I would have to say my daily contact with the media is at a maximum. My job is to talk on a four-hour morning radio show five days a week. After work, I go to school and, in between classes (sometimes during), I’m on my trusty smart-phone checking social networking sites, news, and weather. At home the first thing I do is turn on the TV to my favorite news network, then to local news, back to national news, and now I’ve passed out on the couch. I’m an addict! Help me!
Tonight I watched “In the Arena” with Elliot Spitzer on CNN, a program I have never watched probably because Kathleen Parker used to be on the show when it was called “Parker/Spitzer.” I never cared for her, not because of her far right, conservative political leanings but because she was just flat out terrible on TV. Apparently much of CNN’s viewing audience thought so as well because when Parker started complaining about her role, CNN execs gave her the proverbial “boot.”
I watched “In the Arena” tonight because I found out that one of my favorite political comedians was to be interviewed on the show. Bill Maher, the host of HBO’s “Politically Incorrect,” was tonight’s guest. The interview was approximately 5-7 minutes in length and they mostly discussed the Libyan revolt. This is a subject I am very interested in. Ever since the Egyptian uprising and successful coup, I’ve been glued to the TV, newspapers, radio, and internet even more than I usually am.
Maher pointed out the importance of sexual equality to a democratic revolution. He alluded to the fact that people in North Africa want democracy but don’t want to give equal rights to women. However, I’m thinking that Maher has pretty high expectations. After all, America was a country for 250 years before everyone here had equal rights, almost everyone anyway. Some people say there is much discrimination against a person’s sexual orientation in America. I think Maher got two separate issues confused here. He was taking a stance that social change needed to happen in Libya. This is probably true. However, it could be said that democracy is the catalyst for social change. Once these countries obtain democracy, everyone will want their piece of the pie. It’s a snowball effect that has happened in every democratic society.
The interview was decent. I was disappointed a little though. I didn’t think Maher was particularly funny. A little bit of comedy is generally something that I expect during an interview with a comedian. Also, I felt as if Spitzer was overly agreeing with Maher. It seemed as if Spitzer was lobbing pitches up and letting his guest hit homeruns. From what I hear, Spitzer is supposed to make an appearance on Maher’s show in the near future, so that could be why. “In the Arena” was at least a little bit better than “Parker/Spitzer,” but I don’t think I’m going to set the DVR to record anytime soon.
Here's part of the Bill Maher interview on "In the Arena." Post your comments and opinions!
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