short followup diary: Olbermann apologizes for W. Vitter story

Six days ago, I posted this diary accusing the producers of Countdown with Keith Olbermann of sexism for a story on Wendy Vitter's dress.  

Tonight, Keith Olbermann issued an on-air apology for the story that completely addressed the concerns I raised.  Of course, I'd have preferred the story not air at all, but I'm satisfied that he listened to our concerns and took them to heart.  

Apologies for the short diary, but I felt an obligation to bring closure to the story, having levelled the original complaint.

•  I thought it was a classy apology. n/t

  by Dar Nirron on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:25:58 PM PDT

  •  Nice Olbermann smack down on Romney

    Regarding the Osama Obama slam Keith O said, ‘That’s Mitt Romney not to be confused with Ramsey bin al Sheeb.’

    by deepsouthdoug on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:29:20 PM PDT

•  Unlike a certain President,

  Keith and his staff aren't afraid to admit it when they f--k up.

  I'm a bit uncomfortable with a lot of the coverage and reaction to the Vitter situation, for personal reasons that I won't get into here. But it's always refreshing when someone comes correct on a report...

  by Cali Scribe on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:28:14 PM PDT

•  I hated the sexism too

  and KO was sincere and contrite with his apology.

  by chicago minx on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:30:46 PM PDT

•  The night it happened,

  I was discouraged by how many Kossacks were defending the story.  I'm happy that the apology is receiving a more enlightened reception.

  by osterizer on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:32:54 PM PDT

  •  You are a class act

    I'll bet Olbermann thinks so, too.

    by llbear on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:36:58 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for the diary.

    Many of us were watching the debate and missed it. I'll catch it on the rerun.

    by suzq on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 06:28:20 PM PDT

  •  Saint Wendy

    Yesterday the Times Picayune ran a Saint Wendy Vitter story to help restore her image.  
    http://www.nola.com/...
    The attire worn by Wendy for their "appearance" was totally out of character and I am glad Allison brought up the issue.   Contrast Wendy's outfit with her attire at David's website.  I do not believe Keith owed anybody an apology.

    by chigh on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 07:43:32 PM PDT

  •  There's this little....

    ....(or perhaps not so little) sexism problem here, unfortunately.

    by metal prophet on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 08:37:28 PM PDT

•  Or certain TV personality from Faux

  who says that we are left wing version of Stormfront or Vanguard News Network. ):-(

  by Mr Stagger Lee on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:33:45 PM PDT

•  Nice follow up

  both by Olbermann and by you.

  by joanneleon on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:33:55 PM PDT

•  This is difference between them and us

  we still have standards... could you imagine Rush or Coulter getting the same treatment from the wingnuts, their side has no critical thinking skills, they just lap up whatever the are told to.

  by Marshall Collins on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:43:56 PM PDT

  •  No, but can we still make fun of Coulter's dress?

    I believe she only owns one.

    by suzq on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 06:20:43 PM PDT

    •  But of course!

      I think we should show Coulter the kindness, consideration and gentleness of spirit that she shows her opponents.

      by chicago minx on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 06:44:40 PM PDT

•  Classy.

  Wonder if WaPo will apologize for the Hillary boobs story. I'm betting not.

  by PhantomFly on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:47:35 PM PDT

  •  Robin Givhan wrote about cleavage

    not boobs.  You completely missed her point about using  subtle sexuality to convey feminine softness.  She made  a related point about Condi's G-7 boots conveying sexual strength.

    If someone deserves an apology, it's Fred Thompson's wife.  Fred's not even a candidate (neither is she) and everyone's talking about her body.

    by suzq on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 06:27:01 PM PDT

    •  Fred Thompson's trophy wife deserves an

      apology?

      What for?

      She married him.  He married her.

      He's a public figure.  She's married to a public figure.

      She's in control of her own wardrobe.

      Nobody's putting a gun to her head and forcing her to exhibit poor taste.

      She's the female version of George Bush's sock-stuffed codpiece moment on the Mission Accomplished aircraft carrier.

      You're saying, we're not allowed to go, "Eee-ew!"?

      by tryptich2 on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 06:37:13 PM PDT

      •  How is she even the point?

        Let's attack Fred Thompson because he's a repulsive human being. His wife is irrelevant.

        by metal prophet on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 08:38:43 PM PDT

    •  CNN Post Debate

      In CNN's post debate coverage Candy Crowley made a comment about Senator Clinton's red jacket making her look feminine while all the men wore dark suits.

      It's a shame that Senator Clinton has to be judged on her wardrobe when the men aren't. It's shameful that all women are.

      That stated, I'd say Senator Clinton looked feminine tonight while the men didn't because she was the only woman on the stage. It had more to do with the fact that she has boobs than that she had on a red jacket.

      Candy Crowley sucks as a commentator.

      by donnas on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 07:16:56 PM PDT

      •  Imagine what Candy would have said

        had one of the guys wore a red jacket!

        by suzq on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 07:24:30 PM PDT

•  Good to hear.

  Hated that crap.

  by Little on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:49:49 PM PDT

•  Glad to hear it.

  The worst thing was the host's dress was cut waaaaaay lower than Mrs. Vitter's.  Thanks for the diary.

  by UltraMegaTron on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:52:12 PM PDT

•  it

  Keith didn't read a short note at the end of the broadcast.  It was up front.  He has class.  The rest of the media should take note.

  by tcdup on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 05:53:54 PM PDT

•  It was sexist, and it was stupid. It was on

  Ko's show, but he wasn't there that night.  Don't know if he approved the script, but he's obviously taken responsibility for the error.

  Too bad Bubble Boy can't do the same.

  by tryptich2 on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 06:30:09 PM PDT

•  Olbermann...

  ....is maybe not the most enlightened man in the world when it comes to sexism, but he is better than most. I mean, he's not about to win male feminist of the year, but at least he tries. So good on Keith for doing the right thing.

  by metal prophet on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 08:40:00 PM PDT

•  Allison

  What's the impact of this on her hosting duties in the future?

  She reads the copy she's given, I know, but I imagine it would be hard to return to the seat after having the main man come down, on-air, that hard on a segment she presented and commented on.

  I wonder if she'll have anything to say on the subject when she returns?

  by BobzCat on Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 09:48:18 PM PDT

  •  My hope is...

    that her hosting duties won't be impacted.  She may have had some input into the story, but I can't imagine that a guest host could have brought the story on-air (with an interview segment, no less) unless the higher-ups were on-board.  

    by osterizer on Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 04:32:21 AM PDT

    •  That seems...

      ...like a producer's call.

      I also hope it doesn't affect Countdown calling on Alison.  She's the only sub Keith has used that I like.

      by howie14 on Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 05:53:34 AM PDT

      •  Alison is the most likable Sub

        for Countdown.  I agree with Howie14.  By far, she has a great way of delivering the funny segments..almost like the Master himself (K.O.).

        I was happy that Alison & guest poked fun at that leopard-print dress that the former legal beagle, Wendy Baldwin, wore that day.  I didn't care one bit for the Vitters blaming the media for fanning the flames of this fiasco.  Hey, wasn't it Wendy who published an opinion piece in 1992 comparing herself (in a much better light) to Mrs. Clinton in 1992?  Quote: "From that vantage point, she criticized Clinton for her politics, which she called "radical and out of step with middle America," and for her "progressive (to me frightening) notions of the family." She said Clinton could not pretend to be a "traditional political wife" because she would in fact double as a policy expert and influence her husband's administration.".

        Ho, ho, ho Wendy. Hillary's choice of outfits during the Monica days was much better.  

        by bluegal on Tue Jul 24, 2007 at 10:51:05 AM PDT