Olbermann on "The Greatest American" (6/27 transcript)

[Catchawave]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8386117/

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OLBERMANN: Fame is fleeting. That‘s the man who won an online poll just two years ago this month when he was voted the greatest America. Last night when the Discovery Channel and our bud Matt Lauer finished off their list of the greatest Americans, the individual was not only no longer No. 1, he wasn‘t even in Top 5.

Our No. 1 story tonight, various numbers 1, all of a self-promotional.

First, the newest greatest American. At No. 5, signer of the Declaration of the Independence, inventor of the bifocal, Benjamin Franklin.

Next, the first military commander, first president, George Washington.

Third, the civil rights leader whose “I Have a Dream” speech, perhaps the most recognized and influential oratory of modern times, Dr. King.

Runner up, Abraham Lincoln. Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, Civil War - yes, but evidently treated with that familiar phrase of his day and ours - “What have you done for us lately?”

Because voted No. 1 was Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States, whose 64 percent end-of-presidency-public-opinion-approval rate was just 1 point behind that of Bill Clinton. Also, lover of jellybeans, original choice to star in the movie of “Casablanca,” and the headliner in the film “Bedtime for Bonzo.”

More on Bonzo in a moment.

But first, as I mentioned, the 2003 online poll by the BBC gave a different Top 5. Mr. T was fifth, Jefferson fourth, Dr King was third, Lincoln was still 2nd and the landslide winner was, Homer Simpson. Historians will be debating that one forever: Homer versus the Gipper. Or, if you prefer, Professor Peter Boyd, Reagan‘s character in “Bedtime for Bonzo.”

Never ones to fail to launch on to other people‘s promotional stunts, we are tonight bridging a gap between the greatest American stuff, the world premiere of the trailer for the new “King Kong” movie. We are bringing you the greatest American monkey, as voted by you. Actually, as voted by us. And when we say monkey, we‘re including any apes, chimps or other animals that look like monkeys including cartoon monkeys to say nothing of people dressed up as monkeys.

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...more...please read the top ten monkeys of all time...funny stuff!

[Kolesar]

1. Albert Six was a child of the 60s

His flight was probably in 1960 or 1961, right before Alan Shepherd.

"No. 7, Albert Six, a monkey who actually did something for his country, as the first American of any species to fly into space and return to Earth alive in 1951. Of course, he died two hours after his round trip. But he returned alive."