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).

[NYC Republican]

I've got to check this guy out. Thanks

[devolve]

That was Brian Whitman; Brian does the best Bob Grant there is; he has a true gift and literally becomes Michael Jackson; commuters in their cars have thought they were hearing things.....

Has a 7pm show on WABC 770am NYC

Lives in CA, has shows there

Becoming another Richard Bey cutting off guests and acting like they are Conservative idiots

Talented mimic (Michael Jackson routine.... candles and warm milk....) but this flaw is growing and kills his future

Monica Crowley was a bright light M-F at 9pm and always lifted your spirits while having lots of contacts and info

Like to see her take over the WABC 10pm-1am M-F John Batchelor show (& 9pm on Sat nights)

Batchelor is no centrist Republican; a stealth lib and sneaks in dems like John Loftus (Saddam is dead!!!!!), another dem op, Katrina van der Nation, etc.

Batchelor goes either way, mostly left. Seems like he often takes lib positions against GW just to promote himself, much like Savage (who is incredibly uniformed and fakes his way thru his shows claiming everyone else is stealling all of his "stuff", which he gets from other's earlier shows, Drudge, FR)

Savage blasted the intial Iraq War trek towards Bagdad as "a quagmire; will kill many of our troops!"

Then when Bagdad fell in a heartbeat Savage suddenly backed GW, Rumsfield, all our commanders and troops.

Savage thinks his job is too much for him.

He is correct.

Mark Levin is brilliant, funny, ruthless

Steve Malzberg needs to pay "Jim (You Moron!) from Brooklyn" more; he is losing his whacko charisma

"Jim from Brooklyn" is too good to be true; when he goes bonkers have your tape running!


(Not to be confused with):

"Jimmy (Commie Hunter!) from Brooklyn" is always ten steps ahead and the Great Infiltrator

"John from Staten Island" is a computer file on steroids

"Carl from Oyster Bay" is:
"Carl Limbacher at NudesMax" now

"Jungle Jim" is still in the hunt but tight with his calls

"Greg from Chatham" still calls in once in a while

"Doctor Raoul" occasionally calls Mark Levin or even Steve Malzberg at some ungodly early hour while on the road


Getting so many interesting callers are getting scarce


But as November approaches the libs better pull their cute lacey silk pillow covers over their heads and fasten their safety belts.......


P.S. - Conservative Jay Diamond got canceled at WABC 770am NYC and went nuts, turning into a bitter radical fruitcake leftie

All ego, no class, no maturity.....

[Dr Snide]

I agree I've been listening to Snow on the XM radio and find him very interesting, particularly his analysis of politics.

[Dr Snide]

Jason Lewis left? Its been about six or seven years since I lived in MN. That too bad.

[meetoo]

Top Tier:
Rush
Michael Medved
Hugh Hewitt

My favorit though is Glenn Beck. I like Laura Ingram as well, but she's on at the same time as Glenn, and too often, I find her talking about the apprentice or some other trivia.

Glenn is an absolute riot. His parodies are off the hook. I look forward to him every morning and try to catch the opening of the program just to hear his theme. His sarcasm is great. I love the fact that he employs a method of commercials similar to Rush that limit program interruption. The only thing is I wince when he goes a little overboard with the "Shut your piehole" when a caller is being rude. Michael Medved and Rush are more effective by just muting them when they feel the need to overide an ignorant ranter. Also, I wish his feed could be listened to free over the internet. His site is great and I know his audio clips are incredible, but we get Rush 24/7 and can't, well, we choose not to, afford another premium pay site. 1080 out of Louisville comes in weak at work and home, but I listen anyway :O)

Michael Medved is the best interviewer I've heard, hands down. He totally destroys the libs arguments by allowing them on the show to reaveal how absolutely illogical, immoral and inane they are. Absolutely brilliant. Makes mince meat out of them, and yet they can't resist still calling trying to make their idiotic points.

Hugh Hewitt is relentless and an incredible professional. Extremely intelligent and convincing. I hate missing him.

Savage is ok, but I too get irritated by his rants and narcissism. He's got some good points but is the king of fullofhimself when it comes to talkshow hosts.

Sean is too pastry puff and cuddly, but I appreciate his appeal to younger audiences and patience with them. I believe he wins people over with his courtesy and personal appeals. However, he can be a little sickening with his kiddie flattery constantly asking little girls if they have a boyfriend at age 10 or 13 -which to my mind is irrelevant and certainly not conservative. The kids need help to focus on the right stuff, not encouragement in what will come naturally later on. Otherwise I think he errs too often to the commercialistic.

I almost feel insolent saying that Dennis Prager and Bill Bennett are brilliant, as they are very, and don't need my echo, but there it is. I enjoy listening to them, but often am either listening to Rush, or am not up early enough.

I am estatic though to have coverage from 6 in the morning to 9 at night out of louisville, Ky on three stations, 970, 840 and 1080 and at work, I rely heavily on KRLA 890 and WRLA 590 found at: http://www2.krla870.com/listen/ (sister stations in LA) over the internet which offer free uninterrupted live and re-broadcasts of Bill Bennet, Laura Ingram, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, and Hugh Hewitt 24/7. Never a dull moment.

