This blog's a few days behind the bandwagon, but work and AT&T decided I should have no time or opportunity to blog about my favorite TV journalist, Keith Olbermann. If you haven't heard, Olbemann delivered a biting and justifiably condemning Special Comment against President Bush last Wednesday in response to an interview with The Politico released the day before. The full transcript of Olbermann's assailment can be found here, and here's the delivery ala YouTube:
The segment ended with Olbermann offering his own advice to "Mr. Bush"--"Shut the hell up."
Once again, Olbermann's succeeded at what Countdown with Keith Olbermann does best: pointing out the failings of news media today. Satirical shows like Colbert Report and The Daily Show gained popularity due to their unabashed criticism of politicians, the government, and everyone else. Most mainstream news sources censor the emotion of the news to deliver an unbiased opinion--even editorial authors, so they can appeal to a broader audience with an inherently opinionated piece--but there's no personalization or humanity infused within the news' delivery. Journalists like Olbermann, or even John Stossel, who are able to maintain factuality with emotional editorials, not only inform but are able to evoke understanding and sympathy for the event about which they are reporting. That they are factually accurate is key; satirical shows are only funny because they reflect the truth, and news commentary or editorials can only be informing if they do the same.
Kudos again, Mr. Olbermann, for redeeming TV news commentators despite Nancy Grace and Bill O'Reilly.
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That was very powerful.
If you hadn't posted that I probably would not have seen it, so Thank you.
Keith Olbermann's my favorite and it's my favorite thing he's done! If you're not a fan you should definitely check him out, especially his special comments. They're all on MSNBC's website. (:
Honestly, I had not heard of him untill this blog. : P
But in watching that video, I will defintely check him out.
Heathurr, you are right on the money.
As a Republican and a conservative, many people assume I like George W. Bush and that my favorite t.v. journalist is either Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh. They are wrong: I would, if I had the chance, impeach and imprison George W. Bush, and Keith Olbermann, not Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh, is my favorite t.v. journalist.
"Why is this?", you might ask. The reason is the one you gave in your post: Olbermann maintains factuality. He speaks the truth almost 99.9% of the time, especially about George Bush and his political cronies.
In fact, I envy Olbermann's job because 100% of the time he gets to say what I am thinking on NATIONAL TV! I'm so jealous--especially about the "Shut the hell up!".
Kudos to you AND Mr. Olbermann's special comment.