But mainly it was the giving-money-to-Democrats thing:
Network sources tell Playbook that Keith Olbermann was suspended because he refused to deliver an on-camera mea culpa, which would have allowed him to continue anchoring “Countdown.” Olbermann told his bosses he didn’t know he was barred from making campaign contributions, although he is resisting saying that publicly. Olbermann may not hold as many cards as he thinks. He makes $7 million a year and MSNBC’s prime time is not as dependent on him as it was before the addition of Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell, who make considerably less.
Via Glynnis MacNicol at Mediaite, who points out Steve Krakauer’s observation about MSNBC ratings:
Rachel Maddow is getting better ratings than Olbermann in the key A25-54 demographic, and Lawrence O’Donnell isn’t far behind. Olbermann is no longer the center of the strategy either – as the network has unveiled a vibrant, massive new campaign “Lean Forward” which focuses on half a dozen members of the MSNBC talent pool.
On the other hand, Olbermann — who is actually older than me, and I just turned 51 — recently spent a couple of years banging 20-something reporterette Katy Tur (he actually interviewed her on “Countdown” earlier this year) but, hey, NTTAWWT. And now that dysfunctional Disney princess Demi Lovato is 18, there’s no reason that Keith should be forced to apologize on air for checking out her bikini picture:
On the other hand, the executives at MSNBC might be troubled to learn that their $7-million-a-year prime-time anchor — with a demonstrable predilection for cradle-robbing — actually checked out Demi Lovato’s bare rump. Continue reading Report: Keith Olbermann Refuses to Apologize for Giving Money to Democrats and Looking at Demi Lovato Bikini Pics →
