Colby Hall of Mediaite.com has put into words a thought that ran through my mind last night while watching CNN’s Anderson Cooper interview left-wing comedian Bill Maher. As Hall points out, Maher “ruthlessly slammed nearly every GOP candidate who participated in the debate this week, and even found room to deride those who did not participate.”
Now it would be one thing if Cooper, whom I generally like, hosted an opinion show and was candid about his political views. But Anderson takes great pride in portraying himself, and his program, as neutral, unbiased, and committed to (in his phrase) “keeping them honest.” So let’s return to the commentary of Colby Hall:
Should CNN really be that comfortable with the “face” of their network giving such an unchallenged platform to such a biased commentator? Wouldn’t it be more fair to at least have someone to rebut his point of view, or to add a different perspective? Put another way, how often has Cooper had on, as guest, Maher’s equivalent on the right, say his old pal Ann Coulter, who appears to take a similar approach to Maher’s in the business of outrage? Yes, we are aware that Coulter has appeared on AC360, but the tone of those discussions appear very different than the amused and convivial conversations that Cooper shares with Maher. Just keeping them honest.
Last night Anderson Cooper’s mask slipped. I wonder if he even understands that it has, or why it has.
