Glenn Beck proves how much of a jerk he is
by David Hinkle 
{ May 8th 2008 at 4:00PM }
Also, what else comes off as comical to us is Glenn's recollection of his remarks that game bloggers are losers. He says it was a joke, that he said it in a joking fashion, yet, when we watch the video again, we don't see a smile, a smirk or even hear a chuckle. Glenn looks pretty darn serious when he says it. But, then again, we're often busy losing at life and converting our parents' basement into the bridge of the Enterprise, so we're not really sure how emotions or human interaction work. We are gamers so that's how it goes, right Glenn?
Hit up the link below to download the segment for yourself. Around the 6:50 mark is when Steven calls in.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James Murff @ May 8th 2008 2:20PM
Huge douche. That's all I have to say about this. I like how he tries to go the "I'm a professional troll" but he's so BAD at convincing people. He also has an obsession with a baseball bats.
Charcole @ May 8th 2008 4:05PM
Who the hell is Glen Beck?
meist3r @ May 8th 2008 4:23PM
That's what I thought
Abscissa @ May 8th 2008 6:44PM
I was just about to make that *exact* post, word for word.
Although, I would have also added, "Who the hell is Steven?"
Michael Beck @ May 8th 2008 4:13PM
It's just like I said in my comment to the previous Glenn Beck article: Glenn Beck doesn't listen to anybody but Glenn Beck and people patting him on the back.
He does not discuss, he does not be civil. He berates his callers who disagree with him by resorting to a "I know you are, but what am I" level of schoolyard fight tactics.
If a GUEST that HE INVITED disagrees with him on air, he turns on them much the same way.
Blows my mind, this guy... but he picks up the sheep that stray from Bill O'Reilly's flock.
Matt @ May 8th 2008 4:15PM
Yeah, Glen is being a moron over all this. However, listening to the audio, Stephen was *immediately* in defensive mode the second he got on the air. I'm not defending Glen, I'm just saying that it was a doomed conversation from the beginning, and that wasn't completely Glen's fault.
Nigeria @ May 8th 2008 4:16PM
I'm not going to download, but I'd like to add my voice to the chorus of outrage.
I'm not converting my mom's basement into the enterprise, it's Green Hill Zone. Green Hill Zone!
Get it right, Beck!
FantomRedux @ May 8th 2008 5:34PM
Too right.
My bathrooms gonna a Hydrocity Zone job >:D
samfish @ May 8th 2008 4:18PM
ALL right-wing assholes do that.
Bill O'Reilly saying Al-Qaeda can blow up San fransisco? JUST A JOKE!
Rush limbaugh playing 'Barack the Magic Negro'? Trying to incite riots at the Democratic convention? HAHA! Such a kidder!
Ann Coulter saying...well...anything? Just kidding!
Mr Khan @ May 8th 2008 5:06PM
I like to believe that the Boondocks was right in that one episode, and that Coulter's a perfectly rational human being who antagonizes people and blurts out dumb bimbo statements as a cover, knowing that you get as much money from infamy as you do from fame
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_S-Word_%28The_Boondocks%29
darksamus @ May 9th 2008 2:57AM
Actually samfish, I have seen a great deal more left-wings be ******** than right-wings. If anything, your hasty little quip and lack of linguistic reserve is evidence thereof. Besides, people always consider the polar opposite of their stance to be jerks. The only thing you have going for you is that yes, Glenn Beck is an *******.
samfish @ May 9th 2008 2:15PM
Yeah, uh...last I checked, I don't have a TV or radio show.
But I'd love to see some examples of what you're talking about that are actually valid.
Stephen @ May 8th 2008 4:21PM
Man, you guys get offended too easily.
Drahken @ May 8th 2008 5:32PM
You ought to be the most offended of all. The cockbite insulted you personally on live national radio.
Drahken @ May 8th 2008 5:38PM
Ah. Once again, I should have read through all the posts before posting myself. Seems the real Steven is down further. So whatever. Glenn Beck is still a tremendous dick.
(Stevens of the world unite!)
Stephen @ May 8th 2008 6:09PM
After listening to the audio clip, I have determined that Glenn Beck is the bomb. Mr. Steven got owned. LOL that was hilarious.
Steven @ May 11th 2008 6:12PM
That's funny, I dont feel "owned". Of course, Im not the guy on YouTube that has been branded an "Ignorant Asshole" (and I'm quoting WiiNintendoDOTnet here): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFHErktuIQk
Pixelantes Anonymous @ May 8th 2008 4:24PM
I may be making a HUGE faux pas, but this douchebag really needs to be put in his place by someone like Brian Crecente from Kotaku (yes, from that OTHER weblog network).
Sacredleader @ May 9th 2008 6:42AM
I understand that Brain Crecente has a large following, but as one of those so-called loser game bloggers I'd be very happy to put him in his place and rip him a new one while I'm at it myself.
Ballangard @ May 8th 2008 4:32PM
Oh geez. first off, glenn had his nationally syndicated radio show for years prior to getting his tv show on cnn. I used to be a regular listener before the local station changed the time they air his show, but prior to that, I still listened to him for years, and I do catch his tv show from time to time.
you people are just utterly too sensitive about this, and THAT is what he is actually making fun of you for, not for being game bloggers. when I saw the clip from his tv show, it was obvious both to me and my wife that he was joking, because we understand how he talks and thinks from experience. it was nothing more than a verbal ribbing. If you really wanna get his humor, you need to give him some more time. He suggests about 6 weeks of it to get past the "angry with him" phase and the "white-hot angry with him" phase, etc. Trust me, this is just more proof that you can't take a good ribbing.
and if you really want a great idea of how his humor works (even when appearing very serious, which, believe it or not, a LOT of humorists do), see if you can find a clip from about 5 years ago of his radio show where he had a piece going on for about an hour regarding NAMBLA and incest. I laughed so hard I was ripping my sides open when so many people were taking him way too seriously, but he managed to make a pretty good point with it as well.
Pixelantes Anonymous @ May 8th 2008 4:51PM
I completely disagree.
He's not making jokes. He's re-enforcing a stereotype that's at least 15 years old (that of video gamers being pimple-faced, no life social misfits) for ratings, and he's doing so by putting down every "loser" he can get his hands on.
Kotaku and Joystiq, the top 2 video game blogs, rake in so much money it probably makes Glenn Beck's TV show pale in comparison. Quite well done from a bunch of "losers", I think.
And even if he IS making jokes, he's making jokes in the "look at those f***ing losers, hahhaha, what a bunch of f***ing LOSERS!" kind of a way. Way mature. Yes, I know comedians have made careers out of that, but this douchebag is NOT a comedian (or if he is, he's one of the worst I've seen on TV), but rather pretends to be a journalist / reporter.
Moreover what shit like what he's pulling off here does is influence the general public to think of us as those stereotypical social misfits who never grew up and are still living in our parents' basements. It's breeding the type of crap that makes us be shameful of ever saying anyone other than our gamer friends that we are gamers. He's just a garden variety bully (with a radio and tv show), nothing more. And a douchebag.
I'm almost 40, and I've been a gamer for more than 25 years. It offends me people still think I'm some sub-human low life just because instead of drowning 8 beers in front of a TV watching grown men hit each other chasing a leather ball, I choose to play video games (I'm a HUGE sports fan, too, btw).
Mike Sylvester @ May 8th 2008 4:55PM
"Oh yeah? Well you're a loser!" is the sort of sort of comeback you get from a meathead jock who's just gotten his comeuppance in a poorly-written coming-of-age movie. If that's the best he can lash back with when pushed into a corner, I don't know how he keeps a radio audience, or how he got a TV show.
I expect a quicker wit and some dynamicity from radio jocks, and the Rush Limbaughs, Howard Sterns, and Tom Leykises who offend people on a daily basis can at least hold their own in a debate.
samfish @ May 8th 2008 5:01PM
I feel confident enough to say I know a thing or two about comedy.
what Beck, and other right-wing 'comedians' do is insult people. But good comedy is observation, which may or may not include insults.
Glenn Beck lacks the 'observation' part of the equation. His 'comedy' isn't particularly funny unless you're one of those people who thought it hilarious when bullies were beating up kids at school or something.
That's what Glenn Beck and other right wingers with a microphone all are – bullies.
Dennis Miller is pretty much the textbook example of what happens when you drop the observation part of comedy and just focus on the insults.
Ballangard @ May 8th 2008 5:24PM
Pixelantes, your comment here further serves to illustrate the thing he is actually making real fun of. Speaking as a fellow 30-something long-time gamer, I just have to say, LIGHTEN UP! He knows, and most of his listeners know, that you aren't really a pasty, jobless, leper in your parents' garage/basement. The few among his audience that don't get it, well, who cares about them? they're harmless anyway.
The point he is really trying to drive home here, believe it or not, is, "why the heck do you even care what he is saying?"
You don't need his or anyone else's opinion to validate your own self image, and as long as you take offense at this, all you are doing is exposing your own feelings of insecurity about it.
He's not part of your own world, and you don't need his approval. If he happens to piss you off by saying it, then it means that somewhere, some part of you is afraid that he might have a point in there, even if that point doesn't specifically apply to you. Let go of your fear and anger.
The only opinions you should care about are the ones from people you care about. You clearly don't care about him, nor should you, so why bother with it?
The stereotypes he brings up, he does in such a way to mock those stereotypes as much as he appears to mock the people towards whom he directs the mock stereotypes.
Now then, I need to get back to my batcave... I mean basement... I mean apartment, yeah, it's an apartment. no, really.
Pixelantes Anonymous @ May 8th 2008 5:38PM
No, I don't care about what he says or thinks of me. I stopped caring what other people think about me after I got past puberty.
But I do care about how what he and douchebags like him say affects the norms of the society at large.
I don't really enjoy "hiding" my video gaming "habit". But I do so in certain circumstances to avoid getting into uncomfortable situations where a mere mention of me playing video games results in a "poor you" stare from whomever I'm talking with at the time. I'm 100% sure you know what I'm talking about.
I couldn't care less about this particular douchebag, but constantly making "fun" of gamers is creating an environment where I'm an outcast just because something I do in my free time.
Jeff @ May 8th 2008 7:14PM
Ballangard so what your saying is like I can say black people are a lazy race who like to eat chicken and watermelons and and it not really mean anything? (God forbid, my best friend is black) Your point is invalid. In a sense "gamers" are just the same as you or any other person, but at the same time we can and sometimes want to be classified as gamers (found the loop hole XD) and should not be treated in any other way. Regardless if he was joking or being an asshat he should not call out one group of people just because of what they like to do. He likes to do talk shows and a TV show, that must be his hobbie, and if not it really doesn't matter what it is, I can call him a dick because of what he likes. The guy will never go anywhere in life doing this kind of stuff mark my words.
Also I would like to shake the hand of the person of who called in, thanks for saying something to that prick.
Also if I could get his number I would rick roll him. But sadly I dont have the number.
buffalo_aaa @ May 8th 2008 4:35PM
I haven't even gotten to the "relevant point" yet, but I feel the need to comment on the first 2 minutes or so...
Talking about the fire-fight-phone-call... good lead in, pretty interesting perspective on the life of being in a country at war, but he follows it up with "What service does this guy have?" Are you fucking kidding me?!@?@!#U(O This is the reason journalistic integrity has died... everyone wants to be a comedian. He had the PERFECT opportunity to talk about the horror of being a family torn by this war, or the fact that we in our country know about 1% of whats going on over there, or a million other things, and this guy makes jokes.
Pathetic.
TheCoats @ May 8th 2008 4:42PM
beck-douche
buffalo_aaa @ May 8th 2008 4:53PM
What a jerk-off! I don't know about the rest of the people who read this website, but I'm an entertainment industry professional pulling in a very handsome salary. I have a loving, attractive wife, a nice home and own two cars. I'm active outdoors, am a musician, carpenter and artist.
Oh yeah... I love the shit out of video games, read this website and occasionally post comments about jerk-offs like Glenn Beck. How much money does the video game industry bring in each year. Not just the companies making the games, but the magazines around them, the tv-shows about them, the stores that sell them and yes, even the popular online media that discusses them through "blogging." This guy just opened a floodgate of hate from an entire generation & population of people with his slanderous remarks and I hope he gets the public humiliation thats coming to him.
Cheers to Steven for having some balls. Good job, big guy, I'm rooting for you.
TheCoats @ May 8th 2008 4:52PM
time to flame him with hate mail
TheCoats @ May 8th 2008 4:59PM
He calls bloggers losers but hey HE USE TO BE AN alcoholic!!
What a loser
David Hinkle @ May 8th 2008 5:16PM
Forget the hate mail, send him a bottle of bourbon, then!
Too far?
TheCoats @ May 8th 2008 5:20PM
yeah-hate mail does nothing but enough of it can make a difference and annoy- IE-look at zero punctuations new video!
I just think Glen Beck needs to be knocked down a couple steps-He cant stereotype people like that!!
cytorak @ May 8th 2008 5:04PM
Glenn who?
Big George @ May 9th 2008 5:00PM
The irony is that you're attacking him for being immature by BEING IMMATURE yourself!
DasFoote @ May 8th 2008 5:06PM
"Hey, what's that smell?"
"Oh, that's just Glenn Beck talking out his ass again."
Pay no attention to this guy. He's just mad because he sucks at Pac-Man.
Simul8 @ May 8th 2008 5:17PM
Just for the record, I'm Steven (Simul8). To verify, just see my post that I made right after i got off the phone with Glenn Beck: http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/glenn-beck-doesnt-like-game-bloggers-too-much/#comments
And I sent the guys at NintendoWiiFanboy the link to the audio file of the segment (so, the "Stephen" post from above is NOT me).
OK, also thanks a lot for the positive feedback and support buffalo_aaa and Pixelantes Anonymous. Looking back on the segment this morning now, it was fun to be able to go off on Glenn Beck like that!
Also, I do hope that some of you email flame him. Afterall, this guy is really asking for it!
TheCoats @ May 8th 2008 5:24PM
i would pat you on the back-you have ballz my friend......
ECG @ May 8th 2008 5:34PM
You've got my respect. It's really too bad that Beck acted that way, you could tell it was for his entertainment only. I don't even know if he realizes how a blog works. Every story is front page news originally. He was obviously stressing the "front page" line to the uninformed. He has some attitude treating you like a lesser person. Calling you a loser before you even got on the air? I know it's opinion but have some decency.
Steven @ May 8th 2008 11:04PM
This is Steven (Simul8) from this morning’s episode with Glenn Beck. Just click on my name to see my other post that I made right after I got off the phone with Glenn (so that other post by "Stephen" was NOT me).
To: buffalo_aaa AND Pixelantes Anonymous
Thanks for the support guys; I appreciate the positive comments and feedback. Also, I do encourage those of you who were suggesting that a little email flaming on Beck might be in order.
In fact, I say Flame On!!!... After all, this guys is really asking for it.
TheBritishGuy @ May 8th 2008 5:42PM
Don't you all see, He's been a 'jerk' for his own gain so that he gets a bigger audience for his TV and radio show.
Wraith_242 @ May 8th 2008 6:43PM
I salute you steven where ever you are!! That takes major balls! I could never do it.
Wraith_242 @ May 8th 2008 6:47PM
I just thought of something else all the people that play video games usually get good jobs involving stuff that Glen would never get anyway. The old saying is true "Be nice to nerds some day you will probably work for one." Boom suck on that Beck!!!!!
hey_suburbia @ May 9th 2008 1:30AM
The audio cut to just the rant about gamers, streaming on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFHErktuIQk
vidGuy @ May 8th 2008 8:04PM
I'm 22, have more education than Glenn Beck, and have never been an alcoholic or drug addict. He can call me whatever he wants, it's just reflecting poorly on him.
Ballangard @ May 8th 2008 9:56PM
Vidguy, you, sir, have probably said the most reasonable thing I have read in these entire comments. I wish more people thought like you.
Epic @ May 8th 2008 8:11PM
Time to go review his books on Amazon...
Savoy @ May 8th 2008 8:54PM
-----
visit http://gorillaswap.com to buy sell or trade your unwanted used wii games
Ballangard @ May 8th 2008 9:47PM
Well, Jeff, while I admit that the majority of society would frown on such remarks regardless of context due to the common knee-jerk reactions you see out there, but I do feel that depending on the context and intent, one can say such things as you suggest without it being an actual insult to african americans. and it is that context and intent which I feel is being misunderstood here. controversial statements such as your example can be used as a means of lampooning people who (quite wrongly, in my opinion) believe in that type of generalization about african americans, etc. that style of comedy is extremely common in this day and age, though due to such knee-jerk reactions, statements relating to that particular group tend to be bypassed regardless of intent, simply because too many people don't take it the right way.
Having been the subject of racial epithets and generalizations myself, I have observed that there is a right way and a wrong way to deliver such words, and I have similarly observed that there are equally right and wrong ways to listen to such things.
It's just like George Carlin's classic 7 words routine. what it comes down to isn't that what you say is good or bad, it's the idea that you are trying to communicate that is good or bad.
My experience with the material and my own general observations suggest to me that the intent behind Glenn Beck's words is partially being misconstrued.
I won't say Glenn isn't being an ass, because being an ass is part of his job, which I personally don't have a problem with. what I am saying is that Mr. Hinkle and most of the commenters here have not caught on that being a gamer/game blogger isn't what he is really making fun of. He is making fun of you for being oversensitive and so easy to rile up, and to that end, the reactions on this blog would probably feed his resolve to exploit that sensitivity, which could very likely lead to further similar comments on his part. Do you really want to contribute to escalating this further than it has gone already?
Simul8 @ May 8th 2008 11:06PM
Hmm, good point Ballangard. I say we let him hear our voices starting on his site. Please cast your vote on one of his polls if you wish to be heard: http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/9760/
;)~