Posted on 03/03/2005 1:31:07 PM PST by EveningStar
Since I retired several months ago, I've had plenty of time to listen to talk radio and I've been able to come up with my own factors for rating some of the hosts.
It is this: Who provides depth and insight and who doesn't?
To me, those who provide depth and insight include: Rush Limbaugh Dennis Prager Michael Medved Larry Elder
Those who fall into the "No **** Sherlock / Captain Obvious to the Rescue" category include: Laura Ingraham Sean Hannity
That's my opinion. What's yours?
He (Bell) had his show up on satellite 20 years ago. He
wasn't on his "drawing all the weirdoes" expedition back
then.
Bell realized that there were a lot of strange folks who
will call and relive their confrontations with ufo's, the
supernatural, and aliens.
He leads them gently down the primrose path.
Drinking game -- listen to Laura, and everyone takes a drink when she insults her caller.
I got a little tired of Savage. When it comes to self-promoting, he is in a class by himself. A few years ago, he claimed an FR idea as his own. I sent him a dozen emails, but he refused to correct the record.
No, but I have heard his brother before. I have an enormous amount of respect for Dennis....and love his books.
Is it possible that ones taste in Talk Radio depends on ones age. I would hazard a guess judging by most of the postings I have read that this discussion is dominated by forty somethings and above.
I listened to el Rushbo from about 12yrs of age to 17yrs.
From 18yrs to the present it has been all Micheal Savage.
Maybe I will enjoy Rush once again someday?
Jim R. can do anything he wants!
It's his party!
;-)
I don't know about that. Sometimes when Rush brings up something he finds funny and starts laughing about it, I feel like he's the only one in America laughing.
The other thing is, ANYONE can be quick witted when they have hours and hours to prepare for a response to soundbites that are at least a day old.
That's why I wish he'd have more people on that disagree with him. I want to hear him mix it up with the opposition. But he avoids that like the plague. He's never on the talking head shows, never debates with anyone, and you'll never see him on 'Crossfire' or 'Hannity & Colms'. He won't appear on with Bill Maher, either (who has stated over and over that the invitation is open).
Once you think about it, you wonder if Rush is that quick witted after all. Bill Maher would probably wipe the floor up with him.
Bennett - ON at 3AM in Cal. Usually asleep.
Ingraham - Legal issues made understandable. Personality reminds me of my sister; straight forward, and no BS allowed.
Rush - His emminence, the Godfather.
Prager - Good guy, but sometimes tedious.
Medved - Has political insight, but gets culture and morality confused. e.g. Caller's college-age daughter who had her ears pierced 3 times: The earrings was of more interest to Medved (she was bad for doing that), than the fact that this girl stood upto a lefty professor, and was downgraded. No TV stand seems a little extreme. TV is bad, but one needs to be aware of what is going on in all media.
Hannity - Yeah, hot tempered and arrogant, but sometimes hits the nail squarer than anyone. More listenable than Medved because of above.
Hewitt - Excellent insight but comes off as a little smug.
Elder - Better personality than Hewitt, but I agree with Hewitt more.
Rantel - Hero of the College Republicans. Not spectacular, but has good insights. Interesting weekly conversations with Ann Coulter. Conversations feed off of one another.
New entry :
John Ziegler (KFI) - Version of Larry Elder - Libertarian leaning Republican. Usually smart.
Hugh Hewitt is #1.
Hedgecock always seems to be "talking down" to the audience.
Well, most of the aforementioned hosts are younger than me. :)
Rush Limbaugh, Neal Boortz are great. I also adore Glenn Beck. He keeps me laughing and crying. And if you like talk radio but like some light hearted moments the kings of the south are Rick and Bubba.
Ever since I swore off Hannity, I have been listening to Medved. He's a huge step up from Sean. I also like Glenn Beck, but he can be uneven. On a good day, though, he's up with the best of them. I listen to Rush only for the monologues. I get tired of the callers that have nothing much to say besides telling him how great he is.
Michael Savage is king of radio. Levin is second. Rush third. Hannity is an overpaid fratboy. Ingraham is shrill and repetitive.
I have to agree .. it's the type of program I prefer.
And .. while Rush is also not "guest" driven either - when he does have a guest - they are just dynamite - like Mark Levin.
I like her bumper music. "Alone in the Dark" by John Hiatt.
Lest we let Art Bell live down the time he accidentally glued his lips together, I offer this gentle reminder. It’s all in fun, Mr. Bell. Surely a fellow broadcasting from a city whose very name sounds like a rim-shot, Parumph, can take a little teasing. Really, for more than a decade I’ve loved listening to Art, and it’s great that he’s back batting cleanup on the weekends. Maybe this illustration will motivate him to play the tape of the infamous lip-gluing incident for the newbies out here.
Dontcha love his humor, as well as his deep thinking and political know-how? He ran for Congress while in California a few years ago, but did not succeed.
I regret never having watched "Babylon 5" hit sci-fi TV series ... had I only known then ...
g
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.