By Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Current TV and its biggest star have parted ways – and none too amicably. Following months of tension, the cable brainchild of former Vice-President Al Gore and legal services magnate/Democratic kingpin, Joel Hyatt, delivered a letter of termination to bombastic Keith Olbermann ending their 5 year, $50 Million deal after barely a year. In an open letter to viewers, Gore and Hyatt blamed a difference in values for the break-up:
We created Current to give voice to those Americans who refuse to rely on corporate-controlled media and are seeking an authentic progressive outlet. We are more committed to those goals today than ever before. Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it.
Olbermann immediately shot back on Twitter in the blame game and threatened to sue:
I’d like to apologize to my viewers and my staff for the failure of Current TV. Editorially, Countdown had never been better. But for more than a year I have been imploring Al Gore and Joel Hyatt to resolve our issues internally, while I’ve been not publicizing my complaints, and keeping the show alive for the sake of its loyal viewers and even more loyal staff. Nevertheless, Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt, instead of abiding by their promises and obligations and investing in a quality news program, finally thought it was more economical to try to get out of my contract. It goes almost without saying that the claims against me in Current’s statement are untrue and will be proved so in the legal actions I will be filing against them presently. To understand Mr. Hyatt’s “values of respect, openness, collegiality and loyalty,” I encourage you to read of a previous occasion Mr. Hyatt found himself in court for having unjustly fired an employee. That employee’s name was Clarence B. Cain. In due course, the truth of the ethics of Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt will come out. For now, it is important only to again acknowledge that joining them was a sincere and well-intentioned gesture on my part, but in retrospect a foolish one. That lack of judgment is mine and mine alone, and I apologize again for it.
Ouch! Olbermann’s attorney, Patricia Glaser, Esq., added fuel to the fire saying, “”[Current] can expect a bad a result.” Whoa there, Trish. Nothing is more problematic than litigation and Olbermann may not make the most sympathetic Plaintiff ever to sit at the table. The liberal icon, most recently noted for taking msnbc from a little traveled cable news outlet to the liberal counterbalance for conservative Fox News, has had a history of histrionic fallings out with bosses. As we previously discussed, Olbermann had messy divorces with ESPN for allegedly appearing on TV without authorization, and msnbc for unauthorized political contributions. Both resulted in acrimony and charges that Olbermann was more prima donna than pundit. For his part, Olbermann claimed neither employment policy was clear or uniformly enforced. (Olbermann, of course, won this blog’s affection for serving as a frequent platform for our host, Jonathan Turley’s, segments on legal issues of the day.)
The recent break up may have been due more to practical matters than philosophical differences over policy. Current TV has suffered from an embarrassing series of production snafus from lighting failures to glitches in the show’s graphics. In response, Olbermann went to a completely black background to vent his frustration. He also famously refused to take part in the network’s coverage of the Iowa caucuses. Management was peeved, so much so, that his program web page perfunctorily listed his name but not his face. Tantamount to exile in the TV business. The camps then went into communication-by-attorney mode which most always spells the beginning of the end.
The tipping point may have been Olbermann’s insistence on taking a vacation day on the eve of the Super Tuesday primaries. Current TV management warned it would be a breach of contract but the channel’s biggest star didn’t show up anyway. Things weren’t always this bad at Current. Launched as a liberal/progressive outlet free from corporate oversight, Olbermann was more partner than employee. Al Gore crowed the marriage was, “a great fit.” Hyatt ,as recently as March 5th called Olbermann, “the big gun in our lineup” and explained,“It’s all on top of his shoulders.” How do like me now, Joel?
Big gun or no, Current TV recently began adding other liberal voices. Young Turks rising star, Cenk Uygur, was inserted into the lineup just before Countdown in September. Former Michigan governor, Jennifer Granholm, was given the 9:00 p.m. slot after Countdown to launch her show, The War Room. Reportedly, another of Olbermann’s complaints was no say in who preceded or followed his show. Not exactly a ringing endorsement to colleagues.
Careful around the water cooler there, guys.
Regardless of the batting order, the Current TV version of Countdown was not a ratings hit. After scoring nearly a million nightly viewers on msnbc, Olbermann’s audience plummeted to 177,000 on Current. Only 57,000 of that group was in the prized 25-54 demographic. In TV demographic is dough, and Current TV wasn’t making what it expected at the launch. Still, Countdown was the network’s most watched program.
