SNL recognizes MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann has jumped and french-kissed the shark
By LisaB on November 3, 2008 at 12:30 AM in Keith Olbermann, MSNBC, Media, Media Bias, Saturday Night Live
Keith Olbermann was lampooned on SNL last Saturday night. Now, being the butt of a SNL piece isn’t necessarily a negative. It can help you get attention and, generally, SNL implies “mass knowledge” of someone or something.
However, I’m thinking that being made fun of when you are deadly earnest and feeling your self-importance is not so positive. THAT means you’ve jumped the shark and now EVERYONE knows it. Heh. Keith has been feeling very good about himself for quite some time now. His “special comments” took off when he blasted President Bush some time ago, and Keith has since become agitated by Katie Couric, Hillary Clinton, and Geraldine Ferraro – all who have merited a “special comment.” (I’ve kindly provided a list below, of SOME of the Olbermann-related posts here at NQ.)
Trying very hard to imitate if not channel Edward R. Murrow, Olbermann, sees himself as a cable tv truthteller. His rants are actually truth-optional. Watching his “news” show is indulging in the television version of caveat emptor. Just try to find the objective facts.
Read the rest ->
Anyway, SNL finally got Olbermann on both his style and pomposity. The sketch was a bit long, but if you’ve ever watched Keith lose his mind on tv, you’ll recognize every bit of posturing, spitting, snarling and tortured phrasing usually found on his show. His faux intellectualism is capped only by the ridiculous historical references during the sketch. Yep. That was KO all right.
Here’s what eonline said about the sketch:
Forget Gigli, Ben Affleck, all is forgiven. Brilliantly skeweing partisan windbag Keith Olbermann on Saturday Night Live last night, Affleck did a dead-on impersonation of the sputtering, hyper-rhetorical MSNBC anchor, with the SNL writing staff serving up a devastating satirical critique. Yo, Keith, good night and good luck!
Olbermann, himself, crashed the closed-set rehearsal to watch Ben Affleck tune up his impersonation, as Politico mentioned on Halloween.
Ben Affleck, who’s hosting “Saturday Night Live” this week, was rehearsing a skit this afternoon mocking Keith Olbermann when Olbermann himself got past security to watch, according to a source with knowledge of the incident.
A source described the skit as “savage,” in portraying Olbermann as a deranged person living at home with his mother. Affleck, said a source, became uneasy with Olbermann in attendance at the 3 p.m., closed-set rehearsal.
Ben does a pretty good job capturing the “real Keith.” But he doesn’t quite reach the level of pomposity. He can’t. Keith is in a league of his own on that.
Here you go:
NQ Keith-related articles:
MSNBC moves Keith Olbermann from sober news chair to color commentary. Wait, he was doing “news?”
MSNBC Goes Off the Rails
Olbermann v. Milbank: The Back Story
Keith Olbermann Declares: Off with Dana Milbank’s Head
Keith’s Traintrum
Keith’s demand for a first class train ticket to attend Russert’s memorial.
Keith Olbermann – Useless
Keith makes Katie Couric “worst person in the world” for saying HRC got sexist treatment
Special Comment for Keith Olbermann
A NQ response to Keith’s “she’s a killer” rant against HRC
A website devoted to all things Keith: Olbermannwatch.com
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Great title, great post. lol
Spot on! LisaB.
I have never been more appalled in my life by the lack of journalistic integrity of those two buffoons Matthews and Olbermann. I actually called Olbermann and they sent me to his answering machine. I had to call back four times to get out everything I thought about him. I was pretty sure the Secret Service would pay me a visit after that. I hate this guy and I hope that there is a big ole vat of Jim Jones’ home made Kool-Aid in the Sparkletts machine on Wednesday.
Buffoons? I think you gave them both way too much credit. Keith has the mentality of a 12 year old boy. I’m willing to bet if you looked into his background you’d find women who claim to have been used and abused by him.
MSNBC went out of their way with those two to find the most male chauvinist pigs they could find. Zero respect for women, what does that say about the women who listen to them…
I laughed and laughed at the parody of Olberman because the more I watched Olberman become a character and not a human or anchor of himself the more he made my skin crawl. I cannot hear his voice, or hear that music his show plays or catch a glimps of his ugly face without feeling like my skin crawling with Olberman-dis-ease. The guy is just gross – a down right out of touch elitist freak.
