Keith Olbermann Praises "Naive" Chris Matthews, Compares "The View" To A Blender, Challenges Bill O'Reilly To Arm Wrestling Match

Keith Olbermann, whose MSNBC contract was renewed for four more years yesterday — at an estimated $7.5 million per year (or $30 million over four years) — spoke to TVNewser's Gail Shister about Chris Matthews, women in cable, and what it's like to be on "The View" (watch his appearance here).

On Chris Matthews
Olbermann — who explained to "The View" that he does not vote, said he would vote for Chris Matthews if he runs for Senate in Pennsylvania (no matter that he is not a Pennsylvania resident):

"I would definitely suspend my symbolism and vote for him....I like Chris. I think he approaches his job like a public servant. He has a genuinely naive 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' commitment to making good things happen in this country."

On "The View"

Olbermann said visiting "The View" is like "sitting in a blender for 10 minutes, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. Five people were asking me questions at the same time."

He called Barbara Walters "just a delight" and reminisced fondly of his boozy lunch with Whoopi Goldberg in 1999, when she was hosting "Hollywood Squares"

On women in cable
Olbermann praised colleague Rachel Maddow: "Given the lack of success of women as anchors in prime time, it may not be far from true [that Rachel Maddow is the Queen of Cable, as Stephen Colbert suggests]. There are only two: Greta [van Susteren of Fox News Channel] and Rachel. It's been made more difficult for women, mostly through the actions of men."

As Shister notes, he notably leaves out his 8PM competition on CNN, Campbell Brown, who he has recently started referencing on his program.

On Bill O'Reilly
Olbermann challenged Bill O'Reilly to an arm wrestling match, and is sure that he would win:

"He'd never do it, because every time we're in the same place, he keeps himself 25 feet away, but I'm ready to go. I do yoga, work out three times a week. I think I could take him if it comes to that."

Read the whole interview here.

Comments

[SunshineDaydream]

hey viking, still waiting for your proof that keith is a convicted felon.

[VikingQuest]

Called a joke you goofball . . .

Just like Olbermann saying he doesn't vote to be "objective" . . . I don't think the most far left crazy would say that he is objective.

[AnneCatherick]

One man's objectivity is another's lack of critical thinking skills, education or both. Reality has a liberal bias.

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Typical....

Present something as if it's fact and when you're called out to back it up, suddenly it is a "joke" and those that you told it to are the stupid ones for not getting the "joke".

How Republican of you...

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Ok, second post here:

Found your original comment. Your intimation was that K.O. "can't vote because he is a felon."

So where is your joke exactly?

[VikingQuest]

On a side note, he was banned from ESPN HQ which is pretty funny.

[SunshineDaydream]

my guess is if you would spend your time lifting up the positive aspects of your party, instead of trying to drag ours down - you wouldnt be in the mess you are in right now.

btw, how does it feel to be irrelevant?

[alabaman]

O and OReilly are about the same size. They are big men. The diffference is that OReilly likes to use his size to intimidate his guests. With OReilly you always get the sense when he's riled up that he could get physical with someone. It's partl of his persona. So, (and this is just a purely "man" thing or "street" thing, you know, the kind of things male animals do) Keith ought to keep on challenging OReilly to arm wrestle to prove to prove to OReilly adoring viewers that OReilly is a wus. It's just a psychological bit of warfare to wear the oppostion. And it will prick OReilly's image.

[Vladdycat]

If KO is worth 30million, Dr.Maddow is in for a big payday too.

[SunshineDaydream]

amen to that

[MBLADY]

30M WELL SPENT!!!

[walk0nwalls]

I really need to stop getting suckered in by the HuffPo headlines

[mairs]

Every time there is a KO article, people post about what the definition of his show is, in their opinion, and why what he does is not supposed to be allowed. I'm not sure why some want to invalidate who he is and what he does, when there is so much dreck on TV that never gets called out, but it is what it is.