Olbermann was not given the courtesy of a send-off show, but will appear on David Letterman’s Late Night show on Tuesday to talk about the mess. In the meantime, Attorney Glaser has vowed to file the breach on contract Complaint next week, too. Both should make for interesting looking and reading.
Former New York governor Eliott Spitzer, who occasionally subed for Olbermann, will take over the time slot with a new show called, Viewpoint With Eliot Spitzer. Spitzer has been on the rehabilitation tour since his famous public relations nightmare involving hookers and hotel rooms. Never a good pairing. Most recently he co-hosted a CNN political show, ParkerSpitzer, with right-leaning columnist Kathleen Parker, forming a rehash of the iconic Point-Counterpoint segments in the heyday of CBS’ 60 Minutes. The show generated little heat and less light, prompting the Pulitzer Prize-winning Parker to leave after a series of perceived “discourtesies” at the hands of CNN and a parting shot from the acerbic New York politico: ““Not everyone is good at everything.” To which I would have to add, “sauce for the goose,” indeed, there Governor.
Is Current TV trading one mercurial personality for another? Stay tuned.
Sources: Huffington Post; New York Times; Daily Beast
~Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
I have known several people like Olbermann, brilliant and talented yet somehow blinded by their own sense of perfection.
Knowing that this drive for perfection is what produces their sterling work, they can’t see it is also their biggest flaw in dealing with co-workers and producers.
As they give no excuse to themselves for imperfection, they also refuse to grant it to others who are involved in the production of their works.
It is often a fatal flaw that impacts constantly on the progress of their careers.
Situational irony.
“I’ll always owe Keith for introducing me to Jonathan Turley.” -Kauten
That makes two of us. And what Ken McBride said.
Thanks for the background info on the departure of Olbermann, Mark.
Whatever his problems with his employers, I’ll always owe Keith for introducing me to Jonathan Turley.
http://truth-out.org/news/item/8221-current-tv-fires-keith-olbermann-replaces-him-with-eliot-spitzer-olbermann-to-sue
“A source familiar with the decision-making process at Current said the choice to terminate Olbermann was based on what the network felt were violations of three tenets of his contract: a series of unathorized absences, a failure to promote the network, and disparagement both of Current as a network and of its executives individually. The source said that Olbermann missed 19 of his 41 working days in the months of January and February, and that Olbermann was told that if he took a vacation day he had requested for the night of March 5, it would be considered a breach of his contract. Olbermann took the day off, and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm ran a two-hour edition of her show, the War Room, in his place. The charges that he disparaged the network likely stem from the disputes over election coverage, when Olbermann said in a public statement: ““I was not given a legitimate opportunity to host under acceptable conditions. They know it and we know it. Telling half the story is wrong.””
—————-
Regarding Spitzer, he’s an “any port in the storm” kind o’ guy, IMO.
“Its a shame. At a time when nobody in the national media had the courage or integrity to stand up and state out loud that the emperor had no clothes Olbermann did. Nobody on national TV was pointing out how much destruction Boy Blunder and His Super Friends were bringing to this world and particularly to the US until Olbermann did.” — A comment by Frankly, but my sentiments exactly! Best Wishes Keith!
Current TV Retains Crisis PR Experts for Anticipated Battle With Keith Olbermann (Exclusive)
3/30/2012
by Marisa Guthrie
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/keith-olbermann-current-tv-Mark-Fabiani-Chris-Lehane-306437
Excerpt:
The network retains lawyers and crisis PR experts Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane, who have represented Bill and Hillary Clinton and Lance Armstrong.
Current TV has hired crisis public relations firm Fabiani & Lehane to represent the network through what is likely to be a very public and bitter legal battle with Keith Olbermann.
Veterans of the Clinton administration, Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane specialize in steering politicians through public scandals. Newsweek dubbed them “Masters of Disaster” for their work on behalf of the Clintons during the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky imbroglios.
Why this?
“Traub did a reasonable imitation of a “neutral” observer.”
Because, he did not go the Fox news style, but it was easy to read his pro-administration position. He told us where it is, avoiding the Israel issue of greatest contention. He named no names other than Assad, and the NLC.
