Keith Olbermann/Anderson Cooper
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Keith Olbermann/Anderson Cooper |
| Alternative name(s): | |
| Gender category: | Slash (M/M) |
| Fandom: | Pundit RPF |
| Canonical?: | |
| Prevalence: | Real News OTP |
| Archives: | Keith/Anderson at Fake News Fanfic Keith/Anderson at Archive of Our Own |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Keith Olbermann/Anderson Cooper is the most popular real news pairing in Pundit RPF fandom.[1] It pairs CNN primetime host Anderson Cooper, perhaps best known for his objectivity, with Keith Olbermann, then MSNBC primetime host, who is notable for his impassioned arguments in support of liberal causes. The rerun of Countdown with Keith Olbermann at that time aired opposite the live broadcast of Anderson Cooper 360°. As of 2016, Olbermann's "The Closer" and "The Resistance" video editorials can be found at the Gentlemen's Quarterly channel on Youtube.
The pairing predates the Pundit Round Table, with discussion at LiveJournal community TDS RPS dating back to February 2005, and fanfiction at the Punditslash community dating to April 2005.[2]
Canon
The two hosts had limited onscreen interaction during Olbermann's brief stint at CNN in the early 2000s, and fans have preserved these clips on YouTube. More recently, the combination of their shared time slot and contrasting approaches to journalism has occasionally resulted in Olbermann and Cooper snarking at or about each other. Due to the nature of these interactions and references, it is common for fic writers to portray their relationship as somewhat antagonistic.
CNN Appearances
- The Fightin' Whities: Olbermann and Cooper appeared on American Morning with Paula Zahn to discuss racism in sports team names and logos.
- MLB Contract Negotiations: Olbermann appeared on CNN's NewsNight with Aaron Brown and discussed the possibility of a 2002 baseball strike with Cooper.
Other Mentions
- "Keith, baby, get a grip.": In 2004, Cooper addressed Olbermann's competitive approach to the Playgirl TV's Sexiest Newscaster competition, which Olbermann won.
- "Your shtick is your personal life.": Olbermann criticized Cooper for refusing to talk about his personal life in a 2007 Men's Journal profile, which mentioned "personal details" in reference to speculation about Cooper's sexual orientation.
- "We should declare it a holiday.": Also on the heels on the Men's Journal profile, Olbermann criticized Cooper's AC360 for not containing enough news.
- "'The Paris Hilton of television news.'": During a Worst Person in the World segment in 2007, Olbermann inadvertently defended Cooper against criticism from Fox News.
- "I could take them both.": During CNN's 2009 New Year's celebration, Cooper said he could take Olbermann and Olbermann's fellow MSNBC host Chris Matthews in an arm wrestling competition.
- Olbermann's response invoked the 2004 Playgirl competition.
Notable Fanworks
- The 28th Amendment by bessemerprocess - a hardline right-wing president assumes command and outlaws free speech, homosexuality and all religions excepting a few Christian denominations, making his laws recursive so that those who "broke" them before he took office can still be charged with a crime. Suspenseful novella in which we see Keith Olbermann, Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Stephen Colbert and other progressive voices doing what they can to protect themselves and continue to get the word out.
- Popular dystopia that is also a shared universe
References
- ^ sarken. Pie (charts)!, published on 22 January 2010. (Accessed 4 September 2010.)
- ^ sarken. Fandom History, published on 11 February 2010. (Accessed 4 September 2010.)