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Choose: Olbermann or O'Reilly

by Adam Finley, posted Oct 13th 2006 12:02PM

dogsOkay, the title of this post is meant as a joke; you don't really have to choose between Keith Olbermann or Bill O'Reilly. Frequent visitors to TV Squad have probably noticed, however, that the mere mention of either of those names always results in a lot of spirited debate among readers. How is it these two men wield such power over us lowly terrestrial beings? I don't know, but I offer this question to our loyal and always opinionated readers: which of these men do you prefer to watch, and why? Or, is there someone else you like to watch besides these two men?

I think a lot of folks believe people choose either Olbermann or O'Reilly because they want someone to echo their own political views back to them, but I don't believe that's always the case. Speaking for myself, because I'm the only one I can speak for, I've watched both The O'Reilly Factor and Countdown not to have my own views vindicated, but because I find them entertaining. I certainly don't watch them to get my news, because they're not news programs, they're news analysis programs, editorials about current events. Several years ago I discovered The O'Reilly Factor and always got a kick out of Bill's bombastic approach. Over time, I grew tired of him and felt he had become overbearing and childish. Only in the last several months have I watched Olbermann and Countdown, and while I find Keith to be very funny and witty, that isn't to say I like everything about him. Sometimes I think he over-dramatizes things, and I find it odd he never seems to have guests on his program with a dissenting viewpoint. The truth is, neither Billy Boy or Keithy Koo completely encapsulate my own personal politics, but that doesn't matter. I'd rather be entertained by someone whose views sometimes differ than mine, than bored to tears by someone simply repeating what I already feel.

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TBDave

I liked Countdown and watched it on a semi-regular basis. It was an enjoyable light-hearted news program. But a few months ago it turned into a completely different show. Now it's filled with hateful, angry ranting and raving. I miss the old Countdown. But even if the show was toned down, I doubt I'd go back to watching. Olbermann no longer seems to be a likable person.

October 16 2006 at 5:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chillspike

O'Reilly is for outdated, father-ALWAYS-knows-best, authoritarians obsessed with their own aging influence.

He claims to be a debater but he really is just about arranging public scoldings for ratings.

Olberman is destroying O'Reilly in the integrity department.

October 14 2006 at 8:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jaymez

Bill's funny, mainly because he claims to be independant when he's a far right loon. Sure, I lean right, too, just not that far. Occassionally disagreeing with your party doesn't make you independant, it just means you have a *little* common sense.

I never found Keith entertaining.

October 14 2006 at 5:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Macey

Oh please. Even Olbermann admits he has a HUGE ego. Dan Patrick kids him CONSTANTLY about how self-involved he is. And that is a major turn off for me. It doesn't mean I'm about to go watch O'Reilly because I'm not but I'm no longer quite as amused by Olbermann as I used to be and I no longer watch his show as a result. I dislike Fox as much as the next lib, but do I have to see them voted WPITW every single night? And how many anti-O'Reilly rants can he really do? Sorry the show has become incredibly boring to me in the past four or five months. It's just jumped the shark for me.

October 13 2006 at 7:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RAB

People have every right to like or dislike the guy as they choose...but to describe Keith Olbermann as a "blowhard with an inflated sense of self-importance" is totally off the mark. It only comes off sounding as if someone who disagrees with his views has just pulled out a stock insult from the cliche pile and thrown it at Keith without consideration for what those words mean and whether they have anything to do with the target.

Olbermann is in reality just a guy with a goofy sense of humor -- frequently deploying references to obscure Monty Python sketches and gags from South Park and Family Guy -- and he often turns that sense of the absurd on himself. He's been straight with the viewers when he makes a mistake, and doesn't hesitate to make fun of himself. That said, he's pretty angry about the way things have been going in this country. When he goes off on one of his blistering tirades, it's honest anger: he isn't putting on show of being deeply offended and huffy over nonexistent slights just to play to his audience's prejudices.

Bottom line: Olbermann has been devastatingly critical of Bush. Some folks don't like that, so they decide they don't like him. Their privilege. But then they take any and every criticism that's been directed at Bill O'Reilly (who is deeply dishonest and insincere) and respond to same with "I know you are, but what am I?"

October 13 2006 at 6:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Adam Rakunas

Keith. Just because it'll piss off O'Reilly and the rest of the concern trolls who show up whenever Olbermann's name is mentioned.

October 13 2006 at 6:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
a reader writes

I seldom miss Keith. Posters are correct that his show is more analysis than news; however, Countdown is one cable show that reinforces *my* biases rather than those of the other side--and that's why I watch. I also agree that the Bill-O attacks get tiresome, but it's good to see somebody standing up to the Faux mis-information machine. If there's a place on cable news for O'Liely, there's certainly plenty of room for K.O.

October 13 2006 at 5:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eligio Rosa

I dont have to choose since staring November my cable company is cancelling Fox News and chaging it with BBC World. You know a REAL news network.

October 13 2006 at 2:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sam

I choose neither. They're both sanctimonious, self-promoting blowhards with an inflated sense of self-importance. They both ought to be body-slammed back to reality. Seriously, for all the grief people gave Crossfire, is either show really that much of an improvement?

October 13 2006 at 2:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrew

I used to love Olbermann. I thought his show was great cause it didn't take it self too seriously and he poked fun at just about everyone. As of late he's become just about as obsessive about some right-wing conspiracy as O'Reilly is about one on the left. They both suck if you ask me. As does most cable "news". All they are is beholden to their own agendas and deny it every time they're called on it. I prefer to get my new locally and get the rest of my fill from the internet, and talk radio. It seems the less money you make the more objective reporter or journalist you have to be.

October 13 2006 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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