Keith Olbermann’s new show on Current TV has hit an apparent snag as the New York Post reports that the former MSNBC anchor is having difficulty hiring staff and is now trying to raid his former network:

Gasbag Keith Olbermann can’t seem to wrangle staff for his Current TV show, “Countdown.” Still in need of an executive producer and other staff, famously difficult Olbermann has crawled back to his contacts at MSNBC, many of whom he offended while there, to beg for staff. “Everyone is laughing,” said a source. “They would never leave the network to work for him.”

A rep for Current TV disputed that report and told the Post that Olbermann is “assembling a first class team” and that they will be announcing the EP shortly, but the show is only five weeks away from its debut and not having a staff in place at this point does not bode well for Keith.

In the meantime, EP or no, Current did announce their first batch of contributors to the new program:

NEW YORK – MAY 11, 2011 – “Countdown With Keith Olbermann,” the much anticipated week-nightly commentary show slated to launch on independently owned Current TV on June 20th, is announcing its first group of regular contributors, which will include notable policy-makers, documentary film makers, award-winning journalists, bloggers comedians and other progressive voices. Lending their views and voices to “Countdown” on a regular basis will be film maker Ken Burns, Nicole D. Lamoureux, Executive Director, National Association Of Free Clinics, comedian Richard Lewis, film maker Michael Moore and Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas.

“I’m delighted and honored that so many of my friends – who are not coincidentally among the top progressive and entertainment voices in the country today – will be joining me as contributors to “Countdown” on Current,” said Olbermann, Current TV’s Chief News Officer as well as the show’s host and Executive Producer. “I hope these talented individuals, and the others we are to announce in these weeks before the premiere on June 20 will give viewers a sense of the strength and depth of the franchise we’re assembling.”

In other words, they are going to find as many left-wing media and Hollywood types as they can to parade in front of viewers whether or not they actually know anything. But I find it hard to believe that Keith will actually give them much airtime based on his penchant for dominating his old program on MSNBC.

Current has bet heavily that Olbermann will be able to boost their average viewership from 25,000 to something more ratings worthy, but with limited reach, this is a bet that could easily go sour very quickly.

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About the author

Don Irvine
Don Irvine is Chairman of Accuracy in Media. He is active on Facebook and Twitter. You can follow him @donirvine to read his latest thoughts.

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7 Comments for New Olbermann Show Hits a Snag

jeff connor

Salutations Mr. Olbermann, I am very delighted to have found this
article about your whereabouts, doings and such(smile). I’m just a fan
and I truly miss your show. I hope you’re well personally and I will be anxiously awaiting your new show.

RealisticsPM

Same here – good luck!

"gunner"

with that lot before the cameras i won’t be watching it, old sitcom reruns would be more interesting.

The Major

To Posts #’s 1 & 2,,,You guys are kidding ,,right??? Sarcasm???
Maybe KO ought to go to Bill Clinton’s new home just up from NYC & stand outside & yell “Hey Billie Boy,,it’s me KO,,your biggest fan,,how about some help like the help you gave Al ‘I’m not a liar’ Gore when you rescued those two Asian babes from the Commies,,,who just happen to work for AG at his Current TV network” If KO gets let go,maybe some PRO-Left TV station will hire him to blab about his Baseball card collection.It’s seasonal, but what the heck,,a paycheck,no matter how small,because that is all he’s worth,,,is STILL a paycheck.

sidelines

As usual, AIM doing nothing to bring Accuracy, Fairness or Balance to News Reporting. Who owns the NY Post? What is their history? Why is AIM lending creedence to their deliberate misrepresentations?

You guys are just another “unbiased” mouthpiece for the right. Disgusting.

bobby99

Is this a misprint?/ 25,000 viewers? Keith, you’ve hit the jackpot!!!

JustJP

>>>jeff connor
May 12 at 4:59 pm | #1 | Link

Salutations Mr. Olbermann, I am very delighted to have found this
article about your whereabouts, doings and such(smile). I’m just a fan
and I truly miss your show. I hope you’re well personally and I will be anxiously awaiting your new show.<<<<<

Yo Jeff,
Mr. Olbermann said your new knee pads are in. He is waiting in his office for you.