Bill O'Reilly, television and radio host, is a familiar name in most households. Republican or Democrat, independent or apathetic, people know who he is. His shows are consistently at the top of the ratings chart, and his often-outrageous remarks find their way to the top of news broadcasts on numerous other networks - he is literally everywhere. Outspokenly conservative, Bill O'Reilly is not afraid of a fight. He often jumps on the opportunity to interview those who are sure to stir up controversy on his show. Ann Coulter, Barack Obama, Laura Ingraham, John McCain, Hillary Clinton - they've all been his interviewees and they've all made headlines. But, the question should be raised: Does O'Reilly interview women differently than he does men? After analyzing several interviews with four separate women, I will discuss how gender-stereotyping influences the manner in which Bill O'Reilly interviews women versus men, and what effect this stereotyping has on the mass media's portrayal of gender roles.
As host of a show, it is expected that O'Reilly make himself appear “better” than those he is interviewing. He always gets the last word; he interrupts his interviewees frequently and chooses the topics that they will discuss. These things are all expected when viewers tune in to watch his television program. But, the characteristics O'Reilly uses when interviewing men and women are clearly different. According to Language, Society and Power, “men interrupt women more that they interrupt other men” a fact that is often used to “indicate that men act as if they have more right than women to speak in mixed-sex conversations” (87). Men also tend to dominate conversations. “The average amount of time for which a man talks is approximately twice as long as the average amount for which a woman talks” (Thomas 87). Interruption, which I've come to understand as somewhat of a stylistic technique he uses as an interviewer.
O'Reilly seems to have a tendency to be less critical of women whom he agrees with; therefore, many of his statements towards the liberal-leaning Clinton are a bit more superficially sexist. In order to show that O'Reilly is not just attacking political ideology in his interviews with these women, I have also analyzed an interview he had with President Barack Obama and another with former presidential nominee John McCain to show that there is a gender element involved. This part of my analysis will show that the physical mannerisms and word-choice Bill O'Reilly uses with men are vastly different then they are with women.
Naturally, O'Reilly's politics play a role in his demeanor towards and with those he interviews. But, through analyzing the differences in the way he speaks to and acts with women versus men I have found significant disparities between his conduct with each. The fact of the matter is, O&apso;Reilly distributes classical sexist characteristics. From his hand gestures when speaking with them to his redundant and childish questioning. He poses infantile questions, such as “Are you aware that…?” or “Did you know…?” to women who are educated and knowledgeable and by asking these ridiculous questions, O'Reilly seems to portray them as somehow lesser than himself. His negative portrayal of and behavior towards women has a profound effect on the way the public views gender differences and on how the rest of the media speaks of women.
If the media were more aware this phenomenon, they could perhaps “present a clearer and more accurate picture of the roles and responsibilities of both women and men in society” and thus tackle the misconceptions and stereotyping present within and amongst those in the media (Williams 579). The year 2008 saw remarkable triumphs for women in this country as “'18 million cracks' were made in the highest and hardest glass ceiling” by Hillary Clinton and then by Sarah Palin (Zogby 48). The progress is happening without help from the conservative media, but hasn't the time come to change?