Keith Olbermann Explains Haggard Appearance; Out-of-work MSNBC Host Has Let Himself Go

Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann is sporting some facial fuzz these days. And why not? He does not have any reason to shave. Still, the former host felt the need to explain himself via Twitter.

In one of many tweets today (including a number of baseball-card-themed posts), leftwing pundit Keith Olbermann tweeted to his fans: "And about the beard: this is not a beard. This is a temporary I-Don't-Have-To-Shave." [Source: Keith Olbermann Twitter account, 2/1/11, at: http://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann]

Temporary, huh? MSNBC fans can be forgiven for wondering just how "temporary" Keith Olbermann's out-of-work look is. So far, there are no serious reports of job offers thrust at the former host. In fact, Regis Philbin went out of his way to make it clear that there was no chance of Olbermann replacing him. [Albiniak, Paige. "NATPE 2011: Philbin: Olbermann Not Fit For 'Live'," BroadcastingCable.com, 1/26/11. Downloaded from: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/463043-NATPE_2011_Philbin_Olbermann_Not_Fit_For_Live_.php]

And physical appearance is not the only way in which Keith Olbermann has let himself go. He also has been spending an inordinate amount of time on Twitter, issuing dozens of impassioned tweets since he lost his job. Two days ago, he attacked a letter to the editor in the Boston Globe, calling it the " dumbest letter to the editor, of the century. " The letter in question attempted to correct comments that Olbermann made on his show, back when he had a show. [Source: Keith Olbermann twitter account, 1/30/11, at: http://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann/statuses/31893919247634432].

It's hard to be too disappointed by Keith Olbermann's physical appearance and behavior, though. It did seem as if his MSNBC show was his life, and without it the passionate liberal is kind of drifting. To date there do not seem to be any hot, new cable news jobs opening up for him. In America 2011, there is not a lot of demand for liberal news hosts on cable television.

Still, there must be some position that is right for Keith Olbermann, perhaps on talk radio or as a talking head on a Crossfire-type show. Here's hoping that he finds something productive to do with his time, and perhaps even a reason to shave.

Sources

Albiniak, Paige. "NATPE 2011: Philbin: Olbermann Not Fit For 'Live'," BroadcastingCable.com, 1/26/11. Downloaded from: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/463043-NATPE_2011_Philbin_Olbermann_Not_Fit_For_Live_.php

Keith Olbermann twitter account, 1/30/11, at: http://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann/statuses/31893919247634432

Keith Olbermann Twitter account, 2/1/11, at: http://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann