Marc Lamont Hill To Bill O’Reilly: You Get Good Ratings “Because You’re So Dastardly Good-Looking”

video

by Hillary Busis | 9:12 am, November 10th, 2010

» 18 comments

Since you must be scratching your heads right now, let’s put that headline in context.

Earlier this week, Columbia professor (and former Fox News commentator) Marc Lamont Hill made a bold statement: that New Jersey governor Chris Christie is “too fat to be [elected] president.” Last night, Bill O’Reilly had Hill on his show so that the two of them could debate the merits of Hill’s contentious statement.

Hill’s point wasn’t that he thought an overweight person might be unsuited to be president. Instead, he argued that the American people are too shallow to elect someone they perceive as unattractive. “We wouldn’t elect someone in a wheelchair now either,” he told O’Reilly before noting that empirical studies have shown that taller, more attractive candidates tend to be ushered into office.

O’Reilly countered by saying, “By those measures, I would be President of the United States. I’m 6’4″, and look at me.” Rather than laugh at the host’s (ironic?) hubris, Hill agreed with his basic premise: “You think you could have a top-rated cable news show if you weren’t so dastardly good looking?” he asked. O’Reilly, in turn, called Hill a “midget,” which the diminutive professor took in stride.

Their exchange was lively, entertaining, and surprisingly respectful. It also raises an interesting question: are Americans really as image-conscious as Hill says we are, or is O’Reilly right to profess that we care more about policies than appearance?

Seeing 2012 From My Window

Hold the phone, Hill’s a liberal and was on Fox? Now that doesn’t compute with what you libs say about FOX.
paulmdoro

Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
Hold the phone, Hill’s a liberal and was on Fox? Now that doesn’t compute with what you libs say about FOX.

Erick Erickson is regularly on CNN. That doesn’t compute with what “you conservs” say about CNN.
Seeing 2012 From My Window

Now Paul, I never said CNN doesn’t have Conservatives on. Now, you’re back to doing what we talked about yesterday. Have you not had your coffee yet?
VoiceofReason

Racist assclown Doctor of Hip Hop says “too fat”……………….
paulmdoro

Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
Now Paul, I never said CNN doesn’t have Conservatives on. Now, you’re back to doing what we talked about yesterday. Have you not had your coffee yet?

I never said FOX doesn’t have liberals on.
Seeing 2012 From My Window

Touche Paul, I was talking to all the other libs that comment here. Consider yourself exempt.
paulmdoro

Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
Touche Paul, I was talking to all the other libs that comment here. Consider yourself exempt.

OK. Good to know.
Obeezy

As much as i cant stand Mr. Hill… Hes right t an extent…Look who we have as president now..An American Idol, Slick talking, descent looking stringbean.
tgk

“surprisingly respectful”

How many times do authors have to use this description of O’Reilly / Liberal conversations before they won’t be “surprising” anymore? Especially with Hill and O’Reilly. Their debates are always lively, spirited, and respectful.
ChrisNH

Marc Lamont Hill is clearly onto something here when he equates O’Reilly’s good ratings with his ‘dastardly’ good looks. At least now we have a clear reason for Rachel MadCow’s ratings, relatively speaking. Elite Liberal media people like Marc Lamont Hill…they just continue to amaze.
lane

I used to mock O’Reilly until I watched it. He’s got the ego the size of a country, but his guests are always bright, diverse in thought, and it’s the most engaging hour on cable news TV. Prof. Hill is a rising star.

Prof. Hill is one of the best guests on O’Reilly. These are the types of liberal commentators you need. Engaging, energetic, super-bright and friendly. Ironic the ones I see are usually on Fox….
skyfet

I bet he is! keep stroking his back.
Seeing 2012 From My Window

Lane says:

He’s got the ego the size of a country

SO true, Lane. The difference though between him and someone like Olbermann, is he has the ratings to back up his ego.
http://www.facebook.com/people/ronke-a/509394975 ronke a

I love Marc Lamont and O’Reilly. Intelligent and humorous discussions from both sides of the aisle without animosity. Plus you can tell they are friends.
http://www.facebook.com/people/ronke-a/509394975 ronke a

“Their exchange was lively, entertaining, and surprisingly respectful.”

Hillary, you should watch O’Reilly more often. Then you won’t use the word “surprisingly.” That is all.
disenlightened

lane said:
I used to mock O’Reilly until I watched it. He’s got the ego the size of a country, but his guests are always bright, diverse in thought, and it’s the most engaging hour on cable news TV. Prof. Hill is a rising star.

Prof. Hill is one of the best guests on O’Reilly. These are the types of liberal commentators you need. Engaging, energetic, super-bright and friendly. Ironic the ones I see are usually on Fox….

Hill is just another racist race hustler like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton before him. He simply has a larger vocabulary and talks faster, but the same garbage flows from his mouth. He believes the white man is at fault for everything and he COMPLETELY supports reparations for slavery. Is that intelligent?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Helen-Nordo/100000884291530 Helen Nordo

Why am I not surprised at the comments that this self proclaimed Columbia “Professor” makes. He graduated Columbia like one his gang banger friends did..sure..he is so revolting, how did he get his own talk show..oh, that’s right..he learned to talk…and that name “Marc Lamont Hill”, c’mon what novel did he pick that up from. He can’t speak a full sentence without licking his lips..or haven’t you noticed..his mouth is as wide as Chris Christie’s torso (sorry Chris); however, Chris is a man with intelligence & does not have to berate someone to get laughs…the only reason Marcy boy makes these snide remarks is..because he’s afraid his “man” might not get reelected in 2 years. I mean, Marc is so cool & sophisticated that he has the audacity to put down a man of high intelligence like Christy and look..I didn’t go for that ” pandering” to Bill O’Reilly, actually I wonder why Bill puts him on the show…is it for laughs? I don’t find it funny, I think it’s embarrassing and, actually, he makes black people look uneducated..a good speaker doesn’t have to lick his lips every few seconds if he had complete confidence in his remarks..somehow he slipped by..just like Obama and is now rolling in the dough using his phony University degree (they lower the grades for minorities, don’t they?.).oh, look Marc if you can make fun at fat people, old people, people in wheelchairs, etc. then I feel free to poke fun at something you did not earn….your education..punk!
Nahu Tuk

Coming from the appearance challenged Lamont Hill, it might seem true, but Bill O’Reilly proves you don’t have to be handsome to succeed.