Olbermann Watch - MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann: Fear of Fairness

Olbermann Watch, "persecuting" Keith since 2004

April 3, 2006

Fear of Fairness

For Olby, it was fun while it lasted. With the Winter Olympics as lead-in programming, he found himself the beneficiary of a slight upturn in viewers. But now, as Olympic memories start to fade and viewer habits return to normal, his ratings have started to regress from merely awful back to abominable. So in an effort to rehabilitate the infamous, deplorable Keith Olbermann, his bosses at MSNBC have begun the Olby Publicity Tour.

Inside Cable News points out that the network suits have devised a new ad for The Hour of Spin, and--just like the program itself--it doesn't constrain itself with such archaic concepts as truth or accuracy:

O'Reilly was talking about Total Viewers and not Demo viewers. In essence the ad dings O'Reilly for something he never said. I've tried not to take sides in this saga but in this particular case O'Reilly is not guilty of the charge against him.

Criticizing O'Reilly for something he never said? This is so reminiscent of Countdown that we wonder if Olby himself wrote the script.

Even more dangerous than running dishonest promos, A-Mess-NBC has actually unleashed Krazy Keith himself for interviews with newspapers. The latest one appears in today's Washington Post, where Howard Kurtz wraps the story with a reference to a website that has been somewhat critical of our Olby:

Liberal bloggers have been praising Olbermann, but one online critic, Robert Cox, recently launched a new site, Olbermann Watch, where a contributor said: "Hello! Earth to Krazy Keith! When was the last time anybody who disagreed with your spin was permitted to sit for an interview with your almightyness?"

For the record, Olbermann Watch has been around since November, 2004. And while it was nice of Mr Kurtz to quote one of our comments, it would have made more sense if he had included the context: Keith rails about the President surrounding himself with people who agree with him, but constructs his own "news" show inside an ideological bubble that outlaws dissent.

To expand on this point, we turn to The Cable Game. Always a good read, TCG has picked up on an OlbyInterview with a San Bernadino paper, and focused like a laser beam on the salient quotes:

The idea that 'balance' is always fair is absolutely false.

A key admission: Olby is not interested in balance.

If I say there's an 800-pound elephant or 800-pound donkey, depending on your politics, in the room, and someone else says, 'No, there isn't,' one person can be right and one can be objectively wrong.

There are so many logical fallacies in this one sentence that we won't even begin to analyze them all. Suffice it to say that physical facts are almost always provable. It would be silly to argue the question of whether the Earth is flat. The issues that demand balance are those of philosophy, ideology, principles, and morality. These are not so easily dismissed as "objectively right" or "objectively wrong", but Olbermann knows that. He deliberately chooses an outrageous, irrelevant example that sidesteps the pivotal failing of his "news" show: it is fabricated from top to bottom to fit his own "objectively right" mindset

Having both sides politically debating a point adds nothing to the political discourse; plus, it makes me queasy.

Here is the most startling admission of them all. Keith Olbermann is so fearful that anyone might question what he has ruled to be Absolute Truth, that he won't even allow such heretical thoughts to be expressed in his presence. Just the notion that someone might not parrot his spin turns him physically ill and nauseous.

Is this the real reason for his hatred of Bill O'Reilly? Mr Bill presents all sides, from Code Pink to Ann Coulter; the audience can decide who is correct. Krazy Keith compensates for insecurity by adopting a too-hip-for-my-shirt smart-aleck shtick, while cowering at the thought that anything might creep into The Hour of Spin that would require him to justify his own preconceived biases. Fear and envy--a marriage of convenience that is the soul of Keith Olbermann.

Posted by johnny dollar | Permalink | Comments (56) | | View blog reactions

56 Comments

By salome on April 3, 2006 12:31 PM

What's truly frightening here is that day after day, you seem to honestly believe this junk.

By Patrick Fegan on April 3, 2006 12:41 PM

CNN would definitely agree. They went and took the advice of a first cousin of Olbermann, John Stewart, and dropped Crossfire. Maybe it's my conspiracy, but this whole " two sides debating adds nothing " stuff is completely dishonest. It's more like " two sides debating makes me queasy because my positions are thoroughly and consistently blown to smithereens." Isn't two sides politically debating points the very definition of the political discourse. Explain to me how he has his own show again. I mean, whose eyebrows did he sleep with to get that gig?

