Al Gore on Current TV's Newest Addition: 'Keith Olbermann Is A Gifted Thinker'
The rumors about Keith Olbermann joining Al Gore's struggling television network came true Tuesday morning with the announcement that the former "Countdown" host was indeed moving to Current TV.
The press release contained comments from those involved that were nothing less than hysterical:
Keith Olbermann, the acclaimed broadcaster and writer whose verbal pyrotechnics and moral passion have outraged, informed, and dazzled viewers of "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" for the past eight years, is bringing his slashing wit, analytical eye, and distinctive commentary to Current Media, the Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning TV and digital media company that was founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt and is now distributed in more than 75 million households around the world.
Not surprising, there was nothing in the press release about how Current is struggling for survival and has laid off a lot of employees in the past three years. But I digress:
“ In a world where there are fewer and fewer opportunities to hear truly distinct, unfettered voices on television, we are delighted to provide Olbermann with the independent platform and freedom that Current can and does uniquely offer.” - Al Gore, Chairman and co-founder of Current Media
“ Keith Olbermann is one of our society's most courageous talents. He speaks truth to power. He calls them as he sees them. He speaks his mind. Our society needs his kind of thoughtful analysis and commentary.” - Joel Hyatt, Executive Vice Chairman and co-founder of Current Media
"Nothing is more vital to a free America than a free media, and nothing is more vital to my concept of a free media than news produced independently of corporate interference. In Current Media, Al Gore and Joel Hyatt have created the model truth-seeking entity. The opportunity to partner with Al, Joel and Mark Rosenthal makes this the most exciting venture in my career." - Current Media press release quoting Keith Olbermann
The Huffington Post added:
[Olbermann] said the show "will be for all intents and purposes an improved and we hope amplified and stronger version of the show that I just did at my previous network."
Heaven help us. But Inside TV had still more:
Al Gore, chairman and co-founder of Current, said in a statement: “Keith Olbermann is a gifted thinker, an amazing talent and a powerful communicator, and having him tap Current as his new home is exciting and very much in line with the core vision we founded this network on: To engage viewers with smart, provocative and timely programming. In a world where there are fewer and fewer opportunities to hear truly distinct, unfettered voices on television, we are delighted to provide Keith with the independent platform and freedom that Current can, and does uniquely offer.”
But here's the really inconvenient truth at the very end of ITV's article:
The co-founders indicated that hiring Olbermann is the first step in a plan to build a primetime commentary block on the network, a move that presumably will make it more competitive with the major news networks. Current TV ratings are very modest, they’re not included in the usual Nielsen cable charts.
In other words, Current is a total nonentity at this point, and has been a tremendous failure for those involved.
Olbermann's addition is therefore a perfect fit.
Bon voyage, Keith.
- Noel Sheppard's blog
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Comments
Want to bet he will have even
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:33pm.
Want to bet he will have even less viewers on Gore TV?
Noel, you and your fellow NB staffers won't need to watch this to report because nobody else will be watching. Kind of like the tree falling in the woods.
HAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
Submitted by scottyusmc on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:31pm.
HAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
I have absolutely no doubt
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:37pm.
I have absolutely no doubt that Al Gore is being honest when he says he thinks that Keith Olbermann is a "gifted thinker".
I agree...
Submitted by ProudAmerican58 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:43pm.
scary, isn't it?
He's OTHERWISELY
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:39pm.
He's OTHERWISELY GIFTED.
That's PC talk for dim.
Bugger - I just ignored my own request on the Open Thread NOT to mention Olbermann AT ALL on NB.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
At least now...
Submitted by Bobbygn on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:39pm.
At least now when he talks like a total idiot night after night it will be expected.
Not like before when a few people actually expected a bit more class from MSNBC and General Electric.
However now there will be even less people bothering to watch him then there was before.
Keef will now be "unfettered" ?
Submitted by neutron on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:41pm.
Keef, now in ScreamVision.
$$$
Submitted by iveseenitall on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:41pm.
