Big Dog O'Reilly

         

  By Florida Bill 

                                 Like millions of others, I spend a lot of time in front of the television set listening to newscasters and reporters. Some are "rip and read" experts and others kind of wing it with their astute takes on news developments--locally, nationally and at every other spot on Planet Earth.  They are the pundits and, yes, they have all the answers. 

                                 I virtually never tune into the network news reports, electing for the most part to listen to cable programs such as Fox News with Bill O'Reilly, and on occasion to hear CNN and the German born, deep- thinking Wolf Blitzer. 

                                 The bearded Blitzer waxes serious over political problems, with a decided liberal bend, but it is the Big Dog, who knows a pinhead when he sees or hears one, whom I find most interesting. The 66-year-old O'Reilly  has been around TV stations as a reporter and commentator for more than three decades, and he has developed a wide-screen ego which has few equals in the media.  His crisp shirts and perfectly angled cravats fit nicely into what he has pronounced as his "no spin" zone show, broadcast in prime time, five days a week. 

                                  "The O'Reilly Factor" leads all competitors in popularity and viewership.  And O'Reilly, by now a multi-  millionaire as a television host and personality, is the author of more than a dozen books, many of them best sellers including a series of tomes dealing with the "killings" of Lincoln, Kennedy Reagan and Jesus. Reportedly, he is generous to charitable causes, and occasionally, with some humility,  makes mention in his dialogue of the good deeds and donations he is responsible for. 

                          But I have my own take of him as an interviewer.  He stinks, plain and simple, because so-called interviewees are rarely interviewed; they are merely pawns to give O'Reilly a chance to sound off and if he has to talk over them, he will. He is a bulldog, who seems to never have heard of shutting up and listening and then responding.  In truth, I like much of what he says, but his style and constant efforts at self-aggrandizement are over the top. 
                               O'Reilly opens his nightly show with his "Talking Points," which may last several minutes or more. With emotion, he comments on the news of the day, the political horizon, and on whatever may be dominating the headlines. Often times, he denounces Obama for his ineptitude and decisions which are leading the nation onto chaos and bankruptcy.  I think that his analyses  are generally pretty good, often delivered with fierce emotion. And the show moves into different segments with guests who, by and large, feed into his enormous ego.  

                                "How did I do?" or "What say you?" asks O'Reilly of guests, concerning his editorial comments. Often his guests are women on opposite sides of the political landscape; other times they are contributors who are employed by Fox News, as is O'Reilly. 
                                Generally, there is some nit picking of what he has commented upon, but overall he is congratulated for his sharp dissecting of the problems of the day. It seems pretty obvious that the guests, who seem pleased to be recognized on television, are restrained in finding real fault with O'Reilly's opinions, and the segment ends with the host getting a pat on the back.  Any really tough and unexpected slam at O'Reilly, which is rare, but does happen, probably has the effect of excluding that person from future invitations to appear on the "Factor."                                                                                    Occasionally there is a guest who wants to take off the gloves and duke it out with the egotistical host.  O'Reilly engages his guest with a question designed to reduce him to ashes, and then interrupts the guest as he is sputtering along, and then supplies the appropriate answer.  If the guest insists on contradicting O'Reilly, he is again interrupted and eventually just gives up in frustration.  I have to say, O'Reilly is a master in exerting control.  Asking the question and then interrupting to provide the answer is a technique usually seen in court with defense lawyers asking leading questions.  In the middle of such heated conversations, O'Reilly typically interrupts yet again to say, "You can have the last word."   But the guest better be super quick or he is cut off.  Often he is just too rattled to say anything worthwhile, or make a dent in anything O'Reilly has said. O'Reilly then thanks the guest for a "lively debate."  The Big Dog generally appears satisfied that he has prevailed in any difference of opinion with a guest and later on in the show or in  future "Factors," O'Reilly reminds his audience of the interview and how he did a good job and smoked out the truth.                                         Donald Trump has been a frequent guest on the "Factor."  Of late, O''Reilly is trying to get Trump to explain how and when he will begin acting presidential in his role as the Republican nominee. Very important, counsels O'Reilly, as there are a lot of citizens sitting on the fence or rooting for Hillary Clinton. Trump seems to like O'Reilly and takes his criticism with good nature. However, he  pretty much ignores his political advice and simply reiterates that he will "Make America Great Again."  But in the scramble, it's pretty clear O'Reilly will be voting for Trump over Hillary Clinton. 

                              Among frequent guests is Kimberly Guilfoyle, an attorney and Fox News contributor and a regular on the Fox News show, "Five."  She is on hand to provide a legal analysis to some current question in the news. She is pleasant,  but certainly not particularly insightful;  she is very attractive, as are all the female pundits on The Factor, but presumably they are all there because of their legal backgrounds.  Apparently there are no unattractive experts in the Fox universe. Nonetheless, they are all given short shrift when they disagree with O'Reilly.
                              Others brought on as pundits are liberal Democrats  Geraldo Rivera and Juan Williams.  They opine about the good things which Democrats have achieved, but if they get carried away on the extraordinary skill of President Obama, O'Reilly takes over as spin master and brings that discussion to a halt.  In this case, the host has the last word.
                               I have only noticed one guest whom O'Reilly never tries to bully.  That guest is Dr. Charles Krauthammer a widely known and respected newspaper columnist, and a Fox News contributor with a distinct conservative viewpoint. When Krauthammer is invited to give his opinion on O'Reilly talking points, or on his interview with a high profile personality, Krauthammer calls it as he sees it.   "Any holes in what I have said?" O'Reilly might ask. Krauthammer, trained and licensed as a psychiatrist,  before becoming a journalist and commentator, is direct in his answer.  "Holes? Yes there were plenty of them in your remarks," he might answer thoughtfully. And then the doctor  enumerates O'Reilly's errors in his logic and conclusions.  With courtesy, he may even suggest that O'Reilly rethink his editorial.  O'Reilly may not agree, but Dr. Krauthammer has O'Reilly's respect, and is not one to be forcefully muted by the Big Dog. 

                            O'Reilly is conservative in his political positions, yet he maintains that he is independent and down the middle.  At one time, he was a registered Republican, but currently is a member of an organization of independents in New York. He actively tries to bring on high profile Democrats as his guests, but most, like Hillary Clinton, have refused, disinterested in the "no spin" zone where O'Reilly does all the spinning.   President Obama has been a guest and was given a first-hand introduction to the O'Reilly way of asking questions, and I doubt that he will be back. Some Republicans like Senate president, Mitch McConnell, have been elusive in making "Factor" appearances.

                            O'Reilly informs his viewers that he is a Catholic and hails from New York, and is proud of his Irish heritage.   He was married, but is now divorced, and is the father of two children whose custody he sought in court proceedings, but was denied.  
                            At the close of the hour-long "Factor" which is taped in  late afternoons, viewer letters are displayed on the screen, and it is interesting and fun as O'Reilly responds with wit and charm.  Writers are sometimes critical of some aspect of his interviews or of his comments, but for sure he never acknowledges any shortcoming in his statements or behavior. Usually, the scrivener is advised that his criticism is unwarranted and wide of the mark.  Letters  praising O'Reilly are plentiful and in these cases, O'Reilly always thanks the writer for the complimentary words.  

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