This Is Probably An Interesting Blog (But In The Offhand Chance That It's Not…)

I’m trying to avoid the habit of reposting clips from controversial talking heads, but I just found this whole exchange between Glenn Beck and Simpson’s-voice-actor Harry Shearer fascinating.

Juxtaposing this interview with Beck’s current Fox News persona seems to explain a bit about his current behavior. In this clip from Beck’s show when he was still on CNN, the interview completely revolves around comedy. Beck gushes over Shearer, which, considering both of these individuals are outspoken ideological opposites, seems difficult to imagine happening today (Shearer has a regular column on progressive politics at The Huffington Post and his radio program, Le Show, has run upwards of 25 years).

It’s hard not to feel like Beck’s behavior and subsequent reinvention isn’t rooted in low self-esteem. Here you are presented with the picture of pre-Fox News, pre-Barack Obama Glenn Beck — wacky music in the background, making strained and painful attempts at comedy (what’s with the air quotes when he say’s “Harry Shearer?”) — and you understand why it didn’t catch on (it’s like watching Jim Kramer without all the substance). And so we witness the struggling comedian juxtaposed with the successful, witty auteur, exposing Beck as the shamelessly devoted comedy fan he is (not a bad thing) while shedding some light on his clear longing for success. Shearer then, is just symbolic of the position Beck wishes to occupy. Keeping this in mind, watching Glenn Beck today and pondering his cultural or political significance doesn’t carry nearly as much weight as I used to think. He’s the Kenny Bania of political commentary — a wannabe funny-man, dejected by his idols, who finally found the perfect audience for his Ovaltine jokes.