Olbermann : was a line crossed with Colbert?

[Postman]

give me a friggin break.


Dana Millbank: he wasn't funny.

Obviously this hack doesn't get it. Memo to Millbank- you're part of the problem

[dogday]

1. I am not hearing support

of course Dana Milbank is no judge of humor.....

[Postman]

8. The problem is Colbert held up a mirror and they didn't like what they saw

screw them.

[dogday]

16. Absolutely

It was not only the Emperor wearing any clothes, remember who helped the Administration to Iraq, the press, we must not forget the part they have played in all this.....

[redqueen]

83. "you had the courtesy not to try to find out"

Bet they loved that one.

[leftchick]

33. Exactly!

They, all of them, are denying the truth. Even KO! :(

[Cleita]

36. Yes, that's exactly what happened.

Your metaphor works perfectly.

[herbbrown]

2. Keiths jumped the Shark

Welcome to Pravda!

[bryant69]

7. I don't know - I mean I'm not willing to write him off

just because he failed to line up solidly behind Colbert.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Mend]

12. Keith has been having a lot of pseudo-liberals on, such

as Dana Milbank. We think he has jumped the shark, too. Colbert was brilliant and he spoke for us. Anyone who doesn't get it is part of the problem.

[mondo joe]

27. I guess Bush isn't alone in his YOU'RE WITH US OR AGAINST US mindset.

For goodness sakes, Keith has been almost the lone voice of real journalim we've had.

Now he has a difference of opinion and he's "part of the problem"?

[Gabi Hayes]

39. wise up and read 99.9 percent of the responses here

it goes MUCH deeper than a mere disagreement

try the Plaid Adder thread, during which she goes into detail explaining why what Colbert said was so important in an age when the media not only NEVER contradicts the fundamental thrust of these neofascists, it walks arm in arm with them, keeping the vast majority of news consumers ignorant of the reality unfolding before them

KO really blew it here, as should be quite obvious, and his choice for review of Colbert (one of the sleaziest Bush apologists extant, despite his very occasional lapses of journalistic honesty), tells us all we need to know.

It would have been interesting if he'd had Craig Crawford (another regular) on, who said on his blog that he loved Colbert, but broke his arm, so isn't available

keep that weasel/worm Milbank off the show, Keith, please.

he never adds anything

and talk about NOT ever being funny, remember those idiotic HATS he wears, in his own lame attempts at humor? wear them to cover your thinning, receding hairline, Dana, and leave the humor to people who know what they're doing....like Colbert

[mondo joe]

50. I hate to think what people's personal lives are like when they disagree

with friends or family.

Seriously.

[Gabi Hayes]

68. he fucked up....seriously

I should have made clear that I'm not for excommunicating him; far from it

he just made a HUGH mistake in his treatment of the Colbert brouhaha. very onesided (apart from his showing clips, which almost nobody else did), AND allowing Milbank the shill to set the tone of the conversation, and GOING ALONG with what that pusball said

most of the time, of course, he's a thorn in the side of the junta

I don't get why people here, of all places, seem to think that criticism of somebody with whom one disagrees is not allowed

sounds like the same sort of lockstep that are criticizing him are being accused of marching to

does that make more sense?

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

58. What you said

This is not the 1st time I've disagreed w/KO and it won't be the last.

So many seem to veer between "X for President!" and "I'm through with X!" Seems to be part of the purity test mindset.

[CatWoman]

31. I prefer to think that Keith was playing Devil's Advocate

[DainBramaged]

47. Keith jumped the shark,? get better glasses

you aren't even funny, just a provocateur. Olberman is the ONLY voice we have in the MSM, period. Love him, adore him.

[Greylyn58]

49. Some of the responses I've read

are part of the reason I get mad at DU from time to time.

People here on differing threads have jumped all over Keith because he didn't tow the line and sing Colbert praises. While I thought Colbert was brilliant, I'm certainly not going to dump Keith and never watch him again because I didn't care for his handling of the story. I didn't think Keith was that bad. Milbank on the other hand, I thought, was clueless.

