Current: Olbermann out, Spitzer -- yes, Spitzer -- in
I would not like to be the person in charge of keeping Keith Olbermann's resume current. But as of Friday afternoon, Current TV tops the longish list of places Olbermann used to work. The Al Gore network, which is replacing Olbermann with Eliot Spitzer - you simply cannot make this stuff up - announced it was terminating Olbermann's five-year, $50 million contract because, according to the New York Times, which quoted a letter from the channel, Current was "founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it." Also, they will be sitting at opposite ends of the lunchroom from now on. And that couples cruise to the Bahamas? Off. For those who haven't been keeping score since Olbermann left his last job, at MSNBC, somewhat abruptly after reaching agreement during a commercial break, he's had a few ups and downs at Current, some of which spilled into public a few months ago, when he reportedly refused to participate in some election coverage, and all of which a kindergarten teacher might have summed up as "does not always play well with others." Which, to be fair, shouldn't necessarily be considered a drawback in the somewhat fractious world of political programming on cable. Anyone who has read Olbermann's resume, which also includes stops at Fox Sports Net and ESPN and CNN, to name just a few, should've known he might not be the ideal company man. Wondering what Olbermann has to say about this? My colleague, Molly Eichel, has put together a sampling of his responses, via Twitter, which you can find here. Current, meanwhile, is hailing the premiere of "Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer," which will be in place at 8 p.m. Friday as if "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" had disappeared in a cloud of smoke. This, from the official press release: "Eliot Spitzer is a veteran public servant and an astute observer of the issues of the day," commented Current TV Chairman and former Vice President Al Gore. "He has important opinions and insights. Eliot relishes the kind of constructive discourse that our viewers will appreciate this important election year." Spitzer is also a former New York governor who left the job after it was discovered he'd paid - way, way too much - for sex and who hosted a show for a while on CNN until someone there decided it didn't pay to keep him on. And even with all that, he's not nearly as much fun to write about as Olbermann, who, it's been pointed out, basically predicted this might happen while delivering the Top 10 list on "Late Show with David Letterman" before "Countdown" started airing at Current. Check out No. 2.
Current: Olbermann out, Spitzer -- yes, Spitzer -- in
Ellen Gray, Daily News TV Critic
I would not like to be the person in charge of keeping Keith Olbermann’s resume current.
But as of Friday afternoon, Current TV tops the longish list of places Olbermann used to work.
The Al Gore network, which is replacing Olbermann with Eliot Spitzer – you simply cannot make this stuff up – announced it was terminating Olbermann’s five-year, $50 million contract because, according to the New York Times, which quoted a letter from the channel, Current was "founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it."
Also, they will be sitting at opposite ends of the lunchroom from now on. And that couples cruise to the Bahamas? Off.
For those who haven’t been keeping score since Olbermann left his last job, at MSNBC, somewhat abruptly after reaching agreement during a commercial break, he’s had a few ups and downs at Current, some of which spilled into public a few months ago, when he reportedly refused to participate in some election coverage, and all of which a kindergarten teacher might have summed up as "does not always play well with others."
Which, to be fair, shouldn’t necessarily be considered a drawback in the somewhat fractious world of political programming on cable.
Anyone who has read Olbermann’s resume, which also includes stops at Fox Sports Net and ESPN and CNN, to name just a few, should’ve known he might not be the ideal company man.
Wondering what Olbermann has to say about this? My colleague, Molly Eichel, has put together a sampling of his responses, via Twitter, which you can find here.
Current, meanwhile, is hailing the premiere of "Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer," which will be in place at 8 p.m. Friday as if "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" had disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
This, from the official press release:
"Eliot Spitzer is a veteran public servant and an astute observer of the issues of the day," commented Current TV Chairman and former Vice President Al Gore. "He has important opinions and insights. Eliot relishes the kind of constructive discourse that our viewers will appreciate this important election year."
Spitzer is also a former New York governor who left the job after it was discovered he’d paid – way, way too much – for sex and who hosted a show for a while on CNN until someone there decided it didn’t pay to keep him on.
And even with all that, he’s not nearly as much fun to write about as Olbermann, who, it's been pointed out, basically predicted this might happen while delivering the Top 10 list on "Late Show with David Letterman" before "Countdown" started airing at Current.
Check out No. 2.
No loss.— Another_1- Doberman.
— Blabette_Portajon - imagine that, the worst person in the world fired again!
"founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers."...how did this describe KO in the first place?— palmyra21 - Hey now...give the guy some love, he hit his head on the subway train years ago and has just never been the same!!! LOL!!!— sarah89
- its too bad Olbermann is a Democrat, because he has the personality, maturity, and interpersonal skills of a right winger— s1360m
- Nah, his close-minded, arrogant, and bullying ways describe most left-wingers to a tee. Unfortunately for Dems, the media still operates on ratings, which means frequent unemployment for Olbermann — camtheman
- Sounds like the Wiener was passed over! Liberal talking heads are hilarious. Now if they'd just get rid of mush mouth Chris Matthews....The guy really needs to drink less coffee.— dogman5
- So Al Gore, who multiple women have accused of attempted sexual assualt, has hired a former sitting governor who while he was prosecuting men under the federal Mann Act, was violating it himself. And because of daddy's money and his powerful Democratic friends, he was never charged with anything. Look at me, doing the job Inquirer reporters refuse to!— dallas68
- Great choice....Elliot is awesome, intelligent, current, able to dbate and defend his position without prejudice. Can't wait to watch and listen.— frank castle
- BRING BACK KEITH NOW!!!— ClarkU
- Next stop for Keith? Perhaps a satellite radio show on Sirius-XM?! Thom Hartman, watch out.— Cornwall Citizen
Comment removed.- This made my day. Even his lefty friends are running from him. Can you say "toxic"?— delcodanno
- He is a left wing loon...he should go back to ESPN with Dan Patrick. Maybe take Rachel Maddow with him...so she can cover softball or the LPGA.— kelprod2
- He'll never get a job at ESPN again. Suzy Kolber would probably rather quit than work with him again. — camtheman
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- Take a lesson. Next time someone makes a big deal about telling you who the worst person in the world is, consider that in reality, it's likely the person pointing fingers.— tr88
- This is old news and happened two day ago. Guess the lefty Inquirer wanted to bury it on a slow news day so their pride would not get hurt.— cb54
- Will Bunch who once appeared on Olbermann's MSNBC show said it was the best show on TV. Sorry Will, most of the world disagrees with you.— cb54
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- and Spitzer is the image of "value of respect?" Laughable. I dont know what goes on in "their" minds/ pockets when choosing such people. No logic whatsoever.— tulipwalk
