State of Talk Radio in the Valley 2003
I've sampled all the local radio fare, and once again will share my gradebook with the online world. I realize there are a few other talk radio stations in the Phoenix area - KKNT (960 AM), KXEM (1010 AM), and KMYL (1190 AM), but I believe their programming schedules consist solely of national/network programming and/or infomercials. If I am incorrect, please tell me. A schedule of all the Valley radio programs may be found at Bradley's excellent Jabbertalky listing.
Now, let's dive into the rankings...
- David Leibowitz - Pitted against this field of hosts, a number one ranking isn't exactly indicative of top notch quality. However, the Real Life with David Leibowitz show continues to improve, year by year. Leibowitz has veered away from the scripted format that has kept the show's potential chained up. Not totally, but I detect a deviation from the plotted programs that treated the callers a diversionary filler. Other regular features like the Leibo Letter and the Sign of the Apocalypse freshen up what is a decaying radio genre. And I'm not alone in my valuation - Phoenix Magazine named David the "Best Radio Talk Show Host".
- Jay Lawrence/Michael Hagerty - I paired KTAR weekend/substitute talk hosts together for this assessment. I wish these guys could nab a regular weekday gig - it would be a refreshing change to the existing vapid lineups on Valley radio. "Lovable" Jay seems to always have influential and informative guests that cover important local and national issues. Hagerty's shows are always topical, and his courteous demeanor seems to spark welcome discourse from influential program guests.
- Mike Newcomb - The liberals are dead, long live the liberals. Mike Newcomb's KFNX On Second Thought has captured an audience of hidden liberals, progressives, and Democrats that have been hiding in wait for a talk radio program suited to their take on current events. Sometimes, Newcomb can sound just as cacophonous as the hosts on that other "fair and balanced" station, but he's nearly always respectful of caller opinions and allows even the most strident of the oppostion to register their differences. Being allotted only hour harms the show - it would be wonderful if Dr. Mike could snag at least another hour for his much needed show, given the preponderance of extremist conservatism that barks at me from all over the radio dial.
- Ernest Hancock - Libertarian free radio has moved down the dial and up the clock. I was disappointed that the show moved off of KXAM and out of the morning drive time slot - the Ernest Hancock show truly was a treat. Maybe there's a strong thread of Libertarianism running through me, because I found myself nodding in agreement when Brother Ernest launched himself into a evangelical rant. While I'm in complete disagreement with Libertarian philosophy on policies regarding service sectors that dispense necessities to the public, I find much of the other doctrine to be on the mark or at least challenging. The guests appearing on the show were all most interesting, even the ones that I judged to be completely fraudulent.
- Charles Goyette - Although KFYI has been giving Charles Goyette Show the "John Dayl" treatment, Goyette is the station's best regular talk host, in my view. I suppose the Clear Channel suits disapproved of all the anti-war fervor he displayed. If it weren't for over sensationalism and rude treatment to callers, Goyette could rank higher.
- Ted Simons - I'm uncertain if the doofus sidekick spiel is a KTAR program director pet initiative or if the Ted Simons Show is merely emulating the strawman role Ned Foster performs on the Leibowitz show. Whatever the reason for the overextended participation of Gaydos, it significantly detracts from the quality of the show. It's just not that witty. Actually, Simon's show isn't too bad, but it strikes me that Simons is trying too hard to impress himself.
- Austin Hill & Tom Liddy - Memo to Austin Hill: Tom Liddy just isn't that funny. On the Liddy & Hill Show, Austin has carved out quite a niche, playing Ed McMahon and giggling like a spoiled school girl at even the most inane utterance by Mr. Liddy. Liddy, son of a convicted felon, is quite savvy behind the microphone, adroit with the lawyerly manner in dealing with recalcitrant nay-sayers. Naturally, it helps when good chunks of program time are earmarked for silly contests or filled with trivial chatter. And for the few opposition call in trickle throughs, the hosts and screeners filter the callers with uncanny precision, so that only the most absurd contrasting viewpoints are aired. Still, by preaching to the previously proselytized, Liddy & Hill have etched out a devoted following.
