Olbermann Feud with New Bosses at Current TV Grows: ‘Everybody is Replaceable’
- Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:48am by
Dave Urbanski
- Print »
- Email »
When Keith Olbermann—the cable news heavyweight who gained famed with his fiery “Countdown” show before his infamous suspension and eventual ouster from MSNBC—took a job with the significantly less-formidable Current TV last February, the big question was, “How long before problems start?”
Apparently, not long at all.
Rumblings of a rift have been surfacing for the last week, but Olbermann’s refusal to anchor the network’s Iowa caucus coverage Tuesday night was the latest and clearest sign that all is not well between the opinionated host and Current TV brass.
“I hope Keith is part of our future, but it’s up to Keith,” an executive with Current who declined to be identified told TheWrap. ”Keith set us in the right direction and we’re on that path now … and as I’ve learned over the years, everybody is replaceable.”
“I was not given a legitimate opportunity to host under acceptable conditions,” Olbermann said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. “They know it and we know it. Telling half the story is wrong.”
For now “Countdown” is back on schedule, but lawyers for both sides are discussing the problems, not the least of which include what Olbermann can and can‘t dictate as the network’s star player.
Olbermann’s attorney, the high-powered Patricia Glaser—who handled his controversial exit from MSNBC and Current TV hiring—told TheWrap that “the lawyers are communicating”; a source close to Olbermann told TheWrap that Glaser is looking to “determine his rights” as outlined in his contract, believed to be worth about $50 million over five years, according to the New York Times.
Current TV execs say that relations with the famously difficult host—particularly with CEO Joel Hyatt—have been sliding for several months.
Issues appear strongly related to CEO Mark Rosenthal’s August ouster, as he and Olbermann had developed a close working relationship. “When Joel Hyatt bounced Mark Rosenthal so Hyatt could take his job, that’s when things turned out to be difficult,” one individual close to the situation reportedly said.
But apparently Olbermann‘s also had it with the network’s repeated on-air technical difficulties, which have included satellite video cutting off and studio lights burning out. Olbermann silently addressed the latter last month by firing up a candle on his desk.
Check out this clip of the comical snafus that have plagued “Countdown” of late:
Despite the glitches (even those off the air, including an unreliable transportation service that’s had guests arriving late), Olbermann has been publicly supportive of his staff:
“The team I’m fortunate enough to be a part of has produced — in my opinion and that of the veterans of the old show — the best editions of Countdown we’ve ever had,” Olbermann wrote in an email to the Hollywood Reporter. “The studio lights might go off, but the editorial illumination is better than ever.”
It’s also fair to say that after eight years with MSNBC, Olbermann isn‘t used to Current’s less-robust cash flow. The channel, privately held by Al Gore and others, is estimated to have made about $115 million in revenue in 2011, according to the research firm SNL Kagan, with a cash flow margin of 22.7 percent, according to the New York Times. The much bigger MSNBC, a unit of NBCUniversal, is estimated to have made $409 million in revenue with a cash flow margin of 45 percent.
Olbermann’s push to control all facets of “Countdown,” as well as network hiring decisions, has apparently taken a toll on the patience of Current execs since the show began airing last June. But given Olbermann’s well-traveled personality clashes and power struggles both at ESPN and MSNBC, Current had little room for surprise.
And if reaction to Current’s Olbermann-less primary coverage is any indication, the network can’t afford a protracted fight—especially when the New Hampshire primary looms next Tuesday. Jonah Goldberg called Tuesday’s Current TV broadcast “hilarious“:
The production values were only slightly better than local public access and on par with the sort of thing you find in the tall grass of your cable system: Pakistani talk shows, 700 Club knock-offs, rural public TV, and Ukrainian round-tables on next year’s wheat harvest.
One individual told TheWrap that if Current allows Olbermann to cover the results on his “Countdown” program, peace may return—but that must be weighed against how long senior management will tolerate what they term as “Keith being Keith.”
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 569 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 394 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 385 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 368 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 324 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 385 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 394 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 324 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 150 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 385 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (193)
elosogrande
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:41amThat’s Keith. Refusing to do what he’s asked to do by the people who sign his check, and whining about “his rights”. rights, my ass. Do what your told or leave. I’m sure someone will snap him up immediately.
Report Post »TROONORTH
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:12am“I’m sure someone will snap him up immediately.”
