Best Vitriol-Free Talk Shows and Hosts

[MattParker]

We are hearing the word "vitriol" (something highly caustic or severe in effect ... speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness ) used to describe current political debate and political talk shows. Vitriol and dogmatism have been part of talk radio since the early days of the format, back to Wally George, Joe Pyne and Bob Grant.

But over the years, there have been successful radio talk shows which were thoughtful, civil and intelligent. I'll start with my favorites. Feel free to add your's.

Michael Jackson (no, this is a different Michael Jackson). Long-running talk show on KABC, Los Angeles and for a time syndicated by ABC. Broadcaster originally from South Africa, then top 40 jock in San Francisco. His unique feature was he would put together callers and guests, often those who disagreed, and get them actually talking - and listening - to each other. Informative and great radio.

Brad Crandall. Evenings on WNBC, New York during its time as a talk station in the mid-late 60s. At that time, you could receive WNBC clearly throughout most of the East and Midwest. Was able to probe callers (rather than debate or argue) and actually find out why they thought what they thought and felt what they felt. Got callers to examine the bases of their own ideas and even consider other viewpoints. Later did booth announcing for the CBS Television Network (great pipes). He was the voice of the "Mr. Macho" commercial on WKRP in Cincinnati in the episode where Les buys a wig to take Jennifer to an awards dinner.

Thom Hartmann. Currently syndicated by Dial Global Media. Good at getting guests to open up and say more than they intended, other than they had prepared. A progressive host who is not knee-jerk liberal.

 

[TheBigA]

Certainly Larry King would be the best example. Like Michael Jackson, he was not a political talker, but could handle the politics. He always said he wasn't a journalist, yet his show was carried by most of the major news stations at the time. But he didn't engage in the kind of negative talk that became popular in the early 90s. When he moved from nights to afternoons, his friendly, non-confrontational approach was viewed as bland and boring. He really didn't change his act at all...just his airtime. And the comparison to everything else on the air at the time hurt him and ultimately caused him to leave radio for good.

Personally I feel there's a huge market for what he did, and I've read that Ryan Seacrest is working to return Larry to radio. But I think the future of talk radio is less politics and more about lifestyle. The key should be passion. If there's something people are passionate about, it makes for good radio.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

Hey, look another "conservative radio is hateful" thread. You'd think that all the other variations of this idea getting booted to TIO would get the point across.

 

[MattParker]

Hey, look another "conservative radio is hateful" thread. You'd think that all the other variations of this idea getting booted to TIO would get the point across.

No hateful radio is hateful. I guess you equate conservative talk with being rude or nasty. It is hard to think of examples of vitriol-free conservatives. But William F. Buckley comes to mind. Unfortunately he had a TV show but not a radio show. Also Paul Harvey, although what he did wasn't a talk show. Conservatives claim to believe in old fashioned values. Too bad gentlemanly (or lady-like) behavior isn't heard more often.

Any additional examples of vitriol-free conservatives are welcome.

 

[fybush]

William F. Buckley comes to mind. Unfortunately he had a TV show but not a radio show.

This is true...but Buckley's son, Christopher, grew up with a fellow named David Brudnoy, who went on to spend many years crafting talk radio in Boston that was neither vitriol-laced nor party-line anything. He was a libertarian who provided a welcoming forum for all sorts of views, many of which were distinctly opposed to his own.

(And yes, I'm completely biased, having worked with David and having been privileged to consider him both a mentor and a friend.)

 

[livingfruitvirus]

John Batchelor. Conservative talk show host who's thought provoking, has actual discussions with interesting guests, and the best part.....NO CALLERS!

 

[johnbasalla]

DENNIS PRAGER .... DENNIS PRAGER .... DENNIS PRAGER! Conservative to the core, but does not display the bombast of some others. He constantly reminds listeners that liberals believe what they are doing is good for the country. He believes, and trys to prove that they are mistaken. To Dennis, liberals are not "the enemy", they happen to be wrong.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

I guess you equate conservative talk with being rude or nasty.

No, I associate ALL types of talk radio with being entertainment.

It is hard to think of examples of vitriol-free conservatives. But William F. Buckley comes to mind. Unfortunately he had a TV show but not a radio show. Also Paul Harvey, although what he did wasn't a talk show. Conservatives claim to believe in old fashioned values. Too bad gentlemanly (or lady-like) behavior isn't heard more often.

Meanwhile, I'm sure you just loooove Ed Schultz.

Any additional examples of vitriol-free conservatives are welcome.

You've already passed your judgment. No matter what anyone says, you're not going to believe it.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

There are some excellent examples here.

Pretty much the entire lineup of KGO in San Francisco qualifies, with names like Ronn Owens and Gene Burns top of mind.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

There are some excellent examples here.

