Dipping a Toe into FOX News, It Hasn't Changed

FOX "News" has pretty much been banished in my household by the Other Half. I can get away with FOX "News" Sunday--since that is on regular FOX TV, I usually zip through it on DVR, and frequently turn it off before it even ends--but the likes of Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly are effectively banned.

Not that I ever liked them, oh no. I considered it opposition research; basically just a way to keep tabs on what the wacky Right Wing World is up to. Occasionally, when the Other Half is away, I'll sneak in a show, just to see what they're saying. Friday's experiment consisted of part of On the Record with Greta Van Whatsername and The O'Reilly Factor. On Greta's show, things were exactly as I remembered them: Greta running exceedingly rightward-canted segments, interviewing heavily-skewed rightward-canted panels, and short of a few leading questions, staying somewhat above the fray. I suspect that she's in it for the dough. But I was not hit with anything I wasn't expecting.

The Factor was a different story. Bill-O was away this week, so there was a blonde lady in his chair, and oh, what an unpleasant woman! The picture you see here is what she looked like through almost all of the episode, either a scowl-frown or a snarly smile. I'm wondering, "who is this woman?" Most of the blonde foxbots are a little more pleasant, even if they're basically chewing over the same material! And though O'Reilly's motto of "The No-Spin Zone" has always been as laughable as "Fair & Balanced," it would be a bald-faced lie, applied to this lady.

Monica Crowley is her name, I found out later. Virtually the entire show was about SCANDALS! Specifically, President Obama's second term scandals, such as they are. They're still peddling Benghazi, still harping on each of the scandal-ettes that have cropped up since, and hammering them home. To be fair, so was Greta, and based on the advertising on both shows, so is the rest of the network. Apparently, all the time. There was some push-back from the token "liberal" guests, but they were summarily dismissed, and the thick layer of contempt was practically visible. While I found Greta's show to be a bit groan-worthy, I found Crowley's version of The O'Reilly Factor to be so over-the-top, it was practically parody.

And while the Democrat the article below highlights was perhaps not the best defender the President could have had, I have to ask, who was he? Dick Harpootlian? Who? Yet, I'm sure he's held up as balance. Harrumph. Sure, this experiment was not on one of the FOX "News" hard news programs, but one of the opinion ones. I've found little difference in my sampling over the years. I can say this, I can't imagine--even if my sympathies were with conservatives--that I could enjoy watching this stuff all the time. It's no wonder tea baggers are always so frothing mad about something.

[Excerpt]
 
Monica Crowley Slams Dem. Activist: Obama Can’t Face Press Because That ‘Only Works If You’re Not Guilty’




O’Reilly Factor guest-host Monica Crowley fought with former South Carolina Democratic Chairman Dick Harpootlian Friday night over whether the mess of scandals around the Obama administration is destroying the president’s credibility or merely distracting the right from policy. . .

Read more at: Mediaite

Bill O'Reilly Appears on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Last week, Jon Stewart appeared on The O'Reilly Factor, and this week, Bill O'Reilly returned the favor. It's not as good with O'Reilly in the hot seat, because Stewart still has to do all the heavy lifting. But the follow-up was great.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Bill O'Reilly
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Rally to Restore Sanity

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Bill O'Reilly Post-Interview Analysis
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Rally to Restore Sanity

Bill O'Reilly and Porn. . .

Vaguely creepy image from
source, Raw Story

Ex. . .excuse me. . .(blugh!). . .while I go wash out my mind's eye with bleach. . . I'll leave you with a topic: Bill O'Reilly's first big show was called Inside Edition. Discuss. . .

