Guest etiquette on “The O’Reilly Factor”

Posted By on November 9, 2005

Bill OFirst … I like Bill O’Reilly and the Fox News program “The Oreilly Factor,” but was irritated with his poor etiquette last night. Check out the ‘conversation’ (if you can call it that) with Ben Stein and Wayne Rogers in a short November 8th .wmv clip on oil companies “gouging the folks.” O’Reilly came off overly rude and arrogant to his guests who more than likely know far more about how oil is priced.

Personally, I don’t question that the extrodinary profits that the big 5 oil giants have been racking up quarter after quarter recently might indicate that they have taken advantage of the shortage of refined fuels, but O’Reilly hardly leaves room to consider other basic Economic 101 influences. It wasn’t so much that I disagree with his opinion that the Oil companies are ‘gouging,’ but more that he barely let his guests speak on the subject. He annoyingly interupted them when each clearly attempted to explain why prices go up when shortages of refine product isn’t available to retail consumers. Both Mr. Stein and Mr. Rogers had insight that viewers would have found educational IMHO if not for the constant interuptions by the host.

I find Bill O’Reilly intelligent and for the most part hosts a good news/commentary program, but I wish he would let his guests share their views before walking all over them.

Comments

  • R

    I normally like O’Reilly too, but he has gotten this all wrong and made a fool out of himself. But good point…he obviously had experts on to bring some information to the table, which he could have used. However, instead of having them talk, he instead wanted to “educate” them.

    Bill O’Reilly understands 2 concepts: Supply and Demand. But there is a third factor that has an enormous effect on the markets: expectation. If people think oil supply will be short or demand will be high in the future, traders will cause prices will go up today (heavy buying) – even if the predictions eventually turn out wrong.

  • R

    I normally like O’Reilly too, but he has gotten this all wrong and made a fool out of himself. But good point…he obviously had experts on to bring some information to the table, which he could have used. However, instead of having them talk, he instead wanted to “educate” them.

    Bill O’Reilly understands 2 concepts: Supply and Demand. But there is a third factor that has an enormous effect on the markets: expectation. If people think oil supply will be short or demand will be high in the future, traders will cause prices will go up today (heavy buying) – even if the predictions eventually turn out wrong.

  • mike

    Billy-boy often yells over those who disagree with him. I could see this all playing out the same way next year. We’ll be talking about $4 a gallon gas and slightly reduced usage from 2005 levels because more people will be walking or taking public transport.

  • mike

    Billy-boy often yells over those who disagree with him. I could see this all playing out the same way next year. We’ll be talking about $4 a gallon gas and slightly reduced usage from 2005 levels because more people will be walking or taking public transport.

  • Mike

    Bill listed off his show’s new year’s resolutions and one of them “was to interrupt less (maybe)” He said that one was dicey.

    Good luck bill

  • Mike

    Bill listed off his show’s new year’s resolutions and one of them “was to interrupt less (maybe)” He said that one was dicey.

    Good luck bill

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.