John Fugelsang on Why Virginia is Not for Lovers

Al-Jazeera Buys Al Gore's Current TV

Apparently, Al Gore got tired of trying.
Image from source, LA Times

I've wished our cable company--Cox Cable--would carry Current TV since Keith Olbermann was hired as their star attraction. That didn't work out so well, but apparently not much did. Like Air America Radio, it would seem that for all of the charges by the right-wing that we have a liberal media, actual liberal media has a tendency to fail. Sometimes it's the content, sometimes it's the behind-the-scenes machinations, and sometimes it's an unfair playing field. I mean, even the MSNBC/FOX "News" battle isn't a fair one. MSNBC is often either not carried or is far up the dial, out of the "basic" cable tier. They've finally become actual competition for FOX. But Current never even came close to full coverage, and is further into the dial than C-SPAN3 or The Filipino Channel.

When Olbermann was hired, it looked like Current would finally become a contender. But--again, like Air America--the channel didn't seem to be up to the task, Olbermann became unhappy, and got himself fired. It was a real shame too, because it looked like the station really kind of got their act together right about the same time, bringing in some talent and some fun programming. As a huge fan of The Stephanie Miller Show, I'm particularly bummed, as she's been simulcasting her radio program on Current for a while now. Outside of the occasional web clip, I never got to check it out.

Once again, I say "liberal media, my ass."

[Excerpt]

Al Jazeera completes deal to buy Current TV

Current TV, the small cable news channel that was co-founded by former vice president Al Gore, has been sold to Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based media company. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

Hal Sparks' Reaction to Justice Scalia Comparing Homosexuality with Murder

Hal Sparks--if you did not know--is a very funny comedian (Charmageddon) and actor (Queer as Folk, Lab Rats). He's also a talented musician, and a progressive radio host. And though he is quite heterosexual, he's a gay rights activist, and a damned good one. Here he is on Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show, reacting to Justice Antonin Scalia's bizarre comparison of homosexuality to murder.

Stephanie Miller and Bill Press Apologize and Denounce Salvation Army Fundraiser

Image from AfterEllen

To the average person, there is nothing wrong with The Salvation Army. It's a nifty chain of thrift stores, and a charity outfit that collects change in kettles outside of grocery stores. But it is prudent to remember the "Salvation" part of their name (and possibly the "Army" part). This is a religious organization, and a socially conservative one at that. They've had a long and storied history of anti-gay policies in particular. As one of the gays, I've been subtly aware of this history, and avoid associating with the organization.

Stephanie Miller and Bill Press--both radio and Current TV hosts--didn't get the memo. They agreed to a fundraising drive for The Salvation Army, and Steph had a representative for the group on the air for an interview. I happened to be listening, and found it odd. But in truth, the guy was selling a bill of goods to Steph and her audience. To me, it sounded like the organization was changing their ways. But, no, they're not. Unsurprisingly, both shows started to take heat, some of it ridiculously venomous.

Image found at The Progressive Puppy

Look Stephanie Miller is gay. Her producer Chris LaVoie is gay. Many of their regular guests are gay or "gay adjacent" like Hal Sparks. No way, no how did the show knowingly promote anti-gay bigotry. Settle down people. And now, both Steph and Bill Press have apologized profusely, rescinded their sponsorship agreement, and personally matched funds already raised for The Trevor Project. Yes, they goofed. But they made it right.

Willard Has Romnesia, Republicans Do Too

I loved President Obama's new attack on Mitt Romney: Romnesia. It isn't just a cute turn of a phrase, it fits so very well. Romney has shown to have multiple positions on virtually every topic. Sometimes, he debuts a new position right in the middle of a presidential debate! It's such a sight to behold, the President himself was caught flat-footed when presented with the staggering changes of positions during the first debate.

But it isn't just Willard who is afflicted. The entire Republican/conservative/tea bagger conglomerate has a form of amnesia. Remember how after 9/11 we all pulled together? Remember that the Democrats did not attack President Bush during or even long after the terrorist attack? Remember how just saying something mildly against Bush during this time (and for years after) was "unpatriotic," and "attacking the President during a time of war?" Contrast that with how Republicans pounced after the Benghazi attack, and other attacks in the Middle East. Willard was nipping at the President's heels while the attacks were still happening. No right-wing pundit, politician, blogger or you weird Uncle Louie has been shy about blasting President Obama. All of them are seemingly Middle East experts now, and none of them feels the least bit un-patriotic for. . .attacking the president during a time of war. Amnesia. Or hypocrisy. You choose.

Alan Grayson on Stephanie Miller: Paul Ryan, "Throw Grandma from the Train"

Jim Ward's comment, "Psy-Ops for Morons" and Grayson's observation that the GOP has swept the gullible vote are runners up to the quote in the headline. Good stuff. I really hope Grayson gets back into Congress this fall.  From Tuesday's Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show on Current TV.

Cenk Uygur: "CNN -- Change Everything"

Image found at GoHarrison.com

I've been a fan of Cenk Uygur ever since the first time I saw a Young Turks clip. Unfortunately, with no liberal radio in Las Vegas, no Current TV on Cox Cable, and a day job when he was on MSNBC, I've always had to seek out clips, or online streams. So my fandom has been tempered by practicality. Still, it has been rare when I've seen anything by Uygar that I didn't agree with. This critique of CNN is no exception.