As I have intimated in a number of satirical Youtube videos on Keith Olbermann, he is a hate-monger and a bigot. He is the illiberal face of liberalism, bristling with self-righteousness and seething with anger and hatred against anyone who does not share his views. I have used Olberloon’s own standards of impartiality, evidence and objectivity in my videos on him, most notably in “Is Keith Olbermann an Islamic Terrorist?” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za-JhEiB50k).
a-HAHH! (a la Matthews) Loved the link!! There is still humor left in this insane world
Got to give grumpy old guy props for being one of the first to talk about Rachel Maddow. She’s horrible and I enjoyed your video on her!
Overbite is a traitor to this country. Because of slime like him this country is divided and at risk of losing it’s power in the world.
Are you even looking at that ratings race?
Keith and Rachel are CRUSHING CNN and beating Fox in the demo.
Seriously, in what planet do you guys live?
What a joke.
President Barack Hussein Obama
Can’t wait to elect him.
Okay the trolls are back…..Obama’s losing!
Right. We’re always around. We lurk and laugh at you.
It’s true. We love reading up on the lunatic fringe.
This post was hysterical so I had to comment.
Have fun losers!
Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
You Obots are so charming and convincing. Like Master like Protege. You’re right–I’ll vote for Obama now.
By the way. Real mature there.
“French kiss the shark” ???
Hahaha! How old are you?
Yep, Obama is toast
why don’t you just move to saudia arabia already. i don’t think they have elections there; you’ll love it.
Listen, While i respect your right to shove your head so far up your own ass that you can deny the existance of sunlight, please do yourself a favor and accept that for the rest of us who don’t live in the warm and dark place you call your anus, there is a dirty little secret called the facts:
Gee the Obama troll was dead wrong! What a surprise!
according to whom? Drudge disagrees–learn to read.
We live on the planet of reality. Keith Olbermann is a caricature of a real person. I hope with this SNL people will be able to come back to reality and see his show as the Fantasyland that it is. I just hope it isn’t too late. What I look forward to most in a McCain administration is a real man who has served his country in the military and a problem solver who has actually reached across the aisle to pass legislation. Obama is not a man who believes in one nation; he is the most divisive candidate ever. His campaign has intentionally opened the wounds of class warfare. Obama, himself, doesn’t have a record of keeping his promises and has done little to serve his country even in the Senate.
Great post LisaB. I almost didn’t read it because I detest Olbermann. Just seeing his name pisses me off.
Off topic:
GOP internal polling: http://urlite.com/9956/
I hope this is true.
******MCCAIN/PALIN******
I heard that those numbers are fake…supposedly put out by democrats to try to keep republicans home by making them think McCain’s got it locked up.
I hope the numbers are true as well…but we all have to make sure we get out and vote regardless of the poll numbers!
No. No way this was released by an Obot. It’s done nothing but get Republicans and PUMAs to the polls. Nothing could convince McCain supporters that this is in the bag. Some are cautiously optimistic for a landslide, but nothing is for sure. I also think the guy is a regular.
So even if it was fake, it’s done nothing but good things for McCain.
if you listen to the person reporting the numbers, he had a direct source from within the polling group that did the GOP internal poll. I doubt it came from the Obot’s camp.
Well it is interesting that suddenly today a Minnesota poll shows Obama only +2…while most polls from the past few days show him winning my double digits.
Obviously, we can’t know for sure the legitimacy of the numbers but oh well, all that matters is the results tomorrow…
BUT, I was thinking that it would make sense for the GOP to be getting correct numbers because people are afraid to say they’re voting for McCain because of how people react and assume you’re racist. Someone from the Obama campaign came to my house to ask who I was voting for and I said I didn’t know (my town is crazy liberal and I dunno what people would do to me or my house if they knew I hated Obama). If someone from the McCain campaign came to my house I’d be honest and say McCain.
hi, I tried to open this link & was advised it was corrupted. could you briefly tell me what the numbers are? thanks.
Oh Gee, surprise surprise…the loser troll is here. Funny but you clearly know nothing about rating. Fox has DOUBLE at least the viewership of MSNOBOZO and COMMUNIST NEWS NETWORK. Olberblowbama is a freak. And Matthews should just come out of the closet and ask OHblowme for a DATE.
ROFLMBO!!!!!!
Hahahaha!
Are you even real?
What do the same people on this blog think of this deranged poster?
Clearly mentally disturbed.
Ashley Todd…
Is that you?
Hey Whitey…..A hard-on doesn’t count as personal growth so get lost.
Watch to see why pod people are the way they are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZqCyQWeSg
Man Harp, you’re on a ROLL. Great video. So true. I’m sending that one everywhere.
