Keith Olbermann Addresses Rachel Maddow Beef and MSNBC Controversy
Longtime news personality Keith Olbermann has shared his perspective on the recent reports that MSNBC almost brought him back to replace news anchor Rachel Maddow.
It was reported by The Daily Beast on Wednesday that MSNBC wanted Olbermann to return to host a show that would air in the time slot currently occupied by The Rachel Maddow Show. According to the publication, Maddow, who will be moving from a nightly show to a weekly show later this year, apparently vetoed the Olbermann deal.
Olbermann reacted to the report on Thursday afternoon in a 21-post Twitter thread. He spoke of the 11-year long push-and-pull between himself and MSNBC as the news network attempted to lure him back. Olbermann had hosted a popular weeknight political commentary program Countdown on the channel from March 2003 to January 2011, after which his contract was terminated.
A thread about returning to MSNBC.
A) I’m not
B) Yes, there were talks
C) Yes, they were serious
D) Yes, NBC lied through its teeth denying them
E) Yes, NBC blamed the talks’ failure on @Maddow
F) I left in Jan. 2011. Comcast first reached out about my returning in…Sep. 2011🤷— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) March 17, 2022
While NBC told Variety that there was “never any serious consideration of Keith Olbermann returning,” the renowned sports journalist claimed that “there were talks” and “they were serious,” but said that NBC “lied through its teeth denying them.”
“Dinners scheduled and postponed by the pandemic. Breakfasts with the new news guy, same,” Olbermann wrote. “2 sets of agents talking. And then Maddow announced she’d be sunsetting her nightly show, and then came the idea I might succeed her (or even fill-in)…”
Olbermann also addressed his beef with Maddow, noting that it was NBC that blamed everything falling through on her. However, he admitted that “Incidentally I probably started the disharmony [with Maddow] with some dumb strategic moves when I took ‘Countdown’ to Current TV. But I never did anything like this s***,” referencing ex-MSNBC boss Phil Griffin and his opposition to bringing Maddow to MSNBC when she first began appearing on Countdown in 2008.
He also claimed that MSNBC first approached him to come back to the network in September 2011, just 8 months after he’d departed. And that there was a further attempt in 2016, when former NBC News chairman Andy Lack wanted Olbermann to do a 10 PM show with a “conservative co-host.” Olbermann turned down the idea.
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O
Many of us would love to have Keith back. With Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell beating their "what about.." drums 🥁 daily, we desperately need an unapologetic progressive like Keith back in a good time slot on MSNBC.
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NBC would be nuts not to get Olbermann back especially in this election year. Olbermann has a boat load of fans from Countdown who are still waiting and hoping to see him in a political show again. Do it, you fools.
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I love him, please bring him back!
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I think they should bring back Olbermann. The other personalities just don’t cut it. I don’t even watch anymore.
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Indeed, bout bloody time MSNBC grows a pair, and hires this guy BACK
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I like both Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow very much and consider both of them powerful, thoughtful, creative thinkers in the wonderful world of talking heads. Rachel in particular is very good at offering unique stories about subjects we hadn't even thought of until she brought them up. Keith is a powerful and passionate thinker who, like Rachel, offers a unique take on everything he tackles. I would love to see Keith back on the MSNBC lineup! I could also see both of them in periodic roles if they'd rather not take on the daily grind. There's no reason why these powerful media companies can't expand their offerings with new, creative programming formats. Think outside the box, guys! There are no doubt myriad ways these talented individuals could contribute on their own terms that would make both them and the accountants happy!
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Frankly, It feels as if MSNBC Management has lost it's mind. How do they mismanage these great talents so badly?
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O
THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW KEITH OLBERMANN MUST LISTEN TO HIS JAN.21st2010 COMMENTARY OF THE FUTURE ABOUT THE "CITIZENS UNITED VS FEC". HE POSTED THIS THE DAY AFTER THE SUPREME COURTS DECISION. IT'S 11min31sec WHICH LAID OUT HIS FUTURE PREDICTIONS. IT'S SO POWERFULL. HE TOLD US SO !
