(photo: Jim Hollander/EPA)
After dire predictions of a new Middle East crisis ignited by self-described "rodeo clown" Glenn Beck's (KTTH m-f, 6-9a), rallies in Israel, a whimper ensued in lieu of a bang. "Dressed as though attending a funeral," Beck, it's reported, cried twice. (he got one on Jesus, who famously wept only once).
Tens of thousands of excited Israelis and Americans, music performances, appearances by local and international celebrities, senior politicians and a live broadcast that will reach millions of viewers – this is just some of what is in store for Glenn Beck's upcoming rally "to restore courage," which is set to take place on August 24 in Jerusalem.
To keep the energy up, they planned:
A series of musical performances, designed to lure Israeli audiences, are expected at the rally, and Beck said he intends to recruit some US star power for the event as well. A pyrotechnic show and free snacks and drinks are anticipated as well.
Unfortunately, a funny thing happened. Most mainstream Israelis, from the right and left, from the religious and secular communities, united to say they don't want Glenn Beck's brand pseudo-Christian fundamentalist radicalism. Celebrities and supporters, both in the US and Israel, pulled out. By the end, the entertainment had dwindled somewhat:
The evening's glittering guests tonight apparently include Israeli singer Dudu Fisher, MK Danny Danon and Angelina Jolie's dad.
As for the rally itself? Remember the prediction of "tens of thousands"? Well:
Conservative Christian commentator Glenn Beck capped a contentious visit to Israel Wednesday by hosting a rally next to a hotly disputed holy site in Jerusalem's Old City.Hundreds of supporters, including Israeli politicians, were on hand to hear the former Fox TV personality in the final leg of his "Restoring Courage" tour of the Holy Land.
From "tens of thousands" to hundreds. That's a 99% drop. It turns out, no one in Israel wants Beck any more than people in the US want him.
Thom Hartman said he actually felt a little sorry for Glenn...I don't. Any attention is a good thing, even if it makes him look silly.
Posted by: sparky | August 24, 2011 at 04:09 PM
I can't remember the last time anyone on this blog had anything positive to say about Glenn Beck. Why, oh why, Mr. Hood, do you continue to beat the horse long after its demise???
Posted by: Radio Queen | August 24, 2011 at 04:15 PM
It's the only place I can keep up with Beck. If not BW, then who or where? It's all radio after all. I think...
Posted by: joanie | August 24, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Beck is the shit that Beck's shit wipes off its shoes.
Posted by: Latent Gay Dori (not Monson) | August 24, 2011 at 05:52 PM
are you implying that Dori is a latent gay> that's outrageous and actionable by Dori. I am forwardign him a copy of your post. I am Dori's favorite neighbor and he is the epitomy of a man's man. Very masculine and not effeminate in the least. I find him a terrific turn on.
Posted by: Maggie, Dori's favorite neighbor | August 24, 2011 at 06:27 PM
The travelling frankenscents and myrrh salesman flops again.
Posted by: ChickenLittle(R) | August 24, 2011 at 07:08 PM
I listened to Glenn Beck only once for fifteen minutes. He was spouting some conspiracy theory that was so far off the wall I wanted to throw up. I never gave him a second chance.
Now that he no longer has a national bully pulpit, he is no longer perceived as an important force, so why bother supporting him or even showing up.
Posted by: Ray | August 24, 2011 at 07:57 PM
I think you are closest to the real reason, Ray. He can't do anything for anyone anymore, so they have abandoned him.
Posted by: sparky | August 24, 2011 at 09:06 PM
Sparky's nailed it. Another reason: while conservative US evangelical Protestant enthusiasm for Israel, especially of the pre-rapture sort, is a financial windfall for Israel and its politicians, it really doesn't enjoy a whole lot of support with the Israeli public. They have some trust issues, and some bad associations, with far-right Christian demagogues.
Posted by: Pete | August 24, 2011 at 09:33 PM
I think it is a matter of visibility. Olbermann has lost clout since moving to Current. Beck has lost cloud since moving god only knows where.
