To say Mr OReilly has had it in for me the last month or so would be an understatement. Every day he seemed to take pride in calling me every name in the book and questioning my patriotism. I've already covered my feelings on that subject in blog posts here and here. I've talked about what I, or anyone can do to serve their country here.
What I was curious about was whether this really was important to Mr OReilly, or whether he was just a ratings whore and would say whatever he needed to say to get more people to watch.
I needed to design a very simple test to determine Mr OReilly's motivation. It occured to me to see if FoxNews would take an ad for the movie Redacted.
I had someone call FoxNews and tell them specifically, unequivocally that we wanted to run an ad for the movie Redacted. The same movie Bill OReilly was so upset about.
They said no problem. Do you want to run the ads in both the live show and the repeat ?
Our first reaction was that this was just the sales department and at some point , someone at FoxNews would step in and stop the ads from running. The call to say they were stopping the ads never came.
The ad ran in both shows. Here is a link with Bill's smiling face at the end.
So Mr OReilly , the king of the OReilly Factor, the man who called this movie Anti American and said erroneously it could cause harm to American Troops, was willing to overlook those points and take our money to promote the movie.
We aren't talking about an ad in a show that Mr OReilly has an interest in. This is an ad in the TV show that bears his name. This is a show that he controls from top to bottom. He knowingly took multiple ads for a movie that he he hasnt seen, but believes to be vile. What does that say about Mr OReilly
Of course Mr OReilly can make the argument that he is not involved in the sale of ads, he leaves that to other people. OK, but lets think about the scenario at Fox News if that is the case.
If Mr OReilly doesnt know about the ads, I would think that the people at his show would know and care about his positions, wouldnt you ?" So the question is, do they know that Mr OReilly is all about the money first , last and every bit in between and thats why they took the ad ?
Or is it that they know exactly what Mr OReilly stands for and hate him for it, or could care less what he thinks and they took the ad to spite him ?
Is it that no one involved with Mr OReilly actually watches the show ? Which is why after the ad ran in the live show, no one caught it and had it replaced in the replay ?
its about responsibility Mr OReilly.
And while Im on the subject of Mr OReilly and his ethics, let me add a couple thoughts:
In response to Mr OReilly's comments that "he is going to be my worst nightmare". Well you have succeeded Mr OReilly. The people who take you literally took it upon themselves to call my businesses with bomb threats, threaten employees, myself and others with physical harm and wish every manor of death , injury and illness on us all. They also managed to fill up the telephone lines of the Fallen Patriot Fund so that we couldn't conduct business, and maybe its coincidence, but the fund's website went offline for the first time ever yesterday.
What say you Mr OReilly
Bill OReilly - Principle vs Money ?
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(Page 1)2. From my experience in TV, it's entirely possible--and likely-- that he or his staff have no knowledge of what ads will be run in the breaks of his show--live or replay. However, they could seek that out that info--and I'll bet they will now!
But let's say I am the EP of a show and I see an ad I don't like during my show. Even if I called master control and told them to kill the spot they would not do it. It's not any producer's call when there is money up against an ad.
3. I honestly believe Bill O'reilly tries to do good in the best manner he sees fit. I also believe he is over-the-top from time to time.
Is he simultaneously trying to garner the best ratings possible while "doing good?" Yes, of course, but I don't think at the end of the day his words toward you are simply for publicity. If Bill were hooked up to a polygraph, he wouldn't be lying if asked if he thought your movie could hurt America or our troops.
Posted at 7:03PM on Nov 16th 2007 by David
4. People, give me a break. Bill O'Reilly has always been the "it's my way or the highway." As soon as someone disagrees with his viewpoint, he interrupts them and doesn't let them finish. All of you politics whores need to keep your mouth shut. Nobody cares about what you think.
Posted at 7:17PM on Nov 16th 2007 by Michael
5. I have not seen the movie, nor have I heard anything Bill has to say about it, but I firmly believe that this has gotten way out of hand. I generally agree what about 65% of what Bill has to say, whether he means it or not I don't care. If it is his fans acting as you mentioned, it's completely out of line.
Posted at 7:21PM on Nov 16th 2007 by llc operating agreement
6. i'm glad i don't have cable and therefore can't watch him (or the mavs, sadly, except when they're on broadcast channels - sigh).
this is so terrible. i'm sorry you have to go through this.
Posted at 8:45PM on Nov 16th 2007 by anne jackson
8. Threats are uncalled for, you don't deserve that but in a sense you asked for it.
Cuban, we all know this is an attempt on your part to get in with the Hollywood types. Why you would want to throw in with those people is beyond me. They are vacuous, foolish, idealist pinheads. Aren't you comfortable enough with what God gave you already?
Seriously dude you stepped into it big time. Reach back to the days before you came up with the idea to build a web platform and catch that lucky break.
Would you have liked the present you?
Who would?
Posted at 9:11PM on Nov 16th 2007 by Mike
9. “Threats are uncalled for, you don't deserve that but in a sense you asked for it.”
How does someone ‘ask’ for threats over voicing their opinion? So far, I haven’t heard anything from Bill here. Why is that? Oh I forgot, he only responds on The O’Reilly Factor where he shouts down opposing views.
