Keith Olbermann says goodbye to MSNBC.

Reportedly, just before Keith Olbermann went on to air his final show, his agent made a secet deal with NBC. His agent said he was underpaid $7 million per year, but knowing that the end was in sight, refused to give in to the demands. Olbermann was MSNBC’s #1 host and it was a shock to everyone to see him go.

Allegedly Comcast thought Olbermann was “a loose cannon that could not be controlled” and therefore they started looking at his exit. He is not allowed to go on the air for an undisclosed amount of time, but that does not mean the internet.

Savante finally goes South African…

Best known for his recurring role on Ugly Betty & a staple of memorable episodic primetime television and independent film roles, Stelio Savante is finally playing to type. Having already portrayed Russians (Without A Trace), Bosnian-Muslims (Law & Order SVU), Italian Americans (Law & Order Criminal Intent), Frenchmen (Suite Life On Deck), Ecuadorians (110 Stories) & a long list of American characters, Stelio is finally portraying a South African.

It took a leading guest star role as a South African villain on JJ ABRAM’s new series UNDERCOVERS on NBC. Savante’s episode titled ‘Instructions’ airs Wednesday Sept 29th at 8pm / 7 Central on NBC.

Savante couldn’t be happier: ‘I feel I’ve had to become a chameleon in order to keep working consistently & it’s certainly made me a better & more disciplined actor. But I finally got to play a South African, which brought me closer to home. And it felt great, especially when it was for a JJ ABRAMS project!’.

It’s been a busy year for the Capetonian born actor/writer/producer who lives in Los Angeles with his wife & daughter. Savante was in South Africa for seven weeks this past spring to shoot the feature film, A Million Colours. The Rhodesian policeman role originally belonged to Barry Pepper but when Pepper fell through, Savante was offered the role. Colours, a romantic epic is a South African/Canadian co-production with Michael Mosca from Equinoxe Films (distributors of My Big Fat Greek Wedding) & André Pieterse of Ma-Afrika Films who serve as the Canadian & South African producers respectively. Canadian director, Peter Bishai, also wrote the screenplay.

This past February, Savante produced (with Andrew Carlberg & Beverly Holloway) Sarah Tuft’s 110 Stories at The Geffen Playhouse as a charity performance event to raise money for The Haiti Tragedy through The Red Cross Of Los Angeles. Savante stood out (in the form of applause & ovations) in a cast that included Ed Asner, John Hawkes, Diane Venora, Katharine McPhee, Maria Conchita Alonso & several other recognizable names. Under Mark Freiburger’s direction he reprised the lead role of real life photographer Bolivar Arellano. The only original cast member from the New York Public Theater’s production of 110 Stories (which included Susan Sarandon, John Turturro & Edie Falco), Savante felt obligated to help with the Haiti tragedy & decided to bring the play to Los Angeles with the playwright’s blessings.

Feature film, Trust in Her, written by Savante & Nick Efteriades is currently being cast by John Papsidera (Dark Knight, Inception) & Savante also serves as producer (with Tracey Edmonds/Our Stories Films) & will star in the film which is being directed by Alfredo De Villa (Nothing Like The Holidays). Producing is becoming a habit for the budding actor. He is also serving as actor/producer (with Patricia Anne Isgate) on Picasso coming of age feature, Latin Quarter. Q’Orianka Kilcher, Dean Cain, & Martin Landau round out the cast.

Savante can currently be seen in feature film, What If (with Kevin Sorbo & Kristy Swanson) directed by Dallas Jenkins. The film has being playing in theatres around the country for five weeks.

His next project is the indie Since I Don’t Have You. A true story based on doo wop group, The Skyliners.

Savante’s name value in South Africa continues to grow as several of his feature films have been offered theatrical distribution in that territory but he will not be moving back anytime soon. ‘Los Angeles has been good to us, & we love it. After 15 years in New York we welcome the LA climate & lifestyle’.

Pierce Morgan Being Considered to Replace Larry King

Who will replace Larry King on the Larry King Live show? Well, there are some rumors out there that CNN is seeking permission from NBC to speak with Pierce Morgan, a judge on the hit reality show, “America’s Got Talent,” about replacing Larry King. NBC Universal CEO, Jeffrey Zucker, recently said “Piers will continue on ‘America’s Got Talent’ for the next three years,” Zucker said today on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program. “I can also tell you he has approached us about asking to do another job as well. Those conversations are continuing, and I don’t think those are mutually exclusive.”

Steve Carell to Leave Hit Show, The Office, at the End of Next Season

Steve Carell seems to confirm the rumor that he will be leaving the hit show, The Office, at the end of the the 2010-2011 season. The show, which is ranked #1 among viewers between ages 18 - 49 and seeminly the only hit show for NBC. Carell has had quite a busy movie schedule lately, which could be part of the reason for his decision to leave the sitcom. Carell told E! Online, “I just think it’s time. I want to fulfill my contract. When I first signed on, I had a contract for seven seasons, and this coming year is my seventh. I just thought it was time for my character to go.” He went on to praise the sitcom by saying, “I think it’s just a dynamic change to the show, which could be a good thing, actually.”

“Law & Order” Cancelled!

The long running show, “Law & Order” was reportedly canceled by ABC. The crime series has ran for 20 seasons and is one of the longest running shows - just behind The Simpsons. The last show will air May 24th…..But WAIT!! NBC is rumored to be considering to pick the series up. As in any true drama, we will have to wait and see.

NBC beat up over SNL spoof

Anti-domestic violence advocates beat up on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” yesterday for a skit poking fun at reports that Tiger Woods was hit with a golf club by his enraged wife, Elin Nordegren .

“There’s nothing funny about this story, particularly if violence was part of the events that took place,” said Rita Smith, president of the National Coalition for Domestic Violence . “It diminishes people’s support for victims of domestic violence.”

Woods, who has been accused of 10 extramarital affairs in the wake of a car crash outside his Florida home Thanksgiving weekend, was skewered in the skit that featured “SNL” regular Kenan Thompson, playing the golf great, and guest host Blake Lively as his angry Swedish wife.

BOSTON HERALD