Keith Olbermann, Current TV Weigh In On 'Countdown' Anchor's Absence From Iowa Caucuses Coverage

Update (11:36p): Keith Olbermann reportedly declined Current TV's offer to anchor or participate in the network's results coverage of the 2012 Iowa caucuses. Politico's Dylan Byers reported that a Current TV spokesperson told a discussion forum on the network's website that Olbermann was asked "to be the sole anchor and exec producer of our primary and caucus coverage beginning tonight," but "unfortunately, he declined."

Original Post: Keith Olbermann tweeted about his noticeable absence from Current TV's coverage of the Iowa caucuses Tuesday night.

Last week, rumors surfaced that there might be tension between the host and his employer, Current TV, after The New York Times reported on his absence from the network's coverage plans. Earlier in the day, Olbermann tweeted that he was on his way to the office, in response to a follower who asked if "Countdown" would air Tuesday night. Just before official coverage of the Iowa caucuses results began, he tweeted that his show was not going to air. He also told viewers to direct questions to the network and co-founders, including former Vice President and Current TV chairman, Al Gore.

@KeithOlbermann
Keith Olbermann

Headed into the office now in fact RT @OwensC08 @KeithOlbermann So is #Countdown back tonight?

January 3, 2012 6:08 pm via Twittelator Reply Retweet Favorite

@KeithOlbermann
Keith Olbermann

So as not to mislead: I am informed Countdown will not be on tonight. I must defer on all questions to @JoelHyatt @AlGore and @Current

January 3, 2012 11:47 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

@KeithOlbermann
Keith Olbermann

Back by popular demand, Countdown returns Wednesday Night 8 PM Eastern. Now with 99% less Santorum (google it)

January 4, 2012 12:22 am via web Reply Retweet Favorite

Comments

[rhottenste]

10:32 PM on 01/06/2012

He brings good perspectives to the issues but does he really have to be so darned nasty?

[Margo Arrowsmith]

07:42 AM on 01/06/2012

Keith has been back two night.   Good shows and with the exception of his casual clothing, they are the same as always.    Other than using Twitter for inter office memos, I see nothing happening here.

[Thumbody]

11:03 PM on 01/05/2012

Can you say publicity stunt? They want and need your undidvided attention at current.

[Thumbody]

10:59 PM on 01/05/2012

Unprofessional, the story is always about him, don't know if his massive ego could fit in any studio. Pride always comes before the fall.

[tiji]

02:35 PM on 01/05/2012

You can say anything you want about Keith but he is better than all those clowns at FOX NOISE.

[an seanchus mor]

09:33 PM on 01/05/2012

Oh no, no, Fox is the only thing which reminds us how much wrong there is, a bit like press TV or information TV? Don’t know do you have them?

[JEWELLINGS]

02:36 PM on 01/07/2012

Responding to tiji.

No trurer words have ever been spoken. No one is perfect, but this guy is the best of the best.

[Seablue2u]

12:49 PM on 01/05/2012

...wishing someone could get the blinders off this person's eyes. Wow, talk about the big lie working. It's totally re-written political history here.

[vrndavan]

04:20 PM on 01/05/2012

I say let mas1956 keep the blinders on. That way when actual progress happens, and it will, it'll catch him/her by surprise. I hope you like the taste of crow massy.

[rosiebag]

04:04 PM on 01/05/2012

Tou are correct this man is near a complete breakdown GODSPEED

[Catch 22]

12:18 PM on 01/05/2012

I admire the natural talents, and especially the writing skills of KO a lot, but at some point we do have to ask ourselves, based on his record if he can play with the other kids. Maybe he should start his own Network.

[rt1027]

12:47 PM on 01/05/2012

no one watches the one he is on now.......laughing

[vrndavan]

04:23 PM on 01/05/2012

no one? really? so when i'm watching Olberman, i'm really not watching it? sounds like a buddhist riddle.

[H321]

12:17 PM on 01/05/2012

He and cenk uygar can marvel in their own self importance and sheer arrogance for all I care

[vrndavan]

04:31 PM on 01/05/2012

oh joy...another delicate middle of the road pundit. Olbermann and Uyar are agitators, we need people like them. otherwise worthy opinion would never be aired. there is a place for moderation, however sometimes some just have to be called out without kid gloves.

[hmdjr]

05:20 PM on 01/05/2012

They are needed gad flies. They are needed to question what is really going on in this country instead of the don't make waves media that dominates now.

[H321]

09:22 PM on 01/05/2012

Their reactionary loud-mouthed gas bags.

[jufrgs]

11:51 AM on 01/05/2012

I really like Keith Olberman and I miss him on msnbc a lot.

[vrndavan]

04:31 PM on 01/05/2012

Ditto!

[Margo Arrowsmith]

07:44 AM on 01/06/2012

Jennifer Granholm is getting her own show soon, perhaps if you look into other cable companies.  I got it with Direct.

[Margo Arrowsmith]

07:43 AM on 01/06/2012

You may be able to get Current from another company.   Direct TV has it here.

[HitnMyths]

11:02 AM on 01/05/2012

Ratings = Relevance? No

[CAhye]

10:49 AM on 01/05/2012

what a baby

[JubalTHarshaw]

10:22 AM on 01/05/2012

Keith is an obnoxious opinionater, not a journalist. He wasn't missed...

[vrndavan]

04:37 PM on 01/05/2012

Journalists don't have opinions? I don't think so. Moreover, there are op-eds in newspapers, why not on TV?

[jiminey99]

08:48 AM on 01/05/2012

Keith who???

[rneigh9880]

08:43 AM on 01/05/2012

He might have had about a hundred people watching the show for sure. It will take a while for him to build up his audience again since Al took over for him the other night. No body watches except Al and couple of close friends.

[vrndavan]

04:39 PM on 01/05/2012

"No body watches except Al and couple of close friends." Well then that isn't nobody, is it?

[Thumbody]

11:01 PM on 01/05/2012

I hear it is popular on Mars, Saturn and Pluto.

[rneigh9880]

04:04 AM on 01/06/2012

Al and any of his friends are nobody to me.

[rcmfla]

06:54 AM on 01/05/2012

This is a non-reported based on weekend rumors and carried over through this week. So, Olbermann decided not to participate in the Iowa Caucus. Were Republicans going to clamor over themselves to catch up on what Keith Olbermann had to parse with continuing coverage? He saved his comments for his own show and let others cover the event. Who cares.. Mountain meet Mole Hill.