Olbermann's 'Worst Person:' Back So Soon?

Lawrence O'Donnell gets more viewers in key demographic

(NEWSER) - Keith Olbermann's new Countdown debut didn’t exactly come with a ratings blastoff. Current TV hasn’t announced the complete numbers for Monday's show, but it said the program managed 179,000 viewers in the all-important 25-to-54 demographic advertisers crave. Current is happy with the rating, but Mediaite notes that it’s a fair step below the 237,000 Lawrence O’Donnell scored in Olbermann’s old slot on MSNBC. More»

Former Countdown host announces his next move

(NEWSER) - It's official: Keith Olbermann is headed to Current TV. The announcement on the Current TV website calls the former MSNBC host a "great provocateur" and says he'll bring his "slashing wit, analytical eye, and distinctive commentary" to a nightly primetime news and commentary show. Olbermann will also be Chief News Officer for the company. His new show starts at an undisclosed date later this year. Insiders had previously told the New York Times that Olbermann, who abruptly left MSNBC last month , would make the move. More»

And his next project might just involve Aaron Sorkin

(NEWSER) - Details of Keith Olbermann’s abrupt exit from MSNBC—as well as what’s in store for him now—are trickling out. The latest:

• Olbermann’s exit package was “well in excess” of $7 million, sources tell TMZ . The deal includes a clause that benches Olbermann for a while—at least when it comes to television—but sources claim he’ll only have to sit out for four-and-a-half months or less.
• The New York Times has a different estimate, citing executives involved in the deal: Olbermann must stay off TV for six to nine months, and can’t talk about his departure, although he can work on the Internet or in radio.
• His exit comes after years of behind-the-scenes conflict at MSNBC, the Times reports, noting that Jeff Zucker was one step away from firing him during his campaign contributions brouhaha in November.

Countdown host returns from MSNBC suspension

(NEWSER) - It might have gotten him onto the "front page of the New York Times without being dead or in jail or Charlie Sheen or something" but his suspension was no stunt, Keith Olbermann said on his return to MSNBC last night. "Of course," the Countdown host added, "If I had known all this would happen, I would have done this years ago!" More»

Host bashes network's 'inconsistently applied' policy

(NEWSER) - Keith Olbermann has apologized to his viewers for the "unnecessary drama" created by his suspension from MSNBC . In an open letter, the Countdown host said his fans and their "ground-rattling support" are responsible for his scheduled return to the air tonight, the New York Times reports. No olive branch was offered to the network, however, which Olbermann slammed for its "inconsistently applied" policy. More»