Keith Olbermann abruptly departs MSNBC

[CatWoman]

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Keith Olbermann abruptly departs MSNBC
January 21, 2011 | 6:11 pm

Olbermann
MSNBC announced Friday night that its marquee "Countdown" anchor and talk show host Keith Olbermann was out. The network did not provide a reason for his abrupt departure.

"MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract. 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," NBC Universal said in a statement.

Olbermann and his bosses have clashed in recent months. He was suspended in November for two days after revelations that he gave donations to a Democratic political candidate, which was a violation of the company's ethics policies for news employees.

-- Meg James

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/01/keith-olbermann-abruptly-departs-msnbc-.html

[Pat A]

1. Keith Olbermann leaves Countdown

I was gobsmacked to say the least when Keith announced in the last 5 minutes of his show tonight that this was the last Countdown! He gave no reason, simply thanked his crew and ended the show reading James Thurber!

[Frustratedlady]

6. He also thanked Rachel, not the other hosts, unless I missed it.

I thought that was interesting, as well. I wonder what Rachel will talk about at the end of her show.

[niyad]

2. he did say that there were issues outside the show--I remember him saying something about "hitting

a wall" after his mother's death, and basically, the only reason he stayed was because we begged him to. but, I would think he wouldn't just dump it on us like this.

[haele]

3. I'm inclined to believe it had to do with new managment and contract changes -

If the incoming Comcast management demanded contract reviews/changes/cost-cutting/downsizing and requested more control over content of the production or perhaps were planning staffing and crew changes, Keith might have been too upset to continue.
But apparently the contract was terminated in a way that sounds as if both parties had issues.

Haele

[bdamomma]

4. oh crap this is not right, comcast sucks

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. What now?

Is it the Comcast deal?

[1776Forever]

7. Anyone else catch Ed Schultz tonight saying "If I couldn't talk about "these" issues I don't want to

be on this program"? Makes one wonder just what is up with this and Keith. I hope to God Comcast doesn't pull the rug out from under Ed and Rachel too. I hope they can get their own network if they do! The liberal millionaire/billionaires could easily buy a network for them to be on if they wanted!'
:headbang:

[socialist_n_TN]

9. IF it's a Comcast power play, ............

and I suspect it is, I expect Ed to be the next to go. Rachael is GREAT and I love her show, but she's not as overtly passionate as those two are. And passion is what moves the masses, which is why they have to go.

Edited for typo.

[Major Hogwash]

8. Why?

Does anyone know?