About 24 hours after dissing Joe Scarborough via an open microphone during Monday's coverage of the Democratic National Convention, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann took an insulting poke at partner Chris Matthews.
Wonderfully, Matthews didn't take it lying down.
This raises an important question: is the hatred Olbermann has been spewing on virtually a nightly basis beginning to take its toll on his fellow on air personalities presaging a looming uncivil war at MSNBC?
Consider that on Tuesday evening, after Matthews finished sharing his views concerning Hillary Clinton's upcoming speech, Olbermann arrogantly introduced House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) thusly (h/t TVNewser):
Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the Democratic Leader, has been kind enough to stand by with us inside the Pepsi Center and has listened to us go off at the mouth [making the talking-too-much hand motion] on the subject of Sen. Clinton's speech tonight. I gather you had something...
Matthews was clearly offended, and interjected the following:
Well, if you make that sound, Keith [making the talking-too-much hand motion], I can do the same to you. That's what I thought. Alright? And I said it. That's the point!
When viewed in a vacuum, this might not be that big of a deal. After all, Matthews and Olbermann have had their dust-ups before, and come out hugging and kissing.
However, during a 24-hour period, Olbermann was caught on an open microphone insulting Scarborough, followed by Scarborough and David Shuster battling it out on Tuesday's "Morning Joe," and concluding with this episode between Chris and Keith Tuesday evening.
Is this all a function of the extraordinary hatred that comes out of Olbermann's mouth on a regular basis -- oftentimes emulated by people like Shuster as well as Dan Abrams and Rachel Maddow -- beginning to anger folks within MSNBC such as Matthews and Scarborough? Or is there more to this?
After all, despite his ratings -- which are considered good by MSNBC standards -- there have been internal NBC grumblings concerning Olbermann for many months. These run the gamut from disagreements over: his arrogant, blustery style; his obvious far-left-wing advocacy, and; the fact that he's really an unlikable guy.
What are Matthews' likely beefs? Probably one and three, for Chris must love Keith's far-left-wing advocacy.
As such, when it comes to Matthews, his problem with Olbermann is clearly personal and NOT ideological. That was quite clear Tuesday evening.
Of course, Matthews must also feel slighted by all the attention Olbermann gets given how long Chris has been part of the NBC family, and his favored position years ago given his successful "Hardball" program.
Now, with the emergence of "Countdown," "Hardball" is almost an afterthought as MSNBC builds its entire prime time schedule around Olbermann as evidenced by the recent replacement of Abrams' "Verdict" with a new show by Olbermann protege Rachel Maddow.
None of this can possibly sit well with Matthews.
Add it all up, and we might be witnessing the normal Olbermann modus operandi wherein he offends enough of his co-workers to either be fired or forced to resign.
Potentially making matters worse is a new petition called "Morning Joe's Gotta Go" just started online to get Scarborough fired (h/t Johnny Dollar). This appears to have been created -- or, at the very least, is supported -- by the blog Olbermann writes for, Daily Kos.
And, news from the New York Post's Page Six (as reported by my colleague P.J. Gladnick) that Olbermann is trying to get long-time NBC "Nightly News" host Tom Brokaw banned from MSNBC adds more fuel to this looming firestorm.
I'm sure this all sits well with Olbermann's colleagues and the good folks at General Electric and NBC who must be wondering what this bickering between their leading political talking heads is doing for their brand.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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Comments Policy
I won't be happy until
August 27, 2008 - 09:31 ET by marpelI won't be happy until someone smack KO right in the kisser in primetime! I may get my wish soon at the rate he's going. What an A-hole!!!
i prefer to find him
August 27, 2008 - 13:35 ET by TruthMongeri prefer to find him grungy, homeless, and jobless, sleeping in the alley behind NBC on a pile of trash, hugging a bottle of MD20/20...
he's certainly earned it after all
Journalism is the opium of the liberals
Truth, that would take too
August 27, 2008 - 14:21 ET by marpelTruth, that would take too long to accomplish!!! We need fast action...the kind a good baseball bat can deliver. LMAO
only took John Edwards a
August 27, 2008 - 14:29 ET by TruthMongeronly took John Edwards a couple weeks...
