People that have been following the career of MSNBC's Keith Olbermann are fully aware that it's only a matter of time before he has a professional meltdown forcing him to once again change jobs.
Such was the case in 1997 when he abruptly left ESPN due to what he referred to in a Salon article five years later as having been unable to "handle the pressure of working in daily long-form television" while admitting that "deep down inside I've always believed that everybody around me was qualified and competent, and I wasn't, and that some day I'd be found out."
We believe it, too, Keith.
With this in mind, according to Monday's New York Post, history is about to repeat itself (h/t TVNewser):
His feuding with "Hardball" host Chris Matthews is nothing new. But now we're told notoriously odd Olbermann is lashing out at the rest of his network's talking heads. During West Virginia primary coverage the other night, Olbermann began pounding the table when lead White House reporter David Gregory didn't wrap his segment quickly enough to satisfy him. Olbermann recently encouraged management to oust the cable channel's lone conservative, Tucker Carlson, and it's also no secret among producers that Olbermann refuses to introduce Dan Abrams' show, which follows his own. Olbermann walked out of MSNBC years ago in a huff after also blowing up at ESPN, so TV insiders are curious if this recent behavior is a sign that history will repeat itself. MSNBC did not respond to our calls and e-mails seeking comment.
For those that have forgotten, Olbermann left his first position with MSNBC in 1998 because he felt his show spent too much time talking about Monica Lewinsky. As reported by USA Today (emphasis added):
The job, as Olbermann noted in a 1998 commencement address at his alma mater Cornell, wasn't fulfilling: It gave him "dry heaves," and it would "make me ashamed, make me depressed, make me cry."
How fitting, as that's how right-thinking Americans across the fruited plain feel every time they see this disgusting caricature of a journalist on their television screens.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.




















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Comments Policy
He's a Joke!
May 19, 2008 - 13:23 ET by MeanderingOlbermann is a joke. How anyone as incompetent as he could have a nationalized tv show is beyond me. However, you don't really need credentials if you are a liberal anyway, do you? Look at Obama.
What a baby. And Bill has
May 19, 2008 - 13:24 ET by U.S.S. NixonWhat a baby. And Bill has been killing MSNBC and GE lately and nothing Oralman does can stop him
"Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks
and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and
wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for
our attackers"
I wouldn't want to see Olbermann hurt himself...
May 19, 2008 - 13:24 ET by CTI'd like to watch someone else do it!
Pass the popcorn please. I'd
May 19, 2008 - 13:26 ET by mjgPass the popcorn please. I'd like to see it too, I've never seen his show but I find him too smug for my taste.
Time to fill the bathtub
May 19, 2008 - 13:40 ET by JTPand keep the water warm. He' gonna need it soon.
Personally,
May 19, 2008 - 13:42 ET by DelsaI think Kieth baby has already crossed over the edge of sanity.
MSNBC is over the edge right with him.
I think you're right,
May 19, 2008 - 15:50 ET by motherbeltI think you're right, Delsa....delusions of grandeur, for one thing. Look at the photo...it's our very own "Islamic Rage Boy"!! LOL
"I've always believed that
May 19, 2008 - 13:45 ET by celator"I've always believed that everybody around me was qualified and competent, and I wasn't, and that some day I'd be found out."
Keith, consider yourself "found out". If it helps, none of the people around you are competent either, so they probably won't notice.
If you think that's
May 19, 2008 - 13:50 ET by Gary P JacksonIf you think that's something, check out this Washington Post article about the feud between Bathtub Boy and Bill O'Reilly. Seems that there is a feud between Roger Ailes, Jeff Zucker, and Jeffrey Immelt, as well. This is quite delicious!
http://www.washingto...
That was covered here at NB
May 19, 2008 - 15:55 ET by motherbeltTim Graham covered that here at NB a couple of days ago.
He has nothing to worry
May 19, 2008 - 13:57 ET by mattmHe has nothing to worry about. He can always run for office.
mattm... Ain't that the
May 19, 2008 - 14:54 ET by bigtimermattm...
Ain't that the truth...sounds like Matthews is one step ahead of him though in that area.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
I am the biggest olberloon
May 19, 2008 - 13:57 ET by nicksmith112I am the biggest olberloon hater there is, but Krazy Keith has built a significant 25-54 audience. He is the big man on the 3rd place cable news network.
