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Keith Olbermann Updates His Twitter Page: ‘Watch This Space’ – Updated

by Tommy Christopher | 11:17 am, January 23rd, 2011

» 43 comments

Since joining Twitter early last year, now-former Countdown host Keith Olbermann has become one of the platform’s most loquacious users, tweeting more frequently than a meth-tweaked canary. All of that came to an abrupt end in the hour before his Friday announcement that he, and his show, were leaving MSNBC.

Saturday night, though, Olbermann-watchers saw the first sign of post-Countdown life from his Twitter feed: an update to his profile which read “WATCHTHISSPACE MLB.com Baseball Nerd blog returns 2/14.”

At this point, very little should be read into this, but that won’t stop people from trying. The New York Daily News speculates that maybe the update signifies a return to sports for the former Sportscenter co-anchor:

Since his sudden split with MSNBC, Keith Olbermann could be going back to his roots – at least on Twitter.

“W A T C H T H I S S P A C E MLB.Com Baseball Nerd blog returns 2/14,” he wrote on his biography line– the only update he’s written on his usually prolific account since Friday evening.

They go on to note that a return to ESPN is unlikely, for a variety of reasons that Sportsgrid details here.

The problem here is that promoting the Baseball Nerd blog is nothing new to Olbermann’s Twitter feed, and so “Watch this space” isn’t necessarily related to it. If Olbermann does remain silent until February 14, though, you can bet that will be the most widely-read edition to date.

In any case, those watching Olbermann’s feed for dirty laundry, or laundry of any kind, regarding his departure from MSNBC are likely in for a big disappointment. As much as it’s probably killing the normally-outspoken Olbermann, news accounts from respected journalists generally concur that the terms of his exit include some kind of gag order.

Much more likely is the prospect that Olbermann will share, in fairly short order, some level of detail about his future plans. Ironically, his departure has elevated his Twitter feed to near-Sarah Palin status, anticipation-wise. The parallel has been noted by some conservatives on Twitter, who wondered if Olbermann could continue to slam Palin for resigning the Alaska Governorship, which caused Olbermann to dub Palin the “former Half-Governor.” (This says more about their attitudes about the gravity of elected office than anything else.)

In that vein, it would be a satirical masterstroke if Olbermann emerged from Twitter exile to tweet about “Death Panels,” as they relate to cuts to transplant funding in Arizona.

Either way, Olbermann has to be aware that his status as a Palin-level Twitter celebrity has a short shelf-life, and if he wants to use the platform to promote his next move, sooner is better than later.

Update: On Sunday, perhaps in response to the Daily News’ speculation, the message on Olbermann’s Twitter profile was tweaked to more clearly separate the messages. It now reads “W A T C H__________T H I S__________S P A C E (Also: MLB.Com Baseball Nerd blog returns 2/14)”

An Idea

Expect some fierce tweets from this grown man , especially during Kitty Appreciation Week , February 14th !
ImNotBlue

“Your Ad Here”
The Lantern of Truth

KING up early . Who is this beatnik in the picture ? Is he the one always tossing his Frisbee on my lawn ? These young punks with their roller skates and Hula Hoops and Silly Putty …
Pablo

WHAT????!!!! It wasn’t an actual tweet? It’s been 43 hours since we’ve had a proper tweet from Mr. Olbermann. What the hell are we going to do?!?!?
notsofast

Yawn- no one cares KO

hey KO, how do you like this headline?

” KO KO’ed by MSNBC”

LOL
TangledThorns

No one watched his show, lolz.
Scott_in_MI

To all the females around Olbermann: LOOK OUT. This dude is about to flip and since he already holds dark, sinister fantasies about beating females (Clinton, Malkin) he’s probably gonna go after the easiest target when he does flip out.
WCinWI

Why in the world would you compare Olby’s tweeting to Palin’s? Olby will respond will snark to his detractors. Palin doesn’t.

