Report: Olbermann Was Suspended For Refusing To Apologize On Camera
» 66 comments
Politico’s Mike Allen added another layer of speculation to Keith Olbermann’s sudden and indefinite suspension on Friday: Olbermann was suspended for refusing to apologize on air. From Playbook:
Network sources tell Playbook that Keith Olbermann was suspended because he refused to deliver an on-camera mea culpa, which would have allowed him to continue anchoring “Countdown.” Olbermann told his bosses he didn’t know he was barred from making campaign contributions, although he is resisting saying that publicly. Olbermann may not hold as many cards as he thinks. He makes $7 million a year and MSNBC’s prime time is not as dependent on him as it was before the addition of Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell, who make considerably less.
MSNBC’s ratings certainly back up the last line about Olbermann not holding as many cards as he thinks, something Steve Krakauer pointed out on Friday: “Rachel Maddow is getting better ratings than Olbermann in the key A25-54 demographic, and Lawrence O’Donnell isn’t far behind. Olbermann is no longer the center of the strategy either – as the network has unveiled a vibrant, massive new campaign “Lean Forward” which focuses on half a dozen members of the MSNBC talent pool.”
As for whether a public apology would solved all of Olbermann’s problems at the network? History suggests otherwise. Back in 2008 David Shuster apologized on air for his “pimped out” remarks and still faced a two week suspension. So perhaps the likelier scenario is that Olbermann was offered a reduced suspension for an on air apology and turned it down. That said, Olbermann is no David Shuster and his absence on the network, despite any inner strife at MSNBC is huge.
On a lighter note, and while cable fans wait to see where Keith lands, enjoy some of Olbermann’s, er, greatest hits courtesy of 23/6.
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66 comments
That is a great video montage of the “Queef”!!
Keith Olbermann has an inflated and unrealistic sense of of self-importance? I haven’t been this surprised since Liberace revealed that he’s gay.
MSNBC is changing ‘Lean Forward’ to ‘Fire Away”.
This site censors it users for frivolous and unknown reasons.
KO is an idiot.
He makes $7m a year? Geez…he’s almost one of those ‘evil rich people’ that Libs love whining about. Almost. Everyone knows that ‘Rich’ doesn’t really start until you make $250,000 a year.
Im not gay, no…….No…. No !!!… You have been screwed and screwed you are…. LOLOLOLOL !!!!… This was an awesome montage you put together Glynnis… The possiblities are endless here…
Olbermann should have apologized for not disclosing, on air, his support of those candidates. He should have apologized to the viewers, not NBC management. But I see it the same way as the Juan Williams NPR dust up. NBC has a policy and if you want to work there you have to follow the policy. Props to 23/6, that montage is hysterical!
Olbermann not only “doesn’t hold as many cards as he thinks”, he doesn’t have as many marbles as many think he has either.
Think he’s figured out that whole “smug” thing yet???
Olbermann embodies arrogance in every pore, Mr. Limousine Liberal thinks he’s above everyone, even the laws of his own company. Bill O’reilly on the other hand, is humble, how many times have you heard him say “but I could be wrong?”
http://politicallyincorrectlibertarian.wordpress.com/
I am now skeptical about all of this. This has been said on several of the
threads but i am starting to think this is a planned ratings ploy. A couple weeks off,
much publicity, re-instated with much publicity and more fanfare, Through in a half ass apology,
AND ‘Voila” ! RATINGS !
Much better than Leaning Forward.
BUT.. The ratings will not last very long! MSNBC is just to damn awful
as are all of their hosts! Build it around Maddow and Larry, with Fat Ed and Tinkle
in the lineup. You have got to be kidding.
Olbermann is a n idiot who’ll be living under a bridge before he dies. The guy’s completely radioactive, and won’t land anywhere that has even an inkling of respect.
Throw in a half ass apology on air—-Sorry!
HAHAHAHAHAHA you just made me spit my coffee all over my computer! He may have said that but show me a time when he actually admitted to being wrong.
mediaite censors says:
“This site censors it users for frivolous and unknown reasons.”
If this is true, then explain why notsofast, the most disgusting, immature, crude and abusive name caller on the Internet allowed to make comments?
Let me guess, “mediate censors” is the reactionary and lying Gordon Bloyer. Did you get banned Gordon? Is that why you mysteriously disappeared days after impugning my credibility?
