Keith Obermann

Keith Olbermann and MSNBC have ended their contract. The last episode of "Countdown" aired January 21, 2011.

MSNBC's most popular personality and single-handedly led its transformation to an outspoken, left-leaning cable news network in prime time.

Before leaving the show with a final signature toss of his script toward the camera on Friday, he thanked his audience for sticking with him, he read a Thurber short story, this one titled "Scottie Who Knew Too Much" published in 1940.

He said he was grateful to the network that he was given time to sign off, noting that when he left ESPN in the 1990s, he was given 30 seconds — cut in half at the last minute to get in tennis results.

The story's final line: "It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all of the answers."

"MSNBC thanked Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and wished him well in his future endeavors," the network said.