Lemon and CNN take on FOX …. LMAO
I recently wrote that the new owner of CNN might be smart to shift the Network more to the center to improve ratings – which are currently in the toilet. Before analyzing the CNN/Lemon strategy of continuing to attack FOX News, we need to see the overview of cable news ratings. According to the recent official ratings:
“Fox News has outdrawn CNN and MSNBC combined in all categories for 17 straight weeks as a heavily promoted CNN special failed to resonate with Americans.”
As far as cable news is concerned, FOX is the people’s choice.
So … what about Don Lemon.
Back in January of 2021, Lemon topped FOX’s Laura Ingraham in the 10 p.m. time slot for a ratings nanosecond. Since that time, his ratings have fallen faster than President Biden’s. A mid-year name change – “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon” to “Don Lemon Tonight” – proved to be a distinction without of difference in terms of viewership. The rationale behind the minimus name change is imponderable.
The other evening, Lemon brought on CNN media critic and obsessive FOX hunter, Brian Stelter, and the alleged conservative member of the CNN family, S.E. Cupp, to go on a frontal attack on the cable news champion Network.
The result was a combination of competitive jealousy, political bias, cancel culture and head-scratching irrationality. It brought on one of those, “what are this people thinking” responses.
I understand that the Network wants to overtake FOX. But it is more than a media ratings war. CNN wants FOX to be destroyed. Why you may ask? Because FOX is the voice of opposition to the left-wing false narratives and political propaganda that CNN and others are deploying in the desperate hope of defeating Republicans in the 2022 midterm elections.
While patting themselves on the back as a paragon of journalist integrity, they are trying to convince viewers that FOX is not a legitimate cable news service. The folks at FOX – the number one by far in cable news — should be kicked out of the Fourth Estate.
Lemon – in his inimitable whiny fashion — questioned why FOX is even allowed to ask questions at White House press briefings. “Why are they even allowed in the room?” Lemon wondered.
That’s right. The number one cable news network – preferred by millions of viewers – should be canceled … censored … shut down. That is not only outrageous, but also downright stupid – and if their opinions had any gravitas with the American people, it would be dangerous.
Lemon, Stelter and Cupp are the voices of authoritarianism. They do not want to engage in open debate on the critical issues – an essential ingredient of democracy. They want critics and opponents to be silenced. As with all authoritarian thinking, you crush what you cannot defeat in the marketplace of ideas.
The second feature of authoritarianism is the disregard and distrust for the opinions of the people – the masses that they see as incompetent, unintelligent, unethical and evil in their judgment. A public that must be controlled and managed by a more noble elite class. People like Lemon, Stelter and Cupp – to name a few.
If you were of the opinion that journalism was about the reporting of various viewpoints with the pole as the judge of what they choose to believe, you are very mistaken. MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski famously blurted out the foundational belief of the elitist media when she claimed that it is “our [the media’s] job to tell people what to think.”
Every day, however, the American people are voting with their remote controls. They are deciding which of the cable news networks they believe are providing them with the information they want and need – the stories that interest them the most from the reporters they trust the most.
For CNN personalities like Lemon to even suggest that FOX should not be allowed to report, is a bit like local merchants telling Wal-Mart that they should not be allowed to sell stuff. That is why I had a good chuckle watching Lemon & Co. trying to sell unhinged bloviating as serious news or opinion.
While I have never seen any empirical analysis of the issue, I suspect that one of the competitive benefits FOX enjoys is the constant harping by CNN … and MSNBC. It is not news. It is not even a good opinion. It is meaningless trash talk – and getting a bit tiresome. That may be what we are seeing in the ratings.
So, there ‘tis.
That’s the problem with the radicalized right, CNN is as center as it gets. But you radicals are soooo far right, that anything short of hunting the poor for sport is leftist.
That being said, twice in a week Larry has attacked CNN. This coincides nicely with Fox personalities having their texts to trump being read out loud by Republican Channey. Seems like you’re trying deflect.
Yeah, Republicans have not changed their position on anything since 1848. The left has taken everyone hostage forcing us to move further left for the last few decades. Instead of personal attacks, how about including something of substance instead of repeating what you hear on the media
Morgan,
You’re joking right? The Country has slowly moved right since St Ronnie took office. So much so that y’all want to burn books, control women’s bodies, continue the failed war on drugs, imprison even more of our citizens, and lick the boots of the government police.
