Saturday, January 22, 2011

Olbermann is out



Returning home late last night, I was greeted by the news that Keith Olbermann had been unceremoniously and spontaneously fired last night by MSNBC.

Most who follow cable news, were aware of his recent brushes with management over his politics and activities, but this move came as a complete surprise to many, not the least of which being Olbermann I am sure.

Although they are denying it, it strikes me that NBC Comcast merger was the catalyst for the ouster. Now what remains to be seen is if and where Olbermann can find employment in the industry. I would imagine that he will have 'ten foot pole marks' all over him after this.

I can't say that he was ever a person of interest who I followed, so I won't miss him.
Put a fork in it, Obermann is done

Olbermann returned from one last commercial break on "Countdown" to tell viewers it was his last broadcast, and read a James Thurber short story in a three-minute exit statement. Simultaneously, MSNBC e-mailed a statement that "MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract." The network thanked him and said, "we wish him well in his future endeavors."

Neither MSNBC President Phil Griffin, Olbermann nor his manager responded to requests to explain an exit so abrupt that Olbermann's face was still being featured on an MSNBC promotional ad 30 minutes after he had said goodbye.

Olbermann was nearly fired in November, but instead was suspended two days without pay for violating an NBC News policy by donating to three political campaigns, including the congressional campaign of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He returned and apologized to his fans, but not the network.

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