Olberman Has His Wings Clipped

[Boom_70]

It was only a matter of time but based on his convention performance and viewer complaints NBC has decided to remove Olberman from anchor position during rest of election.

From the story its obvious that he has become an embarrisment to GE/ NBC.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/business/media/08msnbc.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

NBC once the gold standard of election coverage- not the laughing stock - much due to Olberman

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

Olbermann is not the problem.

We're the problem.

This country is doomed.

 

[slappy4428]

Olbermann is not the problem.

We're the problem.

I don't know about doomed, but we are indeed the problem. Olbermann might be the messenger.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

Very interesting article. Thanks for posting, boom.

I can't stand Olbermann, but that decision is gutless.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Figured this was coming.

However, shoddy reporting here:

The following night, Mr. Olbermann and his co-anchor for convention coverage, Mr. Matthews, had their own squabble after Mr. Olbermann observed that Mr. Matthews had talked too long.

-----

Not what happened.

 

[zeke12]

Figured this was coming.

However, shoddy reporting here:

The following night, Mr. Olbermann and his co-anchor for convention coverage, Mr. Matthews, had their own squabble after Mr. Olbermann observed that Mr. Matthews had talked too long.

-----

Not what happened.

When you're right, you're right, Simon.

That wasn't what happened at all.

 

[sportshack06]

Good move by NBC.

Olbermann can have his opinion and express it on air... but as the anchor, thats not his position.

Also - if you're going to express your opinion, some civilized manner would be nice if you're on national television, instead of "Mr President, shut the hell up."

It was a schtick that Olbermann found - and proved pretty successful - as the counter to Fox's BOR. But to make him anchor in a Shep Smith/Brit Hume/Anderson Cooper role (and perhaps MSNBC had issues, like Russert's death, etc. filling a position) was a bit extreme for the big opinion he swung.

I - being a bit right myself - have no problem with Olbermann being on air and expressing his opinion, but we should not blur the line between anchor and commentator.

 

[21]

Olbermann is not the problem.

We're the problem.

I don't know about doomed, but we are indeed the problem. Olbermann might be the messenger.

We the media, or we the people?

Who are we blaming, other than NBC for compromising any kind of journalistic integrity by putting some of these loons on the air and pretending they can fill the void left by Russert?

 

[Sharky22]

From the arcticle: "The McCain campaign has filed letters of complaint to the news division about its coverage and openly tied MSNBC to it. Tension between the network and the campaign hit an apex the day Mr. McCain announced Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. MSNBC had reported Friday morning that Ms. Palin’s plane was enroute to the announcement and she was likely the pick. But McCain campaign officials warned the network off, with one official going so far as to say that all of the candidates on the short list were on their way — which MSNBC then reported."


You have got to be kidding me.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Weird thing is.... David Gregory was the OBVIOUS choice for this the whole time.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

From the arcticle: "The McCain campaign has filed letters of complaint to the news division about its coverage and openly tied MSNBC to it. Tension between the network and the campaign hit an apex the day Mr. McCain announced Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. MSNBC had reported Friday morning that Ms. Palin’s plane was enroute to the announcement and she was likely the pick. But McCain campaign officials warned the network off, with one official going so far as to say that all of the candidates on the short list were on their way — which MSNBC then reported."


You have got to be kidding me.

God, do I hope McCain gets landslided.

 

[Boom_70]

Figured this was coming.

However, shoddy reporting here:

The following night, Mr. Olbermann and his co-anchor for convention coverage, Mr. Matthews, had their own squabble after Mr. Olbermann observed that Mr. Matthews had talked too long.

-----

Not what happened.

I dunno - that clip is on you tube and it makes the Times obervation seem pretty accurate.

I don't think the decision is gutless at all. NBC has always had a fine repurtation for fair political reporting - much due to Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert. Russert has to be spinning in his grave watching Olberman in a matter of weeks chip away at NBC's credibility.

Olberman was on track to

 

[sportshack06]

Weird thing is.... David Gregory was the OBVIOUS choice for this the whole time.