Journalism is the opium of the liberals
A little "psychology"
August 27, 2008 - 09:38 ET by iveseenitall"Liberals". Sooner or later, they turn on each other. You see, they hate themselves for being who they are, but they often take it out on others who are just like them. Just give it enough time: it's inevitable.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Why can't "liberals"
August 27, 2008 - 11:54 ET by j. frank wilsonjust all get along and be friendly, like Ann Falter does? Or be warm and fuzzy, like Rudy? Or embracing and inclusive, like Sheer Insannity? Or reach out to one and all, like Ole BlunderRush? Or fair and balanced, like Bull O'Really? Or calm and concise and accurate, like the swimwear model Michelle?
Where in the world do "Liberals" get their role models for their conduct?
I'm glad you put the L-word in quotes
August 27, 2008 - 11:58 ET by sarcasmoIt means you may know what it actually means, and why this NewSpeak word, if you research its actual meaning, applies no better to the clueless tax & spend welfare-state American left than the clueless borrow & spend warfare-state American right these days...
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Funny stuff Noel
August 27, 2008 - 09:40 ET by Cool ArrowI was fortunate enough to have channel surfed to that bit last night.
I'm betting each thinks the other is breathing in too much airtime.
I ♣ my seal
Moments that make watching MSNBC bearable
August 27, 2008 - 09:43 ET byThis was one of them
Hasn't Matthews been around
August 27, 2008 - 09:47 ET by motherbeltHasn't Matthews been around MSNBC a lot longer than Olbermann? First Scarborough, now Matthews. Apparently KO thinks he can just come in and start throwing his weight around.
How do KO's and Matthews' ratings compare? Not that it matters much. Being top of the heap at MSNBC means having more marks on you where people touched you with a ten-foot pole.
Motherbelt, KO was working
August 27, 2008 - 11:19 ET by marpelMotherbelt, KO was working on getting Tim Russert either fired or demoted before he died. He was also directly responsible for Dan Abram's getting demoted. How about them apples?
I guess the MSNBC top brass see something of Keith's that is lined in gold...hmmmm wonder what that is????
KO makes regular excursions
August 27, 2008 - 12:37 ET by Hunter12KO makes regular excursions back to the mothership at NBC for primetime appearances like Football Night in America. I believe he has pictures of Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff in a menage a trois with Bob Costas. It can't be because of any talent. My cat could do in his litterbox what he does on that show.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Looks like KO's repeating
August 27, 2008 - 09:50 ET by Chris NormanLooks like KO's repeating his history of wrecking every gig he ever gets. Perhaps MSDNC should send Heckyll and Jeckyll to couples counseling before it's too late...
McNotObama '08
How about...
August 27, 2008 - 10:19 ET by HeavyChevyPistols at dawn.
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
It's Olbermann's network
August 27, 2008 - 10:00 ET by pilsenerIt's Olbermann's network. Scarborough is about to be replaced with Shuster, and Matthews will be gone if he doesn't kow-tow.
There are still plenty of Air America hosts who need a real gig, and a whole bunch of about to be unemployed leftist "reporters". Not to mention the unelectable Al Franken.
Methinks I see a Julius
August 27, 2008 - 10:02 ET by AeroSpearMethinks I see a Julius Ceasar moment afoot for MSNBC. Et tu Brutus?
Thing is, Chris does run off at the mouth...
August 27, 2008 - 10:04 ET by lotrThing is, Chris does run off at the mouth. But Keith is an arrogant ass; you know, the type that doesn't cut you slack and will not hesitate to belittle you in public. Chris ran off at the mouth and co-host Keith insulted him on national TV. Welcome to liberalism, Chris, where "manners" are considered a quaint, constraining, un-chic "social construct."
plain and simple ko is a
August 27, 2008 - 13:42 ET by TruthMongerplain and simple ko is a complete and total dick
and life has a way of dealing with these people
it's always a very, very painful reckoning
i can hardly wait I'm so excited for it:)
Journalism is the opium of the liberals
I agree
August 27, 2008 - 15:21 ET by well99His day is coming.How the propaganda arm of the DNC(MSNBC) can let all his antics slide amazes me.How much more can MSNBC be embarassed by his unprofessional performance?Dumb and Dumber have lost any semblance of professional standards.
"In this life, or the next..."
August 27, 2008 - 21:02 ET by lotr"In this life, or the next..."
Dissention among the ranks.......
