Al Gore: Why We Fired Keith Olbermann

[Bozita]

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/276-74/10743-focus-al-gore-why-we-fired-keith-olbermann

Al Gore: Why We Fired Keith Olbermann
By Al Gore, Joel Hyatt, Current TV
01 April 12


We created Current to give voice to those Americans who refuse to rely on corporate-controlled media and are seeking an authentic progressive outlet. We are more committed to those goals today than ever before.

Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it.

We are moving ahead by honoring Current's values. Current has a fundamental obligation to deliver news programming with a progressive perspective that our viewers can count on being available daily - especially now, during the presidential election campaign. Current exists because our audience desires the kind of perspective, insight and commentary that is not easily found elsewhere in this time of big media consolidation.

As we move toward this summer's political conventions and the general election in the fall, Current is making significant new additions to our broadcasts. We have just debuted six hours of new programming each weekday with Bill Press ("Full Court Press" at 6 am ET/3 am PT) and Stephanie Miller ("Talking Liberally" at 9 am ET/6 pm PT).

We're very excited to announce that beginning tonight, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer will host "Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer," at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. Eliot is a veteran public servant and an astute observer of the issues of the day. He has important opinions and insights and he relishes the kind of constructive discourse that our viewers will appreciate this election year. We are confident that our viewers will be able to count on Gov. Spitzer to deliver critical information on a daily basis.

All of these additions to Current's lineup are aimed at achieving one simple goal - the goal that has always been central to Current's mission: To tell stories no one else will tell, to speak truth to power, and to influence the conversation of democracy on behalf of those whose voices are too seldom heard. We, and everyone at Current, want to thank our viewers for their continued steadfast support.


Sincerely,

Al Gore & Joel Hyatt

Current's Founders

[Snake Alchemist]

1. Now THAT is how you make a classy statement. nt

[liberalmike27]

14. I Love Olbermann

I was thrilled after the MSNBC debacle that he got the Current gig. But it seemed that I'd tune in, time after time, and there would be a sub on, and I would be disappointed. I have no doubt that there were wrinkles that needed to be ironed out on the show. But as much as I loved listening to him, as much as I understand just how good Keith is, I think there is a point where one needs to look at his behavior, and take responsibility. He missed so many days--he openly flaunted his seeming hatred night after night on the show, closing with "Way to go you've made it through another day of this crap," maybe talking as much about Current as the Republican race.

I think he needs to take a couple of years off, and see if he can recharge, as I think he's gone more than a little, over the edge. It's understandable, as even posting on the Internet, and watching a lot of the shows makes me crazy, makes me need to step back, seek other entertainment to recharge myself. Having to do daily shows, well that'd be even harder, obviously. Maybe he should look into some counseling too.

I think he might have burned his last bridge for a while, and I think for Olbermann, he's going to have a long, tiring swim back, and on his journey back, he might well drown.

[Myrina]

49. Agreed.

n/t

[freshwest]

62. Agreed, and sorry to see KO go. But he didn't do the GOP coverage, so when Current TV says:

Last edited Mon Apr 2, 2012, 10:37 AM - Edit history (1)

Current has a fundamental obligation to deliver news programming with a progressive perspective that our viewers can count on being available daily - especially now, during the presidential election campaign.

Keith let down his end of the deal. He gave reasons, said things were not good enough, etc., but Current TV lost out on that opportunity. They could not afford to not have someone during later this year.

I really enjoy KO's style on MSNBC, and his support for OWS and other causes. He was no more abrasive to me than the RW pundits. He seemed to have had traditional Democratic Party values in his heart and was honest, I believe.

He has made a lot of money and has a full private life now. What he was expecting of a network that doesn't have the same resources as other cable news shows, IDK. Current TV has been struggling to get enough venues. What is didn't need was to continue missing out on these regular political events.

Olbermann really wanted a chance to do his show, his way, all the time, you can't do when you are working for someone else. I thought that he was the most powerful addition to Current TV. But I disagree strongly with KO attacking Current TV. Because the RW loves this and it's not helpful to the left.

