On Sunday, NewsBusters asked readers, "Will NBC Succeed in Making Olbermann Mainstream?"
70 percent of respondents said, "No, he's too crazy."
Well, Nielsen ratings of his "Countdown" program aired Sunday evening on NBC validate this position, and wonderfully depict Olbermann as clearly not being ready for primetime (h/t Thomas Stewart):
Let the smack talking begin: NBC ran a special one hour Countdown with Keith Olbermann and it pulled Quarterlife style numbers (3.37 million) and did even worse in the demo with a 0.5/2. I’d blame that on the basketball overrun except that a rerun of King of the Hill on Fox did about three times as well as KO in the demo. Even a rerun of America’s Next Top Model on the CW had a better 18-49 result than Olbermann. We know from our regular coverage that almost all of Olbermann’s (and O’Reilly’s too) viewers are over the age of 55 on cable, and it would seem NBC was doing their own little Katie Couric experiment to see if it could capture the youth using Keith Olbermann. The verdict is in: nope.
I'm verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.




















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Comments Policy
this was obviously Bush's fault
April 1, 2008 - 11:27 ET by Jnoble..he and CheneyHitlerHalliburtonEvilCorporate America must have threatened or done something to repress people from watching his show. There will be a 'Special Comment' on it coming soon.
Too delicious for his shirt....
April 1, 2008 - 11:31 ET by Jack BauerROFL Jack... I couldn't
April 1, 2008 - 11:35 ET by bigtimerROFL Jack...
I couldn't of said it better!
This news is a delight for me though...heheee...couldn't happen to a more miserable crawlin' critter than Keith.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Keithie clobbered by a King of the Hill rerun?
April 1, 2008 - 11:36 ET by R D HelmHow embarrassing. :-)
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Don't you mean...
April 1, 2008 - 11:44 ET by RiharKIETHIE KLOBBERED BY KING KOPY!
KALAMITY! KRY KOSSACKS!
When a liberal speaks, the truth is busy elsewhere.
KKK
April 2, 2008 - 05:59 ET by ThisnThat<jest on> You're not a member of the KKK - KKKK by any chance, are you?
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Could any other human being
April 1, 2008 - 11:35 ET by NewsbusterbrownCould any other human being look as pompous as Olbermann does in the above photo?
That's his patented "please
April 1, 2008 - 11:37 ET by Roger the ShrubberThat's his patented "please kick my sorry ass" pose.
Looks like his head has
April 1, 2008 - 11:40 ET by Jack BauerLooks like his head has been photoshopped onto a Stunt Body.
Or maybe he's naked below the waist.
Village Idiot
April 1, 2008 - 11:48 ET by celatorI believe this is Keith's official "I am the Village Idiot of the Cable Television Community" photo. Nice of MSNBC to provide it for all to enjoy.
Thank you. I have no more
April 1, 2008 - 11:51 ET by Lord ElicaniThank you. I have no more appetite.
Murrow turning over in his grave
Murrow turning over in his grave
Ed Murrow had a child and the damn thing went wild
- Lindsey Buckingham
"That's his patented
April 1, 2008 - 20:24 ET by Jerry"That's his patented "please kick my sorry ass" pose."
Ha! Take a number RTS. There's more people waiting in that line than viewing his CountClown show.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Could any other human being
April 1, 2008 - 12:28 ET by RickTaLifeCould any other human being look as pompous as Olbermann does in the above photo?
You mean other than Obama? ;-)
...compared to Dateline
April 1, 2008 - 11:36 ET by Roger the Shrubber...compared to Dateline last week at 7pmET, NBC was down 43%...
That didn't stop NBC from spinning this flop as a success, since Keefy got well over triple what he normally gets. That means there are 2 million television sets out there that are stuck on whatever channel the local NBC affiliate is on.
But that will change
April 1, 2008 - 11:45 ET by FastEdwhen everyone gets to see the oberwoman in digital! I wonder if Katie or Chrissie, or any of the other hair sprayed anchors are worried??
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Olberman Flops
April 1, 2008 - 11:57 ET by NKurucThis couldn't have happened to a better guy. Regarding NBC' s spin on ratings. What do you think the Fox numbers (millions of viewers) would be if they ran O'Reilly on the regular Fox network in prime time? How many viewers would he pull in compared to Keithy boy?
What really matters in prime time is..... where does a program finish compared to the other three major broadcast networks? NBC is so poorly run.....it's amost unfathomable. Look for more major shakeups in the next few months
It ain't over, till it's over.
So why hasn't the network
April 1, 2008 - 11:44 ET by rimskySo why hasn't the network canceled this show?
And admit failure
April 1, 2008 - 11:48 ET by FastEdso soon? Just draws attention to a misstep - a month needs to go by to justify the tax right off.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
BATH-TUB-BOY...
