There are several diaries up like this, that urge everyone to contact MSNBC. There is also a Facebook page. PCCC has a diary ureging everyone to sign their emergency petition to MSNBC. That's wonderful but it might be helpful if we also contact Comcast.
As everyone is aware, Comcast just completed an acquisition of NBC. They spent a small fortune doing so. Comcast was also aware that MSNBC was the sane alternative to Fox Noise. Reports during the summer were that they wanted MSNBC to go "more progressive". Keith Olbermann's show is the highest rated on the network. To suspend the host, of your crown jewel is beyond stupid.
If we want to bring Keith back NOW, then we need to also contact Comcast and let them know how we feel. We need to let them know that without the host of MSNBC's highest rated program on the air, their investment just declined in value.
I agree with what Kos wrote in that Phil Griffin is trying to protect his job. In case you forgot, the salient point that was is this:
All of this intrigue at MSNBC will come to a head when the DOJ approves the Comcast acquisition. When that happens, Comcast executives will sweep through the various NBC properties cleaning house. It's the real-life 30 Rock plot line -- tension are running high, the pressure is on.
Griffin's case for keeping his job is thin gruel -- years of propping up Ollie North, Joe Scarborough, Pat Buchanan, and Mark Halperin at the expense of the network's core and profitable shows and hosts have given him little to boast about. The big primetime hosts are apparently happy to see him flounder (not a single one of them has intervened with me in this sorry matter to give their boss a break, apparently happy to see Griffin take the hits). Scarborough can't deliver the knockout ratings (or any ratings) Griffin needs to claim personal success.
Why else would he let Joe Scarborough remain on the air after it was known he contributed a Republican candidate but suspend Keith for making political donations. Who is to say the three donations were not made to his friends? I would venture to guess that Keith has way more friends than Phil Griffin. Both shows are opinion shows and as mentioned earlier, the suspension
But according to one NBC News insider, it's common knowledge within the organization that MSNBC's increasingly left-wing programming and personalities aren't required to abide by NBC News' exacting rules—if they were, it would be a much less bombastic and politically charged network. So while Olbermann's donations may have run counter to the NBC News brand and Griffin's wishes, there doesn't appear to be a chapter-and-verse policy applying to MSNBC employees barring them
If anyone needs to go, it's Phil Griffin and not Keith. Kos mentioned that diary that he wanted to start a public campaign against the guy. That campaign started today. He.needs.to.go.NOW!!!
Here are the contact numbers over at Comcast. If you are wondering why bother, the more heat and pressure we can put on the various players in this, the better. The kind of publicity is the last thing that the shareholders of Comcast want.
Brian L. Roberts
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen B. Burke
Chief Operating Officer, Comcast Corporation
Michael J. Angelakis
Chief Financial Officer
If you want to you can email them here and let them know how you feel. Even better is to email them at this link because that one is dedicated to the acquisition.
If you want to have even more fun, send a copy of what you sent Comcast to Phil Griffin at phil.griffin@nbcuni.com and call MSNBC at 212-664-4444 to voice your displeasure. Let them know you also contacted Comcast and to please pass the message on to Mr. Griffin.
This just in: There is a front page diary linking to a tweet by Ken Vogel which details that the 2006 donationby Joe Scarborough was not the only one.
Combined with his 2006 contribution of $4,400 to a GOP congressional candidate, Scarborough has donated at least $9,400 to Republican candidates as an MSNBC host -- more than the amount that led to Keith Olbermann's suspension.
Can anyone say double-standard?
Update: Did any of you just catch what the fill-in guy said? He said and I'm paraphasing this, "all of you are hoping Keith returns soon, and we do too?"