Ranting and making fun of your conservative counterparts does not a Twitter celebrity make.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ed-Lascar/100000889579338 Ed Lascar

Yep, Tommy is Olbermann’s fan. Definitely!
WCinWI

Ed Lascar said:
Yep, Tommy is Olbermann’s fan. Definitely!

Fan….or stalker?
murf

Oh Noes ! Stalk much , Tommy ?
Newsjunky

notsofast said:
Yawn- no one cares KO

Yet here you are commenting. Troll.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ed-Lascar/100000889579338 Ed Lascar

WCinWI said:
Fan….or stalker?

Ehehe…true! Stalker , I suppose. He seems so eager to see Olbermann’s come back that even a meaguer , telegraphic twit provoked this Mediate’s piece.
BR

Olbermann has been fired from every job. He is poison (and a little creepy) No one will touch him.
Puter Boi

Oh Tommy!!!
I am so very happy for you. Keith may have tweeted!!!
It is so exciting to read this and to share your immense relief.
Thank you for explaining all the ins and outs of the tweet.

It is very important for all of us to understand:
““W A T C H T H I S S P A C E MLB.Com Baseball Nerd blog returns 2/14,”

You are the best, Tommy Christopher!!
You are the ginchiest!!
OxyCon

Olberdouche just tweeted: “Skins really pruning bad…3rd day in the tub…new Olberdouche record! Let’s go for a whole week”.

Btw, if you think Tommy’s a fanboy, check out his tweets. lulz
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Templeton/1642703797 Dave Templeton

Words of advice for Olbermann: Put your finger in a cup of water. Next pull it out. Now tell me what impression you have made ……………right, nothing!
Tommy Christopher

This is almost too stupid to point out, but equating coverage of a media figure with “stalking” would be as stupid as equating people who comment on blogs with stalking. Most of you leave comments on every story I write, but I do not consider myself “stalked.” You’re doing what you’re supposed to do, commenting on things that I write. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, writing about media figures. If you don’t find it interesting (belied by your constant attention), that doesn’t mean it’s not newsworthy. The Olbermann update has already caused speculation in the mainstream media, hence, my decision to cover (and critique) it.

As for whether I’m a fan of Olbermann, you all get a Sherlock Holmes trophy for “discovering” what I have written many times in this space. Despite his flaws, and the petty feuds he has picked with us, I have long been a fan of Countdown, and its host.
Obeezy

Tommy Christopher said:
This is almost too stupid to point out, but equating coverage of a media figure with “stalking” would be as stupid as equating people who comment on blogs with stalking. Most of you leave comments on every story I write, but I do not consider myself “stalked.” You’re doing what you’re supposed to do, commenting on things that I write. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, writing about media figures. If you don’t find it interesting (belied by your constant attention), that doesn’t mean it’s not newsworthy. The Olbermann update has already caused speculation in the mainstream media, hence, my decision to cover (and critique) it.

As for whether I’m a fan of Olbermann, you all get a Sherlock Holmes trophy for “discovering” what I have written many times in this space. Despite his flaws, and the petty feuds he has picked with us, I have long been a fan of Countdown, and its host.

But as a reporter, doesn’t your admiration of him make it quite biased when reporting on him? I mean shouldn’t you, as a reporter leave your feeling about him out of it, and if you cant should you really be the person writing these articles?
OxyCon

Hitler is upset:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjHP2g4N3S8
Liberal TV news is in danger!
OxyCon

Breaking! Olberdouche hired by Fox News:
http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2011/01/breaking-fox-news-hires-olbermann/
Cancon2

This is a lazy horseshit story. Who cares.
Obtuse

Obeezy said:
But as a reporter, doesn’t your admiration of him make it quite biased when reporting on him? I mean shouldn’t you, as a reporter leave your feeling about him out of it, and if you cant should you really be the person writing these articles?

That’s old morals for the old media. These days if media isn’t bias it isn’t media. That’s progress for you.
http://www.outimpact.com OutImpact

Tommy – if he has a contract clause somewhere that he can’t launch or proclaim anything until 2/14, the world can’t hold it against him if he has to be silent. Sometimes even in an instant-gratification world, a little patience is good for the soul.

