Keith Olbermann Runs Donald Trump's Personality Through Psychopath Test

This is tremendous. I miss Keith Olbermann a helluva lot. We could use him right now.

[Excerpt]

COULD DONALD TRUMP PASS A SANITY TEST?

Short answer: probably not.

First, several important caveats. There is little worse and nothing cheesier than questioning the psychological stability of a public figure, especially a candidate for president, even in this case.

Except that in his year of campaigning, Donald Trump has called Lindsey Graham “a nut job,” Glenn Beck “a real nut job,” and Bernie Sanders “a wacko.” Trump has insisted Ben Carson’s got a “pathological disease,” and asked of Barack Obama: “Is our president insane?” He called Ted Cruz “unstable,” “unhinged,” “a little bit of a maniac,” and “crazy or very dishonest.” He also called the entire CNBC network “crazy.” He called Megyn Kelly “crazy”—at least six times. . .

Read more (or better yet, watch the video) at: Vanity Fair

Keith Olbermann Returning to MSNBC?

Image from source, Examiner

I'm leery of getting too excited about this one. So far, the sources I've read have seemed skeptical themselves. But if it's true, it's very good news. With the loss of Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report (we keep Stephen, but it's not quite the same, is it?), having a good strong voice for progressives. Crossing fingers, I guess time will tell.

[Excerpt]

MSNBC working to bring Keith Olbermann back to the network, report says
 
After falling behind Fox News and CNN in the ratings, the liberal leaning MSNBC has struggled to rebound. While the network has shifted to a more centrist position, it appears one of the most popular liberal hosts in the channel's history could be making a comeback.

MSNBC started to make changes in the summer, dropping "The Ed Show," "Now with Alex Wagner," and "The Cycle," and replacing their mid day opinion shows with a more traditional news format. Veteran news anchor Brian Williams, and host of "Meet the Press," Chuck Todd, have also returned to the network to provide a more balanced approach. With these changes also comes the possibility that the network is not done fine-tuning their brand. According to Mediaite on Oct. 6, Keith Olbermann could be returning to the front of the camera. . .

Read more at: The Examiner

Big Shake Up at MSNBC

Ed Schultz, from source, PoliticsUSA

I've been a regular watcher of MSNBC since Countdown with Keith Olbermann first caught fire, back during the dog days of the George W. Bush administration. After a several years-long honeymoon from the media on Bush, finally someone was on the teevee telling it like it was! It was refreshing. He was pretty much the only one.

For all the talk of "liberal media bias," I wonder how many people remember the climate after 9/11 and on through the beginnings of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It was a time of "Freedom Fries," and Dixie Chicks boycotts. Bill Maher being cancelled for being politically incorrect on Politically Incorrect. If you criticized Dubya, you could be met with, "Why do you hate America?" Freedom, liberty, patriot. . .all of these words were appropriated and practically trademarked by the GOP.

So yeah, Olbermann--bombastic as he was--was like a beacon of sanity in the middle of a surreal, conservative alternate reality that we somehow got sucked into. Eventually, the more popular Olbermann got, the more his network, MSNBC, came to take on more of his flavor. Rachel Maddow went from appearing sporadically on other shows to appearing regularly on Keith's show, to guest hosting, to her own show. And when Olbermann was shown the door, Rachel carried on, becoming the face of the network. I still watch her show, as is evidenced by her regular appearance on my blog.

Occasionally, you'll see other MSNBC clips here, but not too often. As Maddow spun off from Olbermann, so too did The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. I like him, but he's not "must see" viewing for me. Likewise, All In with Chris Hayes spun off from Maddow.  Hayes is drier, wonkier. He's good, but again, not appointment viewing. With each generation of cloning, the shows (beyond

See? No "News" in the name.

Rachel) seemed to lose something. And then MSNBC seemed to make the mistake of trying to clone its evening shows all over the schedule. It became almost entirely a politics and news commentary channel.

Actually, there is very little wrong with that concept. Unlike FOX "News"--who they are often and unfairly considered the mirror counterpart--MSNBC doesn't have "news" in its name. It doesn't bill itself as "fair and balanced." Its slogans are "lean forward" and "the place for politics." So, their political leanings are completely fine, or ought to be. The weak spot was ratings, and I believe that's because it became very much stuck in a rut. There is a sameness across the day, with similar guests, similar styles, similar sets, colors, music, hosts. When most of the shows have such interchangeable parts, nothing is appointment viewing anymore.

So, MSNBC is shaking things up, and jettisoning some of their daytime programming. The old heave-ho to Now with Alex Witt, to The Cycle (the landing ground for a handful of guests from other shows) and The Ed Schultz Show. In their place will be an attempt at NBC-style "hard news." None of these things make me sad. Except that some of it will be hosted by Chuck Todd, who I think is kind of a tool, and one with a bit of a conservative bent. Joining him will be Brian Williams, on his road to redemption. So, cool, we may have some better place to turn for actual news then we've had lately.

This, I'd love to see, but I kinda doubt it.