As for comm equipment, why did our ambassodor (no. 1 killer in Iraq) go around and distribute them months ago—-all who follow progressive news channels know that.
He mentions Iran, but does not make clear why they have influence.
Nor does he make clear what the NLC program is, beyond democratic clichés, and what their bona fides are, backgrounds either, and why we should back them.
Aren’t we grownups, citizens, etc? 10 year olds, his level of info.
Bad guys, good guys, no oil, but in the center, thus important in a jigsaw puzzle. Here’s an idea, maybe I go for it. Don’t know really why.
Dying to hear his next lecture.
Great article Mark. Olbermann and Hyatt both seem to have their own demons. It could be one ugly lawsuit. A settlement would make sense for both.
I watched Spitzer and Traub on the site.
Traub did a reasonable imitation of a “neutral” observer. However, if his take is what the folks who count have to go after, then forget it.
.
Why?
We can not compete with Iran for Syrian influence. We can bomb, we can drone, but we can’t influence like they can. Ask Robert Baer. The CIA guy.
He faced Iran in Lebanon. He faced them in Iraq pre- and post Saddam.
And he knew what our take was then up to and including the NSC.
Read his book.
So if you can’t beat’em, contain ’em.
Spitzer has not mastered the trade……yet. No charisma. Camera does not rest on him. Producer knows he is not exciting.
It is difficult for the dogs in the dog pack to pronounce the L in Olbermann. The german shepard in the pack says that he is German becasuse of the second N n his name and that he is still smarting over the Ich bin ein Berliner comment of Jack Kennedy because he himself is a donut.
I’ve been following Keith for many years. Love his work. Really hope he gets some counseling. He needs help.
Dredd,
“Judging by the content of Countdown, Keith was doing a great job. That is really what matters.”
I agree. He often had excellent and informative guests like Professor Turley, Jeremy Scahill, Wendell Potter-among many others. He mentored Rachel Maddow. He also helped spread word about and raise money for free health care clinics.
Keith Olbermann Helps Raise $1.2 Million For Free Health Care Clinics
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/22/keith-olbermann-helps-rai_n_329979.html
*****
Keith may be bombastic and have his issues–but he still had a better news program than most of the ones I’ve seen on TV.
Elliot’s first show was strained, the first guest was a skin-head who carried a concealed weapon as a “journalist”, and looked like Zimmerman.
It was tired coverage.
A real loss of quality, and loss of viewers, I will add, is what is next.
From this to Keith and others,what happened?
News? Yeah, little I expect to have my views on American insensitivity to other people’s oppression confirmed so clearly.
Oberman? Nah, but it is till Current.com:
http://current.com/shows/the-young-turks/videos/drone-porn-videos-of-strike-deaths-may-teach-us-to-disconnect-from-reality-of-u-s-attacks
Can there be any truth there?
I watched for a couple of weeks when he first moved to Current, then stopped. Limbaugh is still on the air and Olbermann is off … bizarre.
Can we really not have good, informative, in-depth journalism and opinion while holding back on the flamboyant? Olbermann’s rages are distractions and restrict growth. Is it really necessary to be a Rush to be the counter to Rush? Find a cool head with good writers and production values. And not one who lost his climb to the top by dabbling with prostitutes.
Its a shame. At a time when nobody in the national media had the courage or integrity to stand up and state out loud that the emperor had no clothes Olbermann did. Nobody on national TV was pointing out how much destruction Boy Blunder and His Super Friends were bringing to this world and particularly to the US until Olbermann did.
It seemed to me that he knew he had an enlarged ego, he joked about it at times. That he seems unable to control it is too bad, there are not enough people in the media willing to speak truth tho power.
Olbermann mentioned a lawsuit: Cain v Hyatt:
(NY Times). The punitive damages awarded makes the point that Hyatt is cold blooded at times.
We shall see if this is one of those times.
Judging by the content of Countdown, Keith was doing a great job. That is really what matters.
Spitzer has going for him no dead bookers or men…. So far….. Jennifer is well trained…. Studied with the likes of Frank Kelly MI longest serving AG……
Seems like keith has a number of contractual issues to deal with…..