[Excerpt]

Young Bill O’Reilly’s early work foreshadowed ‘obsession with porn’

Digging through their archives after being tipped off by a blog post, a Massachusetts newspaper has unearthed decades-old writings by Fox News editorial personality Bill O'Reilly that appears to reinforce what one online magazine called a professional "fixation" on the world of adult films. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Stewart vs. O'Reilly: What You Didn't See on FOX "News"

EDITOR'S NOTE: I am aware that the blog has been top-heavy with MSNBC and Comedy Central clips (and videos in general) of late. Sorry about that. It is a shortcut and it has to do with having been very busy the last few days. But trust me, this is all good stuff!

One criticism of Countdown with Keith Olbermann has always been that he does not feature guests who "disagree" with him. This is demonstrably not true. I'm a viewer, and have often seen Keith's guests answer his questions to the contrary. But as the host says in the clip below, he features mostly reporters, and they don't generally argue with him, though they often disagree.

A counterpoint to this argument is that FOX "News" does feature guests from the left on its mostly right-wing shows, hence the motto "fair and balanced." Wrong again, as the scale is always weighted to the right. As it was on The O'Reilly Factor last week when the interview subject was The Daily Show's Jon Stewart. See, the MSNBC shows are generally aired live. I think even most FOX shows are. But Bill O'Reilly's show is taped and edited. The interview with Stewart did contain many inflammatory accusations of FOX and O'Reilly, aired on FOX "News." But the choicest bits were cut out. To O'Reilly's credit, the cut out bits are available online. But it does show a little cowardice to cut them out of the broadcast. And what better way to see all of this, than with Keith Olbermann commenting? Awesome.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

More Jon Stewart on The O'Reilly Factor

The interview continues into day two. Love Jon Stewart, can't stand Bill O'Reilly. These interviews amplified both sentiments.

Jon Stewart on The O'Reilly Factor

More of Comedy Central making the news. . .well, if you think The O'Reilly Factor on FOX "News" is news.

Paul Krugman Calls Out Roger Ailes to His Face on This Week

That Roger Ailes even tries to put up a modest defense of FOX "News" is amazing to me. I'm really surprised he cares. He hit upon a formula that works and pays big dividends (even if it did lose big bucks for years before it caught on). It's not a news network, and Krugman is correct, its watchers are not properly informed.

On a side note, I noticed that The Las Vegas Review-Journal's TV supplement highlights news programs in orange. Curiously, while Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Glenn Beck, Hannity and The Rachel Maddow Show are not highlighted, The O'Reilly Factor is. What the hell is that about?

Bill O'Reilly: Atheists Jealous of Christmas?

This is the "No Spin Zone?" Really?!? Phooey. I'm an agnostic-bordering-on atheist, and I love Christmas. It's fun, it's family, it's a great season. Still, I see nothing wrong with atheists showing a little visibility, and certainly don't see anything wrong with the ad being discussed by the FOXbots below. This is just a furtherance of the bogus FOX "News" War on Christmas meme, and is nothing more than a bone to throw to their audience. Still, if you want to see a gaggle of idiots discussing this faux outrage, have at it.

5 Funniest Glenn Beck Parodies

Every once in a while, you're bound to look at a pop culture fad or celebrity and shake your head, wondering, "what does everybody see here that I'm not getting?" Whether it's the never-ending trend for boys to wear their pants BELOW their ass cheeks (seriously, it looks good on NO ONE), or the surging popularity of batshit crazy pundits. Mark Levin on the radio is one of them. His whiny voice and nasty disposition (unless you're in 100% agreement with him) makes his show almost unlistenable. And on TV, we have a similar problem, an unwatchable show that has paradoxically become a cable-news hit.

I've tried watching Glenn Beck a couple of times. It's not like Hannity, where a nakedly partisan (and arguably dim) host steers every topic and every segment into a anti-Democratic, pro-Republican viewpoint. It's not The O'Reilly Factor, with a pompous, blustery wind bag. No, Beck is his own special breed of. . .well, something. He's paranoid. He's emotional. He cries. He's showy. He has that peculiar George W. Bush affliction, where he can smile or make a goofy face when talking about something serious. He plays "six degrees of separation" with any subject, and can tie it to a radical Marxist/socialist/communist/"Democrat" super-secret agenda. His show feels like a classroom, and his students feel like a cult leader's congregation. Nutty, nutty, nutty. The only weirder/worse show on FOX "News" is Huckabee.

