I don’t begrudge Olbermann wanting more money, even though I thought he was wildly overpaid. If you think you can fetch a better price from a giant corporation for your low-rated show, why not go for it? Of course, putting your “greed” ahead of the cause you consider yourself vital to is a nice bit of hypocrisy for a prog like Olbermann.
But letting your staff sit in the dark until they hear the news on air, strikes me as precisely the sort of thing you’d expect from a self-involved jerk.
If you lead a going concern it's not only you that's affected when it ends. In Anthony Bourdain's most recent book, he talks to Emeril Lagasse about his businesses, and inquired why he was so inclined to keep them going. Lagasse politely but firmly explained that it's all fine and good to field complaints about being a sellout. But on the other hand, how do you tell people who depend on your for their livelihood that you are closing down a successful business concern out of appealing to some vague teen angst sentiment. Not saying Olbermann should hang onto his job no matter what, but his indifference to his staff and their futures and careers is telling.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJonah, I couldn't agree with you more.
Olbermann is nothing more than a self absorbed liberal and could care less what his actions mean for those that work for and/or with him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOlbermann's treatment of his staff is more evidence that when libs decry evil, heartless capitalists, most are simply projecting their own morals onto others.
Way to keep it classy, Keith!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBut letting your staff sit in the dark until they hear the news on air, strikes me as precisely the sort of thing you’d expect from a self-involved jerk.
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So true
"Self-involved jerk" is too kind, Jonah. Even Scrooge didn't treat Bob Cratchit that bad.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWho is the Keith Olbermann everyone is talking about?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI would love to see one of them go on the air and say, "You stay classy, Keith Olbermann" Ron Burgundy style. It would be worth every penny of the FCC fine.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBut letting your staff sit in the dark until they hear the news on air, strikes me as precisely the sort of thing you’d expect from a self-involved jerk.
Sounds like he took lessons from the LeBron James school of etiquette...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI agree with Jonah, and almost anything else said against the vile and despicable Keith Olbermann. But, I think it's usual in these sorts of contract negotiations that staff have to be kept in the dark. It doesn't surprise me they were the last to know.
What would impress me is if he, like Conan, paid his staff out of his own pocket while they were on hiatus until his next gig kicks in.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOlbermann truly puts the -azzy in clazzy.
And take THAT objectionable language filter!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI certainly don't begrudge anyone getting as much as they can for their talent. However, I find it deliciously hypocritical of Olbermann to be digging for gold while criticizing our culture and anyone who does the same. It's good to know that deep down even our red blooded commies care for wealth, wealth creation, and all of the benefits for society as a whole that comes from those endeavors. When I make money in my business, other people make more money too. It's a fact. The better I do the better it is for everyone that deals with me.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGiven Olbermann's well known issues with working with others, it's likely he actively disliked his staff, anyway.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMr. Goldberg- you may want to expand a bit on exactly who was being maliciously kept in the dark. From my experience, the technicians involved in getting the show into the pipe 'belong' to MSNBC, not Olbermann. As for his personal staff (PAs and such), keeping them out of contract disputes is defensible- I would probably have appreciated it in hindsight. They have no control over such things, and it can be rude to upset the operation.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBathtubs and neighbors hardest hit
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFox should offer him the money he was looking for.
Serious.
They should offer it -- just to see if he'd take it and just to see the firestorm the offer would create.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm afraid Jonah is in danger of being listed on Olbermann's next segment, "World's Most Uncivil Person."
Wouldn't it be better if he just said something like "Olbermann was to MSNBC what Franken is to the Senate?" Heck, maybe he'd even take it as a compliment.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell said Mr. Goldberg. I'm still going to miss occasionally tuning in to watch Olby foam at the mouth...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf progressive sentiments really worked well with human nature, then perhaps they would be able to live by them.
"I do think at a certain point you've made enough money."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Show's format is ok. It's watchable when someone other than Olberdork hosts it. I actually hope the Commie O'Donnell retains the format because he was funny as heck when he subbed for Olberdork.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow much you wanna bet that Olbermann sends his staff off to join the other 99ers.
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