Yes, I hear Dairy Queen is hiring.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:26amAnd whoever does that will have to deal with his very large ego, too. The guy doesn’t live in reality. He probably thinks he is the 99%. Mentally, he is.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:48ami have been monitoring the occupy sites, in their chatrooms since the beginning. The occupy people consider keith a god and there is lots of talk keith being their first senator under the occupy banner. I would say he is trying to get fired.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:07pmBiting the hand that feeds you…?
What was it they said should be done…?
Oh yeah, you have to put them down, you don‘t know who he’ll bit next…
How does anyone still air this guy? And who the HeLL is watching him….?!!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:11pmSMACKD0WN33
David Duke?
Is that your new master? He is an Iranian supporter so I’m sure he backs the Muslim Brotherhood
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:38pmWhat’s funny is that they called him a “heavyweight.”
He went from a network with a viewership of approximately 20 people a night, to a network with approximately 7.
What’s next? What‘s that Russian propaganda network’s name again? RTV? RTTV? Either way, his viewership will be down to 2 here soon.
Keep talking, Olberdouche. You’ll be unemployed again before you can say “I’m the worst person in the woooooorld!”
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:17pmTough being an elitist on a second rate show!
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:28pm@elosogrande
Report Post »This clown is a stereotypical lefty. I hope you aren’t surprised!
SLEUTH
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:54pmCURRENT TV. you want him? you got him. now BURN. you knew what you were getting, stop whining and get rid of him. his calling is waiting at dairy queen, after all the ‘queen of the cows’ must have an outlet for his venom.
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:17pm~^~v~~^~~v~^~
Keithy has done everyone a favor in showing us who the real problem is. He gets on air does a lousy job then attacks everyone be it on ESPN, Fox Sports Center, PMSNBC or now Current. Are we to believe they are all bad and Keithy is the angel? Olbermann has proven to everyone now he is completely mental, unhinged and incapable of working with people.
This guy needs to go find a rock to live under and just go away. Thank you Keithy, thank you for doing the work for us in proving you are insane and a POS! You can’t get a long with MSNBC but even worse Al Gores Current TV there is nowhere left for you to go even the progressive left doesnt want you!
I have an idea MOVE to Venezuela, Cuba or Iran Im sure they can use a twisted freak like you!
Report Post »http://SavingtheRepublic.com
SoCaLCapitalist
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:23pmOlbermann is a complete idiot. He‘s one of those fools that won’t do what his bosses say but expects everyone below him to do exactly what he says. Olbermann was a lousy sports caster in LA got a break on the national level and stunk that up. Now he‘s stinking up a station he’s part owner while just blabbering about whatever he talks about. I quit listening to him when he didn’t make his own worst person of the world list every day.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:00pm… I wished bad things upon him a long time ago and it’s working! Ha!
Report Post »John Burleson
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:12pmBathtub Boy to Fox News!! Put him and O’Reilly on the same set in front of a national audience! Ratings through the roof with two talking heads to quickly follow! Who’d blow up first? Better than roosters and probably more noisy. My only comment is I ain’t gonna clean up the mess!!
John Burleson
Report Post »royurban
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:34pmI can’t get over the $50,000,000.00 this joker is getting paid, what an arrogant loser!!!
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:32pmFor now “Countdown” is back on schedule, but lawyers for both sides are discussing the problems, not the least of which include what Olbermann can and can‘t dictate as the network’s star player.
STAR PLAYER??????
For real?
O-o-o-o-o-kay. What does that tell you about Current TV’s line up?
Report Post »Luke611
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:51pmHow many of the bloggers on the BLAZE remember when he and Dan Patrick anchored Sports Center on ESPN? Olbermann was at the top of his “game”, I really haven’t sat down to watch the show since. And he seemed to relish do the show….it‘ so unfortunate that a man’s pride could diminish your talent to such an extent that you can retain no audience or privilage. I don’t know where is liberal idealogy was born, but it is to the point that even regressing to an sports venue would not receive my attention. His reputation is so soiled, especially if he cannot hold on to assignment from such a weak network as CURRENT, that he may have reached his career end.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:58pmIs he drinking again?
Report Post »iono12345
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:37pmKind of like our politicians, there are tons of qualified Americans with amicable personalities, common sense and intelligence. However, we always insist on keeping the ones that do nothing, but whine, complain and shirk their responsibilities because they look pretty and talk a good game during their 30 second sound bites….we deserve idiots like this..
