OT - Keith Olbermann returning to ESPN, to host nightly ESPN2 show
Keith Olbermann is returning to ESPN to host a late-night show beginning on Aug. 26.
The new show "Olbermann" will generally air at 11 p.m. ET weeknights on ESPN2 and is expected to be a mix of perspective, commentary, interviews, panel discussions and highlights .
My sports fandom came of age during the "Blue Background" era of Sportscenter, primarily through the words of Olbermann and Dan Patrick. During that period in the early 90's, I would have probably listed those guys as two of my heroes. But as time has passed, and Olbermann has ventured into other arenas, I can't say I'm terribly excited about this announcement. He's become such an outspoken political commentator that I wonder if he'll be able to keep the show focused on sports and leave his politics at home. I suppose we'll find out if he can keep it neutral.
Whether you're conservative or liberal, I think we can all agree that sports should be separated from politics, so please no snark towards one party or another in this thread. Just as Rush Limbaugh's political views had no business on NFL Countdown and Dennis Miller's opinions didn't belon on MNF, I don't want to hear Olbermann's on this new sports show.
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/9485482/keith-olbermann-returns-espn-late-night-program
Olbermann may be a total asshole to work with and especially work for but he's a freaking funny as hell asshole so if they keep him reined in politically it could work. And candidly I dont remember him being all that political on air when he was at ESPN - just in his personal dealings and he has every right to do that IMO.
He wasn't political in the slightest at ESPN, at least not that I noticed as a 13 year old kid. But he's evolved from a sports guy into a political guy - can he evolve back into a pure sports role? My guess - you won't be able to stop him, but there may be hope to contain him. :-)
a Real Time with Bill Maher on ESPN
That would be an interesting fusion of a show.
Now on tonight's panel we've got Salman Rushdie, Chris Berman and Keyshawn Johnson.
It would be terrible, but hilariously terrible.
Has Bill O'Reilly scheduled at 11?
I mean, as silly as that is, it's only slightly moreso to bring back Keith. Unless it's a reality tv show and they're waiting for the next breakdown. But after all the bad blood between ESPN and him, it's kinda shocking you can go home again.
It's just like if O'Reilly were to get hired for FoxSports1....if O'Reilly had previously been a big time sportscaster. Otherwise, not really.
that they don't want him alienating (over?) half their viewers with his politics. I'd imagine he's on a pretty short leash here. Then again it is ESPN, so who knows?
Will be a turn-off for many. He doesn't even have to open his mouth. When Saturday Night Live (thank you, Ben Affleck) is openly mocking you, perhaps it's time to consider a profession like floral delivery.
Probably a lot more than half, given that most sports viewers are men, and men tend to be less liberal.
I think he should have joined the SEC network. That would be fun. Or maybe the Longhorn network.
He always seemed like a total Blowhard to me...
I bet the show sucks for the following reasons:
1) He is a blowhard
2) ESPN has the PC Police on speedial limiting any actual discourse
3) ESPN isnt the only dog in the show anymore -- people don't have to watch shows like "The Sports Reporters" to get their sports fix if they don't want too...which few do...except old people
4) Its probably going to air in the coveted "right after the Midwest Poker Stars" slot which no one cares about. Honestly, if the progaming on ESPN is lame how many of us actually flip to ESPN2 hoping there's something better over than than whatever's airing on the mothership
5) No one gave a crap about his shows on MSNBC or the channel he tried to start after getting canned for being a blowhard that no one watched. Am I missing something, but what's different here except "sports"
We need moar talk about players with a "slipped dick in his neck". If nothing else, they were fun!
DEAR GOD WHYYYYY
I wouldn't want to watch one second of this guy talking about sports... or anything else for that matter. He has very extreme political views which are a huge turnoff. It's the same for athletes. I enjoy rooting for certain athletes but once they start spouting extreme political views, as some did after the Zimmerman verdict, I lose all interest. It's hard to root for somebody who earns your animosity. Even if I agree with certain expressed opinions, I don't think politics belongs on a pure sports show.
What is to suggest he will inject his politics in to a sports show?
He was on ESPN for years and never had a problem in that regard. There are lots of entertainers who have political views I don't agree with, but I will watch/listen to/buy their product if it's quality. If his sports show is insightful, entertaining or different I will watch it.
