Updated: Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
The sudden departure of Keith Olbermann from MSNBC really has folks talking. There are articles about Olbermann’s exit all over the Internet — and much speculation about what went down — and what soured the relationship between the controversial commentator and the cable network.
Some new details from an insider over on Deadline.com. Also, this post has more than 12-hundred –that’s right — comments so far. Check it out here.
Outspoken MSNBC host, Keith Olbermann, has been given the hook. Tonight the controversial commentator abruptly signed off for good on his TV news and political commentary program, “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.”
Olbermann thanked his viewers for their loyalty and support, but didn’t say why he was calling it quits on the cable network.
On the MSNBC website, an article about Olbermann’s departure provided the company line: “MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended our contract,” Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC. Griffin went on to say: “MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC’s success and we wish him well in his future endeavors.” This tells us what, but not why it happened.
Did Olbermann get swept out in the housecleaning by the Comcast executives taking over NBC Universal? A spokesman for MSNBC denied that was the case. Last November, there was more than a little tension between Olbermann and his bosses when he was suspended for two days for making donations to several political candidates — including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona).
More on Olbermann, including video and transcript of his farewell here on the MSNBC website.
