Fox News host Bill O’Reilly appeared on ABC’s The View on Wednesday April 16 and had some harsh words for incoming CBS late night host Stephen Colbert.
O’Reilly began his analysis by arguing that Colbert is “More than a comedian. He’s a mouthpiece for the far left.” to which co-host Barbara Walters rushed to Colbert’s defense and argued that “I mean he’s just a comedian. Isn’t that going a little far Bill? The rest of The View cast, including Jenny McCarthy jumped in and wondered if “conservatives will give him a chance?” [See video below.]
After McCarthy fretted that conservatives won’t give Colbert a chance, co-host Whoopi Goldberg chimed in “No. Clearly not."
For his part, O’Reilly slapped down the ridiculous assertion made by The View hosts and argued “I think they'll sample. Why wouldn’t you do it out of curiosity? but if he’s the same snarky guy… he's got to be funnier than the other two guys.
O’Reilly’s comments on The View came after he initially argued on The O’Reilly Factor on Monday April 14 that “Colbert has built an entire career on pleasing the left. And if you don’t believe me, check out the reportage on his ascension, the far-left websites and writers are thrilled.
The Fox News host maintained the fine line Colbert must walk to be successful at CBS: “So Colbert has to come out of his little persona where he snipes and makes these little snarky remarks. Alright? And he’s got to be broader. That's not going to be easy for him to do. Plus he's already alienated 40% of the country."
See relevant transcript below.
ABC
The View
April 16, 2014
11:37 a.m. Eastern
BARBARA WALTERS: You and Stephen Colbert have taken a few jabs at each other. He has said that his conservative persona which some people make fun of is based on you. It seems to have escalated. You called him a deceiver who is damaging America. I mean he's just a comedian. Isn't that going a little far Bill?
BILL O’REILLY: Well, he’s more than a comedian. He's a mouthpiece for the far left. That’s what I see him. He’s a mouthpiece.
JENNY MCCARTHY: Does he have that much of an impact that you worry?
O’REILLY: Does he have an impact? That’s an interesting question. Probably not that much. I have a pretty good relationship with Jon Stewart. You probably all know that. We actually did a big show.
WALTERS: You travelled together.
O’REILLY: But Stewart’s a different animal. Stewart will make fun of everybody. He sees things that are absurd on both sides. Not Colbert. Colbert’s very committed to being a leftist. Now the gamble that CBS is taking is that they're going away from the Johnny Carson template. Alright, Carson set the standard which was not too much politics. A little here and there, make fun of everybody, but keep it light, keep it good so everybody can enjoy it. You got Fallon, alright, and you got Kimmel. Now in order for Colbert to succeed, he's got to be better than them. His show's got to be better. Alright? Number one that's going to be very, very tough because Kimmel and Fallon are good. I have been on both their programs, I have seen what they do. They're good. Alright? So Colbert has to come out of his little persona where he snipes and makes these little snarky remarks. Alright? And he’s got to be broader. That's not going to be easy for him to do. Plus he's already alienated 40% of the country.
MCCARTHY: You really don't think conservatives will give him a chance?
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: No. Clearly not.
O’REILLY: Wait, wait -- will conservatives give him a chance? I think they'll sample.
GOLDERG: Oh, good. Okay.
O’REILLY: I think they'll sample. Why wouldn’t you do it out of curiosity?
MCCARTHY: I think some people certainly have open minds.
O’REILLY: Yeah but if he’s the same snarky guy.
WALTERS: If he’s funny can't you watch someone even if you don't agree with his politics because he's funny?
O’REILLY: Absolutely. But he's got to be funnier than the other two guys.
WALTERS: It's a choice. It's a choice.
