A viewer's perspective

[scarlettina]

Last night's big surprise: Keith Olbermann's departure from MSNBC. I was going to watch Countdown last night, but realized that I didn't have time as I was expecting a guest for dinner. I stopped to check my Twitter stream, and that's when I got wind of the news, then started scanning the Web for more information. I've been a pretty regular viewer of Olbermann's, though for the last year or so, I've watched less frequently mainly because sometimes he got a little too strident for me. Didn't mean I respected him any less; I just find myself withdrawing a little more from my interest in politics lately. But I digress. Apparently Olbermann's departure was a mutual thing between him and MSNBC. It's a huge loss, though, and not just for the liberal community, but for the shouting match dialog of American culture and politics. I hope he'll be back on the air somewhere in the near future. For all that he can be too strident, he still speaks truth to power with a passion and eloquence that is rare in today's media environment. His obvious thought and surgical analysis is needed. I'm going to miss him on the air.

Comments

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

The settlement forbids him going to another broadcast network.

[twilight2000.livejournal.com]

which doesn't mean he won't show up on a cable channel - or as a regular contributor to another media outlet.

That said - this sucks and I'm really gonna miss him and "mutual" in cases like this often means they told him "change your show" and he said "yea, no" and they said "well then, friday's your last ep" - His voice really is needed in this climate - I really hope to see him doing something regular by the end of February.

[garyomaha.livejournal.com]

I have been a fan of his since shortly after his MSNBC program began. I was working with someone who knew Olbermann's previous work in sports and recommended him. Yes, sometimes he pushed a bit hard, but he spoke the Truth, which so few have the nerve to do. His was the only program I recorded every single night -- not always to watch, but in case he did a Special Comment that I had missed.