That "other network" paid Olbermann millions to spew his nonsense. Wonder how much Algore is giving of his ill-gotten bucks to bathtub boy. And will this be successful.? Probably as much as that "other network" has been "successful". How pathetic.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal" (progressive)
Current TV is focus-grouping
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:44pm.
Current TV is focus-grouping some new slogans. This is the winner
CURRENT TV -- POWERED BY WIND
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Not quite. Better, more apt
Submitted by Beukeboom on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:16pm.
Not quite. Better, more apt slogan:
CURRENT TV -- POWERED BY HOT AIR
[with apologies to the site bearing that name]
or
CURRENT TV -- POWERED BY BLOWHARDS
Olbie
Submitted by RightRealDeal on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:44pm.
This is great, the inventor of the internet hires a gifted thinker. Current TVcan too be a channel that eventually gives Bath Tub Boy, The BOOT. Current TV? Is that really a channel somewhere or maybe closed circuit tv for some of the two people watching it?
First guest should be The Tipper.
Why is it...
Submitted by Tom1969ca on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:45pm.
"Al Gore, chairman and co-founder of Current, said in a statement: 'Keith Olbermann is a gifted thinker, an amazing talent and a powerful communicator...'"
Why is it that the phrase "takes one to know one" keeps popping into my head?
Come to think of it
Submitted by ProudAmerican58 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:46pm.
I've never even heard of Current TV.
I remember it...
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:56pm.
When DirecTV sent me a flyer with the "New Channel Line Up" and I read the "CRNT" discription thinking it stood for "Court Room Network" or some such. It didn't. Never bothered tuning in after reading the description.
Same here
Submitted by Chaitealover on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:34pm.
I switched from cable to DirecTV a couple of weeks ago. I came across Current while scrolling through the channel lineup to set up a "favorites" list. At first I didn't recognize it, then when I realized it was the Goracle's toy network I just cracked up. Who knew he was still paying for airtime???
I've had Direct TV since
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:29pm.
I've had Direct TV since 2000. I ran across it one time many years ago. Looked at about 15 seconds and moved on. I tried to find it today. It is right before the Fox Business Channel right after CNBCW. It does not show up in the top 40 cable networks but neither does OWN, Oprah new diggs. So the viewership is less than 300,000. It could be down there with Gayle King on OWN which has 89,000 viewers or there abouts.
In an article I just read
Submitted by Beukeboom on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 5:04pm.
In an article I just read about 15 minutes ago (link), it's estimated that Current TV's primetime viewership is somewhere between 20,000-30,000. One "industry analyst" (Matthew Harrigan) predicts Olbermann's presence will boost viewership 10-fold or more.
Are you sure
Submitted by Chaitealover on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 10:50pm.
it said "10-fold" and not "by 10?"
Here's the full paragraph
Submitted by Beukeboom on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 10:44am.
Here's the full paragraph from the article:
"Wunderlich Securities analyst Matthew Harrigan predicted that Olbermann's return to the TV screen would mean "a huge impact on ratings" at the network. He estimated that the current average primetime viewership in the 20,000-30,000 range could multiply ten-fold or even more. "Keith Olbermann obviously was the man who made MSNBC, and he has got a very loyal audience," Harrigan said. "This is huge for Current." " [boldface mine]
Although getting 10 more viewers for Bathtub boy just might be equivalent to a ten-fold increase. :-)
Incidentally for those photoshoppers...that site has a nice photo of Olbermann suitable for alterations.
Well,
Submitted by Ashrak on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:47pm.
Those who can - do.
Those who cannot - think.
Gifted Thinker Olbermann
Submitted by Uncle John on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:51pm.
Stimulus money baby,trolling for that Public TV cash cow.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 1:53pm.
Edgy PBSie
Make work for the useless tax payer.
You Didn't Build That.
Al Gore and Keith
Submitted by Rousse on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:03pm.
Al Gore and Keith Olbrmann---what a perfect dyanamic duo.
I see a potential SNL sketch.
Submitted by Beukeboom on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:15pm.
I see a potential SNL sketch. Al & Keith co-anchoring.
ManBearPig's capture cannot
Submitted by Roger the Shrubber on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:16pm.
