Talk:Glenn Beck/Archive 1

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Archive This is an archive of past discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.

What about Glenn's dad, who was a major influence on him? --Merovingian 14:11, Jan 3, 2004 (UTC)

Can't say I've listened to his show and some biographical information on him (e.g. date of birth) is particularly difficult to find. I'll look for some more articles on him and see what I can find. (Feel free to take part of the wikimoney back if you feel the article is insufficient. I think it's a pretty good start, at any rate.) -- Matty j 21:38, Jan 3, 2004 (UTC)

An anon user removed the statement that Beck opposes multiculturalism. I was about to revert when I realized that, never having heard of Beck, I don't know how he does feel about it, nor what he's said about it, if anything, on the air. In other words, I don't know if our anon friend (whose other edit was to say the US is "the greatest country on earth" and was qickly reverted) is disputing that Beck takes this position, that it's an example of a right-wing position, or that its inclusion is NPOV. ♥ «Charles A. L.» 21:37, Mar 30, 2004 (UTC)

How about adding a "raised Catholic," phrase to his background info? (Source: 22 Jul 2005 broadcast, while stating how scary he finds the movie "The Exorcist.") --Michael Garoutte 16:57, 22 July 2005 (UTC)

Beck's bumper announcements are to the effect that his show is the "perfect blending of entertainment and enlightenment", or words to that effect. Apparently he feels that this is something of a signature comment comparable to Limbaugh's "performing all my assigned host duties flawlessly, with zero mistakes." It probably ought to be in the article if someone can articulate it and add it better than I. Rlquall 23:02, 1 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Contents

Content from Glenn Beck

The following was written at Glenn Beck. Obviously a duplicate - it may be useful content: Based in Philadelphia, Glenn Beck, 40, is casting a tall shadow as the next phenomenon of talk radio. The former Top 40 DJ entered the talk format in 2001 and already his show is broadcast on 160 stations nationwide. Millions of listeners are drawn to this modern-day story teller who is armed with a quick wit, an informed opinion, and a unique ability to inspire others to experience their full potential with an open heart. His on-air presence is both commanding and inviting – a trait he has been refining for the last 26 years.

Glenn started in radio when he was only 13 years old by winning a local radio contest to be a DJ for an hour. Soon after that auspicious day, Glenn had three jobs – one at a Christian station, a Rock station, and a Country station – all of which his parents had to schlep him to in their home state of Washington. He was fired from all three jobs – on the same day when he was 14 years old!

After high school graduation, Glenn pursued his career as a Top 40 DJ at stations all over the country. Eventually, he landed an opportunity in Corpus Christi, Texas as the youngest morning guy in the U.S. at 18 years old. His career was soaring and took him to Top 40 morning shows in Baltimore, Houston, Phoenix, Washington, and New Haven, Conn. He rode the wave of professional success into the 1990s when things began to change. Today, Glenn points out, “When you have that kind of success that early in life, it’s easy for you to turn into a monster. And I did! I was not a good guy.”

At the age of 30, Glenn lost his passion for radio – and everything else – as alcoholism and drug addiction took him over. Struggling to find some answers to his problem, Glenn pursued higher education. Though he was accepted by Yale as a Theology major, he lasted only one semester, faced with a divorce from his first wife and separation from his two daughters – the oldest with Cerebral Palsy. He was emotionally and financially decimated and relegated to one of the smallest radio markets. The shooting radio star had fallen to earth.

Finally, he turned to a program of recovery.

Coming to terms with his past and staying sober shifted his life direction. He found a new love (his second wife, Tania), religion (he was baptized Mormon in 2000), and a new vision of his career – he would pursue talk radio.

Soon after his baptism, Glenn received a call from an agent who was interested in representing him. Days later, he had an offer to host his own talk radio show on WFLA-AM in Tampa, Florida, forcing him to move away from his daughters in New Haven. He and Tania decided to live in Tampa for two years and then, whether Glenn succeeded or failed, they would move closer to his girls.

He inherited the 18th placed position at WFLA-AM and took it to the #1 position in his first year, giving the station its highest ratings ever. Within 18 months, Premiere Radio Networks, the leading radio syndication company in the country, offered Glenn the opportunity to go national. In January 2002, The Glenn Beck Program launched on 47 stations.

He also kept his promise to his daughters and moved the national show to Philadelphia. The Glenn Beck Program airs weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon ET and be heard on more than 150 stations nationwide.