[CBGLuthier]

75. I think he was expecting to be the "big cheese" center of the universe

that his ego sees himself as and instead he was asked to be a team player. I would use further sports analogies but I don't really like sports. Or Keith Olbermann.

[bigtree]

2. that's really weak

so, Gore thinks Keith betrayed all of those 'values' he listed? Really?

I'm skeptical.

[Snake Alchemist]

3. If only Keith had some sort of past we could learn from. nt

[tularetom]

6. Olbermann has lawyered up

so Gore probably has been advised by his legal counsel to say nothing beyond bland statements of fact with minimal mentions of KO.

The whole thing will come out in court and you can make your own judgment then about who was right and who was wrong. But I'd have to say at this point that Gore looks a lot better than Olbermann. Based on what I've read Keith would be smart to be a man and get on with his life instead of whining about how mean they were to him.

[bigtree]

13. Gore still has his network

. . . all Keith leaves with is his reputation.

[XemaSab]

18. ...and millions of dollars.

n/t

[tularetom]

19. Yeah, and what a reputation it is

Fired by ESPN

Fired by Rupert Murdoch (Fox Sports Network)

Fired by MSNBC

Fired by Current TV

Look, the guy is a great talent and I never missed one of his shows when he was on MSNBC. I even upgraded my satellite contract to the tier that included Current when I heard he was going to be on. But he seems to have some real issues with authority and a penchant for shooting himself in the foot. He isn't going to be happy until he realizes that the world doesn't revolve around him.

[bigtree]

21. at least three of those networks don't deserve defending against Keith

. . . the jury's still out on one of them.

[bettyellen]

24. he quit NBC, according to Rachel Maddow and it;s reported that he was negotiating to be released

from the Current contract. Did you see what a mess the production of his show was?
It was embarrassing.

[Hissyspit]

25. He's got a great reputation with me. A problem with authority?

Last edited Sun Apr 1, 2012, 11:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Good. I'm glad someone still does.

[obliviously]

47. Perhaps he could

Get a job less stressful like designing t-shirts or maybe he could help with the signs at OWS protests.

[liberalmike27]

53. Maybe a Web Video Blog

That might be worth something, and he could do one whenever he is pissed enough, and take all the time off he wants. I'm sure he's rich enough by now to not worry a whole lot about money.

[Voice for Peace]

28. wish he'd take this change with more dignity.

they had irreconcilable differences! no need for a lawsuit.

set an example of resolving differences like human beings.

[dionysus]

61. and many millions of dollars...

[Warpy]

20. I think the operative sentence is this one:

"Current has a fundamental obligation to deliver news programming with a progressive perspective that our viewers can count on being available daily - "

Olbermann's frequent absence was simply incompatible with hanging onto a news anchor job.

While I'm sure there was considerable friction with highers up, I think the absenteeism is what finally did it.

I'm just glad they hired Spitzer. He's good.

[bigtree]

23. I figured his absenses played a big part in the firing

. . . but they look to have had root in another disagreement with the network. That's why it just looks self-serving and unfair to me for them to characterize the separation in such cryptic terms which suggest some malfeasance on Keith's part which centered on his integrity -- without much explanation.

[Warpy]

41. Yes, it was pure corporate obfuscation

and might leave an opening for a lawsuit.

[SoCalDem]

50. Petulance is not an attractive quality for an adult.

Keith took himself too seriously..repeatedly

[jwirr]

45. I think that is where it is at also. There have been many absenses. We were told

it was because of sickness but we also heard that KO was not happy with many of the aspects of his Current TV gig. So what to believe is a good question. I will miss him but I also like Spitzer and am glad that he has been given a chance to rehab his own reputation. I will continue to watch Current TV for two reasons - I want as many progressive newscasters as possible on the airways and because I respect Al Gore. In all I watch as many of these shows as I can - Al Sharpton, TYTs, Spitzer (now), Rachel, Larry O and Big Ed. I also tape Jennifer Grandholm, Melissa Harris-Perry and Chris Hayes so I can watch them later.

[robinlynne]

26. exactly. the letter says absolutely nthing. a tiny press release.

