
In August of last year, Glenn Beck seemed to be on top of the world. The rising star of Fox News held a "Restoring Honor" march on Washington that drew 100,000 people, who also seemed to feel that American honor had been lost since they'd mistakenly allowed a black man into the White House.
Well, since that time, Beck's supporters haven't been nearly as supportive, or perhaps they've simply gotten bored. Whatever the reason, the viewership on Beck's Fox News show has declined by 33 percent since last August.
In fact, some speculate as to whether or not Beck's beloved network will give him the ax.
But don't pop the champagne bottle just yet. Beck still has two-million viewers each night and remains a force in conservative commentary. Whether or not Fox keeps him is not just dependent upon him getting two million viewers, it is also dependent on whether he's worth the money they are paying him - as well as their likelihood of finding someone else who can do a better job.
According to Forbes, Beck earned $32 million last year, but only $2 million from Fox. The rest of his dough comes from publishing books and doing his radio show. Whether you like him or not, Beck is a conservative force to be reckoned with, but he also receives criticism from other Republicans, who feel that his outlandish conspiracy theories undermine other more serious commentators.
It may not surprise you to hear that I'm not a big fan of Glenn Beck.
At the same time, I respect what he has accomplished. The fact that his rhetoric is laced with alarmist conspiracy theories is perfect for a Muslim-fearing nation who wants to believe that Barack Hussein Obama is really a foreign-born Muslim who hates all white people and plans to destroy the country.
To some extent, Beck's success is a reflection of the fact that racism and fear can cause people to lose their minds and believe anything that makes them feel better about their situation.
Here's the deal: Fox won't get rid of Glenn Beck. The fall in ratings is likely due to the fact that his ratings were so high last August relative to the norm. Beck rivals and even surpasses Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly, and he took the 5 p.m. slot (not exactly prime time) and shot the ratings through the roof. So, rumors about the death of Glenn Beck's television show are certainly premature.
I can say, however, that as America matures, the need for men like Beck will decline. The mere presence and success of Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly (who would probably not have a show in nearly any other country in the world) is a clear reminder that our nation has not yet achieved the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here. 

Comments: (128)
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By: Peter on 3/08/2011 9:06PM
Mr Watkins, where did you ever hear Glen Beck or any of his supporters say they have lost honor allowing a black man into the white house? Please, produce this audio of Beck saying this. You can't because it doesn't exist. But you can write any damn thing you want because you know there will be no one to hold you accountable for your BS. Sad, thats what it is sad. Beck does go over board on his nutty theories but he speaks the truth. Obama could be green and from Mars, would it matter? No, he still would be the worst President in history. He should arrested on treason charges. Again and again he ignores the oath he took and ignores the Constitution of the USA. Of course he did take the oath on a Bible which means nothing to him. Just keep playing the race card Mr. Watkins, I assure you, it does not work anymore. Middle class, hard working Americans like myself don't buy it anymore...
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By: Mike P on 3/08/2011 7:49PM
Peter,
You are accusing Dr Watkins for mistating what Glenn Beck has said, as I read it? But you also make some broad statements about our president and than ask for specificity from Dr Watkins? Tit for tat sir, how about explaining to us with facts, just how President Obama is ignoring the constitution? Facts only please, no rhetoric. Also how is President Obama not living up to his oath of office? Again, please sir, provable facts. I thank you for your consideration in this matter.
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By: Indep4 on 3/08/2011 8:08PM
Pres Obama is the worst president in history? Really? When did that happen? I seem to remember America loving him pre-election, and voting him into office with record numbers. And those of you that adored him and his promises before hand but now dispise him for being bound by the same political red tape that all presidents are bound by, are you really that shocked that he's not the miracle worker every expected him to be? Really?
I didn't vote for him. But I have to say that I think he's doing just fine. At least, I can't see how he's "the worst president in history.," especially with gems like Nixon and GWB, who I distinctly remember leaving the office with one of the lowest approval ratings in history. But I guess they don't count, huh?
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By: carole on 3/08/2011 10:20PM
well said , peter , i have never read an article so biased as "blackvoices" , yes i am white & i do more for the african american people than any others, i am white & FAIR!!! At least be that BLACKVOICE" fairness & honesty go hand in hand & you blackvoice are not fair!!!!
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By: Mark in Austin on 3/08/2011 11:10PM
Seriously. WOW. Whast a bunch of left wing nutty journalism. Beck and his followers have no gripe with the color of his skin and have never-ever-EVER said anything remotely close to that.
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By: Betty on 3/09/2011 7:37AM
Greetings to you, dear Peter! I hope all is well with you and yours!
Why not do yourself a favor and please re-read the paragraph right under the photo of Mr. Beck, which says:
"In August of last year, Glen Beck seemed to be on top of the world. The rising star of Fox News held a "Restoring Honor" march on Washington that drew 100,000 people, who (the 100,000 people being referred to here) also SEEMED to feel that American honor had been lost since they'd (the "they'd" here must be referring to Americans in general, who elected Mr. Obama as our President, wouldn't you agree?) mistakenly allowed a black man into the White House."
So, Peter, that paragraph says NOTHING about Glen Beck HIMSELF making a "racist" statement that "......American honor had been lost since they'd mistakenly allowed a black man into the White House!"
Also, the paragraph says that those 100,000 people at the march in Washington SEEMED to feel that way,
clearly Mr. Watkin's ASSUMPTION and OPINION, which he is entitled to, eh?
It's become the horrible custom in this country today for people to use profanity in making statements of any kind, or referring to a statement, when profanity is surely not necessary,
eh?
It is no mere speculation that there is so much seething hatred and animosity among Americans today! How shameful this is!
In the meantime, please go over Mr. Watkin's remarks in that first paragrah again, Peter, and please don't read into it what is clearly NOT THERE!
I thank you!
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By: Joseph L. on 3/09/2011 11:08AM
Another racist maggot comments!...
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By: girlking on 3/09/2011 11:45AM
@carol,
you do more for African-American than many others. Please. One thing the African-Americans don't need is some liberal white woman puffing herself up with the "I do more for African-Americans" crap. Either do it because that is truly where your heart is which is to help people or don't it all. How dare you.
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By: Heather on 3/09/2011 5:23PM
Beck and all you other idiots need to build a bridge and get over it... OBAMA is running things, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it.....focus on some substantial....LOL
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By: FRANKLY on 3/13/2011 12:43AM
OH WELL, HE HAS HELPED ENERGIZE THE PEE PARTY,
HURT PRESIDENT OBAMAS PLANS & INSULTED HIS WHOLE
FAMILY, AND HAS BECOME VERY WEALTHY PEDDLING HIS
BRAND OF SEWAGE....IN OTHER WORDS, HE'S SERVED HIS
PURPOSE...THEREFORE, SO WHAT HIS RATINGS ARE
DROPPING NOW....IF MILLIONS OF BLACKS WERE NOT
GOING TO PRESSURE THE ADVERTISERS THAT KEPT BECK
ON THE AIR....THERE IS REALLY NOTHING TO TALK
ABOUT NOW.....
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