KOEB 6/13

[SharonRB]

Hi, everyone. If this is all MJ, I'm outta here.

I just finished reading the story on Jeff Gannon in the June issue of Vanity Fair and get this:

In the last column of the last page of the article (it's a very long article): "...Keith Olbermann should thank him, he says; without Gannongate his news program, which has covered the case extensively, would surely have been canceled."

Methinks he thinks an awful lot of himself if he thought that. He singlehandedly kept KO on the air? I think not. That'll be the day when KO needs the likes of Gackert to give him something to talk about. There are way more important things than him.

[Clark2008]

1. Hi all!

:hi:

And Jeff Gannon was a mere blip on the radar that is Keith's nose for news.

What put Keith on the Dem map was coverage of the election fraud, not a gay prostitute in the White House press whore... erm, corps.

:loveya: Keith, even though I'm not interested in Michael Jackson, at all.

[SharonRB]

2. Hi, Clark

I flipped when I read this. There was another reference to KO in the article, too.

[SharonRB]

3. Looking at this jury,

I'm shocked they couldn't find him guilty on even one count.

[Clark2008]

5. Are we alone?

I guess we'll get the whole bar (and the drinks) to ourselves!

:7

[SharonRB]

6. Looks that way

I checked to make sure there wasn't another thread, and there isn't. This is really weird. I know no one really wants to watch all this MJ stuff, but really, NO ONE but us?

[Berry Cool]

57. I made it. Berry After the Show, checking in.

:hi:
When I found out it was going to be all-MJ, I had a feeling this was going to be one of the least populated Countdown threads ever. Oh well!

[SharonRB]

8. Should we lock up and put a sign on the door?

It's probably worth it to watch one last Puppet Theatre.

[SharonRB]

4. BTW, the late show is going to be live

Maybe that's when he'll do the real news. It's past my bedtime, but I've got the VCR all set to go.

[Clark2008]

7. Really? Did he say that?

I have the TV turned down because I really don't want to hear about MJ anymore, but I want to see Keith!

LOL!

[SharonRB]

9. He didn't say it,

but I read it on another board.

[Berry Cool]

58. Thanks for the news, Sharon

I guess I'll have to take an early nap and stay up for it.

Hell, it's Keith. And after this, all the MJ stuff is done. I hope.

[gkhouston]

99. Fuck? Was it?

Because I stayed up late working and almost turned on the TV again, but didn't really want to see Yet More MJ, even it if was Keith. He gave the best MJ coverage, but I didn't need to see that stuff twice.

Oy, but Tucker was annoying. Had that on in the background while I was doing the usual evening chores -- making lunches, washing dishes, etc. Not a show where I felt like I needed to wait until the commercial to rev up the washing machine or breadmaker! Damn, is his target audience adults with ADD who aren't taking their medication or does he keep the topic coverage short so we won't figure out that he doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground? It's not good when you've got a panel discussion going and your panelists have more personality than you do.

[crispini]

100. No, it wasn't a fresh show, it was the re-air.

Tucker didn't do much for me either, but I liked Rachel Maddow. I think she's gonna be a regular, so I might pay SOME attention.

[gkhouston]

102. she was good. If she were the host, I'd watch regularly.

Tucker? Skip.

[crispini]

83. Wow, I just got up to the top of the thread and read this.

That's cool, I'll have to stay up!

[seito]

10. I'm here

:boring: Hopefully this is the MJ finale

[Clark2008]

11. Alas, tonight, I'm afraid my only intentions in Keith are lustful...

With the MJ saga, it's not, this eve, about the news.

:)

[Berry Cool]

60. And those intentions are perfectly acceptable. ;-)

When one isn't all that interested in the news, one's mind can tend to wander. :-)

[SharonRB]

12. Hi, Seito

It's a private party tonight, I guess.

[WolverineDG]

13. Count me out of this one too

all MJ all the time? :boring:

dg

[SharonRB]

15. Hi, WDG!

Nice to see you. Looks like almost everyone took a hike tonight. Stick around for the finale of Puppet Theatre.

