Quentin Tarantino Praises Jessica Tarlov and Criticizes Media Polarization on Bill Maher’s Club Random Podcast
Tarantino Praises Tarlov's Role on Fox News’ The Five as "One of the Hardest Jobs in Television" and Questions Why MSNBC Lacks a Comparable Conservative Voice.
On Sunday’s episode of Club Random with Bill Maher, iconic filmmaker Quentin Tarantino delved into an unexpected topic: his admiration for Fox News commentator Jessica Tarlov. Tarantino, known for his candid opinions, expressed fascination with Tarlov's role on The Five, Fox News' popular roundtable show.
Tarantino, whose filmography includes classics like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, introduced the topic by highlighting his curiosity about Tarlov. He described her as an intriguing figure within the polarized landscape of cable news. "I have to ask you about one person who I’m really kinda curious about," Tarantino began, noting that the mere existence of someone like Tarlov on Fox News was "an interesting thing."
The director acknowledged the ideological divide between Fox News and MSNBC but argued that the gap between the two is smaller than many might hope. However, he credited Fox News for providing a platform for Tarlov, a progressive voice, to speak directly to a predominantly conservative audience. "Fox does hire Jessica Tarlov and they put her on their big show, and she says what she says against the Fox audience and against the panel, especially against Jeanine Pirro, Monday through f**king Friday," Tarantino remarked.
Tarantino went on to emphasize the difficulty of Tarlov’s role, describing it as "the hardest job in television." He expressed admiration for her ability to maintain her stance while engaging in debates with a panel that often holds opposing views. He noted that despite the ideological clashes, the interactions remained "respectful," a testament to Tarlov's presence and the dynamic on The Five. "She’s kind of amazing, and I think it’s one of the hardest jobs out there," he said.
The filmmaker also questioned why there isn’t a comparable figure on MSNBC, a liberal-leaning network, who consistently represents conservative viewpoints. He dismissed the idea that commentators like Nicolle Wallace and Michael Steele fit this role, arguing that they no longer align with the Republican Party.
Bill Maher, the host HBO’s Real Time, steered the conversation towards Vice President Kamala Harris. Maher criticized Harris for not speaking to the press and stated that she’d never appear on his show.
Check out the episode here: