Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

[huskyfan]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

On air, Olbermann hinted that he had just learned of the end of his show Friday, and suggested his departure was not voluntary. “I think the same fantasy popped into the head of everybody in my business who has ever been told what I have been told: this will be the last edition of your show,” he said.

“You go to the scene from the movie ‘Network,’ complete with the pajamas and the rain coat, and go off on a verbal journey of unutterable vision and you insist upon Peter Finch’s gutteral resonance and you will the viewer to go to the window, open it, stick out his head and yell,” he continued. “You know the rest. In the mundane world of television goodbyes, reality is laughably uncooperative.”

Olbermann

 

[Priceless]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

fired.
the clues : MSNBC "ended" his contract. (not the other way around) Olbermann all but said so with his rif on "Network". they let him know today. when the star goes willingly its a long good bye (see King, Larry and Philbin, Regis)
he's violated network rules several times and is notoriously hard to work with. he's also highly paid. hard to justify with his ratings.
Comcast may have let it be known they'd like him gone when they take over. so technically it was NBC's decision. have seen this happen many many times in station deals. let the seller take the heat.

Did you watch the show tonight? Or are you speculating? In his comments he said that "there were many occasions when all that surrounded the show got to be too much for me." But fine, he was fired. Whatever.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

its not a liberal/conservative thing, Priceless. it just how TV works. cutthroat. works the same on the local level, just smaller scale.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

Mediaite's take:

Sources tell Mediaite Keith Olbermann and MSNBC were headed for a breakup long before Comcast’s rise to power, but clearly something set the divorce into motion quickly today, with network promos set to run touting Olbermann’s role in MSNBC’s coverage of next week’s State of the Union address–and, notably, a Keith Olbermann promo running on MSNBC in the hour after the host signed off and left the network...
It appears that the end of the Olbermann era at MSNBC was not “ordered” by Comcast, nor was it a move to tone down the network’s politics. Instead, sources inside the network say it came down to the more mundane world of office politics–Olbermann was a difficult employee, who clashed with bosses, colleagues and underlings alike, and with the Comcast-related departure of Jeff Zucker, and the rise of Maddow and O’Donnell, the landscape shifted, making an Olbermann exit suddenly seem well-timed.

The blunt, brief statement of Olbermann’s final day, compared to the long, lush programming memo that makes no mention of Olbermann suggests that while the timing may not have been set, the foundation had been laid for today’s move.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

Fun to talk about but really a who cares.

It doesn't matter who gets fired...even Juan Williams. Companies make decisions for all sorts of reasons. Best of luck KO.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

Here's how it went down. Sources familiar with the situation tell us that Olbermann's agent recently went to NBC complaining that Keith -- who has the most popular show on MSNBC -- was underpaid at $7 million per year. NBC execs told Olbermann's agent they would not cough up anymore money.

Network execs were well aware that Comcast wanted Keith gone because he was "a loose cannon that could not be controlled." It became clear to both sides that Olbermann's days were numbered and they began negotiating an exit.

We're told the exit deal wasn't completed until just before airtime Friday night.

Under the deal, sources say Olbermann will get money but cannot appear on television for a certain period time -- we don't know how long.

Our sources say Olbermann will, however, reappear soon with a presence on the Internet.

.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

where is that from?
the agent story is unlikely - he had a new contract two years ago - causing great distress among his fellow MSNBC hosts.
apparently the deal was a closely held secret at NBC. but had been in the works for awhile.
most likely he does have a non-compete clause. that probably can be worked around.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

If Fox hires Keith Olbermann, I'll watch. I'm just sayin, that would make for interesting TV for a while.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

If Fox hires Keith Olbermann, I'll watch. I'm just sayin, that would make for interesting TV for a while.

Perhaps this is why they got rid of Colmes. Hannity & Olbermann. I smell a smash hit.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

If Fox hires Keith Olbermann, I'll watch. I'm just sayin, that would make for interesting TV for a while.

that would be hilarious. how about O'Reilly and Olbermann? of course both egos may not fit in the same room.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

He won't be on TV anytime soon.

Olbermann’s MSNBC Exit Was Weeks in the Making

On Thursday, NBC’s news division staged an elaborate presentation for advertisers, seeking to sell commercial time in NBC’s news programs over the next year. All the members of MSNBC’s prime-time lineup spoke at the lunch with one exception: Keith Olbermann, the network’s biggest star.

For the last several weeks, Mr. Olbermann and the network have been in negotiations to end his successful run on MSNBC, according to executives involved in the talks who requested anonymity because the talks were confidential. The deal was completed on Friday, and Mr. Olbermann made the announcement on his final “Countdown” hours later.

Friday’s separation agreement between MSNBC and Mr. Olbermann includes restrictions on when he can next lead a television show and when he can give interviews about the decision to end his association with the news channel.

The executives involved in the discussions confirmed that the deal carries limitations for Mr. Olbermann in terms of when he can next work on television, though he will be able to take a job in radio or on any forum on the Internet. The deal also prohibits the host from commenting publicly on the deal, the executives confirmed.

Mr. Olbermann did not respond to requests for comment Friday or Saturday. None of the executives who discussed the deal would reveal the exact length of the restrictions.

The decision was completed one year to the day from the last time NBC decided to end a relationship with an on-air star: Conan O’Brien. Mr. O’Brien agreed in the deal not to start up a new television show for nine months, and not to grant interviews for five months. The executives involved in the discussions with Mr. Olbermann said his agreement was not dissimilar to Mr. O’Brien’s.