We have so few voices in the media right now that to dump one because I don't like something he said is ridiculous.

[mduffy31]

63. EXACTLY

People who have to stop this shit. Just because he doesn't agree with your opinion doesn't make him the enemy! People have to get over themselves.

:rant:

[Adelante]

73. For you, mduffy31

:toast:

[walldude]

59. Gimme a fucking break....

The guy doesn't march in lock step for one day and he's now Pravda? He's got a right to his opinion, and I'm doubtful that if he spoke against Colberrt that they were his words. He does work for a network.

[Radio_Guy]

65. Keith seems to be slowly towing the company line

He would prefer to do his show his way like Stewart, maher and Colbert does. But MSNBC won't let him. Si he kowtows to them so he can continue to earn a fat paycheck. He needs to move his show to follow Colbert's so he can be a real journalist again.

[Roxy66]

3. He went after these guys....of course they arent laughing

[TexasLawyer]

4. Hey Mainstream Media

Play the whole show for America, and we'll let you know what we think.

This all reminds me of the Coretta Scott King funeral.

[rusty charly]

5. it's a completely

anti-colbert take

unbelievable

what's with this "* is just so f-in' funny"?

essplain, luchee!

[Ecumenist]

6. I wish that people would stop worrying about what that sorry son

of a bitch cares about. I hate this man because he tries to posture himself as a king and I HATE that people are acting as if they're worried that he'll have them beheaded. F%ck him, he's never won one F&CKING election. I wish that everywhere this son of a bitch goes, he is humiliated.

There's proverb that they Gullah People, (my father's family is Seminole and gullah or geechee, for those of you more familiar with that name), of the Barrier islands off the coasts of the Carolina and Georgia have, "A dog don't get 'cause you tell him he's a dog".

Like I said earlier, the son of a bitch is not worth a cup of used spit and everyone can have their opinion but I am ECSTATIC that Colbert told that bloody, unvarnished with an extra dash of vinegar to that perverted maniac.

[politrix]

10. Keith Really Let Me Down

I thought HE was real.

Damn. I need a drink and a joint. Where's Towelee when I need him?

[ShortnFiery]

26. Oberman is sort of like The Tweety of Info-tainment ...

Sometimes he feels like he must please his corporate media masters. Lord help us if FOX buys out Comedy central. :P

[Ecumenist]

46. You know, people won't always say or do everything we

want them to 100% of the time. That's why we need to go out into the streets and work against this. We cannot let others nor can we depend on others to save our republic. It is our responsibility.

[Ecumenist]

48. Welcome Politrix...To DU

:hi: Glad to have you but I don't think that the answer to disappointment with Keith is to get high and drunk. Get angry and focus that anger and use it to effect change. Weed and booze solves nothing.

[madame defarge]

9. First time watching Olbermann...

Sorry...not impressed. And having Dana Milbank as his guest doesn't score any points in my book.

I really expected (hoped) that Keith would see the light, but alas, apparently he's a part of the problem...

[0007]

11. After Colbert put the media down real hard, the sober truth

was realized and not funny.

[malaise]

17. We should have expected this

Colbert hit them hard and MSM can give it but cannot take it.
<snip from Colbert>
I have nothing but contempt for these people. I know how to handle these
clowns. In fact, sir, I brought along an audition tape, and with your
indulgence, I'd like to at least give it a shot. So, ladies and
gentlemen, my press conference.
------------------

[ShortnFiery]

28. "I have nothing but contempt for these people."

That was my favorite Cobert line of the night because I feel exactly the same way.

Our National CORPORATE Cable News Media is as corrupt as this warmongering Administration. :puke:

[madmark]

35. ditto

[Generator]

13. Yeah that line is called the truth

If you feed it to people everyday instead of the tabloid swill and spin and FAKE outrage over shit that affects no one, well people would be in the streets with torches and pitchforks. Can't have that, can we?