By Anonymous on April 3, 2006 12:46 PM

Wow, Johnny Dollar. Keep that mouth open. Who knows what might fly in (or fall out) while you're drooling stupidly in front of the TeeVee, mindlessly reversing reality as you bow to your hero O'Reilly, a proven liar and biased coward of the first order.

Don't you dare allow reality to intrude upon your reverie...

By Jim on April 3, 2006 1:45 PM

This is truly amazing. Why is this so hard to see? There are irrefutable facts at play here.

1. Olby never invites guests with opposing views. O'Reilly always wants guests with opposing views. In fact, he prefers it.

By KfK on April 3, 2006 1:46 PM

Mr. Dollar,

I must disagree with you about the MSLSD rationale behind promoting Olby. These people are automatons. Olby bumped his numbers during the Olympics and touted them to the executives. The execs get excited and sign off on an Olby publicity tour. They don't care what he says or how he says it as long as he gets the numbers.

By johnny dollar on April 3, 2006 1:49 PM

What?! Disagree?!? That's not allowed on The Hour of Spin! Everybody must parrot the host!! Oh wait, I've been watching too much Olby. Sorry about that.

By spaghettilegs on April 3, 2006 1:53 PM

JOHN MCCAIN IN 08 SOUNDS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jarhead on April 3, 2006 2:10 PM

Seriously, is Olbewankanobe gay or does he just pretend to be gay in order to prove that he is tolerant? I'm still puking over the remark by that ugly looking gay guy (with the huge eyebrows) that Olbewankanobe had on a few eeks ago that remarked that Charleton Heston was "uncut". Eeeewwwwwww!

By LOL on April 3, 2006 2:52 PM

I don't know which is funnier, watching the idiots ritualistically insult Olbermann or watching them mindlessly defend O'Reilly.

Either way, it's good comedy! Thanks guys!

By KfK on April 3, 2006 3:07 PM

Notable Quotables from WaPo

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/02/AR2006040201273.html:

Keith Olbermann sez:

"I find myself currently aligned, not in the sense of having membership, but being in the same part of the ballpark as a lot of liberals"

Nice straight answer! How about saying, "I am a liberal," you dopey master of the run-on no-content sentence.

But let's hear from the MSLSD executive braintrust:

"Keith's show is the best show on television, period -- interesting, edgy and really well written," says MSNBC President Rick Kaplan. He says Olbermann is "incredibly aggressive" toward anyone in power: "In the same way that people who think the president needs to be supported more have turned to Fox, a lot of people who think the president needs to be taken on more have found a friendly voice in 'Countdown.' "

"The best show on TV?" Like the "Sopranos" of news shows? Earth to Kaplan . . . are you out there? At least Kaplan almost admits Keith is a Bush-basher doing opinion as news!

But let's see what the NBC news prez has to say:

NBC News President Steve Capus says "there's no question he's stepped up his opinionated discussions, but the audience is smart enough to know what is straight news reporting and what is opinion-driven talk."

Oh yeah! The audience is smart enough to know when the news is being altered! Hey, Keith may leave out all the facts he doesn't like, but the audience knows that! All together now people: BULLSHIT!

By Anonymous on April 3, 2006 3:10 PM

"Anonymous" and "LOL",

The fact that Olbermann only allows one viewpoint to be presented on his program is egregious enough, and has NOTHING to do with any of us defending O'Reilly, Paula Zahn, Nancy Grace or any of his competitors.

It's just repulsive, however, that he lauds himself for having a program above the fray, without arguments, etc. Of course there are no arguments; he won't allow anyone with views different than his anywhere NEAR his program.

By Dave on April 3, 2006 3:21 PM

One sided news programs?

Does KO stand for Kim-Jong Olbermann?
He likes one-sided news casts too.

By Jim on April 3, 2006 3:22 PM

Please, somebody tell me how someone espousing liberal views on TV ( Olby ) and then having someone else ( Olby Guest ) constantly agree with him be interesting to watch, informative, thought-provoking, or fair ( Olby already conceded he dislikes balance ) Anyone? Anyone?

By Dave on April 3, 2006 3:31 PM

[crickets]

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 3:38 PM

KO's Countdown (one show) is no more left-biased than FOX (entire network) is right-biased.

By Jim on April 3, 2006 3:54 PM

KO's Countdown (one show) is no more left-biased than FOX (entire network) is right-biased.

