White vs. Olbermann

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A somewhat fickle decision by New York Film Critics Circle chairman Armond White to rescind an invitation to MSNBC's Keith Olbermann to present the Best Original Screenplay award to In The Loop costar James Gandolfini at last night's NYFCC award ceremony resulted in Olbermann getting hugely pissed. I've asked White and two publicists to comment but no replies as we speak. Here's how it was told to me:

(l. to r.) Armond White, Keith Olbermann, James Gandolfini.

The invitation to Olbermann went out last week via 42West. The initial plan was for the show to start exactly on time at 7:30 pm, and for Olbermann to present the award toward the end of the evening. The MSNBC commentator told the agency that he could be at the awards ceremony by 9:15 pm after taping his show. He later told 42West he would tape a segment of his show in advance so he could arrive even earlier.

But after this was arranged, White had second thoughts. He expressed his view that Best Original Screenplay was a minor award and therefore shouldn't be presented too late in the evening, or no later than approximately 8:30 pm, give or take. Olbermann's arrival plans were therefore too late for White's timetable. He also decided that only past NYFCC winners should present awards, which deep-sixed Olbermann also. This led to 42West re-contacting Olbermann last Friday with a "thanks but no thanks."

Olbermann was naturally offended. He's a political celebrity, after all, which would have fit perfectly with an award for a political comedy. He had taken the time to watch In The Loop on a screener (and loved it, I'm told) and had arranged for that segment pre-taping. Olbermann allegedly responded with "this is the rudest thing I've ever [dealt with]" and "I hope this organization likes publicity."

But of course, the NYFCC award show didn't start at 7:30 pm. It started about 8:30 pm. At 7:45 or 7:50 pm White took the stage and essentially said "sorry for the delay but we're going to delay even further." (That's how I heard his remarks, at least.) The 8:30 pm start, in any event, meant that Olbermann's 9:15 pm arrival would have worked just fine. The final upshot was that Us critic Thelma Adams was asked to present the award. Which she did, and very robustly.

White's concept of using only past winners as presenters led to another odd decision in which 1984 NYFCC Best Supporting Actress winner Christine Lahti (for Swing Shift) presented George Clooney with his Best Actor award. She and Clooney have a history, apparently, but the general reaction was "why is Lahti presenting this again?" Clooney's people, I'm told, were at the front of the line with this question.

The bottom line, my source informs, is that White's mercurial or impolitic ways of handling the presentations irked other agencies besides 42West.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 12, 2010 at 4:48 AM

comment #1

Josh Massey says ...

I'm guessing Olbermann uses the phrase "this is the rudest thing I've ever dealt with" at least twice a week.

Posted by Josh Massey at January 12, 2010 6:13 AM

comment #2

JulesWinnfield says ...

That is just bad business and PR for NYFCC.

Posted by JulesWinnfield at January 12, 2010 6:14 AM

comment #3

Michael says ...

Olbermann couldn't have done it, anyway. Since Rachel Maddow is actually Olbermann in drag, he has to do double-duty taping shows.

Posted by Michael at January 12, 2010 6:41 AM

comment #4

Krillian says ...

I just wish he'd leave Sunday Night Football so I can watch it again.

Posted by Krillian at January 12, 2010 6:49 AM

comment #5

Bob Violence says ...

"These behind-the-scenes particulars are much more interesting when Armond White is involved" --me, last week

Ask and ye shall receive

Posted by Bob Violence at January 12, 2010 6:55 AM

comment #6

ZayTonday says ...

Armond White was being a douche?

You don't say.

Posted by ZayTonday at January 12, 2010 7:09 AM

comment #7

High Chaparral says ...

So what's the Lahti/Clooney history? Bearing in mind that Clooney worked with Lahti's husband (Thomas Schlamme) on ER.

Posted by High Chaparral at January 12, 2010 7:32 AM

comment #8

Gaydos says ...

