On the Waning Days of Madmen in the Media

So some Hollywood insiders are sick of the decidedly liberal MSNBC, according to a report. One "liberal Democrat" actually said at a Beverly Hills luncheon "that she would prefer a lunch date with right-leaning Fox News star Sean Hannity over left-leaning MSNBC star Keith Olbermann." Egad. I wouldn't eat lunch with Sean Hannity unless it involved dining on his freshly-excised heart in front of him, though given its smallness I doubt it would make much of a meal.

But this woman's not alone, apparently. A very liberal friend of mine hates Olbermann too, saying "he's too brash," while another colleague has grown tired of the pontificating. I'm seeing the complaints piling up in the lefty blogosphere.

There's been a backlash against Olby steadily brewing and it's hard to argue that he hasn't brought it on himself, between his feverish channeling of Edward R. Murrow, the on-air catfights with fellow commentators, and the never-ending petty putdowns of hapless Republican morons.

Still, I'm cool with the big 'Mann; despite the ego, he's delivered memorable commentaries on the sad state of the nation and, most pointedly, the outrageous impunity with which the loathsome Bush White House has acted.

I will say this: Olbermann's gonna have some trouble with an Obama administration. He'll have difficulty, at least at first, finding things to get smug about and will harp on the littlest shit.

Picture his squinting eyes and puckered lips sourly delivering such lines as, "No chief executive in the history of this great nation has ever snubbed the assistant to the assistant ambassador of Guinea-Bissau. How dare you, Mr. President. Nobama, indeed!"

Unfortunately, Olbermann's already been booted from anchoring election night coverage on MSNBC because of perceived bias. That's unfortunate, because it would have made for some interesting television viewing, especially if FOX was daring and stupid enough to have Bill O'Reilly anchoring their election coverage at the same time.

I would've worn out my remote flipping back-and-forth on such a televised, partisan debacle. But while Olbermann's failed attempts to rein in his own vicious sarcasm would be fun, O'Reilly would be a scream... literally.

Imagine Papa Bear, trying desperately to contain his rage as state after state falls into the Obama column... pushing the FOX "they cheated!" line as red states go blue by the tiniest of margins... finally snapping in a silent TV studio as he awaits any good news for the right.

"WHERE'S THE GODDAMN NUMBERS FOR RHODE ISLAND?!?!?"

They'd make him stay on all night, well into the morning. He'd be bleary-eyed, disheveled and alternately lashing out and sobbing piteously.

"THESE EXIT POLLS ARE BULLSHIT! Augh... I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen but-- but-- WHY, ZOGBY, WHY?!? AIEEEEEEE!!"

Finally at around two A.M. he'd throw his papers in the air and walk off the set, revealing that he hadn't been wearing pants the whole time.

Alas, it's not to be, and the days of craziness I fear are numbered. There'll be less misogynistic slobbering by Chris Matthews, less brain-dead blather from Steve Doocy, less fat-faced foolishness from Glenn Beck, etc.

Yep, with the sober and purposeful first 100 days of the Obama Age, I think we'll see the wild depravity of the media madmen we've been subjected to for eight long, hellish years begin to finally fade away, becoming as anachronistic as a print newspaper in an Internet café. The nation has grown tired of round-the-clock propaganda, spinnery, and idiotic shouting matches between professional antagonists. What will replace it is anyone's guess, but it can't get any worse.

Can it?

Comments

[rabiddog6708]

Do not go gently into that good night....rage against the dying...not of the light...the dying of America. I would rather have Keith's passion, sir, than your stoic talking heads, who risk nothing by offering nothing to the discourse. Keith may get over-heated from time to time, but the times and events merit passion, not docile, mealy-mouthed rhetoric.

[pjburke]

No one but Keith Olbermann has had the BRASS to call out the Bush Administration -- and Bush himself -- for the litany of lies and rampant criminality... and then back it up with expertise from the likes of Jonathan Turley, John Dean, Bruce Fein and so many others. Keith appeals to rationalists, and he channels our outrage at this country's long, dark descent into fact-free irrationality.

Faux News, as the wholly-owned propaganda subsidiary of the Republican Party, will continue as herd-dog for the various authoritarians, theocrats, flat-earthers, bigots and other assorted low-info types residing in the myth-based community.

Keith's role as antidote to the coming Faux 'screeching daily dose' smear & fear campaign will be more necessary than ever.

[sixx]

"I think we'll see the wild depravity of the media madmen we've been subjected to for eight long, hellish years begin to finally fade away, becoming as anachronistic as a print newspaper in an Internet café."

I don't know where you live Mr. Sheehan but Right Wing Hate Radio and TV are stronger than ever here in the Southwest.

[PuppaX]

I really don't get why people have a problem with Olbermann. God forbid we have someone responding to outrages with real emotion.

What exactly is the problem? Are progressive-minded people not allowed someone standing up and yelling for the things that outrage them? Or is that only OK for so-called conservatives?

[Grulg]

I thought it was a funny at times skit that should have had Bill Orally show up and have them get into a fight (Matt Damon as Bill0? think about it-Most good) w/ Loofahs. Missed opp there SNL.

Keith rants too much and has some wankers for his Greek chorus there I think but he still is 1000-1 preferable to Rush, Billo, Hannity and co. So sure he can take it.

[winenut]

Keith Olberman came on to the scene just in time to rescue so many of us who felt there was no outlet expressing what millions felt. I object to the comparison with rightwing Faux News and right wing radio. Keith Olberman does not trade in lies as do his counterparts. He is succinct and clear and seeks to educate his listeners or at the least open minds to the idea that it is never black and white in the way things are so often portrayed. I say, yay, to Keith Olberman. My two year old knows him by name as well as Rachel and they are welcome on our TV screen for as long as they are honest and informative.

