GREENBERG RANTS . . .
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TRACKING THE TEARS OF A MEDIA CLOWN
Have we had just about enough of Glenn Beck yet? Really. I have forced myself to watch this guy on FOX several times now. I did that because I am a journalist, and a cultural commentator [read: 'blogger'], and I need to be up on who's saying what to whom about what. Glenn Beck is saying not much to a lot of people about nothing.
Interestingly, Beck is not the first of his kind. He is just the latest. Does the name Joe Pyne ring a bell? No, I didn't imagine it would. Pyne had a television talk show in 1960s in which he was known for insulting not only his guests, but individual audience members who could step up to the mic and comment on the topic at hand. I remember as a kid watching Pyne conduct his TV circus and being strangely drawn to the confrontational moments so common in each episode. Here's a clip that shows a typical Pyne exchange. This time he was interviewing radical student activist Jerry Rubin:
Pyne died in 1970, but it would only be a historical nanosecond before one Morton Downey, Jr., emerged, also confrontational, and more often than not, offensive. With his ever-present cigarette burning between his fingers, Downey was loud, crass and sometimes uninformed. Like Glenn Beck. One could safely assert that Downey was Rush Limbaugh's predecessor. Like Limbaugh, Downey was not a journalist, not really terribly well informed about the issues of the day and not prone to civil discourse. To give you an idea of Downey's politics, one of his favorite and oft-used phrases on his television show as "pablum-puking liberal." Here's part of an episode of Downey's show with guest Pat Buchannan:
What these media clowns had in common was a decidedly right-wing ideology, a lack of decorum and no filter between their brain cells and their speaking voice. What Beck adds to this mix is extreme narcissism. While his predecessors filled their shows with raucous audience participation and guests they could humiliate on air, Beck likes the camera all to himself.
Advertisers left in droves after Beck declared President Obama a racist. No matter. FOX chose to keep him on, because the ratings are through the roof. The ratings excel because the public at large is generally not as aggressive in its communication about major issues. There is some sort of twisted vicarious thrill a lot of people experience through a Glenn Beck. But are his chosen issues major? The other day Beck delivered a 10-minute rant about Obama's plea for citizens to volunteer their time for worthy causes. Somehow Beck found something bad in that presidential request.
When words do not seem to have the emotional largesse that Beck desires, he resorts to tears. Evidently he can cry on demand. When he cannot cry on demand, such as in a recent publicity photo shoot, the makeup people carefully oil the skin under his eyes to make him appear tearful. When words and tears do not carry the necessary emphasis, Beck interviews someone remotely with their image appearing on a large screen behind him. When the interviewee says something disagreeable to Beck, he looks into Camera 1 and mocks the person by making sarcastic faces.
I envision Glenn Beck going home after work, sitting around in sweat pants and a t-shirt, eating potato chips and onion dip and watching "The Bachelor" or something equally innocuous. In the morning, I suppose he gets up and puts on his "Glenn Beck" disguise and goes back out into the world to simply piss people off for money. Reportedly lots and lots of money. I like what Jon Stewart said of Beck: "Finally a guy who says what people who don't think are thinking." That's Glenn Beck.
So here we have a reformed drug addict and recovering alcoholic, the son of a drug addict/alcoholic divorced mother who killed herself, a college dropout who converted to Mormonism simply because his second wife-to-be said she wouldn't marry him unless he had a religion. Beck simply knows how to yell a little louder than the rest of us and how to feign passion about issues that he seems rather unclear about. And if you just can't get home in time for the late afternoon Glenn Beck show, and you don't have three hours every single day to listen to Beck on the radio, maybe you can catch him on his standup comedy tour. That's not a joke. He goes on tour and tells funny liberal people jokes. He packs them in, and they love it when he constantly repeats "us conservatives."
Beck found a schtick that works in a time that was fully ready for a mediocre right-wing stand-up comedian to appear on a news network and belittle people who do not agree with him. Nothing about him is distinctive or original – not his tendency to yell over his guests' comments, not his lack of solid research on the issues he attacks and certainly not his narcissism. At a time when the average American citizen feels his or her voice is not heard, Beck offers them a voice, even if he says things that in their hearts they know do not live up to their own moral code.