Many of Mr. Olbermann’s fans responded to the decision by accusing Comcast, the incoming owner of NBC Universal, of forcing him out for political reasons. Several of Comcast’s top executives have been financial supporters of Republicans; Mr. Olbermann is largely credited with establishing MSNBC’s liberal voice.

What does Comcast have against Olbermann?

It is well known that both Comcast chief Brian Roberts and NBCU chief Steve Burke have donated heavily to the Republican party with Burke more recently donating money to a few Democrats as well as heavily to Republicans. Roberts was a co-chairman of the host committee at the 2000 Republican Convention while Burke raised at least $200,000 for George W Bush’s re-election campaign.

Also, it's worth pointing out that KO had a new management team (ICM) which was hired after his contract was signed, and thus making nothing on the deal. Getting him to renegotiate the deal or find a new one guaranteed them revenue.

If his clause is similar to Conan's he could come back to TV in the fall. Personally, I think he'll get back into sports in some capacity.

Hmmm....he used to be sports director for the station in Ithaca...maybe college hockey can find the voice we lost and never regained after Tom Mees passed away. But he'll probably do something with baseball.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

I guess I still don't get it. I mean, Murdoch's network has plenty of liberal shows on (Family Guy most notably). Plus I just don't see how this is going to change anything for Comcast's benefit. Now they're going to be accused of political witch trials and silencing the oppositiion. Plus it's not like MSNBC is going to turn into a bastion of republican ideals. They still have Maddow and O'Donnell. Something just isn't adding up unless he's making a **** ton of money and was the world's worst employee.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

It's BS that Olbermann got gagged. What a crock.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

Something just isn't adding up unless he's making a **** ton of money and was the world's worst employee.

Reportedly he was making $7M/yr. That sounds like a lot, but in the world of broadcasting I have no idea if that's a lot or not. He's been suspended before and isn't known as the most reliable employee...reports are that the reason MSNBC aired promos for his SOTU coverage was that they weren't sure he was really going to leave until he said so on the air.

We'll see how long MSNBC has Maddow, O'Donnell and Schultz. If Comcast is taking MSNBC in a new direction, they're next.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

It's BS that Olbermann got gagged. What a crock.

That's pure speculation. If he got gagged, O'Donnell and Maddow would be gone as well. in fact, I'd see O'Donnell as more of a threat since he seems to bring more to the table. The only reason I see Olbermann's departure making sense is that he simply clashes with management (and not in a political sense).

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

Reportedly he was making $7M/yr. That sounds like a lot, but in the world of broadcasting I have no idea if that's a lot or not. He's been suspended before and isn't known as the most reliable employee...reports are that the reason MSNBC aired promos for his SOTU coverage was that they weren't sure he was really going to leave until he said so on the air.

We'll see how long MSNBC has Maddow, O'Donnell and Schultz. If Comcast is taking MSNBC in a new direction, they're next.

Not sure either. I thought I remember hearing that O'Reilly makes something like $20 million but take that with a grain of salt (if that). But then again, his ratings are far, far better than MSNBC's (and this isn't a dig against them, just a fact). So maybe $7 million is a lot per viewer tuned in compared to the $/viewer the rest of them are getting.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

That's pure speculation. If he got gagged, O'Donnell and Maddow would be gone as well. in fact, I'd see O'Donnell as more of a threat since he seems to bring more to the table. The only reason I see Olbermann's departure making sense is that he simply clashes with management (and not in a political sense).

It's not speculation.

UPDATE: The New York Times' Bill Carter reports that Keith Olbermann's exit from MSNBC was "weeks in the making." According to Carter, Olbermann and MSNBC have both signed on to an agreement which bars Olbermann from returning to television for a period of time, though he is free to take a job on the Internet or the radio. Olbermann is also not allowed to comment publicly on the specifics of the deal, and there are restrictions on when he can give interviews about his departure. Carter notes that the terms of the deal are similar to the one NBC struck with Conan O'Brien upon his exit from the network--exactly a year before Olbermann's.

That's what I'm referring to. And it's BS. It was when it was done to Conan and it is now.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

I wonder if Comcast is taking a more cautious tone to its programming given the current bickering following the shooting in Tucson, Arizona. People want less inflammatory rhetoric and Olbermann is easily the most caustic voice on MSNBC. Think of all the people he labels as "The Worst Peson in the World" as a regular part of his show. Would Comcast fire him in order to prevent a 0.x% chance that another shooter is out there like that and chooses one of Olbermann's targets? It could get ugly.

We're seeing a call from Congress for some censorship of various media outlets. Comcast may simply be hedging. I doubt that would be the case, it's extremely overreactive, but it's a thought.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

It's not speculation.


That's what I'm referring to. And it's BS. It was when it was done to Conan and it is now.

ah, I misinterpreted your post. I thought you were saying it was because he's a liberal and it seems the new management is reportedly conservative.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Obama Presidential Thread XIX: Starting a new chapter

$7 or $7.5 is a lot for MSNBC. its double what most of their hosts make. Chris Matthews went ballastic when the deal was made two years ago.
Olbermann is a ... difficult ... employee. basically he's a real ***. Comcast, NBC ... they don't want to muzzle anyone. they want to make money. getting Olbermann off the books is a smart move for Comcast. they may say they are not involved, but once a bargain has been struck, the seller doesn't do anything without the buyer's ok.