Before embarking on his latest diatribe - this time trumpeting the dubious claims of racial slurs at Sunday’s anti-Obamacare Tea Party in DC - the stalker took to his blog over at the Daily Kos. What was most interesting wasn’t the usual nonsense about hate-mongering Republicans (Yes, he even told someone to resign again - this time Rep. Devin Nunes), but the way described his return to television:

So tonight I felt compelled to come in off my grief leave, just for the night, to address these recidivist Republicans in a Special Comment.

Grief leave? That’s right, an alleged major television personality has taken oodles of time off during an important news cycle as part of “grief leave.” Has anyone ever heard of grief leave? Almost any company will give you a couple days when a parent dies, but this guy has hardly worked! It only fuels rumors that this guy is once again about to implode.

We’ve already told you that many inside NBC were growing concerned about Keith’s behavior, but they really don’t have anything to worry about in light of recent ratings news.

It seems that Larry, acting as a sub-host, has been averaging ratings than the normal Countdown boy. Just take a look at last week:

• Olbermann hosted for one day (3/18). His Nielson rating was .8 with approximately 746,000 households tuning in.

• Larry averaged a .9 with 794,000 households.

What’s more, Larry had to compete with ratings juggernauts American Idol, House, and Survivor on his nights.

So, everyone at NBC can exhale. When Keith finally cracks up, Larry can step in and not miss a beat! And will Keith be back tonight?…anyone’s guess.