Armond's view of Awards Season:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013553.htmlcategoryid=3842&cs=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+variety%2Fheadlines+%28Variety+-+Latest+News%29&query=armond

Posted by Gaydos at January 12, 2010 7:58 AM

comment #9

corey3rd says ...

Armond White is a hack.

Posted by corey3rd at January 12, 2010 8:08 AM

comment #10

lazarus says ...

Michael: I get it, because Maddow is a lesbian, right? So she's like a man in woman's clothing? That's brilliant!

Jackass.

Posted by lazarus at January 12, 2010 8:57 AM

comment #11

MikeSchaeferSF says ...

As it turns out, Olbermann took last nite off -- he's been off many Mondays lately, as his dad is ill. So it's not clear why the big whoop-de-doo about pre-taping segments if he was going to take the nite off anyway. Sure your 42West source had their facts straight?

Posted by MikeSchaeferSF at January 12, 2010 9:04 AM

comment #12

Michael says ...

@lazarus

Well, they're about the same height, same build, similar facial structure, have almost identical ideologies, eerily similar delivery, and practically share a sense of humor. Just cut out the long-windedness and Maddow IS Olbermann. The fact that she's a lesbian is more a happy coincidence.

Posted by Michael at January 12, 2010 9:08 AM

comment #13

Anakin722 says ...

@Michael

You're kidding, right? I like Keith and all but Rachel leaves him (and most every other talking head) in the dust. She's witty, she's ferociously intelligent, she doesn't belittle and insult her guests, all her stories are well-researched, and she's the first one to apologize and retract when she gets something wrong.

Posted by Anakin722 at January 12, 2010 9:15 AM

comment #14

George Prager says ...

IF the New York Press ever wants to replace White, they can get the guy with Asperger's that I saw on PBS. They made him watch WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF in a laboratory setting, with cameras attached to his glasses. He was particularly enthralled with the light bulb swinging over Richard Burton's head. The lamp in the living room was another standout.

Posted by George Prager at January 12, 2010 9:31 AM

comment #15

Floyd Thursby says ...

Yes, and she doesn't known anything about sports, either.

Posted by Floyd Thursby at January 12, 2010 9:33 AM

comment #16

BurmaShave says ...

Maddow in her present form is intolerable. Her moving from commentator to host was a mistake and I think the ratings will eventually bear that out. Unpleasant and desperate. Her so called great interviews (Tom Ridge) are symphonies of awkwardness. I loved her during the summer of '08, but bad decision.

And Michael's comment was apt, what he describes is true and made more so by the hand holding way Keith still transitions into her show. Lawrence O'Donnell has been guest-hosting a lot lately, and he's getting better. He's mile ahead of both of them.

Posted by BurmaShave at January 12, 2010 9:43 AM

comment #17

lazarus says ...

Burma, I think you're seeing what you want to see. Maddow WAS awkward for a while, but she's gained a lot of confidence and tenacity since she started. And she's a lot more charming than Olbermann ever was, her humbleness a necessary antidote to Keith's pomposity (and I consider myself one of his fans).

Anakin was right on the money.

Posted by lazarus at January 12, 2010 9:58 AM

comment #18

Colin says ...

Maddow is probably the best host on television right now all of this is ideological posturing and childish.

Posted by Colin at January 12, 2010 11:03 AM

comment #19

Pinko Punko says ...

Maddow isn't up to snuff like she should be, but the bar is low at MSNBC. It takes too much time to really get into the issues. It's a post now or die world, and like HE is filled with little bits, we don't get the long great pieces like we used to. Also grampa pants are what this comment is wearing.

Posted by Pinko Punko at January 12, 2010 11:28 AM

comment #20

joefilm1 says ...

So, Krillian you watch football for the commentators? Wow. Enjoy Desperate Housewives, I guess.

Posted by joefilm1 at January 12, 2010 3:32 PM

comment #21

UGG Boots says ...

Armond White was being a douche?

Posted by UGG Boots at January 14, 2010 6:42 AM

comment #22

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comment #23