Keith Olbermann SUSPENDED From MSNBC Indefinitely

[Jim Raynor]

What exactly is the ethical dilemma here? He's a TV commentator who's completely open about which side he's on, making private donations to the politicians on that side. I mean wow, Keith Olbermann isn't neutral? It might have been dumb of him not to disclose his donations to his boss if in fact that was company policy (if other MSNBC personalities were actually held to it), but the idea that he's supposed to appear "impartial" is just retarded.

[Mr Bean]

Well is show is on now with... some guy who I'm sure I have never... ever seen before, some guy named Thomas Roberts a dayside reporter who is one of the guys who comes on for 2 minute segments on their 5AM show.

Apparently the normal two fill in hosts both could not make it.

[Dominus Atheos]

I was only putting a little stock into the 2006 Scarborough donation since it was so long ago that policy could have changed. But now there's this:



That's the host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show donating $5,000 to a conservative candidate running for the Alabama House in April of this year.

[Dominus Atheos]

Apparently the normal two fill in hosts both could not make it.

If by "not make it" you mean "told them to shove it up their ass":

OK: I'm not filling in on Countdown tonight because I didn't feel comfortable doing it given the circumstances.

[Mr Bean]

There's another guy besides Hayes and there's also Cenk who could have done it. I know Cenk would not have done it but there's someone who sits in for Rachel who's also done Keith who's name I can't recall.

[Dalton]

Cenk had already done Dylan and Ed. Brian Unger used to do Countdown, guess not anymore.

Thomas Roberts is a dayside/cutins anchor. Right now he mainly does the 3, and fills in for Contessa at noon IIRC.

Lawrence likely was already in CA by this point.

[General Zod]

What exactly is the ethical dilemma here? He's a TV commentator who's completely open about which side he's on, making private donations to the politicians on that side. I mean wow, Keith Olbermann isn't neutral? It might have been dumb of him not to disclose his donations to his boss if in fact that was company policy (if other MSNBC personalities were actually held to it), but the idea that he's supposed to appear "impartial" is just retarded.

This is a very long "if", but I could see a problem if they're donating money to politicians as an incentive to get them to appear on their show as exclusives or whatnot and not properly informing the studio execs of this. Of course in this instance it's looking like that simply isn't the case.

[SCRawl]

Cenk had already done Dylan and Ed. Brian Unger used to do Countdown, guess not anymore.

Thomas Roberts is a dayside/cutins anchor. Right now he mainly does the 3, and fills in for Contessa at noon IIRC.

Lawrence likely was already in CA by this point.

Doesn't Lawrence have his own show now? If they do bump Olbermann permanently -- something I would not care to see, of course -- do you think they would move him to the 8pm time slot?

[Flagg]

I'll tell you one thing: If Kieth is fired, I won't be watching MSNBC anymore. I'm not watching now until Kieth is reinstated.

[Flagg]

What exactly is the ethical dilemma here? He's a TV commentator who's completely open about which side he's on, making private donations to the politicians on that side. I mean wow, Keith Olbermann isn't neutral? It might have been dumb of him not to disclose his donations to his boss if in fact that was company policy (if other MSNBC personalities were actually held to it), but the idea that he's supposed to appear "impartial" is just retarded.

Exactly. Olbermann doesn't even pretend to be unbiased. The whole point of his show is that he's biased. It's a stupid fucking rule. Meanwhile Fox hosts openly fundraise for conservatives and there is no outrage.

[Dalton]

Doesn't Lawrence have his own show now? If they do bump Olbermann permanently -- something I would not care to see, of course -- do you think they would move him to the 8pm time slot?

Lawrence does The Last Word now at 10, but only Monday through Thursday. The possibility exists, however unlikely, that given enough time he might have been able to do the show out of Burbank.

I don't foresee Lawrence moving to 8pm, given that he's already built an audience at 10pm plus gets a good lead-in from Rachel. If the worst-case scenario happens, I think they'll give Cenk a trial run and see where it goes from there.

[SCRawl]

Doesn't Lawrence have his own show now? If they do bump Olbermann permanently -- something I would not care to see, of course -- do you think they would move him to the 8pm time slot?

