When Politicans and Wrestlers threathen reporters: Rep. Michael Grimm and WWE Champion Randy Orton get mad

Professional Wrestling is fake. Like Santa Claus, its an open secret many of us grow up not being aware of. Fake however only tells half the story. Whilst the Wrestlers adhere to a choreographed structure they may improvise their lines and moves to heighten audience reaction. Its highly dynamic as the audience and performers are sensitive and play off each other's cues.

In wrestling, "kayfabe" is the art of preserving the illusion that wrestling is real. There was a time when Wrestlers remained in character at all times, limited access in those days allowed for choreographed press stunts which maintained the ruse. Wrestling is real the same way Reality TV is, the audience senses its choreographed but in reality the lines are blurred. Wrestling has a higher level of hyperreality as they at times will intentionally obfuscate truth to keep fans guessing, this is called a "work". When real scandals occur and get played out in the media, they often incorporate these events into storylines. The line between fiction and reality is always in flux.

Real betrayals have happened in the ring, a Champion wrestler dropped his title unexpectedly due to real-life conflict with management. Dubbed the "Montreal Screwjob" there is still speculation as to how complicit the players were and how authentic the shock and anger was. When Owen Hart tragically died after collapsing in a high-wire stunt during the 'Over the Edge (1999)' PPV, the pretend nature of the business confused many in attendance. Staged dramatic injuries and deaths are commonplace in wrestling.

Outside of Sports Entertainment, comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is the most visible in carrying this tradition of performance art trickery. Following in the legendary footsteps of comedian and wrestling fan, Andy Kaufman. These pranks operate on realistic heightened performances in front of unsuspecting audience members. Some "actors" are in play and consent is usually guaranteed by establishments and operators beforehand. For best effect, important people including those appearing on-air are kept out of the loop to ensure authentic reactions.

VIDEO: Randy Orton goes off on a Mexican Reporter

following up on an irritating, trivial question
REPORTER: You sound pretty fragile?
RANDY ORTON: Listen to this. You wanna talk sh-t to me on your own show here and make you look cool. You wanna look cool? Say it to my face. I'm serious. Look at me, look at me, LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!!!. Now say it again, say it again. I DARE YOU TO SAY IT AGAIN!
Call me fragile. I will headbutt your teeth through your skull. Do you hear me?
REPORTER: You spit on me. That's not polite
ORTON: Say something funny again Boy! Say something funny.
REPORTER: I'm not trying to be funny.
ORTON: I'm done

Its unclear whether this Mexican Reporter was encouraged beforehand to antagonise Champion Wrestler Randy Orton but his producers surely got the content they were after. Veteran reporter John Stossel profiling Wrestling for 20/20 won north of $400,000 in damages after actually being hit by wrestler David "Dr D" Schultz in response to some provocative questioning. An example of when "Kayfabe goes wrong".

VIDEO: Reporter John Stossel slapped by David "Dr D" Schultz

Making headlines today, Republican Congressman Michael Grimm had a wrestling style outburst on camera after the 2014 State of the Union address. It echoes the traditional Reporter confrontations that happen in Pro-Wrestling but without the gains. Just real emotion from a hot blooded New Yorker.

VIDEO: Rep. Michael Grimm threatens attack News reporter during interview

REPORTER: So Congressman Michael Grimm does not want to talk about some of the allegations concerning his campaign finances. We wanted to get him on camera on that but as you saw he refused to get on camera to talk about that. Back to you.

Congressman Grimm returns to confront the reporter after the feed returns to the Station
REPORTER: What? I just wanted to ask you…
CONGRESSMAN GRIMM: Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I’ll throw you off this f—–g balcony.
REPORTER: Why? I Just wanted to ask you

cross talk
GRIMM: If you ever do that to me again...
REPORTER: Why? Why? It’s a valid question.
GRIMM: No, no, you’re not man enough, you’re not man enough. I’ll break you in half. Like a boy.

This episode does not signal the end for Congressman Michael Grimm's political career. Anger Management is important in leadership but if this is in keeping with his character the voters will forgive him. At best his colorful personality can be parlayed into a media career outside of politics. Outspoken former Congressman Anthony Weiner is the shining example. He originally found attention for his impassioned Wrestling-style promos on the house floor, his political career derailed by a sexting twitter scandal. Anthony has remained relevant in the media landscape with his brash persona, becoming the Charles Barkley of Political Media if you will.

He offers his "humble opinion" to fellow New Yorker Michael Grimm in an Op-ed for the 'Daily News'

Anthony Weiner's advice to Rep. Michael Grimm on how to get along with reporters 
First, if you don’t want to talk about a scandal in which you’re embroiled, whatever that scandal may be, maybe it’s best that you don’t do interviews for a while. For that matter, you may not want to attend community meetings, visit your office or go a sporting event. Fact is, an investigation that’s hanging over your head is the kind of thing people might be curious about. People ask you about embarrassing stuff even when you want to talk about other things. Especially when you want to talk about other things...

