Olbermann Out At MSNBC

[alp227]

Source: Broadcasting & Cable

"MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract," said the network in a statement late Friday. "The last broadcast of Countdown with Keith Olbermann will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and we wish him well in his future endeavors."

Olbermann broke the news at the end of his show Friday night.

(snip)

A Comcast spokesperson could not be reached for comment at press time, but Comcast has not officially closed on the deal and has said before that it was not calling the NBC News shots until after the deal closes.

Read more: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/462783-Olbermann_Out_At_MSNBC.php

---

The original thread was moved to GD and sourced a blog and Twitter that quoted an emailed MSNBC press release (no link for verification though), and I just learned about this on B&C. The video of Keith's final segment here.

Oh, this also comes a year to the day when Citizens United v. FEC ruled that corporate money=free speech and when Conan O'Brien signed a deal to leave NBC after a seven-month stint hosting The Tonight Show; Jay Leno returned and made the show all the more dull.

[sakabatou]

1. Hopefully, he'll be picked up by someone else

[aquart]

2. Nope. Non-compete clause.

[sakabatou]

3. So... this was his last day on the air ever?

[aquart]

10. Someone said two years...but if it's to 2012...?

[msongs]

4. ha ha did the precious agree to the non compete clause for a crap load of cash? hmmm nt

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[No Elephants]

78. IF he had a noncompete, it was probably in the original contract, as with

Shuster, not in whatever termination deal was just made.

Something tells me Olbermann had the bargaining leverage this go round.

[tavalon]

Was that as rude as it sounded?

[sabbat hunter]

8. a noncompete clause

only will last so long. generally it is 90-120 days, but in rare cases can be up to a year.

[aquart]

11. Thanks!

[jeff47]

14. Not if they ended the contract. (nt)

[No Elephants]

62. Depends on how they terminated it.

[markpkessinger]

16. Non-compete clauses can be challenged.

My brother, after being terminated from a company he was working for, started his own business (the same kind of business). His previous employer sued based on a non-compete clause in his contract. The court, however, held in my brother's favor, stating that non-compete clauses cannot be used to prevent an individual from making a living, and thus only be enforced when the employee leaves voluntarily, not when he or she is terminated by the company.

[jberryhill]

54. In California more so than New York

There are a mix of factors, but if KO walked with $14M, no court is going to say he can't live on that.

California is a rough state for non-competes. New York much less so.

[No Elephants]

59. You know what Olbermann's contract says?

[UrbScotty]

85. Aaron Brown returned to the air a couple years after CNN let him go (nt)

[melm00se]

90. that'll depend

If KO resigned the non-compete would be in effect, if they fired him, the non-compete may be void, if they mutually agreed to terminate the contract the non-compete would certainly have been a negotiation point.

[Honeycombe8]

53. Heard from Shuster that he won't be able to work on TV for a while, but who would hire him?

Shuster & others said that Keith's never been off the air for long periods of time before, and he's left other jobs before (or been "asked" to leave). But in the past he's worked for CNN and Fox, and now MSNBC/NBC. Those are the three big cable news stations. Whose left to pick him up?

BTW, the guys on TV said that he was probably paid out of the 2 years left on his contract, and he's probably barred from TV, but probably not for the entire two years. He can work in radio. And eventually he can work on TV again.

I am so disappointed. I relied on KO for the real skinny on news. I looked forward to watching his show every day. :(

[mvd]

5. This is Comcast. They need to be BOMBARDED with complaints

and subscription cancellations. No warning given to Keith. This is an outrage!! But I bet someone will pick him up.

[alp227]

6. LOL, who? Free Speech TV, that super-obscure satellite channel

that simulcasts the visual portion of Thom Hartmann's radio program? And Comcast doesn't have any role in this; MSNBC and Keith just terminated their contract. So it was MSNBC's decision, in advance of the coming NBC/Comcast merger.

[mvd]

9. It happened right after they took over

I am sure Comcast had a lot to do with it. I am so glad I left Comcast and hope many others do the same!

And Olbermann's a great enough voice he'll go somewhere. Mark my words.

[CBHagman]

23. I'm with you on that; I dropped Comcast a while back.

I didn't replace it with anything, either. If it's not Jeopardy! or something PBS (or something on my computer), I don't watch it, except at the gym, where they have RCN.

[snappyturtle]

43. How do we know that Keith's dismissal isn't part of the merger agreement?

Just sayin'................