-- Chuq 03:25, 15 Nov 2004 (UTC)

NPOV

The statement "In May of 2005, he threatened Michael Moore on the air. This inappropriate commentary received little notice by the now right leaning press," is NPOV. It should be modified to conform to Wikipedia neutrality standards. The nature of the threat should be described in greater detail. If Moore or a media watchdog group publically described it as inappropriate, this information should be included. Appropriateness or inappropriateness is subjective and should not be included in the text as a factual statement, even if you feel the statement crossed a line. The phrase "now right leaning press" is a slanted and controversial statement.

The transcript of Beck's statement aired on May 17, 2005 follows.

"I'm thinking about killing Michael Moore, and I'm wondering if I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it. No, I think I could. I think he could be looking me in the eye, you know, and I could just be choking the life out -- is this wrong? I stopped wearing my What Would Jesus -- band -- Do, and I've lost all sense of right and wrong now. I used to be able to say, 'Yeah, I'd kill Michael Moore,' and then I'd see the little band: What Would Jesus Do? And then I'd realize, 'Oh, you wouldn't kill Michael Moore. Or at least you wouldn't choke him to death.' And you know, well, I'm not sure."

-- Great Scott 15:21, 23 May 2005 (UTC)

If you knew about his disdain for political correctness, you would understand that Glenn is simply being sarcastic. Jm51 04:55, 28 May 2005 (UTC)

Just trying to present balance

Beck IS controversial and he is not loved by all. I don't feel its right to have a puff piece praising the man when there is another side to the story. Beck has been vocal when any Democrats or liberals joke around. He didn't think it was funny when Whoopi Goldberg made jokes about the President for instance. While I realize he was "joking" about Moore, many (including me) found joking about murdering someone to be in poor taste. Moore is a hated figure on the right--what if some unbalanced individual didn't get Beck's "joke" and hurt him. If an article is neutral about a controversial figure it should present both sides.

I have no problem putting the Moore bit in this article. I do have a problem saying it is "threatening." It was a comedy bit relating to Dave Chappelle. And if an individual harmed Michael Moore, it would not have been Beck's fault. It would be that individual's fault. Beck should not be responsible for other people's actions. If he were, any murder, domestic violence, or drug abuse would have to be blamed on COPS, rappers, or basically any movie or TV show out there. You would have to blame the war in Iraq on Moore since he simply joked about it. Quit blaming people for other people's actions! Moore is a great proponent of free speech, and Beck's comments did not violate his rights. I doubt Moore likes Beck very much, but he must respect his rights. SkeeloBob 14:48, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Beck has been vocal about things he has deemed tasteless many many times. He has made it clear he won't watch "R" rated movies for instance. Why is Joe Pesci swearing, an explicit sex scene and "Will and Grace" all bad things but joking about murdering someone is OK. I know you think he is hilarious but he ain't no Richard Pryor or George Carlin. I listened to a show were Glenn went on for quite awhile over some Good Charlotte lyrics that he thought were tasteless. He isn't funny and his nowhere near hip and his words are hypocritical and he contradicts himself constantly. I respect his right to speak but he doesn't respect my right to watch "Goodfellas" or someone elses right to watch "Will and Grace" (Don't even think about joking about the President--I heard Glenn compare or current Commander in Chief to Churchill once--he wasn't joking but I laughed at that one!). The biggest laugh in this article is from the statement that he is against political correctness. He is against liberal political correctness but (for instance) when Whoopi Goldberg made fun of President Bush, Glenn went on for weeks talking about how horrible it was for Whoopi to joke about the President. I get it---it's Ok to joke about Michael Moore, Howard Dean, Bill Clinton, gays, unions, etc. etc. but joke about a Republican President or any "red state" value and you've crossed the line with Glenn. My point really has nothing to do with this argument anyway---my point is the Wikipedia entry made Glenn Beck look as if he was wildly popular and beloved by all---I wanted to fix that. It was a puff piece written by fans---I wanted to let the other side be known.