[Excerpt]

The 5 Funniest Glenn Beck Parodies Of All Time



It's hard to mock Glenn Beck. He's sort of become a caricature of himself, leaving little room for others to inject more humor into the situation. But brave men have tried and these five succeeded. Enjoy!

Read more (with more video) at: Huffington Post

More Rachel, More ACORN. . .

Sorry for the lack of new posts, but it is going to be a regular thing for about a week. We had friends over for a big soiree, and are embarking on a nearly week-long vacation, so posting will be much lighter than usual until about October 5th.

In the mean time, BOY, I wish more people watched The Rachel Maddow Show. See, here's the difference between right-wing punditry and left-wing punditry. Rachel tells the truth. And if she gets something wrong, she owns up to it. You want a no-spin zone? Well, TRMS may not be that 100%, but it's a damn sight closer than The O'Reilly Factor.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Bill O'Reilly Says "Senator Al Franken"; Head Doesn't Explode

Damn, I was hoping for a Scanners moment. Bill O'Reilly actually said Al Franken's name, which may not be a first, but it is rare. And he unleashes a stream of invective at the new Senator, but in an oddly matter-of-fact tone of voice. It is--probably by necessity--a very short segment. I'd imagine it was a mighty effort for Bill not to get all splotchy, and to keep from spraying spittle like Sylvester the Cat. But we know he's just dying inside.



And, especially for Mr. O'Reilly. . .

CNN's Rick Sanchez OWNS FOX's Bill O'Reilly

I don't watch CNN much, and have watched Rick Sanchez even less. But this bit proving Bill O'Reilly--the FOX "News" blowhard--hopelessly wrong is priceless.

Ed Schultz's The ED Show Debuts on MSNBC

Cable news seems to program primarily for the east coast. I can tell whenever they give their schedule, or it is talked about in the press. For instance, Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The O'Reilly Factor are supposedly on during prime time, even though they come on at 5:00 pm in my time zone.

Oh, well. Anyway, liberal talker Ed Schultz started his new program on MSNBC today, much too early for me to watch live. And since I already watch Olbermann along with The Rachel Maddow Show most nights, three hours would be too much in any event. Still, I was curious to see how it went. If you are too, let's watch it together. . .

Bill O'Reilly, Stalker by Proxy

"Ambush"-style reporting can really work on shows like 20/20 or 60 Minutes. But when done by opinion shows like The O'Reilly Factor, the sheen of "journalism" is gone, and in its place? Something akin to stalking, or "stalkerazzi." And Bill O'Reilly's goon of choice--Jesse Waters--comes off as in incompetant nerd. How does this show get such high ratings?

Bill O'Reilly, Megyn Kelly on Atheists vs. Christians

By now, I'm sure you've read about the case of the atheist sign put up alongside the Nativity scene. Its wording may have been a touch over the top, but every bit as valid a viewpoint as anybody else's. FOX "News" star, Bill O'Reilly is having none of it though.

The big splotchy bully brought in Megyn Kelly to argue the legal merits of the case. . .and then the fireworks started. Usually, O'Reilly steers his guests into agreement, or he talks over them and then effectively declares himself the winner. In this case, he gets his loofahed butt handed to him. For all I know, Kelly is just a douchey as O'Reilly in other contexts; I honestly have no idea. But here, she comes of very, very well. Bill? Not so much.

FOX "News" or Think Progress Responsible for Doctored Photo?

I posted a piece linked to Think Progress a few posts ago, regarding a photoshop job on The O'Reilly Factor. Shortly after that, at Johnny Dollar's Place, a "FOX Fan" site, Johnny claimed that it was Think Progress itself who was guilty of photo manipulation.

