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Fox News Gives O'Reilly A "Historical" Series After Years Of Criticism From Historians

Fox News is reportedly releasing a new "primetime 'historical' special series" produced by Bill O'Reilly. O'Reilly, who has written a series of books focused on the deaths of prominent historical figures, has been criticized by historians and critics for shoddy scholarship and ahistorical claims.

Capital New York reporter Alex Weprin writes today that Fox is planning to launch the O'Reilly-produced Legends and Lies in April. Per Fox News, the show will "recount the tales of the greatest characters of America's Wild West, including Jesse James, David Crockett, Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid" and air on Saturday and Sunday nights. Weprin explains that it "will feature interviews with historians and descendants of the people in question, paired with special effects and archival photos."

O'Reilly, with co-author Martin Dugard, has released a series of popular history books in recent years, titled Killing Jesus, Killing Patton, Killing Kennedy, and Killing Lincoln. But Fox News giving O'Reilly a historical show comes after years of criticism of his previous work in the genre.


Read entire article at Media Matters