And the hanging with the Hollywood comments are great. Yeah, let’s take advice on character from O’Reilly, Mr. Sexual Harassment himself.
Posted at 10:30PM on Nov 16th 2007 by Faux News
10. Mark,
No one will ever be right or wrong on any movie review. Everyone is a salesman when it comes to opinion, you trying to sell them why your opinion is right and they try to sell you the same back. Make your life more simple and focus on the good you already do and stay away from the virtual high school fights. You also should stay away from the controversial projects because as you realize the whole world never agrees with you. Don't give your time of day to a Bill O who smiles with a smurk while he cheated on his wife. Stand above that and remove yourself from bad moves like this film even if the film is good or bad it just caused you, your company, and probably your family a lot of stress. That is the true way of knowing if you made a good choice. The Billionaire Drive - David
Posted at 11:37PM on Nov 16th 2007 by David
11. Television is ultimately entertainment, not information. That's what books are for.
Posted at 7:05PM on Nov 17th 2007 by Harry
12. "Threats are uncalled for, you don't deserve that but in a sense you asked for it."
That is an incredibly asinine and insipid comment. Employees or owners don't ask for bomb threats and threats of bodily harm. That's like the parents of a bully coming over to your house and saying he asked for it.
Mark, I am a Jazz fan, but I absolutely do wish you and your's the best of luck and thank you for returning the salvo to O'Rly.
Posted at 11:51AM on Nov 18th 2007 by TheStormofWar
13. Bravo Mark!! You got him where's he's the weakest..on integrity. But this fight isnt really fair..you vs. O'Reilly. Its like taking candy from a baby.
Posted at 7:46AM on Nov 19th 2007 by Viasistina
14. "You also should stay away from the controversial projects because as you realize the whole world never agrees with you...."
What? NO! Mark, keep doing what you are doing. Too many people in the US actually believe that Fox Noise is actually NEWS, journalistic news. IT IS NOT. It's NEWSERTAINMENT. All of Fox Noise is purely about pumping an ideology into the brains of those who are incapable of finding out the facts for themselves, and making tons of money off of that act. People, please, watch Fox for entertainment, just as you would "Dancing with the Stars." And then find better sources for REAL news, like CNN.
Mark, people threatening you just means that you've pried open some closed minds, and a little daylight is starting to shine in those dark recesses. Don't stop now...keep it up!
PS..I watched the Redacted preview...I loved it. War is hell, folks. Are all the soldiers like those in the film? No...but it's a piece of the story of this ill-advised war.
Posted at 11:31AM on Nov 19th 2007 by Julie
15. No one can mess with the Cube!
No Mercy!
Posted at 8:56PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Jaq
16. After war, this film would have been ok...
During the war with our boys there??
I had a son there, with this film out, you would need a good medical plan.
Your film had bombed and so it should during war time.
So, jump up and down like the little cheerleader you are but that's all you are...Keep it to that..
Posted at 8:58PM on Nov 19th 2007 by Dennis
17.
Keep up the good fight, man.
OReilly is a bowl of runny turds that most of us would rather ignore and hope it goes away. The problem is, our silence can also be taken as endorsement.
Luckily, there's folks like you who don't mind telling him to shut up and sit down.
Thank you.
Posted at 1:49PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Rabid Squirrel
19. Hi Mr. Cuban. I want to see Redacted. I want to see it because, firs and foremost, OReilly hates it and therefore it must be good. I believe in free speech. We have the right to dissent and show different opinions than what is popular, or in Iraq's case, vastly unpopular. I apologize to you for what you have gone through becase of right-wing zealots. They must have forgoten what America was about. Freeedom to state our opinions. No matter what Fox News or OReilly or Anyone says. Thank You, Mr Cuban. Thank you for not bowing to these people. Have a wondeful Thanksgiving.
Posted at 3:55PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Joe LaForm
20. I'm conflicted.
You are a billionaire, which normally would make me want to fire-bomb your obscene mansion, steal all the cocaine out of the sugar bowl next to your bed, and sell your plutocrat ass to black market operatives in the Malaysian white slavery trade.
But you're also fighting valiantly for expression in the midst of a rather violent culture war, which makes me want to vote for you for class president, Rotary Club treasurer, Dungeon Master, or some other such respected high office of authority and influence.
Maybe I'll split the difference and buy a ticket to a Mav's game.
Posted at 6:23PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Dr. Elvis Tiberius Funkenstein
1.
Gee. I wonder why someone would want to hurt you, Mr. Cuban. It seems to me that if you put it out, like you have in spades, you should be able to take it. You're actually surprised? You're dealing with people's lives, little boy.
BTW, you got screwed by Hwood. What a laugh. Your lightweight experience in the big town showed. LOLOLOLOLOLOL. I'm sorry, I just can't stop laughing at your hubris.
Your kids must be moritifed by your actions.
Have a nice day, Mark. And next time you want some sympathy, I suggest you buy some from your pals in HWood.
Andrea Hall
Posted at 6:37PM on Nov 16th 2007 by Andrea Hall