Goodbye Countdown: T Minus Olbermann? Houston, We Don't Have a Problem with That

KO has been KO'd. Keith Olbermann, the outspoken journalist from MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann", mostly famous for his "The Worst Person in the World" segment, has been let go. Let us all observe a voluntary moment of silence in honor of Keith's involuntary silence. Aaaah. Sweet luxury.

Unfortunately for Bill O' Reilly, he'll have to find some other liberal with whom to start a feud (that should not be too hard; after all, I think Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg from ABC's The View have already been lined up for that privilege).

You know, I admire Keith. Sort of. Okay, I don't really. But suppose I did? He deserves admiration, I think; perhaps not from me or you or anyone you know, but he probably deserves some admiration for his contribution to journalism over the past years at MSNBC and at ESPN. After all, I don't know of another person in the business of journalism who can call another person "The Worst Person in the World" and get away with it, but he could do it three times in a segment: worse, worser, and worst. How do you remain in the business saying things like that? Well, Keith Olbermann has the secret. Well, I guess he had the secret (If only he had consulted Charles Bukowski, he might still have a job [see Bukowski's "The Secret of My Endurance"]). Acknowledging that people do make poor decisions in their words and behavior is one thing; resorting to ad hominem name-calling is a whole other realm into which journalists should never venture. Yet venture he did, and often, and now he's just ventured off.

Perhaps he'll go back to ESPN now. Ooh, I can already see Brent Musberger's name showing up in a "Worst Sports Analyst in the World" segment. Or, maybe Keith will be on SportsNation with Michelle Beadle (Not that it would matter; when Michelle's on the screen, the guys who watch the show don't look at anything else. "Sports? What sports? Dude, this is waaay better than 'Around the Horn'!").

On the other hand, maybe Jim Rome will give him a permanent spot as a co-host. Of course, they'll have to change the name of the show to "Jim Rome Is Burning, and Keith Olbermann Is...Well, He's Just Sort of There; Don't Mind Him Show". I think it could work. (Note: If he takes Erin Andrews's place on the sidelines of the NFL games, I will write ESPN a scathing letter of rebuke)

But getting back to "The Worst Person in the World" thing, how do you suppose that all started? Did he just make it up one day? Did he just look at a poster of Sean Hannity one day and decide, "That person has got to be the worst person in the world." Or, is it left over from childhood, do you think?

"Mom, you gave me Corn Flakes instead of Frosted Flakes; you're the worst person in the world!"

"Dad, why did you vote for Reagan? You're the worst person in the world?"

"Ugh, Grandma, these cookies taste like dirt; you're the worst person in the world!"

Then perhaps the day came when he wasn't picked for kickball at recess.

"You're all tied for being the worst person in the world! Jimmy, you're worse; Sally, you're worser; and Mo, you're worst. Now, gimme my ball; I'm going home!"

Well, KO, you are now joining an elite list of things we never want to see again (It's hardly the A-list; more like the K-list): K-Pax, K-Fed, K-Mart, KKK, and Kanye West. So, good luck, and know that wherever you go, Rush Limbaugh will miss you.