Keith Olbermann abruptly departs MSNBC
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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
I started watching MSNBC because of Keith. I really think it is a sad day today. Cant understand why MSNBC would let go of Keith. Anyway Good Luck! I may have to switch back to CNN
Posted by: Shaila | January 21, 2011 at 06:38 PM
The only reason MSNBC continued to exist was because of Keith Olberman's show. You have lost me as a viewer. I wish you nothing but failure in the future.
Posted by: Pat Matson | January 21, 2011 at 06:38 PM
I love Keith!!!!! Bring him back or we will not watch MSNBC again!
Posted by: Linda Rose | January 21, 2011 at 06:38 PM
You think this has nothing to do with the comcast deal? Think that the rest of the evening line up should follow him off the air, since he is the only reason most of them have a show!!
The right will have a good time with this one!
Posted by: Brian Norman | January 21, 2011 at 06:40 PM
What a ridiculous move made by NBC. And at the demand of comcast. He had more viewers than anyone else on this network. But that's okay. He'll survive and we'll still be progressives.
Posted by: Robin | January 21, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Guess we'll have to go back to street corners to hear raving lunatics now.
Posted by: James | January 21, 2011 at 06:40 PM
How can this be---how can one of the only people to whom we could listen for balance and honesty regarding politics in this country be out. Who is next, Rachel or Lawrence?? How can this be, it's a nightmare come true. There were few enough people on TV anymore who spoke the truth, from all angles no matter what---who gave us a clear picture of the country from an honest view----nothing smoothed over, always the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. PLEASE SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE, BRING HIM BACK ON THE AIR, WE NEED VOICES LIKE HIS.
Posted by: M. Venaglia | January 21, 2011 at 06:40 PM
comcast.....defenitley involved.
Posted by: toni | January 21, 2011 at 06:41 PM
Sorry to see K.O. leave. I enjoy hearing the truth he provides and the honesty he stands for. I will miss him and will be looking for him on another network. MSNBC is really going down hill with their actions and decissions. Morning Joe needs an overhaul....dump Joe and let Mikka have a thought of her own.
Is FOX buying MSNBC??
Posted by: John Wells | January 21, 2011 at 06:41 PM
"MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success "
What success? Don't you mean down fall?
Posted by: AW | January 21, 2011 at 06:41 PM
Why? Keith is so loved by those who watch him. Is Rachel and Lawrence O'Donnell next?
Posted by: Bev Brazauskas | January 21, 2011 at 06:42 PM
I don't believe that MSNBC is yet controlled by Comcast; they are, however, under the thumb of the Obama administration. In fact, Obama's staff have emailed anchors on the network while on air. Olbermann is the face of the left. He provides fodder to conservatives- Obama is very concerned with media- is his administration attempting to replace their poster boy in preparation for 2012?
Posted by: mickydennis | January 21, 2011 at 06:42 PM
Well, with Keith's exit I now have my reason to dump Comcast as my cable provider.. What does one say? Was he forced out? I hope in time he will share with those of us who watched him year after year an explanation. Media needs some form of balance, even as insane as it all seems day after day. Keith gave so many of us a voice that no one else would. Be happy and well my friend!
Posted by: Diana Uren | January 21, 2011 at 06:42 PM
WHY???? Because he been a PASSIONATE, INTELLIGENT, HONEST VOICE that serves as a counterbalance to the Becks and Limbaughs of world ? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark!
Posted by: shelley cole | January 21, 2011 at 06:42 PM
You have just let go of one of the most intelligent, most humanitarian and most engaging presenters and commentators you have! Shame on you! Is this a migration of msnbc to middle of the road pablum? I am a professional in her 60's who works 2 jobs to try to regain my retirement funds. And I still try to make it home to see Countdown, with the insight and entertaining and intelligent presentation of what is really going on. If I don't make it, I stay up to see the later presentation. I don't know what has happened, but I will pay attention to whether or not msnbc is a cable channel I will fight for. I am so tired of getting "packaged" news from everywhere else!
Posted by: Lin Perkin | January 21, 2011 at 06:43 PM
Well, it didn't take them long to get rid of Olbermann after the NBC/Comcast merger was approved. MSNBC is going to be tacking hard to the right now that the right-wingers at Comcast are going to be running things. If I were Rachel Maddow, I'd be getting my resume ready...
Posted by: Maikeru48 | January 21, 2011 at 06:43 PM
off with your heads msnbc. I never watch your channel again. i am cancelling my cable with comcast. stupid decison your way off.
Posted by: terry | January 21, 2011 at 06:43 PM
Good
Posted by: John Wells | January 21, 2011 at 06:44 PM
The light in the darkness has gone! I'll watch Chris and ED, and Rachael but thats it. So for the most part good bye MSNBC . Iam sure Fox is having a large party because one more voice of reason has been silenced.
Posted by: michele | January 21, 2011 at 06:44 PM
GET Keith back or we're going to CNN!! What the H is wrong with you? Keith said things that everyone else was afraid to say. We don't care what you do but GET HIM BACK, NOW!!!!!!!
Posted by: Suzzanna | January 21, 2011 at 06:44 PM
I'm a senior citizen who will miss watching and listening to Keith. He is a bright spot in my day and many of my friends. We will miss you Keith. I hope you will be back on another station. I will keep never missing a Rachel show. Also Chris, Ed and Lawrence. I wish I did not have to watch them on MSNBC but apparently there is no choice.
Posted by: connie brockway | January 21, 2011 at 06:44 PM
I honestly don't care!!!
Posted by: Joe | January 21, 2011 at 06:45 PM
This was a really foolish "The Jay Leno" type move by yet another part of NBC. You get rid of your number one personality and you think that is a good business decision? Notice to Comcast--this isn't like cable where you move into town and get the franchise--the way to get a franchise in TV is to fill a gap. If your goal is to make MSNBC conservative--you will always lose to Fox. If your goal is to compete for some sort of middle ground ask CNN how that is working. This is just plain foolish.
Posted by: Ryker | January 21, 2011 at 06:45 PM
well I stopped watching CNN, and there is no longer any reason to watch MSNBC!or should I say the new MSFOX.Kieth will be back .And where he shows up, thats where I will go . Thanks for nothing Comcast.I will boycott everything that is Comcast.
Posted by: ed | January 21, 2011 at 06:45 PM
Can't believe MSNBC is letting Keith go, he is our favorite-going to miss you Keith.
Posted by: Sue McNeil | January 21, 2011 at 06:45 PM