- Preston Westmoreland - Every year I've written this talk radio appraisal, Preston has finished dead last. He's not improved any, but the presence of the barely famous one and whine-fella permit the Drive Home with Preston Westmoreland Show to elude the basement. How Talkers Magazine named him one of the "100 Most Important Radio Talk Shows in America" is a mystery to me. He's pathetically ill informed when interviewing guests, stammers and stutters, and never seems to grasp the gist of caller remarks. I really wish KTAR would replace him in the critical drive time slot with somebody half way interesting.
- Barry Young - I don't get the Howard Stern show. I mean just about the entire program time slot is devoted to self aggrandizing yacking with an occasional freak show guest to amuse prepubescent minds littering the 3D space and wasting oxygen that other intelligent life requires. Similarly, I don't understand the appeal of the Barry Young Show. Close to half of the entire program is devoted to a solo monologue where Mr. Young propagates lies and disinformation, much of it (especially the regurgitated blurbs on Clinton) rooted in the work of white supremacist organizations. It's individuals like the "nearly famous" one that have turned me virulently away from conservatism. I embrace all content intellectually challenging, regardless of the political slant, but I wholeheartedly reject buffoons who twist data, omit facts and spread dogma solely to suit their preordained prejudices.
- Bruce Jacobs - The existence of Bruce Jacobs Show and the brigade of neconservative dupes that delight in Bruce's antics offers definitive proof of the sordid state of public education in Arizona. Jacobs possesses no knowledge of the issues, is ignorant of meaningful history, offers no perspective that isn't already offered by Archie Bunker reruns, and completely disregards more enlightened sources, which in his case, amounts to just about anybody with a pulse. While I enjoyed the sports talk stints Jacobs held, he's an embarrassment working in the realm of serious political discussion. KFYI, in seeking a local Hannity-lite rendition, has settled for a shrill wannabee that vividly demonstrates the dumbing down of the radio business. "Whine-fella", as Alfredo Gutierrez dubbed him, no doubt, is responsible for compelling listeners to tune out KFYI.
I know I keep repeating it, year to year, but sometime I am going to post a national talk host roundup. I do listen to the national hosts, even though I greatly prefer to listen to local talkers. Stale shows on tape delay interest me not. Nor do xenophobes and hate mongers. I am told by friends that Hugh Hewitt on 960 AM does a decent job, but I've not had a chance to hear him yet.
I heard Willy Bills was spotted in the Tucson vicinity by a pygmy owl...
Comments
For the life of me I don't know why radio commentators tend to think that "local" radio either is, or should be, any good. I switch off the radio when people start talking about local Phoenix personalities and developers and artists -- I will listen to restaurant talk, but that's about it. I don't care to hear about what happens to bond issues or downtown redevelopment. I don't care if the host is "local" or not, so long as he or she is getting into depth about an issue or idea that has lasting significance, I'll listen.
And then there is the hilarious satire of Phil Hendry -- which is "local" only in L.A. but we can hear it on KFI on weeknights -- and it doesn't matter if it isn't "local" because the lampooning is national. (His monologue diatribes are another matter, but his "bits" are phenomenal.)
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts about one of my favorite subjects .... RADIO!
Ernest Hancock is a natural on the radio, but he needs at least two more hours. (Afternoon drive time would be perfect.) There is never enough time for Ernie's superb guests, and that is just plain "bad, bad, bad, bad, bad!"
I find Charles Goyette to be very polite and considerate to his callers, deadly accurate in his assessments, and very entertaining and informative. If KFYI doesn't undo the damage they've done to him (and us), he'll need another radio station.
Tom, sorry if you thought I was trying to "portray the writer an intellectual". One day maybe I will be a gifted writer, maybe not, but at least I can enjoy the practice...
is more than surprising. It's like avoiding the 100 lb. gorilla sitting in your living room...
!!
Think that Charles Goyette is definitely the best of the local lot.
C.L. S.
I used to like this guy, but not so much anymore. He now just sounds like he belongs on a Clear Channel hole somewhere.
