Olbermann at the TCA Part 2…
In a total must read, the Seattle Post Intelligencer’s Melanie McFarland blogs about Keith Olberman’s appearance at the TCA. Olbermann doesn’t specifically say it, but, if you read between the lines from some of these responses, he’s practically outing his show Countdown as Liberal oriented - I believe the first time he’s come anywhere near doing that.
On why there is no liberal answer to Fox News Channel:
“I have no doubt about this in my mind … if tomorrow morning, if Rupert Murdoch woke up and – well, first off, if tomorrow morning Rupert Murdoch woke up – but if he woke up and someone had convinced him or it came to him into a dream that he could make twice as much money by turning Fox News Channel into a liberal operation, I think he’d do it. How he interacted with British politics showed that.
“I’m not really sure why people haven’t come and tried to pick our pocket on this, because there is an audience for this. I think there is something to the idea that a lot of the people who would consume what I do are out at some sort of fundraiser at 8 o’clock at night, and might be watching it on DVR or might be watching the thing only on YouTube without actually being in front of a television, and people at the other end of the political spectrum might be.
“But to what degree that explains … I don’t know. I don’t think that anybody has done the fundamental thing you need to make a non-conservative version of Fox News work — the number one thing being, they have to be good shows.
“And if you look at a lot of the stuff that has been offered, it’s not good television. It might not be good radio. It might lack any sense of humor. You’re going to lose the people who don’t have a sense of humor to the conservative version of it anyway. They’re already over there. You’re not going to get them.
“So why not try to mix it, as we did, mix it with elements of the newscast? Make it pop culture. Make it societally relevant to people. Make it full service.
So let’s see spud,
Can we assume from your silence, that we will not see a blog on Oberman’s guest host doing a whole segment, calling the wife of a US Senator a “ho and a prostitute” ?
Are we to assume that this is not a big (aka black) enough “story” because it only happened to one women who happens to be white, and a republican.
Because this didn’t affect a whole team of black women (2 happened to be white), this isn’t worth a discussion.
Or is it because it’s just the wife of a republican US Senator?
I would bet that if 10 years ago Hannity used the same words to describe, Ms Clinton in her pretty in pink pant suit interview, “I’m not sittin here baking cookies standing by my man….” on 60 minutes defending her husbands adultry, you would have talked about it - a lot.
Why no problem here?
Given the fact that the very same comment “ho” was the reason given for the termination of one mans career on the very same network MSNBC, you might find the story worth a blog?
Maybe because a women said it about another women it makes it OK? Kinda like a black guy calling another black guy - n.
Maybe because the justice brothers haven’t felt the need to say how appalled they are, demand an apology and threaten advertisers means that the word has somehow lost it’s derogatory meaning ?
Maybe because MSNBC, the guest host, oberman (by default), his writers producers and staff planned this segment early in the day and decided to hurt this women who was already hurting didn’t think “ho” was a bad word, in this context?
Seems to me the people at that network, MSNBC should be walking around on eggshells after what happened to the I-Guy.
Wonder what happened to all of the “discussions” that were supposed to happen about tolerance in the wake of the I-Guy ?
This coming only three months after the I-Guy’s demise and not a peep from the “unvarnished news and opinion on cable news” blog ?
hmmm.
Comment by Hmmm — July 18, 2007 @ 11:16 am
this site is obsessed with Keith Olberman!
Comment by mel — July 18, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Give it up Hmmmm, your rambling on and on leads nowhere.
Comment by Peoplepeople — July 18, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Isn’t there anyone who’s impartial anymore? Why can’t people just say both sides without having a slant or bias?
Spud, just keep them honest.
Comment by Mary Snow — July 18, 2007 @ 11:37 am
this site is obsessed with Keith Olberman!
Well at least the commentators are. Especially the ones who claim he doesn’t matter.
Comment by Steve — July 18, 2007 @ 11:39 am
Olbermann calls her gameshow a “newscast”? ROTFLMAO! Is she that stupid?
Comment by Tom — July 18, 2007 @ 11:47 am
I agree that there are some on this site who are just too consumed by KO. Who really cares?