Let me state again: What happened to Olbermann took place as a consequence of the new slogan. When you lean forward too far, you fall on your face.
“HAHAHAHAHAHA you just made me spit my coffee all over my computer! He may have said that but show me a time when he actually admitted to being wrong.”
Here he is apologizing to Shirley Sherrod
http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/07/22/bill-oreilly-apologizes-to-shirley-sherrod/
http://politicallyincorrectlibertarian.wordpress.com/
Olbermann was right about Bush though.
WAIT: by Glynnis MacNicol | 12:40 pm, November 7th, 2010
I thought you moved on.
Funniest Mediaite comment ever! Congrats I dont know how anyone is going to top that shit!
Relax , Francis.
It was silly getting rid of Olbermann just for donating to Dems. I mean, he practically swears at Republicans every night on his show, but by donating to Dems, someone might get the idea he’s biased?
Olbergeist belongs were Bill Maher is now or in a time-slot like Red Eye. A 7MIL salary will work against him now that msnbc found success with Radical Rules Rachael and Crazy Larry the Socialist, ironically two of Olbergeist’s former apprentices. Motor mouth Matthews can push for a prime time-slot too which would legitimize at least some political gravitas in msnbc’s prime-time politico line-up, given that Crazy Larry the Socialist repeatedly publicly admits that he’s a socialist. Of course, the network’s ratings live and die by the whim of a hypothetical Stewart/Colbert time-slot change . . .
Bill and anyone else that apologized to Shirley Sherrod is an idiot and too stupid to appreciate Breitbarts journolistic skills. We Conservatives are supposed to come together and do ANYTHING TO WIN!! Ethics and doing what is right mean nothing in this game.
Regarding?
hell, even whats-his-name apologized for the cowboy bush hates white people thing. it’s not a “conservative” meme, its a human decency thing.
He never did say that he was Gay in public. Although after his death, his lover came forward to claim palimony. He even sued a London Tabloid, and won, for calling him a homosexual. While most people thought he was Gay and that his lover was a long time partner, George, as far as I remember, Liberace never made any statements that he was Gay, just like Rock Hudson except he didn’t open his mouth about his sexual orientation. He used it for more important work.
NBCs hands were tied. They had to suspend him or be roundly flogged by the right wing media machine that exists today. Weather or not he refused to apologize on air is questionable. I believe he asked for and was granted time off for bad behavior. Also, does it seem at all suspect he was furloughed after Repubs took over the house? He’s more than likely in morning, preparing to return with a renewed vigor. At least I hope so.
Did you even read the post you linked to?
“Newsflash: Bill O’Reilly Apologizes to Shirley Sherrod (But With a Catch)”
He apologized for getting punked by Breitbart and then went on to demean Ms. Sherrod further. And as that post indicated, this “apology” was a pretty rare example.
Like Olbermann’s apology to Scott Brown. “I’m sorry. I left out sexist.”
Wow, will Right-wingers EVER apologize for their hypocrisy?
Yes. A Keith Olbermann-style apology.
“He makes $7m a year? Geez…he’s almost one of those ‘evil rich people’ that Libs love whining about. Almost. Everyone knows that ‘Rich’ doesn’t really start until you make $250,000 a year.”
Love the hypocrisy. No, Chris dear, it’s just you conservatives who make this up. Liberals are too busy complaining about REAL things happening to REAL people. Stop having Fox News pull your strings. Be a man, think for yourself. :)
Everything and he was saying it before anyone else in the media dared say anything. He has the courage very few in the media can muster.
Wow. No one in the media ‘dared’ say anything about Bush. I could’ve sworn I heard at least a few criticisms.
HOOORAY !!!!! TtT is back . I hope you set your account up properly today . The other night was probably a little embarrassing .
C’mon. First of all, O’Reilly apologized for taking comments out of text as was reported, and everyone else from Barack Obama to the NAACP also apologized to Sherrod, so apologies due came from the left and the right. And due they were.
However, Ms. Sherrod also should have apologized for lying about one of the reasons she was fired. She said that her story was going to be appearing on Glenn Beck’s show at 5pm the next day, and cited that as one of the reasons for her resignation. Bullshit, Ms. Sherrod, complete bullshit.
