Playing Hooky: Olbermann Catches World Series Instead Of Hosting Show

by Steve Krakauer | 9:07 am, November 5th, 2009

» 14 comments

Let’s get the facts out of the way first – Keith Olbermann went to see Game 6 of the World Series, watching the Yankees close it out, instead of hosting his 8pmET MSNBC show Countdown last night – the day after the first elections of the Obama administration. We know this because he wrote all about it on his MLB blog. There’s photo evidence he was hanging out…with a Fox News host!

Now that the facts are settled – does this make any sense?

Look, it’s the World Series, Olbermann’s a Yankees fan – this is huge. It’s not like Olbermann hasn’t earned his keep at the network, as he has consistently come in as the top rated show on MSNBC for years.

But, just like Glenn Beck‘s fans were unpleasantly surprised to see their regular host out last night (with appendicitis), those looking for Olbermann’s take on Hoffman’s lose or Christie’s win at 8pmET found Lawrence O’Donnell sitting in the anchor chair. This gets coupled with the fact that Olbermann hosted at 8pmET Tuesday night, but was not there at 10pmET. We hear he was visiting his sick father in the hospital – he’s had to miss time over the last couple months due to his father’s health, and we wouldn’t want to diminish that in any way.

But last night, he was at Yankee Stadium. He wrote all about it on his frequently-updated MLB blog. We’re not sure if he’s got an automatic log-in so he can live blog from his seat, but he currently has one missive on Pedro Martinez triple-posted and another post with some uncorrected grammatical issues. But the main post – the top story right now – features pictures and analysis of the game, in the wake of the Yankees 27th World Series victory.

One photo sticks out, near the end, with this caption:

And lastly, a reminder that baseball does erase boundaries. The guy I’m taking a photo of, who’s taking a photo of me – we get along perfectly at the ballpark – less so during our day jobs.

That’s Sean Hannity, right? Definitely. The guy who makes somewhat frequent appearances on Olbermann’s “Worst Persons” list, and was the “Best Person” two weeks ago – but, as you can imagine, not for anything positive. We looked it up: Hannity’s show was new, but was pre-taped (it’s normally live at 9pmET). So, Hannity and Olbermann – getting “along perfectly,” taking photos of each other. Cute, or the sign of the apocalypse? We report, you decide.

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Countdown, keith olbermann, msnbc, Sean Hannity, World Series, Yankees

Puter Boi

This just confirms what I have long suspected….”cable “news” and opinion”…is just an updated version of pro wrestling… it’s all phony and more than a little silly.
m

Not necessarily, Puter Boi. Just because in the political sphere they’re “mortal enemies” doesn’t mean they must abstain from civility or be hostile towards one another. For example Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill were close friends, despite being bitter opponents (after Reagan was shot, O’Neill went to the hospital to pray for him).
Jim Treacher

“Just because in the political sphere they’re ‘mortal enemies’ doesn’t mean they must abstain from civility or be hostile towards one another.”

Yep. Olbermann has to save some bile for the studio.
Yephora

I hear Keith got hit in the head by a line drive and woke up a RINO.

You report, we deride.
Tater Salad

It doesn’t really matter if Ekith Olberman missed his MSNBC “appointment” because nobody watches the show anyhow. Give the guy a break! If that is all MSNBC can get to do the time slot then “they” are in real back shape. Heck, maybe the Obama administration will give MSNBC some bail-out money. Just a thought!
realitycheck

Why would he show up at msnbc @ 8pm, if nobody else does. O’Donnell=sucka!!! I wonder if I was taking a video of Olbemann begging for few ‘faux news’ crumbs, if I would be able to hold my composure as well as Hannity.
ImNotBlue

In the live blog… SOMEONE said that if NJ and VA went for the Republican, KO would call out sick so he didn’t have to report on it. Looks like SOMEONE was right… even though that comment didn’t get posted.

