Glenn Beck doesn't like game bloggers too much
by David Hinkle 
{ May 7th 2008 at 11:00PM }
Okay, now this bit on Glenn Beck's show revolves around that GTA IV game, but he does manage to say something relevant to us (and, in turn, you all reading this). He thinks game blogs are a waste of time and their bloggers are "losers," citing that he could care less about video games overall, even though he has a pretty lengthy segment on his show about them (we imagine he's had other gaming-related topics on his show, but we steer clear of shows with hosts on power trips). We can only imagine what this implies about you, the reader, who spends their time keeping current on the industry news with us.
It honestly cracks us up, because not only is he calling us losers and pretty much saying video games aren't worth his effort, but he's being such a toolbox as to say his supposed opinions during a video game segment on his show. You tell us what is worse, fine readers: a person who blogs about something they're passionate about, or a guy on TV who talks about what his producers say are the day's hot topics and blatantly shows no regard for the subject matter?
[Via Go Nintendo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Darksyntax @ May 7th 2008 11:20PM
So if blogging about video games makes you a looser what does reporting about it make you? See the thing that kills me that Glenn fails to see is-- a game gets an "AO" rating so what? You can sell the game direct to consumers via the internet. Its really a no brainer if you as a parent can't play trough a game first or even sit with your child and play--his/her favorite games then you need to be a better parent(take responsibility talk to your kids). I think people are side stepping their parental responsibilities and choosing to blame video games.
Mark Dell @ May 7th 2008 11:23PM
Console makers don't allow AO games on their console (Manhunt 2) so that would restrict distribution to the PC through the interwebs.
TheCoats @ May 8th 2008 10:19AM
i would say that AO-porn
M rating = R rated movie
so this is about in line with an R rated movie so why should it get an AO rating
and its funny because glen beck (whom I absolutely despise) was talking about the hookers in this game and how society will view women diferent but honestly i would bet money he thinks the movie pretty women was good......she was a prostitute and you saw more then you do from any game.......
Dustin @ May 7th 2008 11:23PM
This post is probably exactly what they want. They're trying to cause controversy.
Robert @ May 8th 2008 10:36AM
By definition, nothing can be "probably exactly"... it's either exact or it's not.
I wouldn't say that you are "probably exactly" stupid. I could say you are "probably" a moron, however in this case I know this presumption is "exact".
Ass!
Dustin @ May 9th 2008 12:14AM
I'm sorry I offended you.
Char6296 @ May 13th 2008 1:41PM
Calm down, Robert. No need to get all wound up because you're far too picky. Back on topic, which one's worse? An uncaring and insensitive reporter.
Inso @ May 13th 2008 2:48PM
Not to mention you're actually completely wrong, Robert.
I can see how you got confused. It's like you can't say someone is slightly dead. But of course you can say that they're probably dead. So why can't he say it's 'probably exactly what they want'? He's saying that he thinks it's exactly what they want. It might not be exactly what they want, after all, maybe they don't want that at all ... but they PROBABLY do.
What he couldn't have said, by your own argument, is 'it's sort of exactly what they want.' So if you're going to be an ass, at least be a correct one.
spyker @ May 7th 2008 11:23PM
Haha, that's great. Half the time it seems that that author doesn't mind the game. Bug Glenn, oh he hates the game, AND YOU BLOGGERS. lol
Mrblonde @ May 7th 2008 11:28PM
One of my friends really likes him. Im gonna have to show him this. He is pretty annoying imo.
Mrblonde @ May 7th 2008 11:33PM
By he is pretty annoying, im referring to Glen Beck. I also found it funny how he stated that he is the bad guy now. Must not know Jacky Boy very well. Didn't have to much respect for her ether as you can see he rolls his eyes and looks the other way.
scissors125 @ May 7th 2008 11:32PM
People can blog about what ever the heck they want. People like Glenn Beck are just... well, losers. To go and attack somebody just out of nowhere like that... It's just pitiful. And anyways, games don't have to be Rated M for them to be best sellers. Look at the Wii. Only a handful of Rated M games, yet it's sold out everywhere. What does THAT tell you?
