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).

[Bluntpoint]

The G-Man lost me with all his cheap Semper Fi talk but cheats on his wife and brags about it.

[The South Texan]

Whoa!!! I like Sean and was just poking some fun with what some folks said during Sean's book tour.

[Maria S]

"I would place Michael Medved on a par with — or even a bit above — Rush Limbaugh."

I second that; Medved is THE best. I have never listened to anyone who is as well-informed as he is. And he rarely ever loses his patience or talks over his callers. But he CAN out-debate them!

[Yaelle]

Dr. Laura- strengths- firm, principled stand on moral issues. Weakness (to some)- firm, principled stand on moral issues.

Strengths, I agree. Add total commitment to what is TRULY best for children, NO MATTER WHAT adults have to do to make that happen. I admire that so much.
Weaknesses -- New to morality, doesn't admit openly to breaking the same rules she excoriates her callers for breaking (I'd have more respect for her if she would say that she too once took a man from his family, etc.), went through Judaism like a frat house would a keg (took a sip, then a good long drink, then got positively DRUNK, then vomited and was done with it).

[RightWhale]

Liddy became dull after the MIBs visited him after OKC.

[Yaelle]

Coulter does sound like she is holding marbles in her mouth when she speaks. But she is good!

[myheroesareDeadandRegistered]

I've only heard Levin whenever he crashes in on Hannity's show. He sounds like a hoot. Does he have a website? Or stream his show on the net? I'd like to give him a listen.

[NYC Republican]

Did you know Savage wrote a book? You mean "Deliver Us From Evil", the book Hannity talks about ad nauseum on his program?

The difference is that Sean hawked his book for about a 5 or 6 weeks tops. Savage is still hawking his book, shamelessly, many many months after his release. Not only that, but his tour as well.

[NYC Republican]

I've frankly never heard of him... FReepers?

[NYC Republican]

LOLOLOL - awesome post.

[mrtysmm]

"Mario, ..un spacime (sp?)...something..something.."

It was more like "sfachime.." meaning two-faced
It's been a long time since I've listened to Grant. Years ago he was the only game in town, but with today's talent and competition, it really puts him on the bottom of the list.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Reviewed him in post 32. I can't wait until Ramahanukwanzmas this year...;)

[NYC Republican]

I used to really enjoy listening to him pound Richard Bey. He was, and I assume still is, very good. I haven't heard him in over a year, so I excluded him from the rankings.

[wtc911]

Limbaugh, Ingraham, Gambling....the rest run a distant 4th...except Malzberg who runs all alone at least a full lap behind the pack.

Gambling is a reasoned voice who has a couple of good connections and is Randi Weingarten's loudest and most vociferous critic.

Anyone who thinks Grant is not a barely controlled racist has not been listening.

[connectthedots]

I like Hannity on TV, but his radio show is boring.

[mrtysmm]

I pretty much agree with you on all counts. The one up and coming, which not too many people get to hear is Mark Levin. He's the legal eagle for Rush and also runs a the Landmark...something or other. He's brilliant and funny and most important..conservatively to the point! I'm happy to hear he's getting more air time. I hope more people try to listen to him. Is he on the internet?

[NYC Republican]

I did. Fabulous. On Kerry, he was one of the first (months ago) to quesiton Kerry's service, his medals, his protests, etc... He was on MSNBC a few weeks ago, and hit a home run... He was speaking the way senior GOPers (if they had grown some) would speak. He's like an uninhibited Tom DeLay of talk radio -and that should tell you something.

[Yaelle]

How do you get Levin out here (L.A.), and what time would he be on?

Second your addition of Larry Elder. Strengths: very smart, on top of everything going on, does not coddle people of different races, says it like it is, just turned Republican from libertarian, has fantastic parents, oh, and is also HOT!!

Weaknesses -- (Could also be a strength) Constantly updates the subject matter and the name of the intereviewee for new people just tuning in.

[Mr. Mojo]

[Savage] is a scholar in scientific studies

Well, let's not get carried away. I believe his doctorate is in nutrition.

[Bluntpoint]

On his TV show, I know ahead of time what he is going to say, what Colmes is going to say and what both their liberal and conservative guests are going to say.

So I watch Sponge Bob instead.