Report: Murdoch ‘absolutely despises’ Bill O’Reilly; Ailes ‘loathes him.’
Report: Murdoch ‘absolutely despises’ Bill O’Reilly; Ailes ‘loathes him.’
In a forthcoming biography of Rupert Murdoch entitled “The Man Who Owns The News,” author Michael Wolff reports that the Fox News bosses have no fondness for Bill O’Reilly but are willing to tolerate him for his ratings:
“It is not just Murdoch (and everybody else at News Corp.’s highest levels) who absolutely despises Bill O’Reilly, the bullying, mean-spirited, and hugely successful evening commentator,” Wolff wrote, “but [Fox News chief executive] Roger Ailes himself who loathes him. Success, however, has cemented everyone to each other.”
“The embarrassment can no longer be missed,” Wolff wrote, in another section of the book. “He mumbles even more than usual when called on to justify it. He barely pretends to hide the way he feels about Bill O’Reilly. And while it is not that he would give Fox up—because the money is the money; success trumps all—in the larger sense of who he is, he seems to want to hedge his bets.”
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And while it is not that he would give Fox up—because the money is the money; success trumps all—in the larger sense of who he is, he seems to want to hedge his bets.”
An amusing narrative. One seemingly designed to sell books. I don't believe for a second that Murdock loathes O'Reilly, it's just a ploy to drive Billo's ratings up even higher. In the coming months, I hope Obama cleans house at the FTC, and puts an end to this media-hog's attempts to monopolize media markets.
November 29th, 2008 at 8:44 amO'Really's still valuable to the network the same reason all these loudmouth idiots are--money. These people will sell their souls for the ever-lovin' dollar. Tsk
November 29th, 2008 at 8:45 amMornin' barfly :D
November 29th, 2008 at 8:47 amI don't buy it one bit either.
Murdoch may have misread the election results to a certain degree, but I see this as a calculated move to ingratiate himself with the Obama admin. and proven majority. Similar to Shep Smith's newly found "outrage". Obama cut them off early and Murdoch realizes he has to make some token sacrifices or statements to get any access.
Here are the real challenges; Add a true heavyweight to Hannity's solo act to counter his nonsense and/or put another on the OP/Ed page of the crazies at the WSJ. They have become a highbrow version of Fox.
November 29th, 2008 at 8:57 amThanks John...
November 29th, 2008 at 9:12 amConversation in the check out line:
JK's mom: Dear, Batboy didn't marry Nostordamus in California.
JK: BUT MOOOMMM!!!! IT SAYS SO IN CAPS AND BOLD!!!AND IT HAS THREE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!IT MUST BE TRUE111
November 29th, 2008 at 9:16 amMorning, Loner.
I wouldn't be surprised if Billo and Murdock had contrived this little controvercy. All of Bill's elderly viewers will be even more committed to watching their poor, beleagered, surrogate son.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:19 amI wouldn't cont on it much, seein's Murdoch "endorsed" Obama, either in the Sun or the Daily News...
I do not for a moment believe Murdoch's endorsement was sincere...It was a ploy. Nothing could be better for th propserity of Murdoch's empire than having Obama to kick around the next couple of years...
But he also raised money for Obama. 'Jis Bidness...'
November 29th, 2008 at 9:21 amHi John Kerry.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:22 amI was planning on making a kale soup today. You're welcome to stick around for some. I am thinking you are still too afraid. Still, you're always welcome...
I wouldn’t cont on it much, seein’s Murdoch “endorsed” Obama, either in the Sun or the Daily News…
And why not?
Give links to articles that call into question Obama's ability to impartially govern, because of specific donations, but don't waste our time with innuendo.
It cheapens both of us.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:26 amOh, my. Was that last post an attack on a fellow progressive?
Are the unofficial TP PC hall monitors out today?
Guess I'll duck into the boys' room, til the coast is clear...
November 29th, 2008 at 9:29 amBullies Succeed when No One stands up to them.
Keith Olberman and others at MSNBC are doing a Good Job of Refuting O'Reilly's Commentary. Those who watch Countdown on MSNBC are Now Armed with the facts at the water cooler.
There have been lots of criticism of Olberman, but very little challenging of his evidence.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:33 amHow many times do I have to point out that no one gives a shit about the stupid Privacy Center?
November 29th, 2008 at 9:37 amIf they (O'really, Rush and anybody on Faux) had ever bothered to do just the basic fact checking on anything they spew, then they might be considered credible sometimes. They don't have Keith and Rachael's intelligence by even half when they are all lumped in together
November 29th, 2008 at 10:18 amOh For Gods Sake!
It's always been about the money. Clear Channel, Fox, Sinclair, make MONEY.
Rush, Hannity, Laura, Savage, O'Reily, Beck etc., etc., make MONEY.
The Christian right is all about the MONEY.
Hate = Money. But look at what all these hate mongers DO with the Money. They make more Hate with the Money.
November 29th, 2008 at 10:30 amThey hate making money on Love.
November 29th, 2008 at 10:50 amThey love making money on Hate.
tokin librul Says:
I wouldn’t cont on it much, seein’s Murdoch “endorsed” Obama, either in the Sun or the Daily News…
Oh, I get it. Because one of Murdoch's papers endorsed Obama and Murdoch may have contributed to that campaign, that means that Obama isn't going to do anything about the corporate monopoly in our MSM.
Tokin - you really should lay off tokin, it makes you come here and sound like a blithering idiot.
November 29th, 2008 at 11:41 amdbadass Says:
How many times do I have to point out that no one gives a shit about the stupid Privacy Center?
Please give it a rest. Everyone here knows that this person posts here just to advertise his website. TP doesn't seem to care, even though it is a violation of their rules. But, most people here know what's up with this poster and don't click on it's link so it is just spitting in the wind.