Sharpton's cut his hair . . . or pulled it back. Looking very dignified.
Posted by: joanie | August 24, 2011 at 09:58 PM
it was clear thaT O'Reilly viewed Beck with disdain when Beck got his own show on Fox, in the afternoon. My take was that he viewed Beck as cable news tv's version of the Hula Hoop. O'Reilly was right.
Posted by: Maggie, Dori's favorite neighbor | August 25, 2011 at 09:16 AM
This sounds about right.. "On Fox & Friends Sunday, anchor Clayton Morris admitted that Fox News factcheckers have confirmed that man-made global warming is “certainly” real, but argued that it “doesn’t matter” because climate denial is popular among Fox News-watching conservatives."
Posted by: sparky | August 25, 2011 at 12:21 PM
In his Foxnews meetups on the air with Gelnn Beck, O'Reilly could call him "Beck", in that drill sargeant manner he uses on his show as part of his NYC tough guy persona, as much as he liked (making him simply look foolish, as probably the only grown adult in America not in the military or a police force that still calls other grown men by their last names) , but it still had to just anger this already very angry man tremendously, that Beck had amassed a fortune of 80 million dollars in a few years of fadlike media prominence while he had only ponied up about 50 million after more than a generation of sitting or standing in front of various national network cameras and radio microphones. The score matters to a guy like Bill O'Reilly, not just the enjoyment of playing the game, and this score just can't be one that Bill can easily stomach.
Posted by: Maggie, Dori's favorite neighbor | August 25, 2011 at 02:22 PM
Glenn Beck's time has expired. Like Sarah Palin, reality shows, etc these sensations are being recognized for what they are, phony images who came on the scene at opportune times but are being recognized for their true colors. They made a bunch of money through this fortunate timing but when you start peeling away the layers they surface for what they are, no substance. It's bye bye time for Beck and his ilk and I think we will also be parting ways with these stupid reality shows too.
Posted by: Sarah | August 25, 2011 at 03:14 PM
I'm not implying that Dori (Monson) is gay. I'm implying that Glen Beck is a piece of shit. Super-shit if you will. Nucular powered shit. A putrid piece of self-serving, delusional, destructive excrement. Shit doesn't have a conscience. Neither does Beck. The man is a piece of shit.
Posted by: Latent Gay Dori (not Monson) | August 25, 2011 at 06:55 PM
now that's something an entire, grateful nation can get behind. Thanks, latent Dori
Posted by: Maggie, Dori's favorite neighbor | August 25, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Shit has a useful - actually, essential - function. Beck does not have a useful function. Therefore, Beck is not a piece of shit. He's worse.
Posted by: Pete | August 25, 2011 at 11:20 PM
I listened Glen Beck on fridayaugust 26 He was laghing at those peple in Africa who are starving...those who dont know that they are upside down.. according to him..Empty barrels make bigger noise as they say ...But people dont a mistake of listning to him They already told him in Israel enough if he has the simplset ..in his head Please Glen Beck mind your own business Dont talk specially about things you dont know like the hunger in africa Ok
Posted by: liku | August 28, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Oh no, not again. Bwaahaha!
Posted by: StarTheWonderDog | August 28, 2011 at 02:31 PM
StarTheWonderDog is one of those critters that has coprophagia. No wonder since Dori only feeds it Purina products. That stuff will kill you in due time.
Now go give Maggie a big wet kiss... Star
Posted by: Dori's (not Monson) Gerbil Dealer | August 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Oh, I think we know who the real latrine fly is. bwahaha
Posted by: StarTheWonderDog | August 29, 2011 at 10:18 AM
No kidding as round and round the pot you go . . . bwahahahaha.
Posted by: joanie | August 29, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Ah, biz gerçek tuvaletleri sinek kim olduğunu biliyorum.
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Posted by: jenstine | October 21, 2012 at 05:36 AM
Very nice article but everybody seem to hate Glen Beck. Poor guy. If only he takes time to read all these comments he would know how many haters he had all this time.
Posted by: Mezuzah | February 03, 2013 at 01:40 AM