Even if that were true ( which it isn't ) it doesn't address the real issue, ( Please, somebody tell me how someone espousing liberal views on TV ( Olby ) and then having someone else ( Olby Guest ) constantly agree with him be interesting to watch, informative, thought-provoking, or fair ( Olby already conceded he dislikes balance ) Anyone? Anyone? )

By johnny dollar on April 3, 2006 3:54 PM

I levied this challenge already, and nobody took it up. So I'll try it again. I'm sure "L.Moonves" will be ready with a detailed response. We listed all the "expert" guests Olby trotted out to argue against the NSA program and its legality. Name one hour on Fox that has handled the NSA surveillance issue in as one-sided a manner has Countdown has.

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 4:07 PM

blah blah blah. your "challenge" is meaningless. Countdown's content sounds reasonable and true, while FoxNews sounds like the same lies the Bush administration has been shoveling for years. biased doesn't mean dishonest -- but in the case of FoxNews, both appear to apply.

By johnny dollar on April 3, 2006 4:13 PM

Another challenger bites the dust. All brag, no fact.

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 4:17 PM

fraudulent elections ... domestic propaganda ... illegal wiretaps ... corruption ... cronyism ... secret prisons ... torture ... REPUBLICANISM.

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 4:18 PM

fraudulent elections ... domestic propaganda ... illegal wiretaps ... corruption ... cronyism ... secret prisons ... torture ... REPUBLICANISM.

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 4:19 PM

fraudulent elections ... domestic propaganda ... illegal wiretaps ... corruption ... cronyism ... secret prisons ... torture ... REPUBLICANISM.

By johnny dollar on April 3, 2006 4:22 PM

I think L.Moonves has been listening to Olby's iPod.

By terribletink on April 3, 2006 4:44 PM

This site cracks me up. I guess that since you don't want to get into actual facts (since Keith would trump O'Reilly any day on those), you just go with half-baked personal attacks. Nice. I think the tinfoil is affecting your brains, guys...

By Jim on April 3, 2006 4:51 PM

Olby has never given both sides to any issue!! Can't anyone just address that for a moment. Anyone? Anyone?

By Jake on April 3, 2006 4:57 PM

BUSH LIES ... PROFITS RISE ... PEOPLE DIE. And FoxNews is a mouthpiece for fascist republican administration. Olbermann tells the truth.

By Jim on April 3, 2006 5:02 PM

Anyone? Anyone?

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 5:09 PM

fraudulent elections ... domestic propaganda ... illegal wiretaps ... corruption ... cronyism ... secret prisons ... torture ... REPUBLICANISM.

By Dave on April 3, 2006 5:20 PM

There once was a far left-wing poster
Olby facts would trump Bill he dare boasted
Ironic he lacks
the aforementioned facts
if he tried he'd get thoroughly roasted

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 5:36 PM

Iraq has WMDs. Iraq linked to 9/11. U.S. will be greeted as Liberators. Iraq oil will finance the war. 100K troops will be plenty. Mission Accomplished. No one imagined they would fly planes into buildings. No one imagined there would be an Iraqi insurgency. No one imagined the levees would overflow. LIES ALL LIES. Expect nothing else from the fascist Bushies and their FoxNews propagandists.

By KfK on April 3, 2006 5:54 PM

It is telling that Olby's fans don't even try to hide their lefty passion and agenda. They know Keith is a leftist and a liar, and they love him for it. Keith sez:

"I find myself currently aligned, not in the sense of having membership, but being in the same part of the ballpark as a lot of liberals"

His fans tell us much more:

BUSH LIES ... PROFITS RISE ... PEOPLE DIE. And FoxNews is a mouthpiece for fascist republican administration. Olbermann tells the truth.

fraudulent elections ... domestic propaganda ... illegal wiretaps ... corruption ... cronyism ... secret prisons ... torture ... REPUBLICANISM.

No matter how hard Olby and the MSLSD execs spin, Olby's fans will give him away.

By L.Moonves on April 3, 2006 6:02 PM

though the right-wing propagandists have indoctrinated you differently, a viewpoint is not the same as an hidden-activist-agenda. keith's viewers see him as a truth source. you see FoxNews and the Bush administration as a truth source. in the end, the truth will out ... as will the lies. to wit:

gotta go home now ... i'll flame ya tomorrow ...

By What? on April 3, 2006 6:08 PM

This site blows.

There are many many many worse people out there than Olbermann.

