In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, O'Reilly breaks down his past clashes with celebs, including George Clooney and Bruce Springsteen. O'Reilly says that his "job is to watch the powerful," and that "a performer has a forum that other people do not, and all we ask is that they be fair."
When asked if there's any performer who he refuses to watch or listen to strictly based on their political beliefs, O'Reilly answered quickly and sternly. " Sean Penn," he said.
Penn has enraged many with his politics by visiting Iran and Venezuela, and for his frequent criticism of the Iraq war and George W. Bush. During his latest Oscar win for his role as the openly gay politician Harvey Milk, he jokingly addressed the crowd as "Commie, homo-loving sons of guns."
O'Reilly's key beef with outspoken celebs is that they often rattle off their feelings, but never give others the opportunity to question or retort.
"If they believe something and use their TV show, movie or concert to spout off about it, that's fine. But if we have some questions about their beliefs, I think they should answer them -- and not be drive-by people," O'Reilly said.
O'Reilly says he takes his celeb targets "case by case." He says he was "absolutely right" in challenging George Clooney over 9/11 charity details, and Bruce Springsteen "for things he has done at concerts because we want to know what his frame of reference is."
"These are powerful people, and we're not going to give them a free ride. If there was somebody screaming right-wing stuff, we'd do the same thing. But there is no one like that because if they do that in Hollywood, they're not going to work, which is an interesting story in and of itself," O'Reilly said.
You can add Barbra Streisand and Susan Sarandon to that list Bill.
You can add Barbra Streisand and Susan Sarandon to that list Bill.
I saw this story as well this morning, kudos to him for singalling out Penn, whom I consider (other than Michael Moore), the most obnoxious and anti-american celeb out there. These people need to be questioned!
ReplyDeleteThank you LCR.. I agree
ReplyDeleteO'Reilly is good at nailing the libs in Holly-weird pretty good. For this, I applause for doing.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to me that the Academy Awards give Oscars to such lousey people. Michael Moore, Sean Penn, Al Gore. Disgusting. Why should we award people who are trying to destroy our country?
ReplyDeletedunno Elm - look what "we've" elected to office.....
ReplyDeletei do give o'reilly credit - he's not my most favorite newsguy - i don't like his style - but he's generally right!
The above HollyWEIRD people are nothing but rats, and when this country goes to hell in a handbasket, we will see the riots move from Compton to Malibu in short order!! They will get what they deserve
ReplyDeleteBill O'Reilly was on the view this morning, and reiterated the same thoughts about Sean Penn. I was nervous for him because all five women were there at the table, and he was smack dab in the middle next to Joy Behar. It was very tight quarters, to say the least. He put her in her place a few times, and she wasn't so fast to rag on him like she usually does.
ReplyDeleteThe anti-war venom of hers was silenced when Bill reminded her that Obama was sending more troops to Afghanistan. What can these pacifist/Obama worshippers say? Another broken promise!
He was with those shrews on the View this morning. He got a few words in edgewise, but it was ridiculous how they continually shrieked over him to try to drown him out. He mentioned the Sean Penn thing this morning, too. Whoopie Goldberg behaved like an idiot.
ReplyDeleteIf I stopped watching anything that had actors I don't like, I might as well sell my TV. Hollywood is chuck full of leftard liberals.
ReplyDeleteOn this note, voice your support for Angie Harmon, the Law and Order star is brave enough to stand up against the hollywood heard and voice her dissaproval of Obama.
ReplyDeleteBill can be ok.
ReplyDeleteO'Reilly isn't always my bag, but I find myself agreeing with him far more often than not- and on this issue, he's dead on. The thing is, most celebs don't want to particpate in a discussion- they want to give sermons. As soon as they are challenged, they fall to pieces, usually lashing out with empty charges of censorship. Sean Penn is one of the worst- sure, he's a fine actor, but what a complete weenie!
ReplyDeleteYou folks are GREAT! Debbie, thanks for posting about this; opening the forum. PJ Und., you're absolutely right, "celebs don't want to participate in a discussion - they want to give sermons," & SO condescending to all of us regular people, too!
ReplyDeleteTDan - Angie Harmon is my hero!!!
Av. Amer - I started boycotting things back when ER "came out" w/ the homosexual theme ('not that there's anything wrong with that' as Seinfeld would say). I saw the handwriting on the wall - Hollywood's 'normalizing' of that lifestyle. I decided not to support it anymore. And you're right - I've watched less & less TV as the years have worn on. (Okay by me!)
PCC, Grandma & everybody else...WHY DO PEOPLE WATCH THE VIEW???? WHY? WHY? I'll never understand it...
Bill O'Reilly is spot on with this one. The Sean Penns in Hollywood are simply out of touch with reality. O'Reilly himself is quite pompous at times, but he's not blinded by celebrity.
ReplyDeleteWhoopie Goldberg is an idiot who once upon a time was funny and somehow remembers being a salve at one point in time (re: McCain interview). I hate The View. Bunch of screeching left-leaning vaginas.
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ReplyDeleteDebbie, did I ever tell you that I love your blog?
ReplyDeleteI, too, appreciate Bill O'Reilly. Thank goodness someone is standing up to all these nuts. Of course his latest gift to America was when he rendered David Letterman speechless; I loved it! Also, his book Bold Fresh Piece Of Humanity was great.
ReplyDeleteDo not get to watch him often, but when I do, I am almost always in agreement with him. He is great.
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