Wikipedia

Keith Olbermann

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 151.203.13.128 (talk) at 04:41, 1 February 2007 (→Feud with Bill O'Reilly). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Keith Olbermann (born January 27, 1959) is an American news anchor, commentator and radio sportscaster. He currently hosts Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, an hour-long nightly newscast that reviews the top news stories of the day along with political commentary by Olbermann. He also appears on The Dan Patrick Show on ESPN radio from 2-3 PM EST.

Keith Olbermann
BornJanuary 27, 1959
United States New York City, NY, USA
Occupation(s)News anchor, commentator and radio sportscaster
WebsiteCountdown with Keith Olbermann

Early life and career

Olbermann's family moved to Westchester County from New York City, and he attended school at Hastings-on-Hudson before attending and graduating from the prominent Hackley School in Tarrytown alongside ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman. Olbermann then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in communications arts from Cornell University in 1979 while serving as sports director for WVBR, a student-run commercial radio station in Ithaca, New York.[1]

Olbermann began his professional career at UPI and RKO Radio before joining then nascent CNN in 1981. In 1984, he briefly worked as a sports anchor at WCVB-TV in Boston, before heading to Los Angeles to work at KTLA and KCBS. His work there earned him eleven Golden Mike Awards, and he was named Best Sportscaster by the California Associated Press three times.[2]

Career at ESPN

In 1992, he joined ESPN’s SportsCenter, a position he held until 1997. He often co-hosted SportsCenter with Dan Patrick, the two becoming a popular anchor team. Olbermann quickly became known for his wit, reporting style, and his tight chemistry with co-anchor Patrick. In 1995, Olbermann won a Cable ACE award for Best Sportscaster while co-anchoring "The Big Show” as he and Patrick called it (often referencing the Sunday night SportsCenter). Olbermann would later co-author a book with Patrick called The Big Show about their experiences working at SportsCenter. On the May 10, 2004, episode for Countdown, Olbermann said that the short-lived ABC dramedy Sports Night was based on his time on SportsCenter with Patrick.[3]

New ventures

Olbermann was instrumental in the launches of ESPN Radio and ESPN2. He christened the programming on ESPN2, promoted as the younger, hipper ESPN, with the remark "Welcome to the end of our careers."

Leaving ESPN

In 1997, Olbermann abruptly left ESPN under a cloud of controversy, apparently burning his bridges with the network's management [1]. Olbermann and ESPN were long to reconcile. The network famously snubbed him when they did not invite him to participate in its 25th Anniversary "Reunion Week".

In November 2002, Olbermann published an essay on Salon.com entitled "Mea Culpa" in which he conceded that his own insecurities and neurotic behavior had led to many of his problems at work.[4] In the essay, it imparted an instance of where his former bosses remarked he had "too much backbone," which actually hit on a literal truth. He has six lumbar vertebrae instead of the normal five.[4]

Olbermann and ESPN have since repaired their relationship. In 2004, Olbermann reunited with his former SportsCenter co-host during the second hour (2-3 p.m. EST) of the Dan Patrick Show, which airs 1-4 p.m. EST on ESPN Radio See: http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/story?storyId=2085203.

After SportsCenter

In 1997, Olbermann left ESPN to host his own primetime show on MSNBC, The Big Show. The news-variety program covered three or four topics in a one-hour broadcast. Olbermann also occasionally hosted the weekend edition of NBC Nightly News, and, along with Hannah Storm, co-hosted NBC Sports’ pre-game coverage of the 1997 World Series.

When the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke in 1998, The Big Show morphed into White House in Crisis. Olbermann became frustrated as his show was consumed by the Lewinsky story. In 1998 he stated that his work at MSNBC would "make me ashamed, make me depressed, make me cry." [5] He left MSNBC after 17 months to return to sportscasting.

In 1998, Olbermann joined Fox Sports Net as anchor and executive producer for The Keith Olbermann Evening News, a sportscast similar to SportsCenter, airing weekly on Sunday evenings. While at Fox, he again hosted the World Series as well as Fox Broadcasting’s baseball Game of the Week.

