Opinion: Late-night comedians have it in for the GOP
By Bill O’Reilly
President Obama may not know it, but he has a nice advantage in the world of late-night TV. A new study by The Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University says that in 2011, late-night comedians mocked Republicans three times more than they did Democrats. The biggest ideological difference was between David Letterman and Jay Leno. Letterman told 77 jokes at the expense of Obama, while Leno told 156 — about 100 percent more.
The Republican presidential candidates got whacked across the board in late-night precincts. Herman Cain was mocked 191 times, Rick Perry 186, Michele Bachmann 128, and Newt Gingrich 110.
Interestingly, Mitt Romney was only singled out for teasing 79 times, perhaps signifying a certain blandness on the part of the governor.
The George Mason survey doesn’t count the GOP mocking by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, possibly because researchers would have collapsed trying to chronicle that. The fact is that every late-night comedian is liberal, and so are most of their writers. Leno is the most neutral; Letterman, Stewart, Colbert and Jimmy Fallon are the furthest left.
The question is: How much will this matter in the 2012 election? Tough to answer, but one thing is certain: The late-night shows are not as well watched as they used to be.
However, popular culture does have an effect on the distracted voter: those people who do not pay much attention to the news. They often pick up the political narrative from entertainment programs and stuff they read on the Internet. There is no question that Obama’s rock-star status in 2008 was largely defined by Oprah and other entertainers. And that stodgy old John McCain did not exactly dominate the rundown on “Entertainment Tonight.”
If Romney is the Republican nominee, boring jokes will rule the day. If a committed conservative like Rick Santorum were to run, the writers would go wild. I can see a Santorum impersonator on “Saturday Night Live” wearing a sleeveless sweater and a “Re-elect John Adams” button. Huey Lewis once sang, “It’s hip to be square.” Not on late-night TV, it isn’t.
Americans should expect the media to back Obama again, although the enthusiasm couldn’t possibly match that of 2008. We live in sobering times, and even though many believe it’s all George W. Bush’s fault, that punch line is not working anymore. There will be a new narrative, and it most likely will involve highlighting the dumbness of the GOP guy, not the accomplishments of the president.
In the end, the election will not be decided on late-night TV. Republicans already have lost there. Luckily for them, the Electoral College is a daytime operation.
Bill O’Reilly is host of the Fox News show “The O’Reilly Factor” and author of “Who’s Looking Out For You?” and “Pinheads and Patriots”.
Now, why would anyone think that the GOP candidates are being lampooned? Are they so serious and respectful of each other and the American political process that they have elevated the discussion to a new level? No, that can’t be it. Or, have their antics lowered them to a new low? Getting closer to the truth. Of course, Bill O’Reilly has such an unbiased view of the political process to speak from. Pinheads and Patriots? Seriously?
I can see why your “dumb-founded” The article couldn’t be more truthful, keep your eye’s closed if you want, it’s done so well for the country so far… I never watch the late night shows anyway, after working 10-12 hours a day I’m too
tired to stay up and listen. Talk about being bias… Good grief!
Boone,
Well said. The liberal media has helped this head in the sand nation become very mind numd – liberalized sheep. A nation now on the brink of it’s demise.
I encourage freedom lover people to boycott liberal media and their advertisers as well as the Hollywood leftists too.
Take action now or your children will suffer the conseqences, forever.
Give me a break… So they get joked about on late night television (often using their own quotes. During the day, all day, right wing radio puts out not only opinions ( I don’t agree with them, but that is democracy at work) but often down right lies as well and yet they are the ones fighting the fairness doctrine… get over it.
Lisa, How would you know if you agree with the GOP or not? Where do you get your information, the liberal media?
The liberals would have you thinking that the GOP wants to kill your grand parents and women and the poor- the GOP caused the housing crisis the GOP is supported by big business and big banks – all of that is wrong and yet the media portrays the GOP (like the comics) with lies and hate and the sheeples suck it up.
SO again Lisa – where do you get your info from?
I SO agree with Joe and Pubworks and of course Fox News because their balanced ideas are always 100% Me!
“The liberals would have you thinking that the GOP wants to kill your grand parents ”
No that was actually the GOP’s scare tactics during healthcare reform. The GOP, during that time, was receiving far more contributions Big Pharma and the healthcare industry.
Awesome, Boone. You support an opinion from Mr. O’Reilly that you agree with but don’t watch the shows. And you have formed your opinion from where, then? I guess you already have your (not you’re) opinion told to you.
Throw grandma under the bus was part and parcel of the Bush unfunded Drug for Seniors program.
It was also a mandated option! If not accepted during the first year you are penalized by an additional charge.
the rich get richer and the poor get poorer an interesting direction that America is going
When you say the rich get richer and … i assume you mean people like George Soros, and Warren Buffet and Steve Winn and John Corzine… Goldman Sachs and Bain Capital – (yes they gave more dough to Obama than to their own former partner Romney…) and most of the wall street banker crowd
all ultra rich DEMOCRATS…
Most big Corporations are run by Progressive Liberals, did you know that?
Hey, for everyone’s information, Uncle Ben not moving out White House.
NOT ONE THOSE THAT’S RUNNING FOR THE GOP, CAN MAKE THOSE KIND PANCAKES ,PLAY BASKETBALL AT THE SAME TIME!
I’m still baffled about how anyone could come to Bush old pad, fix all the Nation plumbing filled with Elephant Dong.
8 YEARS OF GOING DOWN THE TUBES ,THE NATION ELECTED A CLEAN UP MAN!
It hasn’t been sweet but the water final moving again.
“Most big Corporations are run by Progressive Liberals, did you know that?”
BS.
Hey, if O’Reilly can make up facts all the time, why not PubWorks? It is only fair and balanced.
Dumbfound
Did you know that Obama in the last election raised more money from wall street firms than any presidential candidate in history…
Did ya know that dumbfound?
Do the math and do some research for yourself and then you would know more…
Can you do math?
OOOh Pubworks, that was a Good one! I’m SO much like you. I get most of my info on the net from the Drudge Report. I’m very, very familiar with the lovely Mr. Matt Drudge and just about every single thing on his site is SO me!
Drudge doesn’t make up his own news stories. He’s a consolidator. Much like the Huffington Post. They all choose what they want to post. Just like you clearly choose what you want to read.
OK. Liberal talk dominates late night TV. Conservative talk dominates the daytime radio waves. Last time I checked TV’s and radios had off buttons. Let’s all lighten up and live and let live. Maybe turn them all off and read a good book.
Got a good book for you jeastburn!
“The man who made husbands jealous!”
Jilly COOPER.
YOU CAN’T PUT HER BOOKS DOWN AFTER THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS..
Conservatives just aren’t funny. Does anyone remember Fox News’ answer to The Daily Show? It was horrid and axed quickly.
Never saw it or heard of it. What was it called?
‘1/2 hour newshour” w/the ever nauseating Dennis Miller….