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How do you define "entertaining"?

  • Thread starter bigtalkradiofan
  • Start date

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bigtalkradiofan

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Frequently here on the Boards - a person will classify some talk show host as "entertaining" and other talk show hosts as "not entertaining". Then someone else will come on - and declare that previously classified "not entertaining" talk show host - "spectacularly entertaining" and the other talk show host "not entertaining."

Given the "subjective" nature in defining "entertaining" - How do you define "entertaining" in talk show hosts? What features stick out to you - for talk show hosts that you personally find "entertaining?" What is it that makes them "entertaining?" Is there any method or way to make the "subjective" nature of "entertaining" more objective to classify?
 
6 points...

1) Quirky anecdotes, Art Bell has plenty. Last night, his cat tried to eat his bird...

2) Bizarre personal interpretations delivered with righteous indignation, Michael Savage and Randi Rhodes are good ones for this.

3) Burlesquery, comical mockery and role playing. Mike Malloy and Thom Hartmann are fine examples.

4) Excitability. People love emotion. All talkers seem to rant ad hoc, but character asassination spoils it. Lefties seem to be able deliver a good rant better that righties.

5) A good voice. A resonant, animated clear voice is essential. A person with a good voice is listenable regardless of what they actually say.

6) Spontaneous, not afraid to show personal weakness and apologize. Doug Stephan is very entertaining for this reason.

<P ID="signature">______________
• K5ZN</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Gnarlodious on 08/01/05 04:21 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: 6 points...

> 1) Quirky anecdotes, Art Bell has plenty. Last night, his
> cat tried to eat his bird...

These are excellent points.
When is Art Bell on? Are they playing old tapes, or is he really live?
I'm really surprised that Whitley Streiber was not the replacement instead of Ian Punnette...although Whitley and his wife Anne are now with IBC radio networks...I never understood why Premeire discontinued "Dreamland" with Whitley Streiber...then Whitely eventually went to IBC...

> 2) Bizarre personal interpretations delivered with righteous
> indignation, Michael Savage and Randi Rhodes are good ones
> for this.
>
> 3) Burlesquery, comical mockery and role playing. Mike
> Malloy and Thom Hartmann are fine examples.
>
> 4) Excitability. People love emotion. All talkers seem to
> rant ad hoc, but character asassination spoils it. Lefties
> seem to be able deliver a good rant better that righties.
>
> 5) A good voice. A resonant, animated clear voice is
> essential. A person with a good voice is listenable
> regardless of what they actually say.
>
> 6) Spontaneous, not afraid to show personal weakness and
> apologize. Doug Stephan is very entertaining for this
> reason.
>
 
Art is a classic A1 radio guy

> When is Art Bell on? Are they playing old tapes, or is he
> really live?
He was really live that particular night! Art is a classic A1 radio guy, listenable no matter what the topic.

> I'm really surprised that Whitley Streiber was not the
> replacement instead of Ian Punnett...
Ian Punnet... thin weak voice, no animation, constantly denigrating Arabs... get that loser off the air.<P ID="signature">______________
• K5ZN</P>
 
Re: Bring back Whitley Streiber!

> > When is Art Bell on? Are they playing old tapes, or is he
>
> > really live?
> He was really live that particular night! Art is a classic
> A1 radio guy, listenable no matter what the topic.
>
> > I'm really surprised that Whitley Streiber was not the
> > replacement instead of Ian Punnett...
> Ian Punnet... thin weak voice, no animation, constantly
> denigrating Arabs... get that loser off the air.

I agree...and Mr. Punnett and his guest on this issue a few weeks ago were both politically incorrect. The material was inapprorpiate considering the traditional format of C2C-AM. C2C-weekends would be better served to avoid discussions of religious issues, and just stick with science, metaphysics, and the supernatural. That's what Whitley Streiber does on "Dreamland," now on the IBC radio networks. I think Premeire really should consider brining Whitley back. I've heard the numbers and Whitley's internet show gets a noteworthy amount of "internet ratings" for an "internet show."

It's best for discussions of religious issues to stay with regular talk shows...one can get good info about religious issues in the Middle East from Middle East schlorar and teacher liberal talk host John Rothmann and his high profile guests on KGO news/talk 810, SFO, weekends...
 
Re: Bring back Whitley Streiber!

> > > When is Art Bell on? Are they playing old tapes, or is
> he
> >
> > > really live?
> > He was really live that particular night! Art is a classic
>
> > A1 radio guy, listenable no matter what the topic.
> >
> > > I'm really surprised that Whitley Streiber was not the
> > > replacement instead of Ian Punnett...
> > Ian Punnet... thin weak voice, no animation, constantly
> > denigrating Arabs... get that loser off the air.
>
> I agree...and Mr. Punnett and his guest on this issue a few
> weeks ago were both politically incorrect. The material was
> inapprorpiate considering the traditional format of C2C-AM.
> C2C-weekends would be better served to avoid discussions of
> religious issues, and just stick with science, metaphysics,
> and the supernatural. That's what Whitley Streiber does on
> "Dreamland," now on the IBC radio networks. I think Premeire
> really should consider brining Whitley back. I've heard the
> numbers and Whitley's internet show gets a noteworthy amount
> of "internet ratings" for an "internet show."
>
> It's best for discussions of religious issues to stay with
> regular talk shows...one can get good info about religious
> issues in the Middle East from Middle East schlorar and
> teacher liberal talk host John Rothmann and his high profile
> guests on KGO news/talk 810, SFO, weekends...
>


Do you remember when Ian Punnett took over for Art Bell's weekly show several years ago before stepping aside? I thought Punnett was too bland then! And he's now the "weekend guy" all of these years later?! Geez! What a poor choice!

And actually, I hate to say this, but in my opinion, even George Noory is not nearly as entertaining to listen to as Art Bell was/still is.

The bottom line is.......C2C was, is, and always will be Art Bell's baby. He created it, nurtured it, and embodied it.----Even right down to his desire to live out in the middle of the kind-of-spooky, pitch-black, windy, nothingness of the Nevada desert!

George Noory does C2C from LA, yes?

George Noory is okay, don't get me wrong. He's knowledgeable about many things and he is not a jerk or a blowhard with his views and/or the way that he handles his callers.---And I give him credit for that! But there's no getting around/denying the fact that C2C ain't what it used to be.
 
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