Nazis? Olbermann Takes His War On O'Reilly To Comedy Central

Newsbusters ^ | 3-15-06 | Tim Graham

[rcocean]

Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert’s nightly conservative/O’Reilly-mocking show "The Colbert Report" invited on MSNBC host Keith Olbermann Tuesday night to double up on the O’Reilly bashing. It started predictably, before the word "Nazi" came out:

Colbert: "Why do you have a problem with my hero, papa bear Bill O'Reilly? You guys have been going at it, hammer and tongs."

Olbermann: "Well, Stephen, he's an idiot."

Colbert: "You say that like it's a bad thing. I think he sees the world simply, okay? Without all your complicated facts."

Olbermann: "We're both saying the same thing. He's an idiot."

Did Olbermann really have to drag out the word "Nazi"? Oh yes, even if it violates Jon Stewart’s "Hitler reference" comedic principle from that other Comedy Central show. Colbert drew out the spat O’Reilly had with Olbermann fans on his syndicated Westwood One radio program:

Colbert: "Isn't it illegal for anyone to say the name Olbermann on his radio show now?"

Olbermann: "Apparently so."

Colbert: "Tell me what happened."

Olbermann: "Apparently last week or the week before somebody called up and used my name. He cut them off and then explained that they'd be getting a little visit from Fox security and that Fox security would then contact the local authorities. So Mike from Orlando, ‘will be getting a little visit.’ (Said in mock moron voice.) Two or three of these people who did call up and mention my name actually got phone calls from Fox security. [Here's one claim of that.] Which is, you know, fascinating if, you know, we're living in, say, Nazi Germany, it’s a good idea. Otherwise it's kind of....you're going to arrest people who disagree with you."

[rcocean]

"He's not supposed to threaten listeners with the "Authorities" for no crime at all. Ooooh, you called my show and said bad words (Olberman being one of them), we're going to call the police on you!

But O'reilly isn't fighting back at Olberman, he's threatening to tattle to the cops on listeners that call in and SAY things he doesn't like. He should report them if they make threats (But BOR has never alleged that anyone has), but if they just mock him or are nothing more than pests, its BOR that's being a pussy."

1) BOR is trying to cut down on cranks, stalkers, and goofballs who call his show. So he laid down the law. Calling someone, even BOR, and making threats *CAN* be a crime.

2)Anyone who wets their pants, because someone from "FOX Security" leaves them a phone message is the pussy. "Fox Security" has no power to do anything. They can call the local police, and said police aren't going to do *ANYTHING* unless there is a violation of the law.

3)As for the character who got called because he praised KO. We don't know the entire story. What is played on tape, and mentioned by KO on his program, is after the 7 second delay. What did the caller say to BOR in the first 7 seconds that did not get on the air? We'll never know. We can't even verify that "Fox Security" called this guy. I can call you and claim I'm "Fox Security".

4) The hatred of BOR among conservatives always amazes me.

[dotnetfellow]

I was finally able to find the sound bite from the O'Reilly show in question, and there is something fishy about it. Keeping in mind that there is a seven second delay in the dump, then if Bill finds the mere mention of Olbermann's name so offensive, he would have cut prior to his mention; however, the dump appears to have been cutting off something following, perhaps an obscenity? Second, all KO has to go on is some anonymous fellows e-mails or claims. There is no hard evidence that anyone actually got a call from Fox security. It seems to me that O'Reilly was simply reacting to some poor liberal seminar caller’s attempt to ratchet up Olbermann's claim to fame while defaming Bill's show. It seems obvious to me that KO is jealous of Bill's ratings, pure and simple, and he is trying to milk this as a publicity stunt for his own show. But these things always backfire as it makes KO appear to be a spineless weasel who can't stand on his own merits. This from a poster who really doesn’t find O’Reilly very palatable, but finds Olbermann far less tolerable than any other commentator, television or otherwise.

[jujigatami]

I don't hate BOR.

I disagree with him on some things because he spouts populist garbage some of the time (gas prices being my main gripe).

But for the most part I like the show and Bill himself. I almost always watch his talking points and I like his interviewing style (compared to most other pundits).

I agree fully that making threats can be a crime. but trying to cut down on cranks, stalkers, and goofballs by making empty threats about fox security calling your local cops is moronic in the first degree, and will only increase the amount of crnks he gets.

I also agree with you fully that Anyone who wets their pants, because someone from "FOX Security" leaves them a phone message is the pussy. Does Bill not know or realize that? Does he really not know how absolutely idiotic it makes him sound to threaten his own callers with a penalty that is a joke? Its like threatening to be put in the comfy chair and hit with the soft pillow. I mean he's got to know that as you say "They can call the local police, and said police aren't going to do *ANYTHING* unless there is a violation of the law."

Maybe the guy that invoked Olbermans name did make a threat in the dumped out 7 seconds, but if he did, then BOR should say that. Then the threats he is making might make some sense. I doubt the guy did. He probably cursed and called BOR a name or two. Thats not illegal.

As it stands now, it seems to me that BOR is mad at some pests and is making stupid threats to try to get them to stop.

Good luck with that.

[nutmeg]

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[Alamo-Girl]

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