Phil Donohue vs Bill O’Reilly
August 4th, 2007 by Ed
I’d never heard of the freakshow that is Bill O’Reilly until I sat, open-mouthed one evening a few months back in front of the documentary film Outfoxed about the Fox News network. Then just this evening I found out about Phil Donahue’s sacking via another YouTube clip where Amy Goodman (from Democracy Now!) has a go at some MSNBC anchor about Donahue’s sacking, over his anti-war stance etc. Old news in the States I’m sure, but I’d not picked up on it at the time being all the way over here across The Pond. ANYWAY, Donahue eventually ends up on O’Reilly’s show on Fox and gives as good as he gets. After watching Outfoxed and seeing O’Reilly bully his way through a load of interviews it’s really great to see him being given a pasting by Donahue.
Posted in General |
August 9th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
To be honest, that’s pretty mild for O’Reilly, mainly because he’s dealing with someone more articulate and as media-savvy as Phil Donahue. You should see him when he lays into ‘ordinary’ people who are a bit nervous being in front of the cameras and aren’t quite so used to having to argue in support of their opinions quite so aggressively. And O’Reilly isn’t necessarily the worst on there - look for some Hannity and Colmes, or for real hatred against everything that isn’t Republican check out some Rush Limbaugh.
It’s not all bad news though - the stuff about Fox News you see on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report is wonderful, and I’d really urge you to look around for some clips of Real Time with Bill Maher - a great topical comedy/panel show that’s on HBO so is pretty much uncensored. Also check out the David Cross live albums that were released on SubPop - without doubt my favourite American comedian.
August 9th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Andy, I was kind of hoping you might comment…you being a Brit abroad and all. I’ve seen O’Reilly at his worst (”Shut UP!” etc.) laying into normal people. The reason I posted this was because he got as good as he gave.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll be following them up. Have heard of Mr Colbert, but I think that Bill Maher is new to me as is David Cross. Ta.
Hope you’re well BTW.
August 9th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
All is well here, and congratulations, btw…
There is a lot of Bill Maher available on YouTube, and his HBO show is one of the few American shows we watch every week without fail when it’s on. He’s a very good comedian in his own right, but his mix of guests makes for a really entertaining and thought provoking discussion. His new stand-up special was shown the other night and started with a routine about ‘Why is it that the people who say the US is the best country in the world the loudest are always the people who’ve never been to another STATE, let alone another country?’
David Cross is an amazing stand-up, and his albums are well worth checking out. Bizarre that they’re on SubPop too! His double album ‘Shut Up, You Fucking Baby’ is wonderful, and his political material is mixed with a lot of post 9/11 material, being recorded shortly after that event. If you have any trouble finding it then let me know and I’ll get it to you. My favourite David Cross line: “When you hear people congratulate President Bush and speak out about what a great President he’s been, haven’t you noticed that they always sound like they’re talking about someone who came 4th in the 400m at the Special Olympics?”
August 9th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
If that doesn’t work, watch the clip at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcz_NHAFGS0