Catching A Buzz: Melissa Harris-Perry Grabs Olbermann’s Baton, Makes Waves For MSNBC

Mediaite ^ | April 10. 2013 | Joe Concha

[2ndDivisionVet]

“Just get buzz…”

That’s what a former MSNBC anchor recently told me is the primary objective of network President Phil Griffin. Create some noise, get some free press—good or bad—doesn’t matter. It’s all about drawing people to a place they otherwise wouldn’t visit. In the words of James Earl Jones, “Oh…people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come. “

When it came to getting buzz, no one did it better for MSNBC than Keith Olbermann. Sure, half the country held him in the same contempt normally reserved for a Bernie Madoff or Casey Anthony. But he got his name in the paper every day, got mentioned directly or indirectly by his competitors often. He was the Howard Cosell of cable news, a broadcaster who once had the dubious (or glorious) distinction of being voted in TV Guide as the most loved and hated man in America—simultaneously—back in the 70s.

“Arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, persecuting, distasteful, verbose, a show-off…I have been called all of these things,” Cosell once said.

“Of course I am.”

So when seeing the attention Melissa Harris-Perry has generated in the past two weeks alone, one has to wonder if we’re seeing the next Olbermann on MSNBC. Judging by the combustible comments she’s made on air (calling fertilized eggs “things” for example, before breaking a model of the female reproductive system on national TV), and by this network promo she’s featured in, the 39-year-old Tulane Political Science professor is now the straw that stirs Griffin’s drink.......

[Hardraade]

Olberman’s Baton? Are they planning a Weiner show?

[SunkenCiv]

She may try that, but I’m not sure Olbermann has any “pull” left.

/rimshot!

Partisan Media Shills ping.

Thanks 2ndDivisionVet.

[bravo whiskey]

and the correct quote is “if you build it HE will come.”