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:40amSo sad for the Occupiers and Liberals.. Now they know Olbermann is really a one percenter, and a multi-million dollar Capitalist.
Report Post »KeithOlberdink
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:39amAh yes this just made more morning. I’m going out for a bike ride now with a big smile on my face :)
Report Post »jado1981
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:13pmThe only thing that would make this better is if he decided to leave cable news altogether like Glenn, and start his only subscription based broadcasts. I’d love to see him try it, or well, I’d love to see him waste all that money trying to do it.
Report Post »SoCaLCapitalist
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:40pmYou know Olber… boy is jealous of Glen Beck. You know that’s his master plan. But how will his viewers pay? They would need to get a job or panhandle to pay the subscription.
Report Post »jado1981
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:48pmAll I ask is that he recruit rachel madcow to his internet tv as well. Pull that nasty looking turd off of cable and that is always a plus.
Report Post »Mojoron
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:36amIt’s not about MSNBC or Current TV its all about Olbermann. He isn’t a team player; he’s arrogant; selfish and in love with himself. He is marginally intelligent with a gift of gab that rubs everyone the wrong way including his leftist Current TV boss. There might be a place for Keith, but its not working for anyone who is perceived to be his boss. If he is such a great commentator then he needs his own network to run. Maybe he needs to buy MSNBC and run it the way he wants.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:05amMOJO?
Report Post »Did you just describe Obama???
ginger100
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:06pmThat must be the mental disorder with liberals I’ve heard about. Alpha top dog POWER envy control freak syndrome. Control freaks like Stalin, Mao, Castro, Dear Leader Kim, Chavez, Olberman, current prez, OWS. If they are not in control they need to destroy everything so they can be in control. Control of the gas, money, who lives and dies, the climate, your carbon foot print, crappy news propaganda network and all the minion trolls that follow. I spit at the thought of these disorderly creatures. They don’t want to change the world for good, they want to change the world so they can be in control of it and run it from castle fortress building like the UN.
Report Post »Balthazor
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:29amEven with the studio lights off, Keith is STILL not the brightest bulb in the building.
Report Post »FREDD The WILSON
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:56pmWhat’s with the moustache keith? Trying to look like Walter Cronkite in the dim candle light?
DREAM ON.
Report Post »rawdog
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:44pmKronkite was a leftist blowhard too…
Report Post »GeorgeWashingtonslept here
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:27amOgerman? And yes he is replaceable with another ******* nut job………………….The liberals I know are on some sort of anti-depressant…………..and the ones that aren’t should be………Just venting.
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:24amI am sure both of their viewers will be brokenhearted if Sloberman is fired. ROTFLMAO
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:03pmYou over counted viewership by 50%
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:22amIs a “Cash Flow Margin” a profit margin? The oil companies make about 2 cents, YES TWO CENTS per gallon Profit. The State of CT makes over 36 cents profit and the fed about 16 cents profit PER GALLON from the Oil company’s. Both PMSNBC and Current are raping consumers and are making far too much “Profit’s”.
Report Post »PATRIOTGRUNT
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:19amMy Rottweiler usually is in the garage so I let him in there a few minutes ago forgetting that I had placed a few mouse traps in there. The dog is still relatively young and has the testicle size of tennis balls. apparently he was dragging those monsters too close to the trap and it snapped right onto his nuts. He‘s really angry and won’t let me get close enough to help. He already bit me really hard and I’m bleeding pretty bad.. I tried shooting him with a horse tranquilizer dart but i missed and it blew out one of my tires on my car so i can’t drive him to a vet or anything. My plan right now is to have my 4 year old approach it from the front to distract the dog while i sneak up behind him and club him with a tire iron. Does anyone have a better idea?
Report Post »This story is just as relevant as the story on “ the cable news heavyweight ”. Ah “ The Blaze ”
Athinkerinaseaoflibs
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:37amSir: Your short and to the point comments are 10X better than the writing of the article itself. About the only thing I would have added is that your pooches privates had been dragged through hot pepper sauce causing him to jump around only to find the mouse traps.
Oberman is a Bomb throwing moron who when he was on the tube, made me want to figure out how to speed up the remote to get past him quicker.