NBC had good folks like him to fill the spot, but sold their soul to the devil for ratings and Olbermann.

It's obvious MSNBC is having a difficult time to fill the void of Russert here in the rundown to the election.

Russert was a liberal by all reports I've read, but you damn sure couldnt tell it from his broadcasting. He'd stick it to those in the left, the right and the middle.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Figured this was coming.

However, shoddy reporting here:

The following night, Mr. Olbermann and his co-anchor for convention coverage, Mr. Matthews, had their own squabble after Mr. Olbermann observed that Mr. Matthews had talked too long.

-----

Not what happened.

I dunno - that clip is on you tube and it makes the Times obervation seem pretty accurate.

I don't think the decision is gutless at all. NBC has always had a fine repurtation for fair political reporting - much due to Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert. Russert has to be spinning in his grave watching Olberman in a matter of weeks chip away at NBC's credibility.

Olberman was on track to

Olbermann clearly was saying that "they" were yapping ....both of them.... and was thanking Hoyer for standing by. Was attempting to be self-deprecating and gracious to Hoyer.

Pretty clear.

 

[Boom_70]

Weird thing is.... David Gregory was the OBVIOUS choice for this the whole time.

NBC had good folks like him to fill the spot, but sold their soul to the devil for ratings and Olbermann.

It's obvious MSNBC is having a difficult time to fill the void of Russert here in the rundown to the election.

Russert was a liberal by all reports I've read, but you damn sure couldnt tell it from his broadcasting. He'd stick it to those in the left, the right and the middle.

Matthews is to the left also but I've always found him to have intlectual honesty. Its a shame that it appears that Olberman has has pulled him down as well in a case of guilt by association.

 

[zeke12]

And only Matthews' massive ego made it a problem.

Don't get me wrong, Olbermann's ego is a thing to behold.

But Matthews' is on another planet.

 

[slappy4428]

Olbermann is not the problem.

We're the problem.

I don't know about doomed, but we are indeed the problem. Olbermann might be the messenger.

We the media, or we the people?

Who are we blaming, other than NBC for compromising any kind of journalistic integrity by putting some of these loons on the air and pretending they can fill the void left by Russert?

We the people.

 

[GB-Hack]

Figured this was coming.

However, shoddy reporting here:

The following night, Mr. Olbermann and his co-anchor for convention coverage, Mr. Matthews, had their own squabble after Mr. Olbermann observed that Mr. Matthews had talked too long.

-----

Not what happened.

I dunno - that clip is on you tube and it makes the Times obervation seem pretty accurate.

I don't think the decision is gutless at all. NBC has always had a fine repurtation for fair political reporting - much due to Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert. Russert has to be spinning in his grave watching Olberman in a matter of weeks chip away at NBC's credibility.

Olberman was on track to

Were you going to complete this thought?

 

[Freelance Hack]

Matthews can be as much -- if not more of -- a hot head as Olbermann, and lest we not forget Shuster and Scarborough had their share of run-ins as well.

I don't think you can discount the impact of Tim Russert's death and how it has affected the newsroom. There wasn't this bickering during the primaries when Tim's presence loomed large over the network. He could corral the egos.

I personally don't have a problem with MSNBC's perceived bias -- it's no different than that of Fox News. Only real difference is you don't see the confrontations during what's perceived as news broadcasts. Bill-O and Jerry Rivers' didn't take place on what you'd consider a news broadcast.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Matthews can be as much -- if not more of -- a hot head as Olbermann, and lest we not forget Shuster and Scarborough had their share of run-ins as well.

I don't think you can discount the impact of Tim Russert's death and how it has affected the newsroom. There wasn't this bickering during the primaries when Tim's presence loomed large over the network. He could corral the egos.

I personally don't have a problem with MSNBC's perceived bias -- it's no different than that of Fox News. Only real difference is you don't see the confrontations during what's perceived as news broadcasts. Bill-O and Jerry Rivers' didn't take place on what you'd consider a news broadcast.

Shuster also had the "pimped-out" line for Chelsea