MSNBC anchors squabbling: Partisan tussling or just a clash of big egos?

Here's a couple of clips showing some recent anchor squabbles during MSNBC's coverage of the DNC this week.

In the first, Keith Olbermann challenges Joe Scarborough on his contention that John McCain's campaign has made strides against Obama. In the second clip, Scarborough loses it when correspondent David Shuster refers to the Republican party as his party -- even though the MSNBC host was a GOP congressman elected from Pensacola amid Newt Gingrich's Republican revolution.

Variety cited these clips as evidence that Scarborough may be getting tired of the increasingly left-leaning MSNBC. But they're ignoring another clip where Olbermann also groused about Chris Matthews' tendency to, um, dominate the conversation.

It all reminded me of a conversation I had with a manager at a big media outlet about a star who once worked for him. He said the star was most dangerous when he was doing well, because his ego got so huge, no one could stop him from saying and doing things to alienate people.

Looks like Olbermann may be headed toward that cliff. Again.

Judge for yourself:

Comments

[SM]

Olbermann has turned into a pompous windbag. Used to like him at ESPN and was somewhat interested when he launched his show at MSNBC. Now I can't stand him. It's amazing his director doesn't have to use a two-shot to get him AND his enormous ego on camera at the same time.

[John]

Olbermann's got a long track record of being difficult. At the same time, Matthews has a track record of being a problem on-air for sexist rants. Joe's fading into obscurity with Keith becoming the face of the network.

This all spells trouble.

Olbermann made a wisecrack about not having anyone to spell him at "Countdown" now that Rachel Maddow is getting her own show... Just look out for more fireworks at MSNBC if Keith gets his way and someone like Dan Patrick or another old friend are lured in. Oh, these people will have their own credentials... But that is another ego boost for the man who can be a problem.