Glenn Beck, Howard Stern of the Right

I’ve listened to Glenn Beck for a long time, around 10 years. This was back during the period I like to refer to as, “When Glenn was entertaining”. But something happened about 5 years ago, I’m not sure what, when Beck began a journey from “conservative radio host” to “Carney of All Media” and today that journey is complete.
It was around that time that Beck went on CNN Headline News as the token conservative. This is not an uncommon occurrence in radio. Limbaugh, Hannity, Stern, Imus, Colmes, King, and more have all had TV shows, though only Hannity remains. Without exception, those I’ve mentioned have remained essentially the same personality-wise. That obviously isn’t the case with Beck.
Do I know what changed? Of course not. I’m not so arrogant as to believe that I know what happens to a person’s personal life based on a few hours a day in media. But something did change.
Since 2005, Beck has made a concerted effort to have his face everywhere possible, in every means possible. Howard Stern is an admitted egomaniac and has in the past referred to himself as “The King of All Media” but he can’t hold a candle to Beck:

• Multiple live shows every year since then, including simulcast to increase the audience. These shows were initially comedy shows but have evolved into sappy, feel-good Christmas shows as well.
• Books, books, and more books. Political books, historical books, novels, and yes, sappy, feel-good Christmas books.
• His own Internet-based “TV” channel, called GBTV featuring Beck, his staff, and other politically-based original programming.
• The Blaze, an internet-based news service/website.
• Clothing line, American-made with at least some of the profits going to charity
• A book publishing entities.
• Rallies, rallies, rallies.
• A non-profit organization

Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing at all wrong with a person being a diverse businessman or branding himself and capitalizing on it.  So why am I bothered when Beck does it?  I’m not. I’m bothered by how he does it and the cult of personality that he’s creating, ironically the very thing for which he attacks Obama.
What makes Beck different from most business people creating their empires is that the enterprises aren’t focused on a single personality above all else.  I’ll offer as my strongest example, the cover of Beck’s latest book, Being George Washington. Before and after the book’s release, Beck has emphasized how important George Washington was. I agree. Everything was “this is not about me, this is about you” and how “you need to become a George Washington”. A day doesn’t go by when Beck on his radio show declares that his career doesn’t matter and he would be happy if it went away. He regularly protests that he’s just a messenger and he personally doesn’t matter.
Oh, really? Methinks thou dost protest too much.  I wonder. If “Being George Washington” is the most important thing that he is urging people to become, how does he explain this:


When you see that book, whom do you see? The picture of Beck takes up nearly 2/3 of the entire cover. And where is Washington? A bust in the back of the room that’s not even in focus. This is a book whose focus, at least on the cover, is Glenn Beck.
Suppose that President Obama had written a book by the same title. Does anyone believe that Beck and every other conservative wouldn’t level criticism had his cover done the same thing?



What we have, more than anything, is a cult of personality worthy of any charismatic prophet or world movement leader.  Now, am I referring to Obama or Beck?

Wealth Intelligence?

There is a commercial playing every day on radio in Atlanta that starts out by saying, “Nothing screams ‘wealth intelligence’ like Sanford and Son”.

Really?

What about this picture makes you want to trust their judgment on financial matters?

Ever Cute!

I'm baaaaack

Well, I'm back. My other various sites (aside from blogspot blogs) have shut down and I want to spew my brain dumps to the disinterested world. So expect more to come on whatever subjects trip my fancy, including politics.

Has it been 2 years??

Since my last post was MaryRose, it's fitting that I make my next one her too.

Mary Rose is a tired little girl.

Like Daddy, Like Daughter

It’s in the genes, no question. :)

Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Progress Chart has Moved

It can now be found at my new Detroit Red Wings blog, with other information and articles.

Mitch Albom Shoots One Between The Pipes

9 times out of 10, I cannot stand Mitch Albom.  I think he's generally an overrated hack who's actually built a literary career writing books like Tuesdays with Morrie, et. al. that are tantamount to the Simpsons episode which spoofed human interest broadcasting, ending each news story with "and this...is one of Bart's People.  I'm Bart Simpson."  His writing is often so sugary it's like he writes every story while drinking a maple syrup smoothie at Waffle House.  (For you yankees, that's a southern version of Tim Ho's with ugly waitresses and food that truckers have to think hard before eating and not think about again if they want to keep it down)

I'm not kidding.  I could go on for days about how much Albom's irritates me.  I've actually considered writing (i.e. programming) a Mitch Albom Writing Kit that can help you write stories just like him.  How hard could it be?  You pick a phrase and say it 20 times through a story for impact.  For example:

Jimmy John blabb blah blah blah blah...

But he wouldn't quit.

The world was against Jimmy and 2 more paragraphs of stuff.

But he wouldn't quit.

 

You get the idea.

AAAANYWAY, my Ritalin is finally kicking in so I can stop ranting now.  He wrote a great and well-deserved piece on Chris "Doogie" Osgood, Red Wing Goalie.  It's a good read.

And so he is back to his pretty damn good -- back to where he belongs, Detroit, where he says he will live for the rest of his life.

When they yell players' names at hockey games, it can be a fad, a spontaneous eruption. When they yell "Ozzie" at Joe Louis Arena, it's more like a career cheer, a hometown familiarity, the thing he has wanted more than anything else: to be a key part of this franchise, to hopefully retire in this jersey.

Seven years ago, when the Wings let him go, this is what he told me, before hanging up the phone:

"Make sure nobody takes my number."

The amazing rebirth of Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press