- Find other Kayfabe posts here
- Republican James Oddo lays the smack down

Glenn Beck objects to WWE's demonization of the Tea Party through "Zeb Colter" character

VIDEO: Glenn Beck on WWE's demonization of the Tea Party

Update: For some reason the MLB has appeared on this video.
Find the video direct from GlennBeck.com here - WWE creates controversial Tea Party wrestler

Glenn Beck Show: WWE Demonizes Tea Party Character
GLENN BECK: You know I can take it from a lot of people, I really can. I can't take it from the stupid wrestling people, especially since a lot of the people -- I would imagine that a lot of the people who watch wrestling are not New York elites. Now call me crazy, I'm going out on a limb. I don't think a lot of Ivy league Harvard professors are watching WWE. I also don't think a lot of the progressive administration officials are watching the WWE. So who watches it?

I personally think when the WWE comes after the Tea Party, that's like NASCAR coming after the Tea Party. Maybe at a higher level than wrestling...

Glenn Beck founded website 'The Blaze' has a great piece explaining the outrage caused by WWE's faux racist persona. - WWE Challenges Glenn Beck to appear on its Wrestling program after he criticized their Racist Tea Party character (update: Beck responds)

What's most perplexing isn't that the WWE has created a Politically incorrect Villain to manufacture visceral feelings of hate, that's par for the course in Wrestling. As Glenn Beck and his co-hosts discuss, what's confounding is how the caricature alienates the core audience.

GLENN BECK: ... Who are they appealing to?
STU BURGUIERE: Wouldn't the argument be -- at least one of the arguments would be they're trying to create villains. They do this all the time, they're trying to create a villain. Like when I was a kid, I remember the Iron Sheik. The Iron Sheik was from Iran and was always saying terrible things about America - that doesn't mean the WWE [WWF at the time] didn't like America. They were trying to make a villain out of the Iron Sheik. But this is different, the villain, the guy you're supposed to hate is this stereotype of this conservative I've never met
GLENN BECK: The problem with this is a bunch of Sheiks weren't watching the WWE. So you're making a villain of what? -- 80% of your audience who are tired as it is of being miscast...

It's an understandable observation for Beck to make but those familiar with the theatre of wrestling should be aware that anything goes when it comes to "getting a draw". Whether a reaction is good or bad is negligible as long as it elicits a reaction, the stronger the better. The art is in harnessing those reactions and manipulating them through effective storytelling. At its purest, Wrestling is a circular hype machine not unlike Punditry.

Whilst its curious that WWE would alienate a largely Conservative Wrestling fanbase considering Linda McMahon ran for Senate as a Republican. One needs to be aware of the scruples of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon who has yet to find a cow too sacred to be sacrificed. In service of "the business" Vince has forsaken his own safety, children, money, integrity, marriage, character and even his own death. The manufactured controversy has been successful with the coverage the WWE has received from objections voiced by influential media personalities like Glenn Beck and Alex Jones. A great buildup for the Wrestling Calendar's biggest show of the year, WrestleMania 29 featuring a title match between Mexican Champion Alberto Del Rio and the suddenly relevant Jack Swagger. Instant heat!

Marc Maron and Mark Riley's 'Morning Sedition': The infamous 'Wrestle a Republican' episode with Mick Foley

Morning Sedition - 12-21-04 - The Wrestle a Republican Sketch...Revealed! (Best Of).mp3
MARC MARON: ... We're going to listen to a segment that got more responses than anything else we've ever done for Morning Sedition... Its our infamous 'Wrestle-a-Republican' show...

-cut to a replay of said 'infamous show' with accompanying running commentary followed by a reunion from the principles of the segment-

MARC MARON: Good evening, geniuses, philosopher kings and queens, working class heroes, liberals of all kinds. Even our conservative friends, you're welcome as well. And of course wrestling fans...

We got really tired before the election of hearing these Republican emails and phone calls. Just these blowhards that would say we're all talk no action and why don't you guys do something about it.

So basically what we did was we solicited our Republican listeners to come in and wrestle one of the hosts...

Considered one of the most talked about bits in 'Morning Sedition' history, here is a recap of the infamous 'Wrestle-a-Republican' segment here:

• Mark and Marc talk about Al Franken's collegiate wrestling background. Maron does his Franken impression but makes it clear he is not mocking Franken. 
• The 'Morning Sedition' hosts play a bait-and-switch and get guest host wrestling legend Mick Foley to fight the republican challenger. 
• Mick Foley promotes his children's book 'Tales from Wrescal Lane' and talks about his involvement in educating the youth on politics and voting
• Talked about his debate with fellow wrestler John Bradshaw Layfield at the 'University of Miami'
• Foley explains the different reactions he's gotten from pundits Paul Begala and Chris Matthews to him being a Pro-wrestler involved and well versed in politics 
• Foley explains why wrestlers might be more equipped in discussing politics as they "Straddle between the two Americas", having access to the working class and the elite with their brand of entertainment.
• 'Dave the Republican' returns to the show and breaks kayfabe by revealing his true identity and the effectiveness the "work" had in duping the Air America audience and management.

Find Morning Sedition archives here

This infamous segment is likely to have informed this bit on 'The Daily Show' which featured Mick Foley and Maron's WTF discussion with Wyatt Cenac that touched on pro-wrestling.

