abruptly parted ways with the network on Friday, neither side was
willing to say much at all.
During his on-air farewell speech, Olbermann simply
explained that he’d “been told” that this would be his final
“Countdown,” implying that MSNBC had fired him, before wishing his fans
“good night and good luck.” He offered no reason for his departure, nor
did the network, which issued a terse statement thanking Olbermann “for
his integral role in MSNBC’s success.” The announcement was so sudden
that promos featuring Olbermann were still running on the network an
hour after his signoff. Later that night, on rival station CNN,
Over the weekend, Olbermann did not respond to
e-mails, and remained uncharacteristically silent on Twitter, prompting
many questions. If Olbermann really was axed unexpectedly, why would
the famously outspoken pundit go so gentle into that “good night”? More
important, why would MSNBC fire its most-watched personality?
Eight years ago, Olbermann revitalized MSNBC by
offering a left-leaning alternative to Fox News, creating a market for
fellow hosts
“He really helped MSNBC turn its ratings around, and he certainly
created appointment viewing on the network in prime time,” said media
analyst
But network sources say Olbermann has clashed with
his bosses for some time now, and tensions have been heightened since
November, when Olbermann was suspended for making unauthorized campaign
contributions to three Democrats. Now that MSNBC has surpassed CNN in
ratings, and Maddow and O’Donnell are challenging Olbermann’s reign as
the sole prime-time pillar, one source says Olbermann had become more
expendable.
That Olbermann’s exit came just days before
is due to take over MSNBC’s parent, NBC Universal, has some conspiracy
theorists speculating that he quit before he was forced out by his new
bosses. Olbermann left the same day that his biggest defender,
In a statement, MSNBC said Olbermann’s departure had nothing to do with
During an interview on Sunday, MSNBC President
with Olbermann. “Obviously, we’ve lost a big player,” he admitted, but
he added that Maddow’s ratings are solid and O’Donnell, who often
substituted for Olbermann on “Countdown,” has already held his own in
the
we put somebody on in prime time, we’ve got to know that the audience
really knows them and respects them,” he said. “We’re not going to just
throw it against the wall and see if it sticks. That kind of thinking
gives you ulcers.”
By sticking with familiar talent, MSNBC is also
distinguishing itself from CNN, which has taken a chance with “Piers
Morgan Tonight” and “
CNN has courted Olbermann in the past, and it could use a boost to its
hour, as “Parker Spitzer” struggles to find a larger audience. But a
person familiar with Olbermann’s exit agreement said it prevents him
from turning up on a competing channel for about a year.
MSNBC said “The Last Word” with O’Donnell would replace “Countdown” at
In the meantime, Olbermann’s fans are waiting. Back
in November, 300,000 people signed a petition with the advocacy group
Progressive Change Campaign Committee to get Olbermann back on the air
after his suspension. During his Friday night signoff, Olbermann
thanked those supporters, and in response, thousands of MSNBC viewers
wrote thank you notes back to him though the PCCC’s website.
“Keith, you were my voice in the wilderness when hardly anyone spoke out against the idiotic war in
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