ROTFL!!! At first I thought it was a real Obama commercial home because they are that ridiculous–LOL!!
Posted that video on my blog – that is classic!
I love that “HOPE (Priceless)” and “Joe Biden (Value: Over $100) are added in for free!
ROFLMAO!! Thank you so much, I love that one!
Kate
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
SO TRUE! Olbermann’s sanctimonious blather is unwatchable. Affleck, on the other hand, was hilarious–far more entertaining than Olbermann could ever be.
Brilliant, LisaB.
Keith Olbermann is a horror “up with which I will not put.”
LOL!! And a pompous windbag to which I will not listen.
They got him pretty good – even his pompous phrasing. I guess the guy’s worried about prepositions.
Oh boy! another admirer of Churchill!
RIGHT NOW!
Berg on Coast to Coast AM with George Noory.
1:15 EST.
Listening online. I try to always lisen to George’s shows. I always feel so normal afterwards…;) JK some are really great, some are really out there I like lisening to both. I quit listening so much to KFI. Bunch of McCain defeatist. We’re for McCain, but let us tell you anything and everything negative we can find about McCain. Let’s make fun of Palin, talk bad about how she’s bringing down the ticket. Now go vote for McCain.
With friends like that McCain and Palin don’t need any enemies. They seem more interested in an Obama presidency so they can have something to talk/gossip about. Very few shows I listen to on there anymore, George is one of the few. I’ve gone mostly to 560 and told all my friends they need to go over there that listen to KFI. Hannity is on there. I don’t care to listen to him on TV, but I like his radio show or so far I do. I just found him a few days ago.
SNL writers deserve an emmy nomination. After Nov. 4, I hope Olbermann just goes away, just like Obama. I have said this before but I think Miss Precious Perfect was an allusion to The One.
Great article LisaB, and I have a whole new respect for Ben Affleck’s acting ability. He was outstanding!! Spot on.
new zogby has obama up by 7.1. i am curious to see what ibd does tomorrow. i think obama might win the popular vote but lose EC. The founders knew what they were doing.
OMG–How could Obama gained 8 points in a day. These polls are ridiculous!!!!!!!!
The only poll that matters is the one that elects someone.
Remember 2004 when the polls all showed Kerry ahead?
These polling outfits are assuming that the GOP voters won’t show up like they did in 2004 or even in 2006 and don’t take into account the PUMAs. There’s evidence to the contrary that there is huge interest on all sides in this election. (See Redstate.)
Polls are just guestimates and can only catch within 10 points.
Even the BO people say that.
Vote!
Go PUMAs! We will roar!
Just Say No Deal!
Oh God – on the news – “Obama the Musical” premiered in Kenya.
Ack!
Musical terrorists or musical ACORNS?
You’re kidding, right? If not, the lump in my throat is my dinner coming back up.
OBAMA IS A FRAUD
Got your barf bag handy? lol
http://urlite.com/9957/
I have been appalled and shocked by every moment of this election..but, come on, I mean that’s just frigging RIDICULOUS. Oh my GOD.
“Obama the Musical” – has left me speechless!
What’s next? Obama the Miniseries? Obama the Movie (Barack as You Have Never Seen Him Before)?
Olbermann isn’t relevant. He reaches about 1m viewers in a country of 300m+. And I don’t think he’s gotten any big interviews. MSNBC is really a joke. MTP was good when Russert was on, and now its just MSM junk too.
An Obama thug assaulted this poor old guy. Change my azz!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSO-mdZPWB8
That was exactly the attitude we encountered today. Fortunately, nothing physical but they were quite provocative. When 2 of them came down to our end of the street and held up signs in back of us, one of our guys was jossled and bumped one of their signs. Poor bot called 911 claiming we attacked a minor. Evidently 911 didn’t think it was an emergency and told him it wasn’t worthy of the PD. We did get a patrol car parked across the street watching…they had been patrolling periodically. Of course they stayed in their after that.
Now that I’ve seen the ugly demeanor up close, I don’t think violence is possible only when they lose. I believe they will be emboldened if they win and will attack anyone they think is not with them. I’ll have the larder stocked tomorrow…enough to stay in til the end of the week if needed.
Good news is that we’ve had to get a larger venue for our victory party on Tuesday night. Lots of RSVP’s and the local state legislator has taken over organizing it.
“in their after that.” Make that in their area…
This guy is good!
See this Video Before You Vote on Nov. 4thhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvc0tYG_YpA
Oops, sorry about the weird link above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvc0tYG_YpA
I love Zo!
Great to see so many people who dislike Olbermann as much as I do.
