Given his penchant for comparing Republicans to Hitler, using such phrases as "slinging crap," and stating that the Bush presidency "has now devolved into a criminal conspiracy to cover the ass of George W. Bush," you would think that Keith Olbermann, the buffoonish left-wing sportscaster-cum-newsreader would refrain from giving lectures on political civility or the limits of comedy. Not so, however.
On last night's edition of his program, the Obama-supporting anchor was horrified that Jon Stewart, the man he apes, dared to make a joke about the Illinois Democrat's unusual middle and last names. The hypocrisy is thick enough to cut with a knife and serve—assuming you could stand the stench.
Olbermann began the segment comparing Stewart to Ann Coulter (horrors!):
OLBERMANN: If Ann Coulter makes a reference to Barack Obama's middle name and then throws in an allusion to Hitler, most of America cringes appropriately. Jon Stewart does it at the Oscars, it's funny?
Our number one story on the "Countdown," moments at which even the most pro-labor people might have regretted the settlement of the writers' strike. Not just at the Kodak Theatre, but also on "Saturday Night Live," backed from forced hiatus, with the premise of a CNN debate in which the moderator admits the entire media is in the tank for Obama.
The political correctness is pretty gagging here as well. Apparently it's better to have no political comedy at all then to have comedy that ridicule's the media's transparent pro-Obama bias? Who knew?
After that odd bit, the producers excerpted this clip from "Saturday Night Live:"
"BARACK OBAMA": They're tired of being told, you journalists have to stay neutral. You can't openly take sides in a political campaign. And they're saying, yes, we can. Yes, we can take sides. Yes, we can.
Female fake anchor: Wow. Wow. (Fans herself)
Male fake anchor: Bull's eye. Nothing but net.
Female fake anchor: Well, there's obviously no way anyone on earth could possibly follow that.
"HILLARY CLINTON": Well, actually--
Female fake anchor: So this continues tonight's debate.
Of course, the clip is spot on. The media are indeed quite biased against Hillary Clinton, although the left-leaning "SNL" crowd isn't likely to mention that Republican politicians have endured that kind of treatment for far longer.
Now for the Stewart bashing:
OLBERMANN: And then there was stronger meat at the Oscars:
JON STEWART (From Acadamey Awards): You have to give Barack Obama credit. He has overcome a great deal -- not just he's an African-American, Barack Hussein Obama is his name. His middle name is the last name of Iraq's former tyrant. His last name rhymes with Osama. That's not easy to overcome. I think we all remember the ill-fated 1944 presidential campaign of Gadolf Titler (ph).
Joining me now, the star of what is now the Academy Award- winning best animated feature, "Ratatouille," Patton Oswalt. [...]
So obviously you were there. Was the "Titler" joke funny? Was it fair game? And if it was, given that, you know, Ann Coultergeist really believes she is a comedienne, can't she come back with, you know, a Hitter/Saddam Hussein/Barack Obama joke now?
"Stronger meat?" If that's Olbermann's idea of controversial comedy, he needs to get his head examined. The Obama/Osama joke is at best mildly amusing and certainly no less "fair game" than the tired Bush/Shrub line that left-wing columnist Molly Ivins wore out like an old rug. The petty, hypocritical "Coultergeist" comment was a nice touch as well.
The real point Olbermann is trying to make here is that liberals don't deserve to be made fun of, even in the kidglove manner that Stewart did in the excerpted segment. And for god's sake, don't make fun of the media. That's just wrong.
In truth, Olbermann's remarks are just a few notches above the rantings that far-left YouTube users love to post on our NewsBusted comedy episode comments. To them, political humor is only supposed to further "truth," which in their narrow minds equals conventional liberalism.
I heard a great example of this at a party recently while talking to FNC "Redeye" host Greg Gutfeld who told me about a routine a comedian friend has that starts out with him saying "I don't know about you but George Bush is the worst president we've ever had."
