Olbermann Watch vs. Shister…
Oblermann Watch goes to town on Gail Shister’s Keith Olbermann interview and the three rewrites it had.
UPDATE: The Note to Olbermann Watch has been removed. After thinking it over the past ten minutes I decided that something “going condo” just can’t equate with a building being torn down and a new building being built with condominiums.
Please this idiot Shister has had numerous errors in here reporting and not just about Olbermann. She just doesn’t check her facts at all or she surfs the net for lies and uses them as “interesting to note” remarks.
Why TVNewser or the Philly paper would employ her is beyond reason.
Comment by Mary Snow — August 23, 2007 @ 11:41 am
That was a very interesting documentation of poor fact checking by Ms. Shister. Also, documenting the numerous re-writes of her TVnewser peice was also enlightenting. Why is Olbermann talking about not being able to afford a NY condo, when he just bought one ($4mil) a few months ago? Plus why deny he has a sister when he already wrote about her? Olbermann sure can be an oddball sometimes.
Comment by Obama in 08! — August 23, 2007 @ 11:54 am
wow, Spud, who writes this trash?
Yesterday proved that the more things change, the more they remain the same, unless you are talking about articles posted at TVNewser which in case, one in particular was edited not once, not twice, but three times.
That doesn’t even begin to make sense. I’m pretty sure that they’re trying to make the point that TVNewser’s pro-Olby bias remains under the new blogger, but that’s sure not what they said.
And what’s their fixation on ‘one’ and ’said’ as indicative articles? ‘One Brian Setzer’ (sic) … ’said article’… I guess they think it sounds smart or something?
I must say, I get a kick out of picturing them hovering over the article and hitting reload to see if it’s changed.
Comment by Arthur — August 23, 2007 @ 11:57 am
Poor writing aside, just because it’s an anti-Olbermann site doesn’t change the fact that Ms. Shister doesn’t seem to fact check very well. Then again, Arthur, if you prefer to take Gail’s word, why would Olbermann “fib” about not having a sister and his building going condo. No big deal, just kind of odd, thats all.
Comment by Obama in 08! — August 23, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Hey, who said I ‘take’ Gail’s word for anything? I just never visited the Olbywatch site before and found it… a little looney. OMG! He LIED about a sister! What sinister forces are at work?? Will some brave champion save our civilization from these forces of darkness?
Hey, Mary - you don’t write for them, do you? It sounds like your kind of place.
Comment by Arthur — August 23, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Arthur, you are more than welcome to be our spell checker and grammaraian. Maybe even our writing instructor. Though perhaps I should reprimand all my professors for doing a poor job of teaching me how to write….
Comment by Edward Schatz — August 23, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
I really don’t think this says anything about Olbermann. It says a LOT about Shister and TVNewser.
I really don’t know much about Shister, but I read Newser, and I used to believe in it. On several occasions, I’ve mentioned things from Newser in threads here on ICN, only to later find the posts altered or completely gone. It seems they’ve gotten several posters to replace BS just so no one has to take the blame.
Comment by erljr — August 23, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
And Chickadee…
The $4 million amount has never been confirmed. That is what he asked for. Charlie Gibson gets $4 million. I highly doubt it’s even half that.
Comment by erljr — August 23, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
He LIED about a sister! What sinister forces are at work?? Will some brave champion save our civilization from these forces of darkness? Comment by Arthur — August 23, 2007
Arthur, I guess you missed the part where I said:
“No big deal, just kind of odd, thats all.”
Comment by Obama in 08! — August 23, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
Going condo or tearing down a building to build a condo.
He mentions a sister, he says he’s an only child.
Maybe he had an imaginary friend in grade school…or not!
Given me a break!!
If Olbywatch spent half as much time “investigating” inaccuracies in the government (whatever party) than it does looking at the particularities of Keith Olbermann’s personal life, the world would be a much better place.
Get a life Olbermann Watch!!
Comment by mymyselfandeye — August 23, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
I guess when Brian left TVN, he left a note in his desk telling the next guy to do anything he could to praise Olbermann.