I'll give it to you that Glenn is a little strange when it comes to watching R-rated movies (I believe it has something to do with him being a Mormon.), but he isn't against other people watching them. And I do think Beck is funny, but not "hilarious." (And although I may sound like a heretic to some, realistically, there are better comedians out there than Richard Pryor and George Carlin (unless you're really old), but that's an argument for another place and time.) I am pretty sure Beck would never consider himself "hip." I have absolutely no problem showing the other side. I think it is important to see all of the angles on a subject. And I cannot comment on his remarks about Whoopi because I don't know what he said about it. Do you have any quotes of his or anything? Was he commenting on the sexual nature of it? Or criticizing the President during a time of war? And what is so wrong with comparing Bush and Churchill? More greivous comparisons have been made, i.e. Moore's camparison of Iraqi insurgents and the Minutemen, IMHO. --SkeeloBob 14:37, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Please---comparing George W. Bush to Winston Churchill? What an insult to Churchill!! Bush is leading us down the wrong path and his numbers are now sinking as the country catches on. Beck attacked Whoopi for the sexual nature of her remarks and for criticizing a President during wartime and for the fact it was at a Democratic fundraiser. I didn't think the joke was any big deal and in a free country (we still are in a free country I hope) you have the right to joke about a President even in wartime unless you are a talk radio host trying to sell people on a fictional "Real America" that never existed except in the Norman Rockwell fantasies of people like Glenn Beck. America is great because of freedom (real freedom--R rated movies and all) and diversity and I hope it stays that way forever.


I think the problem you two users are dancing around is basically this: Michael Moore and Glenn Beck believe in the same thing - freedom of speech. While I don't think Beck was threatening Moore with his insults, I also don't find joking about murdering someone to be in good taste. But guess what. He's allowed to do it. That's why we live in America. Because both Moore and Beck may say what they want. The first amendment is there to protect words and speeches that are UNpopular, not popular. If we reprimand Beck for his seemingly tasteless remarks, we must be forced to reprimand Moore for his many tasteless remarks. So it really boils down to two options: we understand that both men say what they think and do what they want because they live in a country that allows them to do it, or we bring civil action against both men for offending thousands of people with their words. And I do believe Glenn Beck IS against political correctness. Political correctness is what prevents both liberals and conservatives from saying what they truly want to say. If Beck gets angry at someone for insulting the president, it is because in his opinion, they are wrong. Doesn't mean that he's got the correct opinion, but he HAS A RIGHT TO HAVE IT just as much as they have a right to say what they want. And Beck has said many times over that he believes in freedom of opinion, and it's okay if people disagree with them, because they're exercising their rights. Doesn't mean he has to like their opinion, nor does it mean others have to like his. In fact, Glenn is very supportive of his detractors, and he makes all his hate mail available on his website, because he acknowledges that you cannot be loved by everyone.

homosexually themed television

I don't think I would classify Glenn as against homosexually themed television. He does seem to be against overtly sexual television and anything that pushes the limits of television standards like Janet Jacksons superbowl boob etc. The reason I make this distinction is that I specifically remember Glenn saying he enjoyed watching Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, when the show was first coming out. Just a minor distinction... ß Why is it that when you are logged off it calls Glen Beck an idiot and other name calling distortions? I s this really necessary? No. I personnally have never listened to his show, but, you end up losing any credibility by name calling. Just the facts please!

Good job, everyone!

The other day on his show, Beck called WP "a good resource for looking up just about anything," describing this entry as "eerily" accurate and "possibly more accurate then the bio on my own web site." - Calmypal (T) June 30, 2005 20:04 (UTC)

We do what we can. I have emailed Glenn a few times touting the great articles on Wiki about him and the stuff he does. --SkeeloBob 1 July 2005 13:48 (UTC)
I added this quote to the entry itself. It may not stand the test of time - I'll leave it to the experts. But I thought it was interesting and relevant for Wikipedia readers.

He again said the Wikipedia article is more accurate than his own website bio. I'm not too sure what day it was, but it was sometime this past week. Chalk another one up to WP! --SkeeloBob 16:50, 17 July 2005 (UTC)

Let's avoid gushy bios, please?

Especially with a controversial personality like Beck, there is a tendency if you like a famous person to repeat the phrases you have heard him use in describing himself and others. These phrases are sometimes dialectal in origin, almost always ambiguous, and sometimes slanderous. It is important to at least attempt objectivity. My changes went to that purpose. If you want to debate the finer points, please do so here, but don't just roll it back or bat it around like a tennis ball in a boring political fray. That's not the purpose of Wikipedia, IMHO. --Doug Alford 19:29, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

