a failed presidential bid--and now a talk show!

[talkjim]

"Taking over Bill O'Reilly’s slot at Westwood, no less? The Post’s Page 6 column says the former New York City mayor and presidential candidate Giuliani is “the leading candidate to succeed” O'Reilly, after Bill leaves radio to concentrate on his Fox News Channel duties."

Pardon my cynicism, but this sounds like the kind of idea that gets hatched by a right-leaning talkradio executive after a couple too many martinis at an already-drunken holiday office party.

Here's my take plain and simple, and it's based on a bit of up-close observation of Rudy Giuliani: He's fundamentally an angry and bitter man who doesn't like people--not exactly the strongest profile for success in talkradio. I watched Rudy hold news conferences as mayor in the 90's, and saw him fly into tantrums over nothing--even his own people were humiliated by his behavior.

Even the Republican electorate in the recent election saw through his phony smiles, and properly rewarded him with exactly one convention delegate.

Rudy received occasional positive reviews (and many negative ones as well) for his performance hosting a once-a-week Mayor's talk show on WABC, while he was in office. If he feels there's no appreciable difference between that exercise, and what is now being proposed, he is about to have his world rocked.

Should he make a deal, I have no doubt that he can find some executives of a New York radio station--perhaps even a major one--who will feel initially that they are in on the launch of talkradio's newest star. But I have little doubt that he will fail in spectacular fashion on the national stage, and in time, will be a ho-hummer in New York as well.

Maybe I'm wrong, but based on my observations of the man, I doubt it.

 

[almaniac27]

I thought John Gibson was taking over O'Reilly's spot. I would give the show a shot but I think the lisp would annoy me after a while. I do have some ideas for intro songs: "Rudie Can't Fail" by the Clash (different spelling though) or "A Message to you Rudy" by the Specials.

 

[jondavidvox]

Why is Talk Radio being used as a dumping ground for anyone with national marquis value? It's almost as if Radio Execs believe that anyone can do it...."they're only talking, right?"

"He's fundamentally an angry and bitter man who doesn't like people--not exactly the strongest profile for success in talkradio." T-J (A fine observation, although Michael Savage leaps to mind.... ;D)

Rudy certainly has his various quirks, angsts, and snottinesses, and that may lead to an interesting Talk Show....But what bugs me is; for how long? We're are talking about Rudy Giuliani....In reality, I'm thinking he believes has better things to do. In that, he's just like Bill O'Reilly....for us, an evocative, successful, entertaining Talk Show host. For himself, a dalliance in Radio for a few extra bucks, but in the long run simply not worth his time.

How about this as a statement of Truth:

Talented, well-trained, Professional Radio Pros really do know more about communicating brilliantly with an audience on the radio than TV Hosts, Comedians, Actors, and Politicians doing it part-time.

Can we agree on that?

J-D
TWR

 

[gr8oldies]

I like Rudy and have heard him speak but the landscape is littered with politicians who didn't make it in talk radio

 

[cm454]

I just read that none other than that redneck moron Fred Thompson is going to be replacing O'Reilly on Westwood One.

Pathetic.

I cannot think of a guy who is less radio friendly than this guy.

Should last well under a year.

 

[willcail]

I just read that none other than that redneck moron Fred Thompson is going to be replacing O'Reilly on Westwood One.

What?! Forrest Gump is getting a radio show?

 

[Dan Gaffney]

Talented, well-trained, Professional Radio Pros really do know more about communicating brilliantly with an audience on the radio than TV Hosts, Comedians, Actors, and Politicians doing it part-time.

Can we agree on that?

J-D
TWR

Yes we can!

It's Fred Thompson on Westwood 12 - 2. It's a show that is DOA. Sorry, nothing against the sometimes interesting Mr. Thompson, but DOA. Another radio failure in the making.

I'm having a bit of a brain freeze, but what politcian, actor, etc. has any syndicator put on the air that has actually made it? Not since Gordan Liddy I guess. I almost don't even count Liddy, because he at least had a local show first to test the waters right?

Radio folks that have been syndicated and made it? Hannity, Rush, Glenn Beck...

http://www.thetalkradioreport.com

 

[raccoonradio]

Dennis Miller is doing OK I guess.
Jerry Doyle started out as an actor
but yes, most don't.

