Suspended Keith Olbermann is irreplaceable on 'Countdown' -- or *is* he?

Keith Olbermann, the host of MSNBC's "Countdown," has been suspended indefinitely after reportedly breaking company policy by donating to a few political candidates without getting an OK in advance. Though news anchor Thomas Roberts is taking his place Friday night, we're sure that in many hearts and minds, Olby is pretty much irreplaceable.

(Hey, it was hard enough deciding on Roberts -- turns out first pick Chris Hayes also made political donations without asking the boss first. Of course, the frequent "Countdown" guest actually works for a magazine, so maybe he was unaware of MSNBC's rules in advance.)

We'd like to count down a few celebrity replacements, to be used in case of emergency -- for example, if Olbermann were to lose his job after putting his money where his mouth is:

10. Larry King: Sure, he chose to leave his own show after 25 years, but everyone has second thoughts about retirement. Time with the wife and kids is often overrated.

9. Ryan Seacrest: When you already have 137 jobs, what's a little nightly TV show? Heck, it's only cable news -- as if anyone's watching. Plus the "American Idol" host has already shown he can work magic with raw cable-TV-host material.

8. Heidi Montag: She didn't get picked up to take Megan Fox's "Transformers" spot, so she probably has the time. And she and hubby Spencer Pratt will do almost anything for money, and right now they seem to need some. Has she tweeted any interest yet?

7. Bristol Palin: Perhaps admitting you didn't vote would actually be a plus in this situation -- and she's not very likely to be perceived as biased to the left, if MSNBC is sensitive to that sort of thing. Plus the fans voting for her to stay on "Dancing With the Stars" might tune in just to show their loyal support. Ratings coup!

6. Levi Johnston: If the "mayor of Wasilla" thing doesn't work out, he's just that much closer to getting his GED, right? Plus there is no residency requirement at MSNBC, and he's familiar with chatting on live TV.

5. Charlie Sheen: The "Two and a Half Men" star certainly has the temperament to be a nighttime cable news host, though we're not sure his salary needs could be met.

4. Sandra Bullock: With her hit-it/quit-it/hit-it-again presence in the Gulf restoration PSA produced by Women of the Storm, she proved she's hypersensitive to perceptions of conflict of interest.

3. Mel Gibson: We hear he's having a hard time finding a job and keeping it. Because many folks have decided he's definitely the worst person in the world, that "takes one to know one" line on his resume could come in handy.

2. The Count: The "Sesame Street" star could step right into the job. The dude can count, vampires are hot, and he's already podcasting. Plus almost everyone loves "Sesame Street."

1. Betty White: If there's not a Facebook page suggesting this already, we're shocked.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photos: Keith Olbermann, top right, in 2008; the Count from "Sesame Street," left. Credits: Fred Prouser / Reuters, right; Sesame Workshop, left

Comments

[Risto Rautiainen]

This is a big mistake. He is the chief defender of reason and justice on the US tv. MSNBC will go down without him.

[SoCalBeachDude]

Keith Olbermann should be permanently fired and CNN should hire Lou Dobbs to do the Countdown.

[David Gilmour]

Used to love to watch Keith tear into GWB every night.
Never missed a show for years. Then he started lying to clear the way for the current bunch of lying stealing pigs; for which they were well paid. Somebody had to have outted Keith. Bet it was Matthews. Keith would never defer to Matthew's elder statesman self-assessment and Matthews visibly fumed during their joint primary debate coverage.
Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of back-stabbing filthy jerks.

[Colleen Brennan]

Forgot to mention the anonymous money donated on his behalf by his union. Keith in his raging lunacy has driven as many people to being republicans as Obama ( the Clintons still hold the record.) They should bring back Phil Donahue, at least then when he acts like a drooling babbling idiot spewing "progressive" talking points we can understand it is just senility. Anyone hear from Ahbrams lately? I bet he is getting a really good chuckle over this. Oh no! suspended without pay! Where ever will Keith get health care??? Oh, not to worry, Obama will take care of him ..... in 4 years.... maybe....hope he saves some money so he does not get jailed for violating the mandate to carry Obamacare. Worst person in the world suspended ... sounds like a good idea to me. Maybe he can replace Colmes and team up with Hannity. Oops forgot, Keith can only operate in an echo chamber because his ideas can with stand no challenge.

