"The Pulse" on Fox last night - reactions?

MediaWeek.com ^ | 7/11/02 | MediaWeek

[stromsfriend]

The Scoop: Although anything original is generally worth a look in the summer, minimal support from lead-in Beyond Belief: Fact of Fiction, competition from CBS's still red-hot CSI (which even in repeats delivers significantly) and Fox's poor track-record in this genre are three reasons why The Pulse is unlikely to succeed. As much as Fox would like to think Bill O'Reilly is still a huge draw one look at the ratings for his occasional primetime specials and it's obvious the controversial loud-mouth is losing steam. Ditto for Geraldo Rivera, whose once prosperous ratings days as a syndicated talk show host have long since ended.

-Odds of Survival (based on 1-1 to 10-1): 8-1

[stromsfriend]

I watched "The Pulse" last night - I thoguht it was a postive in getting exposure to Fox News' people. And I really liked how O'Reilly squashed that atheist guy who is against the Pledge and probably against wearing pants.

Other reactions?

[Lexington Green]

I watched Whorealdo's segment - more style than substance, as usual... turned the channel when O'Reilly appeared... PULSE won't make it

[TomGuy]

It was good. The Geraldo/Muslims via Mexico report and O'Reilly vs Idiocy (I mean Newdow--typo) were good. It was refreshing, since it wasn't the typical pablum tripe on the other netnewsmag programs (most of which I seldom watch).

[ResistorSister]

THE PULSE's set was a little more exciting than the actual presentation of the reports.

Geraldo's report had some camera and sound problems that were a distraction and Gerald's voice sounded too much like a "Valley Girl" to take him seriously.

I will watch The Pulse again because I love Shep Smith...but hopefully, they will do something about the disorganization in the show's production.

[Salvation]

I thought Newdow and his reasoning were shredded by O'Reilly. I would say that the Laurie Dhue segments (although she is pretty) were the weakest part.

The story that Geraldo Rivera did on the smuggling of Arabs into the United States and the amount of money being paid to Mexican citizens to assist was CHILLING! Incredible about the safe house in the middle class neighborhood also--was it Garden Grove, Kalifornia?

I thought it was worth my time.

[7thson]

I listened/watched The Pulse last night. First, I liked Shep Smith also. I loved his blatent plug of the program the last ten minutes of his show on FNC. I also liked his dig at Stone Phillips at the end and his off-the-cuff remarks.

I liked Rivera's segment and I liked O'Rielly's dismantling of that idiot atheist. I did not like the segment of Who's Annoying Me. Thought it was juvenile. I saw one instance where L Dhue rattled off poll numbers concerning the pledge and then when Shep Smith thanked her, it looked like a poor editing jump/cut to his next segment. Overall, I liked it and will watch it again. Mainly because Hannity and Colmes gets boring after awhile.

[NormsRevenge]

The only Pulse I had last night was an IMPULSE to puke,, WhoreRaldo and O'Reilly together.. Geesh .. Gimme a Break!! (Apologies to John Stossel)

[ResistorSister]

I liked Rivera's segment and I liked O'Rielly's dismantling of that idiot atheist.

I liked the segments too

Nonethelss, since the show is called the Pulse...I just think the show needs to have a rhythmical beating/theme throughout that keeps the Pulse rate interesting - rather than disjointed.

[CARTOUCHE]

Slick, upbeat, disturbing at times. A bit uneven in it's production values but still a refreshing breeze compared to the stale format of a 20/20 or a Primetime. As for O'Reilly, he still comes across as an offensive windbag and I believe we saw that same segment on his own FNC show when the Pledge story broke a week and a half ago? I'd watch again. Shep Smith's unpredictable off-the-cuff remarks make his FNC program a must see and I think he'll carry the Pulse as well. A little tweaking here and there and this new program will be a hit.

[Capt_Hank]

Sorry, I can't watch anything with Geraldo, "The Fake", involved. Have you noticed that FNC is trying their best to find a home for him. I bet he thought he would get a nightly show, like Greta (face lift that is falling).

[Eva]

A San Diego based border patrol agent who is on temporary reassignment to the N. border has told his family that the agents in San Diego County have been ordered to not make any arrests of illegals because they don't want the numbers on the books.

[CARTOUCHE]

I agree that watching Geraldo is painful and O'Reilly's machine gunning of his guests is getting old fast but the alternative of trying to look at Colmes on H&C without being distracted by that mug is even worse.

[Exit148]

I'm not a Shep Smith fan, and made it a point not to watch. His guests wouldn't bother me, (except glossy Dhue)(meow) but I can't take Smith's speaking rhythm. When he introduces someone, he goes into a cadence that drives me bonkers! (He also can use less make-up.)

[Tony in Hawaii]

All that hype and I missed it. I really wanted to see it, too. Was it any good?

[mia]

I liked the show. Watched it in it's entirety. The segment on the illegal aliens seemed a little disjointed at times, but certainly informational and interesting. I also enjoy Shep Smith. O'Reilly is O'Reilly. Opinionated but entertaining.

[Indrid Cold]

I wasn't real impressed. I wanted to see O'Reilly because he gets so much press and I'd never seen him before, but his grilling of the atheist seemed clumsy and bullying, really just his shouting out of a preconcieved idea more than an actual "interview" or debate. I get the idea that this guy could sit in a room and argue with himself if he would get paid for it.

I was looking forward to the show, but I'm switching back to CSI.

[AdA$tra]

I liked it. Of course I watched it as a Fox News veteran. I wonder what Fox News virgins thought? The first thing I noticed that was different, was the way they let O'Reilly shred the athiest pledge guy. they even stopped the action to allow Bill to show bulleted talking points that further shredded the guy. The Gerry Rivers piece was interesting. I would like to see more about that. It was something I had supsected for quite a while.

Watch for my wife's cousin BJ on O'Reilly Monday and Tuesday. He is a reservist stationed at Gitmo and was interviewed for the show last week. Our family is proud of BJ and his contribution to the war on terror.

[stromsfriend]

I wish O'Reilly would have Martha Stewart on in that kind of atmosphere!

[Two in the Hat]

I hate to take the low road here but once I see Laurie Dhue I kind of go into a trance. I could watch her do nothing for an hour and think it was the greatest show on Earth! So I really don't know how it was: I was in a "Dhue" trance. Overall I like Shep, think O'Reilly is a windbag, hate Gerry but can't help watching him like some sort of bad car accident. And of course, Laurie can "Dhue" no wrong.

[The Californian]

All that hype and I missed it. I really wanted to see it, too. Was it any good?

Well, after reading all of these negative posts, I wondered. However, I must say that I watched it and enjoyed it very, very much. I don't watch very much TV, though and it may be that I am easier to please.

I enjoyed the entire show and will watch it again.