In a interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Fox News’ Special Report Anchor Bret Baier brought up a common Fox News talking point while defending his network. One that show hosts and network executives often use. The notion that we (Fox News) must be a quality news organization since we’re the highest rated. (BTW, Keith Olbermann used to try to argue this too with his show’s high demo ratings).

It’s a pop-logic argument.  Logic that only stands if you make the assumption people always embrace something due to quality of the product or service.  If that was true, then by extension you are saying Baywatch must be the highest quality TV show on the planet because it’s the most watched show on the planet (it’s true. it is).  And Wal-Mart is the best quality retailer around because it has the most customers than any other retailer (so suck it, Nordstroms).

Baywatch and Wal-Mart are, without a doubt, highly successful.  At the same time both are held up as icons of tackiness, shallowness and crap offerings. McDonalds, though the most popular hamburger place isn’t known for having the best hamburgers. So Fox or anyone who argues rating is indicative of quality might re-think that argument.