[Wayne Burk]

You people have to be kidding! Keith Olbermann is the smartest guy on MSNBC and he is not afraid to say it like it is, and back it up! He is entitled to support any candidates with his personal money, just like any other citizen.
You better get him back on quickly, or your evening ratings are going to tank!

[Aluceo]

When compared to the "insanities" of fauxnews whose anchors including Glenn Beck have organized and tended to act like the mouthpieces of Tea Party and Republican candidates with Rupert Murdoch handing out lump sum donations for the Republican Party; this definitely passes for nothing but "little potatoes".

Unfortunately, it is always the case in America today that Liberals are required to adhere to the highest standards in an unfair media environment where the Right which knows no rules and gins up false and spurious tales on which they wrap themselves around under the guise of genuine journalism with the intent of creating an "in effect".

By an "in effect" is meant when a crazy tale is propped up and given full coverage, whether it turns up to be right or wrong, the mere coverage would have given rise to some public indignation and effectively served its sought purpose even if the story is later on debunked.

No wonder it is always a difficult moment for the defender of genuine democracy Keith Olbermann -- who passes weekday after another highlighting and debunking false propagations from fauxnews types -- to avoid unwittingly flipping over at all times.

Nevertheless, it is just a suspension. I can't wait to have Keith back on air to illuminate our national media landscape once more and prevent the "US of A" from falling into the "dark ages of journalism".

A "dark ages of journalism" where journalists have no standards of fact, no baselines of logic and argument, no sense of expertise, and no basis for judgment; only their arrogance as mike wielders.

A case in point just today is the questioning of President Obama's visit to India. A President visits another country and journalists left and right think it convenient to put in question the role of the President to make a visit to another country. No, it is not the President and the Presidency they are mocking and disrespecting, they are mocking and disrespecting themselves and their trade, and America by the way.

What is the meaning of the Presidency? Is it Obama's personal business or the business of America that this President is making? No the disrespect is nothing but self-directed, to nothing but their moronism. And then we hear, it's just an exercise of fair coverage. Oh yes, where there are no standard references, etiquettes and principles of journalism, anything goes. By the way, "someone just poohed in the White House", you need to give coverage to that as well, don't you think!

[pulpnonfiction]

Dang, and I made it up all the way to one minute - 59 secs before needing to cuss at the TV and change stations. Now, I will have a few extra days to gear up for the big 2:00 mark. I know I can - I know I can...

[Joseph Goldsmith]

Dark Friday, November 5, 2010

It is sad that MSNBC has suspended one of the most knowledgeable and effective

Editorial talk show hosts they have ever had. Are you crazy or just plain stupid? You (MSNBC)

has now entered into the realm of idiocy. It now seems that FOX (Abusive) News can Do now whatever they want without any accountability, and are now going to be boasting to The extreme right wing (themselves) and others about this severe and absolute injustice to Mr. Olbermann and his faithful following for a paltry $7,200 worth of donations. Sure he made a mistake, but who hasn’t? Where is the common sense in dealing a death stroke to your nightly news programs. This has effectively cast my vote in favor of CNN, or God forbid, the Cartoon Network. Congratulations on an indecorous action, from which your network may never recover. Your only saving grace now is to hope that the several “excellent” editorial talk show hosts you have left on your nightly news can save you. But, it will take more than a few days or weeks to overcome this blunder. Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinion. And, I certainly hope that you have the decency to forward this email to Mr. Olbermann.

Joe Goldsmith, Charlottesville, Virginia. I would be honored if this email is not sent in vain and that it will be posted – “somewhere”.

