Yesterday, Glenn Beck did his final show on the Fox News Channel, wrapping up 2-1/2 years on the network, and about 5 years of being on TV. While Beck entered the cable TV news scene as one of the freshest, entertaining and enlightening faces, he has left as one of the most toxic, notorious and polarizing figures in political media.
I was introduced to Glenn Beck on the radio in late 2001/early 2002, as stations were looking to grow his presence out of Tampa, FL’s WFLA. I first knew of Glenn as this funny, edgy guy with a conservative/libertarian bent, whose staff produced many parodies and comedy bits, such as Jim Timoninin, Jim Dingle, "Retrospective," and "celebrity calls" from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Jackson. There was the "Rally for America" in 2003, which was not a "pro-war" rally, but more a pro-America, pro-troop one. In 2005, he had the "Glenn Beck on Ice" tour, which stopped in Indianapolis, and I had the opportunity to attend. No, there was no ice at the Murat Theatre, this was Glenn's first real stage tour, and the show was divided into two parts – a comedic element that was an assault on political correctness (i.e. teachers using purple markers/pens to grade assignments rather than a “harsh” red); and an enlightening, heartwarming portion about family and inspiration.
The Glenn Beck Program eventually moved to Philadelphia at WPHT, where it gained steam, but slowly. In 2006, the radio show moved to New York City as Beck was given a new TV show at CNN Headline News, thus further expanding the reach of Beck’s brand of soft, funny conservatism, on a show whose format changed at times, but largely reflected some of the content of the radio show. The CNN show in some ways was not all that different from some news/commentary shows on cable, which had satellite interviews with pundits and political/news figures. On Fridays, there would be full-hour interviews with celebrities, such as comedians, musicians – some whom Beck didn’t always agree with, but was a nice, fun discussion. At least once, Beck filled in at Larry King Live.
By the 2008 election season, Glenn Beck took a more disturbed look critical of Republicans, seeing John McCain as “the lesser of two evils.” While critical of Barack Obama and Democrats with a fear of a too-overreaching government, Beck thought that Republicans were becoming complacent, out of touch with their principles (limited government, reduced spending), and leading the country towards the same destination as the Democrats, but by different means. Beck had also done specials on Muslim extremists, which also increased some of his notoriety. While Glenn Beck had gained much attention, his presence was not as prominent at CNN.
In the fall of 2008, Beck agreed to come on the Fox News Channel, thus leaving CNN, giving him a far more audience, though at a 5pm time slot. The show began in January 2009, and the tone of the target audience had gone from a losing defensive mode, to a slowly energizing offense upon the election of Barack Obama to the White House, beginning the rise of the Tea Party movement, which attacked Obama’s policies of stimulus spending and healthcare reform. What gained more notice was the anti-government sentiment that rose, attacking Obama’s policies as a move towards socialism and communism, and linking Obama to left-wing radicals in his presence, past and present.
Beck began the 9-12 Project in response to the conflicting sentiments in America, as a chance to unify as we once did on the day after the September 11 terrorist attacks coming on 10 years ago, as well as a statement of 9 principles and 12 values. It was an organized result of “We Surround Them,” which sought to make government more accountable.
With Beck’s departure from Fox News, Glenn Beck has stated values that I wholeheartedly agree with that can, and do transcend ideologies and party lines. Over time, I’ve taken issue with Beck’s alarmist sentiment against progressives, which he fears leads to totalitarian corruption and the death of the country that its founding fathers had intended. While there is reason to be concerned with too much power, I feel that the moment has created an anti-government sentiment that seeks to undo the will of the people of generations past. While I believe there is always the opportunity to always tweak and reform our laws and political structure, I also see that the regulations in place were enacted for the good of a jurisdiction and/or country as a whole, even at the detriment to some.
In 2010, Beck’s next big move was to hold a rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Rally to Restore Honor. It was one that was not political, and Beck urged followers to bring the family and leave the signs at home, but more spiritual. While it was a message that could be taken across political lines, the message still got lost and trounced on. As it was held on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech on that spot in 1963, some of those involved in or followers of King’s movement took issue with Beck’s rally and held a competing march.
While Beck’s show grew in ratings and audience, it was becoming toxic to many advertisers, greatly reducing revenue to Fox News, making the network reconsider Beck’s future on the network. The show was gradually taking a gloom-and-doom tone, with a darkening studio, presence of chalkboards, and other elements that were, while solidifying a group of followers, becoming a turn-off to the general audience Beck was trying to grow. In the spring of 2011, it was announced that Beck would be parting ways from Fox by the end of the year.
Is Glenn Beck leaving cable broadcast TV something to mourn? Celebrate? I say neither. While Beck was something different from other conservative radio and TV hosts, he has become the most controversial and edgy of the bunch. Beck will continue his syndicated radio show, while establishing his own online broadcast, GBTV.com. Overall, Glenn Beck will be known simultaneously as one of the conservative movement’s biggest assets and liabilities. I think that while his presence and movement potential has diminished, Beck’s place in political debate and discourse will likely forever be placed in the annals in history.