Then, Rachel Maddow jumped on the bandwagon. Maddow blamed Fox News for helping get Sherrod fired.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8VY2PHgOeE&feature=player_embedded#!
A close look at the three Fox video clips Madow uses as “evidence” prove exactly the OPPOSITE of what she says they prove. The on-screen captions in those three clips read:
1. USDA official resigns over racially-charged remarks
2. Moments ago Sec. Vilsack accepted Sherrod’s resignation
3. USDA official resigns over controversial remarks
Go to the 4:10 mark to see the clips. Each of those graphics show that Sherrod had resigned before Fox reported the story. Yet Maddow smugly comments, “How’s that for efficient! How’s that for action! Fox News and a conservative website uncover what they say is an admitted racist in the Obama administration and she is forced to resign immediately.” More bullshit.
Fox reports that Sherrod has ALREADY resigned, yet Maddow uses clips as “evidence” that she resigned BECAUSE of Fox News. God forbid anything is reported anywhere that gets anyone fired. I’m surprised Schultz and Maddow haven’t already done shows blaming Fox News for Olbermann’s firing.
Sorry, sweetheart. Some of the richest people in the land are the ones screaming about people being ‘rich.’ Be a lady, if you’re not one already.
Phil Griffin was SHOCKED to find that Olby has a political bias.
What the hell are you talking about? The 250k threshold has been used by your own god, meathead. Jesus Christ, I’m surprised you even know how to breathe.
She said she was told that by her supervisor, Cheryl Cook, as part of the pretext for her needing to resign immediately. I don’t doubt that, especially given the White House’s utter dread of Beck.
Learn how to quote properly or don’t quote, meat-head.
True, most misogynists tend to keep those thoughts to themselves in the public sphere.
Wow. Keith, your penance is to give me $6,750,000.00 of your earnings — to bring yourself to a level below “rich” as Mr. Obama has stated at least once it should be. I will then feel the same pain you did as I bravely attempt to give away all that money to the Government at the same rate as you did. Finally, after feeling some of that pain, maybe I’ll consider letting you go back on the air. And, then again, maybe not.
http://www.MuddyPolitics.com beat you to the punch, Mediaite. – “The ‘Olbermann Conspiracy’ Is A TV Ratings Dream”
writer says:
“It was silly getting rid of Olbermann just for donating to Dems.”
First of all, they didn’t get rid of him. He was suspended. Second of all, and you need to try to grasp this, it’s wrong for him to do this. It’s wrong for FoxPAC to do this. MSNBC has rules in place to prevent it. FoxPAC staff seem to be encouraged to do this because FoxPAC is a political operation.
Finally, because I can’t resist writing it again, when you lean too far forward, you fall in your face. This is what Olbermann did.
Yeah. If it weren’t for that donating to the Dems thing, no one would’ve ever guessed which side Keith was on. Gotta maintain that unbiased ‘journalism’ Keith was doing.
What about GE-Pac?
Andy Lamb says:
“However, Ms. Sherrod also should have apologized for lying about one of the reasons she was fired. She said that her story was going to be appearing on Glenn Beck’s show at 5pm the next day, and cited that as one of the reasons for her resignation. Bullshit, Ms. Sherrod, complete bullshit.”
Actually she claimed that her supervisor told her that she was going to be on Glenn Beck THAT day.
What I want to know is how you think she was lying. Were you privy to that conversation? Of course not.
Did you interview her supervisor who was on the phone with her? Probably not.
So how do you know this? Is this another false meme that is circling around the self-contained, right wing media echo chamber?
http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/11/facts-about-glenn-becks-lies-and.html
Lamb, tell us where you heard this noise or admit that you’re just as full of dung as Glenn Beck is.
BTW, Beck didn’t cover her that day; he was hot on the trail of a story that was OVER 6 MONTHS OLD!
Wow, let’s all start blogs and then link to it to illustrate our points.
Ridiculous.
Olbermann is the most arrogant POS in the media.
gbr is insane. His obsession speaks for itself.
Yeah, most sites won’t let ya link to your own site, at least not on a regular basis like this lunatic does.
FIFY
That was a nice “best of KO’s worst.”
“He makes $7m a year? Geez…he’s almost one of those ‘evil rich people’ that Libs love whining about.”
