NBC's Liberal Agenda: Mixing Politics With Sports Antagonistic To Conservatives
by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director
Keith Olbermann is the most strident anti-conservative on television. I won't call him a liberal. I won't call him a leftist and I certainly won't call him a journalist. The truth is Olbermann hates 50% of Americans who, according to recent polling, now consider themselves conservative. Therefore, the question begs to be asked: Why is the host of MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" a part of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" coverage?
Olbermann's MSNBC show--which gets whipped nightly in the ratings by Bill O'Reilly (The O'Reilly Factor--FOX News Channel)--is possibly the most biased thing going on cable news. Olbermann makes no effort to present counterpoint on his program. The weak effort is clearly a mechanism meant to attack not only Republicans, but conservatives on the whole.
Last year, it became obvious NBC--which is owned by General Electric--was a mainstream media shill for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Even though the dominant media seemed to be an extension of Obama's campaign effort, NBC's coverage of the 2008 presidential election was an insult to journalistic objectivity and fairness. In fact, GE's CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt is now being rewarded for NBC's "work" on behalf of the Obama administration. General Electric stands to earn billions of dollars if the Cap and Trade bill [HR2454, officially titled, the "American Clean Energy and Security Act"] is passed into law.
In recent years, NBC, like General Electric, has been losing money as fast as the Obama administration can spend it. The network and its MSNBC cable operation are losing propositions. Amazingly, Olbermann also anchors MSNBC's political coverage--which is a joke of the greatest proportions, to say the least.
Last year, NBC received thousands of complaints from viewers regarding the network's coverage of the NFL (National Football League). Olbermann teamed up with the highly reputable and likeable sportscaster Bob Costas on NBC's pre-game show, providing what was supposed to be witty commentary and analysis of the NFL. However, Olbermann wasn't witty in any sense of the word.
I was stunned when Olbermann returned to the Sunday Night Football line-up again this year. Olbermann, who got his start on ESPN as an anchor for that cable sports network, evidently convinced someone that his meager talents were being wasted on sports. He then found a niche as a news anchor and was promoted to lead MSNBC's coverage of the political world.
Today, NBC is attempting to pass off Olbermann as a poor man's Howard Cosell. The only difference is, no matter what you thought of the late Cosell, whether you loved him or hated him, he was a journalist with impeccable credentials and, though controversial, Cosell was a man who not only covered sports news, but, at times, was news himself.
In contrast, Olbermann's presence on NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast is a slap in the face to a significant segment of the network's viewing audience. Even though it is apparent Olbermann's role as part of NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast team has been significantly reduced this season, he still elicits a negative reaction from viewers who are aware of his position as a political hack for the Democratic Party. Now, it would make sense if Olbermann was an astute analyst of the game of football. However, this is hardly the case. If Olbermann were extremely witty and added a lighter touch to the pre- and post-game coverage of the sport, I could consider giving NBC a pass for assigning him this very visible position. Yet Olbermann is neither a knowledgeable football analyst or a person of stellar wit--like FOX's NFL Sunday humorist Frank Caliendo.
I believe Olbermann's role on NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast team represents a poke in the eye to conservatives. Indeed, it could be nothing else because the man has little or no talent. Olbermann is a hater to the extreme. Are we supposed to forget Olbermann's caustic and vitriolic politics just because NBC has cast him as a sports guy?
My suggestion for those who love football, like I do, is simple: Skip the pre-game and half-time show and only watch the game itself on NBC. When my home team is playing, I'll listen to the radio until kickoff, during half-time and after the game is over. Frankly, I don't need the aggravation which comes every time Olbermann's face is on camera and he opens his mouth.
NBC's decision to bring back Olbermann is par for the course, as far as the failing network is concerned, but Keith Olbermann is far from par. Olbermann is a triple bogey in golfing parlance and that is giving him more than he deserves.
Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact: [email protected]
NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected. No hyperlinks allowed.
Yes!!! I was only listening to the pre-game and subconsciouly felt a grating annoyance in my head and stomach......then I realized why! -- That voice,...that person behind the voice. I had to turn off the pre-game and NBC altogether to resume a place of peace. Ooo, take him off or I won't be a be able to watch another broadcast.
Posted by: scout58 | September 24, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Yes Olbermann ... and im trying to find an nbc complaint page so i can send my comments. Im not the only one. All my friends who love football wont watch that ...
******
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The above comment was edited per RFFM.org blog rules.
It sounds old-fashioned, but the best way to voice your opinion is to use snail mail because the MSNBC web site says they receive thousands of comments which I know are either being read by someone making minimum wage or not being read at all. I would send a letter to:
Jeffrey R. Immelt
NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112
Immelt is CEO of General Electric which owns NBC.
Posted by: david lucas | October 19, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Sports is about winning, losing, toughness, and competition. Olberman stands for none of this. He is a ... If it were up to him, everyone would win, YYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!
Editor's note: One word was removed from above comment, per blog rules prohibiting ad hominem.
Posted by: Todd | December 27, 2009 at 07:18 PM