I know that a lot of people don't like this show, and its host has been labeled as arrogant, mean, and self-centered, among other things (it has been hilariously spoofed on Mad TV and The Daily Show, among others). However, as a loyal viewer for the last few years, I'd venture a guess that a lot of the people who are bashing it have never seen it, or have just briefly glanced at it in passing. If they took the time to sit down and actually watch it, they'd realize why it consistently gets better ratings than any other cable news show out there- it's an intelligent, witty analysis (not report) of the daily news, and host Bill O'Reilly no-nonsense approach is refreshing and honest.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions about this show that are simply not true. One misconception is that O'Reilly himself is a harsh, arrogant host who rudely interrupts his guests and acts like he's always right. The reality is, Bill is not mean, he just has no patience for BS, or "spin" as he calls it. When a guest tries to dodge one of Bill's questions by changing the subject, distorting the facts, or just plain lying, Bill refuses to let that continue. Yes, interrupting is rude, but so is lying, and if Bill allowed guests to BS all day (as most talk-show hosts do), he would be cheapening his show's integrity and doing a disservice to his viewers. As long as his guests are straight with him, he treats them with respect and courtesy.
Example: shortly after 9/11, he had poet Amiri Baraka on the show; Baraka, an outspoken anti-semite, blamed Jews for the attacks in a ridiculous diatribe. Bill (rightfully) told Baraka that his opinion was wrong-headed and unsubstantiated, but he never interrupted him, raised his voice, or told him to shut up (in my three years of watching the show, I can only recall hearing Bill say "shut up" a couple of times, and the people he told it to definitely had it coming).
As for the charge that he is "always right," at least once a week I see a guest change Bill's mind on something, usually by offering a point of view that makes him admit that "I hadn't thought of that."
Just to be clear, I'm not trying to convert anybody into a fan here. I'm simply trying to point out that many of the labels this show has received are unfair and simply untrue. I've never read Bill's books and I certainly don't agree with all of the things he says (who could?), but what keeps me watching is his straightforward demeanor and no-nonsense attitude. Like him or not, this man seeks the truth and has no room for spin and in the modern-day American media that makes him truly unparalleled.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions about this show that are simply not true. One misconception is that O'Reilly himself is a harsh, arrogant host who rudely interrupts his guests and acts like he's always right. The reality is, Bill is not mean, he just has no patience for BS, or "spin" as he calls it. When a guest tries to dodge one of Bill's questions by changing the subject, distorting the facts, or just plain lying, Bill refuses to let that continue. Yes, interrupting is rude, but so is lying, and if Bill allowed guests to BS all day (as most talk-show hosts do), he would be cheapening his show's integrity and doing a disservice to his viewers. As long as his guests are straight with him, he treats them with respect and courtesy.
Example: shortly after 9/11, he had poet Amiri Baraka on the show; Baraka, an outspoken anti-semite, blamed Jews for the attacks in a ridiculous diatribe. Bill (rightfully) told Baraka that his opinion was wrong-headed and unsubstantiated, but he never interrupted him, raised his voice, or told him to shut up (in my three years of watching the show, I can only recall hearing Bill say "shut up" a couple of times, and the people he told it to definitely had it coming).
As for the charge that he is "always right," at least once a week I see a guest change Bill's mind on something, usually by offering a point of view that makes him admit that "I hadn't thought of that."
Just to be clear, I'm not trying to convert anybody into a fan here. I'm simply trying to point out that many of the labels this show has received are unfair and simply untrue. I've never read Bill's books and I certainly don't agree with all of the things he says (who could?), but what keeps me watching is his straightforward demeanor and no-nonsense attitude. Like him or not, this man seeks the truth and has no room for spin and in the modern-day American media that makes him truly unparalleled.