Keith Olbermann loves Lawrence, sets him free: We watch, because we’re paid to

He’s baaaaaaack! Keith Olbermann returned from a two-week vacation on Monday. Meanwhile, MSNBC announced that his substitute host Lawrence O’Donnell’s own show, “The Last Word,” will debut Sept. 27 at 10 p.m. Olbermann’s little bird is flying from the nest to build his own! Now there will be two shoddily constructed, little-watched nests trying to avoid being eaten by Fox. This won’t end well.

Let’s not think about that now, though. The point is, our Keith is back. I missed you, Keith! (Not true.) America missed you! (Really not true: Ratings for “Countdown” in July were the lowest they’ve been since April 2008.) TV wasn’t the same without you! (Technically true.)

Let’s take a look at his first week back at “Countdown.”

MONDAY, AUGUST 2: Tonight’s episode had it all: Righteous anger! Incorrect facts! Lady Gaga!

During the “Tweet of the Day” segment, Olbermann read an eloquent tweet from someone named Dceltic123. “How in the hell did FOX NEWS get the seat held by Helen Thomas did the WHITE HOUSE JUST OVERLOOK NPR. BAD MOVE.”

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Olbermann said he was using the tweet because it “helps us clear up a popular misconception.” Good move, because there are actually three distinct errors in that little tweet! Alas, Olbermann only found one of them.

“Actually, the White House doesn’t have a say in that decision,” he corrected, correctly. “The White House Correspondents Association made the bad move and took away valuable time from the association‘s real purpose: holding an annual banquet.”

Har har. And true, so far as it goes. Too bad the whole premise is wrong, too. In fact, the AP will take Helen Thomas’s seat, and Fox will move up in to the front-row seat formerly occupied by the AP. NPR, rather than being “overlooked,” will also move forward, into the second row. But that’s not as fun as a massive right-wing conspiracy driven by, um, the Obama White House.