[blustate135]

Well said! An additional contrast of Olbermann to Fox - I have never seen KO verbally attack a single guest and engage in a shoutfest. He can actually have a debate without being a neanderthal.

[cylindar]

I like Olbermann. He can come into my home and rant all he wants to. He is music to my ears.

[Forsetti]

Liberals are always howling about being perceived as too soft and not outspoken enough yet when when one of them does they turn on them. I love Keith and sometimes he does get too passionate about something but I have never seen him yell at a guest or not allow them to state their point. As a liberal I feel that we have been pushed to the brink politically and rationally by the conservative base the past decade and our frustration and tolerance levels are past the tipping points. Having someone who can give voice to these feelings, while still maintaining logic and reasoning, is a welcome relief.

[nunzia]

Liberals are famous for their circular-firing squad proclivities so it comes as no surprise that some Hollywood no-doubt- limo-liberal would prefer Hannity (ugh).

I agree that Olbermann at times really forces those comments. For ratings, I presume. Too much of a good thing.
The comments should be reserved for really important issues, as they were when he first started doing them.

However, I agree with those who like Olbermann. And having watched the lock-step success of the reichwing wackos who dominate radio talk and a whole lot of TV talk, I will take Olbermann - and Maddow - as they come.
Save your fire for the real enemies of our America.

[Forsetti]

Exactly. Liberals suffer from too much "guilt" for being liberal and progressive. We should not swing to the other side of the fence like too many conservatives and feel no guilt no matter what happens or how much evidence mounts against them but some "guilt in moderation" would be nice.

[DianeGhil]

I love Keith Olbermann!!!!! He gives me the point of view I so desparately search for. If the right wing conservatives silence this man, I will begin a real protest. You have your fox news stay with it.
I cannot watch Fox news but am not trying to silence them - they have their audience.
Let the liberals have their voice - you right wingers can't let anyone be different.
He has told the truth of McCain, Bush and all of the vindictive fox news anchors - bill o;reilly is such a hateful joke and I think he is leading the push to get Olbermann off the air. Stay home and wretch o'reilly - I won't listen to you anyway..
How can I voice my support for Keith Olbermann to the channels that will have power to retain his show?
Diane Ghil

[StellaRay]

Love Keith, and by the looks of these comments, what backlash?

[libvolk]

Why is it that liberal people are required to be docile? Whenever a liberal person is passionate the schoolyard bullies (Right Wing Cretins) pitch a fit. Yet people like O'Liely & Satan Hannity are allowed to lie, label and judge. It is time someone had the courage to call out the morons on Fixed News for what they are.

Bravo Keith you have a huge following with “us” the members of the Northeast Liberal Elite, please continue to be our representative for truth & justice in the cesspool that is American media.

[doobay]

Keith Olbermann has performed an important duty for the liberal masses - he has drawn the line in the sand for the right-wing media bullies and has dared them to cross it.
For years, we had endured the verbal brow beating of the Hannitys, the O'Reillys, the Coulters, the Becks, the Savages, the Hewitts, etc. and experienced average citizens regurgitate their mantras. Finally, someone stood up to them and yelled back an opposing view in their faces, as opposed to a well thought out postion mumbled under one's breath, to which no one was listening.
KO reminds of the 1980 movie "The Bodygaurd," in which a new boy in school is harassed by a gang of bullies, extoring lunch money to supposedly provide protection against a homicidal tough kid. The new boy hires that supposed bad egg as his bodygaurd to protect him from the gang who ironically claim they will protect him from his own bodygaurd. Well, that mild new boy is us liberals, the gang are the Hannitys and Oreillys claiming they are protecting us from the liberal media as they extort our lunch money and our freedom, and KO is our that same liberal bodygaurd to protect us from them!
I am so glad we have Keith Olbermann to keep those media bullies on their side of the line, so we can eat our lunch, try to get back our Constitution, and provide insightful talk once again from the media.

[KitChandler]

I can honestly believe that if it had not been for KEITH, the election would not have turned out the way it has.

No one one television (not even Tavis Smiley) was coming to the aid of OBAMA when surrrilous accusations were made. I can also say that Keith's observations were not biased. They were rational and made good sense. I find his program not only informative but entertaining. He goes overboard sometimes but who's perfect.

If some liberals are beginning to turn their backs of Olbermann. Let them watch Limbaugh or Hannity or O'Reilly or Beck or Scarborough or Gibson or Stephanopoulous or Doocy ...

Keith Olbermann deserves the Medal of Honor for bravery and having the courage of his convictions (and stating them) while being pummeled by both friend and enemy.

He has done his part in trying to ensure that we have "a more perfect union."

[amiblueyoubet]

It's become fashionable to Knock KO. While he may have given the insiders some ammo to do so, he has remained loyal to who he is. He's not afraid to say what he thinks. Most of all he doesn't lie. Is he Liberal? Probably. I say, remain loyal to him, we owe him that.

[ProfessorDuh]

Absolutely. I can cite a dozen major mistakes or lies that Fox News has aired off the top of my head. Where are Olbermann's factual errors? State them please, critics, or shut your yaps. Fox News airs right-wing propaganda 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and I don't see you complaining about that.

[seereene1]

I'm an old foggie and am often asleep by the time KO's on. But since I discovered huffpost and have become obsessed with this election, I've managed to stay up and catch him and Rachel M and just love them both!! Don't take him away now that I've discovered him. Believe me...don't anyone of you be fooled into believing that the GOP attack machine will cease and desist once BHO takes office. Remember the Clinton administration - they could have accomplished so much more if they hadn't spent to much time battling the GOP dirt digging attacks. KO will have much to discuss as the far right kicks into high gear to regain their power and position.