Marionettes

If it wasn't already apparent enough, I came across another sordid example of how much of the cable news industry is a sham. Geraldo Rivera was on The O'Reilly Factor recently, discussing a news story reporting that two teenagers were killed by a drunk driver who happened to be an illegal alien. The two "pundits," from the beginning, speak to each other with rising hostility. There's no reasoned evaluation of the facts. No careful exchange of ideas and opinions. No one's learning anything, and as always, the argument ends in an impasse. Typical cable news bullshit.

For awhile, I've felt annoyed by O'Reilly as a human being. How could anyone be so black-and-white, so smug and cock-sure of himself? I've seen Disney characters with more dimensions than him. And then it hit me. Everyone's an actor, and no one is really as serious as they would like us to believe.

If it's not too painful, begin watching the video from the half-way mark, when O'Reilly and Geraldo start talking. It's Curb Your Enthusiasm-level improv comedy.

From the beginning, both sides immediately raise their voices. You can hear the preconceived hostility in how they slowly and surely progress into a full-fledged yelling contest. O'Reilly's a great actor. He can channel all of his frustrations and perversions into his character, even allowing his veins to pop during argument. He's a fucking method actor. As for Geraldo, he plays the indignant bleeding-heart pussy of the show. He's the foil to O'Reilly, but a rather poor foil at that.

As time runs out, notice how the two immediately calm down in unison. Their movements and emotions are synchronized. And as if the shouting match never happened, as if no feelings were ever hurt, the two smile and engage in light banter. At the end, O'Reilly wishes everyone a happy Easter.

Occasionally, the camera will focus on Geraldo's face as an advertisement for Geraldo at Large (another example of sensationalist drivel) appears. "Here, this clown has his own show too. You can catch him later at 8:00 p.m."

Now I think that O'Reilly and Geraldo might not be such miserable people. They're probably nice in person, when they're not playing their characters. And they probably don't take themselves as seriously as they do on their shows. Fox News is a great acting gig for them, and I have to give props.

In the end, programs like The Daily Show are about comedians making fun of comedians. Maybe they're all in on it and are having a good laugh at the audience, at all of us.