It was always an obvious reality that Keith Olbermann‘s Current TV show would experience some degree of crossover with MSNBC’s prime-time programming, but any hope of a peaceful rivalry have evaporated, as Olbermann has made it clear he intends to go after his former employer’s audience by going after his former employer. The fact that Olbermann has opted to “go negative” so early (his show hasn’t even premiered yet) portends a bloody battle for the hearts and minds of liberal viewers.

The establishment of Current TV as a destination for liberal news programming doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing for MSNBC. There are, apparently, millions of liberals who aren’t watching cable news, and this represents an opportunity for both channels to attract a new audience.

FishbowlDC gossip and media reporter Betsy Rothstein is, to put it mildly, a polarizing figure in Washington, DC. Despised by some for her role in Dave Weigel‘s Journolist-fueled career reorganization, dismissed by others as a petty gossip, she also enjoys a stealth legion of admirers who appreciate her hard work and Keyser Soze-like omnipresence. When word spread of my interview with Rothstein, “Team Betsy” emerged from the woodwork to weigh in, and the common theme was quickly evident: Betsy Rothstein is fearless.

Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards is drawing attention to climate change by jumping into the icy-cold Potomac River in this year’s “Polar Bear Plunge.” We’re not entirely sure how this inspires people to change their habits or focus on environmental issues more than a PSA featuring a real-life flailing polar bear might (narrated by Sarah McLachlan, natch), but it does seem kind of fun in a masochistic way.

Legend has it that the editors at Washington Post and the NY Times communicate each day to confirm that they have different lead stories/images on their front page. Well, it appears that the communication lines between Marcus Brauchli and Bill Keller were not open last night, as both venerable newspapers lead with the same image from the tragic Cambodia stampede from yesterday. (H/T Patrick Gavin)

Mediaite Office Hours is live today from Livestream.com today at 3pmET – with CNN anchor/correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNBC’s Darren Rovell and Politico’s Patrick Gavin. There’s certainly a lot to talk about.

Last week in a private email exchange, Howard Kurtz wrote… just kidding. I have no reason to publish anything Kurtz has ever emailed me that wasn’t intended for the record. But if I write something critical of Reliable Sources, will he publish the last email I sent saying he should totally book me on his show? That’s essentially what he did to Politico’s Patrick Gavin on Sunday, responding testily to Gavin’s breakdown on Politico of the most frequent guest on Reliable Sources this past decade.

This a photo of GQ Washington Correspondent Ana Marie Cox and top Obama advisor David Axelrod. Yes, Axelrod is important, but let’s focus for a moment on Cox, who has indelibly made a mark on the White House Correspondents Dinner in one crucial way: It was she who dubbed it “NerdProm.”

If Politico’s Mike Allen is the “most popular boy” after a glowing profile by Mark Leibovich in the New York Times Magazine hit the virtual street today, then the reaction to the piece by inside-the-beltway journalists represents the reaction of the AV club and, well, the yearbook staff: we hate him.

As we reported earlier, Politico has published part 2 of their yearlong expose´ of White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs‘ comedic chops. Using state-of-the-art word count technology, they have determined that Gibbs is about half as funny as he used to be.

I asked Gibbs for his reaction to Politico’s report, and to criticisms of Tuesday’s Sarah Palin “handgate” gag. Here’s what he had to say

No one’s laughing now, Robert Gibbs! Or at least they’re laughing a lot less. According to a report, the number of “(Laughter)” that show up in the official transcripts of White House press room briefings and in the last six months they have dropped by almost half. What is behind this sinister seriousness?

“Before stepping into the boxing ring for a friendly match with Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the one thing you need to know is that he will, in fact, punch you in the face.”

Today on Mediaite Office Hours we’re coming to you live as usual from Livestream.com’s studio at 3pmET. We’ll be joined by Time magazine’s Michael Scherer, Deadspin.com editor A.J. Daulerio, Politico’s Patrick Gavin…and you!

President Obama had an outburst last night! Sort of. Alas, it was less Kanye-style than actually about Kanye West — the President was quoted on Twitter referring to him as a “jackass” — but it’s still a headline dominator this morning. Also, it was supposed to be off the record. However, thanks to the beauty of Twitter we all get to enjoy the unedited Obama. But will this mark the end of unedited Twittering for jounos everywhere?

Today is the kickoff for Fashion Week — and for the Daily Beast’s brand-new style section, Sexy Beast. Earlier this week Politico announced new lifestyle website Click. Is everyone getting sexier? And how do you make Chicken Goop?

Where were you a year ago today? If you are a political journalist — or media hanger-on — chances are you were living out of a suitcase at the 2008 Presidential Conventions, with the Dems nominating Barack Obama in Denver and the GOP nominating John McCain in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Remember those heady days?

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs seems like a nice enough guy. He has a sense of humor about his work, he maintains a friendly banter with reporters, and he was even the goalie of the North Carolina State Wolfpack soccer team. But Gibbs largely gets a free pass from the media for his many blunders. How does he do it?

It’s that time of the week again – Mediaite Office Hours! We’ve lined up another great show for you.

Guests include host of the new MSNBC Way Too Early, Willie Geist and Politico reporter (and fellow former mediabistro’er) Patrick Gavin. And of course…you! Here’s how this works: