The OReilly Factor: The Good, the
Bad, and the Completely Ridiculous
in American Life by Bill OReilly
The OReilly Factor: The Good, the Bad, and the Completely Ridiculous in American Life
by Bill OReilly
The OReilly Factor isnt just the name of Bill OReillys popular talk show on
the Fox News Channel anymore--its also the title of his book, which,
appropriately enough, actually reads like a TV show. The narrative rarely
proceeds for more than a few paragraphs before a bold-faced This Just In
or Bulletin pops up on the page and breaks the stream of thought--sort of
like a commercial interruption. This provides an ideal forum for OReilly to
sound off on any number of topics with lots of verve but not too much
depth. There are breezy chapters here on money, media, religion, race,
and sex, among others. OReilly dislikes many things, and he isnt shy
about sharing his opinions: SUVs should be immediately outlawed, he
rants. Heres OReilly on President Clinton: What a ridiculous waste!
Attorney General Janet Reno is a ridiculous, incompetent woman and
President Clintons primary enabler. This is not a subtle book, and its
bombastic approach would be even more grating if it werent for several
flashes of self-deprecation, such as when the author shares a negative
piece of viewer mail, or when he writes, In case you havent no ticed, Im a
cocky bastard. Sometimes OReillys put-downs are creative and funny: If
God has a sense of humor, as I believe he does, [Al Sharpton and David
Duke] will be sharing a sauna in the netherworld. With one thermostat. And
hes good at illustrating hi s points with outrageous details. In criticizing the
bloated federal budget, for instance, he points to these shockers: $230,000
for a study of housefly sex habits, $27,000 for an analysis of why prisoners
want to escape, and $100,000 to find out why Americans dont like beets.
(To which he replies: Houseflies mate when no one is looking. Prisoners
dont like prison. Beets dont taste good.) OReilly is often considered
something of a conservative, but he can also play the blue-collar populist:
The rich want us to believe that anyone can make the quantum leap from
bowling league to country club by just working a little harder. Thats
supposed to keep us motivated and quiet. Fans of his TV show will
probably appreciate this cantankerous book. --John J. Miller
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