Steven P. BarrettTIME FOR A GOOD LAUGH BREAK: Bill O'Reilly Creates A Full Parody Zone For NBC
August 30th 2008 18:07
By Steven Barrett
NBC has a little "objectivity problem." At least according to Fox's Bill O'Reilly and columnist Peggy Noonan concerning the way the network's news department had been seen as -- shall I put it this way -- sucking up to Obama.
Now, people of good will might say my opinions in favor of McCain/Palin's ticket looks like a "suck up job" of my own. Well, since I'm not waiting for Straight Talker or Sarah Barracuda to be tap me to be either of their official press secretaries next January or even land a job with the Voice of America, readers here don't have to worry about my pretensions of trying to be both "objective" and sucking up.
Networks that cover the White House are very covetous of their working spaces (to say the least, and from what I seen on a special report prepared and given by David Gregory, who's 6'6") that's a pretty legitimate concern. "Air time" with the President or Vice President's kind of important, too. It does wonders for ratings, not to mention salaries when negotiation time comes around.
O'Reilly, however, no slouch when it comes to dropping objectivity for ratings, became a little alarmed while watching NBCs performance at the Democrats' convention in Denver. Take it with tongue in cheek and remember that while O'Reilly has a point that sometimes even the best reporters and networks go overboard in their attempts to curry favor (out of fear of being shut out -- a killer punishment!) -- this is a very funny column.
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NBC has a little "objectivity problem." At least according to Fox's Bill O'Reilly and columnist Peggy Noonan concerning the way the network's news department had been seen as -- shall I put it this way -- sucking up to Obama.
Now, people of good will might say my opinions in favor of McCain/Palin's ticket looks like a "suck up job" of my own. Well, since I'm not waiting for Straight Talker or Sarah Barracuda to be tap me to be either of their official press secretaries next January or even land a job with the Voice of America, readers here don't have to worry about my pretensions of trying to be both "objective" and sucking up.
Networks that cover the White House are very covetous of their working spaces (to say the least, and from what I seen on a special report prepared and given by David Gregory, who's 6'6") that's a pretty legitimate concern. "Air time" with the President or Vice President's kind of important, too. It does wonders for ratings, not to mention salaries when negotiation time comes around.
Press Heaven: White House Press Office
West Wing office layout map. Courtesy of the Washington Post
Guess what, NBC and all the other networks and hundreds of credentialed press outlets are staffed by human beings. Stop the presses. Human beings cover the White House!West Wing office layout map. Courtesy of the Washington Post
O'Reilly, however, no slouch when it comes to dropping objectivity for ratings, became a little alarmed while watching NBCs performance at the Democrats' convention in Denver. Take it with tongue in cheek and remember that while O'Reilly has a point that sometimes even the best reporters and networks go overboard in their attempts to curry favor (out of fear of being shut out -- a killer punishment!) -- this is a very funny column.
Really Long Link
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Comment by Shout Politics
Comment by Steven Barrett's OpEd Blog
As for O'Reilly, I'm very familiar with him and have watched him when he worked up in Boston. To his credit, he was one of the few major Boston area reporters who gave the western half a fair shake and shot of coverage.
As for O'Reilly's ideological slant -- there's NO mistaking that and I agree with you that he's not always fair and unbalanced. But let's be fair, balanced and honest: reporters are humans and as hard as they try, there are going to be moments when a personal conviction will wind up in the stories they file. I was a reporter/eidtor/columnist so I know all the sins. Sure enough I've committed more than a few on more than a few occasions.
But at least we're probably having more fun laughing than Joe Scarborough, Keith Olberman or Chris Matthews who are probably wondering what happened last week. Olberman, however, seems to be the most unnecessarily aggressive. One thing to make a point; it's another thing to embarrass a colleague on national television and to interrupt him to that "point."
Who needs soaps! (Who needs so much polka, too!)
Comment by Shout Politics
Man, I agree with you about Olberman.... I'd rather watch O'Reilly then that jackass. (Not saying that O'Reilly isn't a bit of a jackass himself sometimes)
I grew up in western Pennsylvania so I definately hear you on the Polka issue.
On a side note its been fun arguing with you today, be it about O'Reilly or abortion, get some sleep and we'll do it again tomorrow : )
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
O'Reilly can be really funny, huh, Steven? That was eerily comical... NBC is already creeping close to what O'Reilly was kidding about....