Colbert or O'Reilly?

Question

Watch the video(s) and then respond, please.
Which of the following is true?

1) Colbert is a superior satirist, and O'Reilly is a genuine dufus (with a TV show, but still a dufus).

2) They're both just media whores making a paycheck and they don't give a hoot either way about politics.

3) Other - please explain in detail.

Videos: http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20070119_colbert_vs_oreilly/

Answer 1

Colbert, though he admits he is a fake right-wing talk show host, is ironically the real thing. Colbert never talks about his personal political views, but it's obvious that he opposes far right ideology and ideologues. His Cole-bear persona was invented to point out the absurdities, inconsistencies and dangers of following the neo-conservative/religious right coalition. As a comedian, of course he loves an audience, fame and fortune, but under it all, I believe he has this clear purpose to act as a social/political critic.

Bill O'Reilly, claims on his show and in his books to be a traditionalist, just one of the "folks" who wants to uphold "cultural values". Yet, he sexually harassed his employees, and treated Howard Stern like a folk hero in multiple interviews. On the other hand, O'Reilly takes cheap shots at guests who can be viewed as "liberal" or gay such as the anti-war activist whose father was killed in the WTC and the kidnapped and sexually abused teen who O'Reilly oh-pined had "fun" in captivity. O'Reilly admits to Colbert that he's not a "tough guy", that he's really "sensitive" and that it's "all an act". O'Reilly is clearly the media w-----; the one who says and does anything to make the big bucks and the ratings.

Answer 2

Colbert was clearly in his element during those shows. O'reilly didn't know what he was going to get hit with next. Both rounds to Colbert.