Remember Phil Donahue? Why we must stand up for Keith Olbermann

[Bjorn Against]

Three years ago Phil Donahue's show was axed by MSNBC. Many people believe the lie that Phil Donahue was canceled because of low ratings. That is completely false. Contrary to the corporate media spin Donahue's ratings were very good. At the time of his canceling the New York Times repeated the spin that his ratings were low in one paragraph, but buried in their article they made this little admission:

Mr. Donahue's show had been growing slightly over the past few months, and he was actually attracting more viewers than any other show on MSNBC, even the channel's signature prime-time program "Hardball With Chris Matthews." Mr. Matthews's show has averaged 413,000 viewers over the last month.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/26/business/media/26PHIL.html?ex=1158206400&en=30624fdf1139ea06&ei=5070

No network would cancel their highest rated show because of low ratings. Here is the real reason Donahue was canceled.

MSNBC canceled Phil Donahue's talk show after an internal memo (leaked to the All Your TV website, 2/25/03) argued that he would be a "difficult public face for NBC in a time of war.... He seems to delight in presenting guests who are anti-war, anti-Bush and skeptical of the administration's motives." The report warned that the Donahue show could be "a home for the liberal anti-war agenda at the same time that our competitors are waving the flag at every opportunity." An email from a network executive, also leaked to All Your TV (3/5/03), suggested that it would be "unlikely" that Donahue could be used by MSNBC to "reinvent itself" and "cross-pollinate our programming" with the "anticipated larger audience who will tune in during a time of war" by linking pundits to war coverage, "particularly given his public stance on the advisability of the war effort."

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1825

Remember MSNBC is owned by GE, which is a major military contractor. They do not like opinions that could cost their parent company contracts. Don't think that the reason the "news" today is dominated by right-wingers is an accident. Certainly there is a market for progressive voices, but that market is ignored because the corporations that own the networks are concerned about a lot more than just ratings.

We can look at Keith Olbermann's ratings today and think his job is safe, but to do so would be a grave mistake.

Keith Olbermann's job is in danger, and if we do not stand up for him we could lose him just like we lost Donahue. Do not be complacent, the swift-boating of Keith Olbermann is about to start. We have to be ready to defend him.

[Human Torch]

1. Apples and Oranges...THAT'S why.

Keith owes NOTHING to Phil. Phil owes NOTHING to Keith.

In George W. Bush's America. it's every man for himself.

THAT'S why. Hope I answered your question.

:patriot:

[Bjorn Against]

2. It is not apples and oranges

Where did I say that Keith owes anything to Phil or vise versa?

My point was they cancelled Phil Donahue despite the fact that he had the highest rated show on their network because he dared to express his opinion.

If we do not stand up for Keith they could do the same to him.

[Berry Cool]

4. Keith just said in Salon that he has the support of his management.

I honestly believe this is a different time and different people he is dealing with. MSNBC now knows that the tide of public opinion is turning. Good for them.

My feeling is we do not have to worry about MSNBC canceling Keith. We have to worry about the freepers swiftboating him into a position in which they do their best to make him look like a reprehensible human being and force MSNBC to demand his resignation.

They've already been trying for quite some time now. He's been on the freeper enemies list since 2004. Thing is, none of their tactics has worked so far. That doesn't mean eternal vigilance isn't necessary.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Your point is very well taken. I've worried about the same thing myself.

There are differences, however. Donahue was shrill and not particularly informative. He was argumentative and not particularly likeable. Olbermann suffers from none of that.]

However, one cannot expect to survive being a one trick pony. (Okay, O'Reilly and Limbaugh are proof that I'm wrong, but the 60+ knuckledragger shithead audience is not too worried about shrill idiots.)

Olbermann needs to keep the tone down, the intellectual level up, and needs to at least wave at some sort of balance.

[wryter2000]

3. I've e-mailed the powers that be there

All three times, Keith blasted them with truth recently.

IMHO, the climate has changed since Phil got the axe. We should remain vigilant, though.