Olbermann Vacation Day 1: Countdown Exec. Producer Leaves For New O’Donnell Show

developing

by Steve Krakauer | 4:32 pm, July 19th, 2010

» 38 comments

On Day 1 of Keith Olbermann‘s two-week vacation, a big announcement has come down concerning his MSNBC show.

Countdown‘s Executive Producer Izzy Povich is leaving the program to take over as Senior Executive Producer of Lawrence O’Donnell‘s soon-to-be-launched 10pmET show.

The announcement came in an MSNBC press release today (the full release is below). Interestingly, there is no replacement yet. “A new Executive Producer of ‘Countdown’ will be named at a later date,” said the release. With Olbermann out two weeks, there’s still some time. O’Donnell is currently filling in as guest host.

Povich (pictured left – image via TVNewser) joined MSNBC in 1996 and has served as EP of Countdown since 2004. MSNBC President Phil Griffin said:

Izzy has done a tremendous job for years on ‘Countdown’ and is a key member of my team. She’s the perfect person to take on the challenge of launching Lawrence’s show and help take MSNBC to the next level.

There is no launch date yet for O’Donnell’s program.

Last month Spud at InsideCableNews posted a blind item: “Which cable news show may be showing signs of internal trouble? Rumors are flying that the show’s EP has “had it” and another key staffer is leaving the program…” It had commenters guessing Sean Hannity or Olbermann, but this is certainly the most high-profile EP move recently. (Update: TVNewser hears another staffer is leaving the show as well. So…)

Povich has helped make Countdown into the most successful show currently on the network, and probably the most successful program ever on MSNBC. It will be a big spot for a new producer to land in.

Olbermann hasn’t tweeted today.

The Upshot’s Michael Calderone broke the news on Twitter. Here’s the full release:

NEW YORK – July 19, 2010 – Izzy Povich has been named Senior Executive Producer of Lawrence O’Donnell’s new program, which will debut this fall at 10 pm ET on MSNBC. The announcement was made by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC and is effective immediately.

“Izzy has done a tremendous job for years on ‘Countdown’ and is a key member of my team,” said Griffin. “She’s the perfect person to take on the challenge of launching Lawrence’s show and help take MSNBC to the next level.”

Povich was previously Executive Producer of “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” since February 2004. A new Executive Producer of “Countdown” will be named at a later date. As Executive Producer of “Countdown,” Povich oversaw all editorial content for the show. Prior to her current role, Povich served as a Senior Producer for “Countdown” from the program’s launch in 2003.

Povich joined MSNBC in 1996 and in 1998, she became the Senior Producer for the MSNBC Central Booking Unit. From 2000-2003, Povich served as Senior Producer and Supervising Producer for several MSNBC programs.

Povich began her career as an account executive for Ogilvy and Mather Public Relations in 1989 and as an associate producer for WNBC New York in 1990, before serving as a producer on “The Maury Povich Show” from 1992-1996. She also served as a producer for CBS’s “Day and Date” in 1996.

Povich holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University. She is married to Andrew Povich, and has two children, Molly and Ben.

—–
» Follow Steve Krakauer on Twitter

Countdown, Izzy Povich, keith olbermann, Lawrence O'Donnell, msnbc

notsofast

man, the guy goes from one loser to another.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Noland/1343446359 Dave Noland

notsosmart has no life. Why is this news? Because Abrams has an ax to grind?
notsofast

Dave Noland said:
notsosmart has no life. Why is this news? Because Abrams has an ax to grind?

Hey, racist socialist is back- this libturd thinks a job is a “right.”

A right!!

LMAO!
felixw

From Keith Olbermann to Rosie O’Donnell? This guy must be a glutton for punishment!
notsofast

felixw said:
From Keith Olbermann to Rosie O’Donnell? This guy must be a glutton for punishment!

Rossie would have been a step up!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tony-Westover/1496648721 Tony Westover

Really, who gives a shit?
The Real Royal King

I like Lawrence O’Donnell. He is intelligent and articulate.
The Real Royal King

felixw said:
From Keith Olbermann to Rosie O’Donnell? This guy must be a glutton for punishment!

Lawrence, not Rosie, Felix.
TfT

I remember when O’Donnel lost it on MSNBC over the swift boat vets for truth; he really went red faced, flailed, screamed so much they had to go to break and remove him from the set.

This is my key memory of Lawrence O’Donnel.

Olbermann must be pissed off….I’m guessing the Tucker story about Keith was true.
notsofast

The Real Royal King said:
I like Lawrence O’Donnell. He is intelligent and articulate.

LMAO!

If you had any, and I mean any credibility, you just lost it.
The Real Royal King

notsofast said:
LMAO!

If you had any, and I mean any credibility, you just lost it.

Well, to be sure, he’s no Steve Douchey.
notsofast

The Real Royal King said:
Well, to be sure, he’s no Steve Douchey.