Pyne was a novelty late night guilty pleasure. Downey was a loud mouth, educated lawyer who pretended to be one with the working middle class. But Beck? Beck is a full-blown media superstar right now. So, what makes a tearful, semi-informed extremist into a bonafide superstar these days? See for yourself:
Posted by Paul A. Greenberg at 8:23 PM
Labels: Fox News, Glenn Beck, Joe Pyne, Jr., Morton Downey, Right Wing Conservatism, The Glenn Beck Show
Murr Brewster said...
I had forgotten about Joe Pyne until you reminded me. He was so horrifying in those somewhat more civil times. And yet, I find myself equally horrified by his like today. We liberals are such pussies. Wouldn't have it any other way, though.
Paul A. Greenberg said...
My fear is that BEck is becoming more the norm than the exception in cable media. Pyne was an enigma. Downey was just a ratings whore. Beck is also a ratings whore, but there are several of his ilk who actually think of themselves as journalists (such as Bill O'Reilley). So, who loses when people like these guys populate the airwaves? Everyone loses, regardless of political ideology. Thanks for reading and thanks for writing...Paul
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JUSTICE FOR ERIC GARNER
One day after it was announced that the family of Eric Garner (above) will receive a $5.9 million settlement from New York City, the family has called on city officials to charge NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo with murder. Garner, who was allegedly selling illegal cigarettes, was in the midst of a minor run-in with NY cops when Pantaleo took him down with a chokehold. The coroner ruled the death a homicide, but a Grand Jury failed to indict. Now, the family wants justice. In a news conference, Garner's mother and wife called for U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to prosecute Pantaleo. "They deserve to be prosecuted. They treated my husband like an animal," said Esaw Garner, Garner's wife. Meanwhile, just days before the settlement was revealed, Pantaleo's attorney reported the cop wants to rejoin the NYPD. "The unbelievable part is this has not soured him one bit on doing law enforcement," said attorney Stuart London. This, even as Pantaleo is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for possible civil rights violations. In fact, Pantaleo still works for NYPD, albeit in a menial paper-pushing position. Garner's case spawned nationwide demonstrations, using his last words, "I can't breathe," as the rallying call. Keep an eye on this case: With the current national climate of racial division, if the Justice Department fails to charge Pantaleo, the long hot summer may just boil over. In the following video, Pantaleo (in green t-shirt) can be seen essentially murdering Garner. Judge for yourself:
BIRTH CONTROL BONANZA!
Way back in 1961 when the birth control pill was introduced, no one could have predicted what would follow. Some call it a sexual revolution. It lasted quite a long time, really well into the 1980s, when HIV was first discovered in the population. Now, Oregon is leading the way with its own revolutionary legislation that will allow women to buy the pill over the counter. Women will be required to answer 20 questions to assess their health risks with the use of the pill. Actually, the country is loosening its grip on birth control in other ways. The state of Washington is expected to follow Oregon's lead with a similar law. For the past six years, Colorado has provided free, or low-cost intrauterine devices. More controversial, however, are certain schools in Seattle that are implanting IUD's in girls as young as sixth grade, without even consulting or informing the parents. Stay tuned, since parents are already making some angry noises about that. Meanwhile, on July 10, the Obama administration outlined firm rules for contraception coverage in employee health insurance programs. The bottom line: Most plans will now provide birth control at no cost to the insured. There are some specific compromises provided for companies that object to offering "morning after" pills, and for companies that are privately held and controlled by fewer than five people. So, are we in a second sexual revolution? Hmmm…probably not. The first one never really ended, now did it? But get this: researchers are actively working on a male birth control pill. Now THAT will likely spark a real revolution. (Click on the image above to watch a brief video on the history of birth control—Lysol…who knew)
TRUMP FATIGUE
By now, the whole world (including Mexico!) knows that NBC fired presidential hopeful Donald Trump, former host of "Celebrity Apprentice," on June 29, after he summarily labeled Mexican immigrants killers and rapists. (Way to gather up the Latino vote, Donald). That followed Univision announcing it was severing ties with The Donald, and would not air the beauty pageants he owns. NBC won't air them either. Meanwhile, a former Miss Holland, Linda Grandia is battling with Trump over her own pageant, Miss Multiverse. Trump claims Miss Multiverse violates his Miss Universe trademark, citing Grandia's use of the term "Miss," according to Page Six. As of June 29, more than 700,000 people had signed a petition urging Macy's to disconnect from Trump, whose menswear line does a fair amount of business in the stores. Meanwhile, Trump visited Chicago and in a speech at the City Club he rattled on about how negative the perception of Chicago is throughout the country, due to the high crime rate. His solution? "You've got to stop it. You're not going to stop it by being nice. You're going to stop it by being one tough son of a bitch." Quite a platform. He then spent considerable time talking about how much he admires Rod Blagojevich, the former Governor of Illinois who is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for trying to sell Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat. Very presidential, Donald. Is it just me, or are we already tired of Donald Trump? How long until he bows out of the presidential race, as we all know he ultimately will? Donald, please, please go back to your shimmering tower in the Manhattan sky and make more YouTube videos that target your "enemies." So entertaining. Please. Just go.