August 27, 2008 - 10:05 ET by RovinI get the impression that these two egos have been at each others throats for some time now. We've just missed the off-air stuff until now. Now if we could see a live commentary with Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Nice catch Noel!
Rovin
Okay then...
August 27, 2008 - 10:06 ET by Mearlinethis is what counts as a dust up between leftists? Okay, I haven't kept up with the cat fight between KO and CM but what's next? Slapping each other with their little white gloves and hair pulling?
I didn't think Olberhoser...
August 27, 2008 - 10:09 ET by Jarhead68was doing that solely to Matthews but was doing it in a self-deprecating way, as he just kept talking AFTER Matthews summed up, thus extending the time limit on the segment they were doing. I think Chrissy just took that the wrong way.
And before you start beating me up for defending "Bathtub Boy", let me tell you that I cannot stand that idiot.
Bathtub boy?
August 27, 2008 - 10:16 ET by harqmanI have seen it 1000 times. I have googled it. Not a clue. Help please.
Thanks
Bathtub Boy...
August 27, 2008 - 10:23 ET by Jarhead68John Gibson of Fox News labeled Olbermann with that a few years ago. I don't remember the whole story or the exact context but it did have something to do with KO taking a bath...literally.
IN a nutshell, Olbermann
August 27, 2008 - 10:57 ET by motherbeltIN a nutshell, Olbermann was so upset about the Lewinsky thing and impeachment that he wouldn't get out of his bathtub and go to work, so John Gibson ended up filling in for him.
Fantastic!
August 27, 2008 - 11:10 ET by harqmanFantastic. So this was the end of his first gig out of the sports commentating world?
Bathtub Boy...
August 27, 2008 - 10:27 ET by Jarhead68http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuj7iAA-eOw&feature=related
I like the reference to TUBgirl...
August 27, 2008 - 12:50 ET by UberconJarhead,
I always thought naming KO as Bath Tub Boy was disguised as a reference to TUBgirl. Gibson's Bathtub boy story was sort of lame whereas TUBGirl is more appropiate for the likes of KO. Agreed?
Ubercon
I certainly agree with you on that -
August 27, 2008 - 11:36 ET by kdizzydazeBut for a dust up of any level to occur in such a situation makes me wonder if Chrissy, after listening to the ridiculousness of the last several days (and possibly being privy to internal polling data) realizes that there is a chance that this might be a blow out in the other direction come November.
Ratings
August 27, 2008 - 10:12 ET by harqmanIf MSNBC wants ratings they should leave the mikes open the whole night. Even during commercials. Because I think Chris, who is one of the rudest hosts on TV, is going to explode. He is the one who does the talking over others. It is not the other way around. KO clearly did not get this memo. KO sees BO as the only other person in the Universe with an ego as big as his. And he believes to the core of his warped being that they are both worthy of the ego.
Chris thinks KO is a bigger blow hard then him and that is too much for Chris to take. I am certain to the core of my being, that when Chris walks in the door at home, whoever sees him first, announces to the entire house that the "biggest blowhard in the world is home." So to have his throne invaded by this young whipper snapper is difficult.
And I am loving it.
Liberals are just angry at everyone
August 27, 2008 - 10:24 ET by robertjacobLiberals are SIMPLY ANGRY - and they don't care who they are angry with - they just piss and moan about everything, all the time.
It's what liberals do.
PISS and MOAN
Prime Time Soap Opera
August 27, 2008 - 10:32 ET by maggieqpublicTwo more nights of the convention… followed by the McCain VP pick… followed by the Republican convention. Olbermann, Matthews, Scarborough and Shuster are already short on temper. Considering this crew has more than a week to go with minimal sleep and loads of air time….. this should be great entertainment.
TENSION!
August 27, 2008 - 10:33 ET by TexndocThese two have shilled for Obama from the beginning. They do not report reality or with any iota of fairness. If Obama goes down, they go down. They know it and are like two cats on a hot tin roof.
Prissie Chrissie and KO
August 27, 2008 - 10:38 ET by ScrapironTypical democrats. Hate everyone and everything. They're families would make one good mental health study of how not to raise children and make the case for forced abortion.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
"News" Shows Act With Impunity
August 27, 2008 - 11:11 ET by rammingspeedOlbermann's day is coming, but traditionally the news - or so-called news - divisions, and now cable channels, have been given a lot of rope. They've been allowed to operate in the red, or at least with far less black than entertainment shows. But MSNBC hasn't got much, with being at the bottom of cable channel ratings, and now people like Joe Scarborough and even Chris Matthews getting fed up with him.
