Countdown to Keith Olbermann's 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' begins; calm urged on his fan

Finally, after what seems like a couple of days of waiting, the folks over at Current TV have announced the start date for Keith Olbermann's old show there.

Because of Olbermann's chronically messy departures from previous employers and the needless ego-engendered controversies, the Current TV folks have decided to take Olbermann's show in an entirely new direction, beginning with the title.

It will be called "Countdown with Keith Olbermann,"* a reference to the tall but feisty recovering sportscaster with one of the largest heads in TV commentating.

He will provide predictable political commentary on the day's random events with endearingly faux outrage reminiscent of the actors in the ring of a WWF match. All designed to make his audience comfortable with its cliches.

One of Olbermann's current Current bosses, who doesn't get out much, called his new employee "one of America's most gifted thinkers and communicators."

Olbermann, in turn, called his new employer "the model truth-seeking entity."

The program will appear at 5 p.m. weeknights in an attempt to spare Pacific time zone commuters.

Olbermann will try to resuscitate a sagging media career on a little-known cable channel that claims to be distributed into 75 million homes, several of which actually watch. In lieu of a large salary, Olbermann was given an expensive title, Chief News Officer.

"Nothing is more vital to a free America than a free media," Olbermann said in a canned statement, adding in typical down-to-earth manner, "and nothing is more vital to my concept of a free media than news produced independently of corporate interference."

That's a subtle reference to large media companies where Olbermann's employments have ended. At least one of those evil empires had rules that forbid such things as show hosts contributing money to the political campaigns of guests that they also promoted on their show, if you can imagine anything so ethically confining.

Olbermann got caught doing just that and was suspended briefly, generating protest letters from all four viewers. Fortunately, that won't happen when Current suspends Olbermann because no one will notice.

Related:

Pat Sajak says he's profoundly sorry for infecting the country with Keith Olbermann

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Getty Images (Olbermann smiles for the camera).

Comments

[Zeke]

Mr. Malcolm, you do realize, I hope, that your conclusions are based on a number of false premises...

If you and your buddies in the RW press would give Olbermann his due (for example, that he has a sizable viewership), then your criticism might carry more weight.

[Robert]

This mini diatribe reads like it is from an envious high schooler.

[Johnsy]

Nice to see such unbiased reporting...

[Jane Henderson]

large head... BIG brain

WE LOVE YOU Keith!!!

the FACTS don't lie!!!

[Steve]

Wow, Andrew... The only reason I came across your ugly little hatchet piece online was because I was looking to find out the starting date for Keith's program, as I am sure MILLIONS of his fans and other followers are. Yes, Keith is often a blowhard, who has a long history of friction with his employers, but I find myself in agreement with his positions and commentary about 90% of the time. I hope that Keith continues to do what he does BEST in exposing the corruption and hypocrisy of the Republican party, the racism of the Tea Party, and the rampant greed of America's corporations.

[The Dark Avenger]

Faux outrage, like asking where Obamas' birth certificate is?

[Federico Valenzuela]

Last night I was watching SKY NEWS the British affiliate of the FOX NEWS NETWORK on the Royal Wedding and British news and I am going to say it is the most boring newscast I have ever seen! This is what Conservatives want in America to have boring and dull news so we the public can accept the corruption that is going on in America! When Keith Olbermann was on Countdown on MSNBC every network including the Conservative ones were on their toes because THEY were being called out! I wasn't surprised by Olbermann's ouster from MSNBC because COMCAST is another Conservative outfit that won't accept the TRUTH in America! As an Internet Blogger I hope to catch Olbermann's channel and hopefully the technology will catch up and the public in America can see it!!!

[Kitty]

seriously after reading the above article on Keith Olberman - who to me is actually the only truth telling commentator there is - I have to conclude that the person who wrote the article is also a birther! who wants to see that nutjob trump run this country! Not only are you egotistical and arrogant, which I can forgive in some intelligent people, but you seriously need to have the wiring in your head checked

[Phil B]

Well, Malcolm, shows what you know! There are at least SEVEN Olbermann fans (unless Robert and Johnsy are the same person). Oddly, they all seem to be fans of yours as well....

