Keith Olbermann Suspended

Apparently Keith Olbermann made some campaign contributions to Democratic candidates. How shocking . Oddly, MSNBC has decided to suspend him for doing so. Conceding that Olbermann is a pompous ass, I don't see that donating money to political candidates makes him any less of a legitimate journalist than he already was. He makes no bones about his left-wing bias and does more to support Democrats with his show than any cash donation he could make, and what he does with his own money in private is his business. If he appeared at campaign events as a supporter, that could be seen as using his "journalistic" standing for overt political purposes and would be worthy of disciplinary action, but this seems excessive.

Now what would be really juicy is if he had donated to Republicans...

I agree Olbermann got hosed. I mean, it is not like anyone thought he was unbiased or his show (or most of MSNBC) is any more about news than Sean Hannity's show. Both MSNBC and Fox news are primarily opinion as entertainment shows with some news sprinkled in at the traditional times - Olbermann clearly ain't news. Who cares if he supports some left wingers. You actually expect it.

It makes as much sense as suspending Sean Penn from making movies for making political contributions. Oh wait a minute, that might be a good thing.

With ratings the way they are currently and Olberman's show having the highest ratings, we'll have to see how the lower ratings affect MSNBC. If a lot of people are upset about his ousting, they could tank even further in ratings. Who's up for buying a network with the worst ratings in television?

I think MSNBC did the right thing. Apparently, the contract he has states that he can donate to political candidates with prior approval from MSNBC. He failed to get the approval, and must suffer the breach of his contract.

My position here is consistent with my previous position re: Sanchez and Williams. There, I thought some discipline less than termination should have occurred first. This action by MSNBC is in line with that progressive discipline line of thought.

His program airs in what's become commonly recognized as the heart of the "punditry block" of programming on all the so-called "news" channels.

Seems kinda goofy for MSNBC to start treating him like a journalist now...

Sounds like we have found something we all agree on.


Though I do note your point charles. They may have been forced to. Still PC runamuck if ya ask me, first Jaun now Keith. Get your ducks in a row newsmen and women. Sounds like it hunting season!

More like the "snarky block" or "swarmy block". If you caught MSNBC's coverage of the Tuesday massacre, you know its time for a change. The ratings aren't going anywhere and both Obby and Maddow's shows are entrenched in a style that won't entice any more viewers to watch.

MSNBC is looking for a reason to pull the plug on him. The Demomedia is refusing to gulp the Kool-Aid. Look for Chris Matthews to get the axe soon too.

The ratings aren't going anywhere and both Obby and Maddow's shows are entrenched in a style that won't entice any more viewers to watch Originally Posted by gnadfly

And that, of course, is the ultimate motivation behind EVERYTHING on television.

And that, of course, is the ultimate motivation behind EVERYTHING on television. Originally Posted by pjorourke

Actually, $$$ is the motive behind EVERYTHING, period.

More like the "snarky block" or "swarmy block". If you caught MSNBC's coverage of the Tuesday massacre, you know its time for a change. The ratings aren't going anywhere and both Obby and Maddow's shows are entrenched in a style that won't entice any more viewers to watch. Originally Posted by gnadfly

I caught what passed for coverage on most of the networks. I was stuck in a hotel in Stamford, CT with nothing else to do...[Bridgeport ran out of ballots.... ]

I find all that crap...on all the networks..."over the top." I got off the bus the day "journalists" started interviewing each other & passing it off as "news analysis"....

Whether any particular flavor of this garbage comes across as "snarky" or "swarmy"...I think it depends upon whether or not you agree what precious little POV there is below the schtick...

MSNBC is looking for a reason to pull the plug on him. The Demomedia is refusing to gulp the Kool-Aid. Look for Chris Matthews to get the axe soon too. Originally Posted by gnadfly

I would not be surprised if Matthews got yanked. He seems to be becoming a caricature of the "he" he was supposed to be when his star was on the rise.

As for Olbermann, I probably would be surprised if he got the sack. When it comes to him leaving, I'd look more for the other way around. He never seems to stick with anything for very long. Which should please all who don't like him to no end.

Actually, $$$ is the motive behind EVERYTHING, period. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

Ratings == Money and they just canned their highest rated host. Without viewership no one will sponser their shows. I actually watched them for a few minutes on RedState Tuesday. They couldn't articulate anything coherant that wasn't anti-Republican. Rest in Pieces, MSNBC!!!

Ratings == Money and they just canned their highest rated host. Without viewership no one will sponser their shows. I actually watched them for a few minutes on RedState Tuesday. They couldn't articulate anything coherant that wasn't anti-Republican. Rest in Pieces, MSNBC!!!

Originally Posted by DFW5Traveler

Maybe that is GE's plan. They are going to dump all the leftie hosts and try to outfox Fox. Isn't conservative the new "black/beige"

Maybe that is GE's plan. They are going to dump all the leftie hosts and try to outfox Fox. Isn't conservative the new "black/beige" Originally Posted by pjorourke

As left as Jeffrey R. Immelt leans, I'm suprised he would want to get rid of the marx.. I mean leftist commentaters before the take-over

they just canned their highest rated host. Originally Posted by DFW5Traveler

Nah, they just suspended him...he'll be back.

As left as Jeffrey R. Immelt leans, I'm suprised he would want to get rid of the marx.. I mean leftist commentaters before the take-over Originally Posted by DFW5Traveler

True, but if he doesn't make some money for shareholders soon, he is going to be out on his leftie ass.

But your point about the take-over might be more relevant. Comcast may be a bit more hands on and less left-wing.