Commentator Keith Olbermann signed off his MSNBC cable television show Friday night after nearly eight years.

I didn’t see this coming. Talk about abrupt. Does this have anything to do with the Comcast deal? Comcast officially takes over MSNBC on Monday.

I hope he lands at another network where he can continue to have an impact on the national scene. We need this guy in the mix.

“MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended our contract,” Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC, said Friday.

Update: It looks like Olbermann was shown the door. He was told by MSNBC “This is going to be the last edition of your show.” It’s no secret that incoming Comcast execs disliked him and his politics. Who’s next?

Update 12:48 a.m.: This was sent to me a few hours ago from my friend Kevin Campbell (no relation):

Hi Marc, Well, I worked video projection for the NBC News “upfront” in NYC yesterday. This is the meeting where the network schmoozes the advert guys from Madison Ave. I noticed that Keith Olbermann was not there. I had placed myself in a location near Rachel Maddow’s table because I’m such a fan of hers. Turns out Phil Griffin (MSNBC prez) was also at the same table. Anyway, before the meeting starts Lawrence O’Donnell gets up from his table and walks over to Rachel’s table. He talks to Rachel and Griffin. I could tell he was upset, at one point he says, “We are all fucked now.” Rachel seems upset and shakes her head “no” a few times. Griffin just kind of sits there. Rachel leaves before the meeting is over. Something she did not do at last year’s meeting.

All very strange. I’m certain this has something to do with the Comcast deal.

So, there you have it. From a fly on the wall.
Kev

Thanks Kevin, Marc