April 1, 2008 - 12:30 ET by danybhoyI'm guessing that the powers that be at NBC have too much invested in BathTubBoy to admit that he's a ratings disaster. He will be gone when those above him who are protecting get the sack.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
You asked
April 1, 2008 - 15:18 ET by ArcherBBelieve it or not, but as bad os Obly is, he is the highest rated show on MSNBC. It could because he has the primetime slot, but he still gets the highest numbers on that station. However, I should note that MSNBC's highest ratings come in far behind Fox, CNN and even CNN Headline News for the same time slot (and the next few as well!)
So yeah, he's doing very poorly, but he is currently the best MSNBC has to offer. Pathetic, I know!
"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary." Ernesto "Che" Guevara
4 Mill a year
April 2, 2008 - 04:34 ET by Red JeepSo why does MSNBC pay him 4 million a year? Why is MSNBC even on the air anymore? MSNBC must lose money big time.
A COUPLE OF THINGS...
April 2, 2008 - 06:36 ET by danybhoyWhat's funny is that MSNBC's website gets more hits then most other news websites, & the running joke is that MSNBC is a website with a network. As opposed to most news networks that happen to have websites, like FoxNews or the BBC.
The MS in MSNBC stands for MicroSoft, & 1 of their big shots, Steve Balmer said if he knew then what he knows now about their partnership with NBC, they would never have gone into buisiness with NBC to create MSNBC.
I cannot wait for this peice of crap excuse for a "news" network to go defunct. It has only a couple of functions, to give the DNC free advertising by pushing their agenda & their candidates. It also provides NBC, along with CNBC, USA, & other NBC/Vivendi/Universal owned cable broadcasting outlets multable platforms for their Olympic coverage. I do like this to the extent that I get to see the hockey, other then that, for 4 years, it's crap.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
How long?
April 1, 2008 - 11:46 ET by planetrepublicanHow long do you thing it will take for this guy to get the boot once W leaves the White House? His ratings will plummet very quickly.
Let the bombthrowing begin
April 1, 2008 - 11:48 ET by KC MulvilleNow, it just means that Olbermann will have to do something more explosive to get noticed. Will we soon see a Special Comment where Keith will be the first journalist to ask Hillary to bow out? Oh, the excitement.
Right on, but a little too polite
April 1, 2008 - 12:09 ET by SickofLibs'Ask' is not in his vocabulary - it would have to be a DEMAND. And come to think of it, 'bow out' also sounds kinda civil and gracious...
Olbermann.
April 1, 2008 - 12:00 ET by Missouri ConservativeThey're airing Olbermann twice every night now. Once at 7 and again 9.
"women and minorities hardest hit"
Neilson Says...
April 1, 2008 - 12:02 ET by BacchusNBC's Reality TV - Countdown Voted Off the Island
Nelson says:
April 1, 2008 - 12:08 ET by Jack BauerNelson says: Ha Ha...
Today is the day...
April 1, 2008 - 12:34 ET by ledurchi...I can say that Keith Obermann showed prime time audiances how wonderful network television can be. It is amazing that such a talent has for too long been prevented from blessing millions of hungry no-cable minds with his unmatched wit and wisdom.
Caveat: April Fool!
30 ROCK...
April 1, 2008 - 12:33 ET by danybhoyThe problem is that NBC is on Fantasy Island when it comes to BathTubBoy.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Liar
April 1, 2008 - 12:24 ET by mattmThis loser labeled Rush Limbaugh as "worser" because he "Lied about Obama not crossing the aisle" - then he goes on to explain that Obama crossed the aisle to co-sponsor a nuclear non-proliferation bill with Republican Richard Lugar.
This is either stupidity or deception: If Limbaugh was mistaken - that is not a lie. Also, a Liberal crossing over to partner with another Liberal to sponsor a Liberal initiative is hardly bi-partisanship!
Either Olbermanic is mentally incapable of making this distinction, or else he is engaging in deliberate slander.
Olbermann's act consists
April 1, 2008 - 12:24 ET by marvlOlbermann's act consists entirely of his anti-Bush rant. What's going to happen when a new administration takes up residence in D.C.? Will the network finally pull this moonbat and relegate him to spot coverage of baseball card trading conventions? Or better yet, award him the network janitorial concession back at headquarters? Cleaning toilets would be fitting employment for Keith Olbermann.
If he gets cancelled, (long
April 1, 2008 - 12:25 ET by marpelIf he gets cancelled, (long overdue) Olbermann will manage to blame his "misfortune" on Bush, I'm sure...
I'm sure that Bush would be
April 1, 2008 - 12:31 ET by RESTLESS 1I'm sure that Bush would be happy to take credit any misfortune that olber (no man there) should encounter.
no takers
April 1, 2008 - 12:29 ET by CatherwoodO''s kind of hatred and intellectual preening really doesn't appeal to anybody.
I can't wait!