Find Brendan McDonald's original recap of the Mick Foley 'Morning Sedition' appearance here: Mick Foley - Politics is just like wrestling

Rep. Jason Chaffetz: Stephen Colbert testifying in Congress on immigration "is a joke"

Stephen Colbert testifying in Congress (in character)

Stephen Colbert has just finished testifying in Congress on the issue of immigration, as I reported on yesterday.

Stephen Colbert Testifies Before Congress on "Vast Experience" as a Migrant Laborer
Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert testified before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing in character this morning, speaking on the topic of working in America's fields.

Colbert, testifying next to the president of the United Farm Workers (UFW), discussed his "vast experience spending one day as a migrant farm worker," adding that he was "happy to use [his] celebrity to draw attention to this important, complicated issue."
...
But while most of the Congress members present seemed pleased with Colbert's appearance before the committee - which potentially brought more national attention to the cause than it might have otherwise received - not everyone was laughing along with his jokes...

- Watch Video of Stephen Colbert testifying in Congress
- Listen to Rep. Jason Chaffetz calling the Colbert "ordeal a joke" on CBS' 'Washington Unplugged'
Read Rep. Jason Chaffetz reservations on the Colbert invitation here - Stephen Colbert Testimony "Sad," a "Joke," Says Congressman

This isn't the first time people who usually dabble in the absurd have had to deal with criticism once they enter the serious world of politics. Watch how Comedians Al Franken, Wrestler Jesse Ventura and Action Star Arnold Swarchenegger handled criticism when they entered politics - Answering the critics: Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and The Terminator. Its worth noting that some Republicans were happy to use Colbert's appearance to sincerely endorse their goals.

Stephen Colbert breaks kayfabe and speaks to the issue seemingly out of character

VIDEO: Colbert explains why he is advocating for migrant farmworkers

Stephen Colbert to testify in Congress in character

Stephen Colbert is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill tomorrow.

Fresh off farm gig, comedian Colbert set for House hearing
(CNN) -- Stephen Colbert shined his comedic light on farm labor and immigration for his TV show. Now a House subcommittee is about to have him draw attention to the issues on Capitol Hill.

The Comedy Central funnyman, fresh off Thursday night's "The Colbert Report" episode showing him packing corn and picking beans on a farm as part of a challenge from a pro-immigrant-labor group, is to appear before a House subcommittee on immigration at 9:30 a.m.

In wrestling, kayfabe is the art of preserving the illusion that wrestling is real. Obviously this can be easily managed within the realm of wrestling but harder so when the larger than life characters interact with foreign parties or migrate to other forms of entertainment. I've spoken previously of the awkwardness of the hypermacho Bill O'Reilly persona when positioned in lightweight programming.

This will be an interesting exercise in hyperreality - seeing an earnest caricature of a conservative bloviator invited by a Democratic Congress to testify on the serious matter of illegal immigration. Since everyone in Congress should be across the Colbert brief, it shouldn't play like a 'Borat sketch'. But that's not to say reality won't be muddled at all.

Watch Stephen addressing the concerns of Fox and Friends' Gretchen Carlson and Steve Doocy

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Fallback Position - Migrant Worker Pt. 2
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News

Watch one of the rare occasions Stephen Colbert breaks kayfabe and unpacks his art.

VIDEO: The Real Stephen Colbert (Out of Character)

Read a discussion on Colbert's in-character appearance from Conservative blog, Newsbusters - Stephen Colbert to Testify to Congress About Illegal Immigration

Watch happens when staying in character can go wrong. I've shown and discussed this infamous clip between John Stossel and Dr D David Schultz previously. Here it is again being unpacked below:

VIDEO: Schultz VS Stossel - When keeping it Kayfabe goes wrong documentary (1 of 2)

Jon Stewart Coaches Cable News Pundits for the Midterms - MSNBC's Political Narrative

VIDEO: Are You Ready for Some Midterms? - MSNBC's Political Narrative
Are You Ready for Some Midterms? - MSNBC's Political Narrative

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

JON STEWART: What are you doing? Do you know nothing of your obligation to shape the news towards your desired electoral goal? There is no "BUT" in journalism. Have you learned nothing from 'Fox'. You pick your narrative and you stick with with it and if the news doesn't fit your narrative - CHANGE YOUR (expletive) NEWS!

For God's sakes people. You don't change your narrative. Watch how the masters do it.

(Stewart cuts to a clip of Sean Hannity selectively editing President Obama's speech. Stewart makes a comment and plays a "less abridged version" of said clip)

STEWART: See MSNBC, Amateurs! Starting clips later and cutting them off earlier so the speaker can't finish the thought's full construction can be a useful tool in helping your audience understand what you want them to think. It's a fun and easy way to make people you disagree with unelectable...

Marc Maron's WTF podcast Ep 23: Wyatt Cenac talks pundits and professional wrestling

Sean Hannity VS Keith Olbermann

On November 9, 2009 Cable News rivals Keith Olbermann and Sean Hannity were in attendance at Yankee Stadium for Game 6 of the World Series. On March 15, 2010 Wyatt Cenac performed a sketch that used the analogy that American Punditry was like professional wrestling.