A POWERFUL STATEMENT FROM TYLENOL
Just as the U.S. Supreme Court was about to announce its ruling on marriage equality, and right when social issues such as surrogacy, blended families and adoption are at the forefront of the cultural conversation, Tylenol offers some perspective. In its new commercial, Tylenol makes a powerful statement about what comprises an American family. A sincere tip of my blogger's hat to the powers that be at Johnson and Johnson, the parent company that makes and distributes Tylenol, for its forward thinking message, and validation of what we already know – there are all kinds of families. And each one is as real and as loving as any other. Please watch the video below and then pass it on. Click on the image above to hear director Dustin Lance Black explain how Tylenol's "How We Family" project came to be.
BEWARE THE SANTORUM
I'm sorry to say, "Here we go again." Rick Santorum is running for President of the United States. Is there really an American who can picture Rick Santorum in the White House? About his current plan to run, Santorum told an interviewer recently, "America loves an underdog. Being underestimated has given me a lot of latitude." Ugh. Santorum reportedly has a supportive organization called Patriot Voices, which is about 150,000 strong. That's 150,000 people in a country of about 316 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau 2013 figures. So, while it is unlikely Santorum has a snowball's chance in hell of becoming the nominee, much less winning the election, we will still have to be subjected to his ongoing tirade against…well, almost everything. Remember, Santorum is the guy who actually said pornography causes brain damage, and who pledges to make it a focus issue of his campaign. Santorum is also the guy who once described contraception as "a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be." He has also compared marriage equality to polygamy; called Obama a snob for wanting all Americans to have an opportunity to go to college; curses "radical feminism" for moms not being at home, where presumably he believes they should be; likened homosexuality to "man on dog" sex. But it is Santorum's consistently exclusionary and judgmental views on socio-political and economic issues that did him in in 2012 and will likely do so again. Still, ready yourself, because Rick Santorum will be all up in your business for the next couple of years. And yes, you can surely expect to see those God-awful 1973 sweater vests in an an array of colors.
GERSHWIN ON BROADWAY!
If you are in NYC or planning to be there, do yourself a great favor and go to see An American in Paris. Gershwin labeled his creation a "rhapsodic ballet." Technically it is a "symphonic poem," which simply stated, is a composition played in one long movement, and one that tells a story through music. I can't think of a better description of An American in Paris than that…except maybe "rhapsodic ballet." Indeed a seriously Broadway-worthy troupe of dancers brings this piece to life, eight times a week at the Palace Theatre. If you have seen the movie a thousand times, as I have, it's tough to get the image of Gene Kelly, the master, out of your mind as you watch this production. But Robert Fairchild holds his own in the iconic role of Jerry Mulligan, the American soldier who falls for the elegant French girl, Lise, remarkably danced by Leanne Cope. It doesn't hurt that Cope bears an uncanny resemblance to Leslie Caron, the movie's Lise. Gershwin fits Broadway like a hand in a kid leather glove. As striking as this production is, just three years ago Gershwin's Porgy and Bess was one of the best Broadway productions I had ever seen. I now add An American in Paris to my short list. Amazingly, it was written in 1928 and now, 87 years later it still evokes universal themes. Take a minute and 46 seconds and get lost in the artistry:
STILL JAMES TAYLOR
If the words "Sweet Baby James" conjure memories of the 1970s, listen up. Our unofficial crooner laureate, James Taylor, has a new studio album of all new songs, his first in 13 years. Taylor, whose hits include "Fire and Rain," "You've Got a Friend," and "Country Road," among dozens of others, has survived and realized commercial success by staying true to his poetic and melodic roots, through the rock era, through disco, through hip hop and all the other genres of the past half century. In fact, his first recorded song was 54 years ago. At 67, this is the first time Taylor has ever had an album debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts. Even if you don't remember the cool 70s glamour of Taylor's marriage to singer Carly Simon, or his career-long rhapsodic partnership with Carole King, the new album is fully representative of the gentle-spirited storyteller at his seasoned best. Oh, and that cello you hear now and then? Yes, that's Yo Yo Ma. Listen::