[No Elephants]

67. Pretty obvious that it was part of the merger agreement.

[snappyturtle]

108. This dismissal came under MSNBC's watch so obviously, Comcast

is acting cowardly avoiding the 'dirty deed'. Comcast will never devulge that the dismissal was part of the merger agreement as obvious as the exact opposite is to anyone paying attention. IMHO

[Tunkamerica]

61. that's a leap. mergers involve all types of agreements

[No Elephants]

66. A leap? LOL

[Tunkamerica]

80. yeah. a leap without knowing more about it.

But I feel like I responded to the wrong person.

[No Elephants]

65. You don't think an acquiror has any influence over the target's management?

The merger deal was struck, the FCC approval of it was in and D of J approval of it was just announced. It's all over but the shouting--and Olberman is off the air within hours of announcement of D of J approval.

Pure coincidence, I'm sure, just as Comcast and MSNC claim.

[markpkessinger]

17. No, a boycott of the advertisers on the remaining show is what is needed

[mvd]

18. Of course

That, too.

[fishwax]

111. boycott the advertisers of the remaining liberal shows?

[sabrina 1]

27. I agree. We HAVE power, let's see if we are willing to use it

Progressivism has been under attack for decades. For years there were no progressive voices on television. Then we get a few and 'boom' they are gone.

So Beck is still on the air, and the rightwing corporatists will keep him there.

I am so sick of this country and sick of the weakness of the left.

How long before even on this board we will see apologists comparing Keith to that lunatic, Beck.

We are defeated because we do not fight.

I will never turn on MSNBC again. Not that one person not tuning in will matter, but at least I will not be contributing to their war on progressives.

[villager]

29. "We HAVE power, let's see if we are willing to use it."

That is the entire crux of the matter, que no?

[sabrina 1]

35. The 'left' is weak. They are always worried about what the right will

think of them. Always trying to show how 'fair-minded' they are by pointing out perceived wrong-doing among their own. Hoping for a pat on the head from the bullies, which they never get of course.

I am tired of being part of a group that will never fight and that shudders in fear of the few who have stood up, like Cindy Sheehan, tossed under the bus as soon war became acceptable when a Dem was doing it. I could go on, the list is long. I think Seymour Hersch is correct, there has been a coup. And the left just stood and watched, or in some cases joined in.

So, yes, that is the problem. The left could have power, but they trade it away in fear of being called names by the right and the 'moderates' and 'pragmatists' etc whatever that is supposed to mean.

Keith will be thrown under the bus too as soon as the Corporate Entities 'explain' why he is no longer on the air and lefties will decide that maybe they have a point, 'even though I despise the corporate takeover of our media, they DO have a point. Keith should probably have tone it down a little'. Sickening.

[villager]

44. Sickening, indeed. So we met the jailers -- and they are us.

Alas.

[snappyturtle]

45. Well, I don't think the left will be able to concede that there was a point

for the dismissal because Keith is the only newscaster, that I'm aware of, who freely offered to tone down the rhetoric after the AZ tragedy.

[No Elephants]

68. +1

[Voltaire99]

75. "I am tired of being part of a group that never fights": BINGO

You're in the wrong group, dear Sabrina. But I think you see that all too clearly.

The party is a collection of corporate hacks, twits, bagmen, favored sons and daughters, and other collaborators in spirit and deed with the Republican Party. "Two cozily-fused buttocks of the same giant derriere," as C. Hitchens wrote in his better days.

To be sure the party does not fight, and will not fight. Not in any meaningful way. Not in any but a turgid, symbolic manner. Yes, Sy Hersh is perfectly correct.

Of course there is an authentic left in the US which despises the mainly center-right Democrats as much for their uselessness as for their concupiscence with Republican scum. You shouldn't have much trouble finding it.

[sabrina 1]

118. "Two cozily-fused buttocks of the same giant derriere,"

Lol, that made me laugh ~ he could be descriptive couldn't he?

I agree with what you said. It has taken a few years of Democratic majorities to figure it out. The lame excuses for not fighting, the pretense that 'compromise' is necessary. At first I thought they were just weak and needed a spine. But now I see it is much worse than that. They are complicit. We never had any chance of seeing the promises they made, kept. They must laugh at how gullible we were ~

[Selena Harris]

28. How about GE's Jeff Immelt being named by Obama as jobs advisor

just today?