On June 17 2000, Olbermann's mother, Marie, was hit in the head with a baseball while attending a Yankees game, when Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch made an errant throw that flew into the stands.[6]

Return to reporting

Olbermann left Fox Sports in 2001 for “other opportunities” and kept a relatively low profile. He worked for a time as a regular contributor on CNN and provided twice-daily sports commentary on the ABC Radio Network, reviving the "Speaking of Sports" and "Speaking of Everything" segments begun by Howard Cosell. He was also a somewhat ironic fill-in for conservative newscaster Paul Harvey. The September 11, 2001 attacks provided the impetus for Olbermann to return to full-fledged news reporting. He won an Edward R. Murrow Award for reporting from the site of the attacks for 40 days on ABC Radio and Los Angeles radio station KFWB.

Olbermann wrote a weekly column for Salon.com from July 2002 until being rehired by MSNBC in early 2003. On his return to MSNBC, he served as a substitute host on Nachman and as an anchor for the network's coverage of the war in Iraq. His own show, Countdown, debuted shortly thereafter on March 31, 2003, in the 8 p.m. ET time slot previously held by programs hosted by Phil Donahue and, briefly, Lester Holt. Olbermann sometimes uses Edward R. Murrow's signature sign-off "Good night and good luck" to end his show. On October 13, 2004, Olbermann launched Bloggermann, his Countdown weblog, hosted on MSNBC.com.[7] Olbermann used the open format of the blog to expound on facts or ideas alluded to in the broadcast, to offer personal musings and reactions, and to break news at odd hours.

In September 2004, Olbermann was voted sexiest male newscaster in an online poll conducted by Playgirl magazine. He had included a link to the poll on his Web site and encouraged viewers to vote for him, which they did, giving him 24% of the 50,000 total votes.[8]

Olbermann and Chris Matthews’ Hardball, also on MSNBC, tied for first place on MSNBC (and 21st place in all of cable news) in February 2006 with 400,000 viewers each for the month, according to Nielsen Media Research. CNN and FOX News Channel’s top programs for the month were Larry King Live with 901,000 viewers and The O'Reilly Factor with over 2.2 million viewers.[9] Olbermann's ratings are often fourth for cable news in his time slot, behind O'Reilly at Fox News, Paula Zahn at CNN, and Nancy Grace at CNN Headline News, and his is the 12th-most watched nightly cable news program overall. However, the show's ratings have increased by 41% from early 2005 to early 2006.[10] In the first quarter of 2006, the ratings for Countdown surpassed CNN's Paula Zahn NOW in the 25-54 demographic, marking the first time in five years an MSNBC show had beaten a CNN show in prime time for this demographic. In April 2006, Olbermann's ratings continued to climb, showing a 35% increase in overall viewers from the previous month's ratings, while O'Reilly's had dropped to "his worst month in nearly five years among viewers age 25 to 54."[11] Following the show's climb in the ratings preceding April, Countdown's ratings slid temporarily, dropping 32% to 106,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic in June 2006, placing Countdown fourth in the time slot.[12] However, since late August 2006, Olbermann's nightly audience has increased 69%, according to Nielsen Media Research; his show on October 2 had 834,000 viewers, virtually double his season average and more than CNN competitors Zahn and Grace.[13]

In June 2005, Olbermann returned to ESPN Radio every Friday, co-hosting with his friend and former colleague on Dan Patrick’s three-hour weekday program.[14] On November 28, 2005, Olbermann’s co-hosting duties on the show expanded to weekdays, 2-3 p.m. ET.[15]

Feud with Bill O'Reilly

Olbermann's show on MSNBC occupies the same time slot as Bill O'Reilly's The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. Olbermann has repeatedly named O'Reilly his “Worst Person in the World", while O'Reilly has petitioned for the ousting of Olbermann from MSNBC and the return of Phil Donahue to Olbermann's time slot, stating that Donahue's ratings far exceeded Olbermann's.

The feud blossomed with Olbermann's public celebration of O'Reilly's sexual harassment suit by former Fox News Channel producer Andrea Mackris;[16] he jokingly kept track of money his viewers pledged to buy the tapes from Mackris and ran a “Save the Tapes” campaign. Olbermann had continued to feature the suit and its details in his comments on O'Reilly, specifically references to falafels and loofahs, which O'Reilly got confused while allegedly harassing Mackris.

