Olbermann suspends ‘Worst Persons’ segment after ‘Sanity’ rally

[RamboLiberal]

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"The overall message that the tone needs to change, was not lost on any of us," Olbermann said on his Monday show.

"The anger in this news hour was not an original part of it, nor was it an artifice we added to it. It was a response to a threat to this democracy posed by Mr. Bush and now by his lineal descendants," Olbermann continued.

"But there is an institutionalization of it that may no longer be valid. That is the 'Worst Persons in the World' Segment," he said.

"Its satire and whimsy have gradually gotten lost in some anger, so in the spirit of the thing, as of right now, I am unilaterally suspending that segment with an eye towards discontinuing it. We don’t know how that works long term. We might bring it back. We might bring back something similar to it, might kill it outright, and next week we will solicit your input. "

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/11/olbermann-suspends-worst-persons-segment-sanity-rally/

Damn, that's one of my favorite segments - I hope KO reconsiders especially with a few of the nutcase Repubs that will end up in congress & the rest in that party. It was especiallhy good at profiling the nutjobs who wouldn't otherwise get a mention.

I did like KO's measured response to Stewart last night.

[VMI Dem]

1. Very pragmatic.

Salute.

[Renew Deal]

2. The segment is often used for oddball news and bad behavior

So it can work.

[blondeatlast]

3. I think it can be reworked. there is a place for the ridicule of the most egregious examples of

political insanity every day.

BTW, Mr. Olbermann, you are free to use that if you just credit it to my DU username! :hi:

[Barack_America]

4. I liked the segment when it shamed everyday assholes in our country.

You know, people like Jennifer Petkov.

I didn't care for it when it served only to further the back and forth bickering between networks.

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. I think the segment can still be used effectively without contributing to hatred and anger.

[Javaman]

6. Sadly, let's see how long he lasts.

if the fucking pukes take over both the houses, I see a return of the worst person in the world.

Trying to stay above the fray while being pelted with rocks, it admirable, but won't heal the wounds nor prevent worse attacks.

the pukes have vowed, via bone job, to do everything they can to prevent Obama from reelection and to basically gridlock our government.

So while he suspends his worst person in the world segment, I wonder how long that vow will last.

I believe it will return in another form. Perhaps, "the most obstructionist repuke".

[DirkGently]

7. I like the segment, but KO is right to modulate his tone. He's taken down the shrill a notch.

[madfloridian]

13. Next he will be asked to tone it down more. He was not shrill IMO

And the more our side gives in, the more we are asked to give in.

So I am quite sure he will be expected never to joke or be sarcastic or anything else very soon.

[DirkGently]

24. We ought to be able to draw those lines intelligently, without assuming all is a slippery slope.

[madfloridian]

25. I CAN draw lines intelligently and in a very nuanced way.

I am college educated, have a good sharp mind.

Stewart had a great rally, but he was wrong to equate Olbermann with those others.

And I am tired of anyone implying that because I am liberal and express my thoughts on things that I am not extremely capable, because I am.

[HughMoran]

8. I thought it was an interesting gesture from KO

It's unlikely anybody else will follow on with a similar gesture, but it's a start nonetheless.

[The Gunslinger]

9. That's the only part of the show i watched.

I don't think Keith needs to bow down to Jon Stewart, and if you think the fascist right is going to turn down the rhetoric on their side, you haven't been paying attention. Unfortunately the come together stuff only works when both sides do it.

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. I think simply re-branding it would be fine.

"Worst Person In The World" is a bit hyperbolic for someone who is merely a douche - as most of his Worst Persons are - but then, they do deserve mention in some way.

"Douche of the Day" would be just fine with me.

[CommonSensePLZ]

11. I don't think Jon was right about this

I don't care if I get attacked because I'm supposedly "attacking" Jon, I think he was wrong to include Keith like that.

Keith was loud sometimes, yes, but his words and emotions were honest. He actually reported the truth and WHY those people were called his worst. Sometimes it got serious and harsh, but I usually agreed that it was appropriate, like describing insurance companies letting their members die over paperwork and technicalities instead of fixing those things first. Even really violent, awful, selfish things people had done.

I wish he wouldn't get rid of it altogether, maybe just suspend it for the rest of the year. I liked it and looked forward to it on weeknights, but if that's his choice, then that's his choice.

[mazzarro]

12. Why Do Progressives Disarm First?

Then hope that rethugs will follow suit? We always end up with short end of the deal - always!

[deaniac21]

14. I miss when he covered baseball. He was GREAT.

[robcon]

15. The right thing to do.

Good for Keith.

[UTUSN]

16. Wrong move. Jon is entitled to his opinions. So are the rest of us. n/t

[Upton]

17. Stupid..the Repukes will be laughing at this.

Just one more time that one of our own has blinked first. When are we going to stand up and fight with the same anger and vigor that the Pubs do?

[ShamelessHussy]

18. That's why I like KO, he is reasonable.

Well done Keith :toast:

[lamp_shade]

19. Good. I was tired of it and I'll bet Keith is too.

[DevonRex]

20. It's great that he understood what Stewart was saying. nt

[uncommon]

21. I think it's a wise decision. It's a very divisive (albeit enjoyable) segment and it isn't news.

He can report the reasons without sensationalizing the stories.

[bagimin]

22. Never missed it. Damn.

[Matariki]

23. Better than Ed Schultz's reaction.

And I don't like the 'false equivilancy' BS either.

The demonization of 'the other' doesn't serve us well, unfortunately it seems inherent in a two party system. I like that my state (Washington) has adopted a run-off system for the primaries, so conceivable two Democrats could run against each other, or 3rd party candidates. Takes some of the Red vs. Blue out of it.