I'd extend the critique to Face the Nation, This Week, FOX "News" Sunday (which barely counts) and especially Meet the Press. David Gregory in particular is guilty of doing the "he said, she said," "two equal sides to every story" simplistic interviews and reporting. It's all horse race and controversy. Rarely if ever do the Sunday political shows do anything more than that. The round-table discussion groups occasionally have someone burst through with a concise truth, but it is almost always met with a counterpoint that dilutes it

[Excerpt]


Friendly Advice to CNN -- Change Everything 

CNN just had their lowest ratings in a decade. They are in disastrous shape. When I was on MSNBC, we would beat them with a stick. Even after "pro-CNN" stories like revolutions in Egypt and Libya, Japanese nuclear meltdowns and the killing of Osama bin Laden (CNN does much better when major news or international stories break out), we still beat them. Now they're doing so poorly I might even catch them on Current. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

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

Talking Liberally with Stephanie Miller Debuts on Current TV Monday Morning!

If you're lucky enough to get Current TV (you obviously don't have Cox Cable. . .harumph!), set your DVR and/or automatic coffee maker for 6am Pacific, 9am Eastern to watch Talking Liberally with Stephanie Miller. Don't let the title fool you. It's The Stephanie Miller Show radio program on the teevee machine. And it isn't just Steph, it's also Chris LaVoie, voice deity Jim Ward, Lab Rats' Hal Sparks and John Fugelsang (who most recently derailed the Romney campaign with that Etch-a-Sketch moment).

I listen or record Steph every weekday, but sadly, I only get audio. Though with my Rachel Maddow habit, maybe I ought not be watching 4 hours of liberal television every day. Still. . .I want my Steph Current TV!!!

[Excerpt]

Stephanie Miller: 'I'm ready for my close-up!'

I’m on Current! Yes, me, Stephanie Miller, daughter of legendary conservative Barry Goldwater’s vice presidential running mate, Congressman William Miller, is now the host of “Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show” right here on Current TV.  . . .

Read more at: Current TV

Video Hoaxster James O'Keefe Accused of Sexual Harrassment

In a previous post, I mused about the unlikeliness of uncharismatic people like John Boner Boehner and Mitch McConnell rising to powerful positions. But it isn't just them. How do unsavory people like Andrew Breitbart or James O'Keefe attain any level of success or fandom? Breitbart is an egomaniac on par with Donald Trump. And O'Keefe? Well, words like skeevy, sleazy, creepy and sociopath come to mind. Best part? ". . .O'Keefe lives with his parents." Ha!

[Excerpt]

James O’Keefe accused of sexual harassment



The Record reporter Chris Harris appeared on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on Thursday night to discuss the possible civil sexual harassment lawsuit against conservative filmmaker James O’Keefe. . . 

Read more at: The Raw Story

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'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!

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.

Countdown with Keith Olbermann: Palin as Poetry

Countdown with Keith Olbermann: Goodbye, Mr. Beck

A lot of "FOX Fans" (yes, such a creature exists) cackled quite a bit when Keith Olbermann abruptly quit/was fired from MSNBC in January. They cackled some more when it was announced that Countdown with Keith Olbermann would relaunch on Al Gore's tiny cable outlet, Current TV. I'm sure they're not through giggling, though it is uncertain yet whether or not the relaunch will be a success. Certainly, none of them is having as good a time as Olbermann himself, watching the sad sputtering out of Glenn Beck.

Mr. Beck is somehow a right-wing powerhouse, even if his FOX "News" ratings have declined, and he can't find any advertisers. His popularity is baffling to his detractors who are legion, and nearly certainly outweigh his fans. While I can see the "big bully" appeal of a Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh, or the simple-minded, nearly literal "no-brainer" appeal of a Sean Hannity, I can't for the life of me figure out what people like about Beck. I tried watching is program when sick at home on Monday, and literally could not tolerate it for five minutes. It had zero to do with his politics--which I loathe, but can tolerate--it was his bizarro, Looney Tunes, carnival barker persona. He's like an evangelical preacher, who fancies himself a comedian/philospher, but is preaching to you in tongues or something. It is utterly incomprehensible to me.

Anyway, on to Olbermann's send-off.  Please click the link below, since I can't get Current TV's videos to stop auto-playing.

Keith Olbermann Trims Show by Three Minutes to Appease Fans (and Rachel Maddow)

"Rachel, I won't step on your toes anymore." "Good,
and I won't call you a dick anymore." Image from HuffPo

When Current TV brought back Countdown with Keith Olbermann, the show turned out to be 63 minutes long. Olbermann tweeted that the "supersized" Countdown would be permanent. But it only lasted a few days. When a show runs over by a minute, two minutes or more, it is usually done to lead into another show, to prevent channel flipping. Current doesn't have any other shows that they are promoting. So the only thing the three minutes was accomplishing was to make people miss the first three minutes of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, or to irritate anybody trying to record the show on their DVR. So, rather than being a nifty three minutes of extra content, it was instead seen as a dick move.

Pressure from fans, and likely also not wanting to be seen as a dick, seem to have caused Olbermann to change his mind, and upload the extra content to the internet instead. Smart.

[Excerpt]

Keith Olbermann And Rachel Maddow NOT Going Head To Head Anymore

Keith Olbermann announced Thursday that his show will no longer cut into Rachel Maddow's opening minutes—a seeming result of pressure his fans had put on him. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Keith Olbermann's First New Special Comment

Cool. And this one is from YouTube, not Current TV, so it won't have those "autoplaying" problems.

Keith Olbermann's First New Special Comment

Cool. And this one is from YouTube, not Current TV, so it won't have those "autoplaying" problems.

Countdown with Keith Olbermann's "Worst Persons in the World" Returns!

I still don't get Current TV, but I'll gladly pop over to their web site for some clips! No surprise in the choices. But (grrrrrr) we only get the bronze and the silver! (By the way, Current TV's tech guys need to fix the glitch in their player. It will only "autoplay" no matter what I try. So the video clip can be accessed at the link at the bottom of the post).