April 1, 2008 - 12:48 ET by rgoldThe Nielsen ratings people are coming to my house to hook up the meter tomorrow. I have locked MSNBC out of my TV forever. I'm thinking seriously about letting the fox channel play all night muted of course), but I haven't decided. I will be glad to continue to fight the MSM any way I can.
rgold, Nielsen hooked up my
April 1, 2008 - 13:19 ET by marpelrgold, Nielsen hooked up my house years ago. It was great. There were great bennies at the time, but don't know about today.
Ours was hooked up during Desert Storm. Too bad Fox News wasn't around on our cable stations at the time. We had no choice but CNN.
Rendell
April 1, 2008 - 13:16 ET by capavHe made a major mistake by appearing on Fox and Friends and saying that Fox News was the most fair on coverage of the campaign. He ended up as Worst Person in the Wooooooooorld! Uh, uh sometimes MSNBC guest, you are NEVER allowed to compliment Fox News. It really riled Olby up. He was majorly p.o.'d!
Why?
April 1, 2008 - 13:33 ET by Captain KirockWhy does NBC continue to push this lunatic masquerading as a journalist on the rest of America? First, he was awkwardly injected into NBC's Sunday night football show and he failed miserably. Now he gets an hour of prime time and flops so bad he gets beat by a rerun of America's Top Model?
What a buffoon.
If they change the name of
April 1, 2008 - 13:43 ET by Hero SquadIf they change the name of his show to "The Biggest Loser," they might get a larger share... at least for a few minutes.
And it wouldn't be inaccurate, either.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
I'm reminded of what Triumph
April 1, 2008 - 13:48 ET by mikejI'm reminded of what Triumph the insult comic dog said about the Tony Awards show not to long ago. Apparently the show ran on a Sunday night against the final episode of the Sopranos and something else, maybe football and the qoute was:
"The ratings could be so low that NBC actually picks it up as a series"
Seems to be right on par with Olbermann's ratings.
Can't say I'm surprised
April 1, 2008 - 14:32 ET by ToddonCapeCodCan't say I'm surprised
The Left are their own cheerleaders.
They live in such narrow worlds and ivory towers that they cannot understand why average people like you and me, just don't think like they do!
Olbermann Flops in
April 1, 2008 - 15:03 ET by AntiMediaOlbermann Flops in Primetime. Ex-Girlfriend says Odermann Flops in Bed.
AM... ...yeah I heard
April 1, 2008 - 15:10 ET by bigtimerAM...
...yeah I heard some of that gossip..seems size of thumbtacks were mentioned...not that I understood any of that mind you....lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
They have $$ to burn, no
April 1, 2008 - 15:49 ET by NortoThey have $$ to burn,
no other explanation necessary. Like follywood et al. Just keep putting out stinkers even if no one goes to watch. Huh! if a movie flops and no one is there to see it...........
forget it, too much pb&j.
Say it aint so!! Olbermann flops in Primetime??
April 1, 2008 - 15:50 ET by PrairieSkyColor me shocked!!! LOL!
My only thought on NBC and
April 1, 2008 - 17:20 ET by Gary P JacksonMy only thought on NBC and MSNBC's extreme left bent is because GE stands to make so much money off of left wing causes. GE is into solar panels, wind turbines, and all of the other trappings of global warming. Look at the "green week" all of the NBC/Universal networks participated in last year. Tina fey actually had that idiot Gore on her show. Then there was the wildly successful, I mean wildly UNsuccessful earth concerts. Follow the money, and you will see much of it leads to GE.
Who made this decision?
April 1, 2008 - 17:53 ET by d1carterThe decision makers at NBC are just as unbalanced as Olby.
The only way for Obermann to
April 1, 2008 - 18:44 ET by Chris NormanThe only way Obermann will be cancelled is for the whole channel of MSNBC to get the axe. I wonder if this was the reason why NBC was trying to "mainstream" him onto the surviving parent network in advance? They would put Matthews and Olbermann on NBC and get rid of the rest. Aside from them, MSNBC is just a rotating mishmash of quickly cancelled shows, Dateline reruns, and infomercials - with some news updates occasionally thrown in. Honestly, what purpose does MSNBC actually serve, aside from giving these two whack jobs a padded cell in which to rant and rave?
Boy is NBC looking like it
April 1, 2008 - 21:21 ET by BobAnthonyBoy is NBC looking like it did in the 1970's. Programs bombing one after another!
And for Blowberman, he is better off covering poker...IN SIBERIA!!!!
Hey, Wait!!!
April 1, 2008 - 21:32 ET by River City"We know from our regular coverage that almost all of Olbermann’s (and O’Reilly’s too) viewers are over the age of 55 on cable, ... "
I take exception to this. I watch O'Reilly periodically and am not over 55, yet. Maybe they don't know that much about Fox.
"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." Hillary Clinton, 6-28-04 San Francisco
KO Baby
April 2, 2008 - 01:07 ET by VonuHe is the opposite of a Mac-Daddy.
At least...
April 2, 2008 - 07:41 ET by catnamedjakeThis shows that there are not as many moonbats out there as we were afraid of. Let him bunk up with Ted Turner. We'll see who gets eaten first.