I don’t think the problem is with the media I consume, iOS with the media you consume. If you are reading PBP and other like minded blogs and watch faux “news”, you’re def getting the “news” that confirms your biases as opposed to factual news.
Ben … engaged in a little projecting here?
Larry, I have seen an awful lot of vitriol and anti Muslim sentiment thrown my way on your blog lately.
Lemme tell you a quick story. I grew up in the inner city. I was by far the tallest in my grade, so I was pigeon holed into playing basketball. I didn’t really have more than a handful of white friends all through high school. I played with blacks and Puerto Rican’s. We were a team.
It wasn’t until I was on my first ship in the Navy that I realized that racism exists. I was under the false impression that since my fellow service members wanted to help their follow Americans, that they also had a liberal ideology. Boy was I ever wrong. Those southern white guys threw the N word around like it was nothing. They called the black kids “ boy”. Now, to be clear, these were not northern liberals. These were card carrying conservative republicans…. Your readers.
That’s why I thought it was funny that you mentioned a couple of white guys showed up to your grandson’s funeral. As if that made everything with the world right.
I bring this up because of the hate your readers exhibit in the comment section on a daily basis. This is the way white people act when they aren’t in the presence of a grandfather with a black grandson. The fact that you’re alright with this tells me everything. I love my son’s wife like she was one of my own. Same as you loved your black grandson. But if you think for a second that your Ilk don’t say the same things about your dead grandson as they say about my daughter in law you’re sadly mistaken.
Larry, you’re Guilty by association.
This was a very poignant piece; I like it. I do feel Larry tries, I also feel he has taken proactive steps which took a certain amount of courage and still do today. He has walked a road less travelled in this for sure. Not sure guilty by association really applies, but PBP is certainly an enabler of racism. Period. There is no reason on God’s green Earth they should let this shit fly here. It’s their site, their choice, no freedom of speech legally applies to let this crap fly. And IMO, racist talk falls under hate speech which is not allowed via SCOTUS rendering of the 1st Amendment definition. Sure, it’s a tender line what crosses the line but certainly gives PBP the right to moderate. If they had the character to do it. Sure, I appreciate PBP having the balls to let my shit fly, but still feel they should kill the racism in their purview before it spreads. What’s next, talking about kiddee porn is OK on PBP re: 1st amendment rights? Of course not.
But I think Larry has taken action in a racist world and I respect that. Plus, I grew up in the South with normal use of the n-word, had numbers racist-in-language, not in deeds friends, and really feel a lot of that is waning as we woke from our stupidity.
It would be great to discuss this topic as a open forum general discussion to see where it goes and what we can learn from each other. I would love to know why Larry did what he did, how it started. Ben’s story is easier, son feel in love. Could be a learning experience.
Good piece. Heartfelt. Thanks for sharing.
Frank,
I completely understand the concept that freedom of speech pertains to the government censoring your speech. That each blog site sets terms and conditions.
I love the exchange of thoughts and ideas on the Internet. After reading countless conservative blogs, I have a much better idea of what these guys are thinking, I still don’t understand the hate, bigotry, misogamy, or why they are so angry. But I hear what they are saying.
I am shocked at the anger and hatred, the calls for violence, imprisonments and death, of a group simply because they don’t have the same ideologies as the radicalized right.
By allowing this in the comment section, while it is Larry’s right to do so, it is also an endorsement of the same. The most intense rhetoric adds nothing to civil debate. Very seldom do those of us on the left that post on this blog, begin with an attack comment. We debate substance with a little jab here or there. Often we simply add a balanced view to Larry’s partisan screeds.
This is almost always met with name calling, threats of violence, hatred, and bigotry. I’m ok w Larry allowing this type of behavior. But by allowing it, he also aligns himself with it. Although I try hard not to resort to mean and childish outbursts, we can play this game.
A final thought. Trump was very vocal about removing protections of blogs, newspapers, and servers that allowed rhetoric to go on unchecked. I thought this was a bad idea. In no way should someone be held liable for someone else’s expressed opinions. However, Larry and PBP needs to examine their culpability if something were to happen with these posters violent fantasies. After witnessing Jan 6, it’s not too unrealistic to think that it couldn’t happen again.
