The Rush Rebuttal - New Program Idea

[joshzz]

I believe a program titled "The Rush Rebuttal" would draw great reviews and huge listenership.

The proposed idea is a 1 hour talk program airing from 4 pm - 5 pm Eastern Time.

Instead of the host being a single progressive talker, the program would feature two independent thinkers such as a libertarian with a progressive OR the program could be well served with someone like Ron Paul, a true independent thinking conservative behind the mic.

Such a program would be entertaining and extremely informative. It would rebut claims made by Limbaugh, Hannity and others. It would have added value in the sense that people would see there are huge differences even among conservatives.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

Why make folks suffer through 3 hours of Rush or give Rush no challenger. Rush proclaims the free market as the ONLY solution to everything, so give him some competition by airing the "Rush Rebuttal" opposite Rush's show on a competing station (possibly an FM as Rush/Hannity are probably on the stronger heritage AM station in most markets leaving the flea powered AM stations, plus FM would appeal to the younger demo and pull in advertisers too) for the full three hours. This could be the start of a FM Talk Radio Network. Then offer up "Helping Hannity Get it Right" program from 3pm-6pm with different hosts doing the same thing except targeting Hannity's remarks. Instead of calling it the EIB "Excellence in Broadcasting" network, call it the Straight Shooting Network, or something like that.

The key would be finding compelling folks to host these shows who are as entertaining as Rush (Hannity for me ear isn't entertaining at all).

Of course, the problem with these titles is you promote Rush and Hannity with those names. So maybe come up with better show names that do not give those guys a free plug, like "AIT" "Independent American Thinkers" Network and then simply use the hosts name for show name. Have your golden throated announcer say: "For 6 hours every weekday, tune in to this AIT Network affiliate station for the best in Independent Talk that isn't the same ole same ole right wing whoey that's heard on other networks", etc, etc. I'm sure there are far more creative people here who could come up with cool names for networks, and show names, bumper music, jingles, contests, etc, than I, but you get the idea. If you're going to challenge Limbaugh then do it first class with a first class operation that is as well done as his program, or you'll end up with a small audience rather than taking his audience.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

I believe a program titled "The Rush Rebuttal" would draw great reviews and huge listenership.

Doubtful.

Such a program would be entertaining and extremely informative. It would rebut claims made by Limbaugh, Hannity and others.

The problem is that your whole idea is based on a flawed premise. You're assuming that there isn't an "alternative" voice to what you consider lies and slander (an accusation that itself is flawed). The problem with your idea is that "alternative" views to what Rush and Hannity express are available EVERYWHERE ELSE but radio. The reason conservative talk does so well on radio is that aside from Fox News, there aren't a whole lot of outlets.

To compare your idea to something not radio related, this would be like trying to knock Apple out of the mp3 player business.

 

[Holland Cooke]

How about rebutting Rush IN HIS SHOW?

Lots of the most-habitual most-loyal Limbaugh listeners think he's a buffoon, and wouldn't miss him.

Why not let them INTO the show?
(AND sell a sponsorship!)

See page 4: http://getonthenet.com/09October.pdf

 

[landtuna]

I agree with Don.

Progressives/Liberals have never seemed to have the same requirement (or interest) in having their views represented by media personalities in the same manner as conservatives have. Note the scarcity of successful leftist radio/TV programs.

Also, I'm guessing people who consider Limbaugh/Hannity/etc. purveyors of the untruth wouldn't be interested in hearing rebuttal since they've already signed off and have no interest in what is said on right wing radio.

There would probably be some niche interest in Rebuttal Radio but not enough to draw a significant audience.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

Note the scarcity of successful leftist radio/TV programs.

Not quite what I was going for. There are plenty of left leaning TV shows. For example, no one is saying that Jon Stewart be "rebutted" on Comedy Central. Comedy Central likes him on their airwaves, and he gets good ratings for them. What interest would they have in airing a show that calls him a liar?

Also, I'm guessing people who consider Limbaugh/Hannity/etc. purveyors of the untruth wouldn't be interested in hearing rebuttal since they've already signed off and have no interest in what is said on right wing radio.

