Olbermann navigates tightrope minus a net

[cynatnite]

While Olbermann has fully embodied the Beale zeitgeist more than ever, he has done so with decidedly more clear-eyed focus than the manic rage practiced by that particular fictitious icon. Over the past three weeks, he has crafted and delivered a pair of impassioned, acerbic essays that first slammed defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld (on Aug. 30) and then, on Sept. 11, one skewering President Bush for his politicizing the events of five years before.

An excerpt: "How dare you, Mr. President, after taking cynical advantage of the unanimity and love, and transmuting it into fraudulent war and needless death, after monstrously transforming it into fear and suspicion and turning that fear into the campaign slogan of three elections?"

It was a devastating and lengthy commentary that last week became an immediate sensation in the video download universe (earning nearly 300,000 page views on YouTube alone). Coincidentally or no, Olbermann's household numbers are up 73% in the first two weeks of September from August.

While there is no argument that Olbermann can at times be self-indulgent, somewhat arrogant, over the top and stridently passionate, he is also the most compelling news personality of his generation. Love him or hate him, he is a charismatic, righteously indignant force of nature who is inspiring fervent cheers and detesting jeers in equal measure.

http://hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/the_pulse_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003123893&&imw=Y

Yeah, it's a few weeks old, but it's still a nice read :)

[Vincardog]

1. KO gets fervent cheers from me

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. The two best newscasters on the air...

Are a sportscaster and a comedian who used to be an MTV host.

Ponder at will.

[Bitwit1234]

3. MSNBC

They won't dare pull Olbermann what with his ratings. They know they will really go down the tube if the do...The only reason they have any ratings is because of Olbermann. Nobody watches any thing else. They only check in once in a while. Management might be afraid of what he is saying but they won't take him off.

[Human Torch]

4. Some of my best friends are self-indulgent and somewhat arrogant...

...including me.

:evilgrin:

True, I don't think Olbermann suffers from self-esteem issues. But there should be 100 more like him on the airwaves every day. I'm so sick of talking heads savoring each subtle nuance of Bush's latest terra speech as if it were the first uncorking of a magnificent new wine. Olbermann navigates the tightrope minus a net...and minus kneepads.

:patriot:

[stopbush]

5. No one ever seems to mention what separates KO from the others.

It is his utter civility in his discussions and his refusal to attack and/or berate his guest commentators. Who
else is so civil, polite and respectful? Surely not O'Really or Tweety who make a point of confronting certain
guests in a dismissive way.

Yes - one could argue that KO tends to book guests who will reinforce his positions, but that isn't always so.
Dana Milbank, Craig Crawford and others frequently offer a spin that isn't in line with KO's premise, and I have
never seen him talk down to them or berate them.

KO is one of a kind on TV these days.

[OwnedByFerrets]

6. Moreso than "Beale zeitgeist"

I believe he embodies Edward R Murrow. He is a hero in my mind and eyes. What bravery it has taken to do what he is doing.

[Grateful for Hope]

7. One thing they did not mention

is that Keith is honest, and expects honesty from our government.