Nobody is going to replace Rush dude. You would be dreaming. I like Dan.
I know that. I like Levin's intellect. I like Chris Plante's preparation, POV, and wit.
Dan seems like a great guy but just not compelling or inviting to me. I did like Mark Stein, and always thought he would be the replacement.
Now I listen to classical music 11-5 central.
Dan is a top bloke but he sounds like he’s walking on eggshells AND trying not to wake the baby.
His delivery these two days has been absolutely whisper-quiet. This is out of character for him, especially given his bold, occasionally shouty delivery as a guest host, TV commentator and podcaster.
Presumably, Dan was hired for his boldness. His moxie. His uncompromising attitude. Presumably, potential radio affiliates were told that Dan was a dynamic figure who would deliver the unvarnished truth and name names.
So far this week he’s been none and done none of these. Where’s the firebrand who explained and exposed the Russia hoax and all the FBI/CIA/FISA nonsense and had an encyclopedic knowledge of same?
Is he trying to ‘fit in’ to the media gaggle now? Trying not to draw criticism or opposition? Surely he must know that’s impossible – and he should want it to be impossible.
Talk radio must grab audiences by the throat. Sensationalism isn’t necessarily required but energy is.
Granted any new production will have teething issues but Bongino should do away with the ‘Whispering Dan’ character immediately and resume being his normal, unafraid self.
Yes, it’s tempting to want the Limbaugh template recreated and yes, that’s a forlorn hope but most talkers had or have some basic cues in place – theme music, bumper music, ‘outcues’ such as Rush’s famous earsplitting tone or even the Savage heavy-metal-growly-voice ID.
Bongino’s production staff need to get this made part of the program quickly in order to let the audience know what’s going on without having to explain it long-form to them. Segment starting, segment ending, hour starting, hour ending, show ending, etc. Come up with some sounders (aka sound effects aka clips) and use them consistently.
The NPR-style ‘I’m Dan Bongino and this is the Dan Bongino Show’ isn’t cutting it. It’s redundant and self-evident.
In talk radio you DEFINITELY attract more flies with vinegar than with honey (ie the old metaphor reversed).
Laura Ingraham was never better than when she was mocking and cackling at the lunkheads in DC and the media. In her second radio iteration she softened considerably and we constantly heard ‘I like Paul Ryan/John Boehner/Mitch McConnell/et al.’ Not only was this concerning from a standpoint of principles it was far less interesting to hear swamp people’s mutual admiration society even if they didn’t really mean it.
I hereby suggest to Mr Bongino that he remember the lines spoken by Eric ‘Otter’ Stratton in ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’: ‘They’re going to kick us out no matter what we do so we might as well have a good time!’
Bongino may not yet be kicked off the airwaves but he has already been given the proverbial black hat to wear by political enemies and jealous types, especially now that he is in Rush’s timeslot and on many of the EIB stations. So Dan should embrace the role, offer no quarter and take no prisoners.
The board operator needs to bump the compression way up so we can hear Dan more clearly – and, again, Dan needs to speak up.
Finally, phone calls to radio shows are an anachronism – unless they’re with a special guest eg Donald Trump. We REALLY aren’t interested in hearing what Cathy in Clearview has to say in real time as she nervously fumbles through her question or statement.
There is Parler. Or Gab. Or Telegram. There is still e-mail. If Dan really wants to bring a ‘caller’ on then he can play a recording of said call – in edited form.
Dan’s show would benefit from greater continuity if he merely did all the talking – even if he’s reading someone’s message or email.
This would also eliminate the avoid-dead-air filler gimmick of mindlessly reciting the phone number. If someone wants to get in touch that badly they can do a web search for the number.
In sum, the format needs tweaked pronto. The host needs to stoke his firebox and get the boiler going and let that lonesome whistle scream.