TV Newser has some juicy details from a February Men's Journal interview with “Countdown” host Keith Olbermann.
In it, an MSNBC executive admitted “Keith runs MSNBC.” Good to know that the basement-dwelling cable net is banking on a conspiracy-addled, orange-tinted Edward R Murrow wannabe for corporate guidance.
Olbermann went from almost fired to pulling the corporate strings in two years, which is impressive for a man with a habit of "trashing people publicly, even his employers" (bold mine):
But he seems to be doing well for himself in the office now. [Interviewer Paul] Tullis cites a senior executive at MSNBC, who says, "Keith runs MSNBC. It's been an amazing turnaround, because two years ago they were going to cancel him. Because of his success, he's in charge. Chris Matthews is infuriated by it."
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These two years just happen to coincide with the network's hard left turn into the deep waters of nutroot “Blame America” territory. No wonder MSNBC went from a network reporting news to a network shilling for the hard left and targeting the GOP.
I don't see why Chris Matthews should be “infuriated.” Matthews only has over 30 years in politics working in Congress and on campaigns as well as over ten years on “Hardball” interviewing presidents, political insiders and foreign dignitaries.
But, hey, if Olbermann is the kind of guy who could become a sportscaster without ever playing sports, why shouldn't he be a political anchor without ever being in politics or even reporting politics?
Olbermann must know what he's talking about; he signs off using Edward R Murrow's famous signature “Good night and good luck.”
I mean, only a real journalist would dare to co-opt the sign-off line that belonged to such a revered figure in broadcasting as Murrow. Besides, an anchor who never has people on his show who disagree with him must be terribly secure in his opinion. Right?
Of course, there has to be an obsessive compulsive remark about Fox News:
The article also touches on Olbermann's goals, in the context of his main competition, Fox News Channel. "I'd like it to be the accurate counterweight to Fox. My attitude is not to counterbalance them because they're conservatives; it's counterbalancing because some of their stuff is outlandishly in violation of every tenet of responsible broadcasting," he says.
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He has to have pictures of
January 12, 2008 - 18:03 ET by CrimsonfistedHe has to have pictures of somebody for a moron like him to be running this organization. What else could it be?
WhatAMaroon
Because of his success,
January 13, 2008 - 11:17 ET by motherbeltBecause of his success, he's in charge. (emphasis mine)
"Success" on MSNBC equals "usually better than a sharp stick in the eye" (the operative word being "usually")
It's all relative:
In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is King -Erasmus
I turn to another channel
January 12, 2008 - 19:20 ET by TWOTIMETUNAI turn to another channel if he is on....including his sports commentary on NBC.
Democrats are either Parasites or Parasite Enablers
no wonder
January 12, 2008 - 19:25 ET by paulnashtnIt is no wonder that my TV has not been on MSNBC for more than 30min in the last year-none of which was when that a**h**e was on.
Oberdude "I'd like it to
January 12, 2008 - 19:34 ET by general companyOberdude "I'd like it to be the accurate counterweight to Fox.
That would be nice, instead we get the fantasy version.
Chris Matthews is infuriated by it."
Anything the ticks off Chrissy Mat, cant be all that bad.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
...because some of their
January 12, 2008 - 19:42 ET by DaBird...because some of their stuff is outlandishly in violation of every tenet of responsible broadcasting," he says.
I sit here in total awe how Olbermann can say that with a straight face. Simply amazing.
Olberman
January 12, 2008 - 19:47 ET by Lame CherrySo Olberman ruling in the garbage dump of MSNBC gets to go and smell up the NFL on Sunday Night and drop the ratings of that entire evening costing NBC millions in ad revenue.
That makes perfect liberal sense.
Maybe Chicky Matthews should whisper that in the ear of the NBC and General Electric bosses.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
their stuff is outlandishly
January 12, 2008 - 20:03 ET by SMGalbraiththeir stuff is outlandishly in violation of every tenet of responsible broadcasting," he says.
Olbermann attacking someone else's failure to abide by the tenets of responsible journalism?
Please stop. Just cut it out.
I could never be a reporter because when someone I was interviewing said something as patently absurd as this, I'd just break out into hysterical laughter.
Editor: "Hey, why is this story on Olbermann two paragraphs? I needed at least 800 words".
Me: "Well (snort,giggle), er, he (giggle) didn't want to talk".
Editor: "What? Why?"
Me: "Umm, well I fell to the floor in convulsive laughter when he said that Fox was violating basic principles of responsible reporting".
Editor: "Great! That's the fifth time this week, twice already with Olbermann. And it's only Tuesday. You're fired!"
The only thing Keith O runs is........
January 12, 2008 - 20:09 ET by PawpawNThe only thing Keith O runs is........[suspense].....HIS MOUTH!
