anyone ask permission for that? What is the superseding legislation here?

Olberman would have won in court and we would have boycotted a lot of shows. I still wish people would drop Comcast, since they're the new devil slave master of that plantation.

[UTUSN]

43. K&R #35 for, I say, "Ha-HAH !1" n/t

[SpankMe]

44. Calm down and stop the partying.

This whole episode was a warning shot across the bow. The conservative management of msnbc was flexing their "we-can-cut-your-balls-off-at-will" muscle as a means of exerting editorial control. Those of us who wrote and called in to NBC Universal had little to do with Keith's reinstatement.

I'm sure that this episode is now in Keith's "personnel file", as it were, and represents the first strike toward getting him fired. Conservatives hold grudges well and have a long memory. (Their symbol is, after all, the elephant.)

It's also an early operational test and trial balloon for determining the algorithm for silencing liberal voices in any forum capable of capturing a wide audience, like cable/satellite.

We need to do something cunning and quickly before Archie Bunkerism trumps fact, reason and compassion.

[stray cat]

53. Or he deliberately brokeba rule and got called on it?

[GrpCaptMandrake]

54. I don't see it that way

If anything, it was a pissing match between Keith and management, although I do freely admit that my hypothesis is as speculative as yours. Still, new management always like to assert its authority. There were remarks in both directions that tended to indicate both were angling for leverage.

"Personnel files" don't count for much at KO's level.

If it was as you submit, it was very clumsily done.

[chillspike]

134. Exactly

We should petition hard and loud to have this Griffin mofo thrown out on his ass! He's a little RW fuck head. We need to chase him the fuck out.

Anyone know his email?

[tavalon]

164. What do you suggest?

I agree this was partially a test balloon.

[demigoddess]

45. I'm thrilled

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[onehandle]

47. Like I said from the beginning. It was a punishment. nt

[savalez]

48. So there you go. Welcome back.

[The Uncola]

49. Wonder what Griffins ass looks like...

...after being boated about 300,000 times?


:spank:

[2critical]

50. Congrats, KO. Just remember, IOKIYAR

[YankeeLeft7x]

51. Great for K.O. but, Phil Griffin is still a Jackass!!!!!

It's great that Keith Olbermann is back but that Phil Griffin is still an asswipe jackass.

MSNBC sure wants to keep making money....

I am sure they did a cost analysis on this one.....

I still can't stand these NBC/GE types though and still don't trust them.

GE is a big polluter too. GE breaks loads and loads of environmental laws every damn day!!!!

[tavalon]

52. It's gotta hurt. Phil never liked Olbermann much and now he has to grovel

Since he capitulated so quickly, he may get to keep his job but this won't be a pleasant week for him. Olbermann got a 4 day weekend and likely his lawyers will see to it that he gets those as paid days off.

Let's get this to the front page. Oh, and Phil? Fuck off.

[Lindsey]

58. I posted but it didn't take (or maybe it's on another post or this

one and I can't find it) but what I said was maybe our phone calls, the petition, and our emails helped.:toast:

[Mad_Dem_X]

169. I agree. I don't think he expected the reaction he got.

I don't think he expected the calls and emails in response to Keith's suspension. I really think those helped to get Keith back.

Either way, welcome back, Mr. Olbermann! :party:

[Tx4obama]

73. I think Olbermann won't care about 2 days pay. He got lots of LOVE & publicity instead :) n/t

[tavalon]

159. Certainly possible, but Phil is going to pay one way or another

Keith Olbermann is not known for suffering fools gladly and Phil was a grade A fool on Friday. The only unfoolish thing he did was turning this around so quickly.

[4lbs]

57. So, overall, KO was suspended for two episodes, for not reporting his political donations.

Good for KO that he's back.

Although, I'm a little miffed it happened in the first place. I place blame on both parties.

Blame on Keith for not telling his superiors of his plan to donate.

Blame on MSNBC for even having such a policy in the first place. The whole having to ask permission part. I know they want to be impartial, but asking permission is a little too much.

