The Sean Hannity Mystery

[cm454]

WHAT exactly does Sean Hannity do that makes him so special?

I ask this out of genuine curiosity, because I cannot understand what he does *so well*.

He is not the least bit original or unique. He dwells on the same angle on the same subject day in and day out. He really isn't any more interesting or engaging than most of the second and third tier conservative hosts.

Other than the follow-the-leader mentality that so many of today's programmers share, it's hard to understand why Hannity's on more than one station.

I get Rush.
I even get Savage.
Hannity on the other hand? His success is a mystery to me.

 

[oaktree]

Easy. He has a television personna that lends itself to a "choir" in a niche "conservative" voice format that translates to the same "niche" on 530 radio stations. In other words, he gets to "preach to the choir" in both important "mainstream" media.

He has the basset-hound eyes that makes some think of his Catholic innocence and his TV star good looks makes him a easy "look" to the very females who call him just to hear his enduring "sweetie, dear, etc." and "You're a great American" jive. Other than that, he is the best "parrot" in the business. He can and does parrot Rush to a "T" ... and his original thought comes out of a singular, narrow minded process that die-hard conservatives and those who want others to make up their mind find "interesting." Hence, his "#2" behind Rush.

He also knows how to "cycle" a topic or issue until it is beat into the ground, but cleverly. He knows what to talk about in 8th grade terms, in a repetitive way. He know how, thanks to his consultant, how to bring back a "recurrent" topic -- like a recent old music category. He also has enough sense to do his homework ... as long as it fits his philosophy and understanding ... befored sending out his message. He also is easily digested because he is so one sided ... to the point of avoiding fact. He also can't take "no, Sean, you're wrong" for answer, because he's programmed to point in only one direction; just do it often enough until the point sinks in.

And he has ego ... and will be the first to tell you how good his by uncovering things "that is a year old, but no one else has done anything about it ... but me." It's all about "Sean." As long as he can parrot the "current line" from the master ... Rush Limbaugh. He's also a master stroker for Mark Levin. So, being in the middle, gives him amazing space to run ... like a centerfielder. But he lacks the arm to throw someone out at home plate and it's painfully obvious.

That's what he "thinks" makes him so special. Hannity ... pure and simple. That's it! "Pure and simple."

Plus, he wants out of ABC / Citadel because ... he "deserves" to be the next Rush. Not the runner-up.

 

[major]

His show is 50% show, 25% commercials, and 25% "tease". I like the 50% part, but the commercials and "tease" irritate me.

 

[DToTheJ]

And 3% of his 50% show is "flush the lines" (usually "Marty!" will comprise of 1% of that 3%).

 

[sidechick1]

Easy. He has a television personna that lends itself to a "choir" in a niche "conservative" voice format that translates to the same "niche" on 530 radio stations. In other words, he gets to "preach to the choir" in both important "mainstream" media.

He has the basset-hound eyes that makes some think of his Catholic innocence and his TV star good looks makes him a easy "look" to the very females who call him just to hear his enduring "sweetie, dear, etc." and "You're a great American" jive. Other than that, he is the best "parrot" in the business. He can and does parrot Rush to a "T" ... and his original thought comes out of a singular, narrow minded process that die-hard conservatives and those who want others to make up their mind find "interesting." Hence, his "#2" behind Rush.

He also knows how to "cycle" a topic or issue until it is beat into the ground, but cleverly. He knows what to talk about in 8th grade terms, in a repetitive way. He know how, thanks to his consultant, how to bring back a "recurrent" topic -- like a recent old music category. He also has enough sense to do his homework ... as long as it fits his philosophy and understanding ... befored sending out his message. He also is easily digested because he is so one sided ... to the point of avoiding fact. He also can't take "no, Sean, you're wrong" for answer, because he's programmed to point in only one direction; just do it often enough until the point sinks in.

And he has ego ... and will be the first to tell you how good his by uncovering things "that is a year old, but no one else has done anything about it ... but me." It's all about "Sean." As long as he can parrot the "current line" from the master ... Rush Limbaugh. He's also a master stroker for Mark Levin. So, being in the middle, gives him amazing space to run ... like a centerfielder. But he lacks the arm to throw someone out at home plate and it's painfully obvious.