By KfK on April 3, 2006 6:18 PM

L. Moonves -- hero of the stupid. Leslie has single-handedly run the CBS radio division into the ground, he helped make Rathergate a bigger scandal, he is suing Howard Stern for no good reason, and he just paid 65 million to put Katie Couric behind a desk reading a teleprompter! It is fitting that an Olbermann fan would post under his name.

Watch this L.Moonves -- it will (further) blow your mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o762HKxYMeA&eurl=

By Jack on April 3, 2006 6:32 PM

The host of Countdown, he is gutless
Name-calls, then hides like the nutless
If he had any stones
He'd receive broken bones
And cable TV would have one putz less

By Jim on April 3, 2006 6:38 PM

Olby is simply a wonderful person.... Except, he doesn't EVER put forth the opposing view. O'Reilly ALWAYS does!! Can someone please address this? Anyone? Anyone?

By KfK on April 3, 2006 6:51 PM

In a bizarre coincidence, I looked for more videos of "The Right Brothers," whom I linked to above, and found a clip of Olby psychotically attacking the band! How did I know that Olbermann would hate these guys? Because Olbermann is two-dimensional. He can be predicted because he operates from a script. What an ass. Just look at the video (first link), then at Keith's little rant and you will see how a petty ass behaves:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o762HKxYMeA&search=%26quot%3Bthe%20right%20brothers%26quot%3B

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GL7lZsbYKmg&search=%26quot%3Bthe%20right%20brothers%26quot%3B

By Trekkie on April 3, 2006 7:23 PM

In a bizarre coincidence, I looked for more videos of "The Right Brothers," whom I linked to above, and found a clip of Olby psychotically attacking the band!

I'm sorry, what? Keith was fairly restrained in his commentary. Hell, Keith was more "psychotic" (to use your word) when he attacked the Hall of Fame over excluding Buck O'Neil!

How did I know that Olbermann would hate these guys? Because Olbermann is two-dimensional.

It couldn't be because the song really does suck (the lyrical structure is a second-rate rip-off of "We Didn't Start The Fire" and the chorus has a definite schoolyard "nyah-nyah" sound in it, which is entertaining for all of 2 seconds).

And yes, I did watch the entire video you linked. If I want propaganda in my music, I'll take "Have You Forgotten?". At least Darryl Worley can come up with something unique...

By Gloria on April 3, 2006 7:59 PM

I just noticed the following descriptions that show on my Comcast Cable program descriptions.

1. Chris Matthews: "Forever wired Christ cMatthews hosts a topical talkfest". (that makes sense to me...no mention that it includes news). But then..

2. Countdown: "The nightly news program ranks the top five stories". Since when was Countdown "news"?

By O'Reilly's loofah on April 3, 2006 8:20 PM

Bush is a moron = leftist, partisan, hysterically anti-Bush
Bush is a genius = fair and balanced.

...I agree that this site blows. You let your lying neo-cons fool you into killing tens of thousands of brown people, and you think Olbermann needs to be watched?

By eddie kay on April 3, 2006 10:04 PM

Now Patrick Fegan wants to join Jon Stewart along with Ed Murrow into the Olberman equation.The only common denominator is Television.Didn't anyone tell him that Murrow was a journalist, Stewart is a comedian whether you think him funny or not and Olberman is a comedian masquerading as a journalist.

I'm sure CNN is stupid enough on their own to have cancelled crossfire which WAS a good show before they became too cheap to present intelligent insightful spokesmen from each side of the political spectrum. It was good when they had Kinsey vs, Buchanan or Novak.They hit an all time low when the libs were spoken for by some ex-Clinton stooge and the right by the only fool worse then Olberman,Tucker Carlson. But Tucker is back on and you guessed it MSNBC.What a lineup Carlson, Olberman and Mother Tucker.

By eddie kay on April 3, 2006 10:05 PM

By Thom on April 3, 2006 10:11 PM

The problem is a lack of understanding about the purpose of reporting, IMO.

You and your suppoters here are arguing for what has become the Rightwing news definition of "balance": getting any idiot who opposes a person or idea from the Left, or even anything that some fool has made up out of thin air (they're not supporting the troops!) to come on and bloviate about it. It's what allows offensive nincompoops like Falwell and Dobson and Coulter et al. to thrive.

Broadcast reporting is about learning and providing information. I'm glad Olbermann knows that.

By hank on April 3, 2006 10:56 PM

Olby is opening up a bookstore. It will be called the BookSpinner. Only credentialed lefty moonbats can enter and only reading material that Olby likes will be sold. Thom will be his first customer.