Also, goodbye Ed Schultz, I won't miss you most of all. If you'd taken Rev. Al with you, it wouldn't make me sad either (someone please tell Al he actually has a working microphone?). I've never, never cared for Ed, and thought he was a bad fit from day one. So, that's my favorite part of this news. Now, they'll probably follow these changes with more. I wouldn't be surprised to see Chris Hayes at least moved if not cancelled. O'Donnell could see the same, I suppose. Rachel Maddow is likely going nowhere, unless they move her up an hour. And who knows about Lockup. I'll never figure out why they still air that so often.

All in all, change is inevitable in television programing, even if we can tend to get used to our old favorites. FOX "News" had an unusually stable roster for most of its existence, but has seen a few shakeups in recent years. CNN is still wont to cancel and move stuff around. So I say great. Hope it works, hope it makes things better. Just don't mess with my Rachel, mmm'kay?

[Excerpt]

 

MSNBC Is Canceling Ed Schultz And Giving His Show To Chuck Todd

 

MSNBC is expected to announce that they are canceling Ed Schultz and giving his timeslot to Meet The Press host Chuck Todd. Mediaite is reporting that The Ed Show along with two other programs will be canceled. . .

 

Read more at: PoliticsUSA

Keith Olbermann Returning to Television

Image from MSN

Well, I had to temper my squeee! when I found out that Keith Olbermann's long-awaited return to television is in a sports capacity. I have only slightly more affinity for sports than I have for religion. Which is to say, not much at all. But good for Keith, glad he got a gig. He probably doesn't need the bucks, but I'm sure he misses the limelight.

[Excerpt]

Keith Olbermann to host TBS' MLB postseason coverage

Keith Olbermann is getting back in the game -- but not the political game. The former ESPN personality will host TBS' studio coverage for Major League Baseball's postseason, the network announced Wednesday. . .

Read more at: MSN

Chris Hayes to Get Prime Time MSNBC Show

Image from source, Talking Points Memo

It didn't take long for MSNBC to replace Ed Shultz, whose show is moving to weekends. Chris Hayes, host of Up on weekend mornings, will be hosting the 8:00 pm Eastern block. Hayes has also been a frequent contributor to many MSNBC programs, and is Editor-at-Large of The Nation magazine. He began appearing on the network on The Rachel Maddow Show, often guest hosting, much the same way as Maddow had on Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

As I said previously (on this suddenly-top-heavy-with-MSNBC-posts blog), I'm not a huge fan of Ed Schultz, though I wish him well. I am much more of a fan of Chris Hayes, who I find to be very thoughtful, well-spoken and wicked smart. He just needs to calm down the gestures and the bounciness.

[Excerpt]

Chris Hayes ‘Looking Forward’ To Primetime Slot On MSNBC

MSNBC announced Thursday that Chris Hayes will take over the network's 8 p.m. ET primetime slot. “I am thrilled to be joining Rachel and Lawrence in primetime,” Hayes said in a release. “I've absolutely loved hosting UP on the weekends and I'm looking forward to thinking through the news five nights a week. . .”

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

Keith Olberman "Screwed Up" Going to Current TV

I have enjoyed Keith Olbermann's television show greatly in the past. But because he puts on a good show doesn't mean he's a nice person. It would seem he leaves a trail of disgruntled employers in his wake, and that can't all be their fault. Here, Olbermann takes responsibility. . .for starting his program at Current TV, not for it's ignoble end. I hope he lands another venue, because I enjoy his output. But maybe he needs to try self employment.

[Excerpt]

Keith Olbermann on his stint at Current TV: ‘I screwed up’

During an Tuesday night appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, liberal political commentator Keith Olbermann addressed his abrupt exit from Current TV. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Keith Olbermann Fired by Current TV

Image from source, Think Progress.

I used to be a huge fan of Countdown with Keith Olbermann. I was very sad when the host was fired from MSNBC, and replaced by Lawrence O'Donnell. But I grew to like The Last Word, and having long since grown more attached to The Rachel Maddow Show, Olbermann was soon pretty much forgotten, unless he made news. We don't get Current TV on Cox Cable in Las Vegas, so other than the occasional internet clip, Olbermann was out of sight, out of mind.

That said, I've been lobbying Cox to get Current, not just for Olbermann, but for Cenk Uygar and The Young Turks, and most recently the addition of Talking Liberally with Stephanie Miller (The Stephanie Miller Show). So far, I'm having no impact. But one of the reasons I wanted Current has apparently been removed. I checked the article for its posting date, but it is not listed as April 1, so I'm assuming it's true.

Keith Olbermann has been fired. The Al Gore/Joel Hyatt-owned station has given him the boot apparently. This is something of a surprise, given that the channel is firming up as a full-schedule liberal alternative to FOX "News." I know that Olbermann could be difficult--and was expensive--but it would seem like a really, really bad move. Olbermann must have lived up to his reputation for being hard to work with, I guess.