[WolverineDG]

17. to say i'm disappointed

that THE WHOLE FREAKIN' HOUR IS MJ when the verdict was read hours ago & has been hashed & rehashed already is an understatement....i mean, how dead does this horse have to be anyway???? :boring:

cue me when the puppets are on, 'k? cuz I'm not watching this dreck (pains me to say that, but damn keith, A WHOLE HOUR?????)

dg

[crispini]

23. Eh, it's human nature.

I'm not surprised, honestly....

[SharonRB]

27. Hey, Crispini!

Welcome to our private party.

[crispini]

35. Hi Sharon!

Small crowd tonight eh? No surprise there!

[SharonRB]

14. The final episode of MJ Puppet Theatre

is the only thing that will make this worth watching tonight.

[WolverineDG]

16. re: gannon

hopefully they can do something with that quote to make up for tonight's snorefest. :boring:

dg

[SharonRB]

18. I wonder if he's seen it yet.

Maybe I'll send it to him.

[WolverineDG]

20. do it! do it!

ok, he's probably already seen it, but let's not take our chances, 'k? :evilgrin:

dg--unindicted co-conspirator

[SharonRB]

25. Done!

But I think I missed most of Puppet Theatre while I was doing it.

[crispini]

19. Hi Ladies!

OMG, did Tito just take a swipe at Nancy Grace re: people misreporting stuff? :rofl:

Edited to add: Just read the OP, and Gannon --- WHAT an ass. But we knew that anyway, didn't we?

[WolverineDG]

22. hey crispy!

i saw something in london that reminded me of you & almost got it!
(hint: pink, fluffy, metal) :evilgrin:

wow, a tito-nancy grace smackdown??? hmm, maybe i should go back to the living room & watch the show.


dg

[crispini]

26. Well, he didn't mention NG by name, but

she's the automatically convict 'em in the court of public opinion before the actual jury comes in type....

oooooo.... and ... the pink furries, eh? :evilgrin: My fave! :P

[WolverineDG]

70. if you're going to take a

pop across the pond, i can tell you where to find them. :)

dg

[Clark2008]

21. Oh... yick. There's that Faux whore on.

I'd forgotten she was moving over the MSNBC.

[noamnety]

24. Hi

I hate to say it, but I just shut off countdown. Worst Olbermann ever. Ugh. Even my cat hates it - she settled down next to me on the couch, and BIT me!

But I figured I'd stop by to offer you all a slice of birthday cake.

[crispini]

28. Hi lwfern!

I don't wanna miss the very last ever MJ puppet theatre, so I'm watching. Thanks for the cake! :7 Whose birthday is it?

[SharonRB]

31. It's the only reason I was half watching and

I missed most of it when I sent my note to MSNBC. In addition to telling them about the Vanity Fair quote, I gave them my two cents about spending ths whole hour on this crap.

[WolverineDG]

72. ya know sharon

i don't think they gave keith a choice on this one. he didn't look too happy at the end announcing bow-tie boy's show & the continuing mj coverage.

dg

[noamnety]

34. It's my birthday

I didn't know MSNBC was gonna do their best to screw it up. MJ all day all the time, followed by *ucker Carlson's premier. Bastiches!

But please, have some cake. It's a lovely totally homemade banana cake, with banana lemon filling, and a cream cheese frosting. And we have some wine to go with it.

[crispini]

37. Ooooo! Thank you!

YUMMY. And vino too! Deeeelish! And a happy happy b'day! :toast:

[SharonRB]

50. Happy birthday, LW

I love banana cake. Yummy!

[Berry Cool]

63. Yes, have a great birthday

and thanks for bringing the cake along regardless!

[WolverineDG]

74. Happy Birthday!! n/t

[CC]

79. Have a

[noamnety]

93. Thanks all

It was a good birthday. My husband is getting me a formal membership in Veterans for Peace (til now I've been like a fake member, marching with them, wearing their teeshirt, and such).