Report Post »Athinkerinaseaoflibs
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:37amSir: Your short and to the point comments are 10X better than the writing of the article itself. About the only thing I would have added is that your pooches privates had been dragged through hot pepper sauce causing him to jump around only to find the mouse traps.
Oberman is a Bomb throwing moron who when he was on the tube, made me want to figure out how to speed up the remote to get past him quicker.
Report Post »bombshelterbob
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:00pmGood going you genius, I just peed myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »mrfunn
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:19amALgore looked a bit sullen Tuesday night.
Not his usual ra-ra warming or talking down to us kiddies guy I’ve come to know and …
I should tell you I only watched as I was surfing past the channel a few times.
My impression may be wrong.
“I was not given a legitimate opportunity to host under acceptable conditions.”
Sitting next to ALgore was not acceptable.
btw:
Report Post »I didn’t recognize ALgore the first time or two past the channel.
speedyjerry
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:08amKeith who?
Report Post »ginger100
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:07amWho will replace Olberman this time? Jesse Jackson?
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:33amKing Samir Shabazz could use a job.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:04amAnother quality wimpasssed story. Thats 3 for today.
Report Post »elk043004
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:21amPlease feel free to move along then.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:25amLoved your site. Oh yeah, you don’t have one. Alot of lingering Liberal whining in your outlook.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:03am.
Report Post »I think Keith is feeling the same Current, as the Tidy Bowl man……
CHESTER MOUSE
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:01amWho care’s?
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:58amSo Al Gore pays this idiot, 50 Million Dollars and we are suppose to believe Gore’s Global Warming crap? 50 Million? To Keith O? Good Grief what an idiot Gore is
Report Post »HKS
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:07amDoes it not seem strange that in this society it’s the idiots that are making all the money? Screw the good old hard working Americans and pay the idiots the big bucks. It just seems that something is wrong with this picture, maybe he is the reason the 1% gets the bad wrap.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:08amHe’s getting $50 million over five years? Hmmmm…..doesn’t that make Keith baby part of the evil 1%
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:57amIm sorry, but i disagree. Keith Olbermann is NOT replaceable…. You could never ever, find that large of a Douche Bag Again !!! EVER .
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:06amI dunno, Racheal Maddow is right there.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:08ami don’t know … that Ed guy is close .. probably could get him for half the price.
Report Post »merchantsailor
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:30amI say leave him place till after 2012 election and enjoy the meltdown
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:06amHe has some real competition from Ed (Sgt) Schultz, Jesse Jackass, Sheila Jackass Lee and Al Not So Sharp Ton.
Report Post »gengrace
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:03pmI am LMHO outloud at Olberdouche, Olberdink, Ogerman and Sloberman!!! And you R soooo right, he is irreplaceable along with Rachel Madcow, who last night, wondered outloud whether Santorum would be VETTED? (REALLY? Like Obama was?) or CALLED OUT for saying that ANTHONY WEINER SHOULD RESIGN FROM CONGRESS! Please. There are no words for these people.
Report Post »jockstrap1234
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:34pmDead on. Olbermann, however should never feel down & out, as Mc Donalds & Burger King somehow may be able to find him employment.
So, hey Keith, don’t sweat it dude!
Report Post »jamestn1
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:57amfued?
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:55amI wonder if Glenn would let Keith have a show on GBTV if he came groveling?
Report Post »piper60
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:59amWhen hell freezes over.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:00am@ozchambers
Report Post »Yes, and it would be called Douche Bag Live…
NickDeringer
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:54amWho could have seen this coming?
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:02amI’m shocked….really, really shocked. /sarcasm/
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:54amWhat is a “Fued”?
Report Post »Quick typing/Bad editing…or bad education?
I‘m starting to think it’s the latter.
The editors at the Blaze might consider joining Occupy a Dictionary.
ozchambers
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:00amFEUD FlGHT!!
Report Post »factslady
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:54amI’d like to volunteer as proofreader – f e u d.
Report Post »WiredRight
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:54amWhat’s a fued and who is this Olbermann?
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:52amThis story reminds me of the old South Park episode “Cripple Fight”.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:52amStill alive? Wow, I thought he drove off a cliff a couple of months ago texting to himself. I thought I saw that somewhere on TV….
Report Post »Larry E
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:12pmAnd pray, what rock did you crawl out from under?
Report Post »