MSNBC SIGNS CONSERVATIVE TALK RADIO PHENOMENON MICHAEL SAVAGE TO HOST ‘THE SAVAGE NATION’...

NBC Media Village ^ | 2/12/03 | NBC PR

[Croooow]

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- February 12, 2003 -- Conservative talk radio phenomenon and best-selling author Michael Savage has been signed by MSNBC to host “The Savage Nation,” a one-hour weekly issue-oriented opinion show set to air live on Saturday afternoons at 5:00 pm (ET). The announcement was made today by Erik Sorenson, president, MSNBC.

The format of “The Savage Nation” will be based on Savage’s number one rated afternoon drive time radio program, which is heard on over 300 stations, including New York’s WABC and San Francisco’s KSFO. The new show, which premieres on MSNBC in March, will originate from San Francisco. It will feature penetrating and provocative commentary and opinion from Savage, mirroring his #1 New York Times best selling book “The Savage Nation.”

“Michael Savage is brash, passionate and smart,” said Sorenson. “His conservative point of view adds to the kaleidoscope of perspectives already heard on MSNBC - a place where a range of voices have their say, without any one dominating the channel itself. ‘The Savage Nation’ will anchor our Saturday afternoon program schedule and become destination television for those looking for compelling opinion and analysis with an edge.”

“I look forward to continuing on television what has made me so successful on radio,” said Savage. “People love my show because of my hard hitting style combined with intelligence and wit. Those who listen to me say they hear a bit of Plato, Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, Moses, Jesus, and Frankenstein. I’m looking forward to reaching new viewers while giving my existing audience more of what they have come to love and expect, including a look into my very private studio.”

An independent-minded individualist, Michael Savage fits no stereotype. He attacks big government and liberal media bias, but champions the environment and animal rights. Trained as a scientist, he holds Master's degrees in medical botany and medical anthropology and earned his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in Epidemiology and Nutrition Science. Along with the best selling book “The Savage Nation” and CD “Best of The Savage Nation,” he is also the author of the book “Herbs That Heal” and 17 other books. His radio show airs nationally on the Talk Radio Network and attracts one of the most loyal listening audiences in radio.

[Geezerette]

I would tape his TV show on the VCR like I did ten years ago when Rush was on around midnight here in Phoenix!

g

[ewing]

My favorite bit is when Savage starts playing clips of the freakniks/peacenicks and then he starts screaming at his producer to 'turn them off!'

He reminds me of Bob Grant in New York with a good case of road rage at liberals.

[SirFishalot]

They probably wanted to play it safe. I'm sure that if he pulls good numbers they will move him to a better one.

[Jeff Chandler]

ping ping ping ping ping

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Bad news. Savage is a jerk and very handy for discrediting conservatism in general. He's not much of a conservative, either-- during the dot-com boom he advocated income caps. I'm not sure what label I'd apply to him ...except "jerk".

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I thought I heard Jessie Ventura was doing a talk show on MS/NBC...(Jeez, how I miss the Joe Pine show)

[fella]

Isn't this the same trap that Alan Keyes fell into?

[FourtySeven]

His rants are out there hilarious and sometimes a bit extreme, just like before Rush started playing golf and mellowing out.

LOL..........true, true.

[VaBthang4]

I like Michael Savage alot but I will not watch this show period.

After the viewership increases, MSNBC will move it to primetime and put it up against one of FOX's big hitters. I will not put myself in a position to give viewership to MSNBC versus FOXNEWS.

MSNBC [NBC] has not paid the price in full for it's incompetent brutally Liberal biased coverage beginning in the Clinton Administration and continuing til today.

Wont do it. If they put Rush on, I wont watch. If they sign away Brit Hume from Fox, I wont watch.

Hold the line FReople...and dont fall for the rope-a-dope.

[InterceptPoint]

the kaleidoscope of perspectives

That's MSNBC-talk for "Fair and Balanced".

Actually I like MIchael Savage and hope his show does well. He will be unlike anything ever seen before in MSNBC-land.

[ChiefsMan]

He will be a huge headache for the network. He'll get very good ratings, but also cause a lot of complaints when he makes some of his wilder comments.

[Lizavetta]

“People love my show because of my hard hitting style

Despite Savage's assurances that his TV show won't be a diluted version of his radio show, I firmly believe that it will be. They wouldn't have let him on otherwise. We'll see.

[ewing]

IMHO, I would watch Savage over Greta in the same time slot.

[Lion's Cub]

I was hoping Fox would be smart enough to grab him, but I will tune in for the show. Any other time, I can't take more than about 5 minutes at a time of MSNBC. Even CNN is less rabid than they are.

[Shenandoah]

“His conservative point of view adds to the kaleidoscope of perspectives already heard on MSNBC - a place where a range of voices have their say, without any one dominating the channel itself.

Since when?

Since they've come to the realization that Conservatives bring in the big bucks?

"Hey guys. You know this Liberal thing that we're all so committed to? Well, it ain't payin' the bills."

[Marysecretary]

Hey, at five you can get eggroll (or at least an invite to dinner!). M

[Mudboy Slim]

Omigawd...'cept fer the shades, that could be jla...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

Why?! At least ewing's listenin'...MUD

[Russell Scott]

Excellent! One hour a week on TV will not dilute his radio show. And he can pack the best of the week on his radio show into one hour of explosive television.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Conservative talk radio phenomenon and best-selling author Michael Savage has been signed by MSNBC to host “The Savage Nation,” a one-hour weekly issue-oriented opinion show set to air live on Saturday afternoons at 5:00 pm (ET)."

This is good, IMHO...MUD