[gkhouston]

103. aha! So you got your birthday cake on your birthday and your

husband got his birthday cake... when? :evilgrin:

Happy (belated) birthday!

[SharonRB]

30. Hi, LW

Thanks for dropping by -- we're all pretty sick of this stuff tonight. Thank goodness it's over. Now if they'd just let it die I'll be very happy. We need to free up time to cover the DSM hearing on Thursday. According to Will Pitt, Senselessbrenner is refusing to allow them to use one of the Judiciary Committee's rooms. He'll be posting details when they come out.

Is it your birthday? I'd love a piece of cake. Thanks!

P.S. Are you making any headway for Saturday?

[noamnety]

38. Saturday's looking grim

The husband won't know til Wednesday night whether his golf buddy can golf this weekend or not. That might be too late to politely invite ourselves - if I show up with no notice, I'd have to compensate by being completely charming, and I just don't know if I have it in me.

[SharonRB]

41. I don't think letting John know late is a problem

In fact, he was looking for RSVPs the other day and I (I hope you don't mind) mentioned that you were working on your husband and there was a chance you might be there. So, I think it's okay if it works out that you can go. Also, my offer still stands if your hubby doesn't want to go, if you're interested.

[Clark2008]

32. Is it your birthday?

[noamnety]

40. Thanks!

Not only is it my birthday, but it's also my first day of summer vacation I'm a teacher, here, and classes ended last week, but I hung out with the kids for 7 hours Saturday and Sunday at the Detroit Art Festival - they had a booth, and I was the adult supervision (hah!).

[Berry Cool]

62. It's not Olbermann that's bad...it's the subject!

Keith is always good.

It's just too bad he's doing an all-MJ show. We have to hang on and stay strong and tell ourselves this long national nightmare is over.

[CBHagman]

29. I shut off Countdown as soon as I saw what it was about...

...and immediately started composing insulting e-mails to MSNBC. Shall I include the phrase "If Edward R. Murrow was alive, he would horsewhip the lot of you without mercy"?

[crispini]

33. Go for it!l

But, ya know, this sensationalism re: trials w/ a celeb connection is nothing new. How 'bout that Lindbergh baby trial?

[Clark2008]

36. Maybe when they get a gander at tonight's ratings, they'll know

better next time.

DUers and other progressive bloggers are the backbone of Keith's ratings: we've spread the word about his fairness and his ability to cover the issues the corporate media won't.

When his producers (and I'm sure they're the culprits) make him cover the same shit that everyone else is doing ad nauseum and it results in a slow night in the money department, they'll let him get back to doing what he does best: the news.

[noamnety]

43. Please please please use that line!

It's perfect.

[CBHagman]

92. Okay, here's what I sent Countdown.

Obviously, I not only have accepted my bad attitude, I am embracing it. :evilgrin:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

After a trying day at work and an unpleasant commute, I eagerly turned on Countdown to watch Keith Olbermann take on the news of the day. I've no use for the boorish, bellowing Chris Matthews or the smug, smirking Joe Scarborough, and I have not yet figured out why CNN, PBS, and MSNBC all decided America needed Tucker Carlson shoved down its collective throat.

Keith Olbermann's approach is just professional enough to convince me he has his head screwed on right and just sardonic enough that I know he can identify the fools among today's newsmakers. The show has been going too much for the tabloid touch of late, but I can generally expect something worthwhile, such as the lengthy interviews with John Dean following the revelation of Deep Throat's identity, or the very moving coverage of Pope John Paul II's funeral.

So it was with horror that I saw that the entire program was going to devoted to the trial and acquittal of a pathetic, deeply disturbed human being. The world did not stop turning when O.J. Simpson was acquitted, though news broadcasts, at what I thought was the nadir of their existence, went on as though it did. Nor did the world stop turning when Michael Jackson was acquitted.

Please. I'm 46 years old and know I have only so much time on this Earth. I watch Countdown to unwind, laugh, and occasionally be moved or horrified. Bring on Baby 81, John Dean, Monica Novotny moved to tears at a memorial mass. I'll even take the hapless idiots at the annual running of the bulls.

