What the Media Can Learn from Bill Maher (8/29/05)
by Dean Hartwell
Andrew Card, chief of staff to President Bush, not long ago went on “Meet the Press” to complain to host Tim Russert that Democrats had blocked confirmation of ten judges. Russert just nodded in response, apparently forgetting that Republicans held up considerably more judicial nominations during the Clinton years.
Where was the critical analysis that, when applied, makes the press effective in their role as the nation’s watchdog?
I remembered this incident when Bill Maher’s show “Real Time” came back on television two weeks ago. Maher doesn’t hesitate to confront guests and members of the media could learn from him.
First of all, Maher brings on liberals and conservatives to his show. They are not “token” members as some shows use. They are, most often, friends of his whose opinions he respects even when he does not agree with them. He also has gone out of his way to make sure that conservatives and liberals are represented equally in his audience.
Maher does not shy away from controversial figures, either. He brought on Ward Churchill not long after he ignited a controversy by opining that some of the people inside the World Trade Centers were comparable to Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi who facilitated Adolph Hitler’s plans to murder millions of people. He interviewed Jose Canseco after Canseco alleged that most major league baseball players used steroids. And he put Jane Fonda on his show and discussed her trip to North Viet Nam during the Viet Nam War.
Secondly, Maher is willing to call guests on what they say, unlike Russert and most of the media. For example, he chided Phyllis Schlafly, who prides herself as being “pro family,” for her opposition to gay rights even though she has a gay son. In the same show, he pointed out to Asa Hutchinson, former Homeland Security Undersecretary, that President Bush had “flip-flopped” on the issue of what should be done with Karl Rove. He stated that Bush had originally said he would fire “anyone involved” with the outing of Valerie Plame, a CIA operative and recently said that he would only fire anyone found guilty of a crime in that matter.
It may appear that Maher criticizes Republicans more than Democrats. However, the Republicans are in power now with control over all three branches of government and are thus more susceptible of criticism. Maher criticized Al Gore during the 2000 campaign. Furthermore, he is a Libertarian who has no need to side with either of the two major political parties.
Lastly, Maher holds nothing back, announcing his biases up front. He candidly discusses his own marijuana use when he talks about the legalizing it. He expresses his disdain for organized religion when he points to the need for the separation of church and state. He derides the so-called “culture of life” when he blasts those who oppose euthanasia.
Maher also takes unpopular positions, such as support for gay rights. As he is not a politician, but rather a political observer (and comedian) with a microphone, he calls it the way he sees it. Few political commentators can match his skill in getting to the point on any political subject.
The Tim Russerts of the media can learn from Bill Maher. They can put more controversial people on their shows instead of the usual cabinet members, presidential advisors and members of Congress all of the time. They can do some research on what they ask their guests about and remind them of facts and statements contradicting what they say. And they can reveal their own biases. Russert, for example, could mention that he worked as counsel for Democrats Mario Cuomo and Pat Moynihan. Then the audience could make its judgment of his work accordingly.