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Beck Pulls an Oprah, Pushing Thriller Writers

'It's almost conservative porn,' Fox host says of one novel

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2009 7:43 AM CST

(Newser) – Oprah's book club used to stand alone in its power to boost authors' sales and profiles. Then came Glenn Beck. The conservative Fox News pundit has endorsed dozens of novels and regularly hosts fiction writers on his show, a rare habit among talk show hosts. But unlike Oprah, Beck singles in on one genre—thrillers—and would rather discuss books' political messages than parse their characters.

The floundering publishing industry loves Beck's enthusiasm for fiction. Hosting the writer of the thriller Pursuit of Honor, Beck gushed about a scene in which the book's hero goes before Congress to defend harsh interrogation tactics: "It's almost conservative porn." Liberal authors whose thrillers pass muster are welcome, too, but may—like recent guest Andrew Gross—face wrath from both liberal readers and Beck's conservative fans, the New York Times reports.

FILE - In this March 12, 2003 file photo, syndicated radio host Glenn Bec is seen after recording promotional announcements for an upcoming Rally for America in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
FILE - In this March 12, 2003 file photo, syndicated radio host Glenn Bec is seen after recording promotional announcements for an upcoming "Rally for America" in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.   (AP Photo/Mike Mergen, file)
Glenn Beck: Like Oprah's Book Club for thrillers.
Glenn Beck: Like Oprah's Book Club for thrillers.   (Photo: Business Wire)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 23 comments
paul123
Nov 6, 2009 4:46 AM CST
Fondue, the first amendment comment was flagged because Circusdog called Mrs K a "biotch". This is the same reason Critixguy was flagged earlier in the post. Politics have nothing to do with it as much as offensive language and name calling. Read the posting rules.
cornelison
Nov 6, 2009 4:20 AM CST
Jon Stewart has done a brilliant impersonation of Glen Beck on Comedy Central Nov. 5, 2009. He has the blackboard, the crying, the arm swinging, etc. Check the Daily Show for some comic relief.
BlueAyez
Nov 6, 2009 3:46 AM CST
Only that Beck himself bragged he could say anything on his show because it's licensed as a work of fiction, same as Limbaughs.

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