“On why there is no liberal answer to Fox News Channel:”
There is, it is called CNN, NBC, MSNBC.
Comment by jerziegrl — July 18, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Isn’t the Fox News channel a response to CNN and MSNBC and the vast majority of other news channels?
Comment by ken — July 18, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Olberman and his show are liberal. Thank you Captain Obvious.
The man is a hack and so are all 8 of his viewers.
Comment by Bob — July 18, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
If you want evidence that the media tilts left, look at the coverage of keith olbermann. his show, which is quite literally a “liberal echo chamber,” (when was the last time a guest disagreed?) gets no critical review. the whole media is like jonathan turley- “that’s right, keith.”
Comment by jack — July 18, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
The liberals are totally willing, ready, and able to give Olbermann a free pass no matter what he says, no matter how offensive because he says bad things about Bush and the GOP.
I have no doubt in my mind that if Bill O’Reilly was a big ole’ liberal like Olbermann that Olbermann would be giving anti-Democratic rants. He’s doing what he thinks will get him ratings. And that apparently is being the anti-O’Reilly, Bush-GOP-bashing “news” anchor. And the liberals will uphold him no matter what he says. If said what Imus said, he’d never even be questioned about it.
I had no idea he said what he’d said about the Senator’s wife “Hmmm”. When did he says this? Where’s the transcript? I don’t know what that man’s problem is but it’s pretty obvious he’s got a huge problem with women in general and GOP-conservative women specifically.
Comment by Alison — July 18, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
where is this apparent characterisation of Mrs Vitter as a ‘ho’ by Alison Stewart? Can somebody provide a link to this because if it’s true, it’s bound to be dynamite surely? At least I would hope that some of our esteemed contributors are not spreading hateful and slanderous lies about MSNBC? I have searched their website and all I can find is a video of Stewart interviewing a guest, and the most she says is ’saucy’.
Comment by Mr A — July 18, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Those of you saying Spud is obsessed with KO have obviously never been to TVNewser! I find this site to me much more balanced and I say that as a rabid FNC fan.
Comment by gab — July 18, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
um aren’t CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, & CNN all tilted Liberal??? Obviously that reporter doesn’t have a clue when she writes “why isn’t there a liberal answer to FOX?”
I’m so sick of the liberal bias on TV, and know KO is a moderator of a debate?? and I thought Chris Matthews was bad, I wonder how this will go? KO will prob bash Bush more than the candidates themselves!
Comment by Chet — July 18, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
I don’t know the frequency with which I comment on KO, but I only do so when he’s quoted as saying something so infuriating (and wrong) that I can’t contain my wrath! Such comments almost always go unchallenged in the print media or other sources. Here’s an example (from the piece herein cited by Spud):
“I think there is something to the idea that a lot of the people who would consume what I do are out at some sort of fundraiser at 8 o’clock at night, and might be watching it on DVR or might be watching the thing only on YouTube without actually being in front of a television, and people at the other end of the political spectrum might be.”
After countless surveys that show that the “red state” people give more to charity (probably because of their Christian faith), this clown has the nerve to state that his lib friends are out fundraising, thereby not watching his program? And whenever some rich person’s tax return is released, we find that they give less to charity than anyone.
He actually thinks people are moronic enough to believe this latest excuse. Is he serious? And he always has to slam the audience of his competitors (”people at the other end of the political spectrum”).
As Rush has been saying lately, PROVE IT!!!
Comment by Missy — July 18, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Missy you are so right, KO lives in an elite, mostly liberal, media world just like the rest of them and has no clue what real America is doing, but why should he be any different than most of the others. I’m just so sick of that.
Comment by gab — July 18, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Chet is correct, of course. What about all the venues already dominated by the libs? They are not even mentioned.
And Mr. A, good point. I’ve searched to see the reference to Mrs. Vitter and could not find it either. Hopefully someone will provide a source, or we’ll all have to retract our comments.
And correction to my post, above (at 12:54 p.m.). I should have said “our” Christian faith, not “their”. But I am sure many people of all faiths donate to charities for various reasons.
