Bill O’Reilly had barely lowered himself into the Late Show chair before David Letterman said, "I think of you as a goon," and it just got more prickly from there. Asking The O’Reilly Factor host to run down his resume, which ended with his ascension to the Fox News Channel, Letterman said, "When you say ‘working your way up,’ does that really apply to Fox?"
Letterman’s been dropping the usual I’m-just-a-goofball-host charade and engaging in more contentious exchanges with political-minded guests of late. Last night, the host persued a line of questioning that boiled down to, "You’re too smart to believe what you say." O’Reilly, of course, did not agree. He didn’t defend former President Bush when Letterman said, "To me, the United States government was essentially closed for eight years," or former Vice President Cheney when Letterman referred to the latter as "the venal one." O’Reilly said he was a bit put out that Cheney had never come on The Factor for an interview; beyond that, he refused, as he does on his own show, to be a defender of the Republican party, portraying himself as being above the partisan fray.
Kidding O’Reilly about his announced boycott of Sean Penn movies because of the actor’s leftist political beliefs, Letterman said impishly, "It’s gonna be on your conscience when you put him out of work."
Having drilled away at O’Reilly for three segments, Dave said genially, "Okay, I think we’re done here. I’d like to see you back here in six months for a cleaning." Both men seemed happy with the services they’d rendered.
Did you watch? Who do you think came off better, or was it a tussle ending in a draw?
No. Bill is just that stupid to believe what he says.
I watched last night’s exchange and was shocked. Letterman went into the interview looking for a fight. But then, this is why I love Letterman. You’d never see Leno go after a guest like that. And I’m not talking about partisanship. Dave knows how to construct a meaningful interview, even if it has to be confrontational to get there. Leno is nothing but handshakes and platitudes.
As much as I don’t agree with O’Reilly… this is more to do with Dave reacting to what the Daily Show has been doing (ie. Stewart vs. Cramer). He has seen how his show is getting more crowded in the late night wars (Leno for the “safe crowd” at 10, Kimmel at Midnight for the cult comedy crowd, soon Conan for the post college 30-somethings at 11:30, and Stewart for your faux-news and now the “champion of the people”…. Each one of the late night host has in some way or fashion a part of what Dave was at his prime (who is still one of the best, but you have to admit has lost some of the luster over the years).
To me it just seems more of a copycat move to the Cramer incident and not as good (the only way to top Stewart was if it was Dave vs Rush)
I thought Bill stood up for himself pretty well. He made some very good points which Letterman just brushed aside with a snide remark or two (plus it helps that Letterman has the home crowd). I think O’Reilly get a bad rap. I’ve watched his show (which certainly does lean right) but they always have an opposing point of view. They news on “the Factor” is definitely more fair and balanced than anything on MSNBC.
Based on the article setup I thought this was going to be a Dave-rips-into-Bill deal. But what I saw was two masters of their craft. Bill nailed him pretty good on the Limbaugh rant, but Dave handled it well.
I am not a big fan of Bill O’Riley, but I think David is the bigger goon. He is an elitist, just like the Obama that he supports. I stopped watching Letterman sometime ago due the constant attacks on Bush and conservatives, but watched last night because I knew he would take this opportunity to bash conservative republicans. He spent more time trying to attack Rush Limbaugh than O’Riley. Why dosen’t he have Limbaugh on to attack Rush. Again, Letterman is an elitist bafoon. He is too stupid to believe what he says. Moron.
No, he didn’t (“nail him pretty good”). Dave just dropped the darn ball. Usually, he’s better on his feet, but he went flatfooted at that moment with that wimpy “whatever” rejoinder.
The OBVIOUS respond to Bill was exactly what Bill had said only moments before: for the same reason Republican politicians have to apologize to Rush (because he’s on the air 15 hours per week to a good-sized audience), that’s why Democrats see fit to vilify the man and even to drive folks to listen to his show. Extreme misrepresentation, exaggeration and falsehood have a wonderful, wonderful way of speaking for themselves (to rational people). Nothing like it to rally the base (LOL!).
Bill as always ate Dave’s lunch. When it comes politics Dave vs Oreilly is a bad mismatch. If the only thing you can come up with is your a goon. I rest my case
Bill as always ate Dave’s lunch. When it comes politics Dave vs Oreilly is a bad mismatch. If the only thing you can come up with is your a goon. I rest my case
Bill as always ate Dave’s lunch. When it comes politics Dave vs Oreilly is a bad mismatch. If the only thing you can come up with is your a goon. I rest my case
Dave had O’reilly on at least twice before the Stewart/Cramer fracas. I can’t wait until Billo whines tonight about going on Letterman only to get attacked by the mean elitist host.
I love how the paper tiger liberals that Fox parades around gives them an excuse to call themselves “fair and balanced.”
There is no doubt, Stewart did the “Attack” interview, joking discussion better.
At least Dave went in and tried to up Bill…and that is what matters when we discuss anyone at Fox.
They all need a good spanking.
great, now its become a political argument. let me settle this. republicans=morons. done. winner!!!!
You’re right Peter, this is pointless. Let’s talk about how dreamy Robert Pattinson is.