transcript of olbermann's latest rant

[Herbert Anchovy]

Lugnuts, there's a big difference between being an elegant writer and an elegant on-air personality. Whoever posted it above is right, it's uncomfortable to watch these screeds being delivered live. Like Daffy Duck, you can almost see the bilious spittle flying from his lips. Either it's some dramatic affectation or it's a real sense of wrath, but whatever it is it diminishes some of the power of the message.

And as you probably know, he doesn't have a great history of working and playing well with others.

All that said, I think there's a conspicuous genius present in all of his work.

 

[cranberry]

He's an exceptionally bright and gifted guy but some of his over-the-top behavior, both off- and on-camera, has also gotten him in trouble at ESPN and Fox, as I recall. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.

 

[Lugnuts]

Yep, he's an eccentric.

And a risk-taker.

And a multi-millionaire.

And you'll notice, these networks keep hiring him back for second go-rounds.

I'm sorry, guys, it's just funny to see people criticize somebody as "needing more polish" when clearly, the guy's made it.

At this point-- he is what he is. He's not going to get anymore "polished" because whatever he has -- whatever he's doing -- however he delivers -- works in that he gets jobs and folks watch.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

So he has no room for improvement, then.

He's one of the most oversensitive people in a news industry full of such types. He does have weaknesses. Professionally, no one is a finished product at 45.

 

[cranberry]

Next thing you know some crazy person here might criticize Chris Russo of WFAN. Or maybe Rush Limbaugh? But, hey, they make a million dollars a year. Luggy, there are plenty of complete jackasses who meet your criteria of success.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Umm, isn't this a couple of weeks old?

 

[Lugnuts]

So he has no room for improvement, then.

He's one of the most oversensitive people in a news industry full of such types. He does have weaknesses. Professionally, no one is a finished product at 45.

For the performance aspect of on-air delivery... let's just say people tend to quit tweaking after they've "made it," and they concentrate on other things.

Not that it's a great parallel, but I doubt Tom Cruise is taking acting lessons these days.

The aspects of his delivery you don't like... Others obviously do. It becomes a matter of opinion. I don't think NBC will be springing for an on-air coach. ;D

But I'll give you this LJB: Your sentiments sum up this site perfectly.

-------------

Cran: Limbaugh and Russo? Money's only part of it, but I do think those guys are successful in their fields, yes. Call me crazy.

 

[Montezuma's Revenge]

What, Lugs, you think that because you work in TV, you have a better grasp of it that us experts who watch TV?

 

[Ledbetter]

Is Olbermann the only one speaking out like this?

I didn't see last night's special comment, but I liked most of what I read.

His comment from ground zero on the fifth anniversary was exceptional -- in terms of content and performance.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

But I'll give you this LJB: Your sentiments sum up this site perfectly.

I indicated I have enormous respect for him.

And I hope the sentiments of this site are never faultless idolatry of colleagues because they're popular or happen to make a **** ton of money. Carl Lewis once sold a half million record albums in Sweden.

 

[cranberry]

I used to cover ESPN and I've known Olbermann in that capacity since his early days there, so I feel pretty comfortable in my ability to provide an objective critique of his performance. But, you know, I never was a local TV personality and he is a millionaire ... so maybe I'm not worthy afterall?

 

[Bubbler]

Oh, I did that for you, dooley. Somebody had demanded it be taken down because it creeped them out too much.

Actually, he comes out during the most wonderful times of the year. And I know one of the most wonderfuls time of the year is here because I actually heard part of a freakin' Christmas carol on the radio yesterday. (Right after an election ad).

Olbermann needs a little more polish, but there's a little bit of Murrow in him. He's a lot of things but a poor writer is not among them.

I thought the Hare Krishna was a she in Dawn of the Dead?

 

[Lyman_Bostock]

LJB, I love ya, but you must have better things to do thatn this. Right?

That's the absolute best you can come up with Lyman? No response whatsoever to ANY of Olbermann's words, no defense or attack of what the president said? Simply that you feel LJB must have better things to do?

You, sir, are part of what's wrong with America.

Olbermann is the O'Reilly of the left.

And you, sir, were apparently touched by the hyperbole fairy today.

 

[Lugnuts]

That's was a personal shot at me, cran. We obviously can't have a civil disagreement or debate anymore.

 

[JR]

LJB, I love ya, but you must have better things to do thatn this. Right?

That's the absolute best you can come up with Lyman? No response whatsoever to ANY of Olbermann's words, no defense or attack of what the president said? Simply that you feel LJB must have better things to do?

You, sir, are part of what's wrong with America.

Olbermann is the O'Reilly of the left.

Oh, please, there is NO comparison. Like Anne Coulter, O'Reilly is a fraud, a liar and a bully. And like most bullies, he'll hide under the kitchen table at the first sign of someone fighting back.

He's an intellectual midget with not a smidgen of decency.

Please stop draqging out that absolutely asinine comparison.

 

[alleyallen]

LJB, I love ya, but you must have better things to do thatn this. Right?

That's the absolute best you can come up with Lyman? No response whatsoever to ANY of Olbermann's words, no defense or attack of what the president said? Simply that you feel LJB must have better things to do?

You, sir, are part of what's wrong with America.

Olbermann is the O'Reilly of the left.

And you, sir, were apparently touched by the hyperbole fairy today.

Really? The hyperbole fairy? This from a man who sides with one of the most criminal administrations in history? Yeah, you're right. Thousands of American lives lost in a faulty premise war is hyperbole. Tell that to the families of the dead.

 

[JR]

Allen, Lyman has just given up his American citizenship and is living in the United States of Denial.

 

[dooley_womack1]

LJB, I love ya, but you must have better things to do thatn this. Right?

That's the absolute best you can come up with Lyman? No response whatsoever to ANY of Olbermann's words, no defense or attack of what the president said? Simply that you feel LJB must have better things to do?

You, sir, are part of what's wrong with America.

Olbermann is the O'Reilly of the left.

And you, sir, were apparently touched by the hyperbole fairy today.

Really? The hyperbole fairy? This from a man who sides with one of the most criminal administrations in history? Yeah, you're right. Thousands of American lives lost in a faulty premise war is hyperbole. Tell that to the families of the dead.

Do you have to put a tooth under the pillow to receive such a visit?

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

bubbler, I've seen the movie maybe 100 times since July 1984 and it never dawned on me that it might be a female Krisna. You could be right.

 

[Lyman_Bostock]

Allen, Lyman has just given up his American citizenship and is living in the United States of Denial.

Where's your passport, jackass?