He is no Rosie!
JimBob

Holy SHIT!!! Are you kidding me!!–Joe Scarbourough. Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, I forgot, Dylan Whatever, Tingle Matthews, Ed WHO, Tingles again, BATHTUBBOY, Ralphy Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell! Thats the lineup!!!!.. MSNBC has FEWER viewers than the damn Cartoon Channel!!! ANYONE STILL WONDER WHY? And all of them are uglier than a bucket of crap…Good Lord!
TfT

Olbermann’s silence on this is deafening. He must have been told to sit down and shut up. FINALLY!
murf

Either this explains the abrupt 2 week ” vacation ” [ Olbermann protest ] or Phil Griffin decided this was ” perfect timing ” for announcement since disgruntled- history of Keith , has left the building .
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Izzy the worst … person … in the World ???
BR

Kind of like rats jumping off of the Titanic.
JimBob

I’m visuallizing Keithy in a diaper in a fetal position in a bathtub as we speak!
This guy KO has always been nuttier than a Port a Potty at a Peanut Festival!
The Real Royal King

JimBob said:
I’m visuallizing Keithy in a diaper

That would be Senator Vitter.
lanquihue

Tony Westover said:
Really, who gives a shit?

Well, because here on this media analysis website, they analyze the media.
Sean68

O’Donnell discussed the “ground zero mosque” story (i.e. cordoba house) tonight. But shouldn’t he have to disclose up front that he is on record as saying he’s too frightened to say anything critical of islam or muslims? What good is he leading a discussion (actually two bobbleheads agreeing with an pre-settled premise) on the subject of islams or muslim influence in the US? On the other hand, he’s quite courageous in his coverage of Sarah Palin.
notsofast

Sean68 said:
But shouldn’t he have to disclose up front that he is on record as saying he’s too frightened to say anything critical of islam or muslims?

He and KO are afraid. Shit, KO was afraid to show up at the RNC in 2008.
notsofast

KO is actually receiving his annual sanitarium tune-up as we speak.
Some_Dude

I’m at a loss as to why the career maneuvers of a producer is news. Because it coincides with the vacation of a host? Sounds like a good time to make a move, which has probably been in the works for some time now.

Much ado about nothing.
TfT

Expect an update from Steve on this story; ICN has a story up: Olbermann picks a fight with Krakauer.

So he isn’t being completely silent, but the tweets are quite funny. Olbermann criticizing Krakauer for publishing this story without first talking to Olbermann……this from the loon who daily spews hate speech about any/all conservatives, without ever talking to them. It’s just too damn funny.
The Real Royal King

notsofast said:
He and KO are afraid. Shit, KO was afraid to show up at the RNC in 2008.

Well, let’s face it, few of the cable news personalities are towers of strength and courage. Remember Hannity running down the street in New Hampshire just ahead of the Ron Paul supporters? Have you seen Van Susteren anywhere other than Todd’s kitchen or in the company of Kim Kardshian? Glen(n) anywhere other than amongst the True Believers, prostrating themselves before him? That’s why I can appreciate journalists like Cooper, Mitchell, Smith. They are not afraid of putting themselves out there.
The Real Royal King

TfT said:
Expect an update from Steve on this story; ICN has a story up: Olbermann picks a fight with Krakauer.

So he isn’t being completely silent, but the tweets are quite funny. Olbermann criticizing Krakauer for publishing this story without first talking to Olbermann……this from the loon who daily spews hate speech about any/all conservatives, without ever talking to them. It’s just too damn funny.

What proof do you have that he doesn’t seek comment or reaction from the greatly discriminated against conservatives?
The Real Royal King

Some_Dude said:
I’m at a loss as to why the career maneuvers of a producer is news. Because it coincides with the vacation of a host? Sounds like a good time to make a move, which has probably been in the works for some time now.

Much ado about nothing.

Please. You are being far too rational, and that doesn’t fit in with the Right’s Talking Points.
TfT

TRRK: Is that a real question???? Bwahahahaha

Journolist info being revealed: “Call them racists”…..hmmmmmm, seems all of MSNBC must be members of journolist, all of ABCCBSNBCCNN as well.

Who sold out?
JimBob

notsofast says:
KO is actually receiving his annual sanitorium tune-up as we speak.

KO is actually receiving his annual sanitation tune-up as we speak.
The Real Royal King

TfT said:
TRRK: Is that a real question???? Bwahahahaha

Journolist info being revealed: “Call them racists”…..hmmmmmm, seems all of MSNBC must be members of journolist, all of ABCCBSNBCCNN as well.

Who sold out?

Isn’t it a bit early in the day for conspiracy theories?
TfT

TRRK: You just can’t handle the truth.
Phocus2

JimBob said:
Holy SHIT!!! Are you kidding me!!–Joe Scarbourough. Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, I forgot, Dylan Whatever, Tingle Matthews, Ed WHO, Tingles again, BATHTUBBOY, Ralphy Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell! Thats the lineup!!!!.. MSNBC has FEWER viewers than the damn Cartoon Channel!!! ANYONE STILL WONDER WHY? And all of them are uglier than a bucket of crap…Good Lord!

Well said…yawn.
FredCPA

“Povich has helped make Countdown into the most successful show currently on the network” – crap, that reminds me, i gotta update my nielson diary. i stopped watching last week. unfortunately that now puts KOs audience at 9. so its not the most successful show. its tied for first with the ‘chicks in prison’ documentary they show sunday at 3am. sorry.
http://none pyrope

Before two weeks is out, we’re going to hear a “revelation” that 0verbite has decided to quit.
http://none pyrope

Countdown Exec. Producer Leaves For New O’Donnell Show

Seems a bit like jumping off the Titanic and into the icy waters below–you’re gonna die either way.