Current TV has called in crisis PR help as the Al Gore-led network handles its ouster of anchor Keith Olbermann after a year.
“Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers,” co-founders Gore and Joel Hyatt said in a statement March 30. “Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it.”
The Hollywood Reporter said Current has bolstered its legal team and brought in crisis PR counselors Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane. Lehane was Vice President Gore’s press secretary and advisor in the 2000 presidential campaign.
Olbermann fired back at the network March 30, saying “for more than a year I have been imploring [Gore] and [Hyatt] to resolve our issues internally, while I've been not publicizing my complaints, and keeping the show alive for the sake of its loyal viewers and even more loyal staff.” He added that he will pursue legal action, noting: “Nevertheless, Mr. Gore and Mr. Hyatt, instead of abiding by their promises and obligations and investing in a quality news program, finally thought it was more economical to try to get out of my contract.”
Current picked up Olbermann in February 2011 after he was bounced from MSNBC.
Current on Friday announced former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer will take up Olbermann’s 8 p.m. time slot with “Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer.” Gore called Spitzer a “veteran public servant and an astute observer of the issues of the day.”
Spitzer’s CNN show “In the Arena” was canceled last year.