It's amazing that these idiots (Olbermann and Matthews) don't see what they're doing to themselves.
Meet The Press
August 27, 2008 - 11:41 ET by Texndoc"It's amazing that these idiots (Olbermann and Matthews) don't see what they're doing to themselves."
Chris Matthews is a bigger idiot because he knows if he had been even slightly bipartisan and didn't get sucked into Olbermann histrionics he probably would have received that host-spot. He threw himself over that moonbat cliff and without a President Obama they are both laughing stocks. Matthews was once no more intolerable on TV than George Stephy is now - both libs but not offensive to the point of ridiculousness. Now George S. has a Sunday show and Chris is Keith's second banana.
Aww, it's cute when lovers
August 27, 2008 - 11:29 ET by Roger the ShrubberAww, it's cute when lovers quarrel...
Chrissy is a little too touchy
August 27, 2008 - 12:25 ET by Captain KirockThis sort of backbiting at DNC-TV is so fun to watch. I didn't think KO was taking a swipe at Chrissy. But Chrissy is obviously insecure about his declining status and feels threatened so he lashed out.
I bet the two will be holding hands and hugging each other Thursday night though, when they get to worship in the Temple of Obama.
Oh this is all getting to
August 27, 2008 - 13:24 ET by bigtimerOh this is all getting to be too much fun with this on-going soap opera that seems to be getting very heated with resentment and anger at the arrogance and power of the insane POS Ubermann...
I can't wait to watch Olbermann implode...he will...along with MM and Dailykos (Soros) including Obama...most likely after the election season is over...their power will be greatly diminished in the leftist political circles...well, that is if there is one person left with a brain that works that can lead them out of their stuck on stupid abyss.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Just in case anyone hasn't
August 27, 2008 - 13:52 ET by CortillaenJust in case anyone hasn't realized what's going on, this is the direct result of MSNBC's policies. The news is no longer important to them, so rational news anchors who keep their own opinions out of reporting are no longer needed. Instead, they're replaced by loudmouthed, blathering buffoons who view their job as simply a way to pour out their personal opinions, regardless of the facts. The network has gone from news to a parade of personalities, an environment both destructive to balance and encouraging to insults and feuds.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
It is so hard not to be outraged but...
August 27, 2008 - 16:35 ET by Jonah JohansenIt is so hard not to be outraged but...ask yourself, does this person or this organization's actions end up causing a net gain of support for their cause or ours.
In 2004 Michael Moore's movie was a scummy lie but surveys of viewers showed that if it had an effect at all, that effect favored the President.
Ask your self would you rather have Kieth and Rachel's MSNBC time filled by likeable thoughtful seemingly open minded person who subtely, slowly, pursuasively with humor spoke from a moderate liberal perspective?
"Ask your self would you
August 27, 2008 - 17:42 ET by Ubercon"Ask your self would you rather have Kieth and Rachel's MSNBC time
filled by likeable thoughtful seemingly open minded person who
subtely, slowly, pursuasively with humor spoke from a moderate liberal
perspective?"
Are you out of your mind? How could you think for a moment that there is some sort of "moderate liberal
perspective"? Freakin' commie talk...they have no backbone and they want our money to fund their elitist lifestyle...I can see it now as President Obama-man tells everyone to load up into the caravan and drive to Starbucks for a freakin' latte.
If I wanted a freakin' liberal to tell me of their moderate liberal
perspective, I'd beat it out of them.
Ubercon
Good recap of the implosion
August 27, 2008 - 19:47 ET by kit9Good recap of the implosion at MSNBC. But don't forget Joe Scar. replaying Olbermann's blubbering over the top praise of Hillary's speech for the sole purpose of ridiculing and criticizing it this morning. That was priceless. I think maybe Joe knows his days are numbered and he doesn't give a crap anymore.
Oh Snap!
August 28, 2008 - 01:34 ET by Travis NoodleI love a good bitch fight.
I can only hope
August 30, 2008 - 09:58 ET by MrDebaterthat Scarborough doesn't come to Fox...he's moderate, but has no personality. I don't think he would bring anything positive to Fox. Maybe he could be picked up by HNN or CNN...they could then show that they might actually be making a move to the center.