But I haven't got a single minute of my life that I would devote to the discussion of Michael Jackson's increasingly sad life. If Edward R. Murrow were around to see this, he would horsewhip the lot of you without mercy.

[noamnety]

95. That was beautiful

excellent points, excellent writing.

[Berry Cool]

96. Except that, like I said earlier, even Edward R. Murrow got compromised.

It happens to 'em all, one way or another.

Murrow would not really be in much of a position to horsewhip anyone, given that he once did a show that consisted of little other than showing off celebrities' homes and conversing with them.

The luckier ones don't get compromised too much. Or don't allow it. And *that* is the difference.

Please, people. Don't kid yourselves that what Keith is being pushed into is any new sort of oppression that great newsmen of the past would never have tolerated.

[CBHagman]

98. Mea culpa. (I knew I went too far)

I know there was a lot of manipulation of the public and sensationalism in the past, but I couldn't resist the slap. As I said in the letter, I couldn't believe a nightly newscast would be devoted entirely to the O.J. Simpson acquittal, and I don't think Countdown should go that route, period.

Just as an experiment, I looked to a couple of other channels during Countdown to see if they were covering you-known-what. C-SPAN was otherwise engaged, as was PBS, but not, of course, CNN. Surprise, surprise.

[SharonRB]

39. Oh, maybe there's one more episode coming...

[Catchawave]

42. Hi Everybody....

Sorry I'm late, just in time for the final MJ Puppet Theater ! Just reading through the thread to catch up....guess I didn't miss anything on the show. LAST DAY OF MJ, I hope, I hope....

I saw today where Alison Stewart is with The Today Show now....nice promotion :) But has KO lost her and our favorite substitute snarky girl ?

[crispini]

44. LOL. Al-Jazeera cut in!

:eyes:

And, honestly, MJ puppet theatre is the best thing about this trial.

[noamnety]

45. What???

Al-Jazeera cut in? What are you talking about? Surely they aren't covering the trial?!

[crispini]

46. Keith said that.

Al-Jazeera cut into their live coverage to announce the MJ verdict. Hahahahahaha!

Ok, that Puppet Theatre anthology was pretty good. And here's our LAST EPISODE! Weeeee!

[crispini]

47. ROFL! MJ turned out to be the Big Giant Head!

Hand me a loofah! :rofl:

[Berry Cool]

67. That was a CLASSIC finale!!!!

Remember, he said it was going to be like the final episode of "The Fugitive"...where the suspense, of course, was in finally tracking down the one-armed man...

We should have known there would be a surprise up Keith's sleeve!

Really, the ONLY good thing about this whole stupid trial has been Puppet Theatre. Keith ended it with a bang. Thanks, Keith! At least we got something for watching the rest of the garbage.

[WolverineDG]

76. YAY KEITH

Great ending to the whole MJ garbage....MJ is really the Big Giant Head. heh heh

dg

[SharonRB]

53. Watching the clips, I decided what the scariest part of this whole

thing has been. THE FANS!! Don't these people have lives? Don't they have anything better to do? Yaaaagh -- I can't stand it. Why can't everyone be as smart as we all are and know what really matters?

[crispini]

61. Yeah, well, it's a wide wide world.

And there's something for everyone in it. :eyes:

KO's got TWO threads in GD on the end of Puppet Theatre:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3851984

I must award KO many many floaty hearts for that last segment. It was totally awesome. :loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:

[gkhouston]

101. it *was* awesome

and some of the fans are truly scary. I heard on NPR this morning that some of those courthouse groupies gave up their jobs and maxed out their credits cards to go to Santa Maria and hang around outside the courthouse all day. :crazy:

[Catchawave]

48. michael unmasked....LOL....

..."and I won two Edward R. Morrow awards"....LOL

[Berry Cool]

66. That was the classic statement of the night!

Even Keith was thinking "I'm an award-winning journalist and I am reduced to doing this..."

Oh well. Even Edward R. Murrow did "Person to Person."