And to you, Jane Henderson, you forgot to add, "The TRUTH is OUT THERE!!!"

[hyphenate]

Your pettiness shows a lot of what I classify as jealousy. You, too, would like to have the kind of opportunity as KO, but you have neither the skill nor the intelligence to possess such a position. Keith's worked very diligently over the years to reach this level, and found his bliss with uncovering the truth from the muck of Faux News.

Perhaps you might want to report a little more like a newscaster of KO's standing? Ah, but I guess you find yourself inexplicably drawn to the Glen Becks and Bill O'Reillys of the world? Admit your right-leaning worldview, and we will forgive you for your rancor--it's obvious you want to tell the world you're a conservative of the Fox variety--oh, don't you wish you were sitting pretty, working for Murdoch and Ailes, perhaps in the Glen Beck slot?

[Brian]

"rules that forbid such things as show hosts contributing money to the political campaigns of guests that they also promoted on their show, if you can imagine anything so ethically confining."

Fox News certainly can't. The #1 news channel has no such rules about political contributions, and yet loyal viewers, such as yourself undoubtedly, are adamant that everyone else follow these antiquated guidelines--guidelines which were made in an era when all other self-described "news" organizations would also be assumed to be following them. But then Fox News came onto the scene and altered the entire media landscape as we know it by not bothering to adhere to these traditional journalistic guidelines themselves.

As much as it may chap your smarmy little backside, nothing did more to create the demand for a Keith Olbermann than the 'ethics' of Fox News.

[steve]

To other steve, I might not agree 90% of the time but I can truthfully say I agree more times than not. I am switching to satellite just that I can get Current.

[Kerry]

So you write that Current TV has announced a start date for Keith Olbermann's program, but you didn't bother to mention the date. You suck!

[Teri]

Hi Kids!! As far as I'm concerned, there are at least 10 fans of Keith!!! Myself and my husband included!! To me, Keith talks straight and doesn't hold back. I really wish more people were like him in the polictical world!! Phooey with the phoney Donald and his bankrupcies!!!

[Terry Ballard]

Did you make this stuff up yourself or just borrow it from the fascist Spin Room? The last I heard, Olbermann was bringing in a million viewers a night. Take out your mind and dance on it.

[Judy Larkin]

Why are y'all wasting your time even thinking about this low life, scum-sucker, when we have WELCOME BACK, KEITH parties to plan!!!!

[Sandra Lyon]

Andrew...you are off the hook, with an author's tag line: "political commentary."

You are a 'blogger!' Yes, you are paid; but if you were a real reporter your sarcastism, lack of truthful facts and poor writing skills would find you unemployed in any reputable media.

Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow are two high IQ and articulate 'old school' reporters. They research! They can back up their comments with facts, real facts! Olbermann also had such a large audience... that he was able to raise millions of dollars to support the "free clinics" in several states. Olbermann personally donated several million to the free clinics himself. I would bet his pay check was bigger than yours! His pay check was bigger, because he was THE 8:OO PM slot for MSNBC, and had the largest audience of the night news personalities on MSNBC.

Andrew, you 'blog' you do not have a real reporters job, and you do not have a Cable news job, and you do not have a big ass salary! I agree with other comments, you have a strong streak of envy. Keith might not be with Comcast now; I would bet he did not wish to kiss ass with narrow mindedness.

Narrow minds are an open mind's idea of Dante's Hell!

[O'Really]

Who is this clown? You can't just create the news and facts as you go along.

This is why Keith Olberman exists. Sure have missed you KO!

[Me]

Pablum yellow journalism. Get your facts straight or give up writing.

[Jim]

Haha, Completely hilarious. Keith Olberman taking his no talent to a channel no one watches. Great stuff.

[TR]

Thanks for letting me know where Keith is. You're a jerk!

[bimplebean]

Okay, 0kay, we get that you don't like Olbermann. Fair enough. But this screed reads like something a petulant high schooler would write.