Keith Olbermann abruptly departs MSNBC
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MSNBC announced Friday night that its marquee "Countdown" anchor and talk show host Keith Olbermann was out. The network did not provide a reason for his abrupt departure.
"MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract. The last broadcast of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and we wish him well in his future endeavors," NBC Universal said in a statement.
Olbermann and his bosses have clashed in recent months. He was suspended in November for two days after revelations that he gave donations to a Democratic political candidate, which was a violation of the company's ethics policies for news employees.
-- Meg James
Photo of Olbermann by AP
Good luck KO. I enjoyed your show for several years. ...and Happy Birthday (I'm 3 days older to the day).
Posted by: Stephen | January 21, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Really you are all silly enough to have Keith leave? Well I suppose that will make 2 of us who leave as he was the reason I watched. Shame you do not have the insight to see he was loved and valued by your so called viewers. Hope you can live with this I can't live with your choice so I am done with you
Posted by: Tony Graham | January 21, 2011 at 06:20 PM
I will not ever turn on MSNBC again. I hope Countdown shows up on another network.
Posted by: Brandon Bianski | January 21, 2011 at 06:21 PM
I guess, at this time, my time with MSNBC will be solely reduced to Chris Matthews and The Ed Show. I think MSNBC would be better off cancelling the morning show, "Regis and Kelly with a Bachelor's Degree", aka 'Morning Joe'. This is terribly upsetting. What were they (MSNBC) thinking?
Posted by: Fred Marcus | January 21, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Rachel and Ed will be next !! Rumors are they are hiring Glenn Beck
Posted by: Bob Quinn | January 21, 2011 at 06:23 PM
no more MSNBC for me !! gave up verizon for credo....
Posted by: toni irwin | January 21, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Probably has to do with the evil Comcast empire buying NBC. Too bad. Like him or not, Olbermann is an original who says stuff no one else does with with wit and good taste.
Posted by: Ira allen | January 21, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Olbermann out at MSNBC? Cancelled?!? Wow, now where will the lunatic left wing fringe go for hate filled anti-conservative rhetoric disguised as news from a biased commentator pretending to be a journalist?!? Oh...yeah, every single other host at MSNBC!
Posted by: Jeramie | January 21, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Please keep Keith on the air.
Posted by: SENSIBLE POLITICS | January 21, 2011 at 06:24 PM
SO what station do I watch seeing as I only watch MSNBC for Keith?
Posted by: Stefan Finn | January 21, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Good riddance. Mathews is next. Watch MSNBC become another conservative outlet in an attempt to get ratings or a shop at home channel
Posted by: Airedale | January 21, 2011 at 06:24 PM
See......there is a GOD!!
Posted by: Jt | January 21, 2011 at 06:24 PM
i wonder how much this has to do with comcast??....mmmmmm
Posted by: paige | January 21, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Goodbye MSNBC!
Posted by: Leon | January 21, 2011 at 06:25 PM
goodbye keith. we will miss you.
Posted by: josh hall | January 21, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Noooooo!
Posted by: L kellett | January 21, 2011 at 06:25 PM
This doesn't sound quite right to me. I was watching Olbermann as he signed off for the last time, and he was looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. Could this simply be the usual contract negotiation brinksmanship?
Posted by: James Schumaker | January 21, 2011 at 06:25 PM
I can't believe that MSNBC let their best host go without a sound. Who's going to speak for those of us that feel as Keith feels about the state of our country?
I am saddened by this move and wonder what was the motivating factor. Must be a move by the Comcast idiots to placate their investors.
Who's next?
I am done with MSNBC. And won't the talking heads on the right be happy?
I just cannot believe it!
Posted by: Johnny Z. | January 21, 2011 at 06:26 PM
You can't leave me out here in the cold; where are you going and what are your plans for the future because myself and your followers will fallow you where where ever you go.
Posted by: Paul Montgomery | January 21, 2011 at 06:27 PM
I am sick to death that Keith Olbermann has been "ousted" by MSNBC. They had best rethink their actions. Keith has brought good, quality news information, humor and compassion to what is otherwise an insane world. My husband and I as well as many family members look forward to his program every single night. I am appalled that this could happen (AGAIN). Do the executives at this network not realize how much his perspective means to us, the regular people??? We need to hear his views. MSNBC has not heard the end of this! Speak out, people!
Emilie Leming
Issaquah, WA
Posted by: Emilie Leming | January 21, 2011 at 06:27 PM
This should come as no big surprise..... watch for more changes as Comcast cleans house and reverts to right wing propagandism........ Be interesting to see where Olbermann goes.... one thing is sure. I am not watching MSNBC anymore.
Posted by: philip ryan | January 21, 2011 at 06:27 PM
So this is what happens when Comcast is buying MSNBC. Here we go - another FOX network in the making. I'm done with MSNBC! Where is the BBC. All those Comcast channels and not a single 'real news' show to be found....
Posted by: Sandy Person | January 21, 2011 at 06:27 PM
Are you people nuts at MSNBC???
Posted by: James Canoy | January 21, 2011 at 06:28 PM
Luv luvin' this.
Posted by: The Mack | January 21, 2011 at 06:28 PM
No Keith = NO MSNBC IN MY HOUSE!!!!!
Posted by: Peter Colding | January 21, 2011 at 06:28 PM