[SharonRB]

49. Now that was worth waiting for.

I had missed a lot of the previous ones in the anthology since I usually can't see much of the TV from the computer.

The end was great -- O'Liely! Very funny.

[crispini]

51. And bowtie boy gets his show off with a fashion crime!

Poorly fitting ugly navy suit and truly icky pink bowtie.

What is wrong with that suit? It just looks wrong.

Hey, it's Rachel Maddow! I like her!

[SharonRB]

54. He never dresses well, so I'm not surprised.

[SharonRB]

56. If I can ignore Fucker, this may not be too bad

as long as he's got good people on like tonight. I think I'll go sign off and watch upstairs with hubby.

[Catchawave]

52. Tucker's an All Jackson Show too

:hurts: <-----now I found good use for this smilie...hee, hee.

[crispini]

55. Yeah, this is NOT holding my attention

The promos made it look more "Quiz-like" than it is, unless they get more into that. This show is reallllly getting dull. But Rachel Maddow is totally charming.

[Berry Cool]

69. OK, that's it. *ucker didn't co-opt the News Quiz, he just...

...co-opted BOREDOM.

So he's got two other people making snap judgment comments about the news of the day. So what???????

This show is ONLY going to be interesting when Keith is on, and that will only be because at least Keith is quick-witted. He will be able to come up with great snark on the fly. In other words, it should really be "The Situation with Keith Olbermann." The times he is on will be the only times it will be watchable.

[crispini]

75. Apparently they have co-opted "Pardon the Interruption,"

a sports talk show on ESPN, at least according to several posters in GD:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3851998

[Berry Cool]

81. I have heard that

but I wasn't sure how much of it to believe.

[gkhouston]

104. yeah, this sort of format is only going to go over well

when your panel and host are quick-witted and not heavy-handed, kind of like "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me". Otherwise, it's a bunch of loudmouthed opinionating a la "The McLaughlin Report" and it's not going to inspire a loyal following. Well, maybe dittoheads would like it, but it's not going to get me in the tent.

[crispini]

105. Oh, I *love* Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.

It's so much fun to play along at home when I'm out working in the yard or something. My fave is the new one "How Much of an NPR Geek Are You?" And you're right, it's *extremely* funny. You're right, why do all of the TV news shows (well, except for Keith) take themselves sooooo seriously? It's a big YAWN. No wonder Jon Stewart is doing so well. I mean, YES, we're all interested in the news and the state of the world, do we have to be so damn bombastic about it? :)

[gkhouston]

106. OMG, did you see Jon Stewart last night?

His definition of "over the top"...?

:rofl:

[crispini]

107. Damn! No, he went on hiatus and I got out of the habit of watching.

Thanks for the reminder. Too bad I missed it. :(

[Botany]

59. It only takes a little but it soooo needed to keep the KOEB humming.

What is it? Testosterone ...... be it Sparky, Bleever, or your FAV SMTB member ......
we are like the dash of tabasco in the bloody mary.

small in size but without us the EDVs would be lost ..... :rofl:

As for me skipped all news when I heard non news would be in the news ......
I wonder what shiny bubble the MSM will trot out now?


I hope KO covers the scandal that is Ohio worker's comp = GOP slush fund

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050609/NEWS09/506090443

[crispini]

65. ah, you know we love the gentlemen around here!

:loveya:

I had to watch in order to see the last Puppet Theater episode. It was well worth it. Hopefully tomorrow we can be back to some REAL news.

[Botany]

68. There is a fine line between love and being held against one's will.

Because when a Texas Trollop comes knocking ......
..... the cuffs will be a locking.

:hug: :rofl:

[crispini]

77. you know what they say...

sticks and stones may break my bones

but whips and chains excite me :evilgrin:

[Botany]

80. Oh Crispini .......

...... what is wrong good old fashioned love? We act like we care
what you are talking about ........ quick sex ...... men fall asleep .....
and the Vixen dumps a cup of coffee on the guys lap @ breakfast .....
"Oh, sorry honey." :rofl:

[Berry Cool]

78. I'm with ya, Botany, on the Ohio workers' comp scandal, of course.

but maybe it would take the confiscation of Keith's baseball card collection by the Buckeye State to goad him into action!