WHEN ART MEETS ART
Crooner Tony Bennett, who is wise enough and musically powerful enough to get away with calling the great American songbook "classical music," has had some very cool collaborations over the years. Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, Aretha, Willy Nelson, Streisand, McCartney, Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. But now he seems to have met his tuneful match in none other than Lady Gaga. Listen, art is art. It doesn't matter that Bennett was born when Calvin Coolidge was President, and Gage entered fully 60 years later. And it doesn't matter that Bennett's style is sheer class and smooth sophistication, while nobody dares try to categorize Gaga. What matters is that they have finally found each other and nobody wins bigger than you and me in this lyrical coupling. See for yourself:
THIS WEEK'S TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION
And Now....Virtual Reality Porn
Eric Garner's family pursues criminal charges against NY cop who killed him
L.A. hires P.I. to bust Tom Selleck for water theft
9/11 first responder wins $5M lottery jackpot
Paula Deen hasn't learned her lesson
65 shot in Chicago over holiday weekend
Convicted college rapist to play football at new school
Rand Paul courting donors from the marijuana business
Grace Jones memoir gets a release date
USA now has more Spanish speakers than Spain
NBC severs business ties with Trump over Mexico comments
Monica Lewinsky gets standing ovation at Cannes
MIchael Jackson's estate now worth $2 billion
Univision cuts ties with Trump's Miss Universe pageant after Mexico comments
Poverty-stricken N. Korea unveils lavish new airport
NY Times assigns reporter to cover rich people
Supreme Court upholds Obamacare
Color-changing condom detects STDs
CA judge nixes "kill the gays" initiative
Emerson College to offer major in "Comedic Arts"
TX gay couple denied parental rights to their biological children
FORTUNE lists 100 bests workplaces for millenials
WI Governor Walker expands citizens' gun rights
FOX News fires Sarah Palin
CEOs made 300 times more than average workers in 2014
AL Governor orders Confederate flag removed from State Capitol
Meryl Streep to Congress: Bring back the Equal Rights Amendment
Study: Money does buy happiness
Netflix first commissioned documentary: Nina Simone
MASS. bill would allow pets to be buried with their owners
Paul A. Greenberg
"The Ranter"
Paul Greenberg is a journalist who has been ranting about one thing or another for decades. This blog will be populated by musings about issues, events, people and movements that are important to him...and hopefully to you.
THIS WEEK'S TALKING HEADS
"Obama doesn't want America to believe that we're exceptional," Schlafly said. "He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That's his attitude." - See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-obama-intentionally-bringing-ebola-make-america-more-africa#sthash.JpvIa7hO.dpuf
"Obama doesn't want America to believe that we're exceptional," Schlafly said. "He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That's his attitude." - See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-obama-intentionally-bringing-ebola-make-america-more-africa#sthash.JpvIa7hO.dpuf"Obama doesn't want America to believe that we're exceptional. He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too."
"Obama doesn't want America to believe that we're exceptional," Schlafly said. "He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That's his attitude." - See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-obama-intentionally-bringing-ebola-make-america-more-africa#sthash.JpvIa7hO.d
"But what if ... I mean, there are times, I'm sure, someone has, in the history of this land, used a cigarette against a police officer --maybe chucked it at him, pushed it at him." FOX network's Elisabeth Hasselback, commenting on possible reasons the arresting officer asked Sandra Bland to extinguish a cigarette she was smoking in her car when he stopped for for a traffic violation. Bland was later found dead in her cell.