[Shashi0224]

I love Keith - and he is worth every penny!!
Believe me, if the network wasn't making enough through his show, they wouldn't pay him that much. The fact that he brings that much into the network, just proves his popularity and his worth to the network.
I'm so glad he'll be on the air for another 4 years at least!! America needs his honesty and clarity!
Thank you Keith!!

[brocko]

Ha-Ha! He does yoga. Yep, I'm SURE he would win in an arm wrestling match......NOT!

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Yoga probably develops more strength for Keith, than does Billy's O'reilly gratifying the GOP.

[editorjuno]

Olbermann is a *huge* man, much broader and beefier than Bill-O as well as several years younger -- he'd definitely prevail.

[CynAnne]

Thank you for that mental image, editorjuno..big, beefy Keith (yummy)..! ;) ...

[mrsmdressup]

Go to a yoga class for a couple of hours and see how much you are laughing when you crawl out.

[SunshineDaydream]

you say that like it would even make it to the end

[mellene]

Say what you will about Keith Olbermann, but he's one smart and astute guy. We're blessed to have him on MSNBC. Now if they'd fire Joe Scarborough for his smary mouth-I'd be a happy girl.

[SunshineDaydream]

me2!!

[faith]

Not so fast, there. I really liked Keith Olbermann's commentary until he sputtered the words that he does not vote. Only a truly ineffectual wimp would refuse to exercise his Constitutional privilege and, frankly, obligation, to vote. That is shameful Olbermann. MSNBC just wasted their money on you because I suspect your ratings and viewership are going to drop precipitously because you cannot bother to vote.

[SunshineDaydream]

actually mellene can post and believe whatever she feels - who are you to say otherwise? and so what he made a personal choice to make a symbolic gesture to not vote? that is like saying bc bush is making a grand gesture of easing the transition that he had a great presidency. no. facts are facts. keith gives a voice to millions who never thought they had one in the msm.

[obmark]

It's neither a privilege nor an obligation: it's a right. And it isn't compulsory....

[Lexica]

Whatever his rationale for not voting....it's not good enough. He has no right to say anything - good or bad - about any candidate if he can't be bothered to vote. For me, it renders his comments inauthentic and hollow.

As much as I have enjoyed watching Countdown, I am beginning to note that he is caricaturing himself.

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Jebus faith, let it die already...

It's a right to vote, not an obligation. He has as much a right to choose to NOT vote as you do TO vote.

Many people in the journalistic field don't vote.

Get over this already......

[terragazelle60]

Most reporters on politics do not vote. It is not a matter of voteing being a bother...but of being free to say what he truly feels and not by being in a party or taking sides.

[rationalthought1]

I guess a great indicator that Chris Matthews is naive is that if he were on his death bed he'd probably still find a way to vote. I can't believe that Keith doesn't vote. I'm sorry but, to me, that makes him a blowhard and definitely a poor role model. What kind of symbolism is that? I've been a viewer of Countdown for a long time but I found myself over the campaign (during the general election) tuning in to CNN more frequently because I saw Keith as preaching to the choir - I wanted to see what more independent voters were watching (I'm a life long Dem) - like David Gergin. I watch Hardball, though, because Matthews is a loose cannon but I love his enthusiasm (maybe that's what Keith calls naive). Rachel Maddow is incredibly intelligent but way too snarky for me - also she has over the last year made one disasterous prediction after another with complete certainty in her voice, all of which have proven to be wrong. I think she needs a little LESS confidence. Joe Scarborough is a snake and Meka is a lightweight trying to appear objective and intelligent. I'll take Chris Matthews with all his working class old white guy faults who values and cherishes his right to vote. Keith, what the heck are you thinking?!

[SunshineDaydream]

chris "obama is an elitist bc he wears sunglasses" matthews? mmmmkay.

[IndyReader]

By Rachel, if you mean via radio and TV she's probably been on a year, but if you mean via TV only she's only been on since, what, September 8th? And there's nothing wrong with her confidence. Her "Poll Tax" commentary was powerful.

