Why do people find mean blowhards (Coulter, O'Donnell, Imus, Stern) entertaining?

Question

I honestly and sincerely don't get the attraction of people screaming out (or writing down) the meanest things they can think of, and I don't understand why someone would pay for it. I grew up in a family with a lot of yelling and a lot of meanness called "truth-telling," so that could be why it repulses me to hear a lot of today's media commentary. But if you like Rosie O'Donnell, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, etc., *why*? What is the attraction for you? Why do you think they're popular?

I watch Springer when I'm home sick. :-)

Answer 1

I think Nancy Pelosi said it best when she appeared on Leno shortly after the Don Imus scandal. I don't know the exact wording of the quote, but it went something like this: "I think it's unfortunate that a lot of people confuse cruelty with comedy."

This goes for the hosts of these shows and the people to whom they have discovered they can sell.

So what's the why? I think the lunatics on the fringes of society have found large enough markets with their fellow loonies that it's very profitable. The Coulters, Limbaughs and others in the political arena aren't interested in real debate. They're not out to change any minds; they're in the business of telling like-minded people exactly what they want to hear.

And I agree with you, it's disgusting.

Answer 2

Well, as a right wing republican I do like Limbaugh to a point.
And Ann Coulter, somewhat, but I agree that both get carried away sometimes. And I must say that I only agree with about half of what they say. Course, that being said, that goes for most people. Isn't it funny though that Don Imus is being portrayed as a right wing radio jock, since left wingers got him taken off the air. In fact, he is a liberal by any standard.
Of course Stern and Rosie are in a class by their-selves.
Do you know that Rosie's website lists her as a Roman Catholic? Go figure that one out.

Answer 3

For some reason people find this brutal honesty fascinating because the majority of us are sensitive to other's feelings and try to always put things in the best light. When we see people like Stern just let their minds hang out, we hate them and love them for the most case because they do things we want to do sometimes but never would dream of doing and that is, just be ourselves even letting the ugly side of ourselves be visible for everyone to see and basically have no self control.

Answer 4

I don't know about all the rest, but Howard Stern is very funny. His whole mean thing is an act. You probably don't know this, but the regular guests he has on his show are compensated handsomely for the "abuse"they endure.

He sometimes attack callers and others in the media when they spread lies or half-truths about him, or ones that simply don't get his act.

Answer 5

It's not just talk radio that has these foul-mouthed meanies on it . Just about every politician is mean these days. The John Murthas and John Kerrys refering to Reps as Nazis, and to soldiers stuck in Iraq as dumb. Then you have the Al Sharpton's of the world making bigoted remarks about everyone not belonging to their race. Then you have the mainstream media and this "gangsta culture" rappers and athletes showing us that its cool to be rude, aggressive, and to degrade people.

Our society has become "hardened" and less-friendly.

Insults and rudeness are in fashion in today's world, just as long as it is politically correct when spoken by certain groups of people. People belonging to other groups can get away with anything. Unfortunately meanness and rudeness sells and brings in revenue for the media.

Answer 6

No, I'm with you. I can't stand these people either. In fact, I don't know a single person who likes even one of these people. The kind of person who listens to and sides with one of these maniacs is probably a blowhard as you put it, as well.

Answer 7

Who knows? Why do people watch Maury Povich week after week help minority women take DNA test to try to find their children's paternity? Why do people watch Jerry Springer?