Beckwatch, Day 3: Beck continued sexually suggestive comments towards anchor Hill, misstated Iran's nuclear capabilities, acknowledged his program is "not a news show"
SUMMARY: On the May 10 edition of his CNN Headline News program, Glenn Beck continued to subject CNN Headline News Prime News anchor Erica Hill to sexually suggestive comments. Beck also baselessly suggested that Iran might "already" possess nuclear weapons, and declared that his program is "not a news show," raising the question of why it airs on CNN Headline News.
During the May 10 edition of his CNN Headline News program, Glenn Beck continued to subject CNN Headline News Prime News anchor Erica Hill to sexually suggestive comments before having her provide a news update to viewers of his new show; Beck has done so on each of his first three broadcasts. Beck also baselessly suggested that Iran might "already" possess nuclear weapons, and declared that his program is "not a news show" -- which raises the question: Why does it air on CNN Headline News?
Introducing Hill, Beck told her: "I will tell you that it's a little embarrassing, sitting there, watching your program at night with my wife. And she says, 'Look at the way that Erica is looking at you.' And I say, 'I know, honey.' " Hill responded, "Don't try to drag me in to this one, my friend. I am nothing but professional." Beck then said, "I know. It's a hostile work environment for me. Erica, tell me about the news." Previously, on his May 8 debut, Beck told Hill, appearing via satellite and thus unable to see him, "[y]ou are looking hot in leather," then said, "I'm not wearing pants." On his May 9 show, Beck held up a copy of People magazine's recently released "100 Most Beautiful People" issue, noting that Hill was featured inside. "Oh, no," Hill said. "Oh, yes," Beck replied, adding, "So I'm thumbing through People magazine, because I usually wear -- ah, usually read it." Later during the May 10 broadcast, Beck also hosted 24-year-old former American Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell, whom he told, "You are so hot, and I mean that."
Beck also advised his viewers on his May 10 show: "I want to be very, very clear here: I am not a journalist. This is not a news show." This despite the fact that, earlier during the broadcast, while discussing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- whom Beck has referred to as "President Tom" each night, first out of a stated inability to pronounce "Ahmadinejad" and, later, out of a stated refusal to try -- Beck asserted that he is "probably, you know, is gonna have nukes soon, if he doesn't have them already." But as Media Matters for America has noted, despite claims to the contrary by several conservative media figures, current projections by the intelligence community show that Iran will not be able to produce a nuclear weapon for several years at the earliest.
From the May 10 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:
BECK: All right. Time now to go "Straight to the Hill" -- Erica Hill, the anchor of Prime News tonight. Hello, Erica.
HILL: Hello, there.
BECK: How are you?
HILL: I'm doing well. How are you this Wednesday?
BECK: I'm doing pretty good. I'm doing pretty good. I will tell you that it's a little embarrassing, sitting there, watching your program at night with my wife. And she says, "Look at the way that Erica is looking at you." And I say, "I know, honey."
HILL: Don't try to drag me in to this one, my friend. I am nothing but professional.
BECK: I know. It's a hostile work environment for me. Erica, tell me about the news.
[...]
BECK: Joining me now from Los Angeles is former Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell. Hi, Kim.
CALDWELL: You are a disaster.
BECK: What does that mean, a disaster?
CALDWELL: You are so rude, I love it.
BECK: You are so hot, and I mean that. Look at you, all --
CALDWELL: No, you actually mean H-O-T, is what you said earlier.
BECK: Yes, you do. Yes, you do, looking all jingoistic in red, white and blue, and everything else.
CALDWELL: Yeah, I'm representing.
[...]
BECK: Listen, the next time you complain about the leadership in our country, just count your blessings that we're not stuck with this whack job. That's Iranian president Aberjarbadi [sic] or whatever. I ain't gonna lie to you, man. I have no idea how to say his name. I call him "President Tom." By the way, if they ever take over the world, I would invest in microphone stock. President Tom probably, you know, is gonna have nukes soon, if he doesn't have them already.