I've yet to have the opp to hear G. Liddy, Levin, and some others.

Also, the best way to listen to Rush is over the internet at Rush 24/7. Instead of stupid commercials about Enzite or Gutter Helmet from your local station, you can listen to all the parodies like "Call me Rev Al" and "The Tom Daschle Show" etc.

[NutCrackerBoy]

Rush - hope he has it for another 15 years. Hall Of Famer. His analysis will bring out the fine points. Consistently. A great voice for enunciating conservative principles, never seems to tire of doing it.

I think Laura Ingraham is quickly becoming the #2 conservative talk show host in the country. Smart, hip. Speaks off-the-cuff very well, and delivers a pretty consistently good product. She's the Energizer bunny. I think her looks are overrated. Does not make me laugh all that often. Needs to get a better staff and use them effectively.

Sean Hannity doesn't have much to offer. Michael Savage is well worth a listen once in a while.

Bill O'Reilly's underrated because he is a blowhard. Oddly, the left wastes ammo hitting him - he's good at taking their heat. That's good for our side. They don't realize that he's not all that important.

[nutmeg]

Did you see this thread?

[Dr Snide]

Another guy I get on XM although he bumped my Laura Ingraham by three hours so I can't hear her live. I have found him to be ok but a little uneven but in all fairness I typically split my time between him and Tony Snow with a little more time spent with Snow's show. However Beck had me laughing so hard the other day that people in neighboring cars were giving me strange looks. I think Beck is one of those guys who when they are on you don't want to leave but are not as consistent as the top hosts (which for me would be Medved and Ingraham with a very respectful nod to Rush) but like I said I can't give a completely fair read.

[ladyinred]

We don't get much here, just Rush, and Hannity, and on weekends if there are no sports on, Hugh Hewitt (sp) Savage is on in a couple of cities and if you have a good radio you can almost hear his show! LOL

We got Laura for a little while, and I loved her show, but it wasn't here long, and then, only a weekend replacement.

Having said that, I like Rush and Hannity very much! Rush is well, Rush, no one like him, and Hannity is just such a nice guy you can't help but love him!

[Dr Snide]

I guess I'm not alone in my opinion of Hannity however I don't dislike him, just don't care for his particular show. I would say that Hannity has a good role as "cheerleader." You don't go to get great analysis like Rush, great debate like Medved, great humor like Ingraham but if you want somebody to repeat the talking points and add some optimism Hannity is not a bad place to start. When its been a bad day for the president I have been know to listen to Hannit in small doses but for the most part theres others out there I like more.

[2rightsleftcoast]

Michael Medved is great. I like Larry Elder and Hugh Hewitt
too.

[krunkygirl]

"Hannity is self-loving..." I agree. He, more and more, on his radio show, whenever possible, if he can slip it in, when the situation warrants (and even when it doesn't!) always manages to bring the discussion, topic etc. back to himself...I find it very tiresome. He usually couches it in some kind of humorous, self-deprecating way but, no matter, the purpose is the same: Sean, Sean, me-me-me.
I see lots of personal faults along these same lines with Rush, too. I still am a pretty dedicated listener to both tho'.
My current fav's: Laura and Michael Medved
Would really like to hear Mark Levin's show--sounds like my cup of tea. No fuss-no muss straigtforward political talk.

[ladyinred]

I forgot that O'Reilly is on here, but I don't like him at all, and Tony Snow has just started here, and I do like him. I used to be able to get Glen Beck on a Sacramento station, kind of "staticy", but I love him. He was replaced recently by a couple of jokers who aren't good at all.

[ladyinred]

Tony's show is solid Republican I think, and good. Trouble is, up against Rush, so I listen when Rush does golf! LOL

[ladyinred]

Basically, Sean is a Bush-bot of the worst order.

I knew there was a reason I like him so much! :-)

BTW: Is your screenname after Bubba?

[ladyinred]

weakness-extremely partisan (i happen to like this, but some won't.)

Me too! Go Hugh!

[Dr Snide]

I've got another idea for Ann. It think Bush should make her his next recess appointment. Lets she how the Dems like them apples. Or better yet just nominate her so I can see her tear all the Dems a new one. I want to see Kennedy cry and urinate himself after a real woman kicks his bloated a**

[pollywog]

Hannity is GREAT!!!!! and probably one of the fastest growing audience!!

[ladyinred]

What do you FReepers think of Glenn Beck??

Glen had the best and almost only coverage on the OKC bombing coverup. It held me spellbound. I really miss hearing his show.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Savage needs to lose his show.  He's extremely funny when he's ranting but he's far too prone to go off half-cocked with half the facts.

He gives conservative talk a bad name.  If he were more careful when parsing statements he'd be awesome.

KKOL Seattle dropped Mike Reagan but I've become pretty fond of Hugh Hewitt.  David Gold had a great show on Salem for a while.

I think North is a pretty solid guy....I really respect him....but he doesn't really keep me on my toes.

All and all I've got to go with Dennis Prager: no other talk show host, that I know of, qualifies their positions and beliefs as well as he does.  He also has a great deal of insight about a broad range of subjects and is very gracious when he's wrong about something.

I like Medved too, but I don't like his voice, and his movie reviews are just about the worst I've ever seen or heard.