[Excerpt]


Current TV Fires Keith Olbermann, Replaces Him With Spitzer Immediately, Olbermann to Sue

The New York Times’ Brian Stelter breaks the news that Current TV has let go Keith Olbermann, and will replace him starting tonight with Eliot Spitzer, denying Olbermann to give a send-off or special comment to his viewers. Spitzer, like Olbermann, also had experience at MSNBC, where he appeared as a guest anchor. Olbermann had been suspended by MSNBC for violating its rules on campaign contributions, an event that soured his relationship with the network, before his departure from MSNBC opened the door to his deal with Current. He was at one point a high-profile acquisition for the network, founded by former Vice President Al Gore to provide a more progressive take on the news. But his ratings fell and his relationship with Current quickly foundered. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Keith Olbermann's Worst Persons in the World, Feb. 15, 2012

I haven't posted a clip from Countdown with Keith Olbermann for a while, probably because I can't get it on Cox Cable in Las Vegas. But this one is good. The only thing is, I'd give Andrew Breitbart a lifetime achievement award.

Keith Olbermann's Worst Persons in the World, Friday, January 20, 2012

I haven't posted a Countdown with Keith Olbermann clip in a while. I still (grumble) don't get Current TV on my Cox Cable, so. . .outta sight, outta mind. But I happened to catch this one, and it's a goodie.

"Find out why Steve Beshear, the Democratic governor of Kentucky, is WORSE; Newt Gingrich is WORSER; and Dr. Keith Ablow, psychology pundit on the political whorehouse that is Fox News, is the WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD for Jan. 20, 2012."

Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on Occupy Raid

I still can't get Current TV in Las Vegas. So, I've missed these "Special Comments."

Keith Olbermann and Bernie Sanders Discuss Money in Politics

The Citizens United case has been discussed on this blog before, and will probably continue to be, because I think that money in politics is one of the biggest problems we have in this country. And ironically, in the biggest economic slump since the Great Depression, there has never been more money spent getting people elected. The revolving door of politicians and lobbyists, lobbying groups effectively writing laws, politicians beholden to the big money givers. . .it's just a gigantic mess. Politicians these days spend more time fundraising and dialing for dollars than they do legislating.


And before I get a comment saying, "Yeah, well Obama's spending a billion dollars to get re-elected!", yes, I'm aware of that. But what is his option? With the campaign laws as they are, neither side has a choice at present. The solution is a constitutional amendment to get the money out of politics.

Keith Olbermann's Worst Persons in the World Oct. 18, 2011

It's been a long time since I've featured something from Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Since Las Vegas Cox Cable doesn't carry Current TV, it often slips under my radar. But this one is pretty good, and features some heavy (anti-) favorites like Harold Camping, Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain. So, take it away, Keith!

Louie Anderson on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on Airport Security

Please oh please let them scrap the "take off your shoes" policy! I'm already unassembled enough with my belt, watch, wallet, computer, glasses and everything else all in the tray.

Keith Olbermann's Glee Over Bill O'Reilly's Marital Woes

This is from Wednesday's Countdown With Keith Olbermann, a show I sadly still can't get, because I don't get Current TV on Las Vegas Cox Cable. It's from his Worst Persons in the World segment, which included Christine O'Donnell and her abysmally selling book. But the highlight was the winner, Bill O'Reilly. Which might even be linked to the Rupert Murdoch problems.

Keith Olbermann's Worst Persons in the World: Eric Cantor is "Idiot Tool of the Rich"

Countdown: Janene Garofalo on Racism and Herman Cain

From Wednesday's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

Countdown with Keith Olbermann: Lies Told in the GOP Debate

Good stuff, even if it is David Shuster filling in for Keith.

Keith Olbermann's Special Comment: The Debt Deal

Cenk Uyger Talks with Keith Olbermann about MSNBC Departure

How much you wanna bet that Cenk ends up on Current TV? As for the subject of the discussion, it proves that MSNBC--for good or ill--is not the flip-side of FOX "News." Can you imagine Sean Hannity being taken aside and spoken to for being too hard on liberals? Of course not. I personally don't have much of an issue with the bigwigs at MSNBC sort of laying boundaries for their hosts. It shows that there are limits to how left or forward they want to lean. That is their purview. And obviously, Current TV can brand themselves as fully left if they want to. But fair warning, MSNBC: Don't mess with Rachel.

What Happens in Vegas: Steve Wynn Makes Olbermann's Worst Persons

When I heard Steve Wynn mouthed off about President Obama, I just sort of shrugged. After all, people like Wynn, and Oscar Goodman and others here in Las Vegas often make critical remarks about politicians. When Obama said that recipients of government bailouts shouldn't take junkets to Las Vegas before it was paid off, he was right. But because he used Vegas as an example, prominent Las Vegans squealed like stuck pigs. They do it for publicity, and to draw attention to the town. But Wynn leveled charges at Obama, about how he was so bad for the business community. . .when his company has just had its best quarter ever. So, he made the #1 spot in Countdown with Keith Olbermann's Worst Persons in the World. Rep. Allen West (R-FL) and half-governor Sarah Palin (R-You Betcha) rounded out the list.