OT, BREAKING: KGO Radio Host: “Fuck G-d Damn Joe the G-d Damn Motherfuckin’ plumber! I want Motherfuckin’ Joe the plumber dead.”
Caught on tape here.
Wow.
S-C-A-R-Y stuff from a liberal extremist!!
Hey John. I guess the mic wasn’t turned off. Karel should lose his job. Even for liberal KGO this is beyond the pale.
BTW, since I’ve cancelled the Chronicle, wondering if anything has happened about this?
People have called in FCC violations, but I dunno, I’d have to check SFGate to see if they had the balls to report it. For now the only thing we can do is spread it around ourselves. Maybe send it to FOX!
Keith Olberman is an embarssasment. I wish I could say that he single-mouthedly makes a travesty of the once honorable profession of journalism. But I’ve seen to many morons and imbeciles frothing at the mouth this election season.
I’d damn Keith Olberman to hell, but I’m sure I’m going there and really couldn’t endure hearing his pompous and inane blathering for an eternity…
Yes. He has plenty of recruits for his brown shirts. Today at our rally, as I walked across the park to where we had a BBQ set up, a bot, seeing my McCain/Palin tee shirt (she was maybe 18-19) scowled and hissed at me…I just hissed back. I’m old enough to be her grandmother. We’d be sent to a camp in a heartbeat. They’ve been riled up to a fever pitch of hate. I don’t believe they will win.
If they should steal the election, we may very well have to go underground. We’ll take the congress back in 2010 after the public gets a taste of true fascism and block the traitor at every turn.
I empathize with you there. I don’t dare show my non-support for Obama because I fear retribution. So far I’ve only seen two cars with McCain/ Palin stickers driving around SF. One was an old lady whose car was surrounded by young bots at a shopping center parking lot. I also related a few days back about my brother’s weird experience while bartending an Obama campaign volunteers party at a local nightclub. The good thing is that in a few years time, these same bots will be working real jobs, getting taxed to the hilt, and generally become disillusioned about their world view. They are so misguided that they don’t see what’s coming. I was in their shoes about ten years ago, although I was never disrespectful of others and their own viewpoints as much as these bots are now openly hostile to ours. Hopefully they’ll grow up like I did when I started working a real job and meeting people from all walks of life.
The insane part of this election year is the hate that ob unleashed and condoned by not even attempting to staunch it. He fed it. Everytime he claimed Hillary would do “anything to win” he was deflecting attention away from his own game plan.
In NEPA, in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, I had the extreme displeasure of meeting some of these brainwashed and braindead obots in person, and they are every bit as vile as their internet personas.
Angry, threatening, radical and clueless liars.
There were groups of McCain supporters in three areas but the obots targeted the nearby group that contained only older women and intimidated them with sexist taunts and insults. They “got in our faces” just as their master instructed them.
Whatever happens – the blame is all on ob’s head.
“Keith Olbermann has jumped and french-kissed the shark”
I never thought I would pity a shark…
Shark is now being treated for herpes
Ben did a good job. The thing I found most uncomfortable was the fact that KeithO had the chutzpah to enter and watch their closed door rehearsals. And the folks observing him and his stares felt VERY uncomfortable.
Great job of impersonating the pompous ass of MSNBC!
i am so embarrassed that keith and i share an alma mater – Cornell…aargh. but lord knows i know his frat boy type!
i also want to reiterate that i make a living by devising, conducting & analyzing quantitative research studies with people. when we start getting a refusal rate of over 15-20% we terminate the study. otherwise it’s crap data. so when you hear that pollsters are getting 60-80% refusal rates you can safely conclude the data is crap…and this year, it’s people voting for Mac who are most likely to do the refusing — so you all tell me what we should conclude!
This was very funny. Great to have a big laugh this morning. I have been scanning news channels, RCP and some polls and getting one side of the election. Anyone have info on McCain’s movement? I was surprised to see the Wright commercial on CNN.
Early voting up in our state. We don’t release our early vote info. I would like to see other states blocked from doing the same. It’s bad enough living on the West Coast and the media calling the election before I have gotten to the polls so I appreciate early voting.
Hm. I find Olbermann intensely amusing. In the sense that I enjoy his show; its funny in the same way O’Reilly is. I’ll admit, it’s very left-leaning, but I dont think there’s any harm in that as long as viewers realize that.
In a perfect world, he would not and should not have a show on a cable new channel (he’s funny tho, so maybe a non-new channel). But in a world with O’Reilly and Hannity, I feel he is needed to balance it out a bit.