Talk Radio used to inform..Now it just alienates

[The Beave]

I also worked with and for Ed. I can't stand him, and all he plugs on his local show (in fargo) is ethanol.

I could tell many stories... But I'm not like that.

 

[spectacle]

I remember when talk radio was varied and new instead of robotic and uniform like today.

There was talknet in the 80s, and the 90s were still fun as it matured, my favorite WAS coast to coast - art bell. It looks like now even he doesn't give a damn and retired and sold his own station in Pahrump. Wow, what a business it is now!

Divided, angry, political, same sounding. I assume this is what many would describe as "progress"?

 

[The Beave]

I remember when talk radio was varied and new instead of robotic and uniform like today.

There was talknet in the 80s, and the 90s were still fun as it matured, my favorite WAS coast to coast - art bell. It looks like now even he doesn't give a damn and retired and sold his own station in Pahrump. Wow, what a business it is now!

Divided, angry, political, same sounding. I assume this is what many would describe as "progress"?

A M E N!!! I totally agree!

The maturity of talk radio killed great radio. just like "video killed the radio star". more were drawn to M-TV because of that statement. Politics is killing Talk Radio.

 

[ponderosaAZ]

I remember when talk radio was varied and new instead of robotic and uniform like today.

There was talknet in the 80s, and the 90s were still fun as it matured, my favorite WAS coast to coast - art bell. It looks like now even he doesn't give a damn and retired and sold his own station in Pahrump. Wow, what a business it is now!

Divided, angry, political, same sounding. I assume this is what many would describe as "progress"?

A M E N!!! I totally agree!

The maturity of talk radio killed great radio. just like "video killed the radio star". more were drawn to M-TV because of that statement. Politics is killing Talk Radio.

I would submit that it's not politics per se that's killing talk radio, but rather, the lack of humor and rapport with listeners/callers/guests that's killing the format. I was listening to an MP-3 of Doug Basham (VEGAS) interviewing Pat Buchannan. Pat was going on and on in a serious, historical discussion, but mr. basham and his female sidekick Lydia Cornell were teasing Pat about whether or not had got out his sandals from being an anti-war supporter in the '60's, or somethin' like that.

it's that type of interaction (in that case, a joke) that makes the format work. stephanie miller is also hilarious and is getting great ratings.

or I can recall tom snyder from over 15 years ago telling his story about running out of gas driving DOWNHILL in his OLDSMOBILE in the ABC radio network parking garage (downhill!)

strangely enough, the architect of the format, Rush Limbaugh has to be given credit for his humor and rapport with listeners, talking about his family, pets, and golf games rush has a much more "pleasant - sounding" show than hannity or savage

and I agree, the talknet hosts U mention, and Art Bell. Bruce Williams is very polite. Also Clark Howard, Dr. Joy Browne, Jim Bohannon, Alan Colmes, Barry Farber, Jay Diamond, Bryan Styble, Dave Ross, Charlie Jaco, the late Mike Webb, Ronn Owens, Karel, etc. and also some of the old KDWN hosts like Ken Stahl and Hart Kirch http://hartkirch.blogspot.com/ when they did their morning duo before the Beasley takeover

 

[brian65]

Hosts don't seem to have a hard time maintaining rapport with the hand picked callers who either worship them or agree with them 100% on issues.

Show me a host who accepts callers who disagree with them, respects them as listeners/human beings, and can last through an extended back-and-forth conversation....then I will respect them.

 

[The Beave]

Show me a host who accepts callers who disagree with them, respects them as listeners/human beings, and can last through an extended back-and-forth conversation....then I will respect them.

You have not listened to Rush Limbaugh very often then.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Show me a host who accepts callers who disagree with them, respects them as listeners/human beings, and can last through an extended back-and-forth conversation....then I will respect them.

You have not listened to Rush Limbaugh very often then.

Nor to Phil Hendrie, via the child-like arguments that his "guests" had with callers, sometimes for VERY extended conversations. His old Premiere show was like the original C2C with Art Bell... a breath of fresh air that was a three or four hour detour from the normal talk radio offerings. Not only that, he obviously refused to take himself THAT seriously on air.

It's just a shame that Phil never caught ground nationally in radio, in addition to his thinking that "Teachers" would be a hit on NBC. I haven't been able to listen to his new incarnation on TRN... maybe it's a good thing, as it's very different in formantics and such. But if he brought back the Premiere show back completely, it would be the kick in the pants that the format needs.

And yes, compared to the likes of Savage and Mike Malloy, Rush and Ed come off very genteil. Though it's probably not a good thing...

-nate81 aka Myron-

 

[brian65]

I doubt Rush really ever 'accepts' any anti-callers out of the blue...unless they swoon him or his call screener beforehand; regardless, he never lets them make their case.

Isn't every call transcribed to him anyway since he 'lost his hearing'?

 

[ponderosaAZ]

Show me a host who accepts callers who disagree with them, respects them as listeners/human beings, and can last through an extended back-and-forth conversation....then I will respect them.

good question but I'm only limited to a Southwestern/West coast position so hope that others will post more hosts

the most polite political hosts in the world w/o a doubt is John Rothmann/KGO/San Francisco and Bob Brinker/Citadel

also Dave Ross / Dori Monson / Seattle / KIRO

also Doug Basham / Las Vegas / KLAV who will tease his conservative callers on the air (i.e. "Steve") but they get to say whatever they want to, and they're not cut off

also Clark Howard / COX/Jones / in the south "where manners are a must"

also Jim Villanucci / Albuquerque / KKOB although if he disagrees he might cut your off but never yell at you

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

also Clark Howard / COX/Jones / in the south "where manners are a must"

Yes, Clark Howard minds his manners.

But Boortz comes from the same stable.... err.... STUDIO. Where is the "Southern Style" in his show? Who gets all the horse manure cleaned up during the station break between their shows? ;D

 

[The Beave]

Jim Villanucci / Albuquerque / KKOB although if he disagrees he might cut your off but never yell at you

In my short time at KKOB-AM I never heard once Jim yell at a caller. He can be a little punchy, but not explosive on the air. Still one of the more entertaining local shows (yes I know he is regional now) around.

King was in for Boortz yesterday, another host who absolutely had me hooked. Great voice, made his points in an interesting way, and was great with the callers. We need more like King.