| Revision as of 20:11, 29 July 2006 view source64.254.118.130 (talk) →Political views← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:38, 29 July 2006 view source Lord Voldemort (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users7,762 editsm If you want to add this, please do it right. In context and sourced. Thanks.Next edit → | ||
| Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
| Beck describes himself as having ] leanings (though he has stated that he feels libertarianism does not work without individuals' self-imposed moral limits) and a strong sense of ]. His stated opinions include being ] and critical of ]. Beck is critical of the ]. He is opposed to anti-smoking regulations, ] and ], though he approves of ] for means of exploiting known terrorist information. He describes himself as pro-business and against raising the ]. He has ridiculed ] and the scientific consensus that ] is really occurring and may pose a threat to human civilization on his CNN show (as of July, 2006). | Beck describes himself as having ] leanings (though he has stated that he feels libertarianism does not work without individuals' self-imposed moral limits) and a strong sense of ]. His stated opinions include being ] and critical of ]. Beck is critical of the ]. He is opposed to anti-smoking regulations, ] and ], though he approves of ] for means of exploiting known terrorist information. He describes himself as pro-business and against raising the ]. He has ridiculed ] and the scientific consensus that ] is really occurring and may pose a threat to human civilization on his CNN show (as of July, 2006). | ||
| Beck came under criticism when he referred to survivors of Hurricane Katrina who remained in New Orleans as "scumbags.", and when he admitted he "hated" the families of victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. | |||
| ==Book and magazine== | ==Book and magazine== | ||
Revision as of 20:38, 29 July 2006
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Glenn Beck (born February 10, 1964) is a conservative American talk-radio and television host. His show, The Glenn Beck Program, is syndicated by 212 radio stations and on XM Satellite Radio, in the continental United States and Puerto Rico. It is also third highest-rated national radio talk show among adults ages 25 to 54 according to Premiere Research/Arbitron.
On January 17, 2006, CNN announced that Beck would have an hour-long show on CNN Headline News; his show first aired May 8, 2006.
Early life and career
Beck made his radio debut at the age of 13 in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in Mount Vernon. Beck had won an hour of radio time in a contest, but Beck quickly drew the favor of his new colleagues and was granted a part-time job as a disc jockey. He hosted Christian radio on Saturday, rock on Sunday and country on weeknights, but lost the job when he failed to complete a shift due to a migraine headache.
In the same year he debuted on radio, his mother, an alcoholic, committed suicide by drowning herself in a bay near Tacoma. More family tragedy followed shortly afterward as one of his brothers-in-law committed suicide in Wyoming and another had a fatal heart attack.
Beck experienced success in radio during his 20s and his career grew rapidly. Despite this new financial security, however, he became an alcoholic and a drug addict, even describing himself as "a despicable human being." He has admitted on his radio show to other severe consequences of his addictions including blackouts. While drunk, he fell out of a window, an injury later leading to chronic back pain.
The addictions culminated in a period of intense unhappiness and the disintegration of his first marriage, which had produced two children. With the help of family and Alcoholics Anonymous, Beck stopped drinking and using drugs. He subsequently converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and married Tania, his second wife.
In addition to challenges posed by substance abuse, Beck has also been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. He has recommended to listeners with similar symptoms to seek out their own diagnosis from medical personnel.
In the 90s, Beck was a DJ on WKCI (KC101), a Top 40 radio station owned by Clear Channel Communications in Hamden, Connecticut, hosting a local morning talk show. Orginally the show was billed as the "Glenn and Pat Show" with co-host Pat Gray. Later when Pat left the show, Beck continued with co-host Vinnie Penn.
Glenn Beck Program
Main article: Glenn Beck ProgramThe Glenn Beck Program began in 2000 airing on WFLA (AM) in Tampa, Florida, and quickly gained popularity in its afternoon slot. Beck enjoyed a quick rise from local radio to the national spotlight, spurred by the September 11, 2001 attacks. Shortly after 9/11, WFLA owner Clear Channel made Beck and other local talk show hosts available nationwide on an ad-hoc network distributed to the company's stations. (An earlier incarnation of the Glenn Beck Show was featured on WELI-AM in Hamden/New Haven area of Connecticut during the late 90s.)
In January 2002, syndicator Premiere Radio Networks launched the show on 47 stations. The show was then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where it picked up new flagship station WPHT-AM.
Beck ran a series of rallies called "Glenn Beck's Rally for America" during 2003 in support of the troops fighting the war in Iraq. While generally attended by war supporters, Beck spoke of many who "disagreed with the war, but still supported the troops." He ran the final rally at Marshall University over the Memorial Day weekend. The event drew about 25,000 people.
Beck is often compared to talk-radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage. His show includes humor and sarcasm. Beck has said he "hates politics," and a new version of his show features "half the politics and twice the comedy." His producer and head writer is Steve "Stu" Burguiere.