Mrblonde @ May 7th 2008 11:35PM
He obviously doesn't know how the ratings board works and that an "M" rated game means its ment to be played by "Adults" and sold to only "Adults"
Adv2k1 @ May 7th 2008 11:43PM
Obama doesn't care
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/obama-talks-grand-theft-auto-at-campaign-stop/
this is a conservative thing. I hate Glen Beck, and the such.
Mrblonde @ May 7th 2008 11:53PM
Yet another reason to favor him. Not to mention Hillary wanting to ban these games among many other things that I won't go into detail about cause I don't want to turn this into a back and forth kind of thing.
Drahken @ May 7th 2008 11:44PM
Why do we let pompous assholes like this on television?
No, seriously. Why do we?
hvnlysoldr @ May 8th 2008 12:03AM
Because rational people don't pull in ratings. Darn business in journalism!
SoshiKitai @ May 8th 2008 11:00AM
Nice answer, hvnlysldr. You hit the answer right one the mark.
Vasco @ May 7th 2008 11:51PM
Here is a crazy idea don't blame the game, blame the jackass parent who buys it for their kid. And secondly Video Games aren't just for kids.
D0r13n @ May 8th 2008 1:43AM
Well, and that is Glen's typical call on these things. The problem is this particular clip doesn't show his views on it very well, but he does point out that the violence in this game is like that in movies, tv, and other things that he has said before is up to the parents to make sure the kids don't play games they shouldn't. As for the bloggers reference, he is grouping gaming bloggers (Which are fine upstanding people in my book) with political bloggers (which are just as bad or worse than the people they are blogging about) so I just think his cracks are just some poor lumping of groups. Besides, he's trying to please his base, which is the conservative evangelicals (He is Mormon after all)
D0r13n @ May 8th 2008 1:44AM
please ignore the horrible grammar. I'm running on only a few hours of sleep and have been moving apartments
Vasco @ May 7th 2008 11:55PM
Glen Beck does whatever necessary to make money. He use to be a liberal DJ from Conneticut radio. Now he is ultra conservative. he is only interested in whatever topic gets him attention and more money.
Batmyke @ May 7th 2008 11:58PM
First off, let me point out that calling Glenn Beck a pompous asshole, especially if you don't know more about him than this video shows, is just as bad as him calling all us bloggers losers. Let's be fair, shall we?
I've listened to Mr. Beck's radio show, and though I have similar political views, I don't always agree with him, and I am really disappointed in his handling of this subject. He has lost quite a bit of my respect (he didn't have a ton of it in the first place) with this.
Drahken @ May 8th 2008 1:18AM
You just assume I know nothing of Glenn Beck outside of this clip. I know plenty about Glenn Beck and, yes, I maintain that he is a colossal pompous asshole. Really just a valedictorian from the International School For Douches, Dicks, and Chodes (ISDDD).
Drahken @ May 8th 2008 1:19AM
Wow. Look at me. I know abbreviations. ISDDC. I ought to apply to that school.
used cisco @ May 8th 2008 1:06AM
"this is a conservative thing. "
Sorry, I just spit some milk out of my nose. Are you kidding me? Censorship of media has been a huge liberal agenda since Tipper Gore and all her "explicit lyrics" warnings back in the 90s. Have you heard Hillary Clinton talk about video games? Joe Lieberman?
No, the fight against video games is generally armed from the liberal side of politics. I think they do it so they can claim that they are somehow a party of "wholesome values" and it's the only one the conservatives hadn't already taken for their own.