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C
Bring Back KO and put him in Brian Williams 11 pm slot. no one is watching Stephanie Ruhle.
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I'M watching her and she's very smart and talented! But, she does wear on you after awhile, hard to say exactly why ... maybe just too intense. A steady diet of anyone may be the problem. Mixing it up with talented guest hosts gives everyone a break, both the anchors and the viewers. I just prefer Stephanie in smaller doses, kind of like hot chili powder.
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O
I would love the return of KO. I have discontinued watching MSNBC. With Rachel gone in the pm lineup, no one they bring in to fill in for her is talented enough to get the reports in style worth watching.
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Olbermann AND Maddow should have as much time as they want in prime time. If MSNBC wants to improve ratings, they need both of these. They also need Jon Stewart and Al Frankin.
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Keith has been one of our favorites for years! Bring him back!!
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If we can't have Maddow, at least give us Keith Obermann non of the others are woth watchin all the time.
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O
If Rachel Maddow goes, Chris Hayes should take over the 9pm slot.
He's smart, is a great interviewer, is fearless but is not a prima donna.
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I love Chris Hayes, too!
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G
Opinions, we all have one even when we don't Know what the hell we are talking about. Nobody was at the table with Oberman and Rachel just have a great team negotiating her contract. All the emotional crap can be left out of the conversation.. "Oh I love him", crap you don't Know him..
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Let’s just say they’re liberals 100 percent of the time!
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O
They are afraid of him.
He's out maneuvered them over and over.
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R
So Keith got whiney about Maddow without even talking to her and asking her if she was really behind it or if MSNBC was throwing her under the bus. This guy has become such a clown show, I'm not surprised he's slunk off to podcasting. No major network wants to deal with this walking dumpster fire.
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I think you suck and you are a pathological psychopath. Get off this account if you can't be positive and a good influence.
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Where can I find this 11minute 31second comment?
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G
I love Rachel and him; bring them back; I just don't watch watch MSNBC anymore without Rachel.
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O
he is not a good interviewer, he does not let his guests speak because Chris seems to think he knows everything
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O
give him whatever he wants
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O
I still watch Laurence
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O
Bring back Keith Olbermann!!! Someone with his vast experience and TV presence would be so welcome!!! He is truthful and honest, and God knows in these times that is desperately needed. With midterms swiftly approaching, we need a Keith Olbermann. Enough of that bullcrap "both sidesism." Republicans have gone so far off the rails, they have no "side." They'll only go on Fox News anyway, yet when Todd and Mitchell have the opportunity to interview a Republican, they act like they're so lucky, they totally bow and scrape. It's sickening. I'm ready to have KO back on the air!!!
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I’m enjoying the sane and stable hosts in the evening on CNN until MSNBC gets its act back together
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I'm shocked about the news on Rachel Maddow show .watched her faithful ly..Good luck and best wishes to all your you do in the future you were a great reporter and spoke person
Sincerely joan cameron
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Too bad there's no "hahaha" button to choose here. Thumbs up or thumps down doesn't do it.
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I want Rachel back. Permanently. MSNBC should hold itself to the higher standards they expect of its reporters. I also think Betsy Woodruff should get her own show, and quit filling up the time slots with old white men. Sorry, that includes Olberman but it's time for fresh opinions.
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I do, too, Rose, but Rachel may not want to come back to the daily grind. She's already demonstrated her love of unique projects outside the daily programming and may feel she can't do it all and still be a happy camper.
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I think Rachel and Keith suck and are pathological liars!
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We do not need more lefty propaganda.
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O
Bring Oblermann back
Rachel Maddow is getting 30 Million a year to do a weekly show starting later this year . NBC News is a joke if that true .
No wonder why FOX NEWS kick their butt in the rating .
They bowing down to Maddow.
She losing to Guflied in the rating.
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Let’s see how long Fox can keep up current shows without Putin’s subsidies…
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Bring he back. All three of his fans will love it.
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