Beck often discusses weblogs and the "blogosphere," although he dislikes both terms. Fans of the Glenn Beck Program are often called "Sick Twisted Freaks," as a homage to controversial broadcaster Bob Grant, who was often very aggressive on the air. Beck also uses Grant's infamous line "Get off my phone!" when he dumps a caller. Beck fans have shortened it to "GOMP."
His show often creates satirical songs about various subjects. He often plays "I Like Chinese" in connection with stories about the People's Republic of China, and spinoff song "I Like the French" with stories about France. Both ridicule the target nation. He also plays the Bob Wills song "Roly Poly," a song about a fat kid that will eat anything, when talking about Michael Moore.
Another recurring feature on his show is More On (Moron) Trivia. During the NFL football season, Beck will pick an upcoming game and then randomly call convenience store employees in the cities which are home to the opposing teams. These unwitting guests are asked easy questions about current events, but often are unable to answer correctly, which is a source of comedy.
On November 3, 2004, the day after the 2004 presidential election, Beck had a special show entitled "Gloat Fest 2004," where he gloated over the victories of Bush and the Republicans over Kerry and the Democrats. (He stated that, had Bush lost, it would have been called "Pity Party 2004.")
On January 28, 2006 Glenn Beck and Stu returned to their original home station of 970 WFLA to provide some commentary on the yearly Gasparilla parade, boasting their typical funny and sarcastic talk as each float paraded down Tampa.
Recently, "The Glenn Beck Program" has become the 3rd most listened to talk radio show. On April 10, 2006, Glenn announced on-air that his show on CNN Headline News would begin May 8, 2006. His show airs nightly at 7:00pm Eastern Time, repeating at 9:00pm and 12:00am.
For his show with CNN Headline News, Beck has relocated his studios to Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and is keeping his current staff. CNN quotes Beck's statement as reading, "Having tired of the predictable left-versus-right debates in cable news, I am eager to offer a different take for Headline News viewers."
Personal life
Beck cites his 18-year-old daughter, Mary (named after Beck's mother), as one of the reasons he was able to overcome his addictions. Mary was born with cerebral palsy. Doctors predicted she would never walk or feed herself. She has since been able to do both, and runs cross-country for her school now. Beck now describes himself as "a work in progress." Beck also has a second daughter from his first marriage, Hannah (born 1991).
In late 2005, Beck announced that he and his wife Tania were expecting their first biological child together (the couple has adopted a son, named Raphe, born in September 2004). Cheyenne Grace Beck was born just after midnight on April 30, 2006.
Political views
"I am a Conservative who doesn't happen to be a Republican," Beck often says on air. On his show, Beck addresses many issues, mostly from a conservative viewpoint. He does not identify himself as a Republican. Beck sometimes questions the policies of George W. Bush and his administration, including border security, government spending, some aspects of the Iraq War, and the nomination of Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court. As illegal immigration and other issues have come to the forefront in recent months, Beck has become much more critical of the Bush administration, to the point of some of his listeners accusing him of becoming a liberal Democrat or pandering to the CNN audience. Beck asserts that he is more conservative than the president, and that his conservative fans need not worry.
Beck describes himself as having libertarian leanings (though he has stated that he feels libertarianism does not work without individuals' self-imposed moral limits) and a strong sense of family values. His stated opinions include being pro-life and critical of political correctness. Beck is critical of the entertainment industry. He is opposed to anti-smoking regulations, euthanasia and capital punishment, though he approves of torture for means of exploiting known terrorist information. He describes himself as pro-business and against raising the minimum wage. He has ridiculed environmentalism and the scientific consensus that global warming is really occurring and may pose a threat to human civilization on his CNN show (as of July, 2006).
Book and magazine
Beck has authored The Real America: Messages from the Heart and Heartland (ISBN 0743486331). Beck also is the founder and editor of a magazine called Fusion, which is a play on The Glenn Beck Program's motto, "the Fusion of Entertainment and Enlightenment," and is a comedy publication. A recurring item in Fusion is the future obituary of famous people. Those included in this segment so far are Michael Jackson (Vol. 1, Issue 1), J.K. Rowling (Vol. 1, Issue 2), Osama bin Laden (Vol. 1, Issue 3), and Helen Thomas (Vol. 1, Issue 4). Fans who went to the 2005 Glenn Beck: On Ice tour received the first issue.
External links
Official websites
- Glenn Beck - official website
- Glenn Beck - CNN
- Glennpedia.com - wiki website
- Satirical websites created by Beck and his staff:
- Evil Conservative Industries - satirizing the idea that conservatives are rich and heartless.
- Jim Dingle - nerdy alter-ego of Glenn, who "talks issues."
- Nerf Hoffelmeyer for Mayor - satirical website of an independent candidate for mayor of New York City
- Forgive Tax Cheats - For people who think we should grant amnesty for illegal immigrants, so they can see the parallels.
- Corky Report - satire of the Drudge Report and Corky from Life Goes On