[evilgalblues]

Actually thinking back, it bothered me that Matthews seemed so "in the pocket" so often. Especially that bit he did on Morning Joe that seemed so...leg humpingly in love with, for lack of a better expression....Obama. It was too much and made me think for at least a second that I couldn't trust him.
I also get tired of Keith's relentlessness with Billo and Limbaugh, as I sometimes wonder if there might not be other worst person's that need harpooning. BUT, I do understand the torch he is probably carrying considering how he was supposed to have been treated. He is intelligent, logical, and puts thought into what he says so I forgive his indulgences.
Ive got to say... saying the F-word on MSNBC couldn't happen to a better person than Joe. He comes across so rude and just awful. The whole thing was just so funny in general, but I especially love that it happened to him!
I watch Rachel and love her show but sometimes she comes across too self-deprecating to me. I dunno, my husband loves Keith but cant stand her show at all.

[Liberalrep1980]

I like KO as much as the next guy. I feel that his opinions when spoken are formed from facts and a bit of true sympathy. But 7.5 million a year is pathetic. Way too much for anyone doing news, or being a talk show host. Some of you said some things about him that were a bit rough. He's the same thing that BO is, only on the far-left. They are both extremely automated, loud, and over opinionated. But that is what they are being payed for I guess. They should have to either be news anchors or show hosts. Anchors are not supposed to give opinions, just facts so you form your own opinion. Hosts can say whatever they like because, well, it's their show. So, I guess BO is a host cause lets face it, he doesn't care about facts. And KO is both some how. He cares about facts but talks like a host. oh well, they just get payed way too much for talking.

[SunshineDaydream]

do you actually believe any thinking american is not aware of the news of the day by 8 pm? he is a commentator, and he is giving a voice to millions of americans who never had one on cable news.

[mairs]

Limbaugh gets $30 million a year. Is that like uber ultra extra-special pathetic?

[trollsbwild]

BTW, VikingQuest:

There is a difference between KO and Sean Hannity. KO calls out the liars, while Hannity spreads the lies.
Wish I could conduct an IQ test on the listeners. Wouldn't be at all suprised to learn that Keith's audience is a lot more intelligent.

[VikingQuest]

They are all talking heads that should are ignored by anyone that isn't a hack.

Just because you like his opinion has nothing to do with truth.

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Nor does your dislike make it any less truthful.

[reachsean]

Keith Olbermann is the hero to my Mom . My Mom does not speak one word of english . But she loves Olbermann 's program. She matches the picture with the faces that he makes and she gets the story .
She has been here over a month and half and never miss the program . One Sunday she asked me to change the channal to the good looking guy ( That is what she call him ) . I told her that it is only from Monday to Friday !!

Off course her second best show is Jon Stewart . She start laughing as soon as jon's stewart show start. Again she match the pictures with fac of Jon and here we go again .

[SunshineDaydream]

must be a riot. lol

my kids have stopped watching disney at night and watch keith and rachel with me.

[ADinSC]

It's a shame she wasn't around durng the early years of "Countdown". "Michael Jackson Puppet Theater" was priceless! I'm sure the videos are up on the show's MSNBC web page. A "must see" for anyone who wants a good laugh!

[kylennblack]

I love Olbermann. He's crazy but he's my kind of crazy!

[wynams]

Enough KO coverage ... at the moment of my comment there are 3 pictures of him on HuffPo main page!
Arrrrrrrrrgghhh!

[SunshineDaydream]

luvs it!!!!!

[Lora4Obama]

I LUh-Uh-Uve Keith! I watch faithfully every evening. When I first became aware of his show I thought 'Where have you been all my life!?!' The voting thing does really disturb me however. I wonder if Rachel votes... and if so what does she think about the fact that Keith does not? I mean, love and all, he isn't exactly Edward R. Murrow... it's obvious who he supports (if he DID vote) just by watching a few minutes of his show... I mean that's why we all watch.