Your comments are well taken. I would love to see KO return to his Bloggermann or his Newshole blog duties. I did read somewhere that a problem occurred at the Newshole with comments…maybe it was resolved.

I think KO blogs at DK in part because it does drum up the audience…great marketing if that is the case. And…I rarely see him post comments on any blog unrelated to Countdown or a comment made about him or MSNBC. If generating the interest of the DK nation helps increase ratings, then it is a worthwhile endeavor.

As an aside, the only reason I blog there (as “Bodhiness”) is because KO does. It gave DK the “Good Housekeeping” seal in my opinion. And it is just for personal pleasure. I had my own blog before, but nobody read it (most blogs have only a couple readers, if that — glad ERT is a major exception). I’ve reprinted stories I wrote elsewhere just to get a bigger audience. I do not necessarily agree with the leanings of DK — I’m more of a moderate/progressive independent than a raging Democrat. But, I enjoy many of the diarists in that community — many talk about personal stories, education issues, the environment, science, religion in nonpolitical senses. Those I enjoy reading. The Hillary vs Obama crap, I ignore. I’ve also been able to chat with potential candidates for Texas offices, and that was a nice contact. Folks like John Kerry occasionally write there as well.

As for Newshole, et al., whatever KO seeks to do. I wish he’d do a Brian Williams blog, but he can do what he wants, IMHO. I would be interested in reading how the Countdown program is developed, what stories chosen and learn more about the folks behind the scenes. Again, to each their own.

Houstonian, I think someone like yourself, who is involved at the Daily Kos (as in writing diaries & commenting) may not have quite the perspective as one from the outside or casual reader. My thought was, the average viewer will go to the MSNBC-Countdown website, thus the News Hole, to seek out more about Countdown & Keith Olbermann. I think if you want to build a larger audience, you’d want to make sure that your own blog is engaging and tended to. Like I said, he tied O’Rielly last night, so obviously he’s growing the brand by blogging to the converted, and quite honestly, basking in the love-fest that is the Daily Kos comments. I sincerely doubt that Keith is blogging over there for it’s “anyone can blog there” or ‘Kos will shut down nasty comments’ mentality. And if NBC is concerned about Keith more easily “getting away with things,” at another blog, seems THAT ship sailed long ago on the “ratings” sea (aka, Special Comments).

I think all the past problems with crazy fans did that in. With Daily Kos, he has control over the comments (since he is a top blogger, whatever they call it). Also, if really nasty attacks begin, KOS himself will get involved, no doubt.

And on the DK, he can get away with a few things he cannot do on an NBC-sponsored blog. The comments re: cult or orgy were pretty funny. KO has fun with it. He gets some of the anti-Olby crowd, but they pretty much get blasted in that community. The only issue with his DK blogs is the “objectivity” issue…but I don’t think someone can be labeled “unobjectivity” on DK…anyone can blog there…they just may not like the response…but it is an interesting community and not all the diaries concern politics.

Let the guy have his fun — as long as it is legal and “Kosher”. He definitely deserves it!!

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/the_scoreboard_wednesday_may_14_84958.asp

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/msnbc/comments_follow_olbermanns_special_comment_84902.asp#more

His 9 paragraph comment on the Donahue thing is a little, um, weirdly excessive. I guess it is better than the old days where he responded to fan emails directly, sometimes with violence and cursing (or dating). But, I don’t know, if alive today, would Murrow do this? On the one hand, the Daily Kos is an important component to the news, not to mention the progressive movement, but, I don’t know, I’m a bit torn. It feels a little like whoring-for-ratings to me.

As annoying as many of the bloggers at The News Hole where, at one time his blog was very lively. Last night’s Special Comment garnered only 37 comments (so far). I don’t know, maybe in the internet age this is cutting edge for an anchorman, but it kinda borders on ‘the-guy-with-a-little-bit-too-much-time-on-his-hands’ territory or ‘I-really-need-some-adulation-right-now-this-minute’ territory. Between Countdown, Katy, writing, baseball, guest speaking and whatever social life he has, I thought he’d be much busier than to comment 8 times on his own Kos diary…

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BTW, Becky congrats on the Cubbie win today! Again, I almost plopped down big $$$ to see Maddux pitch today. This is the Cubs year, it feels good, it feels right, (this from a Sox fan, no less). ;)

Oh, if Keith had dropped the F-Bomb it would’ve been saved for posterity on my Tivo. He seems to be the only person in the biz to have the balls to tell it like it is.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24634818#24634818