Who are the rising stars of talkradio?

[dustintv]

What notable talk radio hosts are slowly making their way up in the world of syndicated talk radio? I've heard people mention like Mike McConnell as up and coming but who else? Who will be the next top talker at Rush's level?

 

[smedge2006]

I'm sure the slackers from Free Talk Live will proclaim themselves the up and comers.

Seriously, the problem is there really isn't anybody who anybody wants -- although I'm sure corporate cramdowners will try to create them by fiat. The farm teams are gone. A whole generation of talent has been turned off radio, and the next generation never got into it in the first place. The FCC-inspired collapse of shock radio has drained the pool of more talent who could have morphed into mainstream talkers over time. What's in the talent pool? Just a few people who try to be the ninth clone of Limbaugh, and that act is 20 years old already.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

What notable talk radio hosts are slowly making their way up in the world of syndicated talk radio? I've heard people mention like Mike McConnell as up and coming but who else? Who will be the next top talker at Rush's level?

Are we sure anyone wants to be at Rush's level?

But seriously...

While I'm glad progressive talk is back on the air in Columbus, I didn't miss Air America that much.

It was Stephanie Miller that got me hooked and Ed Schultz that kept me listening.

Both of them have an appeal to listeners from both sides of the spectrum, even though liberals make up a majority of the audience.

Steph has proven herself to be an equal opportunity offender. Nothing mean-spirited, however. She can poke fun of Democrats as much as she does Republicans. Steph, Jim Ward and Chris Lavoie have, for example, taken the f-rt joke to places no one has gone before. The show has even been the target of complaints for not being serious enough. Of course, that's because the show aims to entertain.

The same listeners who would say Steph is not serious enough would find Big Eddie not liberal enough. But that's part of Ed's success. He's a gun-toting, meat-eating sportsman from the heartland who appeals to both rural and urban listeners. He touches on subjects like the Farm Bill in a way that all listeners can see how it impacts them.

Both Steph and Big Eddie also have a way of talking with their more conservative guests (like Pat Buchanan, Ron Paul, Richard Viguerie) without getting confrontatioal. And while Ed may have his moments, he and Steph will talk with anyone, even the staunchest, as Steph would say, "right-wing love muffin."

OK. I'll now let someone conservative discuss the up-and-coming talkers from their camp. However, I suspect it might take a while for a conservative to come up their equivalent to Steph and Big Eddie. At least one who doesn't screen the calls.

 

[mred]

I think KGO's Bernie Ward is up and coming. He was syndicated in the past and I think he appeal to people of all ages, including children. I think he needs a co-host to soften his presentation. A female cohost would be good. What's Tracy Lords doing now a days?

 

[Julius Leonard Marx]

I touched on this in another thread but it seems relevant here.

Are there any rising stars in talk radio? It seems like mostly people gain name recognition in some other field and come dabble in talk radio. Students interested in radio used to go to networks or major market stations and be told to get experience at a small station. That doesn't seem to work much any more. Now the way to the top seems to be law, politics, stand up comedy ... anything but radio.

 

[FTL_Ian]

I'm sure the slackers from Free Talk Live will proclaim themselves the up and comers.

Slacker? It's been a long decade of button pushing to get where I am!

 

[FTL_Ian]

I touched on this in another thread but it seems relevant here.

Are there any rising stars in talk radio? It seems like mostly people gain name recognition in some other field and come dabble in talk radio. Students interested in radio used to go to networks or major market stations and be told to get experience at a small station. That doesn't seem to work much any more. Now the way to the top seems to be law, politics, stand up comedy ... anything but radio.

I started in radio at 17 as an intern. I'm now 27 and my show is on 32 stations. I don't like to consider myself a "star". I'm just a guy making a living with a microphone.

 

[newhampshiredude]

Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, and maybe Mike Mcconnell (but slowly)

 

[cm454]

Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, and maybe Mike Mcconnell (but slowly)

You're kidding, right?

You do realize Mark and Glenn are on a ton of stations at this point.
You do realize Glenn has a nightly TV show on CNN Headline News, don't you?

Not following the premise of the thread, are we?

 

[Julius Leonard Marx]

What do you expect? I rest my case. No more rising stars.

Phil Boyce complains radio has destroyed its farm system, which is ironic given his position in radio. When big-time radio managers bemoan the loss of the farm system they have dismantled, it's like a fat person saying he has to eat a lot because he's so big.

 

[justareporter]

Amen.

 

[newhampshiredude]

Well I understand what you mean as "rising stars," but Mark Levin and Glenn Beck's shows are moving towards Savage-like audiences. Savage is #3 in cume and the big three (Rush, Hannity, and Savage) have a lot of room from Beck, Levin, Ingraham, Boortz, and others. I was saying that Glenn and Levin are going to be the breakout stars of this group. Ingraham is another possiblity, but I think she has already found he very loyal audience.

 

[Julius Leonard Marx]

Rush and Beck are both syndicated by Premiere Radio (Clear Channel). Maybe they can start "cramming" Beck to Rush's affiliates. Maybe they should start with WABC, since Beck doesn't have a New York outlet and ABC has Gambling (The Weakest Link) in that time slot. It would be interesting to hear what Mr. Boyce has to say when the shoe is on the other foot. Clear Channel has pulled Rush from some long-standing AM affiliates and put him (and other shows) on FM. It could happen in New York, too. I know, Clear Channel and ABC/Citadel may have some kind of gentleman's agreement around Rush and Hannity. Hitler and Stalin had an agreement, too.

 

[B.B. Lean]

Damn. That's pretty harsh.

The rising stars of talk radio aren't syndicated... there are some very good talkers in medium to larger markets, and hopefully they'll reach good success there and move to the big markets. I hope the trend of taking good local talkers and pushing them into syndication ceases sooner rather than later. People like Lars Larson & Mike McConnell are tremendous talents - for their markets. They don't 'stand out' on the national scene, though, and I think it's damaging their shows to try. Not every host who does well in their market will translate to national syndication.

 

[radiohawkins]

What about Dennis Miller?

 

[ajhenderson]

Any show that has to pay to get clearances isn't really a star. Dennis Miller is riding his wagon through the neighborhood of talk radio and won't stay forever. Not as if anyone, other than Salem's accounting department, wanted him to be here long, anyway.

 

[herbiedradio]

Left: Stephanie Miller (Jones)
Right: Andrew Wilkow (Sirius Patriot)
Local favorites: Garland Robbinette (WWL 870), Keith Larson (WBT 1110). Francene Cucinello (WHAS 840)

 

[jimwalsh2001]

Prebil at WTDY Madison.

 

[B.B. Lean]

Left: Stephanie Miller (Jones)
Right: Andrew Wilkow (Sirius Patriot)
Local favorites: Garland Robbinette (WWL 870), Keith Larson (WBT 1110). Francene Cucinello (WHAS 840)

Garland is reaching legendary status in New Orleans, if he's not already there. Francene is very, very good... still room to grow, but she's a genuine talent. I've not listened to Keith Larson.

 

[radiohawkins]

John Ziegler formerly of KFI and WHAS.