I'd rather they just ask their anchors to simply announce publicly on air, in their shows, that they are going to donate $X to a particular candidate. That should be enough. None of this "Mother, may I?"

[TicketyBoo]

208. No way.

I'd rather they just ask their anchors to simply announce publicly on air, in their shows, that they are going to donate $X to a particular candidate.

That would be an outright endorsement of a candidate. BAD idea.

[tabatha]

59. Rachel knew on Friday.

[maddogesq]

89. I suspect there will be a BIG surprise bit from KO on Tues.

I hope it's a callout on Fux and their election antics. I hope that Griffin has ordered a case of K-Y. BWAAHAHAHAHA!

Sorry, I need some happiness after what happened on Tuesday.

[global1]

125. "Worst Person In The World"......

Phil Griffin.

[Slit Skirt]

60. Tuesday night....yeeeeahhhh!

:party:
:bounce:
:woohoo:

[craigmatic]

61. I look forward to tuesday's show.

[tavalon]

62. Yo, Phil. I believe the lawyers called

These vacation days you so kindly gave Olbermann will be paid. Okay, thx gbye.

[Guilded Lilly]

64. Thrilled and partying on because I CAN.

My favorite voice will be back.

Regardless of the back story or pathetic jockeying and finger pointing and ridiculous use of the word punishment...my favorite voice will be back.

AND YES, we did have something to do with it. :)

[Aristus]

65. Woo-Hoo! YEAH!

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

Never underestimate the power of SMART people in large numbers! :thumbsup:

[DCofVA]

92. I was thinking the same thing.

[Demeter]

66. That Didn't Take Long

Griffin has got to go, though.

[mvd]

68. K&R

I knew they would have a hard time keeping him off for long.. Keith is the best antidote for the RW propaganda, plus he gets ratings! Will happily watch on Tuesday.

[Tx4obama]

69. Team KOKO. n/t

[Riley18]

71. Look forward to seeing Keith on Tuesday. Thanks

[MrMickeysMom]

72. Everyone's expendable, MR. GRIFFIN...

wind bag...


Funny, I don't see this as punishment as much as I do a line in the sand you've drawn for the new owners. I think a lot of people are going to keep their eye on the new owners, but not the way you think they would.

Personally, I'd be happy if a lot of other subscribers left Comcast, even though my alternative was with Verizon FiOs.

[Zambero]

74. Keith needs to "reinstate" the Worst Person award

At least for Tuesday night. That would be an "appropriate punishment" for the perpetrator of this travesty.

[DimplesinMI]

75. This WAS the RIGHT THING to DO, Period!!!

YEAH!!! HELL YEAH!!! Thank you for your support guys and look forward to seeing KEITH BACK!!!

http://www.reachoutjobsearch.com/2010/11/keith-returns-to-msnbc-on-tuesday-phil.html

[Tx4obama]

76. Now someone needs to start a petition to get Joe Scarborough OFF the air. n/t

[Bombero1956]

90. Hey Mr. Griffin

You blinked asshole. I think you realized that having protests outside your offices was going to be more damaging to you than to Keith.

[tavalon]

161. The discussion was with the company lawyers

and Phil got spanked.

[Hepburn]

180. Geeeeeeez....

...substitute "sent to bed without dinner" and one gets a clue about where that asshat is coming from!

[bfealk]

77. Olbermann to Return Tuesday

Source: Huffington Post

STATEMENT REGARDING KEITH OLBERMANN - SUNDAY, NOV. 7

From Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC:

After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy. We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/07/keith-olbermann-to-return_n_780141.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

78. YAY! Now that we have realized some of our power

what is next?

[socialist_n_TN]

198. Keep on using that power Nadinb..........

You know that! :) The WORST thing we can do as a movement is to go back to the Reagan days of cowering under our desks and denying our politics! NOW IS THE TIME TO GET EVEN LOUDER!!!!

[DonCoquixote]

79. Motto

If you push a bully, they cower. We need to do this again and again, RINSE AND REPEAT!

