Keith Olbermann Fired From Current TV; Replaced By Eliot Spitzer
Liberal firebrand host Keith Olbermann has ended yet another network relationship in spectacular fashion, as he was dismissed from Current TV, effective immediately on Friday. The episode has ignited a war of words between Olbermann and network founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt.
A statement from Gore and Hyatt released on Friday said that the network’s relationship with Olbermann no longer reflected “the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers.” Other sources said Olbermann was fired for breach of contract after missing work and arguing with management.
Olbermann fired back, releasing a statement in chunks on Twitter, suggesting that money and the resources available for his live broadcast were at the route of his dissatisfaction: “… Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt, instead of abiding by their promises and obligations and investing in a quality news program, finally thought it was more economical to try to get out of my contract.”
Olbermann also stated he would be suing Current TV.
This isn’t the first time Olbermann’s complaints about his resources have become public. He was not part of Current TV’s early primary coverage, saying he was “not given a legitimate opportunity to host under acceptable conditions.”
Olbermann left former employers ESPN and MSNBC under similarly bitter conditions. Al Gore’s network had expected a major success landing the popular star for the network’s rebranding as a progressive news source, giving Olbermann a big title and equity stake. But the relationship never took off.
Eliot Spitzer, himself no stranger to scandal, replaced Olbermann immediately, not commenting at all on the situation during the first broadcast of his new show, “Viewpoints.”
What do you think? Where will Olbermann go after this?
[via Huffington Post]
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Did Current TV simply use Keith to gain attention and higher ratings? They KNEW what they were getting! Yes, Keith injects emotion into his commentary, into his intelligent and incisive reporting, and into his humor….all of which makes his program interesting, as well as informative. He’s forceful, honest, and direct: you FEEL his pain, you FEEL his anger, and you FEEL his heart-felt sincerity when he covers a story. And he covers it well. He’s never just another talking head! If Keith is absent from Current TV, then I too will be absent from Current TV. For Keith is one of the best- hands down- as evidenced by his outstanding coverage of OWS during the past year. I wish him well, and hope that he is back on the air soon. We need his unique voice and viewpoint!
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