[...]
BECK: Guess what? A U.S. Customs spokesperson has acknowledged that our Border Patrol is required to disclose the location of groups like the Minutemen when they participate in apprehending an illegal immigrant. In other words, we phone up and call the Mexican government and tell them exactly where some of our civilian patrols are looking for illegal aliens. The whole deal has been formalized in a "cooperative agreement." We found a quote on the Mexican government's own Web site today. Fortunately, somebody on our staff knows how to speak Spanish. Here's what it says. Apparently, we're sharing this information so the Mexicans can, quote, "monitor activities of vigilante groups like the Minutemen that could interfere with the rights of our citizens." Their rights, on our land? They don't have any rights on our land. I want to be very, very clear here: I am not a journalist. This is not a news show. I want to be fair, but I'm going to be honest. My spider senses are tingling, man. There is something here. I'm going with my gut.
that a news channel like CNN is not a forum for comics (if he is any)!
Beck must have a hardon with that lady acknowledging that she likes being named hot on national tv. Mmmm, I cant wait till she is going for the pole and Beck slips money in her panties. Sad!
level Jerry Springer, what explain the gigantic number of listeners and vievwers of these kind of opinion makers. It is my opinion that that is nothing more.
And an opinion maker or comedian of course has a repetior whereas guys and lasses like Beck beat on one horse: liberals, which has nothing to do with comedy, parody and opinion, but mere bias, bashing, and smearing.
I mean, I suppose I respect his admission that he doesn't know what he's talking about... but, doesn't that sort of take away the allure? O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh, etc... are 'pundits' who are perpetually touting their knowledge as fact and expertise... What does this guy have?
She doesn't look totally thrilled and is likely playing along to a certain small degree, but people like Beck are so totally fond of flattering themselves that it goes beyond ridiculous... and don't believe for a second that their attempts to be self-effacing or self-deprecating are at all genuine.
Kind of like when that great noxious gas-bag limbaugh used to continually refer to himself as a "harmless little fuzzball"
I think "Don't try to drag me in to this one, my friend. I am nothing but professional." was a slap-down and an insult. I bet she can't wait until next week when he gets the axe.
CNN "News" wants their own O'Reilly-an alleged fair&balanced newsy show hosted by an opinionated right-wing, factually-challenged windbag white man. They're well on their way.
They're well on their way to getting a sexual harassment suit to complete the clone-job.
Erica Hill went to school with two of Glenn's production assistants. You guys are getting all worked up over something that is just part of the shtick.
So far on CNN, he hasnt been hateful and has been funny. Lets move on and target real hatemongers like Michael Savage.
But, it proves (in my mind) that CNN is not a legitimate news channel. Perhaps, I expect too much from cable news.
Their rights, on our land? They don't have any rights on our land.
That is incorrect. Citizens of other countries have a constitutional right to due process of law when they are in our country.
Thanks so much for the comment... I don't know how many people I've heard who really don't know that anyone on American soil has the same rights under the Constitution (and that even, although it's being argued, includes the ones at Guantanamo). We may all need to take the citizenship test...new citizens know this, while most Americans don't.
chestercat1 says: " includes the ones at Guantanamo). We may all need to take the citizenship test...new citizens know this, while most Americans don't. "
I guess you need to take the test too. Aren't the ones in Guantanamo military captives? That takes them out of the "citizen process".
"Aren't the ones in Guantanamo military captives?"
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Not until they are formally declared as such under the terms of the Geneva Convention. So far they have no formal delaration of status, nor have the vast majority of them been charged with a crime.
I really don't understand why we have to keep explaining this. Once should be enough.
JLYON said: "he hasnt been hateful and has been funny"
It doesn't matter. CNN has a responibility as a news network to increase the quality of discussion in the public sphere.
Oggling over ladies and providing absolutely no journalistic or academic analysis breaks this responsibility.
Stephen Colbert satirizes pundits who talk from the "gut" and not from the mind. Beck confessed to doing just that in this clip--going on his "gut". So, if Beck's commentary serves absolutely no constructive purpose, why is he even on air?
Why is Nancy Grace on the air? She is not a legitimate news person, why is Hollywood tonight on CNN ? Beck is here for entertainment and he states it.
When did these "24 hour news channels" become entertainment outlets?
---" Beck is here for entertainment and he states it."---
Beck is listed as an "Anchor & Reporter" --not as an "entertainer"-- on CNN's web site.
"Hosted from Headline News' New York studios, Glenn Beck offers an unconventional look at the news of the day ... "
I doesn't surprise me that you libs wouldn't understand simple market economics. Television stations, even news channels, make money based on their ratings. The better the ratings, the more money they can charge for commercial time. CNN is currently tanking in the ratings so they need programs that will pick up viewers. It's all about the bottom line. Beck is just the latest effort to improve their ratings, we'll see how it works out.
Cnn doesn't have much credibility in news anyway so I don't see this hurting them any, and it might just boost their ratings.
First, let me say, yikes. "Beckwatch"? Is MMFA going to write a little blurb or two about him everyday? Kinda makes me think they're developing an Olbermann type obsession. ;-)
But seiously, Hill and Beck have somewhat of an odd situation. She went to high school with a couple of his writers and producers, so the relationship may be less "professional" than you think. His producers may be old friends with her, and if they tease her, Beck might feel it reasonable for him to do so as well. Old friends of old friends often become good friends of your own.
And it is entertainment. Not quite like TDS or CR, but something different. It's his own perspective on the news. Hasn't this been said a million times? Just because he's on a channel called "Headline News" does not automatically mean everything on there has to be news. Ever heard of Fox News? ;-) It's commentary and he openly admits it. What's so wrong?
Unless they are married or publicly involved, any sexual innuendos to a female colleague crosses the line by a long shot, its more than unprofessional its degrading and CNN should demand it stop
Actually, he did tell some news. He told about the border patrol having to disclose the location of minutemen operations to the Mexican government. I did hear it on Savage, though. But not on CBS. If you "demand" news to be told, why are we left to the selectivity of "liberal" news stations? Or, why are we left to the selectivity of the "conservative" news stations? I've noticed that liberal news isn't carrying the story, while conservative ones are. Is it a true story? I guess we could find out if it was covered!
Are liberals really worried about all the news, or only the news they want reported??
A Savage Fan.
Let me guess, you're a Dan Rather fan?
"First, let me say, yikes. "Beckwatch"?"
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You're right. It should be titled, "Backwash."
So Beck.......like Bill O and Sean H..........hosts a show that isn't news!!
At least he admitted it!!
But I'm curious.......if his is admitedly not about news......then whats it about?? Demeaning women? Spitting on legitamacy for ratings?
Someday soon CNN will look back at this mistake and will fire all those that thought this piece of crap was worth the risk!
And CONMAN.........I don't care if they grew up from birth as neighbors...... for Beck to act this way toward Hill in such a way is basically saying that all the rights that women have fought for are meaningless.........
This kind of behavior usually meant that you were fired and then sued.......it seems that women are being told to take a back seat again?
You would think that 'compassionate conservative' moral majority God-fearing people like yourself would be digusted by this a$$clowns actions.....
Or is this perhaps the way you right-wingers want it??
Funny how when 'liberals' were on an even keel and this chasm between liberals and conservatives didn't exist the way it does today, women and minorities where well on their way to having equal rights....as it should be!!
But bring on the compassionate cons (who have been in power the last 6 years....and suddenly.......only the rich white guy seems to be getting all the breaks........and every kind of decent reform or law created in the last 50 years is being gutted by those that claim to have a 'moral' high authority!
Glen Beck is scum!! End of story!!
By defending this scum you are embrassing pre-1920 America........
My point remains--even though Beck's show may be more opinion than news-story, CNN still has a responsibility to enhance the quality of public discourse.