Lawrence does The Last Word now at 10, but only Monday through Thursday. The possibility exists, however unlikely, that given enough time he might have been able to do the show out of Burbank.

I don't foresee Lawrence moving to 8pm, given that he's already built an audience at 10pm plus gets a good lead-in from Rachel. If the worst-case scenario happens, I think they'll give Cenk a trial run and see where it goes from there.

Ah. I didn't know that he only broadcasted Monday-Thursday; I don't watch MSNBC much, but I listen to the podcasts daily, and Lawrence's show isn't available on podcast yet. In any case, I know that he did a great job while Keith had his family issues, and figured that he would be an obvious choice to replace Keith should the need arise.

[Knife]

Started watching Maddow right now and she opened up with a quick slam against suspending Keith, yeah I watch it online so...

Scrolling through the clips, seems she discusses it at the end of the show.

[Dalton]

Started watching Maddow right now and she opened up with a quick slam against suspending Keith, yeah I watch it online so...

Scrolling through the clips, seems she discusses it at the end of the show.

The entire segment is on the blog.

[Knife]

Sorry, was watching the clips in order. Haven't gotten that far yet.

[Dalton]

Ah. I didn't know that he only broadcasted Monday-Thursday; I don't watch MSNBC much, but I listen to the podcasts daily, and Lawrence's show isn't available on podcast yet. In any case, I know that he did a great job while Keith had his family issues, and figured that he would be an obvious choice to replace Keith should the need arise.

He was the fill-in of choice until they added a 10pm show. However, since he spends weekends in California, he doesn't do a show on Friday (which is probably a good idea, as Lockup gets a TON of ratings).

[Blankman]

I'd be curious "what if" Fox offered Keith a job (assuming he has been fired) and if he would consider accepting it.

Perhaps both ideas are mind blowing, but it sure would make for some very entertaining television.

[Seele]

I'd be curious "what if" Fox offered Keith a job (assuming he has been fired) and if he would consider accepting it.

Perhaps both ideas are mind blowing, but it sure would make for some very entertaining television.

Pair him up with Hannity. That'll be PPV quality viewing right there.

[CaptainChewbacca]

I'd be curious "what if" Fox offered Keith a job (assuming he has been fired) and if he would consider accepting it.

Perhaps both ideas are mind blowing, but it sure would make for some very entertaining television.

Pair him up with Hannity. That'll be PPV quality viewing right there.

Great television, but one of them would be dead in a week.

[Channel72]

"Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest," reads. Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions. You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the president of NBC News or his designee."

This is absurd. Keith Olbermann isn't supposed to be an "impartial journalist." He's an openly pro-Democrat political pundit. I would think this rule would apply to the news anchors, but it really makes no sense to apply it to someone like Olbermann. Regardless, firing this guy is a mistake. Does anyone even watch MSNBC for any other reason?

[Thanas]

So when is Scarborough going to be fired? Any takers?

I think we all know what is going on here.

[Mr. Coffee]

So when is Scarborough going to be fired? Any takers?

I think we all know what is going on here.

Someone hired Alternate Universe Thanas and he's oppressing TV Journalism?

[Crossroads Inc.]

If nothing else, this should prove beyond a shadow of doubt that MSNBC is a "Real" news source instead of Fox News.

While I don't agree with HOW the situation with Keith was handled, the fact that MSNBC has such rules in the first place is lightyears ahead of FOX.
Given that there are "reporters" on Fox who donate money to republicans constantly, who attend fund raisers for them, who ACTIVELY run for and ask others to vote for them ON AIR, should prove once and for all that MSNBC has standards, while Fox truly is a political entity designed to elect Republicans.

[Lonestar]

Someone hired Alternate Universe Thanas and he's oppressing TV Journalism?

Ha.

But as Maddow mentioned on her blog Joe Scarborough got permission in advance to donate money. In other words he was careful about crossing his Tees and dotting his eyes but Keith wasn't. I strongly suspect that Shep is right, if Keith is only making 100 grand less the O'Reilly and not pulling in the kind of audience he is, then there is probably an impetus from The Management to get rid of him somehow.

[lance]

I wonder if they could fire him, then offer his job back at severely reduced pay.