Beck is set to host a one-hour talk show as part of CNN Headline News' prime-time programming beginning May 8. In anticipation of Beck's debut, Media Matters for America has compiled other controversial comments by Beck here.
BECK: Lets go to [caller] in Minneapolis. Hello, [caller].
CALLER: Hello, sir.
BECK: How are ya?
CALLER: I want to advocate for a position on death penalty for you.
BECK: Ok. You're a lobbyist. Are you for or against the death penalty?
CALLER: I am for the fence-sitting position.
BECK: Well, I'm already there!
CALLER: Well, I'm going to make you stronger on that position.
BECK: OK.
CALLER: And this case is a perfect example. This guy deserves to die, but if you do it, then you don't know. You'll have unintended consequences, including maybe the salvation of your soul.
BECK: Yeah, yeah.
CALLER: On the other hand, if you let him live --
BECK: I mean I'm pretty sure of the salvation of my soul. You know? But, not in a good way, per se. I mean, you know, there's a lot of people we can have off him that were like, “You're pretty sure where you're going right?” And they say, “Uh-huh.” “Yeah, go ahead. You can off him then.” You know what I'm saying?
[laughter]
CALLER: I guess that'll be me. On the other hand, though, if you let him live, the left has such a short memory and such a soft heart that they will make him a celebrity.
BECK: Yeah. They will!
CALLER: Like Mumia [Abu Jamal], or [Leonard] Peltier and Tookie Williams.
BECK: Exactly right. You're exactly right. [Caller], thank you so much -- a right-thinking American in Minneapolis. Say hi to St. Paul for me will you?
[...]
CALLER: No quarantine is ever 100 percent, and 10 years down the road, we'll have created this icon in jail much like Tookie Williams.
BECK: Yeah, I will give you that. I mean the Tookie Williams thing, just, I mean, in 30 years, I think this guy could become the next Tookie Williams and, also with that being said, I mean BTK [serial killer Dennis L Rader, also known as the BTK Strangler], he's already getting bennies [benefits], you know. “Hey, you know what, why don't you, maybe you should have a little -- would you like a dog? How about a little extra whipped cream on that sundae?”