It's a good thing Keith *doesn't* drive. I'd hate to be him cruising through Ohio sometime, on the way to some vacation spot or family reunion or something, when all of a sudden...it's sirens and lights as the Ohio Highway Patrol pulls him over.

What's wrong? Is he speeding? No. Drunk? No. Ah...it's that busted taillight. Shame, shame, Mr. Olbermann. We're afraid we're going to have to write you up for that one. Well, actually, hm...Let's think twice about that fine. Tell ya what. We'll forget all about it for a donation to the Workers' Comp Fund in the form of a set of tobacco cards. What?!?!? You won't give up your tobacco cards? Oh dear. Looks like you'll have to spend the night in jail, Mr. Olbermann.

[Botany]

82. Funny Tommy Noe story .....

...... The company that put the value on the coins Noe sold to Ohio was a company
owned by Noe ......

[Berry Cool]

86. Ain't the synergy there

...just lovely????

*pfwbbbbbbt*

[Miami Liberal]

64. I'm watching bow-tie boy also

and so far he's making me sleepy. :boring:

I'm SO glad this whole MJ thing is over! :woohoo: I'll miss Puppet Theatre, tho.

for KO: :loveya: who looked HOT tonight!

[Clark2008]

73. I turned the channel just before I saw his pandering mug

I refuse to watch it.

Too many right-wingers on the news channels as it is.

[crispini]

71. LOL! DU hommage to Puppet Theatre!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3851070

[Berry Cool]

85. Warning to all...Countdown ad on Carlson show says...

...tomorrow's show will feature Keith explaining how the defense won an acquittal and doing it using...PUPPETS!

So yes, there will be more MJ and more puppets tomorrow.

But, with any luck, it will not take up the whole show.

I can't help it. I get amused by the ads where they replace the usual still of Keith with the usual still of Keith...mounted ON A STICK and bobbing around.

:rofl:

[CC]

84. Hi to everyone

Not typing well since I am holding Gizmo. Sick of Wacko Jacko coverage though Keith made up for his part with the O'Lielly thing. Guess all news including plane crashes are out since the verdict came in. The only good thing is it will be old news Thursday for Conyers. If planes crashing in residential neighborhoods only got a blip today no way would Conyers have gotten noticed if this had happened on Thursday.

[Berry Cool]

87. Hi, CC & Giz.

Glad to see you even under the circumstances!

[CC]

90. Thanks and off and

on. Gizmo is miserable and well move around with him. He wants next to me for a while, then on me then next and just can't get comfy. So I move around to however he wants.

[Clark2008]

88. What plane?

Damn... a plane crashed and no one is talking about it?

This is fucking surreal.

You can tell I've been at work all day... I had no idea! And, the radio was all abuzz about MJ and NOTHING ELSE.

This is stupid.

[CC]

89. Well no one was killed

last I heard so guess MJ was more important...not

Anyway is here with links http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1545621

[crispini]

91. ew, Tucker does a standup.

There's just something wrong with that suit. I think it's the lapels. Or the first button's too high or something.

[bunny planet]

94. I started to watch but with no air conditioning in 95 degree weather on

the top floor of my house, there was no way I was sweating it through an hour of MJ coverage, even for KO.

He couldn't possibly have really wanted to devote his show to that. I'm sure the network insisted.

It's really too bad because I wanted coverage of Sensenbrenner and more DSM documents released in the Uk, so many other things.

Oh well, maybe tommorrow.
I know it's not your fault Keef.


Imagine the nerve of Guckert/Gannon, thinking his sorry ass saved KO from cancellation.

[Berry Cool]

97. Guckon, I mean Gannert, is a legend in his own mind.

He WISHES he were responsible for keeping Keith on the air! When the truth is, the guy responsible for keeping Keith on the air is...KEITH!

And you're right, Buns, it's not his fault. He will be back with more real news and more snark soon. You just know it.