Bill O’Reilly launched a strikingly hostile “Talking Points Memo” attack against Michael Jackson this evening on The O’Reilly Factor. Announcing he was “fed up with the adulation” and “phony platitudes” of the Jackson memorial service, he labeled the sentiments expressed by the participants as “pathetic in the extreme.”
O’Reilly criticizes Jackson for “spending millions of dollars on himself while singing ‘We Are The World.’” Huh? Would O’Reilly say the same thing about other wealthy singers who performed on the original 1985 recording, such as Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan or Paul Simon? I doubt it. What happened to O’Reilly the ardent capitalist? Aren’t we supposed to make and spend as much money as we want in America, and is charity work also “pathetic”?
Did you note that O’Reilly also ridicules CBS’ Katie Couric for interviewing Kenneth Babyface Edmonds? He called their talk “surreal” because… well, as far as I can figure, for no reason other than to sneer at the producer-writer’s nickname, Babyface. Bill O’Reilly thinks it’s “bizarre” for a network anchor to interview an expert on Michael Jackson’s music: Why? He probably could have used an expert on Jackson’s music in his own studio this particular evening.
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mmm…could it be racism? I’m not one to jump at saying that, but he makes no sense. It’s one thing to think the 10-day coverage has been tiresome, but REALLY, O’Reilly…
who cares what bill o’reilly says? Nobody listens to him except old republicans, i honestly expect stuff like this from him, he is just an idiot.
mmm…could it be racism? I’m not one to jump at saying that, but he makes no sense. It’s one thing to think the 10-day coverage has been tiresome, but REALLY, O’Reilly…
As much as alot of Bill may be true… coming out of his mouth makes him a hypocrite. Seriously, should he be the one preaching about media control. Give me a break
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/07/07/tv-tonight-wednesday-july-8th-2009/
O’reilly just jumped on the hate bandwagon because he wasnt getting enough press. He is a moron and should be taken off the air, buried with all of the other fox news anchors. What an insensitive idiot.
You are so right. He better shot himself if he became this hateful on other person’s succes. He shoul at least show some respect as I don’t remember Michael to ever say bad things about the others even if they were more succesfull than he was but instead tried to do his best.Leave poor Michael alone! What a racist, what a hater, what a jerk…
Its not racism, its just ignorance on his part. He doesnt understand that everyone is legitimately sad about michael dying because he was such a great entertainer. Hes that stupid. Just ignore O’Reilly, his show is meant for the small minded and ignorant.
Bill’s right on.
How could he spend Money on himself singing WE ARE THE WORLD when hes the most charitable Celeberty Ever? i always laugh at bill when still he s trying to get publicity hatin on black people
I get sick of all these reactionary white people accusing Jackson of being a self-hating black man. As if they have any understanding of what it’s like growing up black or Jackson’s cultural importance for black America. I know there are plenty of black people who feel uncomfortable with Jackson’s transformation over the years, but that’s for them to articulate. It is not O’Reilly’s place to tell black activists that they’re not allowed to feel any allegiance to Jackson. That kind of sneering and condescension does border on racist, whether he wants to admit it or not. I have to say this is the first time I’ve watched one of O’Reilly’s talking points. He really is loathsome, isn’t he?
isn’t it funny how most of the people who make comments like mr. o’reilly are those so called conservative middle aged white men??? funny how they all think alike! they do not comprehend what contributions that this man actually made to the music industry. its sad that people actually think that way still in the usa but i won’t be watching this man’s show anymore. Everytime there is something like this, the country is divided along racial lines all over again.
O’reilly = hypocrite
Particularly ridiculous is his claim that the coverage is pathetic because lots of people who have no insider knowledge of Jackson’s trial still believe he is guilty of a crime he was acquitted of. I expect that from the odd ignorant comment-section-trawler. From a major news reporter its despicable.
While I think the adulation is over the top and the media has gone crazy, Bill, as usual, just needs to shut up. He is consistently getting worked up and loud about the WRONG things. He should not criticize anyone else’s spending/charity ratio unless he’s willing to publish his own, and he’d better be careful talking about spreadig the wealth around, or he’ll get labeled a (gasp!) socialist.
But don’t worry, Bill. When your time is up, no one will line up with platitudes or adulation, phony or otherwise. Trust me.
In fact, to make sure it’s fair and balanced, we’ll all also remember your own lovely foray into the legal world, with your own settled sexual harrassment case.
I actually agree with O’Reilly which is weird coming from someone who can’t stand the man. I think he was spot on when he was talking about the phony platitudes. They act like Jackson was a hero but he wasn’t. He was just a man who entertained many. It’s fine if you want to honour him but do not make him out to be something he wasn’t.
Has O’Reilly never heard a eulogy before? Eulogies are often over the top or at the very least, a reminder of the goodness of people (we tend to do enough remembering of the bad while they’re alive).
O’Reilly just gave me another reason to dislike him.
Regardless of whether he’s right or wrong, O’Reilley is an idiot and a hypocrit of the highest order, and should be ignored at all costs.