Inevitably, the incapable-of-restraint BDSers in the crowd start applauding loudly. But then:
"Which is why it's so strange that George W. Bush is the greatest president we've ever had."
You can hear a pin drop after that and then the laughter starts when everyone else realizes how ridiculous the applauders are.
Keith Olbermann would probably walk out of the room at that point to protect his precious ears.
Update 13:44. Allah has pretty much the same reaction, comparing the Olbermann/Stewart moment to a bad guy vs bad guy WWF matchup.
Audio of above excerpt available here (679 kB | 1:27).
—Matthew Sheffield is Editor of NewsBusters.





OLBERMANN: And then there was stronger meat at the Oscars:









Editor at Large

Comments Policy
Did Keefie have his widdle
February 26, 2008 - 16:55 ET by motherbeltDid Keefie have his widdle feewings hurt????
All together now......aaaaaaawwwwwwww!
So let's see....Ann Coultergeist....hilarious
Chimpy McHalliburton Bushitler.... HAHAHAHA!
Joking about Obama's name....HEY HEY HEY....that's over the line!!!
I didn't know Olberdoofus
February 26, 2008 - 16:55 ET by radiofitz34I didn't know Olberdoofus had feelings.
KOed
February 26, 2008 - 18:04 ET by well99I think KOed is under the influence of his pet rock.I swear this guy just has no clue.
Oh all of this is
February 26, 2008 - 16:56 ET by bigtimerOh all of this is rich...
The truth hurts doesn't it Olbermann.
You can't handle the truth...even when it is by a so-called friend you like from your side of the aisle to-boot.
Btw...I absolutely love the joke Gutfeld told you Matthew...I'm still chucklin'.
Talk about a perfect
February 26, 2008 - 17:08 ET by motherbeltTalk about a perfect example of being able to dish it out but not take it.....
How many "journalists" does it take to screw in a light bulb?
KO....That's not funny!!!
BTW, Matt, I think the photo in the "cover the ass" link should be the regular one for posts regarding Olbermann...it's almost as good as "Muslim Rage Boy."
Arrogance
February 26, 2008 - 17:22 ET by iveseenitallThe real joke in all of this is that "liberals" actually take themselves so seriously. When they are not being outright hypcrites, many of them truly believe their own ignorance. But in truth, their sensitivity is based in their lack of confidence in themselves. Many "liberals" loathe themselves and so can't take a joke.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
I think it's funny that
February 26, 2008 - 17:29 ET by motherbeltI think it's funny that they think using made-up names to imply stupidity or malice is hilarious, but just making fun of the name itself is beyond the pale.
I guess I just don't understand liberal humor. :-(
Olbermann, handle the truth
February 26, 2008 - 19:00 ET by kgOlbermann, handle the truth? Not in your lifetime. Truth is not in his vocabulary.
Calling Olbermann a buffoon is much too kind.
Olbermann dreams every night of being Obama's press secretary.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
OK, let me get this
February 26, 2008 - 17:30 ET by Chris NormanOK, let me get this straight. You can't criticize or post embarassing pictures of Obama - that is "a smear". Now you can't poke fun at him either. Must we only profess love and gratitude towards our "Dear Leader"?
Chris... ...and that is
February 26, 2008 - 17:36 ET by bigtimerChris...
...and that is exactly how Obama wants it if he has his way...he and his wife both if you listen more and more to his speeches which he is spouting more and more with arrogance.
I listened to one long one last night from Sat. on C-Span.
Maybe with time this will do him in...I don't know this country is filled with nothing but a huge following of lemmings.
As I watch Obama, with his
February 26, 2008 - 19:40 ET by Chris NormanAs I watch Obama, with his microphone, working his rallies, I've concluded that he should be a talk show host, like Dr. Phil or Oprah - not president.
That's right, Chris....Obama
February 26, 2008 - 17:52 ET by motherbeltThat's right, Chris....Obama is just plain "off limits."
