newsmakers

November 9, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

newsmakers

Olbermann apologizes for donation ‘drama’

NEW YORK

Keith Olbermann apologized to his fans — but not NBC News — on Monday for the “unnecessary drama” surrounding his two-day suspension for making political donations.

The “Countdown” host complained that he was being punished for mistakenly violating an inconsistently applied rule that he had known nothing about. He said he learned he was being suspended from the media after being assured that form of discipline wouldn’t be taken.

Olbermann was suspended without pay Friday by his bosses at MSNBC, a suspension they announced two days later would be lifted. He’s due to return to work today.

The left-leaning cable network’s most popular personality acknowledged donating $2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords. NBC News prohibits its employees from making political donations unless an exception is granted in advance by the network news president.

Denver Broncos QB working on memoir

NEW YORK

Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is working on an inspirational memoir. Tebow is collaborating with Nathan Whitaker on “Through My Eyes,” scheduled to come out in April. HarperCollins announced the book Monday.

The former University of Florida quarterback was drafted this year in the first round by the Denver Broncos.

Jackson’s children recall pop-star father

CHICAGO

Michael Jackson’s two oldest children say they’re adjusting well to private school while their younger brother is still home-schooled. Prince, Paris and Blanket have been living with grandparents Joe and Katherine Jackson since their pop-singer father’s fatal anesthetic overdose in June 2009. They appeared on Monday’s episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and talked about their famous father.

In the pretaped interview, 13-year-old Prince says he and his father often walked the beach early in the morning with Coca-Cola and candy. Twelve-year-old Paris says her father took her to the art museum and was “the best cook ever.” Prince says he wants to produce and direct movies someday. Paris says she wants to be an actress.