Media, Society

FAREWELL KEITH

This evening my friend Keith Olbermann announced that he is leaving MSNBC and that Countdown will end this week. His departure will be a great disappoint for millions of viewers but I have little doubt that Keith will continue his unique brand of commentary and coverage in a different forum. I will personally miss our conversations on and off the program. Keith has been a unique voice in our society and I trust that we have not heard the last of that voice on myriad of issues confronting this nation.

I have known and worked with Keith since the 1990s and his first news show, The Big Show with Keith Olbermann. He has held a number of positions on different networks — all with equal success. The public has always connected with Keith’s wit and often wacky style. He is one of the smartest individuals I have ever known. He also genuinely cares about the issues addressed on his show.

In an age of blow-dried, robotic anchors, Keith gave the public something different and magnetic. He invented his own genre in news — a style later mimicked by others in their own programs.

Keith’s career has always been as unpredictable as his style. The public has always been drawn to him by his refusal to compromise and his fierce independence. Those characteristics that are so central to his success with viewers often led to conflicts with his respective networks. He is the ultimate lone wolf in an industry known for its pack mentality.

There are certain classics in American culture. They include the 67 Mustang, Wrigley Field, and every John Wayne film. For many news junkies, they also include Keith Olbermann. Intense, irreverent and insightful, Keith is unique. For that reason, his fans and friends will not allow him to be gone from the airways for long.

Thanks, Keith, and Godspeed.

Jonathan Turley

121 thoughts on “FAREWELL KEITH”

  1. “This was all Keith’s choice. He has several times over the years said that he wants out of his contract. He never meant it until this year. He started lawyers negotiating twice this year. He stopped them in the spring. Then, about a month ago with the guidance of his new ICM team and a new LA manager (who were making zero $ on his current deal), he once again said he wanted to leave and this time they negotiated the full package.

    “Because of all the false threats in the past, it was impossible for the network to know if he was really going to sign the final document yesterday. That’s why promos for his show were still running after he quit on the air. The network couldn’t really believe it or act on it until he said it on TV. They couldn’t tell the promo people to pull Keith’s show out of the cycle until they were sure. His staff learned he was quitting when they heard him say it on TV.

    “Comcast has had no impact at all on MSNBC [yet]. Phil Griffin has complete authority. He makes deals without having to consult with anyone. He has made proposals over the years on the fly and in high-speed contexts where he is acting alone and with full authority. MSNBC is Phil Griffin’s network and no one at NBC thinks they have a better idea than Phil about what to do next.”

    http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/nbcu-statement-msnbc-and-keith-olberman-have-ended-their-contract-last-show-tonight/

  2. After going out to dinner last night, I came home anxious to watch the “Countdown” rerun at 11:00 PM. It wasn’t there … while watching “Real Time with Bill Maher”, I heard the awful news. Needless to say, I am shocked.

    While Keith could be bombastic and pompous at times, I truly admired his passion and his integrity. He countered the many falsehoods disguised as news with facts, reason and plain old common sense. He also introduced me – and many here – to Professor Turley, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

    Whether his leaving is a consequence of the NBC/Comcast merger, I don’t know (but have a feeling it just might), or whether he simply felt it was time to move on. Either way, Keith will be sorely missed.

    My all-time favorite piece Keith did was his tribute to his mother.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnRk0RaQr4Y

    Farewell Mr. Olbermann – Good luck, and please don’t stay away too long!

  9. I like rafflaw’s suggestion … HBO for Keith and the freedom to do as he pleases

  12. “Comments
    23,858”

    At Hufington Post as of this moment,with that kind of commentary faux and Olberman Never Happen.

  13. bdaman It will be nice to be able to walk on the beach and have a change of scenery. Husband is still recovering from skin cancer surgery so can’t spend that much time in the sun. We will be flying.

  14. Are you driving or flying.

    That should read the daily highs look to be in the low 70’s the daily highs are in the low 50’s here. Just sayin

  15. Living in LA, I saw Keith go through the ranks on the local news. At the Democratic primary debate in Chicago, Keith gave a tribute after his passing to a former colleague whom he worked with at KTLA, Hal Fishman. I thought this showed great integrity to deliver to a national audience.

  16. Swarthmore mom 1, January 22, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Headed to Palm Beach County in search of the Pat Buchanan votes.

    —————————————————————-

    And when you find the two of them, what are you going to do with them???

    Burn them, for all of us???? Pleaseeeee. LOL

  17. Headed to Palm Beach County in search of the Pat Buchanan votes. It looks to be low 70’s. It is in the low 50’s here.

  19. Sources connected with the network tell us … Comcast honchos did not like Keith’s defiance and the way he played in the sandbox.

    Our sources say Keith has around two years left on his contract, and he’ll be paid his salary — around $7 million a year.

    We don’t know if Comcast will let Keith make a deal with another network as part of an exit agreement, but it’s a good bet he’ll be benched for a minimum of 6 months, and probably longer.

    http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/21/keith-olbermann-fired-comcast-countdown-msnbc-contract-cable-news-network-pay-or-play/

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