Do you think Bill Clinton has that GIANT check Krazy Keith gave him before Olberloon jumped off the Clinton bandwagon......LOL...Keith had tingling down his leg as he interviewed Bubba that day...LOL
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Ratings, what ratings?
May 19, 2008 - 13:58 ET by ballwana13Olbermann is only making smartass comments to get some attention. His ratings are so low that the infomercial at 3:00 AM gets better viewership than he does. When you are on the bottom, you move up by either providing interesting content or being outrageous trying to get attention from the lame media. Olbermann is trying the least of these two tactics and it seems to be working although it isn't a long-term strategy as without interesting content, viewers get bored and move on to something else, quickly.
This problem can be solved very simply. Just ignore Keith Olbermann.
The day Keith O is fired or
May 19, 2008 - 14:04 ET by marpelThe day Keith O is fired or is lead off in handcuffs (for treason)is going to be a fine day, but it will come too damn late. He has assaulted the citizens of this country, conservative or liberal, with his malicious attacks of this country and our President for too long. And MSNBC should be sued by the American citizens for allowing this nut case one iota of airtime.
Olbermann needs to be put before a firing squad tomorrow, and I want a front row seat.
I've made the point
May 19, 2008 - 14:07 ET by mlongI've made the point elsewhere that one of KO's biggest problems is His new personal of the "New Murrow" is based solely on attacking Bush and O'Reilly and in 8 months 1/2 of his act will be gone.
And if Obama wins He won't be going after Him he'll be kissing his butt and if McCain wins He won't be able to create the same hate as against Bush..He knows that no one not even his masters at Daily Kos are going to turn in to his show for 60mins of Obama praising or if it gose the other way trying to make McCain attacks that are just poor copies of his Bush material and His O'reilly attacks can only go so far.
Plus MSNBC is aready grooming Gregory to be their new star..which explains His little tantrum last Tuesday.
"How do you know when Hillary Clinton is lying?".."When She opens her mouth to talk."Neal Boort
I've begun to notice...
May 19, 2008 - 14:18 ET by SyriusNoel,
How conservatives are watching MSNBC's "Countdown" and Liberals are watching Fox News' "Factor" to see which host "pops" so to speak. No wonder Fox attracts two and half times more audience members than MSNBC. (sarc on).
I enjoyed your description- "as that's how right-thinking Americans across the fruited plain feel
every time they see this disgusting caricature of a journalist on their
television screens."
It's just like reading the same thing about Billo on Huffpost or DailyKos.
I love the similarities! I guess we are all the same...Good ol' Americans speakin' our minds!
Syrius
"...the dire consequences to society when people begin to believe that by
renaming someone to erase their humanity opens the door to the
devaluation of everyone's life..."-dscott
Olverblown With Himself
May 19, 2008 - 14:30 ET by GoodieCan we get the list of companies advertising in his time slot? Then again GE has committed treason many times over. More "Courage" than Rather?
LOLbermann is really funny
May 19, 2008 - 14:39 ET by wiwfLOLbermann is really funny when you pretend what he's saying isn't his serious opinion. Try it sometime!
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Since my city does not get
May 19, 2008 - 14:45 ET by marpelSince my city does not get Mark Levin, I am listening to the download of his May 16th radio show right now. I know there was a previous post from this weekend about what Mark Levin said about Keith O, but you guys have to hear it if you haven't already had the chance. I think if Keith O ever met up with Mark Levin in the street, Keithie should run from him screaming like a little girl...LMAO. Levin said EVERYTHING I was hoping to hear from someone in the media. Good for him!!!
Many Others
May 19, 2008 - 15:05 ET by capavLaura Ingraham and Dennis Prager blasted him, too. Laura said she usually writes him off as insignificant, but when he speaks against the troops, that's it! Bring it on Keith!
Is He Nervous?
May 19, 2008 - 14:52 ET by capavI saw an ad for his show tonight and it says that he'll address the fire that his special comment has incurred. Must be his producers got on his back because he's been attacking the troops as killers and it ain't goin' over too well. I can't wait to hear his "explanation". Call it the "All Spin Zone". It sure won't be an apology. He needs a full frontal attack from all e-mailers to amessnbc.