Or radio in general. They get their fill of the news they agree with at home on TV.

There would probably be some niche interest in Rebuttal Radio but not enough to draw a significant audience.

It would make for interesting radio, for sure, but no one would listen.

 

[jerry367]

Also, I'm guessing people who consider Limbaugh/Hannity/etc. purveyors of the untruth wouldn't be interested in hearing rebuttal since they've already signed off and have no interest in what is said on right wing radio.

BINGO!

Anybody who would get enjoyment out of a Rush rebuttal, probably wouldn't be listening much to Rush's show to begin with, which renders a "rebuttal" moot.

Also, anybody who DOES listen to Rush and DOES believe his spin, isn't likely to seek out a rebuttal that risks injecting some reality into that spin. Sadly, the very people who NEED to hear the rebuttals, aren't interested in hearing any other viewpoint.

EXCEPTION: There are those who do listen because Limbaugh is such a buffoon. Problem is, they are very much a niche that may not garner a sizeable audience. I believe the clinical name for these people is "Masochist".

 

[Holland Cooke]

Remember when Rush was more entertaining?

There are those who do listen because Limbaugh is such a buffoon. Problem is, they are very much a niche that may not garner a sizeable audience. I believe the clinical name for these people is "Masochist".

Not entirely...although more-so lately.

Remember when Rush was more entertaining?

Sure, he as lots of regulars who don't buy-in, but tune-in.
But fewer since it turned into the "I," "I," "I," "ME," "ME," "ME" show.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

much to Rush's show to begin with, which renders a "rebuttal" moot.

Also, anybody who DOES listen to Rush and DOES believe his spin, isn't likely to seek out a rebuttal that risks injecting some reality into that spin. Sadly, the very people who NEED to hear the rebuttals, aren't interested in hearing any other viewpoint.

And you don't think the same thing happens with people who get their news from Jon Stewart or Rachel Maddow? Instead of attacking Rush and the people who listen to him (like you always do), look at it from a business standpoint. It makes no sense to devalue the show that likely gets the best ratings on the station.

 

[quadraphonic]

I believe a program titled "The Rush Rebuttal" would draw great reviews and huge listenership.

Based on the title? It's got to have more behind it.

The proposed idea is a 1 hour talk program airing from 4 pm - 5 pm Eastern Time.

An hour lag time after Rush is over? What you gonna program during that hour?

Instead of the host being a single progressive talker, the program would feature two independent thinkers such as a libertarian with a progressive OR the program could be well served with someone like Ron Paul, a true independent thinking conservative behind the mic.

You still didn't mention where you would find these "independent thinkers" from the other thread.
They don't grow on trees, ya know? Most won't work for free after you find them.

Such a program would be entertaining and extremely informative. It would rebut claims made by Limbaugh, Hannity and others. It would have added value in the sense that people would see there are huge differences even among conservatives.

As for "entertaining," it would depend on who the hosts were, and as for "extremely informative" it would be very other-host-centric. Not really breaking new ground there, just redigging the old ground. Rebutting "Limbaugh, Hannity, and others" would require 12 hours of show prep a day just for listening. That's gonna require staff.
The people who listen to Rush already are familiar with the variations of conservatives.
The main problem you've mentioned with Rush is that he said "I'm going to Costa Rica for health care" but you assumed it was because he wanted to avoid socialized medicine, not look for the best care.
It's hard to "rebut that claim" for even a solid hour [35 minutes even, I'll say you're fully loaded at 25 minutes of commercials/PSAs an hour] if that's the biggest one there is to "rebut."

 

[joshzz]

OOPS, I apologize to everyone - the show should air from 3 - 4 PM EST.

There are literally thousands of thousands of people that try to get on Limbaugh's program to mount a rebuttal against the crazy things he says such as , "I'm moving to Costa Rica, if Obama Healthcare passes" - but they have 0% likelihood of getting on the air so this program would prove a credible venue for them to vent. josh 8)

 

[DonTheTrucker]

OOPS, I apologize to everyone - the show should air from 3 - 4 PM EST.