If it's not good or full of political diatribes I'll turn the channel. It's as simple as that. Just because someone has views doesn't mean they espouse them at every available opportunity.
but there are some performers/entertainers are just too controversial and unlikeable when not on stage. For instance, Michael Vick is too unlikeable for me to root for. If he's on a team, I would instantly root against the team. More on point, I would not wish to watch a show with Rob Parker. I don't care how good a sportscaster he is. He is basically just an unlikeable guy.
Well, Michael Vick murdered living things for fun that's a bit different than being outspoken about politics.
So the OP shares a legitimate sports story, but under the guise of trying to keep the dialogue apolitical assures that it will be political. And shockingly the political comments share the inferences of the OP. These kind of topics and comments only remind me how little this niche board reflects the student body and alumni of the University of Michigan. And as a bonus, we now have someone sneaking the George Zimmerman trial into this Michigan sports blog--something, I suspect, he's been dying to do.
Are you serious? Inferences of the OP? Which inference - the one where I said I don't want to hear Olbermann talk politics on a sports show or the one where I said I don't want to hear Limbaugh talk politics on a sports show?
Whatever side of the aisle you fall on, you're rabid if you think I've expressed any favoritism for one party or the other in this post.
I didn't voice an opinion on the recent trial. I just suggested that sports figures getting involved in politics can be a big turn off, especially when they voice controversial views as some recently did regarding the trial.
And I didn't see any comments about a specific political viewpoint. Most people wouldn't be a fan of any extreme political figure on a sports show. Limbaugh seems extreme in one way to me and Olbermann seems extreme in another direction.
I think the direction of this thread proves a point. Having a highly political person on a sports show (or on the field/court) is not the best way to attract fans/viewers.
Not to get political, but that's not accurate. Rush has burned plenty of bridges and still has an outlet. If you can draw an audience, someone will take a chance on you.
I looked through the First Amendment, and didn't see anyplace where it excluded athletes.
Dude, he never was.
Woops typo, I wrote that at work. I think it is fair to say that Keith "use" to be fairly funny before leaving sports.
What's next? Inviting members of The View over to have their own show for the female sports demographic?
Whether you like it or not, sports and politics will always be mixed. Whether it's the first openly gay pro athelete, or Capital Hill steoroids hearings or former Heisman trophy winners charged with murder or the link between concussions and mental health issues. Live broadcast sports and shows focused on anaylsis and replays should obviously stay as politically neutral as possible, but outside fo that, it's really up to the parent company. Shows like HBO Real Sports (which often aires politically charged stories from reporters of diverse political leanings) have shown that there is a large group of viewers ok with covering the political implications of sports.
My guess, based on the show being billed as "late night" and a "mix of perspective, commentary, interviews, panel discussions and highlights" is that there is a good chance it will occasionally include political segments. If Olbermann is not your cup of tea... no worries, just flip over to sportscenter on ESPN1.
with him. He is a hater, albeit of conservatives, but I can't separate his venom from what qualities he may have in sports broadcasting. I want Bob Griese & Keith Jackson.
your "venom" wording is an opinion of KO, other people do not think it is venom...You obviously do not like his poltical views and are using it is a sad platform to make him look bad and expect him to be political on his new show...also, how is it "beyond poltiics" with him??? he was a sports anchor, then a poltical commentator, not sure what else he did beyond that to make you butt-hurt
on a "OT...Keith Olberman fired by ESPN...Again." thread?
My prediction is 13 months and its over.
interesting television
Did I miss the part where ESPN picked up "Celebrity Death Match" from MTV and turned it into a real thing?
Not what the ESPN powers that be are saying.....
ESPN president John Skipper said there will be no ban on organic political commentary. ”If politics happens to intersect with sports . . . we would expect Keith to have some point of view there,” Skipper said.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/17/olbermann-returns-to-espn-on-august-26/
On his new show, Olbermann will be free to discuss matters other than sports, including pop culture and current events, but not politics, the two-year pact specifies.
his point of view is moronic, at best....
On Mgoblog
is going to kill espn
when he was on ESPN before but after hearing his actual personallity come out and the crap that he talks about, I will never support this moron......
for you stating earlier about not talking politics on mgoblog you are certainly insinuating your political views based on calling KO names...keep up the hypocritical jargon, im sure everyone on here is loving how smart you are and cannot wait for next comment!
I'm on board with this as long as they have an intern stick close to Keith to feed him a Xanax every few minutes.