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).

[mathluv]

Thanks for the link. I listened to Tony once, in the morning, and thought that I had bookmarked the site. But, Oops, I didn't.

[NYC Republican]

BTW, is Mark Levin syndicated? The only station I know his program is on is WABC out of New York.

I don't think it's syndicated, but it's on Satellite radio and WABC. Do yourself a favor and listen tonight (via internet). You'll be hooked instantly. He comes out right away with both barrels blazing. None of this "how are you, happy Wednesday", stuff. He'll attack Kerry from every direction, ESPECIALLY on his Vietnam protests.

[NYC Republican]

Thanks, never listened to Rusty. Enlighten us, please.

[cyborg]

Did you hear him trash Air America radio the first day? LOL

[jtminton]

600 KSKY = 660 KSKY

oops.

[NYC Republican]

I like your Dr. Laura attributes... Is she really a conservative host, though?

[Blzbba]

"In the Bay Area we have a choice of tape-delayed Hannity or live Savage. I usually choose Savage. I got tired of Hannity gushing over Charlie Daniels, and other has-been or wanna-be country performers."



Wow - I just spent a month in the Bay Area (stayed at the Airport LaQuinta Inn just off 101!) and absolutely love that entire area.

Yeah, when I listen to talk radio, I prefer to be challenged and occasionally disagree or learn something new, rather than hear the same cheerleading and lack of anything new that Hannity offers.

[Mr. Mojo]

Hannity is a self-loving blow-hard. He just adores himself, and adores being adored.

And that's why he can't handle the criticism he sometimes gets on FR. .....his skin is way too thin, his ego way too fragile.

[smug]

I really enjoy listening to Walter E. Williams, when he guest host for Limbaugh. I'd love to see him get his own show.

[Getsmart64]

I like Rusty....he's not on in the Boise area as far as I can tell....listen to him when I visit the SLC area....

[.38sw]

The Enemy Within and The Savage Nation.

He's written several others, apparently herbal medicine stuff, I think.

[Sloth]

Is overly shrill - after President Bush proposed (note proposed, it's DOA), Savage called for Bush to be impeached.

Well, a lot of guys are threatened by gay marriage.

BTW, re: Laura Ingraham, she's the youngest ever Nobel prize winner in Biology.

[NYC Republican]

I sent an email comment to Savage several weeks ago...can't even remember what subject he was talking about....I received an automatically generated response hawking his book

LOL! Not his tour as well? So typical. LOL

[jtminton]

gushing over Charlie Daniels

Hey, leave that long haired country boy alone.

[smiley]

mega ditto thanks!

[NYC Republican]

Sean hawked his book, shamelessly for about a month, or a month and a half. He's totally stopped- over a month ago... You folks should give it a rest already. Check out Savage's self-promotion. You want overkill, wow.

[I'm ALL Right!]

I was going to post a "What About Boortz" comment...you beat me to it.

[NYC Republican]

That about sums it up from my perspective too, NYC Rep.

Wow, someone actually agrees with all of my assessments. Thanks! Ok, now how much do I owe you?

[Bluntpoint]

Sean's hawking of his book was not the only straw, just the final one.

[NYC Republican]

Thank you