At the time of the sketch I speculated whether the analogy was simply drawn from the ether like it had been so many times. Or quite ambitiously, perhaps somehow this blog was in their orbit.

On November 19, 2009 Marc Maron hosted Comedian and Daily Show correspondent Wyatt Cenac on his WTF podcast. Among other things they spoke about punditry, pro-wrestling and the interactions between Sean Hannity and Keith Olbermann at that baseball game.

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast: Episode 23 - Wyatt Cenac (starts at 39min mark)
WYATT CENAC: ... It gets frustrating... You can watch Hannity or Countdown. Then you can watch Hannity or Olbermann talk about each other or each other's networks. Or talk about how horrible the other side is. Yet then they can take photos of each other at a Yankees game like its no big deal.

MARC MARON: Like you said before, it really is all professional wrestling. The sad thing is, people are really struggling for a lot of different reasons... and they don't really know what to do with those frustrations. So when you've got these ideologues or these pundits... who are driving media culture leading them in a direction. They just want some temporary relief or some satisfaction and they are so easily misguided in times that are desperate...

Because like you said these guys are going to Yankee games together... having steaks and beers, laughing at the different sides they're on but are in the same business. But a great many people in the country just want some resolution or truth. Something that will bring them together that isn't based in some kind of choosing sides.

WYATT CENAC: Maybe in some ways we need pro-wrestling to step up...

The discussion is quite incisive and expansive moving on to speculation that Keith Olbermann and Sean Hannity should take a page from the Iron Sheik and Hulk Hogan. The conversation degenerates into absurd imaginings of an Annual "Pundit Cage match to the death". Its worth noting that the act of preserving the illusion that wrestling is real is called 'kayfabe'.

MARC MARON: ...We've rendered down [hatred in America] to a problem with professional wrestling. But sadly there's always going to be the crazy caller type of person who still will not be able to deal with the fact that the Iron Sheik and Hulk Hogan will have lunch together
WYATT CENAC: And that's when we need to do a better job with our professional wrestlers. When the cameras are off they still can't interact...

... with the amount of hatred and anger that they seem to have for each other... the way you guys [Sean and Keith] talk about each other I expected that you guys would have just picked up bats and started going at each other
MARC MARON: Own it! Stay in it. Stay in character. Maybe if we had Olbermann and Hannity dress up as professional wrestlers...

Read Keith Olbermann's original posting on his Sean Hannity encounter at the World Series below:

America's Biggest Small Town
And lastly, a reminder that baseball does erase boundaries. The guy [Sean Hannity] I'm taking a photo of, who's taking a photo of me [Keith Olbermann] - we get along perfectly at the ballpark - less so during our day jobs.

Wyatt Cenac expands and popularises the Wrestling analogy on a later episode of the 'Daily Show'
- Jon Stewart, Wyatt Cenac and Mick Foley endorse the analogy that American Politics is like pro-wrestling

Rachel Maddow calls Bullpucky on GOP fakery: Says ACORN pimp outrage and Climategate are all fake

As a blog dedicated to the analogy that American Politics is not unlike professional wrestling, one of the more favored threads is fakery in politics. More to the point how the fake can swallow reality and create a new a one. The fakery can at times be innocuous, nefarious or absurd. Consider the impact Tina Fey's Sarah Palin parody had on the real image of the Republican Vice Presidential nominee. Consider the credibility and gravitas of "Fake" news show 'The Daily Show' and "fake" pundit Stephen Colbert. Consider how pundits from Glenn Beck and Ann Coulter have detractors questioning if they authentically believe what they are saying, or if its just a lucrative act for attention.

Rachel Maddow expands on Fakery in Politics in this segment challenging the GOP's outrage.

VIDEO: MSNBC'S Rachel Maddow says GOP's outrage is Bullpucky

The Rachel Maddow Blog - Let them eat fake
RACHEL MADDOW: What we’re dealing with here is the unmooring of politics from facts. The activists pushing the ACORN scandal knew it was fake. After all, they faked it. But it made a political impact anyway, so they win, right?

The climate-gate scandal, not an actual challenge to the homogenous consensus of decades of climate science but it could have a political impact, so go for it. It might work.

If the triumph of fake politics or advantage gleaned from stuff that’s not real - and who cares if it’s not real or if it has a political impact?...

It’s made up. It’s bull. It’s bull. It’s not real politics. Let them eat fake.

These are not real problems to worry about and work on as a country, right? But there’s more bang for the political buck to make stuff up like this than to try to debate real problems in the real world. So just go with the bull.

Fake pundit Stephen Colbert compares himself to "fake" pundit Glenn Beck

One of my favorite things to highlight on this blog is reality folding onto itself with art imitating life. It is this very thing that draws me to pro-wrestling and as illustrated here happens often in Politics and Punditry.

Stephen Colbert reports on the criticism leveled at Beck questioning the authenticity of his emotions and passionate theatrics. Following that premise Glenn Beck taunts "if I'm acting, I'm the best damn actor on television. I want the daytime Emmy!". Jumping off from here Colbert goes meta and takes Glenn Beck with him. Stephen pits himself against Beck to see which pundit is more authentic, the caricature of a pundit or the caricature pundit.

