Of all the job opportunities Keith Olbermann might consider after leaving MSNBC, replacing Regis Philbin seems to be the oddest and least appropriate option. But that oddness has not stopped some fans from speculating that Olbermann could, in fact, be the next host of Live. Fortunately, Regis spoke up this week to set us all straight on the issue.
Last week, Keith Olbermann abruptly announced that he would no longer be appearing on MSNBC’s Countdown, his long-running political show. Rumors quickly surfaced that he had been forced to resign by NBC’s new owner, Comcast, because of Olbermann’s perceived “combative” attitude. [Source: “Keith Olbermann — Fired By MSNBC,” TMZ.com, 1/21/11. Downloaded from: http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/21/keith-olbermann-fired-comcast-countdown-msnbc-contract-cable-news-network-pay-or-play/]
After the news of Keith Olbermann’s departure sunk in, speculation naturally turned to what the talking head might do next. Some liberal democrats have even begun urging Olbermann to run for Joe Lieberman’s U.S. Senate seat (because Lieberman is not seeking re-election). [Source: Miller, Sean J. “Liberals trying to draft Keith Olbermann for Joe Lieberman’s Senate seat,” The Hill, 1/24/11. Downloaded from: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/139677-movement-underway-to-draft-olbermann-for-senate-]
One of the zaniest suggested yet, though, is that Olbermann could replace Regis Philbin, who recently announced that he is leaving his long-running morning show. Philbin himself was quick to nix this idea: “I don’t think Keith Olbermann would get along with [Philbin’s executive producer] Michael Gelman for ten minutes.” Philbin is probably right about that. [Albiniak, Paige. “NATPE 2011: Philbin: Olbermann Not Fit For ‘Live’,” BroadcastingCable.com, 1/26/11. Downloaded from: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/463043-NATPE_2011_Philbin_Olbermann_Not_Fit_For_Live_.php]
Even if Olbermann could submit meekly to management at the Live show, though, it is difficult to imagine Regis Philbin’s fans putting up with the caustic political junkie. Olbermann’s own show, Countdown, is nearly the opposite of Regis and Kelly Ripa’s show. The idea of casting Olbermann as the new Regis is just plain ludicrous. They would probably have to replace Ripa after a couple episodes.
Sources
Albiniak, Paige. “NATPE 2011: Philbin: Olbermann Not Fit For ‘Live’,” BroadcastingCable.com, 1/26/11. Downloaded from: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/463043-NATPE_2011_Philbin_Olbermann_Not_Fit_For_Live_.php
“Keith Olbermann — Fired By MSNBC,” TMZ.com, 1/21/11. Downloaded from: http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/21/keith-olbermann-fired-comcast-countdown-msnbc-contract-cable-news-network-pay-or-play/
Miller, Sean J. “Liberals trying to draft Keith Olbermann for Joe Lieberman’s Senate seat,” The Hill, 1/24/11. Downloaded from: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/139677-movement-underway-to-draft-olbermann-for-senate-
