No we don’t mean Obama-Romney. We mean the Rumblerama between Bill O’Reilly and Jon Stewart scheduled for 8 pm on this Saturday. Most people consider these two guys as different from each other as they could be. Heck, they even look poles apart. O’Reilly is 6’5″ and weighs 250lbs. Jon Stewart is shorter and a bit svelter. O’Reilly tends to lower the boom, he wields a mace. Stewart tends to cut deftly with a knife you don’t see until it is in you. A classic duel of opposites, you say.
Well, that’s where we differ. But then, our nom de plum is CinemaRasik. A rasik is an aficionado plus a connoisseur. A cinema rasik appreciates the ability of cinema to show what we know from a different angle, an angle that changes the perspective of viewers and readers. Look at how The Godfather changed our image of the Mafia. More recently, Slumdog Millionaire showed us how to look at Mumbai’s slums.
Our own view is while Bill O’Reilly & Jon Stewart look different, talk different and hold diametrically opposite views, they are really mirror images of each other. Remember a mirror image changes right to left and left to right. So the mirror image of a right wing guy would be a left wing guy and conversely. But the essential characteristics of mirror images remain the same.
And that is our view of these two guys. They are both whip smart. They both understand the need to get to the center because that is where the largest audience is and because the move to the center actually enhances the credibility of their normally one-sided views. This is why, way back in September 2009, we called O’Reilly and Stewart the two smartest people in media.
Just look at how Jon Stewart ridiculed President Obama after his debate with Governor Romney. But amidst dressing down Obama, Stewart called Romney a liar several times. It was done so deftly that one hardly noticed but the message got through. O’Reilly is also a master at this. He calls himself an independent and he often criticizes his side. But within that criticism, O’Reilly manages to deliver the message of his side.
So the next time you watch the O’Reilly Factor or the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, look beyond the obvious visual and tonal differences. You will see what the essential similarities between these two smartest people in American media. You will then concur with our view that O’Reilly and Stewart are ideologically mirror images of each other.
So if you are relatively free this evening, log in and watch Rumble2012, the debate between Bill O’Reilly and Jon Stewart. But it will cost you $4.95. Frankly, that bothers us. Both these guys are rich, really rich. They are both in the TV business which is free to the viewer. Why couldn’t they make their debate free by finding sponsors? What about their deep pocket networks, Fox and Viacom?
Shame on you O’Reilly and Stewart. You are being disloyal to the viewers who made you. You are turning your backs on those who made you rich. What about you, Jon Stewart? You are an Obama fan, you believe in helping the small guy, delivering to the needy or so your side claims. Where did that compassion go?
Guys, at least show some decency after you make your millions from this debate. A week or so after the debate, allow viewers to watch it free on your sites. Or better still, put it on YouTube.
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