Logic dictates that KO quit, and was not fired.

[Skip Intro]

Any network would not yank a program without a ready replacement. I have no idea what we'll see at 8pm Monday on MSNBC, but I'll bet you it won't be a well planned replacement. Well planned replacements have weeks of teasers before they debut. This fact makes KO's firing a nonstarter.

What I think happened - perhaps he got hold of some diagram of "changes" to his show. Some memo that made it clear he would have to change his show to make it more "appetizing" for masses. That would be my guess. Something motivated him to quit.

But quit is what he did. He was not fired. Makes no sense to fire him on the spot like that. Not if you're running a network. You don't cancel your highest rated show without a ready replacement. Makes no sense at all, from a network perspective. He quit. Why? That's what I want to know...

[Tunkamerica]

1. networks are models of efficiency . non-human even. they aren't run by normal people.

decisions are run through high-tech decision modelers that rate decisions based on efficiency and earnable money coefficients.

He had to have quit, because earlier in this thread they said they thought that was what happened.

[LooseWilly]

2. And the corporate decision makers are completely devoid of ego in all matters.

They have ego-implants, like the birth control implants, as part of the job... that's why executives have so many cocaine problems, they delude themselves into believing that it will fill the gaping hole left in their souls when their egos are chemically stunted by corporate implants.

No, really.. it's true! That's why entertainment/news/informational programming makes so much sense...

[roguevalley]

30. reread his words. he said fired in so many. josh marshall as well

was shocked. nothing gave a hint. he was fired.

[EFerrari]

3. He was fired. He recounted how last time, he wasn't given enough time

to say goodbye.

[tavalon]

7. Yep, and the Network reference,

which I just happened to watch last week, was very telling, in a coded sort of way. The big question in my mind is why MSNBC, against their own best interest, fired their Golden Goose, no matter how much of a pain he was. It doesn't make any kind of good business. It is odd, indeed.

[Skip Intro]

13. And he was thankful that this time he was given appropriate time.

That's what he said. He quit. Only thing that makes sense.

[Raine]

4. I think he quit because he knew he was going to be fired.

I read in several posts here that Cenk is taking his place. It's been speculated on here for weeks that Cenk was being tested for a show of his own. If this is true than this has been in the works for some time probably since KO's suspension.

[pinboy3niner]

12. Larry O'Donnell moves to the slot beginning Monday...

...while Ed moves to O'Donnell's slot. Another report said Cenk will fill Ed's slot, and here is what was on the NYT blogs:

MSNBC announced that “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell would replace “Countdown” at 8 p.m., with “The Ed Show” with Ed Schultz taking Mr. O’Donnell’s slot at 10 p.m. Mr. Olbermann did not discuss any future plans, but NBC executives said one term of his settlement would keep him from moving to another network for an extended period of time.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/olbermann-hosts-last-countdown-on-msnbc/?partner=rss&emc=rss

[tavalon]

14. I hope the part about Cenk is true

but otherwise, this stinks.

[tavalon]

5. I don't agree

Even if his contract allowed for that (and likely didn't), there would have been prep time. There was no prep time and that, in itself is a bit damning. Why was he sacked with no warning or quit with no warning? So little warning that they had promo spots touting him ALREADY in the can. One aired after his departure. Whoever knew about this ahead of time wasn't spilling the beans. Olbermann, while he handled it with great aplomb, did not appear aware and seemed grateful he was even being given any time to say goodbye. The Network reference, stating that it ran through his mind when he was told (told = not quitting) is telling. He said thank you and goodbye to many people but left out the person taking over his slot, Lawrence O'Donnell - also telling. The last thing has nothing to do with whether he was fired or quit, just an interesting tidbit that caught my attention. Things that make me go, hmmm. Many things about this make me go hmmmm.

I'm well aware that you don't fire your Golden Goose and yet, I think they did. It's confusing.

[Swamp Rat]

6. Whatever the reason, I hate TV and now have much less incentive to watch MSNBC

Rachel is good, but I'd rather not watch stupid crap on TV, so it is much easier to leave it off.

