Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews Demoted at MSNBC

September 08, 2008 by
Donna Porter  
Donna Porter
Donna Porter
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Chris Matthews  |  Olbermann  |  Msnbc  |  Liberal Humor  |  Joe Scarborough

MSNBC Liberal News Makers Not Fired, but Put in Place

In a move that suggests just how out of touch MSNBC has been with the viewing public, the cable news network has replaced both Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews as co-anchors of political night coverage with David Gregory. The
Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews Demoted at MSNBC
New York Times first reported on the change and it is clear that both Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews were poor selections for Convention coverage.

Both Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews have made headlines in recent weeks for unprofessional conduct, including an on-air spat with Joe Scarborough, host of "Morning Joe." Additionally, during the Republican convention, Olbermann ridiculed a Sept. 11-themed video, prepared by the RNC. Olbermann opined that MSNBC should not have aired the production.

Last, but not least, the Republican National Convention called out NBC on its media bias and attacks of both Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin and presidential nominee Sen. John McCain.

Now David Gregrory, a seasoned professional and Washington anchor, will take the political helm as both Olbermann and Matthews serve as mere political pundits.

It may disappoint some viewers that this move is not indicative of an Olbermann, or even Matthews, termination at MSNBC. To the contrary, the controversial, liberal-opinion makers enjoy a healthy following and Olbermann's four-year, four-million dollar contract, as host of the show "Countdown," may be extended through 2013.

Given that the oft-troubled MSNBC ranked in third-place among cable news networks during both the Democrat and Republican conventions and tensions between NBC News and MSNBC have escalated over Olbermann's on-air conduct, a correction was in order.

Maybe the network better realizes that both occasional and regular viewers look for dispassionate, or at least less overt, coverage of the presidential election and related stories.

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Related information
Takeaways
  • Keith Olbermann and Chris Mathews not fired as some hoped, but punished.
  • Olbermann and Mathews are replaced as anchors by David Gregory.
  • MSNBC is learning a lesson about political coverage.
 
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I WILL BOYCOTT MSNBC ITS JUST LIKE" FOX SPEWS"SICK LOCKERROOM FUNGUS OPINIONS"FROM A RACIST POLITICAL STANDPOINT"OBACKSIDIE "AND INSANITY"BEVIS AND BUTTHEAD" AND DONT FORGET THOES TIGHT AS YOU CAN GET THEM LOW CUT UPPER WEAR" OVER THE TOP SARAHS"
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Posted on 03/18/2009 at 10:03:05 AM

REPUBLICANS IN MEDIA POWER POSITIONS ARE JIMCROWS DONT LET IT OUT STOP DECENT RESTRICT RIGHTS THE CRY LESS GOVERNMENT WAS THE CRY OF JIMCROW DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO KEEP AFRICANS AMERICANS FROM VOTING. LESS GOVERNMENT LETS THE CROOKS OFF POLICE PROTECT AND SERVE BECOMES "BULL CONNER STYLE" POLICE BRUTALITY"BUSH PUSHED HOME OWNERSHIP EVERY CHANCE HE GOT"SIGNALING MAKE THESE FRAGULENT LOANS" REPUBLICANS DIDNT SAY A THING BERNIE MADE A FOOL OUT OF THAT STUPID PARTY REPUBLICAN TRYING TO BLAME THIS ON HIM WHEN BUSH CHANNEY ,PHILL GRAHAM ,AND ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH 8YEARS EXTREEEEMIST REPUBLICANS FOLLOWING THEM OVER THE CLIFF THESE HOGS ON WALL GREEDY STREET I AGREE WITH OLBERMANN
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Posted on 03/18/2009 at 10:03:48 AM

Olbermann is the most pompous, arrogant, disingenuous mental freak in any media anywhere. I tried, really tried, to get on board with his countdown show but after constantly hearing so many demeaning and downright bitter comments from his mouth about Republicans (well, alright), religious opinions (impervious), and INDEPENDENTS (me!), I had to get out of his mudhole. I'm patient enough, but no longer interested in tuning in to his level of non-intelligent commentary.
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Posted on 02/18/2009 at 9:02:59 PM

How interesting- Olbermann & Matthews have added viewers to MSNBC; brought dollars to the network but now you are limiting them. This is a hugh mistake - one that doesn't consider viewers like me who cherish their opinions. NO MORE WILL I WATCH MSNBC news; Do you think Pat Buchanan doesn't have an agenda? He spouts his hates evryday; amd O'Reilly? If it wasn't for Olbermann, that jerk would continue - unchallenged - spouting his lies. What is wrong with you people in TV? men like Johnny Carson, Grant Tinker, Huntley/Brinkley, & Ted Turner are being so disrespected by you so-called TV Execs who don't honor nor love the medium of TV. You earn big bucks but you fail in your responsibilites to provide us with quality - entertaining - television. SHAME ON YOU - SHAME ON YOU!!!!
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Posted on 01/15/2009 at 6:01:46 PM

Damn ya'll! I ain't watchin' ya'll no mo!
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Posted on 01/08/2009 at 7:01:15 AM

When you let Jane Pauley Go, I was upset, but I started with Dave Garaway. When you let jay leno go for a Howdy dudy look alike, and a johnny Carson personnater, STUPID Conan O'brian. I knew NBC needes to change their top management, and that is for sure.Yet another award winning move to take ooff Drams at 10 to 11 P.M. is just as bad as you putting on people who need to loose weight. Now again to take off the people who are the spokes persons of the American Public (Oberman&Mathews) well I going to turn off your station now, like the today show befor they can complete a segmant of information, i'm going to commercial. Bye!
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Posted on 12/12/2008 at 2:12:01 PM

If I cannot view Chris Matthews or Keith Olbermann on Msnbc, I will not watch that program again. I am a 70 year old female who watches the program every day. I like frank conversation and people who will not bite their toung about what they have to say. I have listened to what was said about Governer Palen and John McKane, it was right on time, my thoughts exactly. I have also watched Fox News, I do not like their attitude, so I do not watch them anymore. I realize that I am only one person who's openion may not be very important to you, but, you must ask your self if I am alone. Respectfully
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Posted on 11/10/2008 at 11:11:06 AM

if you demot them i will go to another news station and everyone els's should to.....
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Posted on 10/26/2008 at 4:10:32 PM

if mathews goes i will not watch any more. he is too smart for the normal listening audiance. i am so sorry you do not see his worth. i am 75 years old and have watched him for years. shameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee on you for thinking about getting rid of a good journalist. thank you for listining
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Posted on 10/21/2008 at 7:10:20 PM

One of the many reasons why i watch MSNBC is bcuz of my love for Keith & Chris. I respect the fact that the keep it REAL!!!!!!! They dont strecth the truth and they tell it like it is........If they get rid of them, then they NEED to get rid of Morning Joe and that lady. They are clearly bias and are not in tuned with reality of the middle class americans.....just like McCain!!!!!!!
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Posted on 10/19/2008 at 4:10:35 PM

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