[arcane1]

85. yes Yes YES!!!!

:toast:

[DesertFlower]

80. great news. nt

[napi21]

81. That's WONDERFUL NEWS! I'm very glad they cae to an agreeent.

Whatever it was, I'm thrilled he's going to be back.

[femmocrat]

82. Excellent news!

Thanks! K&R

[crim son]

83. That is very good news.

Still, "appropriate punishment"?

[still_one]

84. This is good news. Anyone think this is a publicity stunt by MSNBC to increase ratings? /nt

[pacalo]

87. I'd like to know how much their ratings dropped on Friday.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

127. And how much

they're gonna soar on Tuesday!

So, so glad he's back - over 250,000 signed the Bold Progressive petition.

:bounce:

[bdamomma]

184. and probably tonight also,

I will only watch Rachel until Keith comes back Tuesday night.

[jillan]

86. I hope he has a special comment!

I'm so happy :)!!

[pacalo]

88. Special comment would be nice. He'll find just the right words to say.

[Divine Discontent]

93. Special Comment --- Keith Is Back!

:woohoo:

[edbermac]

94. Keith would have been back on Monday...

But he obviously asked for the night off so he could catch Conan's debut. :applause:

[harvey007]

95. Praise God!

...and pass the tequila!


:headbang:

[wisteria]

97. Good to hear this positive development. n/t

[donheld]

98. Dumbass Griffin got his figurative ass kicked.

[cynatnite]

101. Olbermann Back on Tuesday

Source: Talking Points Memo

MSNBC just announced that Keith Olbermann will be back on Tuesday after one more day of suspension on Monday evening. Olbermann was suspended indefinitely without pay on Friday after a report that he'd contributed to three Democratic House candidates in October, purportedly a violation of MSNBC policy.

Statement from Phil Griffin ...

After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy. We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night.

Read more: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/olbermann_back_on_tuesday.php?ref=fpblg

---

We did it!

[Ozymanithrax]

102. People Power....

That cool....

[madmax]

103. ^5 The People have the Powwwwer

[kenfrequed]

186. Agreed

There were a few naysayers here that said that there was no way MSNBC would care about what a bunch of web-heads would think.

They forgot that the webheads got together with people that watch Keith and Racheal and everyone else that happened to catch that bit of news and everyone started writing emails and making phonecalls.

[Oceansaway]

104. wooooohoooooo !!...nt

[stray cat]

105. Yes!

[slingsam]

106. I'll get back

on MSNBC on Tuesday, then!

[dixiegrrrrl]

107. We still need Phil's NEW phone number. Just in case.....

[chill_wind]

116. :-)

[nolabear]

108. LOL! HuffPo won't even load. Just saw the headline

"SHORTEST SUSPENSION IN THE WORLD".

Welcome back, KO!

[cynatnite]

110. I love the picture they used.

:rofl:

[spooky3]

109. The people spoke. And so did the $. The suits knew you can't jerk around your top

ratings-getter in today's environment; stockholders and advertisers won't tolerate losing big money over pissing matches. And yes, I know they screwed over Phil Donahue, who also had good ratings, but KO's are almost 3 times what Donahue's were.

[Canuckistanian]

111. Well

Now it's time to up the pressure to cancel the Comcast merger.

[unkachuck]

112. very good....n/t

[chill_wind]

113. Yes!! Smoke THAT, Teabaggers and Freepers!

[Mid_FL_voter]

114. Phil needs to to n/t

[NuclearDem]

115. FUCK YEAH!

[24601]

117. You & William Kristol - the wingnut who called for his

reinstatement. I'd wager he carries more influence with MSNBC.

From his Nov 5th BLOG: "Keep Keith!"

"MSNBC’s suspension of Keith Olbermann is ludicrous."

"First, he donated money to candidates he liked. He didn’t take money, or favors, in a way that influenced his reporting."

"Second, he’s not a reporter. It’s an opinion show. If Olbermann wants to put his money where his mouth is, more power to him."