VIDEO: October 8, 2009: Bend It Like Beck

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bend It Like Beck
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Michael Moore

STEPHEN COLBERT: I feel ya brother, cuz people have said the same thing about me...
(Media clips shown of Colbert being described as a fake pundit)

For the past 4 years I have meant every word I've felt. So all we really need to do to gauge Glenn Beck's sincerity is to compare him to me
(video rolls of Beck/Colbert comparisons)

Its like looking into a mirror - after you've just done a tonne of coke of of it. Clearly Glenn Beck is as sincere in what he says and does as I am...

"Glenn Beck fans are just like Wrestling fans" - Glenn Beck is an actor.

Glenn Beck's Cover story for Time Magazine was a topic of much debate from many on the left and right. Some argued that it was a puff piece "enabling Glenn Beck's lies". Whilst others conceded the piece was "remarkably balanced... that even Glenn's followers might find surprisingly informative".

Joel Achenbach on his blog for the Washington Post offers his take on the article and Glenn Beck using a frame I often use for this blog.

Glenn Beck, Time and Media Matters
Here's what I came away with: Glenn Beck is a demagogue. He's also something of an actor. Some would choose the more pointed word of "fraud." He's a Top-40 radio DJ who saw an opportunity for reinvention. Had there been more money in being a Left-wing shouter, he'd have become that person instead.

Another word for Beck that comes to mind is "charlatan."

That's how I read this piece. I don't know Beck, of course. But the article suggests that Beck isn't quite the crackpot, paranoid person he pretends to be, but, sensing the riches that can come from ranting, is brilliantly playing a role.

Wrestlers: 'Doink' the Clown, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Edge

Rather than likening Beck to an actor, I obviously would use wrestler. The 'gimmick' or 'persona' is one of the most important components in getting a wrestler "over" with the fans. It is the constructed identity that people connect with whether it be the blue-collar everyman, a deranged psychopath or something as cartoony as a 'Rodeo Clown'. Wrestlers craft personalities that they hope will captivate audiences into loving or hating them. Constantly tweaking them for maximum effect or replacing them wholesale when they don't work. Often it is a construct of their authentic personality and life history which makes it an easier sell, not only to the audience but also the wrestler who must embody it. I spoke of this extensively in my post on the remaking of Mike Huckabee - The Rise and Rise of Mike Huckabee (part 3 of 3)

To prove that the wrestling analogy is definitely floating in the ether, some commenters likened Glenn Beck fans to Wrestling fans.

Glenn Beck, Time and Media Matters (comments)
... Whether people "believe" Beck is just as irrelevant as whether people "believe" WWF wrestling is "real." "Truth" has nothing to do with it, and both Beck and WWF make millions of dollars in a way I would regard as basically false. WWF probably does no great harm to the culture, but Beck *does* do it harm.

Posted by: curmudgeon6 | September 18, 2009 12:54 PM

The pro-wrestling metaphor is particularly apt. The true-believers are unbendable. No amount of scoffing over the conveniently clueless referees or the pre-staged props is going to convince a genuine fan that it's all staged. You have to go after the broad middle that can be still swayed by gentle ridicule and/or dispassionate analysis...
Posted by: yellojkt | September 18, 2009 1:14 PM

I know, yello. But here's the thing: deluded pro wrestling fans do no harm. They wander around and love their heroes and hate their villains and go home a drink a beer, and all's right with the world. Deluded Glenn Beck fans, and all their ilk, are *not* harmless: they vote, they hold marches...

Posted by: curmudgeon6 | September 18, 2009 1:26 PM

Ron Paul makes an appearance in 'Bruno Movie' (Sacha Baron Cohen) - Rachel Maddow reports

Sacha Baron Cohen, the British Comedian behind alter ego 'Borat' has been in the news lately for a stunt embarrassing rapper Eminem with his new Character Bruno at the MTV Movie awards.

If you've seen the trailer for Bruno, you might have taken a double take at the 2 minute mark and thought aloud "Hey is that former Presidential Candidate Ron Paul?". You'd be right.

VIDEO: Bruno Movie Trailer

- Go to the official Bruno site here

As Rachel Maddow reports

VIDEO: Ron Paul punked by Sacha Baron Cohen in the new Bruno Movie

RACHEL MADDOW: Mr Cohen and his crew were able to trick Ron Paul into filming a scene with Cohen. A 5 minute scene where the character Bruno tries very unsuccessfully... to seduce Dr Paul, there's reportedly some dancing and some pantslessness.

Read about the "Bruno/ Ron Paul sex tape here" from the official 'Bruno' site

Bruno and Ron Paul Sex Tape
In a five-minute scene, Bruno tries—and fails—to seduce the Texas congressman and former Republican presidential candidate in a Washington hotel room. The scene, filmed in early 2008, occurs about halfway through the movie, after Bruno gets the idea that you have to make a sex tape to become famous.

Cut to a nondescript hotel suite where Bruno sits across from Ron Paul. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, a light blows out on the set. Bruno apologizes for the technical difficulties and suggests that he and Paul wait in the other room while the crew fixes the light.

