ESPN is in the business of covering athletic competition, right? What could be more spellbinding than waiting to see whether Olbermann declares some jock the “worst person in the world” or, even better, grabs a baseball bat in some confrontation with the bosses?

I’m being facetious, of course. But I miss the guy, even though there have been times when he has thrown brushback pitches at me. But I’m going to rise above that, for the greater good of television.

The thing about ubertalented people is that they’re often difficult to manage. Olbermann is a great broadcaster, but sometimes he lets his anger get the best of him. He makes life very difficult for his bosses. The question, as always, is whether he’s worth it. …

Olbermann’s problems tend to unfold off the field, not in front of the camera, though he’s occasionally apologized for going too far.