# Is Keith Olbermann a narcissistic douchbag? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 7, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726 "2012-01-07T13:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/41 "2012-01-09T18:01:34Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Actually, a LOT of excellent ex-jock commentators weren’t particularly good players at the professional level. And, over the decades, I’ve seen several FANTASTIC former pro athletes fall on their faces as commentators. > > Trent Dilfer was a mediocre pro quarterback (yeah, he won a Super Bowl, but he was widely seen as a bust of a first round draft) and Todd Blackledge was a TERRIBLE pro quarterback. Both have turned out to be MUCH better broadcasters than Roger Staubach and Joe Montana, who are Pro Football Hall of Famers. And I’ll add Al Derogatis, one of the best color commentators ever. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/42 "2012-01-10T01:11:13Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I mean, Olbermann has named Sean Hannity as “Worst Person in the World” numerous times, but Hannity and Olbermann have been seen together at Yankee Stadium many times, goofing around together like a couple of kids. I think I read somewhere that Hannity actually likes being named WPitW. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/43 "2012-01-10T14:45:09Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I think I read somewhere that Hannity actually likes being named WPitW. Again, if he and Olbermann are pals in “real” life, he probably regards the whole thing as a joke… and since Hannity started out as a radio guy, he probably knows of Bob & Ray’s old schtick, and didn’t take the title as a serious insult. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/44 "2012-01-10T14:47:21Z")
Yeah he’s a jerk… but i watch him and follow him on twitter… KO is difficult man LOL must be hard when you’re perfect in every way… ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/45 "2012-01-10T17:54:12Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I mean, Olbermann has named Sean Hannity as “Worst Person in the World” numerous times, but Hannity and Olbermann have been seen together at Yankee Stadium many times, goofing around together like a couple of kids. Hell, Olbermann named himself the “Worst Person in the World” several times, and he **loves** himself. > [@](#): > > Does that mean that either man is a fraud and doesn’t really believe in the causes he espouses on the air? No, not at all- but it DOES mean they’re both in show biz, they BOTH exaggerate for entertainment’s sake, and they BOTH know better than to stay mad at each other off the air. Or, even though they are diametrically opposed politically, they are both Yankees fans. I have friends like that - utter opposites politically, but can comfortably talk about certain subjects. Early on her show, Rachel Maddow had a regular segment with her “fake uncle” Pat Buchanan. It was obvious that even though they couldn’t be further apart politically, they liked each other personally and loved talking politics. And to give him fair credit, when he’s not giving his own political opinion, he is a reasonably astute political analyst. They had a falling out when he said something really racist on air, and he hasn’t been on the show since. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/46 "2012-01-11T12:45:00Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Early on her show, Rachel Maddow had a regular segment with her “fake uncle” Pat Buchanan. It was obvious that even though they couldn’t be further apart politically, they liked each other personally and loved talking politics. And to give him fair credit, when he’s not giving his own political opinion, he is a reasonably astute political analyst. They had a falling out when he said something really racist on air, and he hasn’t been on the show since. What was that? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/47 "2012-01-11T15:18:28Z")
For those who are interested, there is a pretty interesting back and forth going on right now at Gawker between Olbermann and some folks claiming to be former disgruntled employees of his, who are of course alleging he’s a giant douchebag, with Olbermann eagerly replying to their charges. Among other things he’s calling his accusers “Ball-less Clowns.” [http://gawker.com/5874960/keith-olbermann-responds-objects-to-ball+less-clowns-talking-about-him](http://gawker.com/5874960/keith-olbermann-responds-objects-to-ball+less-clowns-talking-about-him) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/48 "2012-01-11T15:52:37Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > What was that? Sorry, but I don’t remember the exact offense, but it was Buchannan was being interviewed via remote, and was making some point, and Maddow looked genuinely shocked. It was the last time Pat was on the show. I’m pretty sure Mellisa Harris-Perry was the other interviewee. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/49 "2012-01-11T16:09:27Z")
It isn’t this is it? – [Rachel Maddow Duels With Pat Buchanan On Affirmative Action (VIDEO) | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/16/rachel-maddow-duels-with_n_237036.html) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/50 "2012-01-11T17:02:27Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It isn’t this is it? – [Rachel Maddow Duels With Pat Buchanan On Affirmative Action (VIDEO) | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/16/rachel-maddow-duels-with_n_237036.html) That is it. I misremembered. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/51 "2012-03-30T22:22:58Z")
Current has now [fired](http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/current-tv-dismisses-keith-olbermann/) him. He plans on taking legal action against them. ---
**Author:** ![phxjcc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phxjcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phxjcc)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/52 "2012-03-31T04:16:07Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It isn’t this is it? – [Rachel Maddow Duels With Pat Buchanan On Affirmative Action (VIDEO) | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/16/rachel-maddow-duels-with_n_237036.html) Thank you for posting this, he has been conspicuously absent on MSNBC and I was wondering what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/53 "2012-03-31T23:45:16Z")
He should just stick to writing about sports – say what you will, but he really knows his shit when it comes to baseball. (This makes it how many times he’s been fired – what, three, four?) ---
**Author:** ![kirk1168](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@kirk1168](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk1168)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/54 "2012-04-01T02:48:23Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > He should just stick to writing about sports – say what you will, but he really knows his shit when it comes to baseball. > (This makes it how many times he’s been fired – what, three, four?) Agreed. I could listen to him talk sports all day; anything else, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/55 "2012-04-01T03:54:27Z")
Talented… but a douchebag. ---
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/56 "2012-04-01T05:19:54Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > I remember thinking he was kind of a douche when he was a local sports anchor (KTLA-5/ Los Angeles). His douche-osity has grown correspondingly with his national exposure and sense of self-importance My college roommate interned for Olberman at KTLA (I got Stu Nahan; decent guy). The only negative thing I ever remember him saying about Olberman was that he once made a stink about a typewriter that dropped its ‘N.’ Hardly damning. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726/57 "2012-04-01T13:56:50Z")
What I’m gathering about KO’s latest firing is that there was a dispute with _Current_ over funding for his show. They promised him more backing than they were providing and he kept complaining about it so they fired him. (They don’t say this in press releases, of course.) Now, when _Current_ first hired him I was wondering how they could afford him. This is not even a second tier cable channel. Part of his contract apparently is an equity stake in the channel. (Which is basically worthless.) It looks like a setup from the start. They just wanted to have him on their channel temporarily to get some publicity knowing full well they couldn’t afford to keep him. They may in theory be stuck with the rest of his contract, but KO always moves on to the next job and there’s probably a clause terminating their obligation if it takes another position. So they are may not be out much money. Makes one wonder who’s being a jerk in this situation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-keith-olbermann-a-narcissistic-douchbag/608726.md?page=2)