"I'd love that. Because she really is somebody who knows what's happening and she's a special person, she's really a special person and I think people know that." Donald Trump, discussing the possibility of hiring Sarah Palin for a position in his administration if he is elected President of the United States.
"Donald Trump means never having to say you're sorry." CNN's Don Lemon
He's a war hero 'cause he was captured. I like people that weren't captured." Donald Trump, offering his assessment of Senator John McCain, who was shot down in a bombing mission in North Vietname, and served six years in a prison camp.
"One man traded 2 legs for the freedom of the other to trade 2 balls for 2 boobs." Director Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights") expressing his opinion about Caitlyn Jenner winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs. Berg was comparing Jenner with a disabled war veteran.
"You know there are three branches of our government: the Supreme Court and the legislative branch and you have the people. The people and their ability to vote." Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, who perhaps needs a civics lesson?
"The Confederate flag is a symbol of my heritage, and that heritage has nothing to do with racism or hate." Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, commenting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the display of the Confederate flag.
"Sometimes it can become even morally necessary, precisely when it comes to subtracting the weaker spouse, or small children, from more serious wounds caused by intimidation and violence, humiliation and exploitation." Pope Francis, on divorce.
"These people sat in there and waited their turn to be shot. That's just sad. Somebody in there with a means of self-defense could've stopped this." South Carolina state Rep. Bill Chumley (R), apparently advocating for increased access to guns inside of the state's churches.
"We're not cured of it. And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say nigger in public. That's not the measure of whether racism still exists or not." President Obama, in a recent, controversial podcast.
"You know, the great thing about the state of Iowa is, I'm pretty sure you all define gun control the same way we do in Texas -- hitting what you aim at." Presidential candidate Ted Cruz, speaking at an Iowa town hall, three days after the Charleston shootings.
"Just like niggers, Jews are always thinking about the fact that they are Jewish. The other issue is that they network. If we could somehow turn every Jew blue for 24 hours, I think there would be a mass awakening, because people would be able to see plainly what is going on." Alleged mass murder Dylan Roof, in the "manifesto" that was uncovered after the Charleston shootings.
So Many Sites...So Little Time
Cindy Adams - NY Post
City Paper -WashingtonD.C.
Current....
Dag's House
Daily Intel
FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
Gambit - New Orleans
Lucianne.com
Macleans.ca
Maureen Dowd
Mediaite
National Geographic Daily News
Newser.com
Opinion Journal
PopURLS
Pro Publica -Journalism in the Public Interest
Showbiz 411
The Daily Dish - Andrew Sullivan
The Fox Nation
The Lens - Investigating New Orleans
WowoWow.com
Stuff Worth Paying Attention To...
"A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey
"All Over But The Shoutin' by Rick Bragg
"Barack the House!"
"Empire State of Mind" Jay-Z/Alicia Keys
"Quiet Please, There's a Lady on the Stage," sung by Hugh Jackman
"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion
Adele Sings "Make You Feel My Love"
Alicia Keys Sings "Empire State of Mind, Part II"
Alicia Keys Sings "If I Ain't Got You"
Andrea Bocelli Sings "The Prayer"
Barack Obama Victory Speech - November 4, 2008
Common performs a spoken word piece at the White House
Corinne Bailey Ray Sings "Like a Star"
Cyndi Lauper Sings "I'll Be Your River"
Elton John and Leon Russell sing "Hey Ahab"
Elton John sings "Levon," live at Radio City Music Hall with full orchestra and chorus
Filipino Inmates Dance to "Thriller"
John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address
John Legend Sings "Ordinary People"
Live Coverage of 9-11 Attack
Martin Luther King - "I Have a Dream"
Maya Angelou explains the "Power of Words"
Pink Sings "So What"
Raul Esperanza sings "Being Alive"
Shopping mall flash mob sings "Hallelujah Chorus"
Varla Jean Merman sings "The Wiener Song"
WDSU-TV Coverage of Hurricane Katrina
Walter Cronkite Announces JFK Assasination
Walter Cronkite Reports on MLK Assasination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMLdtEmufAQ
k d Lang sings "Hallelujah"
And Now, the Non-News: SEX IN THE WORKPLACE
LET THE CROWD ROAR
The Day The Justice Put Love Asunder
IT IS TIME TO STOP MICHAEL VICK
SEX SCANDAL UPDATE