[tavalon]

8. Perhaps you might consider firing your TV

I did, a decade or so ago. I don't miss it. In fact, I won't have it in my house. If I can't watch it on the internetz, I don't need to see it.

[Swamp Rat]

10. Well, it's not mine so it's gonna stay put.

Cable is free for me too, so I often take advantage of being able to watch Turner Classics (saw "Duck Soup" the other day), as I love old films.

Nevertheless, since I am a musician I don't like to spend my time just receiving images and sounds. I prefer to create and exchange ideas, art, and music.

[Vickers]

19. Not sure if yer a guitarist, but I got a cool documentary from the library the other

day called "It Might Get Loud" that you might like...Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge. Talks about how they got into music, what changed things for them, they jam a little, etc.

It's better than it sounds (har! geddit?). I recommend it.

I can also recommend Keith Richards' new autobiography, Life.

[Swamp Rat]

21. Dey all good!

I been playin' fo' a looong time. :D









http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3qtodmasUy8/SfBtXOb9NvI/AAAAAAAABP0/1SjD5cjXwZA/s320/nigel+2.jpg

[Syrinx]

9. he was fired for speaking truth to power

Rachel will likely be next.

Oh, and they consider Larry O. to be the "ready replacement." That's what they've been "grooming" him for. He's kind of along the same lines, but only more deferential to power and authority.

[Enthusiast]

26. Fixed that fer ya.

but far more deferential to power and authority

[cali]

11. that seems highly unlikely

he was either fired or forced into quitting.

[Skip Intro]

16. But there's no clear repalcement.

That's important.

If the network wanted him gone, they would have at least had something in the works to replace him. Unless we see DK at 8pm this coming Monday, I'm gonna guess this was a surprise to the network. They suddenly have to replace their highest rated show? With no build-up? No, they didn't pull the rug from him, he pulled the rug from them.

[pinboy3niner]

18. They're putting Larry O'Donnell's "The Last Word" there

See Post #12.

[Skip Intro]

23. Hasty move. No planned repalcement. Proves my point. Post 12 bothers me.

Says KO won't be able to just move to some other outlet. For an extended period. This reminds me so much of the Leno/Conan thing. Where Conan was let go but couldn't show up anywhere else for a few months. I would totally write off MSNBC and NBC altogether were it not for Maddow and 30 Rock.

[Dennis Donovan]

27. They did have something in the works...

By 9:30, it was known that O'Donnell was moving to 8pm, Ed was movin to 10 and Cenk would be doing some sort of fill-in gig at 6pm.

[LemmingWarrior]

17. That's my take too

a nice, friendly strong-arm twisting--from what I've gathered about Keith is he won't compromise his beliefs--guess the new boss 'called his bluff' and Keith wasn't bluffing. There won't be another one like him.....he lifted my dark moods during the Bush years and kept me sane. I am shocked and saddened.

A Petition -- I stand with Keith
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6006/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3151

[Dennis Donovan]

28. There's no way the network would've let him out of his contract...

...on HIS whim. If he walked in and said, "I quit," they would've filed suit against him for breach of contract before he even went on the air last night.

He was forced out.

[Blasphemer]

15. Comcast is not in the business of being logical... they have an agenda.. KO is not part of it... nt

[Skip Intro]

24. And they make that known on the first day, telling KO to hit the road? No.

Makes no sense that way. They didn't fire him. He quit.

[slay]

20. I guess we'll see but

but i doubt this theory highly. if anything he was forced out in a similar way but i doubt he just quit.

Lawrence O'Donnel is moving to 8pm.
Rachel at 9.
Ed at 10.
Cenk (as guest maybe full) at 6pm.

there is your lineup.

source - dailykos.

[WinkyDink]

22. Not sure I agree with your argument. He didn't seem "in control" of his destiny.

[Dennis Donovan]

25. No network would let their top-rated star out of a contract, either...

[sabbat hunter]

29. I believe that they have already said

that Lawrence O'Donnell will now have the 8pm slot.