"outlandishly in violation
January 12, 2008 - 20:19 ET by the struggler"outlandishly in violation of every tenet of responsible broadcasting",that spells Windbag.
what does Dan Abrams say
January 12, 2008 - 20:23 ET by charlietexaswhat does Dan Abrams say about all this?? I say Kqueef is doing a
good job running Pmsnbc. All their ratings are in the turlit.
Keep up the good work Kqueef .
Of course, the full quote
January 12, 2008 - 20:36 ET by Jack BauerOf course, the full quote is:
Not surprising.
January 12, 2008 - 20:53 ET by GregENot surprising. Olbermann is completely objective and fair in his news reporting and commentary. Always presenting all angles and simply providing quality information. He sets a great example for any newsperson.
(staring with my hands out, palms up) ... What?
LOL
And Rosie is waiting in the wings...
January 12, 2008 - 20:50 ET by Bacchus"Keith runs MSNBC. It's been an amazing turnaround, because two
years ago they were going to cancel him. Because of his success, he's
in charge."
That has to be the funniest "serious" comment I've read in a long while.
An AMAZING TURNAROUND? What a circus. Rosie O'Donnell and Vince McMahan would fit into that line up perfectly. MSNBC has completely lost its moral compass, but at least the talent appears to be happy with their performances. Jolly good.
--
Keith Olbermann: A COUNTDOWN TO NO RATINGS
- Mark Levin
Just like the typical MSM,
January 12, 2008 - 21:06 ET by GregEJust like the typical MSM, they say what they want to happen, not what's happening, and if they say it enough we'll all start believing it. They found out years ago that it works on the American sheeple, so they do it subconciously now.
delete
January 13, 2008 - 13:38 ET by motherbeltdelete
No wonder that network
January 12, 2008 - 20:58 ET by rbosqueNo wonder that network SUCKS!
BATH-TUB-BOY...
January 14, 2008 - 08:29 ET by danybhoyWhat you are seeing at MSNBC(AirAmericaTV)is the inmates running the asylum, in this case, an insane asylum. Mathews resents BathTubBoy's "success" because he's spent about a decade in 3rd place in a 3 horse race.
As for BathTubBoy's ratings "success", anything added to nothing is successful. Since dozens of people were watching MSNBC before Meltdown w/BathTubBoy, & now hundreds are watching, percentage wise, it looks huge. Bottom line, he will NEVER have the sort of reach or influence that guys like El-Rushbo, O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck, or any other media member has. He does'nt win his timeslot, he means nothing, & as long as GE lets the cable news version of Kid Nation continue, I won't take the peacock seriously.
I also go out of my way to avoid GE products as well, they don't get my money as long as MSNBC exists in it's current form.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
I don't even know what to
January 12, 2008 - 22:04 ET by obxrayI don't even know what to say.. Bet it's a thrill working there.....gezzzz
Bringing up the rear
January 12, 2008 - 22:06 ET by nkviking75I guess the suits at MSNBC like being last.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Keith's success...huh?
January 13, 2008 - 03:10 ET by CJK51Keith's success...huh? Don't the Time-Life commericals hosted by Air Supply and run at 3 a.m. garner higher ratings?
By the way, does anyone know if NBC's "Football Night in America's" ratings have dropped from last season to this season? It would be interesting to see if they have with Keith's addition. Why does a highlight show need a cast of 28 people like that one has, too?
Time-Life commericals hosted
January 13, 2008 - 10:59 ET by obxrayTime-Life commericals hosted by Air Supply...LMAO . Now that is funny CJK51.
Not the first time an
January 13, 2008 - 07:49 ET by Ruths husband BenNot the first time an asylum was run by a loon.
Those who beat their swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who didn't. - Ben Franklin
Olberman's success?
January 13, 2008 - 12:20 ET by c5thenWell, they can't measure it by ratings, or viewers. He's at or near the bottom when measured that way. So what "success" could he be refering to? Probably the "success" that he's acting as the left-wing's attack dog. He says things that are false, made-up and completely taken out of context in order to garner headlines and publicity. He's been successful at that. And apparently, that is what really matters at MSNBC. After all, NBC can lose money on the network, because MS just keeps dumping it in.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
motherbelt's definition of
January 13, 2008 - 13:38 ET by motherbeltmotherbelt's definition of "success" at MSNBC:
"usually better than a sharp stick in the eye" (the operative word being "usually")
Phew! (Wiping sweat from my brow.)
January 13, 2008 - 16:34 ET by Wildcatter1980I just started normal breathing, again. That's what happens when you are laughing so hard your sides hurt and you're gasping for breath.
Olbie wouldn't know the truth if it hit him smack in the face!
Just my $0.02