Countdown with Keith Olbermann
iHeartPodcasts
“Countdown With Keith Olbermann,” the landmark news and commentary program that reordered the world of cable news, returns as a daily podcast. Olbermann’s daily news-driven mix will include his trademark “Special Comment” political analysis, the tongue-in-cheek “Worst Persons In The World” segment, and his timeless readings from the works of the immortal James Thurber. The man who turned SportsCenter into a cultural phenomenon will broaden the content to include a daily sports segment, a daily call for help for a suffering dog, and a remarkable series of anecdotes covering a career that stretched from covering the 1980 Olympic Miracle on Ice a month after his 21st birthday, to anchoring the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and the 2009 Super Bowl pre-game show in a span of just twelve days, to rejoining ESPN as a “rookie” baseball play-by-play man at the age of 59.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 44min
THEY SHOW TRUMP A SPORTSCENTER VERSION OF HIS IRAN WAR EVERY MORNING - 3.26.26
A scathing take on how a steady diet of explosion highlights is shaping one leader's dangerous view of a foreign war. Discussion of cascading global fallout from oil and fertilizer control to energy rationing and higher fares. Critiques of calls for ground troops, chaotic cabinet dynamics, media spin loops, and a parade of political missteps and media hypocrisy.
11 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 2min
TRUMP IS GIVING IRAN $14B WITH WHICH IT CAN TRY TO KILL AMERICANS - 3.23.26
A fiery breakdown of how freeing $14 billion in Iranian oil could change geopolitics and risk Americans. Discussion of threats to Gulf power grids, desalination plants, and shipping routes. A rundown of chaotic White House messaging and risky policy ideas. Reflections on media shakeups and a nostalgic story about a career-changing mentorship.
16 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 1h 8min
THAT WAS TULSI GABBARD TELLING TRUMP TO GO BLANK HIMSELF - 3.19.26
Explores how Tulsi Gabbard and Joe Kent undercut Trump's Iran claims under oath through omission. Questions arise about seized Georgia ballots and who really communicated with Trump. Looks at allies drifting away and a worrying Trump verbal slip tied to past eras. Also covers a hockey puck controversy and politics bleeding into sports.
30 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 59min
TRUMP IS PERSONALLY LOSING THE WAR IN IRAN - 3.16.26
A fiery critique of presidential military judgment and calls to remove him from command. Detailed recounting of warnings about the Strait of Hormuz and the humiliating scramble for allied naval help. Discussion of looming oil, fertilizer and food price shocks and the economic risks of a prolonged Hormuz closure. Exposes how a proposed voting bill could disenfranchise roughly ten percent of voters.
20 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 54min
IS TRUMP IN A FUGUE STATE ABOUT IRAN? - 3.12.26
A fierce take on shifting White House signals about Iran and whether leadership is aware of the consequences. Analysis of briefings that reveal no clear plan and the political calculus of claiming victory or withdrawing. Reporting on Russia’s reported role helping Iran’s drone tactics and on conflicting casualty and cyber-retaliation accounts. Plus media-side gaffes, Pentagon photo bans, and archival sports nostalgia.
11 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 59min
TRUMP IS BASICALLY PAYING RUSSIA TO TELL IRAN WHERE OUR TROOPS ARE - 3.9.26
A fiery critique of how a US oil waiver may be enriching Russia and indirectly helping Iran target American forces. Discussion of reports that Russia is sharing location data on US ships, planes and troops. Examination of political and religious rationales used to justify U.S. involvement. A satirical takedown of media figures and bizarre Washington moments.
10 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 1h 19min
TRUMP'S TROOPS TOLD THE WAR IS MEANT TO 'CAUSE THE APOCALYPSE' - 3.5.26
Reports that some military commanders framed strikes as a divinely ordained path to Armageddon. Accounts of hundreds of whistleblower contacts and emergency Bible sessions for deployable troops. Discussion of a civilian group documenting religious coercion in the ranks and names linked to apocalyptic rhetoric. A shift to cultural reading and closing remarks.
13 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 1h 6min
WE REJOIN THE TRUMP EPSTEIN SCANDAL, ALREADY IN PROGRESS - 3.2.26
A deep dive into alleged federal interference in the Zorro Ranch probe and claims people took and buried key evidence. A New York Times exposé opens questions about Epstein’s non-sex crimes, banks, and international ties. A controversial Iran strike is framed as a possible diversion. Media decline and network shakeups are called out. Sports and public-figure missteps close out the show.
7 snips
Feb 28, 2026 • 12min
BULLETIN - NEO-CON DON BOMBS IRAN - WE ARE AT WAR - 2.28.26
Breaking news coverage of a sudden U.S. military assault on Iran, including strikes on Tehran, parliament and civilian targets. Discussion of Israel joining the attacks and the danger of broader Middle East escalation. Examination of a president acting without congressional approval and comparisons to past wars. Ends with a satirical take on who should be sent to fight.
7 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 1h 6min
TRUMP'S NEW EPSTEIN COVER-UP; WHY WAS PATEL DRINKING 'ON THE JOB' - 2.26.26
A furious run-through of alleged missing FBI memos tied to accusations about Trump and claims of a deliberate cover-up. A deep dive into Kash Patel’s role at the Milan Olympics and why security drinking on duty raises alarm. A look at hockey players used as political props and the fallout from White House appearances.
