Fear of Fox: It’s true that broadcast networks always had concentrated star-making power. They could make you. But could they break you? The key to Fox’s “make or break” power on the right would seem to be the disappearance of non-TV ways to make a good living as a pundit. It’s harder and harder to feed your family as a plain old mid-list book author, for example. Book sales and lecture fees increasingly hinge on TV exposure. (The New Yorker may also have star-making power — it’s the non-TV exception that proves the rule! You don’t see many trenchant critiques of David Remnick either.) [Response to @RD_Mullin]
Mickey Kaus
Kausfiles
“…The f– pope could be here, Barnicle said between well-wishers, “And if people think you’re a weatherman on TV, they’re more excited to meet you”
‘This Town’ Mark Leibovich
Paperback p.367
TV is the main route to success nowadays. But that doesn’t change the point that Fox has great power – and people say they are bullies.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/business/media/07carr.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
The New York Times
July 7, 2008
When Fox News Is the Story
By DAVID CARR
Like most working journalists, whenever I type seven letters — Fox News — a series of alarms begins to whoop in my head: Danger. Warning. Much mayhem ahead.
Once the public relations apparatus at Fox News is engaged, there will be the calls to my editors, keening (and sometimes threatening) e-mail messages, and my requests for interviews will quickly turn into depositions about my intent or who else I am talking to.
Try poasting more than two times a month if you want to be a pundit
I tried to comment on the Fox News/Daily Caller Kaus kerfuffle on Fox’s “contact us” button (small print at bottom of their home page). What psychedelic excitement! It seems to be impossible to comment on topic. Anyway Daily Caller (which did allow a message to them) and Fox are off my bookmarks. Since I don’t need videos of dogs being rescued from ice or other low-info news. Pls try too hook up with HotAir or others and smash the establishment lame stream media, which Fox seems to be trying very hard to join.
I don’t know you from Adam. I’m a young, professional libertarian-leaning conservative living in the major metro of a blue state. I don’t know how your politics compares to mine, or even if what you said to get censored. But I admire the principle to walk away if someone tries to destroy your integrity. Where is the donate button? I believe in market forces and I want to encourage this behavior.
Good to see Kaus move away from the DC. The DC had some good posts but it was dominated by lurid tales of teachers having sex with students and with girly pictures and other trash. Kaus might be a liberal but on the true national question he is right. Un-checked immigration will end this country.