MediaESPNVideoKeith Olbermann

Keith Olbermann Thinks Al Gore's A 'Clod,' Wants George W. Bush On His ESPN Show: THR

New Details Revealed About Keith Olbermann's ESPN Deal
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Editor, HuffPost

|

The Hollywood Reporter's Marisa Guthrie sat down with Keith Olbermann for a lengthy magazine piece ahead of the broadcaster's return to ESPN.

In addition to following Olbermann's quest to return to the sports broadcasting network that previously employed him, Guthrie reported on some details pertaining to the former Current TV host's new deal.

It was previously reported that Olbermann was banned from discussing politics on his upcoming late night ESPN2 show. Olbermann denied the report and according to Guthrie, the TV host is not precluded from talking politics on his new show, but any discussion of such topics would have to relate to sports. Guthrie wrote:

There is nothing in his ESPN contract that precludes [Olbermann] from talking about politics. His producers already have reached out to George W. Bush, a former owner of the Texas Rangers. They have yet to receive a yes -- or a no. (The radio silence might be attributed to the former president's recent heart surgery.) And Olbermann also would like to have President Barack Obama as a guest. But his forays into politics only will be as it relates to sports. For instance, in a rehearsal just days after Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun's seasonlong suspension for taking banned substances, Olbermann delivered a nine-minute opening commentary on the impact Braun's suspension would have on New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, currently appealing an Aug. 6 suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Oh, and Olbermann also called former Current TV boss Al Gore a "clod."

Olbermann's new hourlong show on ESPN2 will start on August 26. He will revive a familiar segment from previous times, but with a sports twist.

For more about Olbermann's return, the status of his relationship with former Current TV colleagues, and how he lost 20 pounds, click over to The Hollywood Reporter.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Keith Olbermann
Keith Olbermann(01 of20)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2009 file photo, Keith Olbermann attends the "Defying Inequality" Broadway concert, in New York. Current TV countersued Olbermann, a day after the talk show host took his squabble with the network to the courtroom with a $50 million case.(AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File) (credit:AP)
Keith Olbermann(02 of20)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2011 file photo, political pundit Keith Olbermann leaves a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman," in New York. Olbermann sued his former bosses at Current TV in Los Angeles on Thursday, seeking more than $50 million for breach of contract and other claims. His case claims his show for the network was fraught with technical problems and he was fired without cause. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file) (credit:AP)
Keith Obermann, DAvid Letterman(03 of20)
Open Image Modal
In this photo provided by CBS, talk show host Keith Olbermann, left, chats with host David Letterman on the set of the Late Show with David Letterman, Tuesday April 3, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO ARCHIVE; NO SALES; FOR NORTH AMERICAN USE ONLY (credit:AP)
Keith Obermann, David Letterman(04 of20)
Open Image Modal
In this photo provided by CBS, talk show host Keith Olbermann, left, chats with host David Letterman on the set of the Late Show with David Letterman, Tuesday April 3, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO ARCHIVE; NO SALES; FOR NORTH AMERICAN USE ONLY (credit:AP)
Keith Olbermann(05 of20)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this May 3, 2012 file photo, Keith Olbermann poses at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif. Current TV has dismissed Keith Olbermann from its talk-show lineup after less than a year, Friday, March 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) (credit:AP)
Celebrities Visit "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" - June 16, 2011(06 of20)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Television personality Keith Olbermann and host Jimmy Fallon visit 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' at Rockefeller Center on June 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Celebrities Visit "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" - June 16, 2011(07 of20)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Television personality Keith Olbermann visits 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' at Rockefeller Center on June 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Celebrities Visit "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" - June 16, 2011(08 of20)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Television personality Keith Olbermann visits 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' at Rockefeller Center on June 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of20)
Open Image Modal
In this undated photo released by Cuttent TV, commentator Keith Olbermann is shown. Olbermann's new show, Countdown With Keith Olbermann" on Current TV premieres on June 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Current TV, Justin Stephens) (credit:AP)
(10 of20)
Open Image Modal
This frame grab image taken from MSNBC video shows anchorman Keith Olbermann delivering a special comment during the "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" show, Oct. 27, 2010. MSNBC has suspended Olbermann indefinitely without pay for contributing to the campaigns of three Democratic candidates this election season. Olbermann acknowledged to NBC that he donated $2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grivalva and Gabrielle Giffords. (AP Photo/MSNBC) (credit:AP)
20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Show(11 of20)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK - MARCH 28: TV personality Keith Olbermann speaks onstage at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Marriott Marquis on March 28, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert(12 of20)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 23: Host of MSNBC's Countdown, Keith Olbermann attends Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert at the Gershwin Theatre on February 23, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2008 Summer TCA Tour - Day 14(13 of20)
Open Image Modal
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 21: Co-host Keith Olbermann of 'Sunday Night Football' speaks during the NBC Universal portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour held at the Beverly Hilton hotel on July 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2008 Summer TCA Tour - Day 14(14 of20)
Open Image Modal
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 21: (L-R) Studio analysts Jerome Bettis, Tiki Barber, sideline reporter Andrea Kremer, executive producer Fred Gaudelli, studio co-host Cris Collinsworth game analyst John Madden, play-by-play Al Michaels, co-host Dan Patrick, and Keith Olbermann of 'Sunday Night Football' speak during the NBC Universal portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour held at the Beverly Hilton hotel on July 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2008 Summer TCA Tour - Day 14(15 of20)
Open Image Modal
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 21: Co-host Keith Olbermann of 'Sunday Night Football' speaks during the NBC Universal portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour held at the Beverly Hilton hotel on July 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2007 Summer TCA Tour - Day 7(16 of20)
Open Image Modal
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 16: Co-host Keith Olbermann speaks for the television show 'NBC Sunday Night Football' during the NBC Univesal Cable portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 16, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
GQ Magazine 2006 Men Of The Year Dinner - Arrivals(17 of20)
Open Image Modal
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Journalist Keith Olbermann arrives at the GQ magazine 2006 Men of the Year dinner celebrating the 11th Annual Men of the Year issue at the Sunset Tower Hotel on November 29, 2006 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for GQ) (credit:Getty Images)
The 58th Annual Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards(18 of20)
Open Image Modal
NO. HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 12: Television personality Keith Olbermann arrives at the 58th Annual Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on August 12, 2006 in No. Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2006 Summer TCA Day 13(19 of20)
Open Image Modal
PASADENA, CA - JULY 22: Keith Olbermann from 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' attends the 2006 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour for the The NBC Network at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on July 22, 2006 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2006 Summer TCA Day 13(20 of20)
Open Image Modal
PASADENA, CA - JULY 22: Keith Olbermann from 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' attends the 2006 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour for the The NBC Network at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on July 22, 2006 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip