MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann Reads James Thurber
At first I wasn’t sure what to think of it: Keith Olbermann in a brown leather chair reading from what looked like a library copy of a James Thurber collection. At first I was skeptical. But then I sat down and listened, and I was impressed. I felt like I was witnessing a history-making event. Maybe I’m young and uninformed, but I’ve never seen a newscaster read literature on the air. Is this something that used to be done? I don’t know, but I have to say, I’m excited. We’ve talked a lot on Bark about why “people” (whoever these beings are) aren’t reading literature, or reading at all, and how to change that. We’ve also talked about trying to find creative ways to get our work out there, including using mixed media. So seeing Keith Olbermann reading short stories during his hour-long cable news show was kind of surreal. It was as though he’d been reading Bark and had taken on our cause, but no, his motivation was personal. See, his father just passed away, and during his final days, Keith read James Thurber to him. According to Olbermann, his father suggested that he read the stories on the air. It was a final wish of sorts, and so Keith did it, twice. The first time he read “A Peacelike Mongoose,” and the second time, the show I saw, he read “A Box to Hide In.” Both stories are really short and easy to follow; they’re kind of fable-like in their simplicity and morality, but more than anything they are good, thoughtful stories. And they were read for millions to hear right there on prime time cable TV. And Keith said he might keep doing it from time to time. How about that.
Tags: James Thurber, Keith Olbermann, news, television
Keiht olbermann is very funny and has alot of fcts.
This is such a boring part of the show. MSNBC is the place for politics, not poetry…
Fail.
I think Olbermann would argue that many of James Thurber’s stories are political, not necessarily in the sense that they are commenting on the political events of the day but because they highlight some of the ways people behave in the public sphere, which, I would argue, is an important aspect of understanding politics. I, obviously, think it is a lovely way to close the show on Fridays.
I absolutely LOVE that Keith Olbermann is reading James Thurber! Not only do most people not read, and if they read, do not read quality literature. Olbermann’s readings are whimsical, arty, fun and thoughtful. I had not heard that it was his dying father’s suggestion that he read on air…but that makes the message ever more sweet.
I absolutely love this part of Keith O’s show. Friday afternoons are my favorite time of the week of his — or any other — news broadcaset. Keep it up.
Oops! I meant “broadcast.”
I love the last 5 minutes of Friday night’s Countdown. Even though I’m an avid reader and work in a library, I’d never read Thurber. But, I’m hooked now on his very dry wit and the humorous illustrations. Plus, Keith is a very talented reader. PS: I always enjoy the rest of the show, too. PLEASE don’t stop the Thurber reading!
I find Obermann’s reading of Thurber quite enjoyable. But you have to have liked Thurber to begin with. And then too, how do all those Columbus Republicans respond to this?…They dislike Olbermann. Only the literate can appreciate both Thurber and Olbermann.
[...] is still going on, I’d like to propose a special video break. It’s well known that Keith Olbermann is such a fan of James Thurber’s writings. Well, here’s a 1953 cartoon based on one of Thurber’s most well known story, "The [...]
I enjoy Keith Olbermann’s show. I enjoy reading James Thurber. I enjoy listening to Keith Olbermann read Thurber aloud but…
Keith is not a newscaster!
Countdown is an hour long political commentary and editorial show. I beg you don’t confuse Countdown with a newscast. The name of the show is not MSNBC News it is Countdown with Keith Olbermann!
I look forward all week to fridays with Thurber…Keith Olbermann delivers it brillantly…please continue
[...] a slightly different note, I found another interesting video. It’s well known that Keith Olbermann is such a fan of James Thurber’s writings and he even ended his last episode of Countdown With Keith Olbermann with a reading of [...]
I guess by now you all know that Keith is on Al Gore’s Current TV and is continuing his Friday readings of Thurber, much to my great pleasure…it truly is a remarkable thing to see – a literate commentator trying to bring literacy to the masses…