head-to-head with Bill O'Reilly, and much more
I've been a guest commentator on television hundreds of times, including once or more on ABC's "NightLine", "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather", PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer", "The O'Reilly Factor", "Scarborough Country", "Jesse Ventura's America", "The Big Story with John Gibson", ABC's "World News Now", "Daybreak", "Your World with Neil Cavuto", PBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, Discovery Channel, the History Channel, "Today in New York", "Good Day New York", WNBC-TV, WCBS-TV, WB-11, and "Inside Edition".
I'm an oustspoken champion of the First Amendment, and a usually strong supporter of the media. I've gone head-to-head to with Bill O'Reilly, Patrick Buchanan, Joe Scarborough, and others on these issues.
Here I give you some of the clips of these appearances and jousts that have made their way to YouTube. Feel free to comment - pro, con, whatever! - in the section after the video clips.
You'll also find a list of some relevant books by and about the people in the interviews.
Levinson v. O'Reilly: morality of news anchors
Paul Levinson vs. Bill O'Reilly about Catherine Bosley
O'Reilly and I debate the fate of Catherine Bosley, Youngstown, OH CBS TV news anchor - she was videotaped, nude, in a wet t-shirt contest in Florida - I defend her right to do as she pleases in her private life - listen to my commentary about this show, 3 years later, at Levinsonnews dot podshow dot com
Runtime: 4:20
59440 views
10 Comments:
Levinson v. O'Reilly: media coverage of Abu Ghraib
Paul Levinson vs. Bill O'Reilly on Abu Ghraib media coverage
O'Reilly thinks media must exercise "restraint" in showing graphic images such as those that came out of Abu Ghraib - O'Reilly thinks that they give strength and comfort to the enemy. I argue that American democracy is best served by media that provide the fullest possible information - including graphically violent images. Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down, takes a position in the middle - he supports the showing of images of Abu Ghraib, but thinks American media should be careful not to show "political snuff films," or terrorist executions of hostages. A tough series of issues, and a spirited all around discussion.
Runtime: 7:41
8383 views
10 Comments:
Paul Levinson v. Jesse Ventura about the media
Part 1 of 2
1: Paul Levinson vs. Jesse Ventura on media sensationalism
I debate the former Governor of Minnesota - Jesse Ventura - on the pros and cons of media coverage of sensationalist events such as trials and murders. From Jesse's short-lived "Jesse Ventura's America". I flew out to St. Paul for this taping, and very much enjoyed it. This is Part 1 of a 2-part video clip.
Runtime: 4:43
13813 views
10 Comments:
Paul Levinson v. Jesse Ventura about the media
Part 2 of 2
2: Paul Levinson vs. Jesse Ventura on media sensationalism
I debate the former Governor of Minnesota - Jesse Ventura - on the pros and cons of media coverage of sensationalist events such as trials and murders. From Jesse's short-lived "Jesse Ventura's America". I flew out to St. Paul for this taping, and very much enjoyed it. This is Part 2 of a 2-part video clip.
Runtime: 5:42
8037 views
10 Comments:
Paul Levinson v. Patrick Buchanan about the New York Times
Paul Levinson vs. Pat Buchanan about New York Times
Pat Buchanan and Bob Kohn say the New York Times published information fed to it by the CIA in the 2004 Presidential election campaign - information intended by the CIA, and hoped by the New York Times, to hurt George Bush and make him lose the election. I say the New York Times was only doing its job - publishing information it believed to be reliable, especially if provided via CIA leaks.
Runtime: 6:12
2887 views
3 Comments:
Paul Levinson v. Joe Scarborough about Dan Rather ("docu-gate")
Paul Levinson vs. Joe Scarborough about "docu-gate"
Joe Scarborough and Bob Kohn say CBS top brass should have been fired in the aftermath of the "docugate" controvery (Dan Rather's story about George Bush's military service, in which it was alleged that the documents Rather relied upon were forged). I argue that there are two kinds of errors that news organizations came make - going with a story that's false, sitting on a story that's true - and Rather was right to be just as concerned about the second kind of error, and therefore to go with the story.
Runtime: 8:21
1306 views
2 Comments:
Paul Levinson critiques Pat Robertson
Paul Levinson critiques Pat Robertson
Pat Robertson said that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for not following the Old Testament, and giving away some of the land of Israel. John Kasich, Janet Folger, and I discuss the morality of literally applying the Old Testament to a Prime Minister on his deathbed. I argue that Robertson's statements were inappropriate and graceless.
Runtime: 6:57
11454 views
10 Comments:
Paul Levinson v. Brent Bozell on the First Amendment
Paul Levinson vs. Brent Bozell on the First Amendment
Brent Bozell, then President of the Parents Television Council, says he welcomes FCC fines for alleged "indecent" broadcasting, because such fines help create "a culture of responsibility". I say the fines violate the First Amendment, and are creating a culture of fear - in which, for example, many TV stations refused to air "Saving Private Ryan" on Veteran's Day 2004.
