Countdown 2.0: Recap of episode 1

Link:

Current TV: Countdown with Keith Olbermann

I have to say, it was a great show by Keith Olbermann to kick of Countdown 2.0.  I would like to see Current TV offer an HD version of the program, but it could just be my provider, DirecTV.   He had a lot of the old favorites like “Worst Persons in the World” and some new ones as well.

Olbermann started off the show with the Libya situation.  He noted that we are now 91 days and counting since the start of the Libya Conflict.  He wondered about the War Powers Act and what was going to happen next.  The show noted that Obama believes we are in support mode and not a war.

Another question raised was the split in the GOP – some want more involvement and some don’t.

Michael Moore was first guest.  When asked about the War Powers Act, Moore said Obama is doing it this way because it’s easier to do and that he is really no different than most presidents in modern era.  He said he was upset that Obama isn’t going to Congress, wondering why he doesn't and stating that nobody would stand in his way.

Olbermann then went into his “Special Comment” segment.  He described how the show's mission is to demonstrate that the weakest citizen is more important than the strongest corporation, stating that we are the “last line of defense.”

Next, was his “Blind Justice” segment where he talked about the Supreme Court's decision to throw out the class action Wal-Mart discrimination suit against women employees.  The suit was filed because females were consistently being passed up for promotions and pay raises.  The court threw out the case based on the fact that the women couldn’t prove a common grievance that was consistent across all Wal-Marts.

Author of “Conservatives without Conscience” and one-time Nixon employee John Dean was the next guest.   He spoke on how the decision was consistent with most of the recent decisions by the Supreme Court, as they have a conservative majority.

Olbermann then showcased his “Time Marches On” segment.  This was basically a mixed bag of odd news stories.

His next guest was Politico writer Ken Vogel on his “The Right Fluff” segment.  Vogel wrote in a recent article that conservative talk auctioned off their endorsements.  Conservative talk host Mark Levin pretty much admitted this while attacking Vogel by not admitting that they don’t.

Olbermann then notes that Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh are guilty of selling political ideology as well with the Freedom Works and Heritage Foundation endorsements respectively.

Vogel then stated how conservative talk liked to “weave advertising with the content of their shows.”

Keith sarcastically responded with, “Well, as you can tell, I am utterly shocked by this, and i can barely contain my amazement that this is the arrangement in conservative radio.”

Olbermann then transitioned into his famous “Worst Persons in the World” segment.

Receiving the bronze was Sarah Palin.  The name Sarah Palin is now trademarked into two categories:  educational/entertainment and political.

The silver was a tie between Chris Wallace and Fox editor Bill Sammon.   In an interview with Jon Stewart, a part where Stewart called out Sammon’s emails was edited out.

Unedited Version:

The gold went to Herman Raju.  She was the woman on the train that wouldn’t stop talking and was removed from the rail after stating that she was a “very well-educated person.”  Olbermann then went on to read her LinkedIn profile.

Olbermann ended his first show on Current TV with his “Inside the Republican Cult” segment.

 

Here he noted how John McCain blamed illegal immigrants for starting fires and then retracted which fire he actually meant in reference to the Wallows, AZ fire.

He then discussed how at the Republican Leadership Conference, comedian and Obama impersonator Reggie Brown was kicked off stage for telling conservative jokes and then blamed it on race jokes.

He also talked about Rick Perry unapologetically bringing the right farther right and Jon Huntsman on having to explain how his family is selling weapons-grade material to Iran.

Like I said, overall a great show!  I look forward to making this a nightly watch.  Again, let’s hope Current TV gets some HD support to make my man Keith look more professional and legitimate…which he is!