Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Rob Long ·
Nov 5, 2010 at 11:47am
Just breaking now, via Politico:
MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has been suspended indefinitely without pay after POLITICO reported that he made three campaign contributions to Democratic candidates.
MSNBC President Phil Griffin said in a statement Friday: “I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."
Of course, he'll be back. I mean, won't he? Although a little time away from Olbermann might be useful for MSNBC, ratings-wise. Lawrence O'Donnell's show, The Last Word, seems to be doing very well. Maybe they'll take this moment to rethink the schedule.
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Comments :
Sep '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
I just pray they keep him away from sports where I might have to watch him again. On more than one occasion I emailed those idiots on Football Night in America when he was allowed to bloviate there.
Oct '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
It will probably be some token suspension, and he'll be back soon.
I'm of two minds about this. First, it's pointless to say that this hurts his "objectivity" when that word applies to him less than the word "soap" applies to the Peanuts character Pig Pen. He doesn't make any effort to hide it.
On the other hand, if NBC wants to be seen as following their own ethical guidelines, the ones that they specifically stated also apply to MSNBC personalities, they had to do something.
How many times can they afford to be shown as hypocritical?
Aug '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
I hear there's an opening at NPR...
Oct '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
'Nuff said.
May '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
He's the creepy guy who hangs around college far too long (interns? Where?) Not as creepy as Maher, but that's a pretty low bar. But really, the nutroots get embarrased by him. Stewart thinks he's a joke. And he feels good for being less buffoonish than Ed Schultz.
Still, where's the DC Caller going to get it's content now?
Jul '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
What is Tucker Carlson going to do now ??? That domain name wasn't worth anything before...
Jul '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
You guys seeing an ominous pattern here? Helen Thomas, Rick Sanchez, Juan Williams and now Keith Olberman?
Clearly, there's some hidden right-wing cabal behind this bloody purge of objective, honest journalists.
And it's all happened since the founding of Ricochet.
Coincidence?
I don't think so.....
Jul '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Ya beat me to it by seconds!!!!
Jul '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
As I've previously noted, Bill Maher used work for me as a retail shop-boy in NYC.
He was creepy even then. So creepy that all the other employees asked me to fire him.
Which, of course, I did.
Aug '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Maybe he can profile himself on his "Worst Person" segment when he's back on the air.
May '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
The whole thing is so bizarre.
Oh no -- maybe Keith Olbermann is partisan? I'm shocked.
Who is NBC kidding? I mean come on.
It seems more likely to be pretext because the guy has completely gone over the edge to the point of embarrassment and the execs at MSNBC just learned on Tuesday night that they are somewhat behind the curve.
Frankly I think Chris Matthews might want to be putting in some longer hours in the office too because he's looking a little frayed at the edges as well.
I think MSNBC is going to start edging back toward the right and Olbermann's days might be numbered.
I think Juan Williams settled too soon. He is obviously SO uncomfortable at Fox and it looks like he could have had his dream job if he'd just waited to KO to implode..
Jul '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Who beat you to what?
And by the way, multiple exclamation points aren't allowed here. Take that stuff to DailyKos, pal.
Edited on Nov 5, 2010 at 12:16pmJun '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Most of Olbermann's program was devoted to personal attacks on those who disagreed with him, not explorations of the issues or fair or balanced discussions at any serious level about policy. How could his "Worst Person in the World" segment be characterized as anything but hate speech. Don't really care what pretext NBC management used to get rid of him. They could have done it for lackluster ratings. But he violated NBC's policies and that's good enough for me. Good riddance to this mean spirited human being.
May '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
As a Special Comment, I thought you were Kyle Brovlovski, sir!
And Kenneth, that's the second private Maher story I've heard this week. Guy really cut a swath, apparently.
Jun '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Rob Long: Just breaking now, via Politico:
In the interest of full-disclosure, O'Donnell pronounced on "Morning Joe" this morning that he is a socialist (not that there were any doubts) but so polite of him to admit it. Maybe more socialists will self-declare...Barack? Barack? It's okay Mr. President, don't be shy. It's all the rage.
May '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
I think you missed something in the Politico story. He got suspended for not contributing _enough_ to the dems.
Jul '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
In a development that stunned the world of cable news, MSNBC this morning announced that mainstay Keith Olbermann has been replaced with a show featuring two complete unknowns.
In a format reminiscent of Fox News' Hannity and Colmes, the new show, tentatively titled "Mash-up with Kenneth and Duane", will feature internecine conflict between two right-wingers, one of whom openly advocates bombing the entire Islamic world into rubble and another who counsels that terrorism is best countered by aromatherapy and distribution of smart phones to Muslims across the globe.
The new hosts apparently came to the attention of MSNBC's management via an obscure blog site called Ricochet.
Reached for comment, one of Ricochet's founders, Peter Robinson, responded, "Well, we're sorry to lose Duane."
Edited on Nov 5, 2010 at 1:33pmMay '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Kenneth
Who beat you to what?
And by the way, multiple exclamation points aren't allowed here. Take that stuff to DailyKos, pal. · Nov 5 at 12:15pm
Edited on Nov 05 at 12:16 pm
But emoticons are allowed. ;-) :-D :-*
I don't get it. Journalists aren't allowed to contribute to campaigns? Aren't they allowed 1st Amendment rights like the rest of the citizenry? This whole move by NBC seems just so... dumb.
Aug '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Like Claude Raines in Casablanca, NBC is "Shocked...shocked!" that Olbermann is unethical, unbalanced, and underhanded in his treatment of people. Compared to his other atrocities, this seems very tame indeed.
I'm surprised that it matters to NBC. Are we supposed to believe that Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw, et al, didn't make contributions to Democrat candidates? It could be seen as an infringement of free speech if you believe - as I do - that campaign contributions are a form of speech.
Personally, I don't care, as long as they can appear to be unbiased and fair to both sides.
May '10
Re: Keith Olbermann, Suspended at MSNBC
Kenneth: In an announcement that stunned the world of cable news, MSNBC this morning announced that mainstay Keith Olbermann has been replaced with a show featuring two complete unknowns.
In a format reminiscent of Fox News' Hannity and Colmes, the new show, tentatively titled "Mash-up with Kenneth and Duane", will feature internecine conflict between two right-wingers, one of whom openly advocates bombing the entire Islamic world into rubble and another who counsels that terrorism is best countered by aromatherapy and distribution of smart phones to Muslims across the globe.
The new hosts apparently came to the attention of MSNBC's management via an obscure blog site called Ricochet.
Reached for comment, one of Ricochet's founders, Peter Robinson, responded, "Well, we're sorry to lose Duane." · Nov 5 at 12:36pm
Ahhhh! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! I was actually believing it for a moment there and thinking to myself, "Oh, cool! I guess I might watch MSNBC after all."