Its quite ironic that Sacha Baron Cohen is capitalising on the popularity of Ron Paul. In a previous post I wrote how Ron Paul was the uncredited spiritual leader of the Tea Party protests, which you'll remember was crudely dubbed as the "Tea Baggers" protests by its detractors. Poetically Sacha's new character Bruno, the faux homosexual Austrian Fashion presenter is attempting make a sextape with Ron Paul.

Listen to Sacha Baron Cohen breaking "kayfabe" (out of character as his real self) talking about his original alter ego 'Ali G'. Interviewed on NPR's All things considered - Ali G: Fooling Serious Interviewees, All for a Laugh

SACHA BARON COHEN: That is really my objective, when I get in the room is to convince these guys that they are now going to be interviewed by someone who is totally ignorant and totally arrogant...

I think the power of television is amazing, when they're in the room with me somehow because there's a camera there, their guard is down and they'll answer basically almost anything just to make sure that they end up looking good on camera

Sacha Baron Cohen in his many "ignorant" incarnations has visited many Red States and interviewed several independent conservative leaders, Pat Buchanan as Ali G, Alan Keyes as Borat and now Ron Paul as Bruno.

Alan Colmes wonder how "Real is your Favorite Radio Personality?" after a Talker shoots his wife and dog

Troubled Radio Talker Shannon Burke

With the aid of the 'wrestling analogy' I often talk about the personas Radio Talkers adopt to win over audiences, whether it be as the people's champion or the cheeky villain. The persona a talker ends up with is partly informed by their real interests but also market concerns, like what the regional audience demands and what will entertain and captivate the masses. A talker may emphasise their hometown roots, their blue collar upbringing or project a heightened tough guy image in order to create points of separation from their talk radio competitors.

The preservation of the illusion that wrestling is real is known as "Kayfabe". An example of this is when a wrestler maintains his persona' or character outside the wrestling universe. For Hollywood Actors, its comparable to 'method acting'. However kayfabe in wrestling is rare these days as today's fans are well aware that wrestling is prearranged, keeping in character is seen as a quaint tradition. 'Method acting' for Hollywood is still an accepted part of the actor's process though some speculate it can lead to troubling obsession. In the sometimes isolated world of Radio, one wonders how much one's persona truly does seep into the mind of a RadioTalker.

Alan Colmes, former liberal counterweight to Sean Hannity on Fox News wonders the same. Commenting on the bizarre story of a liberal-turned-conservative Radio Talker, Shannon Burke shooting his wife and dog.

What went wrong with radio personality Shannon Burke?
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when Shannon Burke's life changed.

Maybe when he agreed to switch from a liberal Texas talk-show host to a conservative Central Florida mouthpiece.

Maybe when he changed to a more-aggressive style for a new role on an Orlando FM station...

Burke, 43, sits behind bars in the Seminole County Jail, held without bail, accused of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty in an April 30 shooting that injured his wife and her dog.

Alan Colmes ponders how authentic the on-air personas of his peers are and how fragile it can be to the sanity of a talker.

How Real Is Your Favorite Radio Personality?
We all have our on-air personas; our job is to entertain to the best of our abilities and attract audiences on behalf of our radio stations and our sponsors. You hear rumors about this host or that one, and whether he or she truly believes the things that are put out over the air. You hear whispers that one host or other isn’t really liberal as portrayed, or isn’t really such a staunch conservative but the act works, and it’s good for ratings. I just can’t imagine how someone can flip from left to right, from right to left, from decent, law-abiding citizen to crazed shooter of wives and animals...

How much of what we hear on radio is really an act? Does Rush really want Obama to fail, and isn’t he really laughing all the way to the bank at the Republicans who take him so seriously? Is the hate spewed by some hosts a way to appease the far reaches of the personalities of those attracted to talk radio? And when does one trade a good buck and a great gig for one’s soul?

Saturday Night Live characters: Past Presidents, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin

In a revealing panel discussion for The Museum of the Moving Image, key members of the SNL staff spoke on the role the show has played during the Presidential races of the last 30 years.

They recounted SNL Presidential characterizations of the past and touched on various subjects familiar to readers of this blog; The bending of reality when politics and satire collide, charisma and even a Jesse Ventura wrestling reference.

The panel consists of Lorne Michaels (Series creator and executive producer), James Downey (veteran SNL writer), Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers (cast members and Weekend Update co-anchors).

- Listen and Download the 'SNL' and Presidential Politics panel discussion
- View the 'SNL' and Presidential Politics transcript

Selected highlights:
On partisanship and SNL's influence on elections

...You can't think about the fate of Western civilization. You know, we're part of it, but we're not—honestly, nobody's going into the booth, and [saying], "You know I watched SNL and now I'm clear (Laughter) on what to do...
We don't try and deal with it in that grandiose way of what's best for the country. And again, none of this stuff works unless it hits pretty close. You can't go out there and just do a partisan rant. I mean, you can do that if you're on MSNBC (Laughter) but you can't really do it in comedy, because if you lose the audience, you lose them really fast.

On SNL enlisting Jesse Ventura to fill in for Al Gore

[Al] Gore was very much tougher to convince than Bush. Bush was like, "Yeah, I'll do it (Laughter)". Gore... needed a lot of hand holding. Franken interceded because Franken knew him very well, and so we were able to talk him into doing the stuff.

But then we didn't have a "Live from New York" thing... but [Gore thought] "I just don't feel this would be dignified"... we got Jesse Ventura to do the "Live from New York."

... one of our producers, calls the Minnesota governor's office. Jesse's in the background... "They want you to do, 'Live from New York.'" (Gruffly) "Yeah, fine!" (Laughter)... I just knew that if Jesse Ventura could do anything, he could do a "Live from New York." But he did the perfect professional wrestler kind of thing...

On the difficulty comedians may have satirizing Obama

Yes, because he's so fucking smooth! (Laughter) He's like a master jewel thief, like in a 1950's movie, who never leaves any finger prints. No one ever saw anything. No one heard anything. I'm saying he's just really impressive as a figure. I talk to people from other—the South Park guys say the same thing. Other comics and stuff, they go, "Wow. He doesn't have many handles, does he?"

For someone like me, Al Gore was a gift that would keep on giving. (Laughter)... I thought Gore was a much richer thing. Whereas Obama is just—he's tough. And I don't know any one... I've seen people who think they have the handle, but I don't think it's that good...

'Saturday Night Live' Presidential Bash

Image made with the aid of brilliant SNL resource - SNL Archives
- Watch a video collection of SNL's Presidential impersonations

Behind the Scenes with Stephen Colbert

I found some interesting video courtesy of TalkingPointsMemo. It's Stephen Colbert backstage, out of character advising a guest on how they should react to his on-screen persona. The guest was Senator John Kerry appearing on the Colbert Report April 19, 2007.

VIDEO: A rare glimpse behind the scenes of the Colbert Report

Talking Points Memo: A rare Behind-the-Scenes look at The Colbert Report
STEPHEN COLBERT: Are you familiar with what we do here?... well you know that I'm in character.
JOHN KERRY: Yes!
COLBERT: And that I'm an idiot
JOHN KERRY: It's wonderful to see you out of character
COLBERT: There's no guarantee that I'm out of character right now. I might prove myself an idiot before -- I'm an idiot that I'm letting them film this... I'm wilfully ignorant about what we're talking about so disabuse me of my ignorance
KERRY: Do I have to?
COLBERT: You don't have to. You can join the life if you want.
KERRY: No I can't do that. I'll try.

You very rarely see Colbert breaking kayfabe. I've often wondered what it's like before the cameras roll on a Pundit showdown. Obviously 'The Colbert Report' has a different dynamic to straight programming found on Fox News or CNN. It's essentially a comedy show with a faux interviewer, harboring no malicious intent with only an agenda to entertain.

Watching the backstage video, I couldn't help but think of this from 'Beyond the Mat' (1999). Skip to 1m15s where you can see the Rock and Mankind discussing how their match will go down.

VIDEO: Beyond the Mat: 5) Backstage at the Royal Rumble

Watch and Read more on TalkingPointsMemo with Senator Kerry
Go to the 'Talking Points Memo' website
Go to the official 'Colbert Report' Website

Extras:
It's not quite in the same vein, but wanted to recommend it all the same as it has Colbert backstage and features a show I enjoy watching on 'College Humor'.
Stephen Colbert giving advice to Talk show host Dan Levy.
Watch the clip here - The I Have To Go In A Minute Show: Stephen Colbert

Republican James Oddo lays the smack down

I don't quite know how this clip belongs on my wrestling analogy for politics. I just know it works somehow. In the vain of satirists like Ali G and the APF's own Stephen Colbert, a Norwegian performer Pia Haraldsen tried to do a work on New York City Councilman James Oddo with disastrous results.

One of the running themes in this blog is how much performance and fakery there is with politicians and pundits, how they work us into believing they are genuine. This episode flips the script, as it is the politician who calls 'bullsh*t' when he sees it. Done with charming authenticity and machismo that would make any wrestler proud.

Before you watch the video, just to underscore my point this is how it usually plays out:

The reporter calls the wrestler out for being fake, then pays the price for doing so. Here 20/20 reporter John Stossel feels the wrath of wrestler David "Dr D" Schultz after challenging his authenticity.

VIDEO: David "Dr D" Schultz slaps John Stossel

In this instance. This Norwegian reporter is the one being fake and the politician makes them pay the price.

VIDEO: James Oddo "Get the f*ck out of my office!"

REPORTER: Isn't it against the constitution that Barack Obama run for Presidency considering the fact that he is not an American citizen?
JAMES ODDO: He is an American citizen. He's a United States Senator.
REPORTER: But I read somewhere that he's African American.
ODDO: African Americans are citizens of this Country
REPORTER: Alright that's good to know. Can you say a little bit more about the Democrats. Do you really think Hillary stands a chance after the embarrassing incident with the cigar
James Oddo is annoyed and leaves his seatODDO: Hey? Chris. What the f*ck do you have me in with these people. Throw these f*ckin people out of my office. Get the fuck out of here. Get the f*ck out of my office!

Read what conservatives thought on HotAir
Read the Washington Post article on satirical comedy
Read James Oddo's official bio

Update: Republican Congressman Michael Grimm had a recent expletive filled tirade on a legitimate news reporter. This was no joke
- When Politicans and Wrestlers threathen reporters: Rep. Michael Grimm and WWE Champion Randy Orton get mad

What is the APF?

People often stumble onto this blog and wonder 'what is the APF?'. Is it a game? Is it an animation? I've explained it over time in previous posts that you can find here:
- 'About the blog' posts
- Why the wrestling analogy? ... to further illustrate the point.
- Explanation of terms, The Glossary
- Explanation of the ratings system.
- Meet all the pundit wrestlers on the Myspace Page.

To tell you the truth, American Pundit Fighting was created as a way to draw people to my animations and art. This will hopefully allow me to slide into some editorial illustration work. The blog is a non-partisan venture that will hopefully encourage people to explore the sentiment among all sides of the political spectrum as represented by the pundit class. To a large extent Radio talkers, pundits and bloggers represent the people and the grassroots. This blog should be a resourceful introduction on the important players of the 'Opinion' landscape. By using the wrestling analogy I hope to highlight the crucial role presentation, charisma and psychology plays in our politics.

If you'd like to promote the APF by incorporating animations or art such as this below:

kindly email me at pundit.fight(@)gmail.com.

The Independent Bill O'Reilly

Speaking of the State of the Union, I noticed something interesting in the beginning of Bill O'Reilly's exchange with Laura Ingraham on that subject.
Listen to O'Reilly riffing with Laura

BILL O'REILLY: [Introducing] Laura Ingraham who is a conservative, fair and balanced here. Not like in NBC where they're just running liberal after liberal after liberal pa pa pa pa pa poh. We have two liberals, I'm an independent which leans traditional. You're a conservative, that's the way we should do it.
LAURA INGRAHAM: I'm very confused. I'm just totally confused at this point

In wrestling, 'Kayfabe' is the art of staying in character to preserve the illusion that wrestling is real. Keeping the pretense is made easier by adopting personas and storylines that are extensions of or informed by a wrestler's real characteristics. For instance if a wrestler is Texan and has a blue collar upbringing, their gimmick may reflect that. This allows wrestlers to appear authentic even when they are shown out of context (i.e on a variety show). The blurring of the lines between reality and stage is sometimes painfully realised, like when two wrestlers who really detest each other have a feud in the ring. This makes for exciting viewing as the audience is aware that the emotions are 'real' despite being portrayed on stage.

In the past one of the biggest insults to a wrestler was being asked "Is wrestling real?". Everyone of course knows that it is staged, but what is insulting is the dismissiveness that underlies the question. Apart from the heightened realism mentioned above, it discounts the fact that wrestlers are in effect athletes and actors rolled into one. They write their own lines, perform their own stunts, they also act (and adlib) live on stage in front of tens of thousands of people. Its no wonder wrestlers are defensive and sometimes violent when asked this question.

You're probably wondering what this has to do with Bill O'Reilly?

Bill O'Reilly calls himself and often reminds us he is an "independent who leans traditionalist". Its hard to argue O'Reilly's sincerity because he has largely created the definition and is the biggest proponent of the term. Its true Bill cannot be easily classified as liberal or conservative, though he has often been characterised as a conservative for his frequent criticism of the left. On such occasions Bill is defensive and is quick to assert he is an independent. Bill's claim as an independent was dealt a blow when the New York Daily news reported he was registered as a Republican, he would later re-register as an independent. Matt Lauer of the Today show mistakenly called Bill a conservative, to which he loudly retorted "I'm an independent, You know that!!"**. Terry Gross of NPR's Fresh Air pressed O'Reilly heavily on his independence, Bill walked out on the interview claiming her questioning was unfair.

Bill as a champion for traditionalist values, is convincing on his own show under his own terms. However like a wrestler appearing outside their natural element Bill O'Reilly's persona of an embittered crusader seems cartoonish especially next to lightweight hosts such as Letterman, Lauer and the girls of 'The View'. Its no wonder that in this context skeptics are more likely to press O'Reilly on his independence.

O'Reilly defensiveness on the independence issue is similar to a wrestler's reaction when asked if wrestling is real. I think Bill feels that if he admits that he is more right leaning, people might view him as an idealogue and no longer see him as a bipartisan critic. He also fears it would discount his progressive positions on capital punishment, gun control, gay marriage, marijuana and the environment.

Wrestling eventually gave up the pretense that it was real, rebranding it as 'Sports Entertainment'. Wrestlers when doing promotional media no longer had to defend and overcompensate when pressed if wrestling was real. It allowed people to appreciate the art of wrestling more because it was no longer pretending to be something it was not. I think Bill would enjoy even greater success and legitimacy if he did the same.

**I looked tirelessly for video of this exchange between Matt Lauer and Bill O'Reilly on The Today Show June 14, 2006. Lauer mistakenly refers to O'Reilly as a conservative early in the interview. I hope someone can assist by finding this video as it illustrates the post well. Its disappointing I couldn't find it.
Listen to Bill emphasizing his independence to Laura Ingraham
Listen to Bill O'Reilly on NPR's Fresh air
Watch Bill O'Reilly on 'The View'.
Watch Bill take on David Letterman.