Bill O’Reilly On Glenn Beck: “It Takes The Heat Off Me”

by Steve Krakauer | 9:22 am, March 19th, 2010

» 12 comments

Is Bill O’Reilly softening as others on Fox News go more partisan or attack stronger?

It’s a case made today by the Los Angeles Times‘ Matea Gold, who talked to the longtime cable news ratings leader about his role at the network – and Glenn Beck.

The subhead asks, “In a time of political turmoil, can the Fox News commentator be seen as a moderate?”

O’Reilly’s executive producer, Amy Sohnen, isn’t so convinced. “Some of the conversations are still heated, but you may not see the vein explode anymore,” she said.

O’Reilly had a lot to say about Beck (who also weighed in on the 8pmET host).

“More power to him, man,” said O’Reilly, casually propping his foot up against the edge of his desk. “It takes the heat off me. I tell him, ‘Be as crazy as you want.’ ”

“I like Beck; I understand exactly what he’s doing,” he added. “He genuinely feels the country is in bad shape. I think guys like that deserve a voice.”

And Beck had this to say: “I realized I’m just a human meat shield for the guy. He’s all of a sudden the senior statesman,” adding O’Reilly “has been so gracious.”

The kinder, gentler O’Reilly may be a bit of an exaggeration. The FNC host still has his targets – Tom Hanks, we’re looking at you – and he frequently cuts down the left-wing mainstream media. But Mediaite’s Managing Editor Colby Hall noted the softer approach to political interviews just yesterday – and it’s why he suggested Pres. Obama should enter the No-Spin Zone back in September.

Still viewers of his FNC program may not have seen the moderate voice as frequently as those who saw him popping up on ABC or The Daily Show, where he plays more to the center. The shift may be that center-leaning O’Reilly shows up more on Fox News as well.

The recent column by Howard Kurtz about potential FNC infighting over Beck came up, with O’Reilly clearly showing where he stands. “What am I supposed to do, hate Glenn Beck because he’s successful?” he asked. “That’s what they do in Hollywood. I’m a New Yorker.”

One other interesting aside by Gold indicated some at FNC did have problems with something Beck did – but something O’Reilly did as well. “Network executives weren’t thrilled, reportedly concerned that it promoted the two personalities rather than Fox News,” wrote Gold of the “Bold And Fresh Tour” the duo went on together. So while Beck provides the cover, O’Reilly can appear more moderate while retaining the best ratings on all of cable news. It’s a strategy that works for all sides.

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Bill O'Reilly, fnc, fox news, Glenn Beck, Los Angeles Times, The O'Reilly Factor

valkyrie101

I agree, I think O’Reilly realizes that Beck is way over the top and he is trying to establish his own credibility as more moderate and fair.
MichelleF

That’s just Bill, and he’s always been like that. Bill tries to play it down the middle, and Beck will tell you straight up what he thinks and feels. Personally, I watch Bill every night, but that style has always bothered me because he sometimes won’t ask the hard questions. Sometimes you have to interview like Baeir to get to the bottom of things.
writer

Don’t be delusional, Bill. The left hates anyone who doesn’t agree with them 100% of the time.
m

>Bill tries to play it down the middle

Pretends…not tries.

>The left hates anyone who doesn’t agree with them 100% of the time.

Why has Bill O’Reilly gone after Tom Hanks then the past couple of weeks? O’Reilly chases after everyone that isn’t a conservative.
writer

Considering the viciousness of Imperial Japan in the treatment of anyone coming under their rule (Nanking, China for example) Bill thought playing the race card was a gross oversimplification of why we viewed the Japanese as we did.
The Real Royal King

When Americans entered the War, few, very few, knew what was happening in Nanking. Our entry into the war was all about Pearl Harbor. And, our propaganda machine did an excellent job of stirring up the latent and not so latent racism in America. That didn’t work as well with the Nazis because of a largely shared ethnicity and culture. Only a fool believes that much of our domestic and international policy has been greatly affected by racism and continues to be. Now, I know that you have long suffered the stining whip of oppression and the bitter yoke of discrimination as a White Christian male in Amerika, but you can’t effectively use that to free yourself of historical reality.
writer

“Only a fool believes that much of our domestic and international policy has been greatly affected by racism and continues to be.” Your quote. I agree. I realize, (White) Royal, that you never miss an opportunity to slam the U.S., even when compared to Imperial Japan. But do you really think that word wasn’t getting out of how the Japanese were subjugating those they had conquered? And doesn’t the fact that they attacked us and the Germans didn’t have anything to do with some extra animosity thrown their way? Your continued spelling of America with a ‘k’ shows everyone here where you’re coming from. Only your fellow far lefties agree with your snide derision of our country. If America is as evil as you’re always insinuating in your posts, no one is forcing you to stay.
MichelleF

Why has Bill O’Reilly gone after Tom Hanks then the past couple of weeks? O’Reilly chases after everyone that isn’t a conservative.

M, IF you listened to Bill you would know that it’s not that he leans left, he that he makes ridiculous comments and then won’t let anyone question him on there, same with Sean Penn. If you’re gonna say something, be prepared to back it up like a man.
autobahn

Regarding the earlier post, where TRRK is again knocking this country: I understand that France has national health care, and doesn’t have the racial baggage attached to the U.S. Spring is coming and I’ve heard it’s beautiful over there this time of year. Instead of chasing writer all over this site, I think his time would be better spent contacting travel agents. Despite all our faults, we still allow travel to France, and one way tickets can be found for a reasonable price. Why stay in a place that makes you so miserable, when a near utopia is waiting?
AikidoJoe

Use be right TRRK Amerika is the the most racist cuntry on the planet. All dem white folks dont no what it be like to be black here in Amerika. Only peepz like u and me no what that be like. Cuz only uz black folks are discrimenated against. it completely impossible for a white man to be discriminated agenst and even if thay are thay are owed it
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