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/keep-keith_514980.html

[Janice325]

118. WOO HOO!!!

You beat me to it. I was about to post a link from here:

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/msnbc-keith-olbermann-suspension-ends-tuesday/19706706?icid=main%7Chp-desktop%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%7C182862

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

k&r

[dsharp88]

119. Who says a real people, not corporate-bought, protest doesn't mean anything?

[Jennicut]

120. Okay, can MSNBC then really get their no donation policy nice and clear?

[patricia92243]

121. Phil was letting us know he is still in charge "I have decided" - lol. I bet his bosses helped him

"decide." I will be curious to see what the next "decision" will be - maybe Griffin will......

[tavalon]

167. Maybe Griffin will.....

decide to spend more time with his family.

[DemocraticPilgrim]

122. Never realized how important KO was till he was gone, big relief he's back.

[xloadiex]

123. Good for Keith

But let's remember this is sweeps month. MSNBC would be insane to let this continue this month. Now they'll really cash in big on ratings with Keith's return.

[orbitalman]

124. I think Phil Griffin is an idiot. n/t

[JDPriestly]

126. Good news. Glad to hear this.

K&R

[Waiting For Everyman]

128. I think they were beginning to see a boycott by guests/hosts shaping up

Chris Hayes, Dan Choi. That, and Sen. Sanders comment, Russell Simmons', and more.

And Griffin would have to keep changing his phone number and email.

This was a losing and stupid action from the gitgo.

Glad it didn't take too long, and that KO will be back.

[grahamhgreen]

129. That was a no brainer!

[countmyvote4real]

130. BS punishment for BS charges.

Interesting how this is framed as punishment.

[budkin]

131. WOOT!

[a2liberal]

132. "Punishment"

So they're not actually backing down on their claims that what he did was wrong (despite their right-wing folks doing the same)?

[Wingmasters]

137. It Was Calculate move on KO

It Was Calculate move on KO, he is very smart guy and for sure he knows NBC policy in advance, he just wanted to stop this ridicules policy that’s all.

KO and Chris Mathews, NBC can’t afford to fire them, even if they want to, the station viewer rating will drop dramatically to ZERO .

Bravo Chris Hayes smart guy too.:toast:

[Hubert Flottz]

140. K&R

[PuffedMica]

141. K&R

[whathehell]

142. Breaking: MSNBC Reinstates Olbermann

Source: Readersupportednews

Keith Olbermann will be back on MSNBC on Tuesday.

http://readersupportednews.org/off-site-news-section/68-68/3873-breaking-msnbc-reinstates-olbermann

Read more: http://readersupportednews.org/off-site-news-section/68-68/3873-breaking-msnbc-reinstates-olbermann

[samplegirl]

143. Best of the day~~~

Thank goodness!

[whathehell]

144. Yes, I'd say so..

Hard to believe that even at this hour it has only 3 recs.:eyes:

[Hekate]

145. 4th rec. It's nice to have some good news. Now, to bed.

[whathehell]

146. Thanks.

...It's after five in am here..but I'm an early riser.

[Little Star]

151. k&r for Keith!!!

[LynneSin]

152. I gave them thru the end of this week so this is all good

I'm sure the emails & phone calls worked :D

[RedCloud]

153. The masses have spoken! The corporate dog bowed its head.

[indimuse]

154. KNR! n/t

[politicalmajority]

155. Jeff Immelt and Phil Griffin Had to Kneel Before Us. There Was No Choice.

Regardless of the language in the statement, it sounds like MSNBC's unconditional surrender document.

[SemperEadem]

156. uh huh... all the revenue you all saw going out the window for your hissy fit

yanked your chain--your bosses told you to fix this and do whatever mea culpa you need to but get that revenue stream unclogged and back up running.

Let's all be there at 7:59pm Tuesday evening to give Keith some great numbers! Show Phil Griffin that he's an idiot and that the viewership of Countdown has the bigger dicque, not him or MSNBC management.