[marions ghost]

14. 3 thumbsdown for Milbank

Milbank :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

He could actually sit there and say blandly "Yes, Bush won the media war on this..."

Well I guess so, since the corporate media did not SHOW Colbert's performance to their millions of viewers.

[Cha]

34. bush always

wins the corporate media war, asshole.

But bush's numbers on in the toilet where bush is.

[BlooInBloo]

15. Media takes play from republican playbook....

... kill the messenger, and you kill the message.

Jackasses.

It's questionable how well the play will work tho, given the 500,000+ downloads of the C&L video of Colbert making gw feel like the coward he truly is.

[Bush_MUST_Go]

18. He crossed the line...... from insanity back to SANITY.

The MSM is just as guilty as bush for the mess we're in. It's not surprising they are offended by the truth.

[sallyseven]

30. You hit the nail on the head

[alcibiades_mystery]

19. Apparently, nobody "gets it" but the people at DU

:eyes:

[ShortnFiery]

29. Not true, serveral blogs and even Yahoo News has hit upon

the fact that "it's not so funny" when the spotlight of satire addresses YOU (The Corporate Mainstream Media Whores).

[Cha]

37. And Mark Morford of the

San Francisco Chronical..

"Stephen Colbert Has Brass Cojones


Bush glowered. Laura looked confused. Scott McClellan was like a dead deer caught in the headlights. Many of the journalists, celebs, ranking generals and other 'notables' at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner laughed openly, albeit uncomfortably, as Stephen Colbert of "The Colbert Report" just made himself about 500 times more of a national treasure and cemented himself as one of the most fearless satirists of this generation (instantly outpacing Jon Stewart, who, you get the feeling, wouldn't have had the nerve to go as far as Colbert did) by way of a savage and hilarious roast/takedown of President Bush, who was seated not eight feet away.

Have you heard? Did you see? You simply must. It was a revelation."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1076064

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

62. Very cool. It's seeping out there, it can't be stopped! I'm really amazed

because, now, the f*#@ing media is under the microscope saying, "We should report on it, but we can't, but we have to, because too many people know about it and The Colbert Report is suddenly going to have this huge spike in viewership and he's cool with the demographic we crave and yet, he says we're assholes....hmmm."

:hi: MKJ

[Ecumenist]

20. Just keep embarrassing the media whores everytime you

get a chance. If they're embarrassed and humiliated often enough and it they become a national and international joke, they'll do go out of their way to change. I would also make a point of boycotting the advertisers that utilise the news networks and their outlets.

[Gabi Hayes]

69. if only that were true....first, they're just herdbots, never thinking for

themselves

second, the ONLY time they pretend to pay attention to public outcry is when they CLAIM they get all this RW backwash for being 'too liberal'

that's their EXCUSE. they don't care what those opposed to the junta think, or do. they're a HUGH part of the problem, and they know it, realize that their position is being threatened by real journalists whose only venue is the internets.

don't fool yourselves into thinking that anything we say or do has any impact on these corporate shills

their power is too entrenched, too concentrated, for us to have any effect, aside from the TRUTH that comes out in the ether

[Ecumenist]

86. You know, Gabi, that may be the case

BUT everything and I do mean EVERYTHING and EVERYONE has an achilles heel. Perhaps we need to not only embarrass them BUT hit them where it hurts--- the pocketbook. Refuse to buy or patronise their advertisers products. That'll get their attention REAL FAST!!!

[Eric J in MN]

21. Dana Milbank writes a dreadful column for the Washington Post

called "Washington Sketch."

Milbank's column seems like it's trying to be funny, but isn't.

Milbank should look in the mirror to find someone not funny, and then go back to straight reporting.

[Spazito]

22. No surprise from Milbank, he is the epitome of the MSM

and would, therefore, rather paint Colbert as having failed then have to admit it is those in his profession, including him, that are the real failures.

