may be time to find a new morning show

[Rudi K]

If you've worked with talk show hosts behind the scenes for any amount of time in radio, you know the post by johnboy53 is dead-on right.
If you think talk show hosts actually give a crap what they said after the show is over, enjoy the illusion and keep those letters (tweets, e-mails, etc.,) comin'.
They don't care if they lose you as a listener because there are plenty more sheep in the flock waiting to be fleeced.
If the Program Director receives enough e-mails, something may be done, but not likely.

Me thinks the general overview you speak of is off the mark, if not many, at least a few talk show hosts. Some of us don't deal in hype, innuendo or supposition and we don't use those tactics to get an audience. Some of us, actually stick to facts and point out areas of concern and give the listeners a slant they might not have thought of yet. Hell, some of us even let the callers talk without interrupting them---because we really care about what is on their mind. Novel approach to radio, but I am pretty comfortable with it. If I wasn't, I would simply ride off into the sunset.
I admit I am new (today) to this web site and took a shot at voicing my opinion on this issue. I'll find out soon enough if the format allows a differing view.

 

[sirlaughsalot]

Me thinks the general overview you speak of is off the mark, if not many, at least a few talk show hosts. Some of us don't deal in hype, innuendo or supposition and we don't use those tactics to get an audience. Some of us, actually stick to facts and point out areas of concern and give the listeners a slant they might not have thought of yet. Hell, some of us even let the callers talk without interrupting them---because we really care about what is on their mind. Novel approach to radio, but I am pretty comfortable with it. If I wasn't, I would simply ride off into the sunset.
I admit I am new (today) to this web site and took a shot at voicing my opinion on this issue. I'll find out soon enough if the format allows a differing view.

You should let duskyjewell know what station in Idaho to listen to, because she nor I can find what you're talking about in the Phoenix area. The intelligent, civil approach to talk radio here seems to always get replaced with drama queens. Ask Jim Sharpe and Ted Simons, two local veterans that were fired from a one-time heritage talk station not that long ago.
No offense, I'll bet you have a good show, but that type of show rarely lasts in a market with 3 million people. I know and am glad there are exceptions to the rule.
I can't stand talk radio here, anymore. I listen to the local PBS station, KJZZ, for morning and afternoon news. They cover ten subjects while talk show hosts here harp on one, such as SB-1070, which is a misnomer. It's no longer a senate bill after it becomes law, but tell them that.
No, don't!

 

[johnboy53]

"Give the listeners a slant they might not have thought of yet". And interesting thought, but complete crap. Listeners choose shows that re-enforce what they already believe. Conservatives listen to Rush and liberals......well they wish they had someone as entertaining as Rush to listen to. To get a feel for what most talk show hosts think of their audience, I heard one of the KFYI hosts say once (off the air), "Arguing with a talk show host is like running a race in the special olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard."

 

[johndavis]

"Conservatives listen to Rush and liberals......well they wish they had someone as entertaining as Rush to listen to. To get a feel for what most talk show hosts think of their audience, I heard one of the KFYI hosts say once (off the air), "Arguing with a talk show host is like running a race in the special olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard."

And with an attitude like that, is it any wonder that Talk Radio is dying with every expiring listener as the format grays out of relevance?

Squeeze every dollar out now while you can, as talk radio is the new Oldies.

 

[bizwriter84]

He's funny sometimes, but I think I might just go listen to Laura Ingraham and Neal Boortz over on 1100 KFNX. Neal Boortz can sound like a jerk sometimes, but at least he is intellectually honest.

Responses to Duskyjewel included statements that all talk radio hosts are entertainers only and do not care about intellectual honesty or even the viewpoints they espouse. One response asserted that Rush Limbaugh would have been a leftist talk host if that would have made money.

I stand with Duskyjewel. As a 25+ year talk radio listener, I have listened carefully to many hosts of many persuasions, and I have also gained a knowledge of the various issues. A mere "entertainer" would not be able to continue a logical and coherent set of viewpoints over the long term. Phil Hendrie, the brilliant satirist, falls short as a talk host because he doesn't have a coherent viewpoint.

If Rush Limbaugh were merely spouting shallow thoughts of a conservative bent, then you could argue he does it solely as an entertainer. But if you listen, you hear Rush develop insights that are not obvious and sometimes are not popular but are quite sophisticated.

Other talk hosts come to mind: Dennis Prager -- his show is like a graduate school seminar for lay people. He hasn't changed formats since 1983 on KABC when I first heard him. He has changed viewpoints as he refined his understanding, but his daily show develops ideas that other people aren't yet thinking about.

Neal Boortz -- one of the clearest communicators of economic ideas. That cannot be faked, day after day, for decades.

Someone just trying to be an entertainer would weary of the research, analysis, and creativity required to carry on a top level issues-oriented show. Sure, talk radio is a business and you have to capture and keep an audience. But that task is sometimes achieved by delivering thoughts and ideas well-expressed.

Bottom line: the ideas matter.

 

[sirlaughsalot]

"Someone just trying to be an entertainer would weary of the research, analysis, and creativity required to carry on a top level issues-oriented show. Sure, talk radio is a business and you have to capture and keep an audience. But that task is sometimes achieved by delivering thoughts and ideas well-expressed.

Bottom line: the ideas matter.

After being in the radio business for more than 25-plus years, you smile when listeners of talk radio think that. Off microphone, you would be able to hear Rush say the total opposite of what he stated while laughing. Newt Gingrich is quoted as doing just that by one of ex-wives who authored a book about her life with the sponsor of the "Contract For America", which should have been called Contract On America. And Rush is apparently tired of research. He recently stated that a particular politician was a gun advocate, who turned out to be no such thing. Rush's Wikipedia-based research was false. It could have been the oxycontin talking. But then that's what people listen to, and those are called ideas. Enjoy the illusion and keep listening. I can tell you're sincere and care. When you reach the point you have heard too many lies, you may change your views about talk radio. If you enjoy it, then it doesn't matter what other people think.
That's entertainment!