And is anyone really surprised that KO would be pleasant to Hannity in public? KO can’t debate anyone from the comfort of his own set… let alone in public! HA!
ImNotBlue

My mistake… it wasn’t in the live blog… it was in the “Keith Olbermann tells Glenn Beck to ‘Go To Hell’” thread.

Here’s the post:

*BREAKING NEWS*

On Thursday’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” (Keith will be out Wednesday, spending the evening in the tub, so he doesn’t have to report on the VA and NJ race), Keith will call Rush Limbaugh a “poopy pants,” followed by an in-depth analysis of Bill O’Reilly where he will tell him he’s a “loser” and threaten to break all his toys, if they ever meet in person.

Another hard hitting evening, on “Countdown!”

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/keith-olbermann-tells-glenn-beck-go-to-hell-for-making-light-of-911/#comment-8579

SOMEONE is awfully clairvoyant.
m

You people are pretty sad.
ImNotBlue

I don’t feel sad. A little headache… but not sad.
Facebook User

“And is anyone really surprised that KO would be pleasant to Hannity in public? KO can’t debate anyone from the comfort of his own set… let alone in public! HA!”

first of all, what does one thing have to do with another? there are all kinds of people who are pleasant to each other in some situations and hate one another in others.

and second, glenn beck doesnt debate anyone on his show, either… he just brings on people who push his ridiculous conspiracy theories. whereas, olbermann actually attempts to deal in facts and evidence. however, you are not required to have debates on any program that you dont want to. as if complaining about it will make a difference?

and third, its hilarious that INB, and others, insist on pushing their own conspiracy theories of why or why not olbermann is on his show. usually, people like that would be ecstatic if olbermann wasnt on television, period. but now when he isnt, they complain and push their conspiracy theories as to why. obsessed much?
TfT

Oh come on facebook user, just admit it — Olbermann went to his bathtub; he couldn’t report the Virginia and NJ wins for republicans; he can’t deal with facts.
StewartIII

ChickaBOOMer: Keith’s Kodak Moment
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/11/keiths-kodak-moment.html
ImNotBlue

Facebook User says:
November 5, 2009 at 6:18 pm

first of all, what does one thing have to do with another?

KO doesn’t have the strength to confront anyone in his studio, with the availability of editing, support staff, and notes… he still refuses to do it. So, coward as he is, we realize that he doesn’t have the wherewithal to confront someone whom he has deemed the “worst person in the world” in real life. You’d think for all the times he’s talked about Hannity, he’d have some pretty choice things to say to him… but apparently, he’s either a fraud or simply too scared. I’ll let you decide which.

and second, glenn beck doesnt debate anyone on his show, either

Two points… (1) that’s a lie, and (2) does that mean you think KO is no better than Beck? Really? And that’s something you’re happy about?

whereas, olbermann actually attempts to deal in facts and evidence.

Facts and evidence that support his “crazy theories.” That is, when he’s not busy flat out lying, or changing his opinion to suit the moment. My favorite example is still the FISA legislation, that he was strongly against under Bush… but then strongly for when Obama re-issued it. Hack.

however, you are not required to have debates on any program that you dont want to. as if complaining about it will make a difference?

He doesn’t debate because then someone might say, “Hey, you’re wrong,” and point out his lies, mistruths, or misconceptions. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about… that’s why he can’t debate.

insist on pushing their own conspiracy theories of why or why not olbermann is on his show.

Yes, it’s all a conspiracy theory… a conspiracy theory based on evidence that he was at the baseball game (not a theory), and evidence that he’s left previous jobs (at MSNBC) because he didn’t like reporting on stories that were negative to Democrats (he the network so he didn’t have to talk about Lewinsky). See… you can call it “conspiracy theories” because, you know, you like keeping your head in the sand and believing Olbermann is some sort or hero… I call it applying evidence and seeing the reality. KO on or off doesn’t really make a difference to me… it’s the lunatics who are too blind or stubborn to see what’s right in front of them (ie. you) who get me down.