[ShortnFiery]

23. Did you note the "hateful look" on Susan Malvo's face during

Cobert's skit as Press Secretary? That was too funny! :applause:

[ShortnFiery]

24. Dupe ... sticky keys

[madmark]

25. colbert was not funny

in the same way that one may think that Jonathan Swift's "Modest Proposal" was not funny.

[Berry Cool]

32. I am disappointed in Keith tonight. He really IS better than this.

It is too bad that on this one segment, he did not show it.

He was speaking the truth at the beginning of the show...and then this part came along and he had Milbank on and pulled all the punches.

I don't know how to explain it. I can say that to those who have no experience of him, this is NOT the real Keith...and no, he's not afraid of being fired or something stupid like that. I think maybe he's bending over backwards TOO far trying to be fair.

Something tells me that he has this antiquated idea that when you get invited to speak at an event you don't then twist the knife into them what invited you...no matter how much they deserve it.

Well, I disagree with you on this one, Keith. It was high time someone socked it to the Harper Valley PTA, so to speak. And thank goodness Colbert did.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

41. "socked it to the Harper Valley PTA" - perfect!

That is so inspired and an absolutely perfect metaphor!

[Cha]

43. bush has murdered

thousands of people and he can't get the truth thrown in his face by Colbert who has the courage of Edward R Murrow?

[marions ghost]

60. yep

making it all about the question "did he step over the line?"

Olbermann could've just reported it straight like he does other outrageous stories he covers. He could've just let it speak for itself.

But I guess we should give Keith another chance...he's about all there is on MSM...at least he showed more of the footage than most. But I was very disappointed. I'm gonna email him that.

[DTinAZ]

77. then tell him so: [e-mail] n/t

[SOS]

78. Theory: Professional competition

There have only been two times, in my recollection, where KO has been a wet blanket.
1. Stewart at the Academy Awards.
2. Colbert at the Correspondents dinner.
My theory (without any basis in fact) is that KO wants out of the MSNBC desert and into a good network slot.
Network slots, such as Letterman at 11:30 on CBS, are very rare. The question must arise "Who gets it?"
Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert or Keith Olbermann?
Just a guess, but given the nature of broadcast and cable, it's got to be on their minds.

[renate]

80. that's a good point

Like you, I can't think of any other times Keith dropped the ball except when talking about these two men who are also many liberals' media heroes.

Jon kicked ass, undeniably, at the Academy Awards. (It would have been great from our point of view if he'd done that night what Stephen did on Saturday, but it would have been inappropriate; he had just the right touch for that event.) And now this not terribly harsh but weirdly blinkered criticism of Stephen's speech about the media at a media dinner. Stephen did what he was hired to do--he just did a much better job than he was supposed to--and I was pretty disappointed by Keith's approach.

But it serves me right for putting the guy on a pedestal instead of respecting his right to have an opinion different from mine. Whether Stephen crossed the line is a valid question; I just disagree with Keith's conclusion. I'll still love the guy. And I am forever grateful for the way he speaks out on stories that don't get reported elsewhere.

Presumably this was his honest opinion about Stephen's speech, and I admire his decision to express his opinion rather than faking enthusiasm to please an audience he must have known would disagree with him.

[Ringo84]

38. Re:

I don't think that Colbert crossed a line. Everything he said was the truth - done in a sarcastic tone that made it even funnier.

It's like the "President" can't stand any criticism. He's like a spoiled little kid who gets mad and runs to Momma when anyone doesn't agree with him. GET OVER IT, Dubya.

You say that Olbermann is - or was - one media person on our side. What's up with this sudden change of heart?
Ringo

[unc70]

40. At least he showed a lot of Colbert clips

Given how very little has been shown after the initial broadcast, I believe it was most important that KO showed a moderate number of Colbert hightlights. And they speak for themselves.

With Milbank, it mostly followed a toned-down version of the WHPC talking points. Given his past positions/efforts, I will give Keith a couple of days to work the system. (I also plan to sent him an email in support, along with thousands of others.)