Sorry Ben. No more of that and I’m asking the others to stop
All I see in the comments is people like you trying to bully and control us.
Morgan, I try to present a balanced view point to Larry’s partisan rants. If all you do is consume Larry’s perspectives, your mind will start thinking that is the way everyone thinks. It’s not. Larry is writing from an ivory tower in Florida after a loooong life of mixing it up with global elites. He doesn’t have his finger on the pulse of an average American. I try to provide that view point on this blog.
As far as bullying and controlling, it is the radical right on this blog that continually tell me to shut up, race bait, and threaten. I have done none of that. Occasionally I will get a little raunchy in my debates, like the immigration blog that Larry wrote when I said that it used to be all you had to do was pose nude and suck a mean dick to get genius immigration status. But for the most part, I offer facts, stats, and a little sarcasm.
You are welcome.
Ben … your arrogance is beyond comprehension. You actually have the audacity to describe the experiences of my dead grandson as a straw man for your own extreme and ignorant views. And then to mock the fact that my late grandson had very good white friends who honor him every Memorial Day by visiting the grave as an indication that racial divisions are not as starkly drawn as in you dark and dimwitted view. And your constant presuppositions about others is contemptable. Based on your writing and lack of decency I have come to the conclusion that you are a disgusting human being unworthy of any further civilized dialogue. And that does not even count your sophomoric and gratuitous insults about my age.
Ahhh. Did I hurt your feeling Larry? Suck it up snowflake.
I do appreciate the fact that you have replied to me half a dozen times over the last day, but not addressed the hate and bigotry your readers display on a daily basis.
You completely sum up the radical right stance of burying your head in the sand unless the issue directly impacts you. How many radical right were anti gay until their kid came out. How many were anti abortion until their mistress or little girl got pregnant? How many were racist until someone points out that racist attack their grandson? You don’t care about anything until it happens to you.
As far as my writing, admittedly, I’m no elite making a living off of writing for cult members. In fact, I barely graduated because of the “rights” writing requirements for graduating high school. I’m not formally educated, I don’t hobnob with Ivy Leaguers like you. I do have to ask you, for an elitist living in an ivory tower making his money off of writing, why do you always leave the R off of “your”? Maybe you should have your wife proof read your responses.
I just a regular Joe trying to make my community a better place to live. I am a caring and decent family man. You advocate for military intervention, and support hate and bigotry through your blog. I suppose that when you’ve got one foot in the grave and are so out of touch with society at large, hunting the port for sport seems reasonable.
Larry,
Sophomoric insults?
Weren’t you the one that wrote an entire article on a rumored fart?
Wtf? The lack of self awareness demonstrated by your old ass is astonishing.
If the ratings are this low, who cares? And who is Don Lemon, never saw the man? Actually I think I did see him once with a memorable Trump skewer about something. It was really pointed, sharp, and mean. I think I loved it but can’t even remember the subject today except there was much controversary; might have even noted it here, but frankly, not that memorable. Wish I could search PBP, I would love to see what I said about the man. But that memorable. Or not.
If FOX ratings are high, does that mean they are good? Accurate? Because I say — neither, with the accent on accurate. So many assumptions, exaggerations, spins, and lies. Recently Gutfield said: ““If you urge a booster for Omicron, does that mean you are actually going to end up preventing a more effective kind of vaccination, ‘nature’s vaccination,’ which would raise the natural immunity.” Greg is not a doctor. Greg is not a scientist. Doctors and Scientists don’t know yet, so WTF is he committing to? “Why would you get a booster against what is, effectively, could be a booster,” oh, that’s what he recommends….. Whattta stupid heartless dick shilling the sheep for the almighty buck. No facts, just feeding the fantasy.
When I first returned to NJ, I figured a full parking lot meant a good restaurant. Went to one, ordered Lobster Frau Diavolo. Got a steamed Lobster with Prego on top, not even shelled. Laughing, we returned it to the kitchen to shell, ate, said meh, and never returned or judged an establishment by the crowd. That’s Fox Diavolo for you :>.
Hey, don’t take it from this liberal, try the Kaiser Foundation, those lying bastards of medicine who say: “Fox Viewers More Likely to Believe COVID Falsehoods.” And lucky for these sheep, Fox delivers. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-11-10/study-fox-viewers-more-likely-to-believe-covid-falsehoods
So, CNN has bad ratings, who cares about them anyway except Trumpers. And FOX feeds the faithful lies which they wanted to hear anyways. It’s the perfect storm.
