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).

[1Old Pro]

It makes me want to listen to Levin to check out the program. I definately agree with much of your ratings.

[NYC Republican]

Sweet. Was Mark pleasant to you? As I said, he's wonderful, but can be very abrasive.

[TheGrimReaper]

O'Reilly, while a real bulldog when trying to extract answers from guests, is very bad about making extreme leaps of logic when trying to support a position he agrees with. He does this moreso on TV than radio....but it is irritating.
Also, he sometimes supports liberal positions just, IMO, to maintain the "fair and balanced" facade.

I really like Laura Ingraham, but willingly admit my bias -- I think she's HOT.

[showme_the_Glory]

A favorite of mine from Bridge City new stations. Lars Larson.

[GSWarrior]

Occifer Vic is pretty entertaining too. And then there is Melanie Morgan who is occasionally coherent.

[wtc911]

Laura's more aggressive, sarcastic, suspicous....all the things NYers appreciate.

[mbraynard]

My take on your pics. I listen to a lot of people, but just going to comment on the ones you list:

Rush. I enjoy his inflated ego and find it amusing.

Levin. Boring. He's not syndicated, btw, just a local guy on WABC. He uses one of those phony radio voices that hurts my ears. He also has lot of DEAD AIR on his show.

Laura Ingraham. I think her accent is pretty good. She does a better Roaming Gnome than the real Roaming Gnome. Still, her show tends to dwell on mocking people and she uses calles as props. Either have a conversation with the caller or don't take calls. BTW - you know she's not live in NYC? Can't believe WABC put canned air on in a prime slot like that.

Sean Hannity. Not very bright.

Monica Cowley. See Sean Hanity. Also not syndicated.

Bob Grant. Boring. Old.

O'Reilly. He plays as though he is stupider than he really is. He's smarter than his onair persona.

Savage. Moron. Constantly gets things wrong. Inconsistent on issues. Real name is "Michael Wiener." Probably commiting fraud with his Paul Revere Society. They are a c3 and raise money. But spend it on what? I think he's just an act, sort of like Maralyn Manson. Sad thing is, like Manson, the listeners are in on the joke.

[TomGuy]

I sometimes listen to Savage when he is talking about news events. When I starts rambling other things, I turn him off.

I do notice that he is sort of like Al Gore. Whatever phrase is popular, Savage invented it. Savage accuses others of stealing news from him (although he is usually one of the latter ones to talk about events).

Savage's ego matches close that of Bill O'Reilly.

[Ben Chad]

Tune into 660 AM (not 600) - Savage is on at 6 pm. They have a solid conservative lineup. Weak signal at night.

[NYC Republican]

It makes me want to listen to Levin to check out the program. I definately agree with much of your ratings.

If you, or other FReepers, dedide to check out Mark Levin, please let me know your thoughts. I doubt my assessment of him is way off, but you never know... Note, however, this thread is over 160 posts long, and nearly every host I've mentioned has been knocked by at least one poster. No one has knocked Levin yet, that's telling.

[FlashBack]

BMP for later!

[Paulus Invictus]

He's anything but entertaining. The guy has a serious problem with his mental health. Call a shrink!

[NYC Republican]

FYI-

[bootless]

I used to enjoy Ken Hamblin here, too, when he was on KSFO. I liked his gentlemanly manner.

On the local scene, I really like Barbara Simpson on KSFO (weekends) who is a terrific, esp. at long interviews. Those are so difficult.

Whenever Goeff Metcalf fills in on KSFO, I tune in and stay there. He is so principled, reasonable, and intellectually honest. He has always been one of my favorites.

[NYC Republican]

I've got to ask - who DO you like???

[Southack]

It should never surprise you to see the Leftist media promoting those conservatives who make the rest of us look bad.

[petercooper]

another hour for Mark Levin - excellent

[petercooper]

Let not your heart be troubled.

[Bluntpoint]

Let not your fingers drag on the blackboard.

[Republic Rocker]

LARRY ELDER for PRESIDENT!