Comment by Missy — July 18, 2007 @ 1:02 pm
Missy, can you answer a quick question for me? I’m curious on what you think of this republican trying to pay $20 to a male undercover officer inside a bathroom. Thanks!
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070713/NEWS01/707130338/1011/NEWS0301&template=news0301
Comment by Terance — July 18, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
I did find it funny that now even KO is pushing the YouTube/DVR meme to explain his “lock” on 2nd place.
Comment by eddiebear — July 18, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
This state rep obviously has issues but it has nothing to do with his being on the right or left! Think the ex-Governor of NJ who liked meeting men in Barnes & Noble bathrooms or Presidents who liked to have fun with interns in the OO. There are plenty of stories to go around on both sides, unfortunately.
Comment by jules — July 18, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Missy & Mr. A, the graphic banner they used last night during the Vitter segment said: “Fashion Ho-pas”. I saw it with my own eyes.
Comment by bigred — July 18, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Can we assume from your silence, that we will not see a blog on Oberman’s guest host doing a whole segment, calling the wife of a US Senator a “ho and a prostitute” ?
I don’t usually insult commenters but in this case I’ll make an exception. You’ve been wreaking havoc on the blog since the day you came here. I tried to cut you some slack. I tried to nudge you in the right direction but you just kept on with your silly little insult comments with funny English, cryptic music titles, and deliberate mispellings. Well I’m through with having to babysit you. You’re done.
BTW, for the record I wasn’t aware of the incident until this morning. I’m trying to get more information before I post on it. And this is the second time you called me out for ignoring something I wasn’t even aware of. I would have thought the first time you did it and I corrected you you would have learned. Obviously not. Another reason why you’re taking a powder.
Comment by Spud — July 18, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
#2, this site is not obsessed with Olberman. Are you kidding me? There are just as many stories about FNC than any other station. I haven’t seen anything written by you that is smart or intelligent. What’s wrong with you?
Comment by Peoplepeople — July 18, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
K O is one of the few people who care enough and have nerve enough to call out the president. I wish there were more. It is unsettling that so few seem to be concerned with the events that have put the U.S. in a very bad place.
Comment by Ladyone — July 18, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
bigred, even if the banner did read ‘ho-pas’, how does that translate to certain posters on here categorically stating that Stewart called her a ‘ho and a prostitute’? We’ve even had a poster on this blog state it was Olbermann who said it, extrapolating it to his “problems with women” and he wasn’t even there! I would have thought these were pretty serious allegations to be spreading around.
Comment by Mr A — July 18, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Terance, what have I ever said that would make you think that I’d think it would be permissible for ANYONE to be engaged in the scenario you’ve mentioned? It’s wrong for a man, woman, conservative, liberal or moderate. It’s wrong under any circumstances.
And bigred, thanks for the info. I did not see the program, but a graphic of that nature is certainly mean-spirited, especially since Mrs. Vitter is certainly not the perpetrator in this case. She is already going through hell, I presume, and a tacky comment about her choice of clothing is just cruel at this point.
Comment by Missy — July 18, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Let me clarify what I was saying when I said I agreed that some on this site are obsessed with KO. Any story Spud has posted that has to do with KO always has a large amount of comments posted. If you look at any of the ratings posts Spud had done the comments end up being all about how KO’s ratings suck compared to BO, etc., etc. There is an obvious disdain for KO when it comes to most of the commentors here. That is what I meant by “obsessed”. When ever there is a KO post, the comments are out of control. I don’t think it has to do with the amount of stories post about KO vs. FNC, CNN, MSNBC, etc. It is how everyone responds to them and how “excited” they get about KO.
Comment by jerziegrl — July 18, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Sorry, Missy. I’m just so used to you defending republicans, I wanted to know what you thought of Rep. Allen. Next time I’ll find someone different for my occasional off topic query.
Jules, I realize this sort of thing goes on with both sides. And didn’t mean to infer it was a republican “only” offense.