ManBearPig's capture cannot be far off now!
Gifted thinker?
Submitted by KyWriter on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:11pm.
Well, some of us can't recognize that quality. I guess it takes one to know one. Or should I say, it takes a delusional jerk to recognize another delusional jerk?
"Gifted" as used in reference
Submitted by Beukeboom on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:14pm.
"Gifted" as used in reference to the students on the short bus.
Current TV Ratings
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:32pm.
I tried to find what the ratings were for Gore TV but couldn't. Here is the latest available for the top 40 cable networks. Gore TV is nowhere around. I love it because the Cartoon Network had more viewers in primetime and total day than does MESSNBC. Sponge Bob beats Tingles hands down. Also noet the OWN, Oprah Winfrey Newtork, does not show up on the chart.
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/category/ratings
Scroll to the bottom to see the top 40.
I have kind of got hooked on the ID channel with all the crimes stories. They rank in the top 40.
Well, Rick, when
Submitted by UpNorth on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:45pm.
they count the seven humans in the audience, and subtract the 4 camera men in studio, GoreTv is left with 3 viewers.
I agree, ID channel, Military channel, and a few others make DirecTV worth it for me. That, and the DVR.
And this
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:34pm.
And this statement................coming from the guy who invented the internet and created one of the biggest scams in the history of the world??? He MUST be right!!!!!
Hyatt says,
Submitted by HockeyKid on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:34pm.
"Keith Olbermann is one of our society's most courageous talents. He speaks truth to power. He calls them as he sees them. He speaks his mind. Our society needs his kind of thoughtful analysis and commentary."
As opposed to the mindless and endless cliches that spill from your lips, maybe so, Joel. What a steamin' load of bull muffins.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
If I hear 'truth to power'
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:11pm.
If I hear 'truth to power' one more time, I'm gonna commit a crime!!!!!
Heh, if Tipper takes all of Al's money...
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:36pm.
...how is he going to pay Herr Olberdoofus?
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
It's a barter arrangement...
Submitted by Clutch1956 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:48pm.
Keefums is getting paid in cases of Mr. Bubble. If he pulls in more than 13 viewers a night for two months straight, he gets a new rubber duckie.
With carbon credits
Submitted by kangaroo on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:12pm.
With carbon credits
"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on"--Thomas Jefferson
Kangaroo is right. Rush said
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:29pm.
Kangaroo is right. Rush said on his program today that he is being paid in carbon credits.
Edward R. Olbermann
Submitted by RightRealDeal on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:40pm.
Does anyone know what type of uniform a "Chief News Officer" gets to wear?
Olby will be allowed to wear what he does on the weekends
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:51pm.
This.
Creating Civil Discourse.
Submitted by SnapTie on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:41pm.
Olbermann will bring civil discourse to current TV,what Rosie O'Donnell is to swimsuit modeling.
CRNT-zilla !
Submitted by sherlock1 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:43pm.
We need a P'shop of a two-headed CRNT-zilla spewing fire, ala the iconic image of the Goracle doing so. The two faces to use are obvious.
I didn't think it possible....
Submitted by notinstl on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:44pm.
for olberdouche to get lower ratings.....how wrong I was....
Olbermann
Submitted by okiehawk44 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:45pm.
Olbermann's signing on with Al Gore's Current TV means he is living up to the tee with his "non-compete clause" in his voluntary termination from MSNBC.
So now
Submitted by HockeyKid on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:06pm.
Olbermann's going to double down on obnoxious, eh? Won't that be special?
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
I Feel Awful
Submitted by Conservator on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:17pm.
My cable TV provider doesn't carry Current TV. The new comedy of Keith Olbermann and Al Gore will be the best on cable. BTW, I believe Direct TV and Dish Network are the only cable providers that offer it in the US.
Don't worry about Olby
Submitted by cocodrie on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:18pm.
There's plenty or room for him up Algore's butt. He may even find a Nobel peace prize there. That's about what they are worth these days.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Limbaugh's advice to Fox News on Olbermann to Current TV: Ignore
Submitted by im41 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:25pm.
