Olbermann Fired by MSNBC

[tuckahoeskin]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. /s

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704754304576096772622398558.html

"Cable host Keith Olbermann and news channel MSNBC abruptly parted ways on Friday night, as the network announced that his contract had ended and the last installment of Mr. Olbermann's program would air that evening."


Gotta like the way the new management at NBC handled this. Keith has to know how Sandra Locke felt when Clint had security move her crap to the curb while she was out shopping.

[justinskins]

I wonder why now? Maybe it has something to do with the merger?

[akhhorus]

Supposedly it was a mutual decision. I'm guessing the merger was the reason since they fired no one else.

[Toadslayer]

That's too bad. He had such a pleasant and constructive tone on his show. We will miss you "bathtub boy"

[Ibleedburgundy]

I don't know why anyone watches cable news.

[Fathead]

The only way this weekend could get better is if Beck joins him in the unemployment line.

[fent]

I don't know why anyone watches cable news.

The only way this weekend could get better is if Beck joins him in the unemployment line.

I can't express in words how much I agree with both sentiments.

[BurgundyNGold]

Meh. I really couldn't care less. I've never made it through a whole episode of his show.

As for MSNBC, they seems to be the ultimate willow, leaning whichever way the wind is blowing. During the first half of the Bush era, you'd be hard pressed to find a more rah-rah channel about Iraq and WMDs and all of that. Then, they shifted significantly to the left when the winds changed that way. Recently, with the GOP midterm victories and this firing, it has the appearance that MSNBC sees the winds shifting back to the right.

[RedskinsDave]

Maybe MSNBC just did a corporate douche and Keith was washed out.

[akhhorus]

More on this from TMZ:

http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/22/keith-olbermann-msnbc-countdown-comcast-cable-news-network-nbc-universal-secret-deal/

. Sources familiar with the situation tell us that Olbermann's agent recently went to NBC complaining that Keith -- who has the most popular show on MSNBC -- was underpaid at $7 million per year. NBC execs told Olbermann's agent they would not cough up anymore money.

Network execs were well aware that Comcast wanted Keith gone because he was "a loose cannon that could not be controlled." It became clear to both sides that Olbermann's days were numbered and they began negotiating an exit.

We're told the exit deal wasn't completed until just before airtime Friday night.

Under the deal, sources say Olbermann will get money but cannot appear on television for a certain period time -- we don't know how long.

Our sources say Olbermann will, however, reappear soon with a presence on the Internet.

[justinskins]

Meh. I really couldn't care less. I've never made it through a whole episode of his show.

As for MSNBC, they seems to be the ultimate willow, leaning whichever way the wind is blowing. During the first half of the Bush era, you'd be hard pressed to find a more rah-rah channel about Iraq and WMDs and all of that. Then, they shifted significantly to the left when the winds changed that way. Recently, with the GOP midterm victories and this firing, it has the appearance that MSNBC sees the winds shifting back to the right.

They've made too much money as a left-wing alternative to Fox. They'll keep going that way. Based on what Akh posted and other things I've read, I suspect the Olbermann decision was rooted in a disagreement over his compensation, and the deterioration of his relationship with executives ever since the story broke about his political donations.