Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
What do you think about Bill O'Reilly?
I ask because voters apparently love him.
According to a new poll of likely voters out by Politico/George Washington University, in a ranking of media personalities, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh were the top three favorites, coming in at first, second, and third respectively "as having the greatest positive impact on the political debate in the country." Note: this was a poll of likely voters, not of likely Republican voters.
Fox’s opinionated personalities were also rated as having the greatest positive impact on the political debate in the country. Bill O’Reilly was rated as having, by far, the greatest positive impact, with 49 percent of respondents rating him positively, and 32 percent negatively.
Glenn Beck was the second most-positively rated personality, with 38 percent of respondents saying he had a positive impact, and 32 percent saying he had a negative impact.
Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was the third-most-positively ranked, with 36 percent saying he has a positive impact on the discourse, but his negatives far outweighed his positives, with 52 percent saying he has a negative impact.
But poor Rachel Maddow--no one apparently has heard of her, or of her compatriots over at MSNBC, like Keith Olbermann and Ed Schultz!
MSNBC’s personalities were largely ranked as unknown by respondents: 70 percent said they had never heard of Ed Schultz, 55 percent said they had never heard of Rachel Maddow and 42 percent said they had never heard of Keith Olbermann.
What do you think--does the Politico poll have it right? Does O'Reilly deserve the number one spot?
- Comment (18)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments :
Aug '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
The numbers don't lie, these guys have pulled millions into the debate, millions away from the likes of whoever is running the old evening news gang, and then they stay and listen to other shows on Fox.
If the people only knew who was behind this, Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch would be the poll winners, but then those guys aren't the telegenic ones, but the ones with the money they're minting in the process.
I'm pretty sure that Schulz and Maddow and Olbermann give 40% of their wages to the very small union they had to form, 20% to the insurance group, 30% to their publicists, 25% for pension rehabilitation, and 20% to pay off those student loans they took at Harvard, or wherever they matriculated.
As for O'Reilly deserving it, considering it's just a nod, why not ? It's the Nielsens that set his wage. I think we ought to focus on why Ari Emanuel is his agent !
Jun '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
"Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was the third-most-positively ranked, with 36 percent saying he has a positive impact on the discourse, but his negatives far outweighed his positives, with 52 percent saying he has a negative impact."
Interesting that the question in the poll doesn't ask the respondent whether they listened/watched any of the radio or televison talkers:
"Thinking now about some of the people who provide opinion and commentary about politics and elections…
I am going to read you a list of some of these people. For each one, please tell me if you think this person has a positive impact or a negative impact on political debate in this country. If you do not recognize the name, just say so. Here is the first one "
Jul '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
He has the highest ratings of any TV news/opinion show.
I don't think he's had the volume of negative feedback in the media that Rush has.
Neither has Beck.
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
I admire all of those guys, but I remain astonished at the incredible legacy of Rush. Day in, day out, three solid hours -- for years! -- and he does it with just his voice, his sense of humor, and his ability to zero in on the heart of any issue. Rush is up there with the great broadcasters -- Murrow, Cronkite, guys who -- whatever you think of their politics -- built powerful, deep relationships with the audience.
May '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
My TV News & commentary viewing is limited to Special report and Cavuto. I work out and drive listening to Rush and Hugh Hewitt on podcast (when I am not listening to Ricochet & Uncommon Knowledge). It has been years since I watched O'Reilly and have never watched Beck. Obviously my bad.
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
I think the main difference between people like Rush and Beck vs Maddow and Olbermann is that Rush and Beck know that they are entertainers, and that that is their purpose. Maddow and Olbermann, by contrast, take themselves wayyy tooo seriously. Of course, O'Reilly, in my humble opinion, takes himself a bit too seriously as well--which is why, on sheer entertainment grounds, I'd prefer to watch Beck over O'Reilly any night.
What about Sean Hannity? Does anyone like him? I personally can't stand Hannity, but per this discussion, he seems to be following the O'Reilly model of TV-host.
Jul '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Who is this Rachel Maddow of which you speak?
/googles her
Oh.
I'm surprised anyone knows her given her ratings. Apparently her family watches.
May '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Bill O'Reilly - can't stand him; insincere blowhard.
Rush - love him, he's for real.
Beck - used to like, can't take him any more at all. Began to act like no one had ever interpreted history until he came along. Much worse since 8/28. Now he plays shots from the rally all the time with music playing and him looking all serious, head in hands sometimes. Makes me scream, it is so over the top. Stories of 8-28. The Day That Changed The World. (I don't think he's said that yet....). But he has done more for this country than almost anyone I can name in educating people about the dangers of progressives and re-discovering the Founding Fathers.
Hannity - grates on my nerves but I love him because I think he is sincere to the bone. Just can't stand to listen to him/watch him much because of annoying voice etc.
Maddow, Olbermann, et al. - never even made it through a whole video clip.
Aug '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
So true, Rob, Rush is a veritable fortress, and a brilliant thinker with prophetic insight. He was onto the Clintons from the start, much to my chagrin. He criticized Bush and the Ruling Class R's, and took on Obama in the summer of '08, when the man was the Immaculate Messiah. On the day of the Immaculation, Rush kindled a prairie fire when he said, "I hope Obama fails!"
I first heard him in Sacramento in the early '90's, and he's been deservedly rewarded for integrity,and originality.
Aug '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed. : ....the main difference between people like Rush and Beck vs Maddow and Olbermann is Rush and Beck know they are entertainers.... Maddow and Olbermann, by contrast, take themselves wayyy tooo seriously..., O'Reilly... takes himself... too seriously... I'd prefer to watch Beck over O'Reilly any night.