In March 2006, O'Reilly dropped a caller from his live radio show, seemingly for mentioning Olbermann's name. O'Reilly accused the caller of being part of a larger group of individuals that had been calling O'Reilly with the sole purpose of mentioning Olbermann. The caller said, “I like to listen to you during the day. I think Keith Olbermann's show…” when O'Reilly cut in, responding to “Mike” as follows:

Mike is — he's a gone guy. You know, we have his — we have your phone numbers, by the way. So, if you're listening, Mike, we have your phone number, and we're going to turn it over to Fox security, and you'll be getting a little visit. […] When you call us, ladies and gentlemen, just so you know, we do have your phone number, and if you say anything untoward, obscene or anything like that, Fox security then will contact your local authorities, and you will be held accountable. Fair?[17]

While Westwood One broadcasts O'Reilly's radio show, the program does originate from Fox News Channel's New York City studios.[18] Olbermann noted that it would be unlawful for O'Reilly to send anyone to a listener's home for purposes of intimidation.

On a subsequent Countdown, Olbermann had "Mike" on as a guest to discuss the incident, and he denied that he had said anything obscene before O'Reilly cut him off. He did state that he was one of a group of individuals from the Web site "Calling All Wingnuts" who had decided to call into the O'Reilly show to voice their disagreement. He mentioned that a woman from that group was upset by a call from the same “Fox News Security” official.[19]

In the latter half of 2006, Olbermann has gone on (on August 30, September 5, September 11, and November 1 commentaries) from criticizing O'Reilly to confronting the Bush administration directly. In a recent “Worst Person in the World” segment, Olbermann said, “I'm sorry, Bill. I can't play with you right now. I have bigger fish to fry.”[20]

Olbermann has also taken to referring to the Fox News Channel as the "Fox Noise Channel."[21]

Rita Cosby comments

Olbermann wrote an e-mail to a viewer concerning fellow MSNBC reporter Rita Cosby, saying, “Rita's nice, but dumber than a suitcase of rocks.”[22] Olbermann has since apologized for the email saying he had been stupid and should have known better[23], but Cosby did reply saying: “Keith got it wrong. I'm not that nice.”[22]

Nazi salute controversy

File:Nazi-salute.jpg
Keith Olbermann's controversial “Nazi salute”

While on vacation in July 2006, Olbermann was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. On the show, he was asked to comment on a photo taken at the recent Television Critics Association press tour that had appeared on the Drudge Report which showed him holding a Bill O'Reilly mask and giving an apparent Nazi salute to the audience. Olbermann said he had been waving to a friend, though he added that “Bill O‘Reilly has defended the Nazis from World War II on three separate occasions.” [24][25] (See Bill O'Reilly controversies: Malmedy massacre.)

On July 28 2006, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) sent an open letter to Olbermann at MSNBC stating, "We are deeply dismayed by your ongoing use of the Nazi 'Sieg Heil' salute, both on your program and in public appearances…" The letter explains that Olbermann's use of the salute prompted many complaints from its members, including Holocaust survivors, and that any use of it "serves to trivialize the Holocaust and the six million Jews and others … who died." The letter closed by asking Olbermann to reconsider his use of the Nazi salute in the future.[26]


Baseball

Olbermann is a dedicated baseball fan and historian of the sport, with membership in the Society for American Baseball Research.[27] He is also a well known vintage baseball card collector, particularly of T-206 tobacco cards and other rare cards, such as the very rare 2006 Alex Gordon rookie card.[28] He argues that New York Giants baseball player Fred Merkle should not be denied inclusion into the Baseball Hall of Fame because of a baserunning mistake.[29] He contributed the foreword to More Than Merkle (ISBN 0-8032-1056-6), a book requesting amnesty for Merkle's error.

Smoking

On Monday, August 8, 2005, the day following Peter Jennings’s death from lung cancer, Olbermann revealed on-air that he had a benign fibrous tumor removed from his palate just 10 days earlier. In an explicit monologue, he attributed his tumor (and the resulting fear and pain) directly to his 27-year habit of smoking pipes and cigars. He vigorously urged his viewers not to wait until they see symptoms to quit. "Do whatever you have to do to stop smoking — now. While it's easier."[30]

This marked the beginning of "I Quit," once a recurring segment on Countdown which offered anti-smoking tips and encouragement. On August 16, 2005, Olbermann's colleague at NBC Mike Taibbi joined him for "I Quit" to discuss kicking the habit.[31][32]