Inbred , Perv , back door accepting , Liberal jism swallowing Don LemonHEAD is also a liar !! He will spin , lie , twist , turn any story just to fit his narrative !!! But then again ,,, that’s what FAKE cnn does . Perv LemonHEAD has an ongoing civil suit against him now ,,,, Perv LemonHEAD was at a bar and shoved his hand down the front of his pants , then shoved that same hand in the nose of a guy at the bar . LemonHEAD will pay big for that Perv move !!!
Bob,
“When you’re famous, they let you do it”
And “grab em by the pussy” can become President or a SCOTUS judge. Hypocrisy in action.
I am sure Ben agrees, throw the book at them all, take their positions away, everyone, past and present.
But how do you slam one but not the others?
Play stink finger with Tara Reade and become president ( due to voter fraud)
Prove voter fraud or stfu.
I’m betting on neither.
Larry,
Objectively speaking, networks, blogs, and the expanding number of opinion talking heads in media are constitutionally allowed free speech. Unfortunately, misuse of that first amendment right has become a norm through pervasive practice broadcasting lies, promulgating conspiracy theories, and recasting facts out of context so to justify holding a particular opinion.
Which is technically legal until it falls into the libelous category.
Then, who is the arbiter of what crosses the ethnical line into illegality? When is expressing an opinion illegal?
How offensive does an expression of an opinion need to become when crosses the line? Is determination objectively made or is does it come by a subjective path?
In the case you present with Lemon/CNN vs FOX has the public voted with their remotes in favor of FOX , moving.the needle of socially excepted conduct on air? If so, then the publics appetite for opinions blustering narratives tearing at the very rights most precious for a healthy democracy
Respecting your rights under law means you reciprocate and respect my rights under the same law’s provisions. Hypocrisy is failing to honor that bargain, assuming mutual respect. We the people have been endowed with equal rights no other person may take away. Respect for each other’s person and individual rights remains the bedrock and basis for peace between people possessed of opinions at odds with each other’s.
You, Larry, have said something relative to a trust in Americans’ level of intelligence and implying the majority are sufficiently competent in understanding reality, not conspiracy theories taking whole swathes of folks down multiple rabbit holes.
Considering your appreciation of public poles’ findings, how objectively intelligent, smart, and wise are the majority of Americans? Anecdotal random selection taking an individual case here and there from either extreme tail on the bell curve will not make a case either way.
So, what does the distribution look like? Does higher level education factor in? Will the person’s political party preference determine opinion formation and override other influences?
American temperament can be driven off course by the slightest whim of a social/political wind.
We also have a terrible problem with our memory recollection Acumen. We forget to soon the important things in the not to distant past. Our present time decisions would be intelligently made with previous experience learned then recalled for pertinent use now. Government is especially guilty of its operatives’ memory losses. What is not recalled will come around and force relearning from the beginning, possibly mistakes will be made that we’re not made in the previous time. Hopefully, any progress perfecting a decision process could ease the process. Still, loss of memory recall is inefficiency cost. Americans require periodic ethical instruction teaching the way democracy operates and what inputs are called for.
In the main. Americans are not unintelligent. We the people can use remediation in conflicting times. We can are able in making up our own minds as to politics when truth in fact is made plain. Politicos pushing agendas will attempt misleading people for the politico’s person gain and power.
FOX and others right and left share responsibility with passing information on to the public.
FOX may hold the lead share in the viewer marketplace. But, how it came to be does not say good things about FOX because of corporate philosophy pandering to the lowest possible messaging. Year of lies and deception at the top in the person of Trump dumbed down ethics among his associates. Once seen as unacceptable became more and more adapted to life in the general population. FOX took heed, followed Trump’s example, maximized on the opportunity, and systemically exacerbated the public’s failing ethical base
Take a objective look without opinion handicaps and notice prevent attitudes from states both north and south. Region to region considering perspectives had by different people’s stand point.
Then let your PBP readers know the state of the Union looks like. Is the nation divided fractious ,fomenting civil war, and ready with their weapons for a fight?
Drop the damming Democrats for all that your opinion views going wrong due to Biden in every way.
Take a load off old man.
Frank it’s been. But it’s damned sure not going to happen again