By KfK on April 3, 2006 11:36 PM

Thom,

You are right. Olby should just have the same three liberals on over and over again. No need for other individuals with expertise in an area when you can get the omniscient Dana Milbank. You are a tool IMO.

As for Trekkie's comments --

The song by the "Right Brothers" wasn't that bad. Keith hated the message, because it contradicts what he firmly believes. WMD's could shoot out of Saddam's ass, Iraqis could all join hands and OBL could turn himself in, and Olby would still be screaming about Bush.

His angry "spit take" and mean-spirited attack on that band was his usual nasty rebuttal to ideas he finds threatening.

By the way, Trekkie, Keith seems to be transforming himself into one of your favorite Star Trek characters:

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/mediaview?id=12073&episodeid=68736&count=-1

He's the same color and everything!

By O'Reilly Rules on April 3, 2006 11:40 PM

Olbermann is an intolerant. He doesn't allow anyone who has a contrarian opinion on his show. That shows his extreme leftist dictatorial tendancies!

By Patrick Fegan on April 4, 2006 1:12 AM

E.K.- So a comparison cannot be made between a journalist (man,that makes me feel really dirty saying that about Murrow) and a comedian ( that makes me feel insane saying that about Olbermann) masquerading as a journalist ( that makes me feel like I just committed a mortal sin) So here's your logic. I compared Olbermann and his sad tactics to Murrow's. I then called lil' Jonnie a first cousin ( not a clone )of KO. Ergo, John Stewart is Edward R. Murrow. Is that it? As for Stewart, he's similar to Olby in that he also has delusions about being the next, great American political satirist. I would be happy to shatter those delusions for him.

As I've read some of the recent lefty postings, several things become clearer: They are incredibly logical and succinct. They prove beyond a reasonable doubt that not having those whom you attack on your program to defend themselves on your program against rubberroom worthy accusations is not a test for credibility nor does it imply cowardice. And that this site really sucks. Shut 'er down, boys. Shut 'er down. But before I go, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the Olbermann and Schiavo wedding and reception has been moved. It will be held in the urethra of John Dean. So, Olbermann, continue not having opposing views on. But please oh please don't EVER use the word news between the hours of 8 and 9, Easter Standard Time!

By ko is hot on April 4, 2006 2:03 AM

I think Keith is sexy. You guys are just jealous

By Trekkie on April 4, 2006 3:07 AM

.By the way, Trekkie, Keith seems to be transforming himself into one of your favorite Star Trek characters:
http://www.startrek.com/startrek/mediaview?id=12073&episodeid=68736&count=-1
He's the same color and everything!

No, KfK. You see, that guy worships an all-powerful being named Vaal who inflicts "punishment" on those who contaminate his paradise (which has stagnated).

Now who do I know that fits that profile...hmm...let's see...ah! Joe Scarborough, come on down!

By hank on April 4, 2006 11:41 AM

Olby for Congress! He won't debate anybody and once he gets there he will introduce a bill that will ban debate on any bill he introduces because debate makes him "queasy" Obly will not be a Republican or Democrat, he will run under the "q" banner (queasy).

By webby on April 5, 2006 12:33 AM

Can't say I read any of the comments, but I you wrote something on how John Dean because of his past shenanigans. I was wondering how you feel about Oliver NOrth?

By johnny dollar on April 5, 2006 12:35 AM

Why?

By Jeff Ganon Fodder on April 5, 2006 5:13 PM

Journalism doesnt consist of finding one person with a view and another to disagree...its about truth not defenders and opponents? Because weather channels dont have someone sitting on the other side saying "It ISNT going to Rain, you're a rain loyalist" lol @ fairness

Lets reinstate the fairness doctrine!

By Smart on April 10, 2006 1:09 AM

Have you ever heard 'Sorry' of Madona ... hot song. I love C# :)

By Cecelia on April 10, 2006 4:05 AM

Jeff,

I think the Catholic Church made the same argument during the Spanish Inquisition...

By RuiningWhatYouClaimToSupport on April 10, 2006 4:07 PM

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Young Army officers, including growing numbers of captains who leave as soon as their initial commitment is fulfilled, are bailing out of active-duty service at rates that have alarmed senior officers. Last year, more than a third of the West Point class of 2000 left active duty at the earliest possible moment, after completing their five-year obligation.

Mirroring the problem among West Pointers, graduates of reserve officer training programs at universities are also increasingly leaving the service at the end of the four-year stint in uniform that follows their commissioning.

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