Should Olberman quit?

I don't like Olberman and don't watch MSNBC. If he moved, I wouldn't watch him. If he stays, I wouldn't watch him. If I were NBC, I'd tell him you're gone. Keeping my other employees, who followed the rules, happy would by far be more important. Maybe he could move to Fox? They let show hosts contribute to political candidates. But then it would be another show on Fox I don't watch.

Hiya laglen, I have read about that on the link. Seems to me like with every other thing in Politics or similar while there are still interesting news threads to pull out they will keep on doing it. So I think he probably will get "airing" on other Channels too. They are starting to go to those kind of extremes here too not so much but enough to have us all bored if we want to listen. By the way is it my imagination or is "Larry King Live" back on the Television again? I thought I was dreaming when I saw it on some clip somewhere. Is it me or is he really back?

Olbermann has made it difficult for MSNBC to show how they rise above Fox in matters impartial by making campaign contributions. He further made it difficult by not apologizing as they asked him to. He then demanded that they apologize to him. He then threatened to go public on other networks about the dispute, damaging the reputation of his own network if they didn't reinstate him. After reinstatement, he issued a statement that said his supporters were the ones who got him back on air, making his case that others shared his overblown idea of his own importance. And on top of everything, even though his numbers rose a bit after the suspension/reinstatement pretense, they've fallen again to normal levels. And those normal levels, even if they are the highest on MSNBC, are not high enough to give the network any credibility. When he was suspended, I was one of many conservative voices defending him. It seemed only right. Even though I find him to be reprehensible, a misogynist, inaccurate and a belligerent rage-aholic who isn't very intelligent, I still believed that his right to free speech was as sacred as anyone else's. What puzzled me the most about the recent events surrounding Olbermann and Juan Williams was that liberals and conservatives alike jumped to the defense of Keefer over his suspension, but ONLY CONSERVATIVES defended Juan Williams. Although Juan Williams is decidedly liberal in his commentary, he has been demonized by the left. His crime of appearing on Fox News programs is apparently enough to completely discredit him. That he is a highly respected journalist and has been for decades means nothing. No matter how he defends the liberal side of the argument on any of these Fox programs, it is not enough. He's committed the serious crime of lending legitimacy to Fox by appearing there. I think conservatives walked the walk to match the talk when it came to Olbermann. I am glad they did. It worries me that the left don't come down on the side of the inalienable right, but rather divide their support based on personalities and a Fox-phobia. Now, based on my personal use for Olbermann, which is none, I think he should quit. He would, no doubt, expect to be highly sought after by networks and other publications for his sharp insight. He would, no doubt, find out he was horribly wrong and sink into obscurity. I think that would be best.

And miss the chance to see his head explodes on nation-wide television? I hope youtube doesn't banned the video.

Unless there's a sure thing waiting for him, he should stay with MSNBC. I can't imagine anyone else being interested in him.

Personally, I don't really care if he quits or stays there. I don't watch him or anyone else on MSNBC. One statement in that article definitely made me laugh out loud. "These sources, who declined to be quoted by name because of the sensitivity of the situation, say that several of NBC’s front-line stars, including Tom Brokaw, have expressed concern to management that Olbermann has badly damaged MSNBC’s reputation for independence." Reputation for independence? Does that mean that they actually think MSNBC is known for their objectivity? That's a good one! An ultra liberal, left wing network claiming their "reputation for independence" is being tarnished by one of their own ultra liberal, left wing commentators. I think he will stay where he is. They won't fire him because they know they would look like hypocrites singling him out for punishment for a violating a ridiculous policy that they think gives them the illusion of being objective. He won't quit because at this point he is toxic. No other network would touch him at this point, so quite simply, he has nowhere else to go. The wild card though is the impending change of management. The article said that Comcast is acquiring NBC soon, so what that means for the future of the network (and Olberman) remains to be seen. It should be very interesting to watch what happens.

I don't think he should quit for one simple reason, who else would want him? Only an uber left wing network would give him a 1 hour show. Fox certainly wouldn't hire him and CNN's standards just aren't low enough to let him on board. He's be relegated to a radio show hardly anyone listened to or maybe a contributor on some left wing blog. I really think MSNBC is the best gig a jerk like him could land, even if he was dumb enough to sign a bad contract.

Olberman has a good deal going on over at MSNBC. But according to that article, the infighting is not conducive to a good working environment. Perhaps, he should start looking at the other offers. The problem is he has almost an iconic status and MSNBC and icons typically do not do well when they switch networks. Olberman is in a tough position. Throw caution to the wind and change careers or stick with what you know. Although it does sounds like Olberman needs to drop the diva attitude.

Good morninh Laglen--personally I don't care much for MSNBC. Too Biased. Same reason I don't like Fox too much either. I think MSNBC will keep him around...it is not like most of their other anchors are not completely biased. It is a matter of wether or not he wants to stay. Who knows...but I don't know if the other networks would hire him.

Oh sorry laglen I forgot that bit. I don´t know if Olberman should quit or not. It could be interesting to see if any other interesting thing follows up behind it and then maybe they get so involved in that they forget about Olberman for a while.

Olberman got a slap on the wrist and a mini-vacation. I wish he would quit, since I don't believe he has anything to offer. He much enjoys hearing himself speak, but he speaks nothing of substance. Hubris rules and he, thus, cannot offer anything edifying. We need real newsmen, not political waterboys.

..Hi laglen, Keith is a great anchor, he has many followers. He is not everybody's cup of tea but thousands signed a petition to try to get him back quicker, it may have worked. He was only out for three days. Joe Scarborough contributes constantly to his Republican friends so I undersrtand and even promotes them on the air, so there was a double standard because he has not been disciplined for his actions, very interesting. Concast is in the process of purchasing NBC/MSNBC and there is a CEO there who is a former Bush fund raiser who will be in charge. So there may be a lot of changes because MSNBC generally leans left thank goodness. Take care.

Personal biases aside, he is entertaining. Some don't find him so, but he really isn't a "reporter", his job is to entertain by bringing his perspective on politics to the table. That being said, it was nothing more then a contract violation. It is not a personal endorsement by MSNBC or anything else - just a person who spends his money where he wants. I'm not really an Olbermann fan, and disagree with most of his views, however, I think like all entertainers, he has a certain following. As such, I don't think any bigger issue should be made of it then what it was - a violation of business protocol between an employer and employee. I think the way they handled it is no less then any other business would have done had a "public embarrassment" been thrust upon them by any one of their employees. Surely if they have such breeches of contract spelled out, they certainly have punishment spelled out as well. If this is the fore-laid out punishment, then I think it is what it is, and should be put to rest.