It's really easy to come up with examples, since most shows aren't dealing in true "vitriol". You could make a case for guys like Levin, Schultz and Savage who yell a lot, but I'd say they're just passionate about what they do. Nothing wrong with a little passion.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

It's really easy to come up with examples, since most shows aren't dealing in true "vitriol". You could make a case for guys like Levin, Schultz and Savage who yell a lot, but I'd say they're just passionate about what they do. Nothing wrong with a little passion.

I'm not the one who introduced the word "vitriol". My list was of hosts that aren't strident partisan hosts, for better or for worse.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

I'm not the one who introduced the word "vitriol". My list was of hosts that aren't strident partisan hosts, for better or for worse.

Oh, I know. Your list is pretty good. I just don't buy the idea that there's even a problem here, much less that we should be trying to curb anyone's speech.

 

[sdwulfdawg]

We are hearing the word "vitriol" (something highly caustic or severe in effect ... speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness ) used to describe current political debate and political talk shows. Vitriol and dogmatism have been part of talk radio since the early days of the format, back to Wally George, Joe Pyne and Bob Grant.

But over the years, there have been successful radio talk shows which were thoughtful, civil and intelligent. I'll start with my favorites. Feel free to add your's.

Michael Jackson (no, this is a different Michael Jackson). Long-running talk show on KABC, Los Angeles and for a time syndicated by ABC. Broadcaster originally from South Africa, then top 40 jock in San Francisco. His unique feature was he would put together callers and guests, often those who disagreed, and get them actually talking - and listening - to each other. Informative and great radio.

Brad Crandall. Evenings on WNBC, New York during its time as a talk station in the mid-late 60s. At that time, you could receive WNBC clearly throughout most of the East and Midwest. Was able to probe callers (rather than debate or argue) and actually find out why they thought what they thought and felt what they felt. Got callers to examine the bases of their own ideas and even consider other viewpoints. Later did booth announcing for the CBS Television Network (great pipes). He was the voice of the "Mr. Macho" commercial on WKRP in Cincinnati in the episode where Les buys a wig to take Jennifer to an awards dinner.

Thom Hartmann. Currently syndicated by Dial Global Media. Good at getting guests to open up and say more than they intended, other than they had prepared. A progressive host who is not knee-jerk liberal.

Watching paint dry are more interesting than these guys.

 

[quadraphonic]

I've never heard Dennis Miller throwin' vitriol around.
I think he's a good example.

 

[KMGX]

Thom Hartmann. Currently syndicated by Dial Global Media. Good at getting guests to open up and say more than they intended, other than they had prepared. A progressive host who is not knee-jerk liberal.

I couldn't let this one go... on Thursday's show, Thom Hartmann compared conservative talk radio with "stochastic terrorism", he's just as guilty of the vitriol as any other host on radio (left or right), he just happens to do it in a more low-key, five dollar word type of way.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

There are actually few "bombthrowers" on talk radio...on either side of the ledger.

There are quite a few strident partisans, but very few high profile hosts in that mold. Savage, Levin, and hosts like Randi Rhodes on the left.

 

[radiowizard101]

My vote for the best radio personality of all time is... JEAN SHEPHERD! And he hardly ever talked about politics or politicians. Just a great storyteller.

 

[UpstateNYBill]

I'm not the one who introduced the word "vitriol". My list was of hosts that aren't strident partisan hosts, for better or for worse.

Oh, I know. Your list is pretty good. I just don't buy the idea that there's even a problem here, much less that we should be trying to curb anyone's speech.

The original poster wanted a list of programs where the hosts are not blowhards and windbags, he never mentioned anything about censorship or free speech. He just wanted a different style of talk radio. more traditional talk radio.

 

[MattParker]

I'd agree that Dennis Praeger - also Michael Medved - are vitriol free hosts.

Interesting that some equate rudeness, shouting and insults with "passion" and consider thoughtful, civil discourse to be dull. Maybe this says something about the kind of people attracted to right wing politics, or to radio.

Stochastic: Involving conjecture, guessing, speculation without evidence or proof.
Terrorism: Use of violence OR INTIMIDATION to achieve some goal.
This is why Verbal Advantage runs spots in right-wing talk shows.
Stochastic terrorism is wing-nuts make stuff up to scare or discredit those who don't agree with them.

 

[UpstateNYBill]

I'd agree that Dennis Praeger - also Michael Medved - are vitriol free hosts.

Interesting that some equate rudeness, shouting and insults with "passion" and consider thoughtful, civil discourse to be dull. Maybe this says something about the kind of people attracted to right wing politics, or to radio.

Stochastic: Involving conjecture, guessing, speculation without evidence or proof.
Terrorism: Use of violence OR INTIMIDATION to achieve some goal.
This is why Verbal Advantage runs spots in right-wing talk shows.
Stochastic terrorism is wing-nuts make stuff up to scare or discredit those who don't agree with them.

What does Verbal Advantage has to do with stochastic terrorism? I didn't know better vocabulary had a political bent. It's not like that one company that sold food rations on Wallbanger's or Groucho Marx on laughing gas's shows.