 

[Evangelist]

I just read that none other than that redneck moron Fred Thompson is going to be replacing O'Reilly on Westwood One.

Pathetic.

I cannot think of a guy who is less radio friendly than this guy.

Should last well under a year.

Obviously, you're not familiar with Mr. Thompson's resume and achievements if you're calling him "a redneck moron." The man graduated from Vanderbilt Law School while raising a family and was a federal prosecutor and then counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. He served with distinction as a US Senator.

The Presidential bid was ill-timed--had he gotten into the race earlier, I think he might have done better. That was a misstep.

But make no mistake--Fred Thompson is a very smart fellow. Unlike Gore Jr., he graduated from law school.

 

[Evangelist]

I just read that none other than that redneck moron Fred Thompson is going to be replacing O'Reilly on Westwood One.

Pathetic.

I cannot think of a guy who is less radio friendly than this guy.

Should last well under a year.

Obviously, you're not familiar with Mr. Thompson's resume and achievements if you're calling him "a redneck moron." The man graduated from Vanderbilt Law School while raising a family and was a federal prosecutor and then counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. He served with distinction as a US Senator. The acting was more or less a hobby after he portrayed himself in a movie.

The Presidential bid was ill-timed--had he gotten into the race earlier, I think he might have done better. That was a misstep.

But make no mistake--Fred Thompson is a very smart fellow. Nobody wanted to be up against him in court because he always did his homework and was ready to make his case with passion and truth.

 

[cm454]

Obviously, you're not familiar with Mr. Thompson's resume and achievements if you're calling him "a redneck moron." The man graduated from Vanderbilt Law School while raising a family and was a federal prosecutor and then counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. He served with distinction as a US Senator.

Duely noted.

He still, however, sounds like a redneck moron.

 

[Evangelist]

Obviously, you're not familiar with Mr. Thompson's resume and achievements if you're calling him "a redneck moron." The man graduated from Vanderbilt Law School while raising a family and was a federal prosecutor and then counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. He served with distinction as a US Senator.

Duely noted.

He still, however, sounds like a redneck moron.

To you, perhaps.

To others, he sounds folksy.

 

[12 In a Row]

Are you saying someone with a folksy accent sounds like a moron.

2 more for you, T. Boone Pickens & Ted Turner.

 

[talkjim]

"Are you saying someone with a folksy accent sounds like a moron.

2 more for you, T. Boone Pickens & Ted Turner. "

I've never administered an IQ test to any of them, but having seen them in action, I would say that both Boone and Turner are at least one intellectual pay grade above Thompson--especially so Mr. Turner.

 

[preferprivacy]

I had the chance to hear Fred Thompson speak twice (TRS '07 and a local interview during his brief campaign) and he is just plain boring.

Rudy - who has been a frequent guest on Hannity - seems a bit more personable - but I just don't see him as a host.

History is repeating itself (didnt Joe Scarborough already fail at talk radio once?).

The whole 'name recognition' concept has been proven to be a failure - but I guess the current crop of execs ats WW1 have forgotten their own failures (inlcuding O'Reilly, who never achieved the "A" level success on talk radio - no wonder he's bailing...)

A breif reminder of all the failed political "big name" talk shows (almost all WW1 shows) - Mario Cuomo, Pat Buchannan, Mary Matalin, Bill Bennett (yes I know he is still working on Salem, but it's dull, plodding, policy with no personality or energy, or enterainment).

What about all the "stars" on Air America (version 1) - all failures as hosts....Whoppee Goldberg, Al Franken, Jeanine Garafolo, (who am I missing here?) Yet Ed Schultz remains - a "non star" who is a radio professional....

Only RADIO personalities that have a unique presentation/viewpoint and understand the ENTERTAINMENT value of talk radio will win.

Stars need not apply...


-PP

 

[willcail]

Well Fred Thompson is known to be a tad bit on the lazy side. Just look on how he runs his presidential campaign. His presidential campaign didn't go anywhere. Will he have the staying power to do 10 to 15 hours of talk radio? No.

According to Radio-Info newsletter that Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz was able to pull in a profit and add affiliates this year. They are successes unlike Bill-O and Rudy radio shows fizzled.