Cable host Keith Olbermann and news channel MSNBC abruptly parted ways Friday night, as the network announced that his contract had ended and the last installment of his show would air that evening. The surprise announcement strips MSNBC of its most-watched evening anchor after an increasingly tempestuous relationship, coming less than three months after the network briefly suspended the fiery host.
But why, given his high ratings which equals money to NBC?
We already know that MSNBC president Phil Griffin had been gunning for Olbermann for some time now. MSNBC was reportedly close to firing Olbermann on several occasions. Recall that during the ridiculous flap over Olbermann’s political donations, in which he responded to his suspension with a show of public defiance, Griffin flatly told Olbermann’s representative: “We are at war.”
Personal differences trumps money in a business where news has become profitable reality show entertainment? Really? It couldn’t possibly be for this reason:
“He’s been very problematic,” an NBCU source told Deadline about Comcast’s attitude to Olbermann. Officially, the Comcast takeover is next week. But word has been circulating for months now that the new owners have wanted to “tinker” with MSNBC and had many changes in store, including a right turn for the left-wing cable channel.
Do we really need another Fox News?
Comcast fired Olberman.
It is very common for “old” management to clean out dead/unwanted wood as requested by “new” management so that new management isn’t tainted by the axe falling. Old management has no reason otherwise to get rid of anyone and rock the boat as part of any smooth transition.
Olbermann is not the same as Beck and the rest. In the main, KO reports truthfully in a fair and balanced manner and simply the right doesn’t like the truth being told about their nefarious ways.
Too much is made about Faux Spews having on liberal guests. BTW, if having liberal guests make Faux fair and balanced, what is it exactly that the liberal guests are balancing????? But anyway–in the main the lib guests are cut off, interrupted, and spoken over. Meanwhile, the PUKES won’t go on liberal news outlets because they don’t like looking like idiots–although it is fun to see the new crop who haven’t quite figured out yet they aren’t talking to their base when they go onto KO. Q==”Senator–are you for or against 30 bullet clips?” A==”I’m against gun control as an assault on our liberty.” Rinse and Repeat. Yes, it will go on for hours. Paradoxically, half the Pukes look like they think they won the exchange.
Silly Pukes.
No, we don’t need another Fox News but we don’t need an MSNBC, either.
@Animby
That is a very good explanation of the current state of things and how we got there.
The real sheeple:
http://goo.gl/9Mvj5
#61 We know for sure you’re always misinformed, but this is in dallas-sheeple-like proportions. It was not Comcast and your “hero” got a big pay up from NBC and a “… but don’t go showing yourself on TV for a while” card with that deal (talk about journalistic integrity).
“Sources say that just before he went on air Friday night to host his final show, his agent made a secret deal with NBC.
When Keith’s agent complained that he was underpaid $7 million per year, NBC execs refused to give in, knowing that an exit was near.
The execs reportedly began making exit negotiations…
The bottom line is that Keith did receive an undisclosed amount in the negotiations, but cannot appear on television for an unknown period of time.”
You’re truly pathetic.
#64 We have our own resident Olberman sheeple. Say hello to #61
Pedro…it has not gone unnoticed that you skipped the main thrust of the question put upon you…twice now.
Caption the photo: Hey! You wanna shut me up? Put money on my hands!
#66 I’ve made a statement and it has gone unread. So, what’s your deal?
So sad this truth tell is gone, especially in “the home of the free and the brave” where truth telling is now punished this way by corporate interests who have taken over the airwaves, want to take over the internet and are succeeding, all so they can pass on their falsehoods so they can make profit and F*** the consumer.
Yes, the fairness doctrine being removed WAS a major step in this fascist direction and everyone in corporate America pushed for it for this very reason.
pedro: my deal is the false equivalence of Beck and Olbermann. Equating them demonstrates a significant lack of critical thinking.
#69 Your failure to see the fact that they’re both the same shows your bias. Which is neither news nor a surprise to us here.
How’s that dogma taste?
LOL
Pedro for Brains–Right Wing Lies/insanity is the same thing as left wing fact based challenging of the Right Wings lies and insanity?
Ha, ha.
Where do you think you are “standing” to call the obvious differences between KO and the Faux News Puppets “the same.” What alternate dimension are you traveling?
Still waiting but now I’ll give you a choice: name one or more lies KO has uttered on air OR tell one truth that Beck has uttered that he has not also contradicted?
GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The right-wing media develops a Pavlovian response mechanism in many of their devotees.
Olo==was it you or someone else that made an excellent distinction between bias and dogma? something to the point that a bias could be recognized and dealt with whereas a dogma could only be conformed with? THAT wasn’t it, it was so much better stated.
I shoulda copied and pasted it. DARN.
Course, dealing with Pedro for Brains, the distinction is not relevant. for him: The lies I agree with are the same as the truth I disagree with.
Ha, ha.
#72 Again, you lost me at left and fact based. The only fact I see is a drama queen that got richer.
Bobbo, it mighta been me, I remember that…I wished I’d saved it too. A rare moment of lucidity. lol
How do I search on this blog?
Pedro, you got nothing. You’re wrong but can’t admit it. Typical.
Olo–I believe you can only search the titles of the Original posts==using the DU search service. I have seen posts be part of a normal google search but they may be hit or miss. I’ve not really studied either. It might turn up on google–if you could remember enough of it that you didn’t need to google it to begin with (smile).
That was a most excellent construction you had there. Dust in the wind? Sleep on it and it should come back. Good enough to post every 6 months. Or with Pedro for Brains, once a week?
Olo–I did spend some time googling (site:http://www.dvorak.org/blog bias dogma baggins) which did bring back some fond memories, but not your quote. What other words were used?
(Thanks, Keith.)
Much as I enjoyed him, tact has never been a strong point for KO.
I’ve got an idea! Fox needs to start the O’Reilly Olbermann Show! It would be a real hit. They might need a sheet of bulletproof plastic between them, though….