Posted on 08/31/2006 9:12:52 AM PDT by Daniel T. Zanoza
Just when I thought "The Countdown with Keith Olbermann" (MSNBC - cable) couldn't get any worse as far as quality, integrity and journalistic objectivity it did. Olbermann, who thinks he's in a personal feud with cable juggernaut Bill O'Reilly and "The Factor" (FOX News - cable), must be in a delusional state. Unbelievably, MSNBC tried to sell the idea as a way to energize Olbermann's meager television ratings. But O'Reilly treated the whole matter like Olbermann didn't exist and, as far as ratings go, he doesn't.
When I think of MSNBC's prefabricated O'Reilly-Olbermann feud, I picture the FOX News broadcaster as an elephant, with a fly perched on its trunk, but the pachyderm doesn't even bother to swat it away because the fly (who represents Olbermann) is so insignificant, the beast doesn't even recognize it's there.
My thoughts confirmed this mental picture when I asked a friend, "Did you hear what Keith Olbermann said last night?" and the reply was, "Who's Keith Olbermann?" Well, I put down the literary pencil in my mind's eye and rethought the approach this column would take.
Bernard Goldberg, a former CBS journalist and author, wrote an excellent book titled, "100 People Who are Screwing Up America." The book addressed some of the individuals who have had a dangerous impact on America's culture and society. It was a great read and a best-seller. But even though Olbermann's political views are similar to those Goldberg pointed to in his work, Olbermann should not be given the same status. However, he probably would have enjoyed the comparison and listed it as one of the top stories in his senseless "countdown." Indeed, Olbermann thinks he has a monstrous wit, ranking him right up there with Groucho Marx, Richard Pryor and SpongeBob SquarePants. Olbermann does remind me of the latter because as the famous Sponge would say, "He's silly."
By the way, I won't try to describe the program's format because it follows a meandering formless collage of stories all meant to berate President Bush and the United States government. Usually, a show of this type attempts to at least offer counter-point, but if you're looking for stimulating intellectual debate, Olbermann and "The Countdown" ain't the place to be looking. Oh, and Keith, I use the word ain't to add literary punch to the sentence. I know it's slang, so don't lead with a story that conservatives can't tell the difference between...well, if I have to spell it out for you, it won't matter any way.
But Olbermann's type of journalism is, at the very least, troubling. For example, on August 22nd, 2006, Olbermann compared terrorist attacks to supermarket openings. He was implying--with the subtlety of a bull moose--the Bush administration was trying to frighten American citizens with the President's war against terror. Never mind the fact London, Milan, Bali, etc., etc., etc. were all victims of terrorist mayhem. But MSNBC's so-called "journalist" somehow believes Islamic extremists aren't dangerous. The sentiment rings hollow when we are fast approaching the fifth anniversary of 9/11 when nearly 3,000 innocent Americans were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93. Olbermann must have been out of the country during the past thirty years...strike that...he must have been on a Mission to Mars or practicing Cryonics until someone told him you have to be dead first--or at least as dead as his television ratings.
However, what can you expect from the network Americans trust least for their news? MSNBC is on a role, however. They now garnish a whopping 3% of the cable viewing audience. In the near future, they will be closing in on the "Cable Knitting Network" (All knitting, all the time). And, once that mountain is climbed, next on the list is a new endeavor titled "24 Hours with the Animal Psychic," a network devoted to the truly insane.
I would say Keith Olbermann would have been better off sticking with the ESPN sports crew, but he wasn't very popular over there either.
So, I guess the best place for him is at MSNBC where no one will see him. I think we're all safer that way.
That says it all.
I'm glad the writer pointed out the bizarre format of the show. The "countdown" wanders around and doesn't stick to "five" stories, and just flails all over the place. Who can watch what looks like a rough assemblage instead of a polished professional product?
Olbermann is male-wussification personified... he might as well start the hormone treatments.
Probably 15/16's of the people I know....don't know who he is.
FWIW-
Olbermann confuses arrogance with relevance.
Not quite the adjective I'd use.
HA! I'll bet that self-centered, stuck-up snob really WAS hated by other ESPN employees. I can see Kenny Maine doing a disrepectful impersonation of Uberidiot while wearing the Groucho nose, glasses, and moustache.
Yes, I caught it...I spelled "roll" incorrectly. I know the FReepers are on the ball. However, we are up to snuff on the website.
Managing Editor, Julie Zanoza
Olberman's not worth wasting my time any. The few minutes I ran past the show in the past year or two only confirms it for me.
The crime is not that Olbermann says what he says.
The crime is that so many other media personalities think he knows what he's talking about and take him seriously.
I agree--but worry about those in the audience who feel that way too... we see hear from them from time to time on du and kos--it's as if delusion and buying into lies, the absurd and the Un-American is being tried on a mass scale.
AIR AMERICA?...and shortly, not hear him either.....LOL
It seems to me he's trying to compete w/ Jon Stewart of Comedy Central more than the likes of Bill O'Reilly and since he's not funny, it's not working.
try the word "milksop"
Ron Popeil has a bigger and more enthusiastic studio audience than Olbermann has viewers.
Sort of like the guy carrying a peace sign to impress a liberal chick with big....um....eyes.
I tried to watch his show once...I cringe everytime I see that it's still on MSNBC.
Spot on. I saw this jerk once for about five minutes. Gee, what an insufferable wind bag. He definitely suffers from a severe case of vagina envy.
I heard he was gay, very gay.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.