What about Sean Hannity?... I personally can't stand Hannity, but per this discussion, he seems to be following the O'Reilly model of TV-host. · Sep 27 at 8:53am
Spot on, Emily. Hannity has blown so many golden opportunities to expose and skewer opponents that I can't stand to listen to him anymore. Either he has a very ordinary level of intelligence, or doesn't want to ruffle feathers. But at least he occasionally has very good guests.
O'Reilly has labored long, hard, and successfully to become mainstream - largely as an author. True, he's often insufferably pompous. Still, he regularly appears on Regime Media network shows - amazingly
Rush, Beck, and O'Reilly differ dramatically from everyone on MSNBC in that they have a rock solid and thoroughly tested foundation for their beliefs and world view. Their Statists opposition suffers from delusional cognitive disconnect.
Jun '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Although life is short, watching Maddow is a useful summary of the liberal/progressive position. Most of my friends watch her and think she is the cat's meow.
I like that she does take herself seriously, and tries to unearth facts and perspectives that question the conservative narrative, while bolstering the progressive agenda. She often reports information I don't find elsewhere, and let's me know what to expect to hear unmellifluously sputtering from my friends mouths over the next week.
Also, she triggers some of my most lucid thinking - because she is such a parody of progressive thinking, she stimulates me to simplify my counter-arguments down to their essence, which is useful. My "Bad politicians inherit the power we give good politicians!!!" came from my screaming at her during one of her shows. I wrote it down.
That said, she is hard to listen to without the bugs crawling under your skin feeling.
So...Trick #1: think of it as a study in snark. She is one of the best at communicating disbelieving disgust at the ignorant conservative schmucks that constitute the Republicans and Tea Baggers. It is an art form she is the master of.
Jun '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Hmmm, Insincere? I can't go there. Blowhard? Absolutely.
Literally, if one of his guests puts forth an argument whose PREMISE he disagrees with, his method is to talk over them loudly and call them names until they cow-tow to the fact that it is his show after all, and he is their guest.
He literally blows hard to create the noise to shut them up.
Sad, because he is one of the more reasonable pundits/entertainers on the scene.
May '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
The big news from the media world (so far untalked about in Ricochetland) is the departure of Jeff Zucker at NBC-Universal. The former Today Show producer took NBC from the penthouse to the outhouse and is responsible for the cesspool that is MSNBC. Comcast doesn't even have control of the network yet and was still determined to oust him.
Ed Snider, the chairman of Comcast-Spectator, is a backer of the new website/video on demand provider Right Network. While Comcast has distanced itself from the project, it's evident Snider can't be thrilled with the way some of NBC's networks lean. The next year could be very interesting in the Peacock flock.
Edited on Sep 27, 2010 at 10:58amMay '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Hannity and O'Reilly both often fail to listen to their guests. Some will not put forth honest arguments, but the hosts should not have invited them in that case. If you invite someone to speak, you should let that person speak. O'Reilly tries to be critical of both sides, but he and Hannity both argue more to win than to seek truth. I think the main reason for their popularity is their dismissal of the political correctness that has plagued American politics for too long. It's refreshing when someone speaks his mind plainly, instead of dances around the issues or spouts propoganda.
Rush is the godfather of conservative media. He's not right as often as he claims, but he does have a keen understanding of politics and usually knows where the wind is blowing. He paved the way for others to be blunt and honest. There is no one outside of government that liberals hate more, and that speaks volumes.
Beck, unlike the others, understands that culture, rather than government, is the heart of our problems. He doesn't rely on the New York Times to choose his topics. He's the humblest, but excitable.
Aug '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
I like Jeanne's format so I'm going to steal it;
O'Reilly - I like Bill and the fact that he's a blowhard kind of endears him to me. The best guests are those that are not cowed like Laura Ingraham and Marc Lamont Hill. Love those Dennis Miller segments!
Beck - Listen to him on the radio, don't watch the TV show (no time). I like him but he's wildly uneven. Cracking wise with his staff one minute and then giving us the end-of-the-world stuff the next (which makes for some hilarious segways to sponsors, "Prepare your families, the end is near...have you ordered a Vermont teddy bear for your wife yet?)
Rush - The man is the king, always has been, always will be. Started listening to him in 1991. Best political instincts in the business, bar none.
Hannity - Boob bait for Bubbas, can't stand to listen to him
Ricochet podcasts - Brilliant! Can you guys do two a week?
Why do all these conservative radio hosts get such bizarre sponsors? (Gold Line, EZ water, credit counseling services, etc.) Any advertising folks among us?
May '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
One thing about all of these show hosts is that they better represent the thoughts of flyover America than anyone writing articles for websites or magazines. That's not a jab at periodicals and such. There are many knowledgeable and insightful writers living on the coasts, writing about history, grand philosophies and insider news. We need that perspective. But we also need the flyover perspective, and you'll find no better sources than these hosts (including loons like Maddow, for the liberal perspective).
As I've said before, I don't think poorly of anyone for disliking such commentators. But honesty demands some curiosity concerning why they are as popular and influential as they are.
Sep '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Mark Lewis
Literally, if one of his guests puts forth an argument whose PREMISE he disagrees with, his method is to talk over them loudly and call them names until they cow-tow to the fact that it is his show after all, and he is their guest.
Totally agree, but this idea of O'Reilly's "No Spin Zone?" No spin happens (is supposed to happen) on news reportage, and O'Reilly's show is certainly more than that...
May '10
Re: Who's more popular, Bill O'Reilly or Rachel Maddow?
Bill O'Reilly is head and shoulders above his peers in the news or quasi news TV business.
People want TV hosts to be frank, call a spade a spade and have a sense of fun.
And I like the way he always thanks his guests at the end for coming in, being stand-up people and taking the heat. It's old school, but it's decent.