Hypocrite? Is that the biggest word you people know? The man is right and there is no hypocrisy in that. A month ago no one had anything to do with MJ, now everyone is a fan. Convenient. My children are safe now, MJ was the hypocrite with his philanthropic grandstanding.
O’Reilly would not have a show if there was no antagonism to be manufactured from current events, so the fact that’s he’s fed up about something shouldn’t mean $#@! to anyone who was a fan of this entertainer. I find it funny that he sits there and wonders aloud that he doesn’t understand things (like why blacks idolized Jackson), rather than, you know, bothering to find out. Again, if he did, there’d be no television show.
Please do not give this man any more publicity.
Mitch – “my children are safe”?
The only real danger to your children is the ignorance and inequity the FoxNewses of the world continue to deepen in this country with that type of attitude.
AUGH.
O’Reilly is nothing more than an ignorant, hate mongering jerk who is obviously unfamiliar with love, adulation, respect, kindness, genius, and talent. How very sad and pathetic.
Wow, Bill. Mr. Sexual Harrassment who paid off the woman, YOU are talking about “inappropriate behavior”???
I COULD NOT AGREE MORE WITH BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My thoughts exactly.
I COULD NOT AGREE MORE WITH BILL!!!!!!!! My thoughts exactly.
Wow, I can’t believe I am going to say what I am. I have never had respect for Bill O’Reill, however, I coudln’t agree with hime more on the given subject. A few weeks back, was there anyone who had anything nice to say about him save Elizabeth Taylor. I really don’t understand why people choose to glorify people who were their own demise. Look at Heath Ledger, Kurt Cobain and many others. Sure they possess amazing gifts but what did they really do to contribute to humanity? I am sorry, writing a song “we are the world” does not make you a saviour. You can’t just talk a talk, but one needs to walk the walk. Actions have always spoken louder than words. Well said Bill. This is probably the only time I will every agree with him………
Was that enough for you?
The list was much longer so I had to cut it.
I guess I can understand why Bill insists on being so hateful, I would be pissed too if the network that I work for forced me to cover the story that tens of millions of people around the world have wanted to see for 2 weeks, which has tanked his ratings from the coverage the other networks are giving.
Michael Jackson is the most famous person on the planet…and statistics are proving it.
Shows how many believe the media garbage after all.
God Bless You Michael.
Bill makes perfect sense, regardless of whether he is in fact a hypocrite. He acknowledged that MJ was an “all-star” entertainer, but one who made strange and questionable decisions that are far from heroic. The praise witnessed by millions at MJ’s service was excessive and dangerous. Young children and adolescents learned a valuable lesson by witnessing the media’s sudden change of heart in regards to Michael Jackson. They learned that you can bleach your skin white and still be lauded as a man who made the election of Barack Obama possible. You can spend millions of dollars on a place called Neverland, an act of spending that will be more recognized during your life than any charity work, and you can be labeled a philanthropist after your death. You can do all this and more, as long as you are famous.
He’s just mad that someone is getting more attention than he is. Pathetic bag of turds and crisco.
Simply put:
O’reilly = R A C I S T
At this point, there is NO denying that. He already went as far as to have a special “icons edition” of his show that featured NO black performers days after Michael’s passing. Now this. I am glad to see that sad, bigoted, sexist, losers like O’reilly are becoming jokes now. MJ was “selfish”, but has the world record as the most charitable entertainer EVER? O’reilly’s vile hatred of ANYTHING positive and black is getting a little out of hand. First it was Obama, which was at least within his realm given he is a political figure, now Michael Jackson? Really? And was he this disgusted by Elvis’s or John Lennon’s final coverage? If O’reilly is “fed up” he can change the channel. The rest of us are going to say goodbye to the KING OF POP. F___ a hater!
If you are a popular figure in your community, state, nation, whatever the case — when you die you will most likely have the type of hype and turnout at your memorial that you let yourself be exposed to while alive. MJ was a very well known celeb – so, of course this whole event was going to be as big as he was. Who the heck is Bill?lol Jealous or what? Seems like his ratings need a boost — therefore he picks a touchy subject that he knows for sure will bring his name into play “talk” wise – and this is a sick way to do it. Everyone is entitled to turn the dial on their remote if they are tired of what’s on the tv station – and they don’t have to read the extra news updates on the sidelines of their fav websites. So Bill was only right with saying one thing in a nutshell – if you like it you like it – if you don’t you don’t – so, if you don’t then move on and shut up lol. Don’t abuse others misfortunes for attention, laughs or in this case ratings. Grow some morals – moron.
My mother always told me to never speak ill of the dead. There are always gonna be ignorant people-like Bill O’Reilly-who feel the need to ruin a moment to celebrate a man who lived an amazing life and was father to 3 children….regardless of what went on in the past 15-20 years of MJ’s life, that in no way eclipses what his music meant to me and the entire world. How can someone one say those things about another person? He was someone’s father, son, brother, uncle. Bill O’Reilly is a damn douchebag