But yeah, I'm not a big fan of Glen Beck and this video didn't help that opinion any. His guest sure seemed to have her head on straight though, I'm surprised they got such a well informed speaker for the segment instead of some Cooper Lawrence wannabe pitching an unrelated book.
whistlepig @ May 8th 2008 1:28AM
he is just mad because he has pancake nipples
PiemanPieman @ May 8th 2008 2:00AM
His facial expressions while the woman is talking tell me all the not caring I need to do here.
wako @ May 8th 2008 2:09AM
Chalk this one up as another reason why not to watch CNN...
I like how this guy just totally randomly injected of how game bloggers are losers. Shows how he actually does care. :)
Rowdehaj @ May 8th 2008 2:42AM
Wow. I hate the American media. First FOX with O'Reilley, Coulter, and now this.
mgroves @ May 8th 2008 9:06AM
Yes, media outside the US is completely unbiased and always agrees with you.
Rowdehaj @ May 8th 2008 2:08PM
You have obviously never seen a Dutch broadcast, which is the standards to which I compare everything American I stumble upon.
As with (proper) British television, if a journalist during a news broadcast lets show even an inkling of their own opinion, they'd be out of their jobs sooner than they could blink. Likewise, shows centred around opinions such as the one linked above, usually include two equal parties representing both sides of the issue and are given equal time to elaborate on their views. Dutch media was able to remain calm when that preposterous 'Pedo-party' reared its putrid head, whereas on *any* subject at all (this is going by what I have seen from FOX,) two facts dribble out of various orifices, only to be followed by a torrent of petty bickering, sometimes becoming personal.
I did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings of course, and I apologise for my gross generalisation. I would ask that, for illustration of my feelings on the matter, you visit:
http://foxattacks.com/
vidGuy @ May 8th 2008 2:53AM
I've never heard of nor have I watched Glenn Beck, I refuse to watch his clip, and it seems that he fails to consider the value of people's varied interests. He doesn't like video games, I don't like him. He calls gamers losers, I call him a loser. The difference: I'm not in his face about it. Tool.
Covarr @ May 8th 2008 4:22AM
No, he called game bloggers losers. Not the same.
SoshiKitai @ May 8th 2008 11:09AM
1. Just because someone doesn't like what you like, doesn't mean you should hate them.
A. Everyone has their own opinion, and that should be respected
B. You can only drop that respect when they're a total ***hole.
C. He is an ***hole, but you sound like you treat EVERYONE like that, whether they're an ***hole or not.
2. Refusing to watch/listen/read something that you're complaining against--- is really cowardly.
A. It's like trying to disprove the evidence without even looking at the evidence.
B. "I'm not in his face about it." sounds very cowardly. Sometimes you have to get in people's faces to get them to listen to you. Some people are too stubborn to listen to a direct response.... like you, for example.
3. "Tool"? I thought we stopped using that in the late 80's.
vidGuy @ May 8th 2008 12:47PM
Wow Soshi, you went a little heavy with the criticism there.
"1. Just because someone doesn't like what you like, doesn't mean you should hate them." - that's my point, buddy. Beck apparently doesn't like video games, so he looks down on gamers and game bloggers. He fails to consider that different people put different values on things. Just because he doesn't like them doesn't mean they are worthless.
While I agree with your point in 2, I'm not sitting here having a giant debate with the guy. If I were, I'd listen to his argument and respond accordingly. However, I see no point in giving his YouTube clip another click just so NWF can read my page-long response.
3, I use words for effect, not because they are popular. And if you want to practice what you preach, respect me for my opinion that it's an ok word to use and fitting in this situation ;)
SoshiKitai @ May 8th 2008 2:19PM
I've said this once, and I'll say it again:
Careful with your words on the net. We can only assume what your tone and meaning is by reading the words.
From what I read, it just sounded like you were angry with anyone who didn't like what you like.
vidGuy @ May 8th 2008 2:27PM
Nope, I'm just angry with anyone who is angry with me because I don't like what they like. ;)
Covarr @ May 8th 2008 4:17AM
Usually this guy doesn't bother me too much. Whether a view of his is liberal or conservative, he usually shows pretty good rationale to back it up. This time, however, he didn't.