GE, Seeking New Engine and NBC Deal, Was Top Spender(7 hours ago)
Under the deal, Comcast will own 51 percent of a joint venture. GE acquired the NBC network in 1986 when it bought RCA Corp. GE is the world's biggest ...Bloomberg - 394 related articles


G.E. Makes It Official - It Will Sell NBC to Comcast - NYTimes.comDec 3, 2009 ... Shortly after news of the deal leaked in September, G.E. and Comcast signed a standstill agreement, which effectively blocked other bidders ...
www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/business/.../04nbc.html - Similar -

Winners and losers in the GE/ NBC Universal/ Comcast deal - The ...Dec 2, 2009 ... Let's walk through my logic -- A few weeks ago, GE owned 80% of NBC Universal with all its cable channels and NBC and movie production and ...
blogs.marketwatch.com/.../winners-and-losers-in-the-ge-nbc-universal- comcast-deal/ - Cached

[Enthusiast]

94. Dark suspicious deals done

behind closed doors.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

57. Comcast taking over NBC sucks full stop. Complain loudly about how they do business please.

and I think the FCC needs a few letters as well. But it'll be like yelling to the wind. One could go hoarse and lose one's voice entirely. As we did today.

[AngryAmish]

98. Ignoring complaints is in the Comcast business plan

Everyone hates Comcast already.

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

7. Sorry, I take severe issue...

... with your characterization: "The original thread was moved to GD due to source issues (blog+Twitter), so this (Broadcasting & Cable) is a more reliable source."

My source quoted a direct MSNBC press release and was further supported by a subsequent post in my thread from Josh Marshall, Talking Points Memo, who quoted the same press release.

It says something when bloggers and twitters are first with truly Latest Breaking News versus the more mundane media.

[alp227]

12. haha the Internet, always makes things faster

I considered rule #5 (do not link to blogs and such). Furthermore the cited blog said that the press release came in an email, so how can the reader verify it through an independent non-encrypted link?

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

15. Oh, pleeze...

... an "encrypted email" justification?

The blog I cited has been around for many years as well as having won many awards. Joe does not post rumors as well as the two updates, inclusive of Anderson Cooper, more than support the validity of the report.

And I would be curious to know how you, not listed as a moderator, know the actual reason for the movement of my thread to GD where, as we all know, threads go to die?

Having written Skinner on this matter, I await his response to precisely the reason for the moderator's action.

(EDIT: And now, upon further review, we see that you have edited your own, original mis-informed advisory relative to the presumed reason for relocation in a rather self-serving manner, WITHOUT even indicating notice of the edit. For your original words, see my Post 7 amd compare it with what is now there. Integrity much?)

[moodoggie]

13. coming for a while

I guess this has been coming for a while. With the Comcast merger the NBC bosses probably wanted to ease him out. Timing is about right for them to have called keith in today and said "You have a couple of weeks to clear out" and Keith said FU, and that made tonight the night. The noncompete will keep him off tv for a while, but hope he can work in new tech for a while. podcasting, internet, the twitter, etc. Not sure how the revenue stream would work, but I think the forum would be more important.

[Tunkamerica]

63. great first post. look forward to seeing you blossom.

and facetiousness is not my forte.

[lfairban]

107. Welcome to DU, moondoggie

:hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast:

:hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast:

:hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast:


Wish we could have met under better circumstances.

[w4rma]

19. This happened because all three of the FCC commissioners that Obama appointed approved the merger.nt

[BrightKnight]

22. The Obama administration apparently really loves uncomfortable warm centrist things. - n/t

[Synnical]

20. Covering this on CNN now n/t

[xchrom]

21. Interesting - only three recs. Moderates must be pleased. Nt

[rhett o rick]

24. Calling them moderates is way too generous. Bastards. nm

[BrightKnight]

26. No, It was pure far right top down BS.

The moderates did not do with this.

[No Elephants]

81. You know this how? As best I can tell, the distinction between right and left

is no longer the most significant one in this country, perhaps in the world.

[on point]

25. His show will be replaced by new hit prison show 'Gulag Today'

The new hit TV show, Gulag Today, will demonstrate both the futility as well as the cost of failing to submit to the Power's That Be (PTB). Make sure to catch it in that new 6pm ratings hole so you can see all your friends as they learn to become good obedient citizens in this post 1984, Brave New Word.

[digitaln3rd]

30. Didn't expect that!

Not that I don't think it will happen but CNN would be insane not to sign him - it's gotta be better then whatever dreck they're doing at 8 now.

[jtuck004]

31. Won't spend as much time with this channel now, maybe that's a good thing.

Thank you for the readings, Mr. Olbermann.

[Matariki]

32. Fuck Comcast. Fuck them.

Bastards.

