New Media That Acts Like Old Media

I have numerous opinions on the topic of the Nelk Boys, a podcast duo that recently interviewed Israel Prime Minister Benamin Netanyahu. Obviously a — to be nice — controversial figure, this could serve as a good chance to get some serious answers from a man currently accused of engaging in a two-year long genocide against those in Gaza. Instead, he is allowed to say basically anything he wants and is asked friendly questions about his favorite order at Burger King.

When watching the interview, all I could think of was Larry King Live, the CNN show which aired from 1985 until 2010 which got infamous for its host, Larry King, having an unwillingness to ask his guests “tough questions” and instead allowing them to go on long rants, free of fact checking, about whatever they wanted. Larry King Live was a favorite among politicians during election season for that very reason, as they knew anything they said would not be pushed back on regardless of how absurd it was. Those who believed in the supernatural — such as John Edward, who got famous for saying he had the ability to talk to the dead — were also common on the program, with Larry doing nothing to question these claims in the vast majority of cases.

Politicians who were known for far-right views would similarly not get challenged, regardless of how fringe their ideas were or how harmful their policies would…