BT
February 26, 2008 - 18:04 ET by iveseenitallYou've hit upon something, BT. The adulation this guy is getting can easily lead to a swelled head. He's strutting more and more and that can turn people off rather quickly.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
jeez Keith....
February 26, 2008 - 18:14 ET by connmanFirst of all that bit by the little twirp Stewart wasn't funny. I'm wondering if Keith saw the numbers for the Oscar telecast nobody but the glitteratti's parents were watching this unfunny tripe anyway so what was your point Keith? Oh yea let's somehow tie Coulter to this so we wind up not pummeling Stewart but Coultergeist! Brilliant just brilliant! By the way I liked the little rat chef movie until KO trotted out the Oscar winning Director comparing himself (favorably) to Hitchcock.Ho hum another Hollywood Bore. Scratch that one off the must buy DVD list.
So, could you tell what if anything Barack Obama has accomplished to be considered for the office of the POTUS?.......He died for our sins, isn't that enough?
BATH TUB BOY...
February 26, 2008 - 18:52 ET by danybhoyOh, I'm sure that BathTubBoy noticed the low ratings of the Oscars, he is an expert on low ratings. He's very good at bringing in low ratings.
Since you don't like people making jokes about Obama, does this mean that you will stop with your jokes...errrr..."special comments"? Well BathTubBoy, will you? No, you won't, & I know why. You would'nt have a show without your television "news" version of the Mike Malloy radio show. You do almost all of your prep work on sites like MediaMatters, Kos, Think Progress, among others, it's not like you bust your @$$ doing show prep.
I'm just waiting for BathTubBoy to step on the landmine that nukes his career, but that would mean his bosses would have to give a damn about his performance/conduct/ratings. GE/NBC is still willing to allow this clown to do his "performance art" on national tv-with cable access ratings.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Obama will heal our souls
February 26, 2008 - 18:06 ET by Matthew SheffieldWhy would you ever want to engage in such blasphemous talk?!
Wow!
February 26, 2008 - 18:12 ET by well99That is so cool.(faints)Cant wait for it to happen.He might have to put in overtime on mine.
»→ Matt
February 26, 2008 - 18:14 ET by Cool ArrowI think Michelle Obama told us he will do just that.
♣ a seal
Cool,
February 26, 2008 - 18:20 ET by R D HelmBut, will that be before or after "the messiah" walks on water?
That is apparently the only thing he hasn't actually done yet, according to his fawning supporters, both within and without the MSM.
Proud member of the "Rough Republican Attack Machine."
→ Helm
February 26, 2008 - 18:28 ET by Cool ArrowLo, and verily, he shall glance upon the water and it shall freeze.
♣ a seal
-
February 26, 2008 - 22:33 ET by dahliatravers... no, that's the other Democrat candidate.
I've been waiting a while
February 26, 2008 - 18:10 ET by balboaI've been waiting a while to say this about Olbermann when the moment presented itself: what a douchebag.
I'd be curious to hear what Oswalt said. I can't imagine he thought the joke was out-of-bounds at all.
Bal
February 26, 2008 - 18:19 ET by well99I must remember to mark this day on my calendar.I agreed with balboa on 26Feb2008.Note:Remember to take medication.
Savor the flavor, fella!
February 26, 2008 - 18:36 ET by balboaSavor the flavor, fella!
Bal
February 26, 2008 - 18:40 ET by well99Glad to see Jon didnt go pc.To bad for KOed.
Another funny joke Stewart
February 26, 2008 - 18:44 ET by balboaAnother funny joke Stewart had was about Clinton:
"Julie Christie was absolutely amazing in Away From Her. Brilliant
movie. It was the moving story of a woman who forgets her own husband.
Hillary Clinton calls it the feel good movie of the year."
boa... I am ROFL....too
February 26, 2008 - 18:48 ET by bigtimerboa...
I am ROFL....too funny.
Thanks...I needed that.
What's that brown spot
February 26, 2008 - 19:13 ET by kgOlbermann...What's that brown spot on your nose??? Did Obama stop too suddenly?
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
lol
February 26, 2008 - 18:54 ET by well99Jon was rocking.I imagine it will hit youtube.I'll have to keep a eye out for it.
Voila. http://www.tvg
February 26, 2008 - 19:01 ET by balboaVoila.
http://www.tvgasm.co...
Thanks Bal
February 26, 2008 - 19:10 ET by well99I can listen while browseing NB.Cool best of two worlds..Tabs.
Bal
February 26, 2008 - 19:20 ET by well99That was so cool what he said about Iraq movies.I imagine some of the audience were ticked.
Olberman is nothing but a rabid pundit
February 26, 2008 - 18:33 ET by c5thenTo take him seriously is to flatter his ego and reward MSNBC for purposfully confusing commentary with news.
Olberman and Matthews are in the same category as Jon Stewart.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Hi c5... I agree with you
February 26, 2008 - 18:39 ET by bigtimerHi c5...
I agree with you post that's for sure...with one difference though. while Stewert and Matthews are leftist loons, Olbermann is certifiably insane in my opinion...I am not kidding either...he is rabid.
»→ Sorry OldBuffoon
February 26, 2008 - 18:35 ET by Cool ArrowBut I think your Ann Coultergeist jab was mildly funny. I'm thinking Ann would appreciate it in a roast.
So if you think you're scoring points with "Coultergeist", all you're doing is making Stewart's case.
♣ a seal
The MSM force-field around Obama
February 26, 2008 - 18:37 ET by R D HelmThe more I see this Obamamania lunacy unfold, the more and more it appears that the MSM (and Keith Olbermann) are striving to erect an impenetrable force-field around Barack Obama.
It is if they are attempting to make this man the Ronald Reagan of the Democrat Party, only this time, not only will nothing that is flung at him actually stick, but anyone attempting to fling anything his way will be hit immediately by Obama's MSM protectors.
This reminds me of the MSM's protection of the Clinton's throught the nineties. Only worse.
Proud member of the "Rough Republican Attack Machine."
As usual, it always comes
February 26, 2008 - 18:51 ET by Roger the ShrubberAs usual, it always comes back to Monty Python.
There used to be a web site
February 26, 2008 - 18:55 ET by balboaThere used to be a web site with a huge list of odd band names. My favorite was
Biff Hitler and the Violent Mood Swings
Olbermann: the Mike Nifong
February 26, 2008 - 18:57 ET by zhombreOlbermann: the Mike Nifong of cable news.
NOT EXACTLY...
February 26, 2008 - 19:09 ET by danybhoyAt least Nifong lost his job, BathTubBoy is still on NBC's payroll.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Filthy hypocrite swine.
February 26, 2008 - 19:05 ET by rbosqueFilthy hypocrite swine. Moron.
You can see the video of
February 26, 2008 - 19:18 ET by balboaYou can see the video of this interview here:
http://www.msnbc.msn...
Watching it, I have to say that Olbie doesn't look all that upset about the jokes, but seemingly trying to make some obscure point that Oswalt doesn't back him up on at all.
Poor little Keith, unable
February 26, 2008 - 21:33 ET by GregEPoor little Keith, unable to see how hypocritical he really is for even bringing this up (as his #1 story on the Countdown too, gee, reach for the newsworthy stars why don't ya Keith?)
Then no sooner than his guest arrives, he throws out the term Coultergeist to describe Ann Coulter? Oh man this is some rich stuff here Keith. If I had to breathe in that room, I'd drown in the thickness of the hypocrisy and stupidity filling my lungs.
I guess it was really bad for Stewart to say because, well, Obama just happens to be one of Keith's Democrat idols....
....but I realize Keith is a very objective news person so I shouldn't be saying this stuff.
What a complete boob.
H and let's not
February 27, 2008 - 15:55 ET by LCT688Oh and let's not make any Mousillini or Hitler Jokes either!
"A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one."
Alexander Hamilton