My Odd Opinion
IMHO, in no particular order:
* Stephanie Miller (Jones/Democracy Radio/WYD). My favorite of the bunch, but as I've said more than once, my personal tastes run towards more entertaining fare. More laughs per hour with Stephanie than any other talk host, including many on the other side of the political spectrum. Like all good hosts, she has a pretty good rapport with her support staff (voice guy Jim, producer Chris). May not be your cup of tea if talk radio means the host has to have a mission.
* Randi Rhodes (Air America). A seasoned, lively talk radio pro. She gets more "in depth" into topics than Stephanie does, but still has a very active sense of humor. Randi may put off those who don't like "strident", fast paced talk radio, but those looking for substance won't be disappointed...and it's seasoned pretty well with laughs. Again, entertainment here. I have to take her in smaller doses, as I'm not a "raw meat" libtalk listener.
* Bernie Ward (KGO/SF, used to be with ABC). Much like Randi, very much feeding the "core" liberal talk listener, and he's been doing it for ages on a 50,000 watt flamethrower in a top 5 market.
My own viewpoint is kind of skewed, as I am not a "core" listener to the format. On the other side of the political spectrum, I've been a semi-regular listener to everyone from local Howie Chizek (WNIR/Akron) to Premiere's Glenn Beck to WSB/Cox/Jones' Neal Boortz.
I don't really go for hosts who seem to be bringing down talking points from political parties, which is why Beck lost me for some time after 9/11 and which is why I enjoy Boortz when he goes off the "Republican reservation" (he's a high-profile Libertarian).
For that matter, that's why I have to take Randi Rhodes in smaller doses, even though she's very good and a pro...
I don't know of most of these hosts even do it on purpose for political reasons, but rather, they're just trying to deliver the "hits" for their core audiences.
-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
IMHO, in no particular order:
* Stephanie Miller (Jones/Democracy Radio/WYD). My favorite of the bunch, but as I've said more than once, my personal tastes run towards more entertaining fare. More laughs per hour with Stephanie than any other talk host, including many on the other side of the political spectrum. Like all good hosts, she has a pretty good rapport with her support staff (voice guy Jim, producer Chris). May not be your cup of tea if talk radio means the host has to have a mission.
* Randi Rhodes (Air America). A seasoned, lively talk radio pro. She gets more "in depth" into topics than Stephanie does, but still has a very active sense of humor. Randi may put off those who don't like "strident", fast paced talk radio, but those looking for substance won't be disappointed...and it's seasoned pretty well with laughs. Again, entertainment here. I have to take her in smaller doses, as I'm not a "raw meat" libtalk listener.
* Bernie Ward (KGO/SF, used to be with ABC). Much like Randi, very much feeding the "core" liberal talk listener, and he's been doing it for ages on a 50,000 watt flamethrower in a top 5 market.
My own viewpoint is kind of skewed, as I am not a "core" listener to the format. On the other side of the political spectrum, I've been a semi-regular listener to everyone from local Howie Chizek (WNIR/Akron) to Premiere's Glenn Beck to WSB/Cox/Jones' Neal Boortz.
I don't really go for hosts who seem to be bringing down talking points from political parties, which is why Beck lost me for some time after 9/11 and which is why I enjoy Boortz when he goes off the "Republican reservation" (he's a high-profile Libertarian).
For that matter, that's why I have to take Randi Rhodes in smaller doses, even though she's very good and a pro...
I don't know of most of these hosts even do it on purpose for political reasons, but rather, they're just trying to deliver the "hits" for their core audiences.
-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>