Here's the way I see it.

Corbett comes back to the area looking for some work. Lands the WILK job and tries to find a way to make it interesting. Hears about this guy in Scranton that is battling politicians and decides that "this is his topic, these are his people."

A few months pass and Steve becomes more familiar with the message board, it's members, Joe's lawsuits, and all of the negative feelings in the community about that hell hole.

Steve starts bumping into people who give him an earful about being fooled by a stooge like Pilchesky. Guests don't want to go on his show because of his relationship with a psychopath.

Steve starts to realize that he rushed to judgment on Joe - that perhaps, Joe isn't a knight in shining armor. He's just a loudmouth bully and braggard with an enormous ego. A bully without a playground since his days screwing over the Green Ridge Little League.

Steve begins to backtrack from Joe, and BAM! Just like everyone else, disagree with Joe and you're an a-hole. Welcome to the club Steve. None of us drank his koolaid like you did, but he does think we're all a-holes.

The closer you get to serial-plaintiff Joe Pilchesky, the worse he begins to look, so this evolution of sorts in Steve Corbett's thinking has some logic to it. The sad part is that they (WILK) will continue to give this bully air time, as I think they feel he gives them a ratings boost via his sheep.

Free Speech does't require a multi-paragrah disclaimer Mr. Pilchesky.