Olbermann is Back

27 April 2011 |permalink | email article

Current TV has announced the name and premiere date for former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann’s new program. To many viewers the name may seem familiar because it will be called “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” on the independently Emmy@ and Peabody award-wining TV and digital network.

The network was founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt and is distributed in more than 75 million households around the world. After Olbermann left MSNBC he was soon signed by Current with a deal that gives him a primetime show, oversight over its news division and an equity stake in the channel. Ironically, as mediabistro.com reported, NBCUniversal did not trademark the “Countdown” name.
Once a KCBS sportscaster in Los Angeles Olbermann found his calling in politics and has emerged as one of journalism’s most outspoken and provocative liberal voices. Originally the new show was slated to debut in “late Spring” but in fact will premiere on Monday, June 21, the first day of summer.

Quotable

“I do believe that Paul Ryan has an idea that’s certainly worth of consideration in terms of how do we, how do we do this in a more efficient way/ And frankly, having the private sector run the program is far more efficient than having the government run it.” A defensive House Speaker John Boehner, suggesting that Democrats are “taking the ax to Medicare while Republicans are trying to save it.” Jon Stewart suggested on the Daily Show Monday that angry seniors, off to a slow start in town halls, aren’t buying it.

Jim Messina, Obama’s campaign manager, previews the President’s Insurgent 2012 Strategy: “In the roughly 6 minute video presentation he says the keys to reelection are: Expanding the electorate; Building something new ; Growing the grassroots in the states; Measuring progress; and Working for every vote.”     

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