I think Beck was originally a good man with a vision.
However, some people are very sensitive to the pressure of public attention. It breaks them; they become parodies of their former selves. There is no shortage of broken people in show business: Rosie O’Donnell, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, etc. Adults are usually more resistant to the toxic effects of publicity, but they break, as well.
I think Beck just plain broke.
“I think Beck just plain broke.”
I think he’s just a “true believer” that is willing to crash and burn rather than change.
You’re right. In Becks case the fame went to his head and he began to think it was all about him, instead of the message. Thus he began to set out to prove it by coming out with contrarian opinions or downright crazy ideas to prove his listeners would follow him anywhere. It didn’t happen.
I describe Beck as ‘going weird.’
I never shared MAJOR PARTS OF BECKS HISTORICAL BULLSHIT THAT IGNORANT SOFT WILLED MALLEABLE PEOPLE DRANK LIKE ELIXIR FOR THEIR STUPID GUILTY WHITE SOULS
Not you personally but boy do I remember his nutty historical lessons
It was just like they were written by the South bashers here
***As the Daily Beast noted, “This latest round of mass firings comes as no surprise to insiders at The Blaze and Mercury Radio Arts, which laid off dozens of employees last May on a day referred to internally as ‘Black Monday,’ around the same time that Beck was purchasing a private jetliner and a $200,000 Maybach sedan.”***
Plain broke? More like plain greedy. The arrogance with which he carries himself. He bought the hype that he was a King Maker instead of a shock jock.
Beck’s problems are more basic. He doesn’t understand business. His vision was for a pay TV service built around programs like the one he did on Fox, and his name recognition generated a promising subscriber base. But as with satellite radio, many of the early subscribers lost interest and failed to renew. Meanwhile, Beck was expanding programs which meant more staff and higher productions costs, which couldn’t be sustained by available advertising and subscriber revenue. And, making matters worse, he entrusted daily management of his company to other individuals who didn’t necessarily share his vision.
Having said that, Beck is also incredibly tone deaf. Delivering the “bad news” to employees from your replica of the Oval Office, on the same week he took delivery of a Maybach sedan and was actively shopping for a new private jet sent a terrible signal. I’m sure that some of those laid-off employees will be circulating more unflattering stories about Beck in the days/weeks ahead, which could make it more difficult to borrow more money and keep his enterprise afloat.
If Beck were serious about saving his business, he would announce that he’s not taking any salary from The Blaze and won’t until the situation improves. He might also outline a recall plan for laid-off workers, demonstrating a willingness to bring them back if he can right the ship.
Of course, Beck will be fine, even if his media company goes down the drain. His radio show is syndicated through Premier (same group that handles Rush and other hosts), and he is paid a salary and shares profits with the syndicator. The radio deal gives him an annual salary in the low seven figures, so Beck is not in danger of being homeless or missing a meal. In fact, it’s a sure bet that he has carefully separated his personal finances from the business so he won’t be adversely impacted if The Blaze/Mercury Radio Arts goes under.
One final note: it’s interesting that Mark Levin, who did virtually no TV for many years, has launched his own pay TV venture. Haven’t signed up for the service, but it looks like Levin TV consists of an interview show and that’s it. Wisely, Levin didn’t try to create an entire network out of the box, so his costs are lower and chances of success are probably higher. Tracing the arc of Levin TV and The Blaze will be fascinating.
When Beck had his show on CNN and Fox it was pretty good and his analysis of how our country got into such a mess was very informative.
The Big question is what happened to Beck. He went off the rails somewhere and sadly seems to be someone who needs help.
You’ll add to your list:
Mark Levin
Ben Shapiro
Michelle Fields
Karl Rove!