[pettypace]

33. Still got Maddow & O'Donnell

who are even more left wing than Olbermann on his best (worst?) day.

The bashing of moderates is getting out of hand btw.

[ProudDad]

40. O'Donnell????

Gawd!

Don't make me laugh...

He's as big a DLC corporate tool as any of them...and completely "inside the beltway" to the core...

[Raine]

69. O'Donnell??? you must be kidding

"more left wing" than KO??? :spray: :puke:

[alp227]

109. then why would o'donnell sub host for keith in the first place? n/t

[No Elephants]

71. Strongly disagree. Maddow is rarely critital of Obamadmin and O'Donnell is a dead boring shill.

He says he is a socialist and insults liberals, but, like Obamadmin, seems to have less problem with the center right and the moderate right than he does with the left .

http://www.caglecartoons.com/column.asp?columnID=%7B3C798B88-CC34-4D12-865C-B7E91A29F0CE%7D

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/06/lawrence-odonnell-calls-h_n_779909.html

Of the Dems at MSNBC, I'd say Olbermann was THE most critical of Obamadmin from a left PO, with Shultz next.

[alarimer]

102. They'd better watch their backs too.

My guess is that Rachel is next on the chopping block. O'Donnell is just a centrist hack so he's probably safe. My guess is that they want an O'Reilly or Glen Beck clone.

[wisteria]

34. I think Obermann is the example of what will happen to the others if they don't tow the Comcast line

[Bette Noir]

37. There seemed to be a bit of a mutiny at MSNBC tonight.

Rachel was out; Chris Hayes subbed, as usual. About 3/4 of the way through the show, the direction all went blooey. The sound was off, the wrong cameras were getting the feed. Either someone was trying to make Chris look bad, or he was staging some kind of job action of his own. It was definitely a deliberate act of sabotage.

[jberryhill]

56. Madddow's show is no stranger to production problems

Less so than when she started, but they get some hiccups from time to time

[James48]

36. NEW WHITEHOUSE PRESS SECRETARY

Replacing Gibbs.

I saw it on Wiki, so it must be true.

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

Watch wingnut heads explode.

Good Night, and Good Luck.

[BrightKnight]

38. I would actually like to see that. - n/t

[jberryhill]

55. +1

[bluedigger]

39. I broke up with a woman once.

(OK, she dumped my sorry ass.) Anyways, we were living together and she gave me the heave-ho. I was unprepared (blindsided) so she let me stay while I got some money together and found a new place to live. We even shared most of our meals, went to sleep together, woke up together, looked right through each other, etc... It was a living fucking hell, I'm sure for both of us, even if we were completely civil to one another the whole time.

Every other relationship, before and after, that ended, was done quickly and cleanly, and, in the long run, painlessly. Many of my exes are now friends, years later, but that one... we never spoke or saw each other again, once I finally moved out.

I think that this was a mutual decision, and that MSNBC chose the timing. It is standard corporate procedure to lay off on Fridays. It gives the bystanders the weekend to come to grips with the decision, and then show up on Monday morning ready to pay the mortgage, without doing anything foolish like walking out in solidarity.

Good Night, and Good Luck, KO!

[ProudDad]

41. One good thing

This removes one of the few remaining reasons to have cable TV at all...

[craigmatic]

42. Damn I'm glad I taped it.

We all know they were looking for a reason to fire him eventhough he basically made the network. They should fire scarbourough. I don't think anybody watches that morning show anyway.

[snappyturtle]

49. Joe, Mika and Willie all need to go. That Morning Joe program is a hodge podge

of arrogant, self-serving, and egotistical people. Same old, same old guests too. :puke:

[gtar100]

46. Comcast didn't waste time.

Well what the heck, after all we're a center-right country after all, no? :sarcasm:

Right-wing can't stand on the truth so it requires... REQUIRES that it buy up the media, hound us with propaganda and drown out the voices of reason. Otherwise they'd stand no chance. No different than criminal organizations.

[colsohlibgal]

47. No Coincidence

Keith is out the day Comcast is in? Please. He just spoke too much truth to power too bluntly for the corporate honchos taking over and the oligarchy overall. What a way to end the night, this stinks.

[delightfulstar]

48. Comcast sucks.

I'm more than likely done with MSNBC at this point, and will probably not be watching NBC either, for that matter. I've been a loyal viewer of MSNBC for a number of years, but along with losing Keith, they've now lost me. At this point, I will more than likely be turning to online sources for my news, or to NPR and PBS. I want to hear KO's side of this, which I think will be very enlightening. I don't think he'll be out of the picture for long - he's too important a voice to be silenced.