[snot]

66. Actually, Gore was careful not to say that.

He said those values aren't "reflected" in the "relationship" between Current and KO. Which leaves open the question as to why not -- i.e., they're not saying it was necessarily all due to bad behavior by KO; they're just saying the relationship went south, and those values don't seem to be present.

To me, it's a meaningful, and gracious, distinction.

[CBGLuthier]

76. In an integrity pissing match, Gore has a water cannon and Olbermann can't even carry a water pistol

[Quixote1818]

4. This doesn't really tell me much at all. Not sure what to think. nt

[CTyankee]

11. I wonder, too.

Could it been a personnel issue? I have a good friend who was fired for having a pretty volatile temper which erupted in a complaint from people who worked for him. He's a friend but I know he can be acerbic and certainly he was in a bad situation when the situation happened. I wondered why he wasn't just given a severe reprimand and made to attend anger management classes.

Maybe Keith just didn't watch his mouth...

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Same here...says nothing,really, about the split.

Now, I can appreciate the legal limitations of what they can say
but
to have a headline saying "why we split"
and then not give any concrete information
does not serve to impress me.

[polichick]

17. Same here - leaves me saying "huh?"

[AtomicKitten]

5. Keith is clearly a pill to work with as echoed by many of his former colleagues.

I love the guy and will follow him wherever he lands, but I cannot and will not forget it was Al Gore that scooped him up when he left MSNBC precipitously. It's a damn shame it all fell apart.

[mdmc]

9. true

[Exen Trik]

7. ...

I really need to just ignore the entire internet on April 1st.

[freshwest]

60. Too late. Google is watching you...

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. People will read into this whatever they want

Those who hate Olbermann will see this as tasteful and restrained. Those who love Keith will see it as a vague statement that fails to address any specific employee-employer issues.

Only those on the inside can possibly know enough to determine who is more at fault.

[quaker bill]

10. It boils down to this

"loyalty to our viewers"

and

"a progressive perspective that our viewers can count on being available daily"

that covers it.

[Deep13]

15. KO may be a prima donna and a PITA...

...but who else does progressive commentary like he does?

[LoisB]

30. Deep 13

In answer to your question: NO ONE!!!! Without Keith, Current can kiss this viewer good-bye.

[Nevernose]

16. Translation:

We could hire these six people for the price of one Keith.

[Life Long Dem]

22. I think KO is looking for a bigger spotlight for his ego

There's no reason to take down Current as he moves on though.

[Ian David]

27. I'm shocked that Keith Olbermann is difficult to work with. He always seems so mellow and laid-back.

Al Gore knew what they were getting when they hired Keith.

Hell, even we, his fans, knew it.

Mr. Gore should have been prepared to deal with it, if he was going to hire Keith in the first place.

Are you going to tell me that he expected Keith Olbermann to just do what his bosses told him to, and not make a fuss? That he expected him to show-up for work every day, just because he was supposed to?

We love Keith Olbermann because he is unpredictable and confrontational.

And he was confrontational at a time when nobody on the left was allowed to be confrontational on television.

Am I alone in saying that we expected, and even looked forward, to Mr. Olbermann raising hell not just against Conservatives, but also against his own bosses, in the hopes that he would help make Current TV a better network, and also provide some excitement in the process?

I mean, since they canceled the fictional show Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, where else are we going to get drama about in-fighting at a TV network? (30 Rock doesn't count).

Current should have accepted it and incorporated it into their programming, instead of firing Keith.

"Hi, I'm Eliot Spitzer, sitting-in for Keith Olbermann today. He couldn't be here because he's protesting against Current for not providing wireless lapel microphones in the studio. Which brings us to tonight's edition of, 'What's Keith Mad About Today?'"

Correct me if I am wrong, but did you ever notice that while Keith was at MSNBC, The Worst Person in The World was never Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborrough or even Pat Buchannan? I always found that disheartening. Maybe Current should have let Keith have a segment called, "Worst Person at Current," to inform us about whoever it was he was fighting with.

Tell me that this would not have been Ratings Gold.

I want Keith to get a new show.

And I want him to have his show someplace where he either has complete control, or where they're willing to accommodate his eccentricities.

