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High Snark Opportunity [Dan Collins]

Shred away:

Posted May 9, 2007

AAN Presents First Annual Molly Ivins Award to Keith Olbermann

Source: AAN

Contact:

Roxanne Cooper

Association of Alternative Newsweeklies

202-289-8484

rcooper (at) aan.org

New York, NY, May 9, 2007—The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) announced today that MSNBC news anchor Keith Olbermann is the winner of its first annual Molly Ivins Award. Olbermann’s achievement will be recognized in a ceremony to be held this afternoon in New York City.

The award was recently named in honor of Ms. Ivins, who served as co-editor of AAN member Texas Observer early in her muckraking career, and who died of breast cancer on January 31, at the age of 62. It is intended to recognize a journalist or media figure who’s reporting or commentary has had a profound impact on the public’s understanding of vital national issues, and who’s work embodies the spirit of Ivins’ courageous legacy.

“Describing her own style of writing, Molly Ivins once wrote, ‘Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful.’ That’s the sort of journalism we recognize today, that which holds those in power accountable in the court of public opinion,

said AAN President and Memphis Flyer publisher Kenneth Neill. “Keith Olbermann speaks truth to power with wit and style, just as Molly did.”

“I’m utterly honored,” said Olbermann, “largely because I’d still like to be Molly Ivins when I grow up.”

Olbermann’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann is MSNBC’s highest-rated program. The show is notable for its literate writing, fast-paced delivery, historical and pop-culture references and the host’s signature wit, all of which make Countdown one of the most vital and colorful newscasts on the air.

To recognize Olbermann’s achievement, AAN will donate $2,000 in his name to the Molly Ivins Fund for Investigative Reporting at the Texas Observer. Ms. Ivins remained a passionate supporter of the non-profit bi-weekly newsmagazine until her passing.

About AAN

The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) is a diverse group of 125 alt-weekly news organizations that cover every major metropolitan area in North America. Members of AAN reach a print and online audience of more than 25 million young, educated, active and influential adults in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about AAN, go to http://www.aan.org.

And don’t say I never gave you anything.

“Satire, mein Fuhrer!”

UPDATE: “Through a rep, Olbermann said he did have a ‘close relative’ die in May, but would not say who.” (He also would not specify the year).

35 Replies to “High Snark Opportunity [Dan Collins]”

  1. JFH says:

    SATIRE?!!!  Olbermann hasn’t used satire since he was on ESPN…

    Molly Ivans would be rolling over in her grave, if she hadn’t gotten BDS in her final years.

  2. happyfeet says:

    ‘Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful.’

    That’s the same thing they say about suicide bombers. Go team.

  3. TheGeezer says:

    Molly Ivins was a douchebag who made a living out of misrepresenting Catholicism, conservativism, and reason in general.  She’d be a douchebag now, but she would leak too much.

  4. jamrat says:

    “It is intended to recognize a journalist or media figure who’s reporting or commentary has had a profound impact on the public’s understanding of vital national issues….”

    Seriously, WTF? Olbermann?!?!?!?! The (non)irony reminds me of watching Ted Kennedy hand out the “Profiles in Courage” awards every year.

  5. guinsPen says:

    That’s the sort of journalism we recognize today, that which holds those in power accountable in the court of public opinion

  6. Tim P says:

    I second The Geezer’s opinion. It’s the same sort mindset that makes the late Ms.Ivans some sort of secular saint that makes Al Sharpton a serious political power broker. Or makes Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd respected senior statesmen.

    She played that phony populism to the hilt but was really an elitist to the bone.

  7. Dan Collins says:

    Molly Ivins, hilt and bone are three terms I don’t want to consider in conjunction, Tim, if it’s all the same to you.

  8. Steve says:

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    Steve

  9. hit and run says:

    It is intended to recognize a journalist or media figure who’s reporting or commentary has had a profound impact on the public’s understanding of vital national issues

    Sounds about right.  Maybe just a little off…”profoundly deleterious impact on the public’s understanding”.  There that’s more like it.

  10. Tim P says:

    Dan,

    That wasn’t intentional.

    Oh and thanks for the very disturbing mental images that evokes.

  11. estaban says:

    The show is notable for its literate writing, fast-paced delivery, historical and pop-culture references and the host’s signature wit, all of which make Countdown one of the most vital and colorful newscasts on the air.

    It’s about goddamn time Tom Servo was recognized with a major award

    All Hail MST3K!!!

    (What’s that? Wrong program? Olberman? Who? WTF? …Calling Dr. Forrester…)

  12. Fat Man says:

    said Olbermann,

    I’d still like to be Molly Ivins when I grow up.

    I say we get up a collection to get him the surgery.

    Satire is no longer possible.

  13. MayBee says:

    “literate writing”

    “signature wit”

    High praise indeed.

  14. McGehee says:

    I’d still like to be Molly Ivins when I grow up.

