Talk Show Host Ratings - Levin, Rush, Hannity, Ingraham, Crowley, Grant, Savage, O'Reilly (VANITY)

5/5/04 | Self

[NYC Republican]

I can only comment on the talk show hosts that are on WABC or WWOR radio in the NY Metro region, all can be heard live here http://www.wabcradio.com/ (except for Rush). Feel free to add your comments.

Top Tier:

Rush Limbaugh - Strengths -incredible insight, extremely politically savvy, good listener - patient, educational... solid conservative credential on all fronts, can be funny at times, excellent at satire. Weaknesses - can be full of himself at times. Even though many of his comments (talent on loan from God, maja-Rushdie, the all-knowing...) are said tongue-in-cheek, it gets a little old... his self-promotions can be a bit tough to digest, especially when his book was released.

Rush is the cream of the crop.

Mark Levin - Strengths -quickly becoming my favorite. NO self-promotion, shoots from the lip, says exactly what's on his mind... is EXTREMELY bright (constitutional lawyer), NOTHING politically correct about this guy - unlike Hannity, who tends to play softball with some of his guests, Levin only serves up hardballs. He actually seeks out liberal callers to destroy their logic... GREAT sense of humor... He's a fellow FReeper!!! Weaknesses: can definitely be VERY abrasive at times.. short temper.

If you haven't heard Mark Levin, treat yourself. Especially after a bad political day... He's a breath of fresh air (ABC from 6-7 EST).

Very Good

Laura Ingraham - Ok - NO apologies for having a bigger pic of Laura. She's hot! Strenghts - Very bright, sarcastic (in a good way), intuitive, enjoyable program... humorous, insightful, love the way she blows away the libs and their platforms, stoic delivery is fantastic IMO. Weaknesses - shameless promotion of her book... awful at mimicing others (her British accent during Travelocity ads is atrocious).

Sean Hannity Strenths- Huge exposure -can, and does, make a big dent in getting the message out... the hardest-working conservative around... right on target on all major conservative issues... will confront most libs head-on, though on occasion will play softball... DESPISES the Klintons more than just about anyone I know, does not hold back in expressing his outrage at libs... isn't afraid to challenge the J. Jacksons of the world... excellent at tearing apart libs like Kennedy, Dean, Huffington, etc... excellent at staying on message, and breaking it down to a level that the average non-political soccer-mom can understand... gets the TRUTH out, and exposes the LIB lies!... Weaknesses - shameless self-promotion of his book - thankfully that's ended... not the most informed (yesterday he was calling Kosovo a city)... throws softballs at people like Specter, other libs... Needs to improve his interview skills - needs to become a better listener.

Monica Crowley Strengths- very knowledgeable about international events... forceful, energetic conservative - no holds barred, shoot from both barrels, take-no-prisoners assault on libs... STRONG supporter of the War on Terror, enjoyable program, frequent contributer to the Batchelor (and formerly Alexander) show weaknessTends to spend an inordinate amount of time on the same topics. While Israel is important, the amount of time she spends talking about them is overkill IMO... not a very good interviewer -loses patience quickly.

Good:

Bob Grant StrenthsHas always had solid conservative credentials... not afraid to stand up to, or go head-to-head, with anyone... Excellent at discussing local issues... huge supporter of the WOT. weaknessesSadly, his best days are behind him - he's made a few strategic verbal blunders that have turned off his listeners, and had him PANNED by the media... can be VERY abrasive on the phone... Voice can be very grating, sounds like he's 85 (he's not that far off).

Below Average:

Bill O'Reilly strentgthswhen taking on the conservative side of an issue, can be very forceful, attacks the libs without mercy... HATES the Klintons and Franken as much as anyone... Very good speaking voice, speaks very clearly and fairly eloquently, is fairly patient with callers weaknessesA blowhard... tries so hard to shake the "conservative" label, that he bends over backwards to support liberal issues where ever he can... shameless self-promoter- of his book, of his various shows, etc

Poor:

Michael Savage Strengths - very conservative (though libertarian on other issues) on most issues - excellent views on immigration, despises the libs, Hollywierd... can be very funny and entertaining... very bright guy overall weaknessesThe most shameless self-promoter I've EVER heard. He brings up his book constantly, MONTHLY after its release, he offers tickets to his shows if callers answer questions correctly, he says that he, and HE ALONE, takes credit for having Bush elected, because of his "Passionate Conservative comment"... Is overly shrill - after President Bush proposed (note proposed, it's DOA), Savage called for Bush to be impeached... VERY nasty on the phone, interpersonal skills are awful... Had a caller yesterday say that he's sick of the Right-Wing Propoganda/Bias on talk radio, the same way he used to be sick of liberal bias. Savage agreed!!! He's part of it! He could have said that talk radio doesn't claim to be fair and balanced!... biggest ego I've EVER heard on the radio....

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I'm sure I'll be flogged for some of my opinions, but they're just that, my opinions... Please enlighten us on any other talk show hosts that we should listen to (Melved, etc).

[WinOne4TheGipper]

She's conservative and she's a host, aren't those the qualifications?:) Her show may not be overly political, but when she gets to the commentary section, you see it.

[NYC Republican]

Thanks!

[Redbob]

570 didn't drop Savage - Savage's syicate dropped 570!
And 570 was one of the first stations to take a chance and carry Savage.

Read about it on the KLIF website.

However, all turned out for the best; they got Tony Snow in his place!

[connectthedots]

Savage has a unique ability to cram 15 minutes of material into three hours.

[RightWhale]

Phil Hendrie make anybody's list? Maybe it's because he's a Democrat and Air America couldn't come close in 1000 years.

[NYC Republican]

I don't get either in NYC. Thanks. I agree on Malkin, I'd listen, but greatly prefer seeing her "in the flesh".

[MNlurker]

While I still listen to Rush (now tape delayed here) I really like the pace to Ingraham's show and in the AM she's just what I need to get going.

I like listening to Medved from time to time because he's really the only one that lets the loonies on and debates them. Easy getting a laugh when I hear some of the DUmmies theories right now.

Personally, I wish we had Jason Lewis back (lost him to North Carolina). Great local show who was just as smart on national issues. This state really lost a voice when he left.

[TheBigB]

BTW, re: Laura Ingraham, she's the youngest ever Nobel prize winner in Biology.

No, she didn't.

[Bluntpoint]

Sean Hannity has the uncanny ability to have yet reached 15 minutes of material since his show originally aired.

[NYC Republican]

after President Bush proposed (note proposed, it's DOA), [Michael] Savage called for Bush to be impeached. After Bush proposed what, exactly?

Oops, mea culpa. The immigration reform policy, a couple of months ago.

[GSWarrior]

I'm more of a Pure Prairie League guy.

[RightWhale]

Glenn Beck

He's okay. Sometimes he has an amazing insight, not every day, though.

[myheroesareDeadandRegistered]

Of all I can listen to locally (Rush, Hannity, Savage, O'Rielly and Boortz) Neal is my favorite. O'Rielly's my least fave.

The only problem I have with Boortz is that he tends to wimp out when not at his own mic. A TV camera seems to turn this tiger into a kitty.

If you want to listen to him I think he has audio streaming for his show at his website. At least he used to. www.boortz.com

[Mr. Mojo]

Savage can be hysterical -- the funniest and most entertaining of the bunch by far. But the guy is certifiable -- when the Chinese AF forced down a transport plane of ours a couple years ago Savage called for us to nuke China. ....and it repeated it the next day, after he had time to think about it.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I miss Ken Hamblin and the G-Man too. When you lived in Richmond, did you ever listen to Jerry Lund, the evening host on WRVA? He was a hoot - I loved it when he would call libs "commies" and they'd explode! "You're a commie, sir, a commie."

I'd love to hear Monica Crowley's show - always enjoy her views on Fox News. Plus she's a hottie!

[jslade]

I listen to Neal Boortz every morning. (boortz.com)
Prior to that I listen to the previous day's archives from Jim Quinn & Rose out of Pittsburgh. (warroom.com)

[NYC Republican]

An addition for another time or another FReeper: Larry Elder. Love him. I was very sorry when KNEW dropped his show when they picked up Savage

We had Larry Elder in NY for a few months- very good, though a little too libertarian for my taste at times. He was replaced by Laura Ingrahan, so we got someone a little better... I'm happy.