• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

The best lib talkers

K

kaufcom

The best liberal talk radio hosts are not part of the AAR network.

They are as follows:

1. Bernie Ward. Heard nightly on KGO in San Francisco, 10 pm - 1 am PDT (streamed).
2. Johnny Wendle, Heard on KTLK in LA, Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm PDT and Sundays 10 am - 2pm PDT (not streamed).
3. Bill Press. Heard daily on Sirius Satellite, and KRXA, Monterey 3 am - 6 am PDT (streamed).
4. Thom Hartman. Heard daily on KPOJ in Portland 6am - 9 am PDT(streamed).

The only decent host on AAR is Randi Rhodes. I place her fourth or fifth on this list.

When is the last time you heard someone on this board talk about Mark Riley, Marc Maron, Sam Sedar, Jeneane Garofalo, or Mike Malloy. Or when have you heard something nice said about Jerry Springer or Al Franken.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by barooos on 10/06/05 06:26 AM.</FONT></P>
 
The hosts you picked are fine hosts.....except #2...i heard Johnny Wendell (Angel) sub for Stephanie....he's capable but not one of the best...

Bill Press is new and I think is learning his way through but is doing well so far.

Randi Rhodes is one of the best liberal hosts there is and shes been doing it for a very long time....

You did not give fair credit to:

Laura Flanders
Rachel Maddow
Tom Joyner
Arnie Arnesen
Jay Marvin
Ray Taliaferro
Mike Malloy
Jack Elery (back on in NJ after a long time off the air)..hes a classic
Michael Jackson (used to be on KABC years ago...not sure where he is now)
Meria Heller

I think rather than try to qualify a "best"..it would be wiser to identify the growing number of great choices we have outside of the more well known AAR/Jones talker.....i love that the choices are diverse and entertaining.


> The best liberal talk radio hosts are not part of the AAR
> network.

So.....


> When is the last time you heard someone on this board talk
> about Mark Riley, Marc Maron, Sam Sedar, Jeneane Garofalo,
> or Mike Malloy. Or when have you heard something nice said
> about Jerry Springer or Al Franken.

It doesn't matter who is best as long as they all get more clearances....i don't see the reason to explain than the best hosts are or are not on AAR...whats the big deal here?
 
I agree with doc: A growing number of choices is good for the format.

I have not had a chance to hear everybody who has been mentioned in this thread and in previous threads identifying non-AAR and local progressive talk hosts, but my personal favorite is Arnie Arnesen. Thoughtful. Informed. Excellent Interviewer. Not tied to the party line and willing to call liberals or Democrats to task when she things it's warranted. I know she has tried syndication without any luck so far. Somebody must be listening, because her audio server is "at capacity" more and more.

Michael Jackson is doing features for KNX Newsradio. He does not currently have a talk show. Also excellent in my book but perhaps too old school for money demo-seeking station managers. What was unique about him was his ability to get people (guests and callers) talking and even listening to each other.

I am still waiting for the next generation of progressive talk local morning show hosts to emerge. I suspect there are people doing morning drive on music format stations, or possibly people working news, with progressive leanings and a closet interest in current affairs who just might be ready to make the jump. Democracy Radio and local managers may even be looking for the right people. Of course, the people they look for should first and foremost be morning drive talents.
 
Stephanie Miller, Thom Hartmann, Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy usually make up my day, if not, podcast later.

Malloy, since joining aar has really toned himself down alot imo, compared to his old i.e. america days. He's not quite so...shrill... but it is still an entertaining show.

Stephanie's show is always funny, Thom Hartmanns show is always informative. Randi is also doing well, from her wjno days.
 
> Stephanie Miller, Thom Hartmann, Randi Rhodes and Mike
> Malloy usually make up my day, if not, podcast later.
>
> Malloy, since joining aar has really toned himself down alot
> imo, compared to his old i.e. america days. He's not quite
> so...shrill... but it is still an entertaining show.
>
> Stephanie's show is always funny, Thom Hartmanns show is
> always informative. Randi is also doing well, from her wjno
> days.
>

I'm gonna get run over the coals here, but I like Ed Schultz, mainly because he's listenable and entertaining. Bill Press's show is informative and (to use a quick phrase) intellectual; although slightly tilted in the boring direction, not so much so to turn me off.

(What can I say, I also like Hugh Hewitt...maybe I'm partial to boring yet intellectual hosts).

I'm also a fan of Lionel, who I similarly find entertaining in the evening hours.

If you want my "every time I hear him, I want to throw a shoe at the radio" host, it would have to be Mike Romigh from KDKA 1020 (when he's not baseball-preempted). He's been there since the Group W days, evenings 9p-mid, and is a straight line liberal. The way he presents is fair and not bombastic, but I still have the urge to throw a shoe--probably because he makes his claims in such an unassuming way that you get mad at him for being so nice...and so wrong.

Randi Rhodes drives me up the wall. I find her voice and her presentation grating. Similarly Malloy.
 
> Malloy, since joining aar has really toned himself down alot imo, compared to his
> old i.e. america days. He's not quite so...shrill... but it is still an
> entertaining show.


kdavies5,

Funny, I thought just the opposite, I was telling someone a few days ago that I though he was much more listenable and easier-on-the ears when he was at i.e. America (by the way, where is Peter Werbe these days?).

I like Malloy and I like his political ideas, but I think Malloy should remember this - even heavy metal bands (except death metal/thrash) don't play full bore for the entire 3 minutes of their songs, they have softer and slower refrains, and time periods that calm down - before working back up to a creshendo(sp?).

I think Malloy should work on starting out calm, cool and collected and then lay out the case of what the conservatives/Republicans have done stupid today - and then slowly build his anger as he details his case - hit his peak anger, and then come back down. Any good public speaker starts calm and works the crowd into a frenzy by the end - for full effect.

I like militant liberalism - but it can sometimes be hard to listen to 3 hours of his show. One of my friends worked late and would drive 45 minutes home around midnight, he told me that he enjoyed listening to him on his way home, because he would do a good job of keeping him awake on his drive home.
 
> The best liberal talk radio hosts are not part of the AAR
> network.

IMHO, some of best liberal talk radio hosts are part of the AAR network.

> They are as follows:
>
> 1. Bernie Ward. Heard nightly on KGO in San Francisco, 10 pm
> - 1 am PDT (streamed).
> 2. Johnny Wendle, Heard on KTLK in LA, Saturdays 10 am to 1
> pm PDT and Sundays 10 am - 2pm PDT (not streamed).

KTLK 1150 AM, "Progressive Talk AM 1150" in Los Angeles does stream all of their shows, including Johnny Wendel: http://ccri.eonstreams.com/ccri_ca_losangeles_ktlk_am.asf)

> 3. Bill Press. Heard daily on Sirius Satellite, and KRXA,
> Monterey 3 am - 6 am PDT (streamed).
> 4. Thom Hartman. Heard daily on KPOJ in Portland 6am - 9 am
> PDT(streamed).
>
> The only decent host on AAR is Randi Rhodes. I place her
> fourth or fifth on this list.
>
> When is the last time you heard someone on this board talk
> about Mark Riley, Marc Maron, Sam Sedar, Jeneane Garofalo,
> or Mike Malloy. Or when have you heard something nice said
> about Jerry Springer or Al Franken.

Not true. I recently <a target="_blank" href=http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board.php?Post=555258&Board=newstalk>made a brief post</a> expressing my opinion of Mike Malloy.

The number of libtalk hosts available today is like getting an ice cream cone, chocolate and vanilla are the most popular but variety is necessary to please many different tastes.
 
> I'm gonna get run over the coals here, but I like Ed
> Schultz, mainly because he's listenable and entertaining.

I agree... I admit I haven't listened to a lot of prog talkers, but I liked Ed's show the first time I heard it. He's a good radio talent who just happens to be doing liberal talk.
 
> (by the way,
> where is Peter Werbe these days?).

Peter Werbe does "Nightcall" on Sundays from 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Mon.) (Eastern) on WRIF 101.1 FM in Detroit.

http://www.wrif.com/wriflive.asx)

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.peterwerbe.com/>http://www.peterwerbe.com/</a>
 
Of the ones I can get, Ed Schultz is the most tolerable. I liked Stacy taylor on WLS but haven't heard his act in SD. Jay Marvin..I could take him in small doses during his first tenure at WLS (he did a great non-political show when Wolfman Jack died!). Some of the folks on the Chicago board complained that he was "defanged" the second time around.
 