[Bladian]

63. Hang on a second.

You're saying it's unreasonable for his bosses to have expected him to show up for work every day and listen to them? That's what you DO at a job! I don't care if you're average Joe or Keith Olbermann, you do show up and do your god damn job. I don't care if he's Mr. Progressive, if he can't show up and do his damn job then we don't need him. I can't believe you said that his bosses shouldn't have expected him to show up for work every day. That just doesn't even make sense.

[Ian David]

65. They knew what they were getting when they hired him.

And we all know that certain high-profile people get away with a lot worse when they produce significant returns on your investment.

Their are high-paid executives and broadcasters and sports figures and actors who get away with a lot more than we do at work (and a lot more than Keith Olbermann ever did) and yet they are still retained because they produce the results, the numbers, or the money you expect from them.

Just as some people can become wealthy beyond the reach of market forces, some people can become valuable beyond the reach of the normal accountability that you or I are held to in the workplace.

Whether it be the middle-manager who has a secretary quit every four weeks, or the gifted computer programmer who shows-up in shorts and flip-flops, it's all about the results you get out of them being worth more than the hassle.

Being effective gives you license to be eccentric. Being effective and valuable usually gives you license to do whatever the fuck you want. We've all seen it somewhere.

[SATIRical]

77. Which is why

It is unlikely anyone else will hire him now.

[Ian David]

79. Unfortunately, you may be correct. n/t

[Justice4allofus]

29. They'll love Spitzer. He won't rock the boat too much

Current does not want to rock the boat too much.

[regnaD kciN]

35. Considering Spitzer's past...

...he probably has a lot of experience in how to be a good whore for his corporate masters.

[cali]

38. Spitzer did far more about reining in corporate power

than Olberman ever did. Olberman is a blowhard.

[JNelson6563]

52. A spot on post that bolsters your credibility!

Wait....what? What's this now?

As attorney general, Spitzer prosecuted cases relating to corporate white collar crime, securities fraud, internet fraud and environmental protection.[2] He most notably pursued cases against computer chip price fixing, investment bank stock price inflation,[3] predatory lending practices by mortgage lenders, fraud at American International Group,[4] and the 2003 mutual fund scandal. He also sued Richard Grasso, the former chairman of the New York Stock Exchange over a compensation package perceived to be excessive.[5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Spitzer

And speaking as one who actually remembers when he was the AG in NY, he was often in the news for being a bane to the corporate masters.

Julie

[JI7]

55. it has nothing to do with rocking the boat, Current's problem was Keith not showing upfor Work

they WANTED him there. i think Keith had issues with them not giving him everything he wanted in terms of a better set.

[Vinca]

31. I'm afraid much of the rest of the Current line-up is a snooze.

Spitzer bored me to death. I'd rather watch Ed.

[meow2u3]

32. One thing youse seem to have forgotten about Olbermann

He has had a high rate of absenteeism, taking too many days off. Whether or not those absences were excused are unknown to me, at least. Notice the numerous times David Schuster had to sub for him on "Countdown", both on MSNBC and Current.

I had been a faithful Olbermann fan until I got tired of seeing David Schuster or Lawerence O'Donnell (before he got his own show) on Countdown, filling in for him. No boss is happy with an employee who is consistently absent from work, whether it be flipping burgers, working construction, working in the office pool, or hosting a radio or television show, to name a few examples.

[KharmaTrain]

33. "Philosophical Differences"...

That used to be a kind way of saying the two parties can't stand one another. At this point it looks like there's gonna be some lengthy litigation ahead (of which there'll be a settlement...these things rarely go to trial)...and Current management is not going to say anything that could be used in future legal proceedings. This statement says nothing about why KO was fired or if he was "terminated"...just that they've "ended" their relationship. The lawyers will now sort out what that ending means...and in the end we probably won't know what the settlement is.