[axollot]

158. My letter to MSNBC within the hour of the suspension notice...

I hope you will seriously reconsider this decision. Olbermann is one of your best opinion programs on MSNBC, a channel I watch and listen to on Sirius radio Chan 90.

This is more of the uneven, unbalanced partisan attack the GOP has wanted for Olbermann who spoke the truth about issues very important to all Americans.

Plus, he is a ratings success, don't do this disservice to the great talent at MSNBC. Don't show Fox News that you buckle under their will. That you take orders from their viewers. Please Mr Griffin, show Fox you do not cater to them, but give viewers something Fox cannot and will not do - provide honesty and character.

Sincerely,
Sandy L Sullivan
Orange Park FL 32065

[tavalon]

168. You and me and a couple of other people

did that and poor Phil had to change his email and his phone number. Poor, poor Phool, I mean Phil.

[tavalon]

160. Dear Phil,

You have a daddy complex and Keith is not, nor will he ever be your child. Punishment? LOL He's your errant child is he? Well, somebody got spanked and it wasn't him.

Oh, and having us direct our email to your underling is highly amusing. Really? Really?

[mstinamotorcity]

162. I appreciate

all the work that everyone did this lets you know what the power of unity can do.CONGRATS KEITH AND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!! YOU DESERVE A ROUND OF:applause: :applause: :applause: Let's have a WELCOME BACK :toast: on Tuesday evening!!!!!!















TOMBStone

[lenegal]

165. Terrific news. I vowed never to watch Countdown again w/o KO

Love KO's slamming of Reight Wing ass

[lupinella]

166. Yay!

DVR can be re-set for Tuesday! :toast: :party: :beer: A round for us all!

[RickFromMN]

170. Do the young really watch television any more?

A certain teenager, who won't listen to me, and his friends, seem to live by their text messaging.

I don't remember the last time they watched the television.

Maybe they go to the theatre. I don't know. They like to not tell me.
They are eighteen, plus.

They are old enough to think they know everything, but young enough to still need help.

Text messaging is their lives.

Trying to buy groceries, for them, is a nightmare. Every thirty seconds they disappear to text a message.

Why can't we take a cue from the young. Communicate via text messaging and the Internet.

So KO is on twitter...good. Time to follow him on twitter.
Time to follow other progressives on twitter.

KO shouldn't go back to MSNBC anyway. MSNBC will censor his twitter messages.

KO and progressives can use the modern media to communicate.

The problem with my idea is, how will KO and progressives earn a living if they use the modern media?

Help find solutions to this earning a living problem and we will get somewhere.

Why should we cheer the return of KO to MSNBC? He will only get censored. Why should we watch MSNBC.

[lupinella]

173. Phil Griffin - Tonight's Worst Person in the World!

Just a dream, but a lovely one.

[The Wizard]

175. A great vehicle for shining the light

on Pox News hypocrisy. Comcast also gets the message that censoring a voice of reason in a sea of propaganda is a bad business plan.

[jeanmarc]

176. They will enjoy a ratings pop

Despite the argument Rachel Maddow makes, they've hurt their brand.

But I will say this, my conservative friend is dvr'ing Tuesday's show, this after I took the show off dvr in protest, so Tuesday's show should be a ratings bonanza.

Sure, it's anecdotal evidence, but I think they will enjoy a ratings pop.

MSNBC's policy is really, really stupid.

[Kingofalldems]

178. The Secret Republican won't like this one

Was hoping Keith would be fired. :shrug:

[bdamomma]

179. YEs!!!!!!

we did a great job with that petition and the calls. again we are a force to be reckoned with!!!

[pjt7]

181. When is Olberman going to have on

Lt.Col Anthony Schaffer or ex CIA bin lade chief Michael Schaeur, to tell his viewers, once & for all, that the 911 commision report is a lie from top to bottom?

FWIW Both these guys are conservative in their political leanings, so if Keith wants to play to his audience & find a credited liberal member of the intelligence/defense communtiy, to say the same thing.. so be it.

