As the dust settles...

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027646.php

snip//

As the dust settles, it's worth emphasizing just how important Olbermann has been in American media in recent years. When he returned to prime time after a four-year absence, Olbermann offered news consumers something we couldn't find anywhere else: an honest, sincere, unapologetic liberalism. Olbermann helped shine a light on important stories that were ignored by other shows and other networks, helped give a voice to a perspective that was discounted throughout the mainstream media, picked fights with those who too often went unchallenged, and featured guests who were frequently and needlessly left out of the larger broadcast conversation.

Olbermann did all of this, of course, while racking up big ratings (and big profits for his employer), proving that there's an audience for on-air commentary and analysis from the left, and clearing the way for others.

In the time Olbermann is off the air, he will be sorely missed.

Sign-off video @ link~

-Steve Benen

[aikoaiko]

1. Agreed.

Keith was a breath of fresh air on a major news cable channel.

I liked pre-2006 Keith better than post-2006 Keith, but he'll be missed while he is off air.

I think the next iteration of KO will be even better than the last.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Recommended!

You remember how bad things were in 2003, babylonsis. The ONLY voice on MSM speaking out against Bush during the run-up to the war was Phil Donohue. Jerry Nachman (at that time, MSNBC's editor-in-chief) fired him, despite having the highest rated show on MSNBC. To add insult to injury, Jerry himself took over the time slot until he fell ill with cancer. At that point, they brought back KO as a temporary fill-in, only to have him stay 8 years. At the time, I remembered KO for his previous stint on the network on "The Big Show with KO" durning the Lewinsky mess in 1998 and was THRILLED he was back. He never disappointed me.

He was a beacon of truth during a dark period of lies - both he, and DU, kept me sane.

[xchrom]

3. recommend

[slay]

4. Indeed

we'll be seeing Keith again soon i think. Internet first, then who knows - CNN maybe.. Oprah needs a way to attract viewers to her new channel and Keith would definitely accomplish that... perhaps HBO - back to back w/Bill Mahar - although I would think Keith would likely do nightly news show were they to hire him.. CurrentTV is a possibility.. as is FreeSpeechTV..

but we WILL be seeing Keith again - and i bet he'll be pissed and better than ever!

[delightfulstar]

5. K&R! n/t

[Kurovski]

6. K&R

Lots of Olbermann today, and this one is one of the best. IMO :hi:

[Swamp Rat]

7. k&r

[Kurovski]

8. Here's what some "magic planet" grudge-holding nit wit posted in the comments section:

"Somewhere a tear forms in the eye of Secretary of State Clinton.

Karma, Keith, Karma"

[pacalo]

9. That commentor apparently doesn't know that Keith was the only commentator to stand

up against the gale-force winds of the 24/7 media blitz against the Clintons. He had announced that he would no longer be a part of it. And he kept his word while the others continued on.

[highplainsdem]

10. K&R

[bdamomma]

11. ..............

he will be missed.