Guest etiquette on “The O’Reilly Factor”
Posted By RichC on November 9, 2005
First … 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.
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