Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews Demoted at MSNBC
MSNBC Liberal News Makers Not Fired, but Put in Place
Both Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews have made headlines in recent weeks for unprofessional conduct, including an on-air spat with Joe Scarborough, host of "Morning Joe." Additionally, during the Republican convention, Olbermann ridiculed a Sept. 11-themed video, prepared by the RNC. Olbermann opined that MSNBC should not have aired the production.
Last, but not least, the Republican National Convention called out NBC on its media bias and attacks of both Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin and presidential nominee Sen. John McCain.
Now David Gregrory, a seasoned professional and Washington anchor, will take the political helm as both Olbermann and Matthews serve as mere political pundits.
It may disappoint some viewers that this move is not indicative of an Olbermann, or even Matthews, termination at MSNBC. To the contrary, the controversial, liberal-opinion makers enjoy a healthy following and Olbermann's four-year, four-million dollar contract, as host of the show "Countdown," may be extended through 2013.
Given that the oft-troubled MSNBC ranked in third-place among cable news networks during both the Democrat and Republican conventions and tensions between NBC News and MSNBC have escalated over Olbermann's on-air conduct, a correction was in order.
Maybe the network better realizes that both occasional and regular viewers look for dispassionate, or at least less overt, coverage of the presidential election and related stories.
Had the traditionally-deemed conservative Fox News employed Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reily, instead of Brit Hume, for the bulk of the Democratic Convention coverage, the effect would have been similar in logic -- to utilizing Olbermann and Matthews. Instead, Fox News enjoyed the number one position for prime time convention coverage.
There is a time and place for political passions, but not when viewers want election news rather than an agenda. MSNBC may further help its ratings with the advent of the Rachael Maddow hour that begins tonight. She brings sophistication, charm, intelligence and humor to the liberal political arena. Maddow also seems to better understand the terms "news coverage" and "moderation."
Sources:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jlhzoRPoTjgeV9vNrGXaMN2AUGLwD932AF1G0
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/business/media/08msnbc.html?ref=politics
Published by Donna Porter
Writer / Journalist -- A Yahoo News! Contributor Donna began her writing and internet career in 1995 in the health industry and became an early dot-com entrepreneur soon after. Masters certified in Internet... View profile
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114 Comments
Post a CommentI was unaware that Keith Obermann and Chris Matthews were criticized for their shows. I started watching Keith shortly before his demise from MSNBC, but liked his show, although a little unusual sometimes. As for Chris Matthews - what does he do different than before? Why were their words criticqued (sp) anymore then what Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, or Beck's words. How can this be that MSNBC let anyone from the GOP pull enough strings to make MSNBC take this action? Maybe they should not run the ads that the Republicans have put out against Obama; maybe they shouldn't cover the Republican presidential campaigns with all the scurrilous, dastardly accusations and name calling; maybe they shouldn't cover the church leaders who are spewing hate against our President! Maybe they should stick to the truth and not let Fox news and all the Corporate millionaires, the Karl Roves and Sarah Palin's write their script. The only thing I see may have brought these two gentlemen down (Keith and Chris) is they get off script and slip in their personal opinions. I guess journalists aren't supposed to do this. They have to remain unbiased. Yeah, like all the other reporters and so called, news reporters. Quite sad, MSNBC may have been right to punish them, but not curtail the truth. Is everybody afraid of Republicans??
my husband and i are older retired people and keith was our only show we watched of evenings before bed. we also had our dinner listening to ed schultz and now its on so latr we can't watch it. put ed in keiths time slot,please.
"Lean Forward"? With Keith and Chris gone, MSNBC has fallen back. I will not watch MSNBC until Keith returns. I love Rachel and think Lawrence is doing a great job but it will never be the same without Keith
I think it is absolutely the worst thing MSNBC could do is punish
Mr. Olberman and Mr. Mathews. Just because they have the guts to tell the truth about people. Another thing, I am sick and tried of all the talk about Sarah Palin on MSNBC. The media is what has made her what she is and she is no different than any other person in politics, as far as I am concerned she could not even tell what magazines or news papers she reads. Katie Couric ask her three questions which she could not answer, I just cannot believe people are so dumb that they cannot see what she is. Why aren't some of the dumb stuff she says be reported on news channels. People I know will stop watching MSNBC if the truth cannot be told. Fox News is the worst for lying about almost everything and all you have to do is watch Glenn Beck and what he stands for. Ed Schultz is one of the best also. I agree with some of the people who wrote their comments. As far as the tea partiers, they should have to be banned because o
MSNBC and Olberman are both the most distrusted folks in cable news. Olberman seriously acts like he is running on two cylinders. He is full of hate and venom. A terrible excuse for a tv anchor.
Biger fish to fry. Here we have a president that is mad at Isreal because they are building houses on their property and threatening them. What would he say if Isreal told him they could no longer build any homes in DC? Isreal should just change its name to Iran and then he would bother them. Dumb Dumb Dumb
I realize they are just commentaries and have no real news. But they are fun to watch. No one could actually be as dumb as these two. They surely must work at it.Will miss the laughter they give me.
It is about time that nbc realized what idiots they have on there network. Imagine Mattews saying this am about should whaat people have to say about Obama be criminal. I wonder if he realizes when he said about someone sticking a gun in Rush's mouth if he should be arrested. What an idiot.
This is the biggest mistake in lifetime of MSNBC's decision makers, to dismiss Keith and Chris from their post. I think soon MSNBC's the same decision maker will be fired from their job and both Keith and Chris definitely will replace their original post, because no matter who will replace Keith and Chris MSNBC will lost majority of their viewers.
Take my words and post it front of MSNBC's building front door to remember me.
without Keith and Chris in MSNBC will became tastless fruit,everyone has to stop watching MSNBC untill both come back and do what they do the best.