Runtime: 6:08
2478 views
10 Comments:
Paul Levinson talks with Ray Suarez about Alan Greenspan
Paul Levinson talks with Ray Suarez about Alan Greenspan
I discuss the pop-cultural significance of Alan Greenspan with Ray Suarez, on the eve of Greenspan's departure as head of the Federal Reserve Board in January 2006. I say Greenspan ruled like a philosopher-king, spoke in aphorisms like Marshall McLuhan, and understood that power can be the ultimate aphrodisiac.
Runtime: 3:36
2218 views
4 Comments:
Paul Levinson and Michael Wolff discuss Al Jazeera in USA
Part 1 of 2
1. Paul Levinson & Michael Wolff discuss Al Jazeera in USA
Michael Wolff and I consider the prospects that Al Jazeera has for succeeding in the American market. We agree that human curiosity will at first certainly draw viewers. Wolff thinks Al Jazeera will go on to easy success. Although I think it would be useful for Americans to see Al Jazeera and its point of view, it will have a hard time attracting viewers and sponsors over the long run. It will need to shed its image - fairly or unfairly held - as just a place to see Osama Bin Laden videos. Part 1 of 2-part videoclip.
Runtime: 3:22
1492 views
4 Comments:
Paul Levinson and Michael Wolff discuss Al Jazeera in USA
Part 2 of 2
2. Paul Levinson & Michael Wolff discuss Al Jazeera in USA
Michael Wolff and I consider the prospects that Al Jazeera has for succeeding in the American market. We agree that human curiosity will at first certainly draw viewers. Wolff thinks Al Jazeera will go on to easy success. Although I think it would be useful for Americans to see Al Jazeera and its point of view, it will have a hard time attracting viewers and sponsors over the long run. It will need to shed its image - fairly or unfairly held - as just a place to see Osama Bin Laden videos. Part 2 of 2-part videoclip.
Runtime: 4:53
2173 views
4 Comments:
Paul Levinson and Kelly Wallace talk about Bill Clinton's book
Paul Levinson & Kelly Wallace talk about Bill Clinton's book
I talk to Kelly Wallace about the sales prospects of Bill Clinton's "My Life" memoir, at the time of its publication in June 2004. I predict it will not set any long range sales records - mainly because there are too many other books about more pressing events in our world.
Runtime: 2:16
666 views
0 Comments:
Paul Levinson talks to Kelly Wallace about Judith Miller
Paul Levinson talks to Kelly Wallace about Judith Miller
Maureen Dowd called Judith Miller a "woman of mass destruction" at the New York Times. Rather than supporting its reporter - who spent time in jail rather than reveal her sources - the New York Times in the end pushed her out of her job. I say this is no-class behavior by the New York Times.
Runtime: 3:02
1242 views
4 Comments:
Paul Levinson talks about best response to violent videogames
Paul Levinson discusses best response to violent videogames
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (U. S. House of Representatives, D-Washington State)and I agree that the best way of confronting violent, obnoxious video games such as "JFK Reloaded" is to speak out against them, encourage parents not to buy them for their kids - but certainly _not_ to ban them, which runs contrary to the First Amendment, and teaches disrespect for the Constitution.
Runtime: 4:23
2870 views
10 Comments:
Paul Levinson on cell phone bling
Paul Levinson on cell phone bling
a brief comment by me - with a nod to Thorstein Veblen and his theory of "conspicuous consumption" - on new cell phones as fashion statements, that sell for as much as a million dollars
Runtime: 2:11
2297 views
1 Comments:
promo for my Light on Light Through podcast
hyper, fun promo - taped by my wife
Light On Light Through - Paul Levinson's podcast
sampler Paul Levinson's Light On Light Through podcast lightonlightthrough.com (also available on iTunes) - weekly commentaries on new technologies, popular culture, tv, movies, Wikipedia, outer space, politics, science fiction, the works - usually 10-20 minutes
Runtime: 0:24
379 views
0 Comments:
trailer for The Chronology Protection Case
Jay Kensinger's short film adapted from my novelette
You can hear the complete 38-minute radioplay - from a live performance at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City - on Paul Levinson's blog - scroll down a bit on the right, and you'll see the audio player.
"The Chronology Protection Case" also introduced NYC forensic detective character, Dr. Phil D'Amato, who later appeared in three novels. Check out my Levinson's novels lens here on Squidoo.
The Chronology Protection Case - trailer
Trailer for a 40-minute 2002 short film I made from Paul Levinson's Nebula-nominated novelette. Enjoy!
Runtime: 1:48
947 views
1 Comments:
a few books that go with the people and topics of these interviews
The Silk Code (Phil D'Amato) by Paul Levinson
I put this here for those who might be interested more...0 points
The Soft Edge: A Natural History and Future of the Information Revolution by Paul Levinson
my magnum opus about the media ... 50,000 in print0 points
your responses encouraged!
tell me what you think about any or all of the above
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