Limbaugh's advice to Fox News on Olbermann to Current TV: Ignore itCurrent "teabagger" tolerance
Submitted by politicalpaw on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:34pm.
Now, is "scrotum banter" part of the "exciting", "thought provoking", "gifted thinking"? http://bit.ly/hR5b5n
Gore's ratings
Submitted by Lord-come-soon-... on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:38pm.
I just checked with some reliable sources, and I discovered that the "Sorry, we are experiencing technical difficulties" slide that channels display during signal loss actually beats Gore's network by a 50 to 1 margin.
Gore and Olbermann - a marriage made in a bathtub.
Whose got the bigger ego
Submitted by Clutch1956 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:44pm.
ManBearPig or OldManDouche? Put those two towering pillars of intellect in the same small space and there is likely to be a cataclysmic eruption of liberal diva-ness the universe has never seen. Hair-pulling, face-slapping and histronics by the supertanker-load!
Two losers on a loser network aimed at losers that have lost all sense. Should be a great success, eh wot? Who's bringing the popcorn?
By "gifted" Gore means
Submitted by redright88 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:48pm.
He'll support anything I say, and Blame Bush whenever possible
And now...
Submitted by mustango on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:53pm.
...he's been re-gifted.
.
Submitted by Chaitealover on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 10:52pm.
:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Bring ed schultz aboard and
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 3:57pm.
Bring ed schultz aboard and complete the triad of stupidity. All of these morons have one thing in common, all three have tried to scam governement funds for their own benefit.
double post.
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:37pm.
double post.
?
Submitted by ripper58 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:03pm.
What the hell is current TV and how much is Olberdoosh paying them to be on it?
GIFTED????
Submitted by Forbus on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:17pm.
I prefer the term "special."
Olbermann is indeed 'gifted'...
Submitted by Sasquatch on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 7:55am.
To a dolt like him, any employment offer should be considered a 'gift'....
Gore TV
Submitted by exfire on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:20pm.
Now that Algore has his own station, how will it be powered ? Solar ? Wind ? That's it ! he could have it powered by wind...and the stations motto could be ' AL Gore's passing wing' !!!
This is just a personal
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 4:52pm.
This is just a personal observaton, but if I saw a spaceship land in the middle of an open field, and out walked ALGORE, Alien Colmes, James Carville, and Barry Soetoro Barack Hussein Obama..................I wouldn't be the least bit surprised!!!
Bad Resume Item
Submitted by SamC on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 5:03pm.
...struggling for survival and has laid off a lot of employees....
How bad would it be for your resume to list that you got layed off from your job so the boss could afford to hire Olbermann? That's embarassing!
I looked at Current TV once
Submitted by marpel on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 6:34pm.
I looked at Current TV once for about 15 minutes. That was about 6 months ago and I've never watched it again. It was ridiculous. So, needless to say, it would attract a ridiculous individual like KO. Where about 200 people watch KO on MSNBC, about 25 may, just may tune in to watch him on Gore TV.
"Deep within my heart lies a memory. A song of ol' San Antone..."
An "exciting, thought-provoking, independent voice..."
Submitted by PrairieSky on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 6:38pm.
"We are delighted to provide Olbermann with the independent platform and freedom that Current can and does uniquely offer....Keith Olbermann is one of our society's most courageous talents. He speaks truth to power. He calls them as he sees them. He speaks his mind. Our society needs his kind of thoughtful analysis and commentary...Keith Olbermann is a gifted thinker, an amazing talent and a powerful communicator."
Whatever.
Olbermann's new show "...will be for all intents and purposes an improved and we hope amplified and stronger version of the show that I just did at my previous network." Amplified? Stronger? I don't know how much more amplified and stronger a voice Olbermann can have than he had at MSNBC...He was already venturing into lunatic territory in many of his diatribes there, so the concept of a more amplified and stronger version of that is, shall I say, scary...
Stay tuned...This should be interesting.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Does this make Oberdud the nations chief weatherman
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:40pm.
Inquiring minds want to know