Just like Charles Frith, I too have discovered an almost morbid fascination for US TV news. The laughably biased Fox News with its cerebrally challenged superstar Bill O’Reilly are essential viewing, as is O’Reilly’s nemesis Stephen Colbert (on the FX channel).
Here’s a wonderful example of Fox getting it sooo wrong when, sometime in 2006/2007, its pundits try their damndest to discredit the views of a financier who predicted the current economic crisis.
Self-important bit
I’m Victor Houghton, a, er... something or other in one of the UK’s largest advertising agencies. My job title has a comma in it, which is embarrassing. I’m the chief finder-things-outer with a splash of trends who is lucky to work with all the major functions of the agency, even though I am most closely associated with strategic planning. Everything in this blog has most probably been stolen from other, infinitely more talented people, although the opinions are most definitely my own and not those of the agency.
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Hey Victor,
I guess I see Bill O Reilly slightly differently. He’s a formidable right wing interviewer and I don’t think he’s stupid. That said he’s vicious, intellectually discredited and the only way a person can be that unpleasant and that wrong is to be a bit stupid.
So I agree now. You’ve won me over. However I think I would struggle if I had to defend my politics against O Reilly.
The reason for this is because I deconstructed Fox News by concentrating on them taking apart the token commumists (liberals) they invite on.
Every argument or premise is based on does it make money. This is what has taken the United States down. It was never about the money was it? Yet there was a time in the US just recently when the notion of allowing money to flow to loss making operations was anathema.
This is probably the most powerful nail in the coffin for conservatism/republicanism/monetarism.
I hear you, and their blatant methods just happen to be so watchable. There is something fascinating about their behaviour. On O’Reilly’s intellectual capacity, one of my favourite interviews is the one with Richard Dawkins, who calmly explains his views without rising to O’Reilly’s mockery. There really is something in that old Greek saying about empty vessels making the most noise.
The people loves it but!
Wednesday, Dec 03
November Ratings: Top Shows, Top Networks
Fox News Channel had six of the top 10 cable news shows for the month of November in Total Viewers. MSNBC had two and CNN had two. Here’s the list.
1. The O’Reilly Factor
2. Hannity & Colmes
3. On the Record with Greta Van Susteren
4. Special Report with Brit Hume
5. Countdown with Keith Olbermann
6. FOX Report with Shepard Smith
7. America’s Election HQ
8. The Rachel Maddow Show
9. Anderson Cooper 360 (@ 10pm)
10. Larry King Live
And here are the top 10 shows in A25-54 demo:
1. The O’Reilly Factor
2. Countdown with Keith Olbermann
3. Hannity & Colmes
4. Anderson Cooper 360 (@ 10pm)
5. The Rachel Maddow Show
6. On the Record with Greta Van Susteren
7. Larry King Live
8. The O’Reilly Factor (Repeat @ 11pm)
9. FOX Report with Shepard Smith
10. Anderson Cooper 360 (@ 11pm)