“Nothing is more vital to a free America than a free media, and nothing is more vital to my concept of a free media than news produced independently of corporate interference. In Current Media, Al Gore and Joel Hyatt have created the model truth-seeking entity.  The opportunity to partner with Al, Joel and Mark Rosenthal makes this the most exciting venture in my career.”

Glenn Beck is probably wondering to himself “no corporate interference? How would I pay for all the awful shit I doubtlessly own?” Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin continues to consider following in Olbermann’s footsteps and being seen by even less people than his brother Stephen.(via The Hollywood Reporter)

An unnamed network insider has been quoted as saying, “[Baldwin is] already part of the NBC family, has a huge fan base and is very respected for his long term passions for politics.” I’ve heard time and again that Alec Baldwin is ready to retire from acting, and his outspoken passion for touchy-feely liberalism makes this job as good as his. Battling idiots like Glenn Beck on TV would be a good stepping stone to battling idiots like Sarah Palin in actual politics.

That said, I still think he should stick to selling microwaves. (PopEater)

Tonight marked the abrupt end of Keith Olbermann’s show Countdown, which put the network on the map for cable news channels — a map which currently is dominated by the Fox News country Horriblerica. We don’t have an official reason for Olbermann’s sudden departure. Some have speculated it has to do with the campaign donations scandal from 2 months ago, which got him suspended for two shows. I think I’ll go along and speculate with them. All Olbermann had to say about the matter in the above goodbye was that “this was going to be the last edition” of his show.

So, given their track record for picking up embattled political show hosts, who wants to bet that Fox News at least makes him an offer? (CNN)

Well… kudos, I guess, to MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer for not disappearing and leaving a Contessa Brewer-shaped cloud of dust after having the Reverend Jesse Jackson remind her that he is, in fact, not the Reverend Al Sharpton as she introduced him. Apparently MSNBC thinks all wise, elderly black reverends are named Rev. Al Sharpton. Or else they thought Al Sharpton was coming, and he cancelled at the last minute, leaving them with one choice: get "the other one." Then some poor intern forgot to change the script… and the rest pretty writes itself.  

Tune in to "Countdown" this evening, when Keith Olberman interviews star of the Lethal Weapon series, Forrest Whitaker.