SkeeloBob, is it really "notable" that Mr. Beck is "rather plump" -- or, for that matter, 6 feet 4 inches tall? The height is not particularly notable, but it is at least factual in context. The "plump" bit is not factual at all. It's just a quaint phrase that has no basis in definition or "notability". It could stay in the article, but only as a self-descriptive phrase used by Beck, if that is the case.--Doug Alford 04:51, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

Yes, I think it is pretty notable that he is rather plump. It is a topic on his show very often. I am not sure if Beck has ever called himself "plump," but it is factual. He talks about fitness fairly often, and his weight is normally the topic at-hand. It could possibly be said a less colloquial way, but I am not quite sure how to put it any other way. --SkeeloBob 13:36, 1 August 2005 (UTC)
Then it's notable that he talks about it. "Plumpness", which, again, has no definition in the sense that there is no measured standard, is not notable because there are millions of people who could be described as "plump", including many radio personalities, so any objective description would not single out Mr. Beck as notable for this characteristic. It's really the word "notable" I have a problem with here. It's simply not true in this context, and it stands out as another example of taking someone's self-description and casting it as objective description. Can we at least change it to say something like "Beck often mentions his plumpness" ... or something else that doesn't read like Entertainment Tonight? ;-) --Doug Alford 14:50, 1 August 2005 (UTC)
Well it is something he is known for. Should we not put personal information into articles? Should we not list James Madison as the shortest president? Should we not say that Richard Simmons used to weigh 300 pounds? Personal information is often used. And it's not "self-descriptive," it is "descriptive." It is something people know about Glenn Beck. Like I said before, maybe "plump" is too colloquial, but how else should we say this? --SkeeloBob 13:35, 2 August 2005 (UTC)
If it's something that he's known for, and if he mentions it frequently on the air, then maybe something like, "On the air, Glenn is also known for often referring to himself as overweight (or "plump") when making a particular point." Not necessarily that, of course, but something like it might work. Just a suggestion.Stanselmdoc 16:08, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

External Links

The Big Frog 109.9 FM - A fansite for the fake radio station used on the Glenn Beck Program

More On Trivia DOT ORG - Tips and Suggestions on how not to be humiliated on the Glenn Beck Program

Both have been mentioned before on the Glenn Beck Program. --Spunkz 19:11, 18 September 2005 (UTC)

Neutrality: You Vandalized This Article

It seems you are the all-knowing when it comes to Glenn Beck since you are now the only one who can update the damn thing. I will no longer contribute to this article, nor will I recommend it for anyone to use as a reference for Glenn Beck. Great JOB! The only author who can edit this article (see Neutrality) is nothing more than a liberal socialite who enjoys censoring opinion that opposes his own. There is no irony in that all the edits he has made (which you can view in the Glenn Beck wiki history) have a left leaning opinion. He takes his "facts" from out of context quotes from a liberal website named mediamaters.org. Ironic indeed that when the rest of us had the ability to edit the article we didn't remove your "Controversial Statements" section.

You removed mentions of Glenn's new baby, refuse to let us correct the spelling of Tania's name, and deleted the More On Trivia section! Yet you were sure to replace that with the mediamaters.org talking points (which if we want to be technical should be migrated to wikiquotes cause that's what they are).

You claim that this is part of a clean up. Yet, you never followed wikipedia guidelines and logged your vandalism of the article.

If you would like to see an honest reflection of Glenn's life I recommend this site:

GlennPedia.com

--Spunkz 04:32, 3 October 2005 (UTC)


What Happened to this Article?

Once upon a time, there was a great biographical article. Then the evil POV-ers came and ruined it. And I mean POV-ers from both sides: Pro-Glenn and Anti-Glenn. The problem is there was no reason for a protection to go up to prevent "vandalism" that wasn't even occurring! And the "Controversial Statements" section? Don't even get me started, EVERYONE knows you can't just put quotes in an article without adding some substance behind them. That's not wiki policy, that's wikiquote policy. If you want to quote his controversial statements, back it up with information like who got mad at his statements, who sent him hate-mail, who organized a protest or something. You can't just put the quotes in. Ugh, when I have more time, I'll bring up more issues. Stanselmdoc 15:08, 4 October 2005 (UTC)

Unprotecting

Time to edit. --Tony SidawayTalk 17:21, 4 October 2005 (UTC)

Beck's Side Websites

Is there a reason that the sites that I have put up on the page keep getting erased? I have made it abundantly clear that these certain sites have been put own by Beck and his show, and are therefore not fansites:

These sites were created by Beck and his staff as a joke based on the topic. The Jim Dingle site has been going for at least three years, continuously. The other two have been around at least for a year. There sites are not fan sites.

