Olbermann factor boosts MSNBC

[wndycty]

Olbermann factor boosts MSNBC
(http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/elfman/499433,CST-FTR-elf07.article)

August 7, 2007

BY DOUG ELFMAN Television critic

-snip-
MSNBC's "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" is doing so well -- now with 72 percent more viewers since a year ago -- Olbermann was tapped to host tonight's AFL-CIO debate of Democratic presidential candidates at Soldier Field on MSNBC and WMAQ-Channel 5.

"Countdown" is a hit because its mix of politics and pop culture makes it the most entertaining newscast in America. One minute, Olbermann critiques politicians and pundits in the style of a witty professor; the next he flashes video of a man doing squats on the back of a giant elephant, or some such thing.
-snip-

He disagrees with the theory corporate leaders are too conservative to air more lefties.

"If tomorrow Rupert Murdoch woke up ... and it had come to him in a dream he could make twice as much money by turning Fox News Channel into a liberal operation, he would do it." (I agree.)

As for tonight's debate, some liberal bloggers claim Republicans are fielding less contentious questions than Democrats are in this year's debates. But Olbermann disagrees. Voters are just a little touchy, like sports fans, he says.

"There's no fan watching a sporting event ... who believes their team is being treated fairly by the umpires, by the announcers at the game," he says. "A certain amount of suspended logic goes into being an enthusiast for anything."

[e-mail]

[rurallib]

1. I would wholeheartedly disagree with the statement on left

media. Time after time left wing media has drawn bigger numbers only to be dumped. Happened in my own market.

[Ian David]

3. The media is only as liberal as the right-wing assholes that own it. n/t

[gatorboy]

4. Glenn Beck is a perfect example.

His numbers are no where Keith's yet CNN keeps throwing money into advertising for the guy.

It's either management simply prefers Beck's right wing viewpoints or they are hoping (fat chance) to attract Fox viewes by out-righting Fox (if THAT'S possible).

[Ian David]

2. But then they're going to taint it by letting Tweety comment during "The Post Game Show."

"Hey, didn't George Bush sign the law against cockfight? Didn't he? Didn't he? Can you give him credit? Can you? Can you give him credit? EhhH! Fair enough! EhHHh!!!"