[SunSeeker]

34. It's like Keith has been in a slow motion nervous breakdown.

It seems to have started with the death of his father. It started out as little things. He started out doing these weird Thurber (his father's favorite author) short story readings on Fridays, which he carried over to Current. Then once at Current, he stopped wearing suits and ties on air, then he just started looking bad, just bloated and disheveled. Then he made things worse with that all-black backdrop. I know it was low budget at Current, but why the creepy black that made it look like he was doing the show from his basement? He looked sinister and unhinged. It is so frustrating, there are so few progressive voices on TV, or anywhere. I wish he'd suck it up or get therapy or whatever he needs to do to get back to the job we need him to do. No one can do a righteous rant like Keith. I sure hope he regains his footing--and not by suing Current. All that litigation is going to do is make others even more afraid of hiring him.

[Cheap_Trick]

36. If only Gore had put as much effort into contesting the Supreme Court's decision re: Gore v Bush nt

[cali]

39. like fucking what exactly? Do tell.

I'm so tired of moronic myths like that one.

[Canuckistanian]

43. Gore fought it all the way to the Supreme Court

What more do you want? The court was biased. NO amount of "contesting" could have changed that result.

[Snake Alchemist]

64. Yeah, he should have called for armed revolution!

[NYC Liberal]

68. Um, how do you propose he should have contested a SCOTUS decision?

In Congress at the vote certification? Well we only needed one senator for a challenge, and not one Democrat stood up.

[marble falls]

37. Being fired means he can land somewhere else besides the top guest on ....

Letterman on Tuesday. I would want "Worst Person In the World" returned and I liked the dark set.

[Fool Count]

40. I don't get it - the title of this piece doesn't correspond to its content at all.

There is nothing at all there about why did they fire Keith Olbermann. I mean,
if you have a title like that, freaking tell me why did you fire Keith Olbermann.
Is that how Current will be jerking around its audience?

[Hatchling]

42. "As we move toward this summer's political conventions and the general election in the fall,...

Current is making significant new additions to our broadcasts."

Meaning, that Keith might rock the boat?

Just sayin'.

[totodeinhere]

44. I don't think we have heard the last of Keith. He will surface somewhere.

Perhaps he will syndicate his own radio talk show, or there are rumors that he might go to a pay channel like HBO or Showtime.

[originalpckelly]

46. "Speak truth to power."

Is this the same Al Gore who was Vice President for 8 years, and almost elected President of the United States?

I guess he never actually served as President, so there was still someone higher than him to speak truth to.

I always love how someone can be a Washington insider for most of his life, then have an election stolen from him and suddenly he becomes and outcast.

[IamK]

48. classy statement. reading between the lines, Al was saying...

FUCK YOU KEITH OLBERMANN! FUCK YOU!

[Raine]

51. Nice statement pretty much says it all ... KO doesn't "play well with others".

KO is a PIA and creates a toxic atmosphere for everyone who works there.

[JonLP24]

54. That really doesn't explain anything

To me.

[Tripod]

59. Explains every thing.

Kieth is burned out. He needs his own channel!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

56. I'm guessing "respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty" are not K.O.'s strong points...

...and probably never will be.

There are people who love K.O. and people who hate him but I think MOST of the HONEST people who learned of his termination probably reacted with "He must have acted like a prick."

A job is a job. I consider myself to be talented and brilliant (that's because I AM), but I freely admit that some past employers let me go because they couldn't fucking STAND me. C'est la vie...I started my own company.

[pacalo]

70. They're not Joel Hyatt's strong suits, either, Amerigo. Hyatt is a co-signer of Gore's letter.

Read my post #69.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

71. Didn't know that...

...but K.O. still has a "problem child" reputation which may be earned, may be unfair. I don't know him personally, so I can't say.

[Bluenorthwest]

57. Joel Hyatt has much history with really ugly terminations, including one of the landmark

decisions in the early days of AIDS, when his firm had fired a man for getting sick. Judge had harsh words for Hyatt's outfit in that case.
I only mention this due to the folks who are slamming Keith. They are also defending Hyatt, which is an interesting choice if you ask me....

[newfie11]

58. I am done with current

Nothing else I want to watch.

[rwsanders]

67. Another possible explanation...

I think that Al, as much as I respect him, faced the forces of darkness in the government. I think that is why he backed down on the election and I think that is why he found a cause, that while majorly important, he can make noise about, but not really change things and threaten the establishment.
Keith wasn't willing to respect those boundaries and Gore knew the threat that posed.