Geez . . . you sound like one of those Tea Partying Medicare/Soc. Security recipients who want government “off their backs” . . . as long as the checks keep coming . . . regardless of how they’re paid for.
“Mr. Limousine Liberal ” is a wealthy person who’s willing to raise his own taxes because his principles are more important to him than money – a concept utterly foreign to the avaricious right,
“Olbermann should have apologized for not disclosing, on air, his support of those candidates.”
NBC policy clearly states that news personnel SHOULD ask for permission to donate. Whether KO knew of the policy or not, such requests are apparently voluntary, not mandatory.
“Fat Ed and Tinkle”
Thanks for the in-depth analysis. Sheesh.
“Throw in a half ass apology on air”
You’re more than qualified to take care of the other half.
Maybe he once admitted to being wrong about EVER being wrong? In O’Reilly’s black-and-white, right-or-wrong, no-shades-of-gray world, admitting any error is seen as weakness rather than intellectual honesty.
Early on, KO criticized Michael Moore’s opposition to the Iraq War. When Olbermann himself came to realize the illegitimacy of the war, he graciously and publicly apologized to Moore and has hosted him several times since. KO promptly corrects any factual errors he may make. Is this “weakness” or honesty? If you have to wonder, you should wonder about yourself.
—
GlennBeckReview:
“mediaite censors says: This site censors it users for frivolous and unknown reasons.”
If this is true, then explain why notsofast, the most disgusting, immature, crude and abusive name caller on the Internet allowed to make comments?
Don’t forget “proven plagiarist.”
“Let me guess, “mediate censors” is the reactionary and lying Gordon Bloyer. Did you get banned Gordon? Is that why you mysteriously disappeared days after impugning my credibility?”
Maybe the lawnmower engine that powers his “show” ran out of gas . . . much like Gordim himself.
“We Conservatives are supposed to come together and do ANYTHING TO WIN!! ”
They DID do “anything.” They BOUGHT this Tea Party Republicant congressional delegation. They’ll want payback. They’ll get it. The rest of us will pay for it. A lot.
Good catch! O’Reilly “apologizes” by blaming someone else. Hypocritical. Typical.
This sounds a lot like our own Big Enema (Big Eddie), who bitch-slapped Obama for the supposedly outrageous cost of his Asian trip. Eddie’s OWN cited (and errant) source didn’t substantiate his ravings. I brought this to his attention and the real john t cited an accurate, newspaper-sourced link, but Brag Eddie persisted in pushing his lies.
Right-wingers may be more than happy to lie to each other – and reinforce EACH OTHER’S lies – but the rest of us beg to differ.
Obvious sarcasm. Oblivious writer?
Not many – and those who did dare criticize a wartime president were themselves harshly criticized . . . until Obama took office, of course. Hypocritical. Typical.
Andy Lame’s twisted semantics notwithstanding, Maddow showed clips from Fakes “News” coverage of the Sherrod story on the evening of the day the story broke. The story broke around noontime Eastern. The “ticker” info notes Sherrod’s resignation, which didn’t occur until late that day – which gave Fakes “News” plenty of time to push their fake story. Maddow’s facts and reportage were and are correct. Blightbart was and is . . . a blight.
MORE profound thoughts. Z-z-z-z-z. . . .
Don’t put words in people’s mouths. God only knows what YOU put in YOURS.
nitsowit – Can we quote you on that . . . or should we quote whoever you stole it from?
Poor, poor Keith! Instead of just ‘leaning forward’ he did ‘bend over’ too far. The infotainment industry will be eager and ready to feature him when he applies for unemployment benefits.
Alas, js
jrcmi dumb ass, Breitbart broke the story early in the day on July 19th, before noon. Sherrod told CNN that while she was driving home from work that AFTERNOON Cheryl Cook, the deputy undersecretary for Rural Development, called her three times “harassing” her with warnings about the attention she was going to receive after the video surfaced. On the final call Cook demand that she pull over to the side of the road and resign electronically then and there, “because she was going to be on Glenn Beck at 5pm.” All of this happened in the afternoon. Sherrod resigned in the afternoon.
11:18 a.m.: Breitbart releases video.
Early p.m.: Story first mentioned on Fox Nation (online only, not TV)
Early p.m.: CBS-TV posts story on video.