[paul thomas]

With all that time on his hands look how many posts of protest Kieth has posted in his own defense. Using made up names of course. There are more people posting support for him then actually watch him.

[Jill Kuenne]

The only reason I even watch TV is to watch Keith.
Lose him and MSNBC will lose me as a viewer.

[TJ]

I will not watch MSNBC until he is back!!!!!

[Donald L]

Mon-Fri @ 8pm is the best hour for news and political info. I cannot imagine not seeing Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. I've had cable for over 25yrs. If Olbermann is no more, I would cancel my cable subscription. Keith is the opposite to FOX, Limbaugh, CNN (who is trying to out-FOX FOX). MSNBC truly is a balance network: Conservative, Moderate, Liberal, Democratic, Republican, Independent.

[Trudy Crandall]

Bring Keith back or MSNBC will be toast. You morans. You are cutting your own throats. He is what makes your station
what it is. NO MORE MSNBC for ME. He did nothing wrong,
absolutely nothing. Maybe you should hire Rush Lardball.

[Jill Kuenne]

I think MSNBC should become more Fox news like and suport our own canidates. Let's fight fire with fire.

[doug hector]

so ko's noise about the far right becomes more important than msnbc's commendable rule of not allowing employees to make political contributions? i'm as liberal as they come, but you appeasers scare me. i guess we do become what we hate.

[paletadelima]

Mr. Snarly-Britches can use some time off, go to the spa and mellow out for a while. He's so wound up anymore, his eyebrows look like fighting fish.

[cdz from the ministry]

Christie D'Zurilla here from MOG with a gentle reminder -- we don't publish comments that include profanity (even if you kinda hide it with asterisks or abbreviations) or (in general) links.

Thanks so much for commenting, Feel free to resubmit clean. :)

//cdz

[Finally]

Finally....I think MSNBC have regained some credibility. The far left liberals have no place to go other than MSNBC - they are not going to switch to fox. But MSNBC has gained some moderate republican viewers back. I bet for ever one audience they loose, they get 10 back. Let the rating speak for itself..

[Kay]

Guys like Keith irritate the powers that be because they just ....won't....stay in the mold created for them. But to his audience, that's why we all love the guy. Do you get it? Do you understand that at MSNBC? You can get yourself a "cardboard" guy, in which case all your viewership will go elsewhere.

I smell a rat here anyway. A great big FAT political rat somewhere.

There is more to this story than we know.

[Jason C]

Hey MSNBC: Your standing up for integrity? Sorry, you didn't recognize it when you had it.

Jason

[BB]

Suspend your number-one cash cow? How unRepublican! But seriously, to MSNBC I say: Good night ... and good riddance.

[Yourmaninmanila]

Olberman is a total douche. MsNBC should suspend MsNBC. This a convenient excuse for them to pivot with the prevailing political wind...Oh, wacko liberal democrats wasted their capital and are unpopular? We better ditch that liberal ideologue Olberman...

Like they didn't know Olberman was a rabid, democratic party operative...mindless, idiotic crap. And they put it on TV every night...probably snickering away in the control room.

Jackasses!

[anita]

I will watch MSNBC UNTIL he returns!!!! then i am back to cnn or fox!! the 8 pm shows at CNN and fox are going to loose its audience!! I think this whole suspension drama is to get the ratings up..KO's ratings were way down. way to go MSNBC!!

[rochelle abbott]

Are You People Crazy! Suspending one of the smartest people on cable news? If it weren't for Ed Shultz and Rachel Maddow, you'd be banned on my TVs in my house and my childrens homes forever! Bring KO back NOW!!!

[Linda]

Keith Olbermann and Rachael Maddow are two of the few in news world who directly confront fake propaganda created for some rich strange men. Olbermann also called out those using these tactics--Rove, Limbaugh, and Beck. He is our town crier. We already have the three henchmen of the former Nazi regime. We don't need a false prophet to ruin our county. Too many Americans are already drinking the cool aid. Scary!