November 29th, 2008 at 11:44 amOf course it is all about the money and the ratings. The good news is that Obermann and Maddow are now drawing very strong numbers; in fact Keith has been beating Bill with some regularity. So, there are now strong progressive voices on the TV machine AND the really good news is the better their numbers get, the more likely Bill O will fade away. At least a girl can hope.
November 29th, 2008 at 11:53 amWelcome to the club, Rupert & Roger.
# 18 Wayne A Schneider:
In 1984 speak, love is hate and hate is love.
¶ AIO
November 29th, 2008 at 12:10 pmI don't believe this for a second. Although I realize they are addicted to their power (they call it "success"), Billo is not the only person who could garner huge ratings. There are any number of people who could do what Billo does, and probably be much better at it. What's truly pathetic is that the loyal viewers really believe they are getting "fair and balanced" reporting from this bunch of neocons. I truly hope the Obama administration severely restricts which top level employees appear on Fox. That, more than anything else, I believe, will shake up "Fox News". No interviews with the powers that be, no ratings to speak of. Too bad.
November 29th, 2008 at 12:46 pmI don't believe it either. Bill O. is a cash cow, and Murdoch is no dumby when it comes to the bottom line. It's unfortunate that Beck, Oreilly, Hannity and the rest of them just keep spewing hatred nite after nite and nothing or no one can touch them. I'm sure Murdoch opened a very expensive bottle of Champagne while he was coming up with this little PR stunt.
November 29th, 2008 at 1:13 pmBesides, believing that Murdoch and Ailes hate O'reilly is like believing there's a cream that will eliminate the cellulite from my thighs...it just doesn't happen!
November 29th, 2008 at 1:19 pmOne can only ask why such powerful rich men keep O'Reilly and pay him? Either O'Reilly knows or has something that the rich guys don't wont known or their out right lying. Either way O'Reilly is making them look like the idiots they are. I guess all the money in the world can't buy brains.
November 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pmJK troll is a coward and a rancid piece of garbage and THAT is the best he has ever been
November 29th, 2008 at 1:25 pmI can believe Murdoch and Ailes despise O'loofahman I mean they are human beings after all. Who could stand the big giant ego, he is dispicable
November 29th, 2008 at 1:26 pmI don't doubt there is some truth to this report. After all, it seems to me that ANYONE who had any kind of long-term relationship with O'Really would wind up hating him before too long. I mean, he can make a lot of money for someone, but he's still gotta be difficult to put up with.
And if it's true, it seems a little bit poetic.
November 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pmLet's make them cellmates and see if they really hate each other.
Basking in the Bama:
November 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w12edTq2v7A
Any chance "author Michael Wolf" is leaking this bit of gossip, whether true or not, to sell books? The number of people who would buy the book just to find out how even O'Reilly's bosses hate him is substantial.
November 29th, 2008 at 2:24 pmFrank Burns helped establish M*A*S*H, but Larry Linville knew when to step away from the role.
Billo helped put Faux News on the (tabloid) map. But running the village idiot of cable news out there for ratings and wads of cash, at the expense of everyone else is letting the ferret shoot you in the face every night and laugh like a jackal doing it.
November 29th, 2008 at 2:50 pmfoxNews is a Zionist sewer pit.
November 29th, 2008 at 3:32 pmYeah? Whatever...
November 29th, 2008 at 5:25 pmKeltoi at Night Says:
Any chance “author Michael Wolf” is leaking this bit of gossip, whether true or not, to sell books? The number of people who would buy the book just to find out how even O’Reilly’s bosses hate him is substantial.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Anything is possible short of George Bush jr joining MENSA, I just dont think it that unlikely that they dont despise O'falafel. I mean I think it likely that any given person would despise that walking hunk of ego and ignorance.
November 29th, 2008 at 5:47 pmNobody likes O'Reilly. Nobody.
November 29th, 2008 at 7:36 pmElBruce Says:
Nobody likes O’Reilly. Nobody.
Come now. He might own a dog.
November 29th, 2008 at 8:13 pmFaux nooz will fire Billo the Clown before 09 is out. I'll be surprised if he makes it past July.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:25 pmI used to imagine how screwed up I'd be if my dad was Mitt, than for awhile I played the same game with an imaginary growing up O'Reilly spin. Both were weird...
November 29th, 2008 at 9:40 pmSo it is all about the money. Imagine that. No honor in a crowd of thieves. No ethics or morals either. They all deserve one another.
I admit, I often watch Chris Wallace on Sunday morning. But that is it for Fox news. One hour a week, tops.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pmTypical reich-wingers, money trumps dignity, honor, and sanity.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:37 amLord Murdoch and Bunky Ailes would keep Dr. Goebbels on the air if it meant a few extra gazoonies in their piggy banks. Are such insects absolutely necessary in the cosmic scheme of things…?
====
November 30th, 2008 at 4:03 pmI don't buy it - there's just too much PR value in saying that you hate Billy along with every other intelligent person on the cocktail party circuit. On the other hand, perhaps it IS smart to keep your enemies that close to you. Don't think I would have the stomach for it though.
The Phrygian Cap
December 1st, 2008 at 5:16 amOn the one hand, I have been predicting that Fox News will go all liberal under an extended Democratic administration. This could be the first sign.
On the other, what kind of a monster do you have to be to actually enjoy the company of Bill O'Reilly? He strikes me as the kind of guy who would beat the crap out of kids for putting the butter away on the wrong shelf in the fridge. I don't see how it could be surprising that his corporate overlords have normal, conditioned human responses to that kind of person. I do find it surprising society in general has not chased this O'Reilly character off into the mountains.
M
December 1st, 2008 at 11:54 am