Olbermann follows in FNC’s footsteps?
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tim Cuprisin says that Keith Olbermann is following the path to ratings success…a trail that was blazed by FNC…
In a strange way, MSNBC’s increasingly angry Keith Olbermann can thank Fox News Channel for his soapbox.
It’s the personality-driven Fox that made it acceptable for prime-time hosts on all-news channels to spout personal views. That’s something that, with rare exceptions, the anchors of traditional TV newscasts never could.
Bill O’Reilly is the model, wrasslin’ with guests and regularly naming the good guys and the bad guys in his world at 7 on weeknights to an audience of about 2 million viewers.
In recent months, Olbermann - whose “Countdown” on weeknights at 7 is a look at top news stories through the host’s eyes - has grown more pointed in his criticism of President Bush, in irregular segments labeled “special comment.”
Pretty sure Olberman will never catch O’Really if Olbermann continues to NOT invites guests on his show who disagree with him
Comment by apk — November 3, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
Spud,
Why have ICN and TVN neglected to talk about the incendiary, hateful rhetoric in Olbermann’s Wednesday “special comment.” And why was the MRC’s press release about it, and Olbermann’s response to it, ignored?
Comment by Jamie — November 3, 2006 @ 12:39 pm
Because the blog isn’t really interested in people making political statements that can’t be factually proven or disproven. The MRC is a tool of the Right and hardly objective. Same thing goes for Media Matters and the Left. And neither is Olbermann with these comments. You don’t see me writing about FNC and right wing talking points or CNN and left wing talking points, do you? You don’t see me spending my evenings trying to debunk Bill O’Reilly? Or Hannity? Or Lou Dobbs? Or Alan Colmes? Same reason. I really try to steer clear of ideology. I’m more concerned with News and how it’s covered, presented, and handled. And Countdown is not a pure news show. It may have been at one point but to argue such now is lunacy…
Besides I’m already on record about Olbermann and his Special Comments. I think it’s overkill. These types of things are only effective if used sparingly. Olbermann’s continuous useage of them kills their potency and takes him down the road to hacksville…
Comment by Spud — November 3, 2006 @ 1:05 pm
You have heard that saying - “Give a person enough rope and he’ll hang himself”. Just be patient and Olberman will do himself in.
Comment by sophia — November 3, 2006 @ 1:11 pm
I don’t know. O’Reilly’s critics have been saying the same thing for years now and he’s still around…
Comment by Spud — November 3, 2006 @ 1:13 pm
Yes, but O’Reilly doesn’t have KO’s long history of spectacular blow-outs at prior jobs, nor the sheer number of jobs that KO has on his resume. I think the odds are far higher than Olbermann will burn up and out than O’Reilly’s.
By the way–what did happen to Tanne?
Comment by Alison — November 3, 2006 @ 1:20 pm
Spud, you may have a slight case because you don’t have a record of featuring positive articles about Olbermann from left-wing blogs on your site. Brian Stelter of TVNewser does, however.
Comment by Jamie — November 3, 2006 @ 1:24 pm
Jamie, Olbermann has crossed the line many times but with that rant he ventured into previously unchartered territory and way off the reservation. I’m surprised too that more people aren’t talking about it. Maybe it just means that no one is really taking him seriously anymore.
Comment by Holden — November 3, 2006 @ 2:03 pm
I can’t wait till his ratings come back to the 500,000+ area after elections. With all his anti Bush rants, that Kerry fiasco the other day and RATS on the verge of winning for once, you have alot of them tuning in. Let’s just see what happens after elections, I have a feeling MSNBC is going to have a rude awakening lol.
Comment by Lurker — November 3, 2006 @ 3:14 pm
I just can’t watch this jerk who has gone ballistic. Olbermann can thank Bill O’Reilly for any notoriety he now enjoys.
Until their rather public feud, no one ever heard of him.
Comment by cella — November 3, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
He should have stuck with sports, even though he didn’t know anything about that either.
Comment by california dreamin — November 3, 2006 @ 5:19 pm