    Seeing as how she has assumed room temperature, more power to ya, Keith.

  15. None says:

    “Olbermann’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann is MSNBC’s highest-rated program”

    For those looking for an example of “damning by faint praise”, look no further.

  16. cynn says:

    Dear Diary:  OMG!!!! Can someone help me w/this?!!  Sudden BDS, all at once!!!!  Not gradual or incremental or even w/torture!!  I just woke up one morning and hated GWBush!!  Why?!?!?!  I even wore polyester that day!!  I ate canned tuna, inhumanely trapped!  Why oh why is this happening LOL I’m only 34.  Luv &etc.  Me, Bsh8r

  17. CraigC says:

    “I’m utterly honored,” said Olbermann, “largely because I’d still like to be Molly Ivins when I grow up.”

    You already are, asshole. As an old friend of mine of the darker persuasion used to say, sheeit, that ain’t nothin’ but a flap fo yo pussay.

  18. ahem says:

    Satire is no longer possible.

    …in a world without shame.

    (You forgot the second half of that sentence.)

  19. mojo says:

    The Molly Ivins award, huh?…

    Irony is alive and well, if incognito.

  20. Sean M. says:

    It is intended to recognize a journalist or media figure who’s reporting or commentary has had a profound impact on the public’s understanding of vital national issues, and who’s work embodies the spirit of Ivins’ courageous legacy.

    This from a group of people who supposedly write for a living.

  21. alppuccino says:

    But you gotta admit, MSNBC gave $2000 to the foundation.  I mean 2 Grande!  2 large from a TV Network.  That is huge cheddar.  They must be printing money in the basement if they’re able to give $2000. 

    …….of course FOX & Friends levels their coffee table with a stack of $10,000 bills.

  22. BJTexs says:

    Olbermann’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann is MSNBC’s highest-rated program”

    For those looking for an example of “damning by faint praise”, look no further.

    Posted by None | permalink

    on 05/09 at 11:09 PM

    Bill Buckley had the best line:

    “…like being the tallest building in Wichita.”

  23. Matt, Esq. says:

    Can we make up an award and give it to Ann Coulter ?  For speaking truth to faggots ?

    Both awards should carry the same amount of prestige imho.

  24. Mikey NTH says:

    The alternative newsweeklies.  Those little papers given out free at bars and record stores, that have articles on the latest bands, ads for tattoo parlors and ‘escort services’, personal ads that make a normal person want to bathe in bleach after reading, and carry Ted Rall’s and Tom Tomorrow’s cartoons.  The papers that carry all of the agitprop that Socialist Worker Monthly refuses to print.

    He won their prestigous award.  I’m sure he’s proud, and I’m sure he will put that on his resume.

    And I can’t think of anything that demonstrates just how much of a loser he really is.

  25. TheGeezer says:

    And I can’t think of anything that demonstrates just how much of a loser he really is.

    And, let us not forget what a loser MSNBC really is.

    Molly Ivins, hilt and bone are three terms I don’t want to consider in conjunction, Tim, if it’s all the same to you.

    My poor mind’s eye is very scarred from past attempts to blind it.  I just have to nail it with this latest attack, however.  Ugh.

  26. BJTexs says:

    Well, Geezer, you already know the preferred treatment.

    Start with one blender…

  27. Jim in KC says:

    What the hell is an adult video group doing giving out “Molly Ivins” awards? 

    Oh, wait, it says AAN, not AVN.  Sorry, got confused there for a moment.

  28. maggie katzen says:

    This from a group of people who supposedly write for a living.

    c’mon Sean M. they’re alternative, they’re edgy!

  29. Jeff Goldstein says:

    You mean “their edgy,” write, maggie?

  30. TheGeezer says:

    Ahhh, the sweet, sweet memory hole of a Frothing Insinuations ®…you’re right, BJ.  Just a couple of swigs away from blinding that eye…

  31. MarkD says:

    I want to know who got the lousy lay award.

  32. BJTexs says:

    I want to know who got the lousy lay award.

    Was it Marv Albert?  Jesse Jackson?

    Oh, I know! Barney Frank!

    Shwiiiinnnngggg!

  33. RC says:

    They got the “Signature Wit” about half right.

  34. Nick Byram says:

    Molly Ivins was a douchebag who made a living out of misrepresenting Catholicism, conservativism, and reason in general.  She’d be a douchebag now, but she would leak too much.

    Phony populist that she was (hat tip to Tim P), at least the Bolshevik Bulldyke could write. Olberman can’t even do that.

  35. Nick Byram says:

    What the hell is an adult video group doing giving out “Molly Ivins” awards? 

    Oh, wait, it says AAN, not AVN.  Sorry, got confused there for a moment.

    Given a character based upon her in “Primary Colors”, you aren’t too far off the mark.

Comments are closed.