I almost wonder if maybe he was simply playing devil's advocate, so that the chick he was talking to would have a chance to defend it. You never can tell with people who seem to completely flipflop on ALL THEIR POLITICAL BELIEFS HALFWAY THROUGH THEIR CAREER.
J rod @ May 8th 2008 5:46AM
Is this guy friends with Jack Thompson? I mean, seriously... I could post a whole rant explaining why this guy is wrong, but i'm sure everyone here has already read something similar to it in the past.
I think game bloggers are just plain awesome because they are giving us the information us gamers want, and in a better way then traditional game sites. I only visit NintendoWiiFanboy and GoNintendo because everything is there for me. IGN? phhhhhhh. It used to be my only source, but I stopped going there after I discovered NintendoWiiFanboy and GoNintendo.
Nigeria @ May 8th 2008 5:53AM
So if video game bloggers are losers, what does that make video game commenters?
colin17 @ May 8th 2008 6:58AM
what a tool! he makes pompous comments about games and bloggers and thinks he so cool and awesome. Oh but wait! You must be hungry for ratings if you need to jump on the GTA bandwagon. Why are you talking about Christmas in may?
Orion @ May 8th 2008 8:09AM
I think it's funny that he bashes us for having what essentially is either a hobby to some or just down time. That's like me going on TV and saying "everyone who reads novels is a tool" just because I don't like to read books often.
Why are people, especially politicians, so quick to bash people's legal choices.. isn't that the point of this country? To do what you want to do and be free?
I find it sickening that it seems every year the people who are supposed to represent us, ie: people in congress, in power, and in the press, seem to distance themselves farther and farther away from how the general public feels that they are SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT.
Oh yea, and besides Jon Stewart (which is comedy, but i guess is now deamed "news"), news sources shouldn't have an opinion. I'm tired of the media telling ME how to feel about spun stories they post.
murray b @ May 8th 2008 9:26AM
Exactly.
mgroves @ May 8th 2008 9:05AM
"You tell us what is worse, fine readers: a person who blogs about something they're passionate about, or a guy on TV who talks about what his producers say are the day's hot topics and blatantly shows no regard for the subject matter?"
Talk about a loaded question. Phroo. Have you no sense of shame, sir?
Brad @ May 8th 2008 9:19AM
Yes, and Super Mario Galaxy teaches kids that it's safe to fly to different planets without a spacecraft. Something must be done.
murray b @ May 8th 2008 9:25AM
I don't see what you guys are so worked up about. If you watch the clip, outside of the losers line, everything seems pretty tame. The losers line was more directed at the Bloggers that talk shit about him, not all bloggers in general. All he is saying is maybe 10 year olds shouldn't play video games where you screw, then kill hookers, and on that he has a point. Maybe the game should have been given an AO, but for some reason AO games can't be sold in stores which is stupid. And I do think it is weird that you can buy this game at WalMart, but you can't buy an Eminem album.
Droford @ May 8th 2008 9:29AM
Whoever just called Glenn's show just got owned.
Ghaleon @ May 8th 2008 10:38AM
I kind of like him, but yeah, he was just going on a tangeant that was a little immature. I think he's doing it just to needle gamers because they get so uptight. If someone called me a loser over playing competitive DDR (which happens plenty) it doesn't blow my day and I don't have to cry online over it.
But c'mon, it's not like videogames are doing any great services to society. I wouldn't say everyone is a "loser" or anything but it's just a dumb hobby.
Jake @ May 9th 2008 4:33PM
Correct-a-mundo! Ghaleon wins. FATALITY!
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/9760/
"Because all of these bloggers started coming after me, you know, in some sort of witch hunt, I decided, oh, okay. I offhanded said, in a joking fashion, they're all losers, I even said, to piss them off and now look at you. You're so obsessed with it. What time did you get up this morning to make sure you could call? How many hours have you spent thinking about this?"
Successful troll is successful. He did it just to push Gamer's buttons. (Literally.)
Lulz