What is the real story? Hard to say. I dabbled in video editing way back before it was mainstream, so I don't know. Could different screen grabs from different equipment make both screen grabs genuine? Maybe. To me, it looks like the one on JDP is still manipulated, stretched vertically, washed out. The one from TP looks even more stretched, and darker. Deliberate trickery? By either, both or neither? Hell if I know.

So here are the images, I report you decide. Heh.

Think Progress's screen grab vs. real image of Jeff Zucker:


Think Progress' screen grab:



Johnny Dollar's screen grab:

Barack Obama to Appear on O'Reilly Factor

Image from BlackLiberalFiles

A lot of the decisions made by Presidential candidates are criticized. And I'm not so rabidly partisan that I'm above calling Barack Obama on a blunder. But going on FOX "News" for any reason, particularly on The O'Reilly Factor is a huge mistake. There is no possible way he'd get a fair shake on any show, least of all Bill O'Reilly's.

FOX "News" has proven itself to be little more than a propaganda arm for the Republican Party. They've done little but pump up John McCain (well, since he got the nomination, anyway) and tear down Obama on almost all of their shows, and not just the strictly commentary ones either. Bad move, Mr. Obama. Well, at least he didn't pick either of Sean Hannity's shows.

[Excerpt]

Obama to Appear on Fox on Thursday Night

Before Senator John McCain delivers his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, Senator Barack Obama will make a marquee appearance of his own.

Call it counter-intuitive. He will appear on “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News Channel. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Bully Bill: Send O'Reilly Back to School!

Here's a great video clip from Brave New Films. Did you know that there is a book called The O'Reilly Factor for Kids? I can't imagine many kids would want to read it--I mean, how many Alex P. Keatons are there out there? But it likely has sold very well, since oldsters (O'Reilly's biggest audience) probably bought it to give to their grandkids to "straighten them out."

Poor kids. Anyway, this clip shows why Bill O'Reilly should not be giving advice to kids. Or anyone, really.

FOX "News" Poll Asks Loaded Questions

Image from source, TPM

That is perhaps one of the least shocking headlines I've ever written. Of course FOX "News" would ask leading questions in their polls. To not do so would be completely out of character for a channel that lays its political agenda out there for the world to see.

Still, many people--almost universally conservatives--will maintain that FOX isn't biased. They buy into the "Fair and Balanced" slogan, just like they buy into anything the hosts of the programs tell them.

I remember back in the late nineties, a time when most people were blissfully unaware that The O'Reilly Factor, and Hannity & Colmes even existed, a drive in Las Vegas to get Prime Cable to carry FOX "News." The drive was headed by local right-wing talk radio host Alan Stock. Stock and his listeners cajoled Prime (now Cox) into slotting the network alongside CNN and CNN Headline News. MSNBC was there too, I believe, but to this day it exists many numbers up the dial, for unknown reasons.

So why, if FOX is unbiased, are such campaigns waged by conservatives? Enquiring liberal minds want to know. . .

[Excerpt]

Fox News Poll: Do You Have A Neighbor Who Says Obama "Scares Them"?

Hmmm. It looks like Fox News is asking some rather loaded questions in its latest poll:

Have you heard any of your friends and neighbors say there is something about Barack Obama that scares them?

Yes 49%
No 50%

Read more at: TPM

Bill O'Reilly's Homophobia About Mayonnaise

This is a couple of days old, but you may have missed it like I did. At issue is a Heinz Mayonnaise commercial (from Britain), that has a family viewing the Mom/Wife as a New York Delicatessen man. Any fool can see that. Any "gay" content is merely part of the (I believe, good natured) joke.

Bill O'Reilly--like many Conservatives--sees just about anything remotely gay as a threat, and on a recent episode of The O'Reilly Factor on FOX "News", rants like a fool about it. He's an idiot. And for once, his panelists call him on it.

The O'Reilly clip:



And the original ad: