Olbermann in stand-off with MSNBC until 7:30 last night! Being shopped to CNN

www.jedeckert.com ^ | 11-10-2010 | Jedeckert2000

[JedEckert2000]

If you read JedEckert.com, you know that our sources inside NBC have been very good at providing context and background to the always entertaining Keith Olbermann saga. And this latest news makes perfect sense as we observe the overall narrative of the self-absorbed, self-destructive, troubled TV personality.

Here's what we've been told:

• The stand-off between Keith and MSNBC execs lasted much longer than anyone on the outside knew. As of 7:30pm on Tuesday night, bitter recriminations were still flying back and forth. Keith was still demanding that the network apologize to him before he would take the anchor chair.
• MSNBC, on the other hand, made it clear that a refusal to host the show would result in an even longer, more serious suspension.
• One source has told us that the network even had another host ready to go in case Olbie stormed off to his bathtub. Does anyone know where Thomas Roberts was last night? Because we're told he was in an MSNBC greenroom.

What is at work here? Certainly, Keith has history of implosion everywhere he has worked. There would be nothing unusual about another hysterical break-up with Olbie slinking off like Gollum to his cave of self-pity. But there could be a calculated gamble going on here. Let's take a look at some more evidence:

• Comcast comes in soon, and already, Jeff Zucker has been left in the dust.
• With his greatest protector gone, Phil Griffin now needs to take control, save his own job, and assert his authority. (Don't forget the episode where Olbermann famously told The New Yorker, "Phil thinks he's my boss.")
• There has been much speculation about Comcast brass and their dislike for the rancor of venom of Countdown.
• Olbermann's audience is dwindling while at the same time, Rachel Maddow has been surging (well, surging by MSNBC standards!). She is now their break-out star. For the month of October, Maddow beat Olbermann in the "key" demo of 25-54-year-olds.

But here is where it gets interesting. Olbermann recently switched representation to ICM. So already, we know he is looking to make some changes.

Is he trying to provoke MSNBC?

Olbermann has two years left on his contract. But our same sources tell us that ICM has already been shopping him to CNN. That network will desperately be looking for another 8:00pm show after the imminent failure of Parker Spitzer. (There is nobody left at CNN or anywhere else who thinks that stinker will last even another few months.)

If he is really looking at CNN than provoking his MSNBC bosses could have the desired effect of cutting him loose. BUT, Comcast could also take him off the air and eat the two years.

Let CNN be warned

Hiring Olbermann changes their entire culture. His baggage ("How dare you, Mr. President") is enough to ruin decades building trust with their audience.

Not to mention having this creature in their midst.

[donna]

What good does denigrating Savage do for conservatism? These are dire times and you’d be wise to recognize your friends.

Savage is the 3rd most listened to radio host and lots of his fans drive the trucks that bring you your food.

Savage had a show on MSNBC back in the day.

[AlphaOneAlpha]

“Maybe Nic at Night is more suitable for Olbermann’s juvenile thatrics.”

A Munsters sitcom is more befitting

[AppyPappy]

Seemed kinda obvious to me too

[Jack Black]

CNN, MSNBC... what’s the difference?

CNN panders to gays, MSNBC to Lesbians. That's why Keith is on MSNBC.

[samtheman]

LOL!

[RickB444]

“He could play a cow on RFDTV!!!”

Nahhhhh, he’d make a better ass than a cow.

[samtheman]

Right. Keith is a lesbo trapped in the body of a moron.

[Dan Nunn]

How can a Savage fan complain about denigrating fellow conservatives?

All I need to say is “Hush Bimbo,” “Sean Vanity,” and “Groucho Marx.”

Michael Weiner is to the right what Olbermann is to the left: a parody of himself.

[OrangeHoof]

CNN could always revive “Crossfire” with Olbermann on the Left and Michael Savage on the Right. It may not be great television or particularly enlightening but, heck, UFC sells so why not this?

[Josh Painter]

MSDNC: “We will trade you Olbermann for Joy Behar and two moonbats to be named later.”

- JP

[samtheman]

MSDNC.

I like it.

[Josh Painter]

[donna]

But, you do it, too.

[x]

NBC owns a lot of networks and has an interest in a few others as well. It shouldn't be hard to find a place for Keith.

He could do made-for-TV monster movies at Syfy, or "Queer Eye" on Bravo. Even host Hitler, crime, or nature documentaries on History, Biography, or National Geographic. He could be "El Gringo Loco" on Telemundo.

He could take over for Jim Kramer on CNBC or for Tony Shaloub on USA's "Monk" or for Alex Baldwin on that Tina Fey show on the mother network. There's a lot of opportunities in the NBC Universal family for an ex-sportscaster.