I can’t really imagine him staying away from the news world forever – but I am hopeful he’ll participate in his own Internet site if he doesn’t appear on cable TV with a show again. I have faith his fans will join him wherever he lands.

Cheers,
Bambi
OutImpact.com – Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Tommy Christopher said:
I have long been a fan of Countdown, and its host.

NO serious person could be a “fan” of Olbermann.
ProObamaAgenda

Tommy Christopher said:
This is almost too stupid to point out, but equating coverage of a media figure with “stalking” would be as stupid as equating people who comment on blogs with stalking. Most of you leave comments on every story I write, but I do not consider myself “stalked.” You’re doing what you’re supposed to do, commenting on things that I write. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, writing about media figures. If you don’t find it interesting (belied by your constant attention), that doesn’t mean it’s not newsworthy. The Olbermann update has already caused speculation in the mainstream media, hence, my decision to cover (and critique) it.

As for whether I’m a fan of Olbermann, you all get a Sherlock Holmes trophy for “discovering” what I have written many times in this space. Despite his flaws, and the petty feuds he has picked with us, I have long been a fan of Countdown, and its host.

Damn dude, you’re clearly the “christine o’donnell” of all the brain dead writers on this site, your crybaby responses to what people say about you on here sound alot like her “I AM NOT A WITCH….I’M YOU” defense of her silliness…how many people did you poll to figure out that Olbermann’s tweet is as anticipated as Palins????….I suspect none…..All we need to do to debunk this whole frivilous story of yours is to compare the number of followers Kieth has on twitter compared to Palin….I hope nobody pays you to write on this site…if they do maybe they’re as braindead as you are….now maybe for your next trick…..try pissin up a rope
Pablo

OxyCon said:
Breaking! Olberdouche hired by Fox News:
http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2011/01/breaking-fox-news-hires-olbermann/

THAT IS A LIE!!! I must write a post immediately: Right Wing Media Site Lies About The Unemployed, Fakes Employment Statistics.
Tommy Christopher

Obeezy said:
But as a reporter, doesn’t your admiration of him make it quite biased when reporting on him? I mean shouldn’t you, as a reporter leave your feeling about him out of it, and if you cant should you really be the person writing these articles?

Of course, and I do. Olbermann will be the first to tell you that. Liking or disliking someone doesn’t indicate an inherent bias. Let the criticism stand on its merits. A quick review of my writing on Olbermann will certainly reveal no pro-Olbermann bias, nor an anti-Olbermann one.

Besides, my personal views on Olbermann are somewhat mixed, as I indicated. I like his show, for reasons I’ve enumerated, and while we agree about a great many things, we haven’t really gotten along. It would be fair to say that my appreciation for his talent and his importance to liberal journalism are in spite of my personal feelings, not because of them.

Conversely, there are people for whom I have a great deal of personal affection whose views and work products I have consistently criticized.

I’d rather be honest about my views than to have others make assumptions about them, but it appears assumptions will be made either way.
Moderate

Olbermann needs his own blog where he does not work with anyone else.
OxyCon

Let’s give Tommy the “Palin” treatment.

“Tommy responds to criticism – Critics say he should shut up and go away”

“Christopher injects himself into the Olbermann controversy – Makes the story all about him”

“Let’s make February a Tommy Christopher free month”

=P
Grammie

Obeezy said:
But as a reporter, doesn’t your admiration of him make it quite biased when reporting on him? I mean shouldn’t you, as a reporter leave your feeling about him out of it, and if you cant should you really be the person writing these articles?

Dittos!!!
http://www.squidoo.com/lauriebethsgrotto Laurie Beth

Thanks for the updates!
Obeezy

Tommy Christopher said:
Of course, and I do. Olbermann will be the first to tell you that. Liking or disliking someone doesn’t indicate an inherent bias. Let the criticism stand on its merits. A quick review of my writing on Olbermann will certainly reveal no pro-Olbermann bias, nor an anti-Olbermann one.