> The best liberal talk radio hosts are not part of the AAR
> network.
>
> They are as follows:
>
> 1. Bernie Ward. Heard nightly on KGO in San Francisco, 10 pm
> - 1 am PDT (streamed).
> 2. Johnny Wendle, Heard on KTLK in LA, Saturdays 10 am to 1
> pm PDT and Sundays 10 am - 2pm PDT (not streamed).
> 3. Bill Press. Heard daily on Sirius Satellite, and KRXA,
> Monterey 3 am - 6 am PDT (streamed).
> 4. Thom Hartman. Heard daily on KPOJ in Portland 6am - 9 am
> PDT(streamed).
>
> The only decent host on AAR is Randi Rhodes. I place her
> fourth or fifth on this list.
>
> When is the last time you heard someone on this board talk
> about Mark Riley, Marc Maron, Sam Sedar, Jeneane Garofalo,
> or Mike Malloy. Or when have you heard something nice said
> about Jerry Springer or Al Franken.
>


Just among the shows I'm managed to catch online more than once or twice:

1. Hartmann
2. Ward
3. Christine Craft (KSAC-Sacramento)
4. Rachel Maddow (Why is she being buried in an awful timeslot and fill-in gigs? She's better than anyone else getting national airplay.)
5. Peter Werbe (WRIF-Detroit)


In general, the best stuff out there is local. But shouldn't it be, though? Unlike the GOP with its uniform talking points that assumes the listener is white and has never seen the ocean (the Gulf of Mexico doesn't count), the issues that excite liberals/progressives may be completely different from city to city and region to region.
 
All of this is my own opinion, as with anyone else, the best talker (lib or con) is subjective.

Ed Schultz is good radio talent. Personally I think he should be on the Air America lineup - cut out an hour of Franken and Rhodes and shoehorn him in there. I think he is the Rush Limbaugh of the left; he sounds a bit like Rush (great radio voice), but makes sense and lets callers speak.

Don't care too much for Randi Rhodes. Her Bouncing boobies bit is irritating; I guess I must have heard her a number of times when that "tune" comes on; I admit though that Randi has her moments. Mike Malloy when he's worked up is entertaining (Bush crime family, have I told you how much i hate these people?, etc)...

However the underrecognised talent belongs to Rachel Maddow. Shame she has such a crappy timeslot. She gets some airtime on MSNBC as part of "The Situation" but still if given her own TV show, I think she would do well.

Jerry Springer however I feel is a "developing talent". He himself recognizes that he is learning the talk radio business, but he is getting better. I like it that he is respectful of other people's viewpoints and allows people to have their say, rather than just being angry. I guess this is a deliberate ploy on his part in order to not be compared with his TV show, which is as he says completely crazy.

I'm afraid my liberal radio options here are limited to satellite radio, so some of the others I have not heard.

Mark

> > I'm gonna get run over the coals here, but I like Ed
> > Schultz, mainly because he's listenable and entertaining.
>
>
> I agree... I admit I haven't listened to a lot of prog
> talkers, but I liked Ed's show the first time I heard it.
> He's a good radio talent who just happens to be doing
> liberal talk.
>
 
> This thread would not be complete without a mention of Neil Rogers at WQAM in Miami. He's not exclusively political in content but has been a huge ratings-getter for decades in the market...and is still doing so. A bit coarse at times, but funny, energetic, and unapologetically progressive. Never "mails it in".

Of the ones I can get, Ed Schultz is the most tolerable. I
> liked Stacy taylor on WLS but haven't heard his act in SD.
> Jay Marvin..I could take him in small doses during his first
> tenure at WLS (he did a great non-political show when
> Wolfman Jack died!). Some of the folks on the Chicago board
> complained that he was "defanged" the second time around.
>
 
Rhodes is the best host on AAR in that she's the only one who understands that it's about entertainment. Alan Colmes is a good host, albeit a little dry for my taste; the rest of AAR is unlistenable.

