Olbermann Returns: No Apology, Says Incident ‘Was Not a Stunt’

Back on the air, the “Countdown” host says if he could’ve predicted the attention, he’d have “done it years ago”

If MSNBC was hoping for an apology from Keith Olbermann, well …  it never came.

Olbermann returned to his primetime slot on "Countdown" on Tuesday, four days after MSNBC suspended him for making campaign contributions to three Democratic candidates before the midterm elections.

At the top of the 8 p.m. show, Olbermann promised to talk about his weekend later in the hour, but did take a moment to address reports that the incident was little more than a ratings ploy.

"This was not a publicity stunt," Olbermann said, adding: "If I had known this would happen, I would have done this years ago."

During the final segment, Olbermann offered three apologies to his viewers — two of which were included in his letter to them on Monday (one for causing drama, another for not knowing about NBC's policy about campaign donations).

The host then offered a third apology that doubled as a "correction" to reports that his donation to Raul Grijalva was made before Grijalva appeared on "Countdown."  Olbermann said his decision to donate to Grijalva's campaign was made the same day — but later that night, after he conducted interview.

Olbermann then thanked several reporters and Rachel Maddow for her support, adding: "I think we saw where (disclosure) is working and where it is failing," with a scope pointed at Fox News. "I gave and you found out and you judged me for it."

MSNBC president Phil Griffin suspended Olbermann indefinitely without pay on Friday after Politico uncovered that the "Countdown" host had donated to the three Democratic campaigns shortly before last week's midterm elections — an apparent violation of NBC policy.

Olbermann anchored MSNBC's election coverage.

"It's great to have you back," Michael Moore, Olbermann's second guest, told the host. "Please don't leave."

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