BTW we need to "urge" Franken to see the broadcast before tomorrow. He seemed clueless today about just how powerful Colbert was.

BTW the Internet seems to be near death apparently from the huge demand for downloads. (There are a couple of other things going on with the Net, too.)

All of this is bubbling up in a way I haven't seen before on the Net. Almost like my senior year in college with Cambodia/Kent State/Jackson State/student strikes.

[otohara]

42. Tweety to Time Guy, Why Do Think He Was He So BAD???

fucking MSM - makes me ill. Still protecting this POS liar in the White House

[Cha]

44. Colbert was bad as in Badass

Good!

[otohara]

52. Yes He Was

You know when Matthews and the rest of these jerks pan Colbert, it really shows who's side thier on and it's the Greedy Old Party

[Cha]

55. I'm thinking Colbert's

ratings are gonna soar after this and I'm gonna be one of them.

[depakid]

45. Another poster child for divestment and re-regulation

Accountability is the ONLY thing that's going to change the media's behavior.

[GoneOffShore]

51. It's the spin!

This morning I was thinking that the spin on this is going to be about how 'appropriate' the comments were and disrespectful towards the President. It's certainly not going to address the facts or the reality, because as we all know and a lot of people say, "reality has a real liberal bias."


It doesn't matter whether it was funny or not. Colbert spoke truth to power. He pricked the bubble as very few people do around *.

[goforit]

53. Obermann is kissing ass, sorry to say!.....A weak soul!

[Junkdrawer]

54. and, to paraphrase Thoreau, "why are you on the other side of that line"?

:shrug:

[Gabi Hayes]

70. THANK YOU! "Which side are you on, boys, which side are you on?"

but don't criticize Keith; you're marching in lockstep with the Olbermann haters if you dare

[Generator]

56. I know Colbert's stickt

Or however you spell it. But you HAVE to see this video. Because he called the press STENOGRAPHERS-he called them on their lack of doing their job to their face at an event for them. Not once. But a couple times,and very pointedly. I just can't get over that.

Also, my god people HE SAID the thing I've been saying for YEARS-Bush's great 9/11 moment- "This president stands for something, he stands ON something, on rubble-on ruined drowned cities, making great photo ops."

You won't here that clip in the press.

OH my. The president has no clothes. It's so unfunny when that's pointed out because the clothes believers look so SILLY!

[robbedvoter]

57. He did cross a line: the leash line

Millbank thinks W is better than him, so.....

[Geek_Girl]

61. Honestly I've never cared that much for KO

Sometimes his show is good and informative but most of the time it just seems more like news entertainment. I wish there was at least one solid serious news program on T.V.

[Orsino]

64. Colbert pointed out everything that is wrong with neocon Amerika...

...and the best Olbermann can do is a story about Colbert?

Jesus Christ.

[DTinAZ]

66. My letter to Keith/Countdown...

I just sent this to Countdown ([e-mail]):

Keith and company,
I've been a fan of Countdown for quite a while, but I must object in the strongest terms possible to the disgraceful treatment of Stephen Colbert's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner yesterday on Countdown. I especially object to having someone with NO credibility or objectivity such as Dana Milbank invited to mouth the White House "talking point" of "unfunny." Dana Milbank wouldn't know "funny" if it bit him in the ass. Don't you remember how Milbank crapped on Rep. Conyers' hearings about the Downing Street "Memo"? Here...I'll refresh your memory....here's Milbank's attack on Conyers:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061601570.html

and here's a good analysis of what was wrong with what Milbank did:

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=3617

a quote:

"Post writer Dana Milbank penned a snarky little piece that, like similar articles in the New York Times and other 'newspapers of record,' displayed all the skepticism regarding Bush Administration misdeeds that one might expect to find in a White House press release."

Conyers wrote a masterful response to the Post that you should really read, but that's not my point here. My point is that maybe instead of talking to one of the mealy-mouthed Washington "insiders" like Milbank, you could have talked to someone who wasn't the target of the *VERY FUNNY* barbs hurled out in many directions by Colbert.

People at Democratic Underground are saying that Countdown has now "jumped the shark," Keith, and while that's perhaps a bit premature, I for one am extremely disappointed by the crappy treatment given Colbert's performance. A whole lot of us out here were laughing our heads off. Anyone can "cherry pick" the less funny moments from a comedic routine (which is what was done in your segment), but there were a lot of well-delivered "zingers" along with the few that didn't quite fly.

You might assume that I'm a Colbert fan, but I've never even seen the "Colbert Report." I remember seeing some of his spots on Jon Stewart's show, but that's about it. The "talking point" has obviously been spread around ("unfunny") and I was extremely disappointed with your treatment of a truly heroic performance...and yes....also pretty damn funny!

[Gabi Hayes]

71. Wow! I L:OVE you! this is almost exactly what I sorta spammed around

on different threads last night, and it's exactly right about that squeem Milbank

he's even WORSE than is commonly thought

great great letter

really disappointed that, of all the socalled objective journalists, he had to have that turd. better he had some wingnut jackass, so true colors would have shown

no excuses for having Milbank as the "expert"

[grasswire]

81. check your private mail, Gab

sent you a copy of my letter to Olbermann

[bunkerbuster1]

67. Yes, a line was crossed.

The pre-taped audition tape thing with Helen Thomas went on a bit longer than it should've. If they'd taken out thirty seconds (like where Steve was fumbling with his keys), it would've been funnier.

Beyond that, it was brilliant, a smackdown like none I've ever witnessed.

Colbert speaks for me, and for millions of us in the reality-based community.

[Arugula Latte]

72. Wow, did Keith dissapoint me last night.

Keith, Keith, why have you betrayed the family? (Say in Brando Godfather voice)

[Supersedeas]

74. Millbank went there to get cozy with some Bush aides & felt uncomfortable

[DTinAZ]

76. Milbank (one "l") has his own "truthiness" problem...

Media Matters has pointed out problems with Milbank's veracity on multiple occasions:

http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/people/danamilbank

DT

[Javaman]

75. Bottom line: the press doesn't like it

when someone calls them on their bullshit. The high and mighty press has fallen and it takes a comedy show host to point out they have become complete and utter failures. This is why they think it's not funny.

No one likes to be made fun of, but in this case, it's not a personal attack...per say...but an attack on credibility. Of which, the press has none.

so perhaps they are waking up or more than likely, they have just become a bunch of whiny little twits that can't take it.

[grasswire]

79. never forget this about Milbank:

He's a Skull and Bones member. He may play a journalist from time to time, but I believe first and foremost, he's simply (1) lazy and (2) in thrall to elite Washington and (3) a Bonesman.

Only if you have seen the Washington elite in their haunts and digs can you understand how alluring that is to reporters. To be part of that group is heady stuff; many print and broadcast people have simply given sold themselves in order to join. Sally Quinn wasn't the first or last whore at The Washington Post.

[Ganja Ninja]

82. I really don't care if the media hacks thought it was funny on not.

The way these assholes have been fawning over the chimp isn't funny either. Neither is the war or the wire tapping or the torture or the Katrina response or the complete disregard for the constitution and the law of the land. In fact the last 5 1/2 years has been a nightmare. America has been shot in the face buy the Bush cabal and these idiots are complaining because Colbert isn't clowning in an acceptable manner. Screw them if they can't take a joke.

[redqueen]

84. Keith had DANA MILBANK on?

:wtf:

Glad I missed it. :(

[DearAbby]

85. Question to you, Keith

When is stating the truth, even in comedy form, crossing the line?

there is either truth, of lies.

the line is either or.

How can you cross a line with truth? I have yet to hear anyone dispute the content of Colbert's "speech" (quotes because it was a comedy skit)

Not one, when people come out to dispute the context based on facts, then you can say Colbert crossed the line.


BTW, where were the reporters, asking if Imus had crossed the line roasting Clinton?

Sorry that was two questions...