There are some good left-leaning hosts around the country; among the best for my money are Jay Marvin in Denver/Boulder, Neil Rogers in Miami and the currently inactive Ed Tyll. Ed, come back - we need you, dude!<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by jimwalsh2001 on 10/07/05 02:31 AM.</FONT></P>
 
> The best liberal talk radio hosts are not part of the AAR
> network.

Wrong, at least from my perspective. My favorites are:

1. Thom Hartmann. His national show is now being distributed by Air America. You can stream him anytime at http://www.thomhartmann.com/showlisten.shtml

2. Al Franken. He's obviously not as glib as most talk show hosts, but he has the best guests.

3. Mike Malloy. He best expresses the outrage I feel about what's going on in this country.

4. Rachel Maddow. Much improved from her "Unfiltered" days. I never get up early enough to hear her 5 am show, but she's been impressive when she's filled in for other Air America hosts.
 
> Alan Colmes is a good host, albeit a little dry for my taste; the rest
> of AAR is unlistenable.

Alan Colmes is not AAR.<P ID="signature">______________
also known as tombetz.</P>
 
> 4. Rachel Maddow (Why is she being buried in an awful
> timeslot and fill-in gigs? She's better than anyone else
> getting national airplay.)

I concur. I'm hoping for an announcement involving Rachel tomorrow afternoon that will raise her visibility.

(I'm the first to admit that I have no basis to hope for it other than wishful thinking.)<P ID="signature">______________
also known as tombetz.</P>
 
> I'm gonna get run over the coals here, but I like Ed
> Schultz, mainly because he's listenable and entertaining.
> Bill Press's show is informative and (to use a quick phrase)
> intellectual; although slightly tilted in the boring
> direction, not so much so to turn me off.
>
> (What can I say, I also like Hugh Hewitt...maybe I'm partial
> to boring yet intellectual hosts).
>
> I'm also a fan of Lionel, who I similarly find entertaining
> in the evening hours.

I will throw coal at you if you continue to mess with Randi :) I loves my Randi...LOL

only serious comment I had in your post was Lionel...hes smart and well informed but I don't like him because I think he has a disdain for his listeners and he seems sometimes annoying...and his voice....and you complain about randi....LOL

> Randi Rhodes drives me up the wall. I find her voice and
> her presentation grating. Similarly Malloy.


Thats it Johnny, im coming after ya....LOL....:) kidding but ok you dont like her presentation...what does that mean? She very entertaining..does comedy and you can't say she doesnt have tons of real facts.....yes she is very hard on the listeners..but we like it for some reason...
 
> > I'm gonna get run over the coals here, but I like Ed
> > Schultz, mainly because he's listenable and entertaining.
>
>
> I agree... I admit I haven't listened to a lot of prog
> talkers, but I liked Ed's show the first time I heard it.
> He's a good radio talent who just happens to be doing
> liberal talk.


Sorry, but I think those who dont lean left or lean center right think progressives have to be weak and not good with facts. Many liberals dislike Ed because he switched and hes not doing a good job of being a center-left or progressive host....

his greatest sin in my book is that he is woefully uninformed....and he tries way too much to emulate rush....and its not necessary to try to be rush like.
 
> All of this is my own opinion, as with anyone else, the best
> talker (lib or con) is subjective.
>
> Ed Schultz is good radio talent. Personally I think he
> should be on the Air America lineup - cut out an hour of
> Franken and Rhodes and shoehorn him in there. I think he is
> the Rush Limbaugh of the left; he sounds a bit like Rush
> (great radio voice), but makes sense and lets callers speak.
>

sorry to repeat myself but my above post says why Ed is not the choice...we dont want ED...NO NO NO NO NO......he does not know the facts and we dont need a Rush clone...moderates dont have to emulate rush limbaugh...
>
> Don't care too much for Randi Rhodes. Her Bouncing boobies
> bit is irritating; I guess I must have heard her a number of
> times when that "tune" comes on; I admit though that Randi
> has her moments.

Is it the facts or the voice? People who complain about Randi usually complain about physical attributes and overlook her humor, and her attention to the facts plus she kicks conservative a$$ seriously.


Mike Malloy when he's worked up is
> entertaining (Bush crime family, have I told you how much i
> hate these people?, etc)...

I like Mike...wish i had more time to listen to him
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom