Keith Olbermann has been fired by Current TV, the network announced Friday…. A source told Politico that Olbermann was fired for breach of contract, saying that he had “sabotaged” the network. Howard Kurtz reported that Olbermann had begun refusing to toss to other peoples’ shows or appear in advertisements with them.
Imagine my shock and surprise when I heard that Keith Olbermann had been fired yet again by a television network. Though it’s not true that “Olbermann” is Latin for “napalming bridges,” there’s a disturbing pattern in play here. Everywhere he’s been, Olbermann has left/been fired, leaving in his wake an acrimonious cloud of accusations, recriminations, and promises of legal action. It’s as tired and predictable and it is overdone. If there’s one thing Keith Olbermann seems to excel at, it’s burning bridges.
I admire Olbermann’s intellect, passion, and politics. He could be do so many positive things if he could somehow find the way to treat those around more like, say, Rachel Maddow. A very wise man once told me that it costs nothing to be nice (and I’m still working to live that on a daily basis); Olbermann could be a force to be reckoned with…if only he could tame his considerable ego, rage, and insecurity.
I’ve been a huge fan for years, at ESPN and Fox Sports through MSNBC and Current TV. For most of that time, I was willing to look past the screaming, the bluster, and the name-calling and see the truth of which Olbermann spoke. “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” was more often than not a brilliant masterstroke, an honest examination of current events based of facts. The time came when I simply could no longer ignore Olbermann’s crimson visage as he addressed the camera with not-so-very-well-contained rage. I stopped watching “Countdown” because the anger simply became too much. Scream loud enough and long enough…and eventually people stop listening. You can’t act like a dick time and time and time again and continually expect people to give you the benefit of the doubt. Once, OK. Twice, possibly. Four times? It’s time to admit that you’re a dick and at least try to co-exist with your fellow human beings, even if they are lesser mortals.
The problem with uncontrolled anger lies in the risk it might spill into the rest of your life. I can’t say with certainty that this is what happened to Keith Olbermann, but it seems his anger, combined with his formidable ego, finally did him in. Remain toxic for long enough, and eventually you’re going to lose friends, supporters, and even employers. When you’ve been fired as often as Olbermann has, it’s difficult to escape the reality that not only are you going to be perceived as a dick; you in fact ARE a dick. If you can’t own up to and accept reality after you’ve been canned FOUR times…well, you’re just perpetuating a predictable and very unpleasant cycle.
I don’t know where- or IF- Olbermann will land next. It’s difficult to imagine anyone being willing to take yet another chance on such a demonstrably toxic personality. Whatever bridge he travels over next…and then proceeds to commence torching…I won’t be paying attention. It’s time to move on.
