Keith Olbermann to Anchor Current's South Carolina Primary Coverage His Way

Keith Olbermann to Anchor Current's South Carolina Primary Coverage His Way

Published: January 19, 2012 @ 1:32 pm
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By Lucas Shaw

Keith Olbermann is anchoring Current TV's election coverage, and he's doing it his way.

Current announced Thursday that Olbermann will "lead and produce a special edition of 'Countdown: South Carolina'" this Saturday from 6:30 - 8 p.m. ET.

Unlike Current's past two specials, which featured former Vice President Al Gore and Olbermann's fellow network hosts Cenk Uygur and Jennifer Granholm --and not Olbermann -- this will be just Olbermann.

The absence of the irascible anchor prompted a great deal of speculation about his  relationship with the network. Individuals on both sides of the dispute acknowledged a strain, which was exacerbated by a disagreement over the format of the channel's election coverage.

Current wanted to air its special and Olbermann host his own show. It is believed his contract gives him editorial control over the election coverage. At the very least, he is the executive producer of the show.

Also read: Rift Between Olbermann and Current TV Deepens: 'Everybody Is Replaceable' 

As for Saturday's programming, a Current spokesperson said that David Shuster would be reporting live from South Carolina and that Olbermann may bring on certain guests.

When asked whether the special might extend beyond that time period if the result is unclear, the Current spokesperson said that was also unclear.

Tags: al gore, cekn uygur, Countdown, Current TV, Keith Olbermann, Media
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