[davhill]

100. With PBS government funding eliminated

They will be relying more and more on corporate donations if they survive at all. For get that as an alternative

[poverlay]

50. Miss you already Keith!! You counteracted more poison in your time at MSNBC than all the

Activated charcoal ever made, or activated, or whatever.

I know which story we'll be talking about tomorrow:(

[mikeburetta]

51. and now...

more lock up prison storries?

[UrbScotty]

52. Leno IS MUCH BETTER than Conan. But this sure sucks.

I don't know what I'm going to do without Keith!

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[No Elephants]

72. Leno is better, if you like RW propaganda.

[UrbScotty]

83. Right-wing, huh?

"Dick Cheney says he may need a heart transplant. I understand Halliburton has a no-bid contract to do the installation on it." –Jay Leno

"The debate over repealing healthcare began in the House today. The republicans have their own plan: 'Don't ask, don't get sick.'" –Jay Leno

"Sarah Palin should pick The Situation from 'Jersey Shore' as her vice president. That way, we can get rid of two reality shows at once." –Jay Leno

"Former U.S. House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay, has been sentenced to three years in prison. One year for money laundering and two more for his performance on 'Dancing with the Stars.'" –Jay Leno

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bldailyfeed3.htm

[Tunkamerica]

89. Yeah, four jokes... totally a liberal

1. Non-partisan ribbing
2. Barely partisan (the majority of americans agree with healthcare reform
3. No republicans want SP as candidate
4. Inane BS

I watched Leno a few weeks ago and 100% of his political "jokes" in the monologue were anti-Obama. None were funny and I was waiting for one just to see if they tried.

No wonder Jack Doneghy called him the kingmaker.

[UrbScotty]

113. Aren't Conan's 'jokes' a lot like what you describe?

Can you find one that isn't?

At any rate, #1 and #2 of the jokes I mentioned are a lot more partisan than most people prefer to go nowadays. And how can #4 be BS?

And BTW, these are just from the last couple weeks. There are plenty more!

[awoke_in_2003]

60. take a good look folks...

the only "Edward R. Murrow" of our generation has left the building. So long Keith, you will be missed. "Liberal Media Bias"- to that phrase I can only say "f***, F***, F***". No such thing exists.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

70. Welcome back to 2003, everyone

Remember the days when we had to settle for choosing between FOX, a balance-for-the-sake-balance/right of center CNN, and an MSNBC that canned Donahue but gave shows to Michael Savage, Alan Keyes and Joe Scarborough?

As a result, the news was canceled and we got Iraq.

At least we had Air America to give us a slight alternative, but even that's gone now.

And don't be fooled that the lineup is staying progressive. That's just a temporary P.R. move.

This is obviously phase one of a plan to get rid of the whole lineup. First, they cancel the flagship program. Then, they make bizarre changes in the schedule that will satisfy no one (O'Donnell over Maddow for the top spot?) Next, as ratings dry up as angry viewers boycott and the rest get bored, they cancel each of the shows one by one.

In about a year or two, they can say politics wasn't the cause and that there is no bias here. They can make the empty claim that they tried liberal programming and people just didn't want to watch it.

And then they'll give a show to someone like Tucker Carlson because he's young and hip and what the viewers want, you know.

[JJW]

73. Did Obama get KO fired?

Obama appoints CEO of GE as an adviser this afternoon and this evening "the professional left" gets fired.

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[No Elephants]

84. FCC and D of J approvals of Comcast's takeover just came through, too.

but I doubt there was a quid pro quo.


On the other hand, Mayor Daley's retiring from Rahm's dream job, soon followed by Obama's hiring of his brother, reminded me of the Sestak deal Obama attempted. Anyway, we'll probably never know for sure. Catching {relatively} honest players in these deals off guard, as happened with Sestak, is not a frequent enough event.

[PufPuf23]

76. KO gone coordinated with ComCast purchase makes me ill. nt

[slay]

77. This is fucked up.

period. it wasn't about ratings obviously Keith did great at 8pm. guess Keith told the truth one too many times. rachel will be next. this is really fucked up.

[No Elephants]

79. If someone is next, my money is on Schultz.

[No Elephants]

82. Something about this stinks to high heaven.

Horatio:
He waxes desperate with imagination.


Marcellus:
Let's follow. 'Tis not fit thus to obey him.


Horatio:
Have after. To what issue will this come?


Marcellus:
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.


Horatio:
Heaven will direct it.


Marcellus:
Nay, let's follow him.


Hamlet Act 1, scene 4, 87–91

http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/something-rotten-state-denmark

[slay]

86. Something is rotten indeed

ugh. this is fucking awful - and just one more indicator that we are on a HORRIBLE path of corporate tyranny right fucking now. they own the politicians, they own the media, they own our food, and our fuel. how can i get to Venezuela? seriously yall - i think we are in WAY worse trouble than people want to believe. way, way worse.

[No Elephants]

A prophet posts at DU.

See Reply 16 on the thread linked below:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4701231&mesg_id=4701294

[No Elephants]

87. A prophet posts at DU.

See Reply 16 on the thread linked below:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4701231&mesg_id=4701294

[Rhiannon12866]

91. I saw that. Prescient.

And incredibly sad. :(

[Shining Jack]

88. K&R

That makes me sick.

[farmboxer]

92. Comcast = Republicans?

I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the Republican Comcast................................

[Enthusiast]

93. I am bummed out.

Fucking sickening.

[bigworld]

95. My hope is that this is a power play by Keith

And that he's planning to re-up next week with the new boss, Comcast, for more moolah. If he were forced out by Comcast, he would have said so in his goodbye, I'm sure of it. By playing nice with them, he's possibly hoping to renegotitate a new, better contract.

My completely uninformed opinion, of course.

[bigworld]

96. My hope is that this is a power play by Keith

And that he's planning to re-up next week with the new boss, Comcast, for more moolah. If he were forced out by Comcast, he would have said so in his goodbye, I'm sure of it. By playing nice with them, he's possibly hoping to renegotitate a new, better contract.

My completely uninformed opinion, of course.

[Best_man23]

97. And my family asked me why I don't have Comcast

This is why.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

99. BO and the rest of the DINOs and pukes are yuking it up.

[tpsbmam]

101. Wow, what a first and horrifying sign of things to come thanks to this merger.

KO is brilliant. I hope he will find a new outlet -- we need him!

I hate to say it but I suspect Obama is loving this.

[vincenzoesq]

103. He's not dead

Keith will reappear--somewhere, bigger and better than ever.

[harvey007]

104. Why, God, Why?

Keith Olbermann's program was MSNBC's best. I will sorely miss him.

He should promptly be added to Broadcast Journalism's Hall of Fame, if there is such a thing.

After a much deserved vacation, I hope he launches his own program via the Internet or satellite.



:cry:

[hedgehog]

105. I wonder if the no-compete clause forbids Olbermann from putting a show on the Internet.

It would be a delicious end run around the corporations!

[Wabbajack_]

106. I don't think non-compete clauses should be allowed

stupid corporatist crap.

[Indi Guy]

110. Here's the Video of Keith's Last Segment...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnNEqoJxxtQ

(I think the Thurber story is quite apt for the moment.)

[wordpix]

120. OK, that makes me cry - goodbye, Keith and good luck - you're an American patriot

[krabigirl]

112. Horrible...so glad I stopped watching most TV many years ago.

[kjackson227]

114. Freespeechtv might be obscure at the moment...

but we need to start donating to this channel and at least try to hit the corporate-owned mainstream media where it hurts the most... in their pockets. It will be interesting to see who will be next on the chopping block. Will they threaten Big Eddie and Rachel to also tone down, or else? Hopefully a petition will resurface same as before, and Keith will be back on soon.

[Nossida]

115. It isn't all bad news

Funny thing.
Olbermann was indeed the only American news feed I have bothered to watch for a number of years.
Switched off the sewer Fox the day Iraq was invaded. CNN shortly thereafter. With the departure
of Mr Olbermann, I need not be bothered with US News feeds whatsoever. All of it Corporate drivel
with 35 minutes per hour going to commercials. Now I can block msnbc and be done with it.

good riddance to bad rubbish. Corporate stooges.
We needed you more than you needed us Mr Olbermann, Bravo to you sir.

[jzodda]

116. Makes me want to vomit!

I mean why?? I know nothing lasts forever but those fucks at Fox like Billo and Hannity keep going and Keith's gone? Makes me sick to my stomach

[underpants]

117. If Comcast can't kill net neutrality they will control information like this

the merger was approved what two days ago?

[RamboLiberal]

119. Fuck - I am so pissed at this dumbass move

MSNBC will not be the same without KO and I'm betting they will now start moving more centrist or even right.

[wordpix]

121. corporate Amerika doesn't like people like Keith who ask questions & make corpos look bad

[slackmaster]

122. Media corps care only about ratings.

Keith's were weak and declining.