Besides, my personal views on Olbermann are somewhat mixed, as I indicated. I like his show, for reasons I’ve enumerated, and while we agree about a great many things, we haven’t really gotten along. It would be fair to say that my appreciation for his talent and his importance to liberal journalism are in spite of my personal feelings, not because of them.

Conversely, there are people for whom I have a great deal of personal affection whose views and work products I have consistently criticized.

I’d rather be honest about my views than to have others make assumptions about them, but it appears assumptions will be made either way.

I believe the assumptiions are based on the Plethora of stories on Mr. Olbermann and every story, although some being somewhat critical always end with him being justfied for whatever transgression he had done…How about looking into why he has been fired from all his jobs. Pattern?
slickerwick

Obeezy said:
I believe the assumptiions are based on the Plethora of stories on Mr. Olbermann and every story, although some being somewhat critical always end with him being justfied for whatever transgression he had done…How about looking into why he has been fired from all his jobs. Pattern?

Because that would involve actual investigative reporting. Reading tweets is easier. Ya gotta love Tommy’s breathless speculation about what that tweet could mean. He’s somehow unaware that probably 80% of the nation never heard of Olbie or if they have, don’t really give a frenchman’s f**k about the future career prospects of some hyperpartisan bloviator who got a multi-million dollar push-out-the-door.
slickerwick

Jon Stewart’s takedown of Olbermann:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/01/21/jon_stewart_mocks_keith_olbermann_over_scott_brown_attacks.html
Gasket

gordonbloyershow said:
NO serious person could be a “fan” of Olbermann.

No serious person would use the handle of gordonbloWershow on Mediaite. Now go back to bitching why people don’t use their real names here and other putrid garbage that emanates from your brain.

Laurie Beth said:
Thanks for the updates!

Yes. Not the biggest KO fan but you had to admire his appetite and penchant for striking back mercilessly at the horde of Faux News demagogues, distortionists and the blatherskite they are well known for.
esd2000

gordonbloyershow said:
NO serious person could be a “fan” of Olbermann.

So you’re saying you’re a fan. By the way stop hiding behind that Rush Limbaugh Halloween mask, it’s kind of creepy.
Oregon Conservative

Tommy Christopher said:
As for whether I’m a fan of Olbermann, you all get a Sherlock Holmes trophy for “discovering” what I have written many times in this space. Despite his flaws, and the petty feuds he has picked with us, I have long been a fan of Countdown, and its host.

That’s because you’re a liberal clown, Tommy. What you fail to recognize or admit is your writing is sloppy and when you write about Keith, it resembles a literary rim job. The next best thing to Olby being fired is maybe, just maybe, your writing and this site will improve.*

*assumes TRRK leaves.
lonestar77

“Ironically, his departure has elevated his Twitter feed to near-Sarah Palin status, anticipation-wise.”

What’s even more ironic is that the only people who really care, on both accounts, are the wingnut left.
Dsiscokid

First Larry King, then Regis and now KO. Some say things happen in 3′s. Thanks TC for keeping up with KO so I don’t have to! Here’s a TV Exectutive’s dream. Palin and KO do a reality show. Sort of like WifeSwap. Two weeks in Alaska, then two weeks in Manhattan. End the show with both sides going to a baseball game in cornfield in Iowa. How American can you get
Dsiscokid

A Typo- executive / “in a cornfield in Iowa” How more American can you get?
Rusty Shackelford

Please someone…..take all sharp objects away from Tommy Christopher.
PoliticalPAW

CLASSIC…Maddow finally gets a “heavily edited” video tribute for herself & “Private Pile” http://tinyurl.com/4qhvctp

NOW THIS: CNN actually consults the last FIRED @MSNBC propagandist that brandished identical homosexual pejoratives http://tinyurl.com/4r5fzrg

@PoliticalPAW