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).

[quidnunc]

NYC Republican wrote: Do you have a web-link to his show? Thanks!

You can get streaming audio from KRLA 870 here:

http://www2.krla870.com/listen/

KRLA also archives the broadcasts of several talk shows for 24 hours.

These can be accessed from the same page at the link above.

[kidd]

I've never heard Crowley.

Other than that, I agree with your list. I would add that Rush adds to his credibility by sourcing all of his points.

[PRSOrlando]

Rusty has a very entertaining and though provoking show.

You hear that, my brohter from another mother? Or my sister from another mister? :-)

[rdb3]

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

I find Dr. Laura to be far too maternalistic. I have no problem with her stands on moral issues, and in fact agree with her. But, sorry Dr. Laura, I already have a mother.

A.K.A. Sleepy Brown

[WinOne4TheGipper]

http://www.vicioussob.com

[GSWarrior]

For my money, Lee Rodgers is the best out there.

[cyborg]

mario azendame tu se provino spachime something like that... I couldn't find it in google (shocking LOL)

[AGreatPer]

I think you got the rankings just right. Nice job and insightful comments that are spot on.

[Calvin Locke]

I haven't listened to Savage in a while. I did pick up his book over the weekend. $7, new. Yeah, I splurged in a moment of weakness.

A local finally started carrying Ingraham, other than Sunday evenings. Maybe a bit too fast moving, but you don't get
bored. She's up against Glenn Beck in Burlington, VT.

[Moose4]

Out of curiosity, do you get Mike Gallagher or Glenn Beck up there? I've never heard Gallagher all the way through, but Beck's pretty good, I think. He's got a wide range, he can swing from dead serious to bitingly sarcastic and back again very quickly and make it all work. I like his show.

Agreed that Rush is still the master--he's polished, very skilled behind the mic, very erudite yet accessible. He really does make it look and sound easy. I'm not a big Hannity fan, he brings up a lot of good points but sometimes I swear he's just a paid honk for the RNC.

And, agreeing with you again, if I hear Laura say "don't forget your hat" in that HORRIBLE British "accent" one more time, I'm going to lose it. :) Other than that, she's good, and easy on the eyes!

I've often wondered if either Michelle Malkin or Ann Coulter could pull off a daily radio show. Ann I'm not so sure about, but I think Michelle could do it.

}:-)4

[ken5050]

Yup, that's it...does Grant have a website? ( does Grant have a computer?..LOL) maybe there's an audio of it..

[quidnunc]

By the way, Medved's program airs from noon-3 Pacific (3-6 Eastern) time.

[Mr. Mojo]

after President Bush proposed (note proposed, it's DOA), [Michael] Savage called for Bush to be impeached.

After Bush proposed what, exactly?

[WinOne4TheGipper]

I rarely listen to her anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still like her (she's on KLBJ, Austin), but I like Glenn Beck (WOAI, San Antonio) and Laura Ingraham (KJCE, Austin) more. Unfortunately, they're all on at the same time. Plus, I like listening to Rush live on WOAI.

[jtminton]

I like Medved.

[cyborg]

I looked but apparently not. I know he wrote a book years ago (probably out of print). I even remember my favorite callers David from Irvington and Dorothy from Montclaire *LOL*

[ImpotentRage]

No, you're not. Oh, there are times when Savage gets to be a bit much, but overall I enjoy listening to his rants. And, some of his personal stories - or the way he describes liberal politicians (present and former) - can be hysterical. In my opinion.

[Final Authority]

Savage has the third largest national audience of any of the hosts you mentioned. He can't do that by being poor. If he is poor then you must reexamine you criteria or as he is entertaining, has a good message, is unique as he can quote the Bible (Rush has no clue and doesn't care either), uses extensive historical references, uses extensive cultural references, can tell personal stories (if one listens for more than a week one gets a good idea of his personal life), is a scholar in scientific studies, has written many books by himself (no ghost writers), and is generally right with respect to the big issues of the day. I must admit that it took me several weeks of occasional listening to get used to his style but he is better than Ingraham who is opposite him in the Boston market. He punishes her in that slot and for good reason, he is not a GWB cheerleader but he is a cheerleader for the values and culture that made America great.

BTW, he is the second TSH to call the war on terrorism a war on Islam, Jay Severin was first. That that is a topic for discussion.

[cyborg]

Florio Free in 93 is another one...

[bootless]

Very interesting analysis ... you're generally right on. I love Levin - I have to fire up my WinMedia to hear him from out here in CA.

An addition for another time or another FReeper: Larry Elder. Love him. I was very sorry when KNEW dropped his show when they picked up Savage (whose show I never listen to any more). I also enjoy Laura Ingraham on rerun on KSFO. KNEW plays Lars Larsen on late night rerun as well ... a good alternative to George Noury after midnight!