[pacalo]

69. "Respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers." Frankly, I want to gag

at this letter after reading Samantha's OP, http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=500815.

Joel Hyatt, the co-signer of Gore's letter, deceptively fired a promising lawyer who had worked himself up to a high level because he had AIDS. The case was the basis of the Tom Hanks movie, Philadelphia.

http://books.google.com/books?id=usADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA55&lpg=PA55&dq=National+Report+Philadelphia+Story+similar+Cain&source=bl&ots=aRtC6oNEbT&sig=wjDprpv-1ivVy6OLA1BkKZVE23I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Hpd3T7nAC-P40gGEsIGwDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=National%20Report%20Philadelphia%20Story%20similar%20Cain&f=false

Respect, Mr. Hyatt?

Openness, Mr. Hyatt?

Collegiality, Mr. Hyatt?

Loyalty, Mr. Hyatt?

[tex-wyo-dem]

72. Love KO and will always repect him...

He was one of the only progressive voices on a major network during the dark bush jr years and his Special Comments were an incredible inspiration to me.

I've often considered his amazing command of the English language and his ability to communicate with such power a product of a genius level mind. Like many genius level people throughout history, he also has his quirks and, as his working history would suggest, difficult to work and deal with on a daily basis.

I will watch Keith where ever he ends up. I also respect Current TVs decision.

[dsharp88]

73. It's very obvious what happened...

1 - KO knows how his operation should run best, but it takes a lot of money.
2 - KO did not have a budget that could satisfy KO's vision of #1.
3 - Therefore, KO was and acted frustrated.

Sad, but that's the nature of a smaller operation like Current.

KO will be fine with a nice settlement, and Current will be fine with TYT, Spitzer, and Granholm (and I'll bet more to come).

[Hissyspit]

80. I have a feeling that it is not that Current is a "smaller" operation. I have a feeling that they

are a mess right now. I like the channel and hope things work out, but it is a far cry from the original vision six years ago.

[A wise Man]

74. And the hate radio kings

keep going on and on and on....without a word. Weak ass democrats Affraid of the rethugs

[Yavin4]

78. Look for Olbermann To Be on Russia Today or Al Jazeera

He would actually be a good fit on Russia Today.

[Spazito]

81. This really says very little...

not surprising though, the firing might well end up in court. I will be watching Letterman tonight to hear what Olbermann has to say from his perspective.

I echo those who point out that Keith Olbermann 'spoke truth to power' when NO ONE else dared when he took on the Bush regime with no holds barred and nothing is going to diminish that in my mind regardless of whatever trash is thrown on him.

It will be interesting to see who breached any contract first. Was it Olbermann's absence due to illness or was it Hyatt's lack of fulfilling requirements regarding the quality of production for Olbermann's show? I guess we will only find out the full facts if this employment conflict does end up in court.

[Pisces]

82. Olbermann will lose to Al in a public opinion poll every day of the week. His history

Speaks for itself.

[jillan]

83. I am really disappointed in Keith. Flame away - I don't care. But the truth is

what the hell did he expect?

You cannot go to Current and expect it to be run as well as a major cable news channel - like msnbc.

Current is growing. It is experiencing growing pains and yes, oops, there are mistakes both techno ones and management ones.

Rather than be a person that helped Current grow and work to get past the mistakes, Keith decided to rally against them.
Keith could've put his stamp on Current and made it an amazing alternative to corporate funded news.
Now he is going to do all he can to hurt them because they couldn't meet his expectations.

Current gave Keith an opportunity for something great, something memorable. A game changer, if you will.
But he blew it.
And I am afraid there will not be another outlet that will be willing to work with him.
A shame. We needed Keith.

[Ganja Ninja]

85. A have to agree.

I think Current's ratings were too small for Keith's ego. It will be interesting to see where KO ends up, if this was all driven by ratings or did he have a better job offer on the table?

[Uncle Joe]

84. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Bozita.

[kctim]

86. Aw

another unemployed multi-millionaire.

My heart bleeds.