Comment by eddiebear — August 23, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Plus, Shister wrote about his non-existent “skyrocketing” ratings..and his daily radio show, which is now off-the-air since Dan Patrick left ESPN.
Comment by bigred — August 23, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
I love when people like “mymyselfandeye” (although, shouldn’t it be “MEmyselfandeye”… but whatever) comment about places like OW.
The reply is always the same, “I assume you’ve posted the same messages over at NewsHounds… the producers of OutFoxed… the authors of all those anti-O’Reilly books… etc?” (I could even include that SENATOR who’s teaming up with an OutFoxed producer to attack FNC)
The answer is always “No,” and then the truth comes out that of course, they’re actually annoyed that someone is scrutinizing a media figure they agree with… it has nothing to do with “a better use of your time”… because if that really was the issue, well, then why would YOU be wasting your time COMMENTING about it?
Anyway, nice to see nothing changes.
Comment by ImNotBlue — August 23, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Besides ImNotBlue, are any of you reading the comments prior to your own?
Comment by erljr — August 23, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
ah, olbermann watch..another fine publication by johnny dollar.
Comment by Harry — August 23, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
I agree with your #8 comment. Feel better now, erljr?
Comment by Obama in 08! — August 23, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
Here’s what disturbs me. TV Newser changed that article 3 different times. Why? What was so sensitive in it they felt the need to rewrite it 3 times and remove references to his moving, where he lived, and where he was moving to, but NOT correct the inaccuracies about his “soaring” ratings? Who asked them to edit it and more importantly-why? And if Olbermann as behind this, what does it say about the “independence” and “unbiased” ability of TV Newser to be able to report stories? Something happened that’s for sure. But what and why?
Secondly, this is the 2nd time that Shister has printed some whoppers about Olbermann that we know of that she didn’t bother to factcheck before she published them. I won’t say she’s got a fond spot for him but it sure makes you wonder. Or maybe she’s just sloppy and/or lazy. And biased. I mean come on-soaring ratings? Where’s the proof of that outrageous claim?
And thirdly, let’s get to the heart of the matter here. Olbermann lied to Shister last time about having/not having a sister. Now he’s lying about having to move because his apartment went condo when it was being demolished and also tried to claim he couldn’t afford to buy when he is moving to a four million dollar luxury apartment on the very snooty Upper East Side of NYC. Olbermann can’t be honest about the most basic of facts. What does that say about his character and his ability to tell the truth about bigger issues? Or does it say more about his talent and propensity for lying and playing fast and loose with the facts? Either way, we should expect and demand better from journalists. Olbermann is clearly no journalist and is not to be trusted. Yet he is regularly portrayed by types like Shister and his fans here at ICN as the savior of journalism and the next Edward R. Murrow. Yeah right. I guess he’s Murrow like Shister is a diligent, fact-checking, non-partial, unbiased reporter.
Comment by Alison — August 23, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
Thanks O in 08!, although I wasn’t actually refering to you (or Arthur). You two were actually having a conversation. You were actually responding to and following up on previous comments. I was refering to the echo chamber of talking points that often drowns out the conversation the rest of us are trying to have.
Comment by erljr — August 23, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
I know, erljr, I was just having a little fun, although I do agree with you.
That is what is annoying when people start to talk about journalism in terms of partisian beliefs. But I can see it is somewhat unavoidable when dealing with an “opinion journalist” such as Olbermann. I think Olbermann is OK, but lets be honest here, he has received some “special/biased” treatment from the likes of TVnewser as well as the majority of the MSM when they cover him.
I think it is more embarrassing for Gail to have once been at a major newspaper, now writing for some insidery-type media blog and still have a bunch of errors that need be “corrected or changed” accordingly (Although, they haven’t changed the big error, that Olbermann is still at ESPN), too busy fussing over Olbermann’s trump condo–which IS odd. (Olbermann hasn’t been on ESPN for close to a month now. Didn’t even show up for Dan Patrick’s last days. Spud—heard any reasons as to why?)
