Today on The View, Bill O'Reilly was the guest when the topic turned to the Park 51 center in downtown Manhattan. Suffice to say, O'Reilly and Whoopi Goldberg proceeded to get into a shouting match, at which point O'Reilly proceeded to explain that he believes that Americans are against the project because "Muslims killed us on 9/11." At which point Joy Behar walked off the set, joined by Goldberg.
After they walked off the set, Barbra Walters said this: "You have just seen what should not happen. We should be able to have discussions without washing our hands and screaming and walking offstage. I love my colleagues, but it should not have happened." I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, trying to link journalism to the hour-long yap fest. I don't care if Behar and Goldberg decide to read from the Manhattan phone book. But as for Walters*, to sit back and let someone make a comment like O'Reilly make that was so unquestionably broad to the point of nonsense, then act as if it's your responsibility to engage with the crazy man, is why the field is considered such a humongous joke. Journalism is not stenography. Challenging your interviewer is not being belligerent; it's being responsible. * When I note that Walters is linked to Journalism, it brings to mind the quote of Lionel Hutz, when he's addressing Marge Simpson with her, Bart, and Dr. Nick Riviera: "With all due respect, Mrs. Simpson, you're not a doctor. the boy's not a doctor, I'm not a doctor. The only person who even comes *close* is this man [points to Riviera]." Sorry. I'll get back to chasing those damn kids off my lawn. TV Squad: http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/10/14/joy-and-whoopi-walk-off-the-view-after-comment-by-bill-oreill/ Joe Hass -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