Boortz has moments of brilliance when he's on a good rant about the "underprivileged" or some such, but for the most part really isn't very bright. I love Ernest Hancock, and I agree with him on pretty much everything, but I can't say I've ever found his show very enjoyable.
None of the other local hosts do anything for me. I usually agree with Goyette but for the most part he's just plain irritating. The rest are just plain irritating without any redeeming virtues.
I very much miss Strauss, although I doubt I've ever agreed with him on any issue.
Oh, but the best ever is Nikki Buchanan (restaurant critic). I haven't heard her in a while, so I don't know if she's still on, but what a sweetie!
I tuned in like 3 weeks ago. Wow. What a really good show. She is very intelligent. She sounded conservative but maybe shes down the middle of the road. But that does not matter beacuse she does not even really bring up politics. Its just good old news talk. she brings the local issue to the airwaves and educates the listeners on them. She is not a liberal basher like the rest of the local bunch. She is really good at what she does. Thanks Kathy for the info to tune in. Terrys show went from 11 to 1 on 1010 AM. I really liked the show. One more thing, unlike other local hosts she actually cares about her listeners and talks with them instead of just saying "hi whats your comment? oh ok bye!". Ok that was a little review of her show from me. Talk to you all later!
Brian
'NON NEWS' EMERGING ABOUT RUSH WITH PSUEDO CONCERN
FOR IT'S FORTHCOMING TOLL ON RUSH'S LIFE AND CAREER, I NOW THINK OF THEM AS TWO WEAK KNEED SISTERS. THEIR PHONY CONCERN FOR RUSH REVEALED THEIR "FAIR WEATHER" SUPPORT FOR HIS CAREER AND YEARS OF SERVICE. NO REAL DEPTH OF CHARACTER HERE
RENDERS THEIR SHOW VERY SHALLOW AND CUTE.
THEY ARE VERY HARD TO TAKE SERIOUSLY AND ARE ACTUALLY MORE COMIC ENTERTAINMENT THAN SERIOUS
NEWS ANNOUNCERS.
http://WWW.RADIO-INFO.COM
http://radio-locator.com/cg...
<< 50K WATTS FOR NEWS TALK 1010 ?? .. SWEET !
I just checked out the terry gillberg show. Today was a very interesting show. She had two feds on her program about operation ICE storm. Which is an immigration operation to try and stop "coyotes" from bring illegal immigrants into america. It was a very educational show. It went from 11 am to 1 pm but i couldnt tune in for the second hour. Thanks for the tip Brian, Terrys show is now on my dial instead of Rush Limbaugh.
PS: why is there no advertisement on Terrys show like KFYI does with Bruce Jacobs and KTAR does with David??? Anyone have an answer?? This lady sounds to good to be not on one of Phoenix's big stations. She should be syndicated.
Jerry,
Mesa, Arizona
"Bruce's antics offers definitive proof of the sordid state of public education in Arizona” HELLO BRUCE IS FROM NEW YORK!
Mr. Jacobs offers an original opinion on just about every subject. He's entertaining and honest. He makes no false claims about who he is and makes not attempt to come off any different. In an industry where everybody is trying to project an image Bruce levels with his audience and tell it like he sees it. In the process Bruce has gained many fans and attracted a younger crowd to talk radio. Bruce and personalities like him are the future of radio.
The days of the painfully drab monotone political pundits reading direct off of the AP release are quickly fading.
... and I know he's from New York ...
This is Rick Bloom. http://WWW.THERICKBLOOMSHOW... Thank you for mentioning my morning show on KFNX 1100am.I have made many improvements to my web site. I list all of my guests, provide easily downloadsble copies of my top interviews, summarize each show and much more.
Guests next week include--Oliver North,
Steve Forbes, the attorney for Jose Padilla, Bernard Goldberg, Sen. Zell Miller, Rep.Dick Gephardt, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Ed Asner, Larry Hagman, David Copperfield, Charley Daniels, Gov.J.Nap, Sen.John Kerry and many more!
Thanks again for this great website, and please call in to the show---Where the golden rule rules!
