Originally Posted by matclone

He, as well as the men and women on commercial talk radio, and probably Olberman too (although I havent' seen his program) are engaged in a show. OReilly's is a frank appeal to a certain demographic in America. He tells them what they want to hear, while appealing, generally, to emotion rather than reason (hence the temper and shouting--a "man's" kind of emotion).

Contrast O'Reilly with most talk shows or panels on your local PBS station, or with Charlie Rose or Bill Moyers. The latter are engaged in serious discussion, the former is mainly trying to stir up his audience. It sells.