In a Sunday feature story on new CNN CEO Chris Licht in The New York Times, Licht responded to a question about the animosity he receives from those critical of the direction he has steered CNN, with Keith Olbermann being the loudest of the nay-sayers. Monday, Olbermann responded to Licht with what he joked was “helpful vitriol”.
“Big New York Times feature yesterday in which Licht spent about 20 paragraphs emphasizing that he’s the real victim here and insisting that when Stephen Colbert tried to talk him out of taking the CNN job he told Colbert ‘No, this is a calling’,” Olbermann said.
In the feature, written by James B. Stewart, the author tabs Olberman as Licht’s loudest critic, quoting the former cable news hosts characterization that Licht is a “TV Fascist”. Licht responded by saying “The uninformed vitriol, especially from the left, has been stunning.”
“Dude, we worked in adjoining offices together for like four years. Mine is thoroughly informed vitriol,” Olbermann sarcastically said.
“But seriously…for the sake of the fact that I used to work at CNN and someday — very soon — you too will also be able to say that you used to work at CNN, may I offer helpful vitriol, Chris Licht? Maybe — just hear me out — maybe you should post a Twitter poll that reads ‘Should I step down as head of CNN? I will abide by the results of this poll’.”
Olbermann has continued to be Licht’s loudest and harshest critic. Every time he discusses the CNN CEO, Olbermann refers to him by his title before adding “and when we worked together at MSNBC I thought he ate paste”.