Breaking Point
May 19, 2008 - 14:59 ET by Tyler DurbinBIG mistake to pick a fight with O’Reilly and Murdoch. This fool is seriously outgunned in such a duel.
O’Reilly just started pounding away at Olbermann’s Achilles
heel: MSNBC’s ownership by General Electric.
G.E. executives know that O’Reilly’s devastating reports on their
company will end as soon as Olbermann’s idiotic behavior stops. They need the negative publicity far less
than they need The Countdown’s advertising revenue—such as it is.
Olbermann isn’t likely to take corporate editorial
supervision well. This may be the thing
that pushes him over the edge. This guy
makes Chris Matthews look sane.
"Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience."
Melt! Melt! Melt! O
May 19, 2008 - 15:05 ET by Tim the EnchanterMelt! Melt! Melt! O please melt! Please!
Deep Down...
May 19, 2008 - 15:14 ET by on-the-rocksya gotta feel sorry for the poor guy.
How many jobs can there be for a rabid, saliva-spraying weasel?
Maybe SNL has a place for him on their Weekend Update.
Keith is crazy...
May 19, 2008 - 15:45 ET by AgentAmericanThis is clearly a mental health issue, and his incompatibility with others in general should be a red flag for any organization. Work is disrupted whenever there is an emotionally unstable person in the machine dragging everyone else down.
Drill ANWAR
Olby
May 19, 2008 - 16:58 ET by d1carterI just hope it happens on camera for all to see....and I hope he takes Capus and Zucker with him to that nice quiet, white room for a long time.
BATH-TUB-BOY...
May 19, 2008 - 17:51 ET by danybhoyHere we go again about the fake news anchor who never should have left Bristol, CT...
I've said this before, but he is nuts, he thinks he's that much smarter then you, he's never wrong, & he never, ever has ANYONE who ever has an opposing viewpoint. He is turning into what Rosie was in the run up to her melting down & getting the boot from The View. In Olbermann's case, what's worse is his mental condition, I believe he's unstable & will meltdown on air in such a manner that his bosses(I'm assuming he has boss)won't be able to justify his spot on the air.
The sad part is that what is happening with BathTubBoy is really sad. Watching someone break down emotionally like he has been for a couple years is tragic, the man seems to need help, but he has been such a prick on so many levels over the years that I find it hard to see who will help him when he bottoms out. He has burned so many bridges over the years I don't believe anyone will help.
Good night & good luck, because we're looking out for you...
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Keith Olbermann in a straight jacket
May 19, 2008 - 18:04 ET by Redrowan2000I want to see the footage when they drive him away in a straight jacket and screaming I love Arianna Huffington and Daily Kos. No matter which side of the political aisle this loon landed on he is a breakdown waiting to happen. like Frank Burns in the Movie MASH.
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red
Noel...
May 19, 2008 - 19:44 ET by BritcomI had to laugh at that screen cap of Heir Olbermann, he looks like he's ready to hurl.
---
Communist vs. Statist '08
Q. Is Panamanian born John McCain a "Natural Born Citizen"
BC
May 19, 2008 - 19:46 ET by Noel SheppardBC,
Now he knows how WE feel! :-) ns
how did Krazy Keith become
May 19, 2008 - 21:33 ET by nicksmith112how did Krazy Keith become a defender of the troops???
Isn't this the guy that called them rapists, baby murders, and torturers on a daily basis a couple of years ago???
Noel...can you goto the wayback machine and expose this whacko!!!
http://www.archive.o...
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Keith Olbermann...
May 19, 2008 - 21:52 ET by MightyMouth...Is the poster boy for the Peter Principle . Some of you may be too young for that reference (hence the link). :-)
<edit>
Oh, and BTW that pic of olberloon reminds me of this...
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Is Olbermann on the Verge of Another Professional Meltdown?
May 19, 2008 - 22:03 ET by BeukeboomWe can only hope.
However it seems from insider information that he's melted down multiple times already. However MSNBC and NBC execs are so frightened of losing their highest rated on-air talent (and I use that term loosely) that they will bend over to kiss Olbie's behind while acting as yes-men and apologists to Olbie's behind-the-scenes bad behavior and in-front-of-the-scenes dishonesty and unethical behavior.