Not much is clear about Keith Olbermann’s future at this point. We can’t even be sure about what transpired in his recent past that brought him to the point of cutting ties with MSNBC.
But it’s fairly obvious that MSNBC is going to be a shell of its former self without its most controversial and creative loudmouth.
“Countdown” was MSNBC, and MSNBC will be an even more minor player without “Countdown.” For all its excess (“Worst Persons,” etc.), Olbermann’s show was must viewing for a certain segment of the thinking, politically tuned-in public.
What’s become clearer, in the days since Friday’s final “Countdown,” is that the network had wanted to be rid of Olbermann, and Olbermann’s representatives had sought a buyout from the network for months.
MSNBC higher-ups were apparently dissatisfied with Olbermann at least since his suspension last fall, after revelations of the host’s personal political contributions — something he might have been able to do if only he’d asked permission. More likely they’ve been bumping heads with him since the beginning.
Apparently it was a long history of sniping and ill will that caused the falling out.
Were the folks at NBC News increasingly bothered by his lack of “objectivity,” finding Olbermann an embarrassment and increasingly keeping players like Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams away from the MSNBC brand?
Yes, but were they dissatisfied enough to blow up a network? The idea pitched by MSNBC when the news broke on Friday, that Lawrence O’Donnell is strong enough to carry the prime-time slot, sounds like wishful thinking.
Personally, I’m not buying the argument that the timing of the MSNBC-Olbermann divorce had anything to do with the concurrent takeover of NBC Universal by Comcast. Conspiracy theorists will see all kinds of threats in the timing, but Comcast has bigger things to worry about than the programming for a minuscule audience on a tiny cable channel. This isn’t about the corporate realignment. It probably has more to do with ego.
Olbermann is a brilliant talent; Olbermann is also a hothead. He’s never been a diplomat when doing business with network bosses. But star talents aren’t supposed to be diplomatic. That’s why they have agents and managers.
Maybe Olbermann will end up with a Howard Stern-type salary and satellite radio following.
Maybe he’ll join the ranks of left- leaning political humorists on Comedy Central or HBO. As a more news- driven answer to Bill Maher, or a less satirical but equally astute observer of the political circus than Jon Stewart, Olbermann deserves an hour on one of the high-paying cable networks that would give him total freedom.
Maybe he’ll join forces with the Huffington Post and do some kind of nightly webcast.
His options would seem to be open; his fan base, while small, is fiercely devoted.
The question going forward is, how juicy was the maneuvering to get “Countdown” off the air?
Specifically, how long and how broad are the conditions of Olbermann’s “no-compete” clause? How long must he remain off TV in order to collect the $7 million or so (one year’s salary), reportedly stipulated in the contract suspension?
How silent must he be about the details of his departure? And when will the nasty details begin to seep out of MSNBC?
Fortunately, in the ever-expanding media universe, there’s no such thing as a steady, unchanging media job. It’s all in flux. Delivery platforms matter less than hot moments and provocative personalities.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