Other television appearances

Bibliography

  • The Worst Person In the World and 202 Strong Contenders (Wiley, September 2006). ISBN 0-470-04495-0.
  • Deadball Stars of the National League (Potomac Books, February 2004). ISBN 1-57488-860-9. — Foreword written by Olbermann.
  • More Than Merkle: A History of the Best and Most Exciting Baseball Season in Human History (University of Nebraska Press, April 2000). ISBN 0-8032-1056-6. — Foreword written by Olbermann.
  • Stats 1999 Baseball Scoreboard (STATS, March 1999). ISBN 1-884064-62-0. — Foreword written by Olbermann.
  • The Big Show : Inside ESPN's Sportscenter (Atria, 1997). ISBN 0-671-00918-4.
  • The Major League Coaches: 1921-1973 (Card Memorabilia Associates, 1973).

References

  1. ^ Finkelstein, Eric (2004-11-29). "Counting Down With Keith Olbermann '79". Cornell Daily Sun. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ IMDB Biography of Keith Olbermann
  3. ^ "'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for May 7". MSNBC. 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b Keith Olbermann (2006-11-17). "ESPN:Mea culpa". Salon.com. Retrieved 2006-09-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Michael Hiestand (2006-05-13). "Despite scorched bridges, Olbermann rejoins ESPN". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Jamaal Greene (2000-11-01). "The Fall and Rise". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Olbermann, Keith (2004-10-13). "Welcome to Bloggerman". MSNBC.com. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "'Playgirl' picks Olbermann as its newscaster pinup boy". USA Today. 2004-09-13 6:09 PM. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "February 2006 Weekday Competitive Program Ranker (M-F 6a-11p programs)" (PDF). MediaBistro. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  10. ^ "Q1 '06: MSNBC's Olbermann Beats CNN's Zahn & HLN's Grace In The Demo". MediaBistro. 2006-03-28. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Scott Collins (2006-05-08). "A ratings downer for Fox News". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "June '06 Weekday Ranker" (PDF). MediaBistro. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  13. ^ Bauder, David (2006-10-08). "Olbermann News Commentaries Target Bush". Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 2006-10-27.
  14. ^ "Keith Olbermann, Dan Patrick Reunited" (Press release). ESPN. 2005-06-14. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Bachman, Katy (2005-11-22). "ESPN's Olbermann Joins Patrick". Mediaweek. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Mackris' complaint v. O'Reilly, official document". TheSmokingGun.com. 2004-10-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Audio Clip of Mike Stark's Call to O'Reilly". MediaMatters.org. 2006-03-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Westwood One's Web site for Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly
  19. ^ "Olbermann interview of O'Reilly caller Mike Stark on Countdown". MSNBC.com. 2006-03-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ "Salon.com interview of Keith Olbermann where he references making "bigger fish to fry" comment a few days previous". Salon.com. 2006-09-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Olbermann Now Names It 'Fox Noise Channel' News Hounds. January 24, 2007
  22. ^ a b Thomson, Katherine (2006-06-14). "It's 'Putdown With Keith Olbermann'". New York Daily News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Carter, Bill (2006-07-11). "MSNBC's Star Carves Anti-Fox Niche". The New York Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Transcript Of 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann', MSNBC, July 27 2006
  25. ^ Saunders, Dusty (2006-03-09). "Saunders: Media ego clash escalates". Rocky Mountain News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "ADL Letter to MSNBC". Anti-Defamation League. 2006-07-28. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Keith Olbermann (2006-03-01). "Baseball's greatest Ambassador: Buck O'Neil (Keith Olbermann)". MSNBC. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "That Guy Olbermann's A Real Card!". Beckett Sports Collectibles Vintage. 2002-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Isaacs, Stan (2002). "Justice for Merkle: Keith Olbermann's crusade helps salvage Merkle's rep". TheColumnists.com. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Video clip of Olbermann's smoking monologue". MSNBC.com. 2005-08-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Video clip of Mike Taibbi "I quit" segment on Countdown". MSNBC.com. 2005-08-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ “Flush the Butts” Bloggerman Entry from August 8, 2005.
  33. ^ Sassone, Bob (2006-01-02). "Surface: Episode 11". TV Squad. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "New Boston Market extreme carver sandwich ads parody designer fragrance campaign". 1997-02-03. Retrieved 2006-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ "Warner Music Group".
 
Wikiquote has quotations related to Keith Olbermann.

Template:Sportscenter

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keith_Olbermann&oldid=104771103"