Come on Keith.

[BetsysGhost]

183. oh

christ.

[Tripmann]

185. Good stuff, best news I've had all day!

[slackmaster]

187. Just as I predicted

One week off, then a triumphant return.

Was it all a publicity stunt?

[Jim__]

189. Good news! - n/t

[Ticonderoga]

190. Interpretation:

Our sponsors are lining up to jump off our gravytrain like rats on a sinking ship. P-L-E-A-S-E MR OLBERMANN if you have a shred of decency left in you P-L-E-A-S-E come back and save our miserable arses. Signed. your BFF, Mr. Griffin.

[dipsydoodle]

193. Good

Nice to see that common sense had prevailed.:thumbsup:

Also good to see the sheer amount of support here on DU.

[New Earth]

194. woohoooooo

[ooglymoogly]

196. Sometimes there is justice!!!

The backlash came-th. Griffins name is mud. He will slink away in shame and try to stay below the radar.

[neobeetle]

197. That was quick!

I guess petitions DO work.

[Love Bug]

202. I'm happy to be proven wrong on this

I didn't think he'd be back because I believe they were looking for an excuse to get rid of him. But the message has still been communicated: if you are a liberal commentator for NBC you aren't allowed to contribute to liberal causes or candidates. If you are a right-wing commentator, we'll continue to look the other way.

[Liberalynn]

204. Yippeee!!!!!!!

:fistbump: :toast: :bounce:

[bear425]

205. YES!!!!! Keith should wear an orange tie. n/t

[caitxrawks]

206. i lolled so hard

...when I read this news. Ha!

[defendandprotect]

209. So Griffin's silliness is coming to an end -- ? Watch out for more of the same ....

eventually with the Comcast takeover --

[crazyjoe]

212. I'm surprised Keith didn't tell them to F themselves

Lost a lot of respect for Keith over this. Why in the world would he go back there after the way they treated him? He basically saved MSNBC, they were constantly the lowest rated network. He could take his highly rated show and his loyal audience to almost any other cable news network,probably could have negotiated a big raise too!!
I guess you better "behave yourself" now Keith, you may get spanked.
How embarrassing.

[defendandprotect]

214. Really too much to listen to -- we need some TEXT ....

but thank you -- I do like Malloy --

and agree, somewhere down the road this will have the effect of chilling

liberal hosts.

And this is just the beginning of COMCAST's reign --

it's a sick company -- which makes more than $500 million every year from

internet PORNOGRAPHY! A monopoly cable provider -- and now a monopoly

TV network owner --

This is the kind of stuff our government used to protect us from -- and

now rushes into to, arms wide open!!

It's more than dangerous for America and Americans -- it is another step

forward to fascism.

[katty]

217. good move a-hole, he is your STAR on MSNBC-WTF were you

thinking?!

[Shining Jack]

220. Absolutely!

I would say Government and corporation pressure but since his rating are so high it means that money talks louder than political pressure.

[Doctor_J]

218. Congrats to those who got it done

I thought your protests would be absolutely useless. Bravo from the depressed sideline.

[Atypical Liberal]

221. Hooray!

I emailed in the participate in the petition to bring him back. I'm glad he's back.

[Towlie]

223. Keith Olbermann secretly favors Democrats over Republicans? Who knew? I guess the secret's out now!

That picture in the opening post is the worst Photoshop job I've ever seen.

[KamaAina]

225. Translation: "After several days of having my inbox and voicemail jammed,"

"I've decided to cave in so I can get back to work." :P

[pleah]

226. K&R

to add: He should do a show on all the corporate whores that own the news organizations on their donations and to whom.

[McCamy Taylor]

227. Glad GE came to its senses. They will need someone to refute the House "global warming" hearings.

:toast:

[rhett o rick]

229. The battle may have been won, but the war has been lost for a long time. They got us right where

they want us. They own KO and can let him go when ever they want as they demonstrated. He wont be the same and his liberal colleagues wont either.