Media

Really? New Film Tries to Compare Beck to …. Morton Downey, Jr.!

ÉVOCATEUR: THE MORTON DOWNEY JR. MOVIE
Do you remember Morton Downey Jr. — the obnoxious, chain-smoking radio and television talk show host of the 1980s and early 1990s, famed for blowing smoke in his interviewees’ faces and who often engaged in verbal and physical altercations with his guests? Well, a group of filmmakers does and decided to make a documentary about the late provocateur titled, “Evocateur.” Rather than pay homage to the shock-jock, however, the documentary’s directors paint him as a rather pathetic character so desperate for his day in the spotlight that, in a ruse, he argued positions that he himself did not even believe in. In other words, according to Evocateur’s creators, he was just the predecessor for carbon-copy “populists,” Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. But while Limbaugh did eventually fill Downey’s radio network and time slot, that is likely where the real similarities end.

 

To refresh the memory of some of Downey’s more piquant escapades, watch the video montage below. Caution, strong language is used in this video and the ones that follow. Downey was, after all, not known for his etiquette.

From the movie’s official site:

Before Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, another populist ruled the airwaves. World, re-meet Morton Downey, Jr.: the original f**king loudmouth. A heavy metal parable, ÉVOCATEUR: THE MORTON DOWNEY JR. MOVIE features never-before-seen footage, fanboy animation, and appearances from comedian Chris Elliott to four Republican presidential candidates, including évocateur-du-jour Herman Cain.

Below is the documentary trailer.

 

Walking further down memory lane, do your remember when Ron Paul appeared as a guest on Downey’s show?

 

Ironically, Downey was actually a Democrat from an affluent background who grew up alongside the Kennedys. His parents were crooner Morton Downey Sr. and actress Barbara Bennett. The loudmouth’s trademark was to take center stage and dole out as much belligerence and abuse as his viewers could handle…and then some. He popularized his favorite catch phrases: “Zip it!” (for which he sang a song by the same title) and once chest-butted (repeatedly) a promiscuous women on his set, invoking several choice pejoratives in the process.

Yes, upon further scrutiny, the resemblance to Beck and Limbaugh are uncanny!

(We are being facetious, of course).

Yet while all of this might be considered entertaining to some, others will find the filmmakers’ comparison of Downey Jr. to Beck and Limbaugh as just another attempt to discredit conservative and libertarian-leaning talk radio and television.

Comments (12)

  • hecowe
    Posted on April 26, 2012 at 8:48pm

    I told my (home-schooled) kids Mort was Robert Downey, Jr.’s, father because they have the same last name (Downey Junior), but they didn’t fall for it. Their public-schooled friend sitting with us, however, did. So much for critical thinking in American schools. And, no, I did not show them clips.

    Report Post »  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:42pm

    I remember watching this particular Morton Downey show with Ron Paul becoming his usually “unhinged” self.

    This was almost as funny as when Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno) got Paul in a hotel for what Paul thought was an interview and started taking his clothes off in front of Paul.

    Paul REALLY became unhinged and flew out the door with some rather negative “rainbow” related words. Rhymes with “steers,” Lol.

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • AllAmericanG
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:41pm

    Morton Downey Jr was more like Jerry Springer meets the WWE. Give me a break.

    Report Post »  
    • hillbillyinny
      Posted on April 27, 2012 at 3:43pm

      I think your comparison is much better than Limbaugh and/or Beck.

      It would be really nice if SOMEONE from the MSM would watch/listen to several shows and get an idea just what Glenn is now talking about and doing. Glenn’s moved on so far that they have no idea who or what he is or what he is doing–haven’t for the last two or more years!

      Go Glenn, restore the U.S. and we’re with you.

      Report Post »  
  • ronin_6
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:41pm

    No offense but in the ‘Shock’ dept Beck can’t hold a candle to the late great Downey. With him though you knew it was just entertainment.

    Report Post » ronin_6  
  • Reeferman
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:31pm

    It will probably get some traction because there are just so many stupid people out there now.

    Report Post » Reeferman  
  • Therightsofbilly
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:25pm

    Can’t forget this Sharpton / Downey clip.

    Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • amerbur
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:13pm

    I never saw this man. From the clips here, it is just an attempt to convince people that have never seen Beck that he should not be taken seriously. Of course they would do this because Beck is the Paul Revere of our time. He is good and he, along with those that stand may take them down. Let us pray to God we succeed.

    Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:10pm

    Morton Downey Jr. was a staunch Democrat…these film makers are so dumb they don’t even know the political leanings of the lead character inspiration for their movie?….wow, I knew liberals where stupid, but this is just beyond sloppy and unprofessional. Sad that someone would back this film financially knowing the writers and directors are this incompetent.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on April 24, 2012 at 7:30pm

      But one thing about Mort. He took on Everyone, not just R’s. He was great to watch.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  

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