We Love Keith Olbermann
The California Supreme Court announced that on March 5 it will hear oral arguments in three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8. Yes, the term "oral arguments" had the effect of eliciting giggles from us too considering the fact that gay rights are involved. That said, we all know how serious this matter is. Even if you have no plans to run out and get married if the court overturns Prop 8, having the freedom of choice is at stake and we can all agree how important that is. Of course we in the GLBT community know all this. We don't really need to educate or motivate our community. However, we are a minority and we need the support and activism of those outside the community to effect change.
This brings us to the GLAAD Media Awards and the HRC, two of several groups that honor those who support our causes and our basic human rights. A few weeks ago GLAAD nominated two MSNBC shows in the Outstanding TV Journalism Segment category: "Rick Warren: Change to Believe In?" The Rachel Maddow Show and "Special Comment: Gay Marriage Is a Question of Love" Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Rachel Maddow has been a ratings triumph for MSNBC and Air America and her disarming style has won her fans from all political spectrums. Intentional or not, she has also been one of the few faces for the GLBT community in cable news. That said she isn't a token or a blatant advocate. Her nominated piece was one of the few that she has offered on GLBT issues.
Keith Olbermann is the idealogical liberal twin of Maddow but his style is much more flamboyant, as befitting his former career as sports broadcaster. Olbermann is much more willing to aggressively take on right-wingers and he can make us squeamish in the process. But his style offers a vicarious pleasure to those who yell at the TV and wish they could say the things that Olbermann does. As part of his show he often offers a "special comment" which is often emotionally charged. After the passage of Prop 8 Keith Olbermann offered one of these commentaries and it was so powerful it made news in the community (we've posted it here again) and elsewhere. This also resulted in an HRC commendation and his acceptance speech was just as moving. You check it out there too.
GLAAD rightfully recognized both these pieces and comparing them is a futile exercise but it's possible that Olbermann's commentary had more impact--a straight man offering these words is powerful stuff. Now you may dismiss Keith Olbermann as a bleeding heart liberal who couldn't possibly speak for us. If that's the case listen to his comments in both these videos and you may change your mind.
This brings us to the GLAAD Media Awards and the HRC, two of several groups that honor those who support our causes and our basic human rights. A few weeks ago GLAAD nominated two MSNBC shows in the Outstanding TV Journalism Segment category: "Rick Warren: Change to Believe In?" The Rachel Maddow Show and "Special Comment: Gay Marriage Is a Question of Love" Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Rachel Maddow has been a ratings triumph for MSNBC and Air America and her disarming style has won her fans from all political spectrums. Intentional or not, she has also been one of the few faces for the GLBT community in cable news. That said she isn't a token or a blatant advocate. Her nominated piece was one of the few that she has offered on GLBT issues.
Keith Olbermann is the idealogical liberal twin of Maddow but his style is much more flamboyant, as befitting his former career as sports broadcaster. Olbermann is much more willing to aggressively take on right-wingers and he can make us squeamish in the process. But his style offers a vicarious pleasure to those who yell at the TV and wish they could say the things that Olbermann does. As part of his show he often offers a "special comment" which is often emotionally charged. After the passage of Prop 8 Keith Olbermann offered one of these commentaries and it was so powerful it made news in the community (we've posted it here again) and elsewhere. This also resulted in an HRC commendation and his acceptance speech was just as moving. You check it out there too.
GLAAD rightfully recognized both these pieces and comparing them is a futile exercise but it's possible that Olbermann's commentary had more impact--a straight man offering these words is powerful stuff. Now you may dismiss Keith Olbermann as a bleeding heart liberal who couldn't possibly speak for us. If that's the case listen to his comments in both these videos and you may change your mind.
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