So, Beck is certainly welcome to focus his show on light-hearted opinion rather than breaking news. However, if he decides to opine about the hottness of his collegue and about who he thinks is a "scumbag", then he's doing nothing for the quality of public discussion.
To make my argument clear, think Jon Stewart: it's his opinion and it's very light-hearted, yet it's still constructive
Who knighted CNN with a "responsibility to enhance the quality of public discourse"? What a joke, they have no more responsibility than any other channel. Besides, the "quality of public discourse" is entirely subjective. Your type probably thinks MMFA enhances the "public discourse". Others consider their website nothing but tripe. Who are you to determine which one is correct.
The same goes for Jon Stewart. Constructive?!?! Now you're the comedian with no credibility.
...and BTW Jon doesn't come on MSNBC or any other stations that calls itself a news station. That said CNN news headline or what ever it's called. Is this eclectic catch all for characters - Nancy Grace is weird, not to mention annoying as hell. The Business guy and his antics is scary weird, and now this new freak Glenn is added to the lineup.
This Beck is a child. He is worse than a horny teenager . I cant believe he found a women to sleep with him , forget about marry him.He comes off so devoid of any real passion or intelligence. He just seems so Dah dedeado Which way did he go George. Hes the cartoon version of that cartoon Rush Limpwhore.
Watching this schtick on headline news is just sad. If I want an opinion I'll look for a fair educated one and I won't get it on Headline news.
..."I am not a journalist. This is not a news show."
My question is, WHAT IS HE? This stuff begs for a party and a lamp shade. It's not funny. It's not informative. It's like CNN wants to turn itself into The Cartoon Network!
For taking the 'high road' and keeping all of us informed on what is happening on each Beck show. Since I don't have cable, I'm not able to watch it. I am able to get the best "highlights" from each night, here. First bit of humor was good, but you have to know about workplace sexual harrasement in order to "get" the joke. The second skit sounded like standard "radio" Beck stuff. He has this "lounge music" that he plays when certain female callers talk to him. It's a joke, but only funny if you "get it". Third skit sounded like opinion. One that many share...president Tom is nuts! And finally, he told some news. It is current news that you, well that I, can't find from liberal news. It's an important story that should be covered and investigated.
There you have it. Humor, opinion and news brought to you by Glenn Beck with much publicity from MMFA.
Your pet news story has been reported by CNN, AP, and dozens of newspapers and TV stations in California and Arizona. Learn to use Google News.
Ahh ha ha. That's a good one. I hear more bellyaching from everyone else, including you. You can like Beck or hate Beck, but he has the same right to denagrate people or even joke about them as you all do....and are doing. You who call him names are no different than him (if you claim he is calling people names), you who slander him are no different than him (if you claim he is slandering). It is YOU who need to get off your high horses and come to realize you are complaining about a guy that you are no different than! And if you went back are read some of the vial name calling coming from nearly each and every one of you, you'd agree (but I doubt admit it).
BECK: Y'know I' a recovering scumbag alcoholic, druggie, reformed smoker, incest survior. Donca love me.
CALDWELL: No Glenn, I find you actually kind of pitiful.
BECK: Opps, I just soiled my diaper.
CALDWELL: And I just threw up on my shoes.
And their pretty young female friends. It is the mainstream media guys!
Glenn seems like a genuinely nice guy who tries to inject a little humor into current events. The criticism here seems a little over the top compared to the goals of his show.
These anti-Beck articles are the epitome of the media's manipulation of public opinion. It is not only liberals that do this. Limbaugh does so on a daily basis.
I listen to all sides of talk radio, watch all sides of news television, etc. Of those, I have preferred Beck and Frankin because they tend to be more real, and don't twist facts. If I were to read this article and never have listened to Beck's show, I would believe he was as terrible of a person as this article tries to make him appear. However, I have listend to him plenty enough times to know about how much he uses sarcasm and hyperbole. Before accepting this shameless bashing in which Beck's statements are taken completely out of context, I recommend that you listen to his radio show a few times until you understand his humor and communication style. You might not agree with what he thinks, but you will understand that he is not a nut.