That's what he "thinks" makes him so special. Hannity ... pure and simple. That's it! "Pure and simple."

Plus, he wants out of ABC / Citadel because ... he "deserves" to be the next Rush. Not the runner-up.

Well put. The advantage of having your own show is that you never have to address opposing viewpoints. Every once in a blue moon when an intelligent caller challenges his oversimplified take on an issue, he either changes the subject, refuses to answer the caller's question, calls them a "liberal hack," or just hangs up on them. He refuses to engage in a logical, reasoned discussion, and as you mentioned, just parrots back whatever has been coughed up by Rush and company. He simply can't function when someone throws him a curveball. If it's not planned out and scripted, forget it. And why does he sound so angry all the time?

 

[BigSmelly420]

WHAT exactly does Sean Hannity do that makes him so special?

I ask this out of genuine curiosity, because I cannot understand what he does *so well*.

He is not the least bit original or unique. He dwells on the same angle on the same subject day in and day out. He really isn't any more interesting or engaging than most of the second and third tier conservative hosts.

Other than the follow-the-leader mentality that so many of today's programmers share, it's hard to understand why Hannity's on more than one station.

I get Rush.
I even get Savage.
Hannity on the other hand? His success is a mystery to me.

#1 He is a Cheer Leader for the Republican Party and never intellectually challenges his audience.

#2 He uses the catch phrase "Three hours a day, every day, that's all we ask", and his robot listeners write that down in their Arbitron Books, even when they only listen 15 minutes every couple of days.

 

[oaktree]

If he thinks the masses listen to him 3 hours a day, his ratings sure don't prove it.

His one-issue topic rotates every 22 minutes each and every day with the same guests all the time, too. He rotates an issue worse than a tight playlist Top 40 station.

But I do enjoy the "Hate Hannity Hotline."

The previous posts are all right on. I get irritated when he dismisses listeners that disagree with him or when he puts them in a position to pre-answer his inanity to match his own level of discussion. I do like it when someone has the gumption to call him on stuff (usually about something he has cleverly excluded from "fact" ... and he whines about it.) "But can't you agree with me that ..." No, you ninny.

Angry? He's furious! He is struggling for credit where credit is not due ... and he can't stand having anyone say that what he thinks is important ... really isn't. "What do you mean William Ayres, Michelle Obama, Rev. Wright aren't most important issues?" Uh, have you checked McCain's record and talking-points memos lately? But we don't talk about those ... Plus, he's a giant suck up to Karl Rove.

Maybe he's angry for being Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person ... In The World!"

 

[philrandy]

In all do respect to Oaktree, I have to say your wrong about a couple of points. While your correct that Hannity is infact nothing special (he rides the line of a rightwing political HACK with a mic), it has nothing to do with with his television appearence. He (along with Tony Snow) were once the temp fill-ins for Rush. Now that he follows Rush, he catches a hell of a wave (i.e. Cosby at 8PM followed by Family Ties at 8:30 Cheers at 9PM. There is no way Night Court at 9:30PM will fail!). I now beleive that the Hate Hannity Hotline is staged and dread both his interveiw style and his interaction with callers which is comprised solely of constant interuption anytime someone has something to say other than the lockstep line. Here in Cincy, afternoon drive on 55KRC has been weaker since Hannity bumped both Pat Barry and G, Gordon Liddy. But Oaktree, you are indeed right about your basic belief . While I do agree with his basic conservative convictions, Hannity is a one-trick pony on a big stick, preaching to a choir of Terri Schivo zelots (along with 30% of CONGRESS!!!) ready to burn her husband at the stake! Nevermind that icky "rule of law" thing or medical science getting in the way of a GOOD CAUSE!

 

[DaleGriffin]

Oh I was wondering when this topic would come up this week.

 

[mred]

He went on a fund raising trip to the top markets of Fresno, CA; Reno, NV, and Las Vegas with Ollie North and Mark Levine. No one knows or will say how much he raised for the children of troops killed in the line of duty. With today's Jet A fuel prices, the trip cost $60,000, just for his corporate jet. He's always complaining about "libs" JET TRIPS. Looks like they just use the troops as gimicks for ratings.