There are literally thousands of thousands of people that try to get on Limbaugh's program to mount a rebuttal against the crazy things he says such as , "I'm moving to Costa Rica, if Obama Healthcare passes" - but they have 0% likelihood of getting on the air so this program would prove a credible venue for them to vent. josh 8)

Never mind that he never said he was MOVING to Costa Rica. This is why your show wouldn't work. 99% of the time, when someone rails against Rush, they're going by what Media Matters claims that he said. So your show to expose Rush's "lies" would be ill-informed and would require a rebuttal to the rebuttal show. Hey, we could just have 24 hours a day of shows arguing with one another!

Leave the radio wars to the shock jocks.

 

[radiocph]

Hasn't this been done before, sort of?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Harber#Early_Broadcast_Career

In 1994, [Aaron Harber] became host of “After the Rush”. This program was initially framed as a humorous but cogent response to Rush Limbaugh which quickly stopped paying attention to Limbaugh and, instead, tackled the issues of the day.

Harber gained national recognition when he was sued frivolously for $20 million by Rush Limbaugh, et al., for using the word "Rush" in the title of his national radio program ("After the Rush").[26] With broad-based support across the entire political spectrum, Aaron prevailed in the federal court case.

 

[DonTheTrucker]

Hasn't this been done before, sort of?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Harber#Early_Broadcast_Career

In 1994, [Aaron Harber] became host of “After the Rush”. This program was initially framed as a humorous but cogent response to Rush Limbaugh which quickly stopped paying attention to Limbaugh and, instead, tackled the issues of the day.

Harber gained national recognition when he was sued frivolously for $20 million by Rush Limbaugh, et al., for using the word "Rush" in the title of his national radio program ("After the Rush").[26] With broad-based support across the entire political spectrum, Aaron prevailed in the federal court case.

The fact that no one has ever heard of that guy speaks volumes.

 

[gr8oldies]

There already is a rebuttal. It's called the Ed Schultz show (both radio and TV).

 

[quadraphonic]

OOPS, I apologize to everyone - the show should air from 3 - 4 PM EST.

There are literally thousands of thousands of people that try to get on Limbaugh's program to mount a rebuttal against the crazy things he says such as , "I'm moving to Costa Rica, if Obama Healthcare passes" - but they have 0% likelihood of getting on the air so this program would prove a credible venue for them to vent. josh 8)

That's "thousands and thousands of people" local or nationwide?
Nationwide, I can't think of stations going after a one-hour program that counters the gist of their regular programming. Especially for the first hour of Hannity, the Rush follow-up in so many places.
Nationwide, you're going to need more than "thousands and thousands" of people willing to listen, in the 3-4 pm hour to make anyone excited.
It's a nightmare, logistically, all around. Isn't it?

 

[DonTheTrucker]

There already is a rebuttal. It's called the Ed Schultz show (both radio and TV).

And if you want conservatives that don't agree with Rush, there's always Savage.

Point being, there are plenty of varying viewpoints on the radio. Trying to force a particular one just because you think one guy is too popular isn't the answer.

 

[One Who Knows]

Josh:

The problem with your idea...is that it's already been tried in many cities, many markets.

Back in the 90's, I was involved with one such station that aired a progressive talk show immediately after Rush (out of a corporate sense of "fairness"). The progressive show drew about half or fewer of the listeners that Rush drew. Though there are a few stations in a few select cities which are able to mix two types of thought, most of the time mixing ideologies on talk stations does not work.

 

[gr8oldies]

Even the scheduling wouldn't work. As far as I know Dr. Dean Edell still airs live from 4 to 5pm, and is cleared live virtually nowhere.

 

[satech]

OOPS, I apologize to everyone - the show should air from 3 - 4 PM EST.

There are literally thousands of thousands of people that try to get on Limbaugh's program to mount a rebuttal against the crazy things he says such as , "I'm moving to Costa Rica, if Obama Healthcare passes" - but they have 0% likelihood of getting on the air so this program would prove a credible venue for them to vent. josh 8)

Don't forget when he advocated people to pay cash for their medical expenses rather than having insurance, and then justified it by saying that his latest stint at the emergency room "didn't even cost half what the average SUV owned by the average American family is."

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_010610/content/01125108.guest.html