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).

[hford02]

I'm a real fan of Glen Beck's... He is astute and poetic in the fashion of a great teacher or theologian.
Some of his monologues have been so beautiful my wife and
I are both crying while driving in the car. He's my favorite just ahead of Rush (who is an eternal optimist).
I'm sure that anyone willing to give Glen a chance would come to the same conclusion...

[Afghan Whig]

LOL-fun analysis

So what's wrong with abrasive? Aren't you from New York?

[WhiteGuy]

I'm not in the mood to debate the "reasons" behind CC's actions..............................

I'll just say, I'm on Stern's side on this one.......................

All I know is, without the Stern show in the morning, my day gets off to a much crabbier start.......................................

[WhiteGuy]

"His stuff got stale after a while..."

Really?, or did you just grow up?

I guess that's why I'm still a devoted fan, I never matured..........(Just ask my wife.........)



Curtis and Kuby are really good... Actually Curtis is good, Kuby is a Marxist.

I'm in Ohio, I don't know this pair.....................

We're up too early anyway...................

[cyborg]

I can watch his E show as I find it more entertaining but I don't get the radio show anymore. Oh well.

[crude77]

I get a kick out of Walter E also. Especially when Thomas Sowell(sp) calls in.

I recall a guy called in and asked Sowell if, given only a blackboard and a piece of chalk, could he give a top shelf lesson in economics. Sowell's response was "Of course". And he could too, ya know.

Where have all the really good teachers gone?

[WhiteGuy]

C'mon, admit it........................

You like the E-Show better because you get to see the chicks...........................



(even if they "censor" them)

[NYC Republican]

I'm one of the few very pleasant NYers... Abrasive can be good, and in Levin's case, it's fantastic... Depends on the delivery, I guess.

[cyborg]

LOL... I'm a girl, but it's easier to get the show seeing it on tv than listening to the radio. I watch the E show mostly for Robin but I've not watching it in a while. The chicks are cute but they're all fake :)

[NYC Republican]

You like the E-Show better because you get to see the chicks...........................

LOL... I'm a girl,

LOLOLOLOL!!!

[cyborg]

Sometimes I like to see the girls (keeps a girl motivated to look good), but those are the girls who look real then these are the ones that Howard likes to say 'you have a big azz, you look like J.Lo,etc.' I saw part of the one with Bill O'Reilly and that was pretty good.

[ken5050]

Years ago, and this is vback when Sternwas on in the afternoon on WNBC radio in NYC, I'd occasionally listen for a bit on the drive home..One time I'm sitting in this huge traffic jam on the GWB, going absolutely NOWHERE. just standing still...listenign to Bob Grant.. when all of a sudden it seems like every car's horn starts honkingat the same time. I couldn't figure out what was going on..int the car next to me, there's this teenager, happily banging on his horn, over and over..I roled down the window, and asked him what's up..he said to put Stern on the radio..I did..Howard was "demonstrating" the power and size of his audience to his bosses, who were giving him grief over something or other, by having his audience create a noise-in..

[WhiteGuy]

Not that there's anything wrong with that.............................

HA!

I agree, most of the girls are VERY fake..................

I'm a great fan of the "All natural woman"

and I put a greater emphasis on attitude than bra-size.

I actually enjoy the radio show more, except when there is something outragous on................

Watching an interview is boring.

[WhiteGuy]

Good story.

I truely believe that those who dismiss the political power of the millions of loyal Stern listeners are ignoring the 800 pound gorilla in the front room.

[ken5050]

They don't vote...rememebr a while back when Stern endorsed Pataki..even had him on the show a few times...His numbers DROPPED in the next poll..

[Dr. Scarpetta]

"Mario! A sienta me. Tu sci propio uno sfachime!"

[WhiteGuy]

They don't vote..................

You might be right, then again, this year's issue is way beyond the endorsement of a Statewide office.

Pataki won didn't he? Who's to say the Stern support didn't make a positive difference?

I remember how close the last election was, state by state, Stern is a force in some key battleground states, especially Ohio.

[Adam36]

Michael Savage is great.
By any chance, did anyone have the ratings when Savage was going up against Laura Ingraham from 7pm to 9pm.
I heard Savage was getting better ratings.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

BTW, do you recall a talk-radio personality named Jay Diamond?

At one point I thought he had a nervous break-down, practically on the air....was full of anxiety and paranoia.

[FlashBack]

We get Tony Snow's show in the am (was Gallagher before Tony's show aired), then we get Rush, and finally Sean Hannity....and on occasion (when running home late) I tune in Michael Reagan on the way home from work...
Enjoy listening to them all for different reasons...Rush is still the "King"...got the chance to meet Sean in person and am glad I did, he lives and breathes for his work!!
Haven't had the opportunity to hear Laura or O'Reilly's radio shows but tune into The O'Reilly Factor most nights and love it when Laura is on H&C...I think that Ann needs her own show as well!!!!