Comment by Terance — July 18, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Alison Stewart did not call Mrs. Vitter a ho, nor the she refer to her as a prostitute. I don’t normanlly watch Countdown, but I decided to watch it when it re-aired last night to see what was said. The guest that was on with Alison stated that Mrs. Vitter dress made her look like a prostitute. Alison then suggested that saucy would be better suited word when describing Mrs. Vitters attire. Alison even said that perhaps the reason Mrs. Vitter dressed in the manner that she did was because she wanted to show that she was a good looking woman. At no time did Alison Stewart call Mrs. Vitter a ho or a prostitute. However, the caption accross the screen did read “Fashion Ho-Pas.” Now, that was totally uncalled for IMO.
Comment by Lark22 — July 18, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
So this wasn’t a KO comment but a caption on a story and something a guest said? Okay, I’ll cut Olbermann some slack here but this isn’t the first time that his staff have slapped up a very distasteful graphic up on the screen. The Paris Hilton one immediately comes to mind. “Slut and battery”? Not cool.
And I saw Mrs. Vitter’s dress at the press conference and it looked like a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress to me, or a similar type of dress. I have no idea what’s so “saucy” or “whorish” about those kinds of dresses. I guess it’s the idea that politicans wives should be in some sort of Bess Truman/Barbara Bush fashion/time warp. Or maybe it just annoys some she’s sticking with her husband and that annoys some people so they felt the need to insult her I guess.
Comment by Alison — July 18, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
I didn’t find anything wrong with her dress either. I thought she sort of looked nice.
Comment by Lark22 — July 18, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
MSNBC hates republicans and will say any nasty thing about them, like what Alison Stewart and KO do repeatedly! end of story
Comment by Chet — July 18, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
I thought she looked very nice and the dress was appropriate for her age. The caption is just more proof of what hypocrites they are at MSNBC.
By the way, I like hmmm’s posts but why pp is allowed to be on here when all he does is insult people is beyond me.
Comment by jules — July 18, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
There was a newswoman on one of the cable news networks who was clearly wearing the exact same dress while reporting on the press conference of the Vitters and she made mention of it on the air. Did anyone else see this?
Comment by Ladyone — July 18, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Talk it up people…to your friends, family, colleagues, and whomever. It only helps KO. A simple little caption. What a PR move. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Perhaps FNC will talk about this, or Jon Gibson on his radio show? What do you think? Any publicity is good publicity. And all of you, or most of you say Dan Abrams isn’t doing his job. Ha! Joke is on you.
Comment by Peoplepeople — July 18, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
So according to you, People, KO could set fire to little kittens, and it would still be okay because it’s a PR stunt.
Just because they’re trying to get attention, it doesn’t excuse bad behavior. Grow up.
Comment by ImNotBlue — July 18, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
By PP’s rationale, it’s acceptable, even encouraged, to say anything about anyone, no matter how disgusting and despicable it is, because it might result in good ratings.
We already knew you were a clown. We didn’t know you were a completely classless one. Thanks for letting us know.
Comment by bigred — July 18, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
By the way, I like hmmm’s posts but why pp is allowed to be on here when all he does is insult people is beyond me.
I am watching PP. Every few months I have to put a bit of stick about and get the rabble in line. Some do. Some don’t. Those that don’t get tossed. Hmmm had his chances. I got to this point with him twice before and he knew he was on the edge. He chose to stay the course and this third time he got tossed.
We have bomb throwers here and people that push the edge of the envelope. As long as they don’t overdue it I am pretty easy going about it. So yeah, PP is on my radar screen.
There was a newswoman on one of the cable news networks who was clearly wearing the exact same dress while reporting on the press conference of the Vitters and she made mention of it on the air.
That was Contessa Brewer on MSNBC and no it wasn’t the same dress, though I did do a double-take at first when I saw that. They’re similar styles but not identical.
Comment by Spud — July 18, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
So will the Countdown staff be labeling Contessa a “ho” because she wore a similar style dress?
Comment by Alison — July 18, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
Alison, no, because she’s not a Republican.
Comment by bigred — July 18, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
***Any publicity is good publicity.***
Ask John Rocker or Don Imus.
Comment by RW — July 19, 2007 @ 11:35 am