4:30: Drudge links to WCBS-TV story.
5:00: Glenn Beck show starts, NO mention of Sherrod.
5:58: Video first hits foxnews.com
6:30 (approximately): USDA announces Sherrod’s resignation.
8:49: The first mention of Sherrod on Fox News airs on O’Reilly.
So, dummy, Sherrod resigned before any mention was made on Fox News, and CBS reported the story just as Fox did. This means that “Maddow’s facts and reportage were and are (NOT) correct” and Maddow is either a lousy commentator, or a liar, you pick.
Olbermann is an egomaniac.
He once told people at MSNBC “Phil (Griffin) thinks HE IS MY BOSS”
What an ass.
Does anyone really think Keith has not previously donated to political candidates while employed as MSNBC? Now, however, he’s not the centre of that network’s ratings universe, he has offended and alienated people who would otherwise support him, his increasingly vitrolic rants have become an embarrassment, and he has already tweaked the noses of the future owners of the network. They suspended him because they could.
According to several analysts on AC360, including Olbermann’s former boss, the NBC policy is not clear cut. Many employees apparently believe that the no-donation policy don’t apply to CNBC or MSNBC employees (in the same way that shows on NBC-owned Bravo have more latitude than network shows).
As for Olbermann’s support, his leftist politics were hardly a secret. The question here is not whether he supported those candidates — i.e. by flattering them on-air or by the Constitutional right of voting — but whether he provided money. And frankly, I don’t see the difference. Before this broke, were most viewers even aware of the NBC policy? I doubt it. And as such, I bet most viewers already assumed that he donates to political causes — just as we do. In other words, I’m not sure what ethical or public relational rule as been breached. Certainly not objectivity, since he was never seen as objective. Olbermann is a commentator, paid to be opinionated, and not a reporter.
Olbermann doesn’t owe anyone an apology. What he should do is simply tell the audience that he supports those people. How he chooses to do so — whether by words, money or the ballot box — is his business.
I have not read the NBC policy but should a company have so much control over an employee’s life? In this case, it was donations to political candidates. What about donations to one’s church or Planned Parenthood? Or a hospital that researches stem cells? How about the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army, both of which openly excludes gays? How about the movies he watches? Is he allowed to go see The Passion of the Christ or An Inconvenient Truth? What if a photographer captures him walking out of the theater?
I honestly don’t know what NBC is trying to achieve with this policy. At best, it’s an attempt to create the illusion of objectivity. But Olbermann has never been seen as objective. And frankly, no viewer is stupid enough to think that ANY journalist doesn’t have personal political opinions. As such, I’d much rather see where a journalist stands so that I can evaluate his/her work more honestly. I’m not saying that journalists should wear a t-shirt advertising their beliefs, but if you’re a Democrat, Republican, etc let me know in your bio. There are limits, of course. Religion, sexual orientation, health status, etc can be kept private if s/he so chooses, but something as broad as political affiliation should be disclosed.
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GlennBeckReview said:
http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/11/facts-about-glenn-becks-lies-and.html
Kird says:
“Wow, let’s all start blogs and then link to it to illustrate our points.
Ridiculous.”
Tird, you have it backwards. I am making points that are illustrated by posts I’ve written. I started the blog to expose Mr. Beck as a liar. Then I realized what a hypocrite he is. Then I realized that telling his supporters — and proving to this to them — does not good. His flock is in love with him and have their ideological heels dug in. To illustrate, see:
http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/07/why-becks-followers-cannot-understand.html
Now I realize that this is an information struggle between truth and truthiness.
http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/11/facts-about-glenn-becks-lies-and.html
and
http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/09/bias-vs-truthiness-analyzing-media.html
Then I realized that telling his supporters — and proving to this to them — does no good.
Like Einstein said, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Olbermann should be kissing the feet (or other body parts) of MSNBC execs (if he isn’t already doing so)…
THIS whole deal has gotten Olbermann MORE PRESS (and will probably get him the HIGHEST bump in audience he’s had in YEARS).
AND it only cost him (in theory) a few days’ pay (yeah, like they won’t cut him a “bonus” for getting his audience UP [albeit short-lived]).
Bottom line, Olbermann AND MSNBC are irrelivant and have about as much audience as Air America!
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