Message to all--Please e-mail me with comments--Iam allways looking for improvement!
Thanks for your opinion. Fortunately for me, free enterprise determines what goes on the air.
I agree with some others about the local radio scene. Once Bill Straus left, it just got stale. I now listen to Laura Ingraham in the morning until Rush. In the afternoons after Sean, it's Hugh Hewitt and Michael Medved.
The locals are all boobs. Jacobs is too annoying(voice and uneducated views). Barry Young has turned into a blabbering egotist. The dynamic duo, Liddy and Hill has been accurately described by all. As far as Goyette, he was boring and lifeless before. After his so-called outing, he's still boring. I'm convinced his ratings were wobbly before he griped, as the ratings suggest.
Mike Newcomb is interesting sometimes. Naum, your critique is accurate. He is as partisan and one-sided as the other conservative counterparts. I think his biggest problem, however, is that he is just boring. Nothing interesting. He has too many uhs and umms. He rambles too much. Straus was the perfect hosr, I think. He had the talent, the voice and the audience to really take off. I don't think Newcomb will succeed nearly as much as Straus did.
I really can't wait to hear the new Lib Radio Network, however. It'll be quite fascinating.
Ernie Hancock should have a weekend show. The mere suggestion that he should be in morning or afternoon drive tells you right away that we have too many talk stations (8).
In re-reading your commentary, I've realized that you've neglected who Jacobs is really like... Savage.
WELL I FEEL LIKE I HIT GOLD NOW!!! CHARLES, I WILL SPREAD THE WORD RAPIDLY TO ALL YOUR LISTENERS WHO LOVE YOU, BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO YOU. THANK YOU KFNX YOU HAVE TWO REALLY GOOD MEN, AND I WILL BE GETTING AQUAINTED WITH THE REST OF THE PEOPLE ON YOUR STATION TOO!
COLLEEN KRAFT/GLENDALE
Thank God for Charles and Mike! Thanks KFNX! Thanks for having two guys with high Intelligence quotients. So refreshing not to hear the stupid ditto heads with IQs that barely reach 91 like the president.
Gayle N.
Glendale
Just how do people like Gayle live each day hating people with opposing views while simultaneously trying to portray themselves as loving, fair and free of bigotry?
If you like Savage, he'll be on 1100 AM 5-8pm.
Toni Snow was interesting, but there's always Ingraham, Prager, Medved and Hewitt on 960 AM, as well as the bigwigs on KFYI.
Why bother?
Here is his show in a nutshell:
* Young women who get raped really deserved it and asked for it.
* Liberalism is the equivalent of Taliban Islam.
* Gays should get AIDS and die.
* Jewish people suck.
* Women should not have the right to vote.
* John Kerry wants to ban Christianity in America.
I guess there still is a market segment for bigotry and hate mongering...
I listened and heard him say it, a while back.
And he was dumped from MSNBC after telling a caller that "he hopes he gets AIDS and dies"...
It's not just me that figures him for a bigot - the ADL, SLPC, GLAAD, etc... are all organizations that have publicly denounced his hateful schtick...
Late on my 2004 roundup, but I'm going to say I don't understand the vitriol over a progressive talk network taking hold in Phoenix. It's not like there arn't a half dozen other stations with right wingers beaming out around the clock...
And the success of Mike Newcomb show illustrates how liberal talk can be just as lucrative as conservative talk...
I can see you are a product of the dying liberal public school system.
The important thing is that conservative talk radio is growing while the liberal population is shrinking. See people can be reformed.
I think you should keep your liberal opinin in your liberal closet, and leave the intelligent thinking to the conservatives. If we want your opinion we will give it to you.
TBHWY, there schtick isn't going to play as well on a national level, away from their adjacent time slot with Stumpy, er Hannity, and with Liddy, son of convicted felon, and his wisecracking style w/ the obedient sidekick Ed McMahon, hair plan for America Austin Hill.
As for Hannity, he's frankly gotten tiring. I get much more out of Medved, Hewitt, and Prager than I do out of Hannity.
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