Comment by Obama in 08! — August 23, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
From the cited article: “In case Olbermann doesn’t arrive before halftime of the Eagles-Steelers preseason game, he’ll tape a “safety” copy at MSNBC…”
“…doesn’t arrive before halftime…”???? WHAT??????????? How is it that everyone in the world associated with a game is ready to play or perform, yet this doofus MAY NOT BE THERE? Is he doing the world a favor by just squeezing the NFL into his very busy life? Can anyone explain why he could possibly be late to his program’s network TV debut?
And to you Olbermannwatch detractors: If Keith wasn’t so one-sided in his reporting, (as in NEVER allowing an opposing POV to be put forth), and deceitful in the way he characterizes his enemies (conservatives) OW would have no purpose. But because so much needs to be corrected after his program airs, OW is there for almost as an “errata” sheet, and provides a useful to service to whoever still watches the program.
Comment by Missy — August 23, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
Well, I still enjoy KO and David Shuster…Not impressed with the rest of MSNBC…As for Robert Cox & OW what fruitcakkes, because of all their BS I voted for Senator Webb and am still happy I did, also convinced a few others to also…That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…
Comment by Thelma — August 23, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
Missy -
Olbermann WILL miss the opening of the NFL Sunday Football telecast because he’ll be at the MSNBC studio in New Jersey when it starts. The Sunday Countdown will air 7p.m. to 8p.m. with the NFL show starting immediately after at 8 p.m. So…it will take him a while to get from the studio in New Jersey to the one in NYC. Even someone as “satanistic” as Keith Olbermann cannot be in two different places at the same time, (unless I assume, he diabolically lies about his whereabouts.) so, in case he cannot make it on time (due traffic, weather, whatever)to the NFL studio, the NETWORK (not Olbermann) has a Plan B — a pretaped commentary as backup. Smart CYA for the network and Olbermann doesn’t have to run for a taxi.
As for all these “lies” Olbermann and whomever are accused of…who knows… the comments could have been taken out of context…he could have made a joke…the reporter could have gotten it wrong…or Olbermann is a jerk and lies all the time. I really don’t see how these ass-u-me-tions have anything bearing on his viability as a journalist, IMHO.
Does Countdown lean progressive? I think so. Does Fox News lean right? I think so , too. However, I’ve seen Olbermann and Countdown blast Democrats just as I’ve seen Fox News blast Republicans. No one gets all the “truth” (or is that “truthiness”) from any one media source.
I’m not an Olbyloon (I guess which is defined as one overly obsessed with the life and biddings of Keith Olbermann). I am a fan of his show. Most of the time, I like what he says. Am I critical of the show and what it broadcasts, frequently. That makes me a discerning consumer of news. I just like what I like. I enjoy ICN because it gives an interesting spin on ALL the cable news media and it’s an interesting read — not because it may dish something on KO.
But, unlike some Olbermann naysayers, I do not think the slightest details of his personal life — whether he rents or buys a condo, whether he denies he had a sister (sometimes I wish I could deny mine, too!), or whether he wears boxers or briefs has no bearing on his role as a news commentator. Unless I know for a fact he knowingly lied or attempted to deceive the public about an important news story, I don’t care whether or not he sends his Mom a Mother’s Day card or forgets her birthday…any more than I give a falafal what implement Bill O’Reilly uses in his bathtub.
Comment by MEmyselfandeye — August 23, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
Thelma, and how are those two related again?
Comment by ImNotBlue — August 23, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
Didn’t this writer lose her TV column gig with some major paper? The Inquirer comes to mind…
Comment by Keyser Soze — August 24, 2007 @ 12:11 am
Yep. They took Shister’s column from her and bumped her down to a “Metro reporter” or “Features Reporter” or something like that. She and that chick Alessandra whatever her name is from the NY Times seem to be two of a kind, lots of errors, no fact-checking, etc.
Comment by Alison — August 24, 2007 @ 8:35 am