The only countdown to Keith Olbermann's last minutes as host of his MSNBC show "Countdown" came abruptly, as the show came to its end to the surprise of its viewers with just a couple of segments' notice back in January. A couple of weeks later came word that Olbermann was headed to Current TV with a new nightly news show in the works, and today we're learning that the show will bear the same name and timeslot as Olbermann's MSNBC gig. more ›

When Keith Olbermann stunned viewers with the news he was done with his popular program "Countdown" and with MSNBC, many speculated that it would not be long before the news biz's left-leaning bad boy announced his next industry move. That announcement came today, with word that Olbermann is headed to the small cable network CurrentTV, where he "will host a one-hour, nightly primetime show" starting later in the spring, and will serve as the network's "chief news officer." more ›

We reminisce about seeing Jack LaLanne in person, make assumptions about Keith Olbermann's departure, and spot bottle of booze on NBC's Thursday night comedies. Tell us we're wrong! --- Also check out our full listings and the TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan for tonight. more ›

Broadcaster and MSNBC poster/bad boy Keith Olbermann ended his popular Countdown show last night with a surprise announcement: It was the end of the show, and the end of his tenure at the network. "The departure was a stealth move, MSNBC insiders told POLITICO, with many top executives and on-air personalities kept out of the loop as the decision was made." In fact, a half hour after "Countdown" ended last night, Olbermann's image still appeared in a station promo spot. more ›

David Cross has made audiences laugh their asses of on stage with his brilliant and vicious style of stand-up, on television in his incredibly funny work on "Arrested Development" as never nude analrapist Tobias Funke and as one-half of the team that gave us the hilarious HBO sketch comedy show "Mr. Show with Bob and David," on CD with is Grammy nominated Shut Up You Fucking Baby! and on the big screen. Now, David brings his brand of humor to the written form with his first book, I Drink for a Reason. more ›

You might hate me for this--I hate one of my roommates for beckoning me over to the television, rewinding the program she'd recorded, and insisting I see this video. It is a trailer clip by musical artist Nassiri, which is currently running as a commercial. We saw it during Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, and apparently it's showing up on other news channels. Some may experience this earnest, enthusiastic tribute to their Savior's upcoming holy day, whereas others might find it to be a sort of psychedelic, assault-on-the-senses, bit of Christianity-meets-Bollywood weirdness. more ›

Introducing the TV Junkie Black List: While waiting for Spoon to go on the Tonight Show last night I had to endure Leno and guest Denis Leary talking about how they'd like to get cyclists off the roads and how they enjoy honking at them, etc. Both of these a-holes know* what went down recently in Beverly Hills as reported by LAist and the last thing LA needs is more SUV drivers feeling justified in... more ›

Keith Olbermann might not be the anchor of the network news... yet... but he is the anchor of the most-You Tubed news show, he's probably the most talked-about news anchor, and his Special Comments have become a staple in the blogosphere. Probably because these days it's easier to watch and listen to someone go off on this, the most corrupt administration the US has ever seen, than it is to read a newspaper column.... more ›

For a while Howard Stern called Jackie Mason the greatest stand-up comedian ever, but he eventually had to include Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock. In a valiant effort to flush his credibility down the drain, Mason has produced dozens of video blogs that he has uploaded on YouTube under the username TheUltimateJew. When he isn't rattling on while on a treadmill, owning every bit of the old man that he's become, he attacks Keith... more ›

Dear Directv, It's your old pal, LAist here. Your biggest fan. We've had you for years, we even installed you into our friends' homes, and even on strangers' roofs. We get all the channels and most of the sports packages. We love you. There is one thing that has bothered us for quite a while though, and we were just reminded of it. What is your problem with The Daily Show and MSNBC's Countdown?... more ›

We are living in strange days indeed. LAist remembers a time when CNN anchors were mellow and mild and just told you the news. But ever since they expanded and began hiring the likes of Tucker Carlson, Robert Novak, and later Anderson Cooper, Glenn Beck, and Nancy Grace, it gave us the feeling of a Fox News Jr. Maybe we're crazy. The last few days have been interesting on CNN's Glenn Beck's show, though.... more ›

Goodbye O.C., a shame that the show is better now than it has been for the last couple seasons. Hey, who is the amazing Thai girl that was in Lost last night? Lots of new shows tonight, am going to have to order that second Tivo. more ›

It's been widely reported this weekend that Tom Cruise is the "Jesus Christ of Scientology." Indeed, church leader David Miscavige told a UK paper: "Tom has been told he's Scientology's Christ-like figure.... Like Christ, he's been criticised for his views. But future generations will realise he was right." Without getting ideological, not only do we doubt that Jesus ever got down in his tighty-whities to Bob Seger, we're pretty sure that Tom Cruise left the... more ›

The below piece is in reference to Keith Olbermann's closing statement from his January 2nd show. Get the full transcript here; just scroll to the end for his 'special comment about sacrifice' and watch the clip after the jump. Full disclosure: I am admittedly a fan of Keith Olbermann and his P.O.V. The above-referenced clip is not his best work, and LAist Editor-in-Chief Tony Pierce said it felt "forced" and ran far too long,... more ›

It has to be an embarrassing moment for the female anchor, and is probably perfect year-end gag reel fodder for MSNBC weekend anchor JJ Ramberg, who is filling in during this holiday weekend. We all get emotional whenever something or someone dies. Usually it doesn't happen on national tv. Fortunately most of the country tunes out of MSNBC when Keith Olbermann is on vacation.... more ›

- The first charitable Muslim medical institution in the US was founded in South Central LA. The UMMA clinic was started by UCLA students in 1996 and was honored recently with a special address on the floor of the US House of Representatives by Maxine Waters. - Two Egyptian Nationals who plead guilty for enslaving a 10 year old girl here in Southern California were given 2 years in prison and forced to pay... more ›

Let's take a look back at a week that raised this Zen koan: if Kevin Federline got into a wrestling ring with a wrestler, who would you root for? more ›

There are four ways to look at the Military Commisions Act that was signed into law Tuesday: 1) Oh Fuck. 2) Surely this will wake up what few logical Republicans are left in that party who will turn their backs on this tyrannical group and do something other than re-elect these un-American power whores. 3) This is all a terrible nightmare. 4) Looks like I've got to run for President in 2008 with one... more ›

Visitors cruise by or bed-and-breakfast and see the paradise that Santa Barbara is to the eyes. But that doesn't mean that there's no drama. more ›

The Conan Countdown goes on and the world's longest lame duck continues to be lame. more ›