Sites like More On Trivia is a fansite and I have therefore not included it. Do not erase Beck Sponsored Sites. --Saxonjf 01:19, 7 October 2005 (UTC)

Note: Nick Berg was not a Wall St Journal Reporter. If you click on "Nick Berg" it describes him and his occupation. This should be corrected.--GRW 13 October 2005

9/11 & Katrina Victims v. Survivors

The quote from Media Matters (the blatantly left-wing propaganda machine) ought to be left off. Glenn was in no way degrading the survivors of Katrina & 9/11, but those who tried to play the 'victim' role. It could be a whole article in and of itself.

If the Michael Moore thing weren't so funny, we would think about removing that, but honestly, who likes Michael Moore? --—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.117.81.200 (talk • contribs) 22:01, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

Apparently Lord Voldemort won't let us delete the quotes taken out of context without discussing. Lets discuss the stupid quotes so we can remove them. Anyone care to actually take the postition that the quotes aren't out of context?!? Chancelot 02:21, 20 October 2005 (UTC)
Well, I was thinking that that quote was notable, so it might warrant inclusion, but if you remove that one, why not remove the other quotes out of context? But you are correct, we should at least have the full quote, not just the snippets mediamatters plucked out to fit their POV. Okay, go ahead and remove them until we can come up with some consensus here on the talk page. Nevermind I'll go ahead and do it. --Lord Voldemort (Dark Mark) 12:48, 20 October 2005 (UTC)
I've got no problem removing all the out-of-context quotes, but I definately think that the 9/11 & Katrina victims is completely out of context. I'm not sure if you listen to Beck, but during that entire show he mentioned that he had nothing but respect for the survivors of such tragedies, but he was disgusted with how quickly people start to become greedy and scummy. He doesn't hate the 9/11 families, he loathes the families that sought to make it all about them. If you want to have a full quote, we'll pretty much need to start a whole new article just one his controversial statements. Chancelot 05:08, 21 October 2005 (UTC)


Statements without context hidden from article page

On May 14, 2004, Beck said on his show that Michael Berg, the father of the murdered Nick Berg, was "despicable" and "a scumbag," saying "can you let your son's body become the same temperature as your son's head before you turn this into a political campaign against the president—could you do that?" and that "I find this guy despicable. Everything in me says that. The want to be a better person today than I was yesterday says he's a dad, he's grieving, but I don't buy that. I'm sorry, I don't buy it. I think he is grieving, but I think he's a scumbag as well. I don't like this guy at all." [1][2]

In a May 17, 2005 comedy bit involving what people would do for 50 million dollars, he asked, "Would you kill someone for that?" He said he was "thinking about killing (filmmaker) Michael Moore" and pondered whether "I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it," before deciding: "No, I think I could. I think he could be looking me in the eye, you know, and I could just be choking the life out—is this wrong?" [3]

Glennpedia (added to External Links)

I added Glennpedia to the list of external links, as it contains a lot of valuable information - including recaps of each show. It is made so that a new listener to the program can understand the origin of many aspects of the show. 140.254.224.194 20:47, 15 November 2005 (UTC)

Right-wing?

I made the previous changes and it was not my intention to vandalize this site. I just feel that the term "right-wing" is perceived as a derogatory comment. I feel "conservative" more aptly describes Mr. Beck's work. I am a Democrat and still enjoy Mr. Beck and don't consider his work right-wing. Also I have seen it noted on plenty of sites that his ratings were 8 million or above.

Beck is now on more than 180 stations

The show has grown to over 180 stations and now also features a weekend version. Also in the works, is a new magazine--"Glenn Beck's Fusion".

Fixed the 180 stations thing. Will work on Fusion Magazine stuff. SkeeloBob 16:16, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Immediate Response

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia where anyone can contribute. We would like to thank the user Neutrality for contributing to this article. Ben, please stop removing edits and additions that others make. I created a section called "More On Trivia" which is a highly sucessful segment on the Glenn Beck program. If you listen to the show then you would know that this segment explains a lot about his character and at least a mention should be included in his entry. Half the time Ben, I think your edits are just attacks against the guy. The rest of us are just interested in a rounded profile that represents his true character. Unlike the others you have banned from making edits in this entry, just open a dialogue with us. Thanks. --Spunkz 04:44, 19 September 2005 (UTC)