Heavy hundred 2008: local boys make good
It's that time of year when all heads turn toward The Oscars™ to the Heavy Hundred awards where Talkers Magazine, the self-proclaimed "Bible of Talk Radio and the New Talk Media," ranks the "100 most important hosts" every year.
As usual we're underwhelmed.
It's a quirky list; made to promote the magazine's influence in the industry; and to sell syndicators those gnarly full page ads to plump up the fragile egos of those perpetually needy talk hosts. It's dominated by conservatives, naturally.
What are the criteria? You've gotta be working plus, as the august editors always say, their "painstaking compilation" is based on courage, effort, impact, longevity potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent and uniqueness.
In other words, they pull it out of their ass.
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"who's in and who's out" (citing Heidi Klum - don't want to be accused of plagiarism).
Actually, it doesn't say who is the BEST but who is the most IMPORTANT. Hmm...Medved got national notice when he used to be a TV entertainer with Roger Ebert so he had a http://blatherwatch.blogs.com/talk_radio/i912_the_antiroads_repair_initiative/index.htmlpresence from the beginning.
That most of them have nationally syndicated shows (am I right here?) tells the story.
In all, I like our little crop of talkers. I think we're probably pretty lucky to have the best of both worlds (AA and KIRO which I don't listen to at all except for Ross.)
Of course, I'm still just a small-town girl at heart...
Posted by: joanie | February 22, 2008 at 01:02 PM
An alien is messing with my computer! How did that address for BW get in the middle of my post?
Supposed to say he had a national presence from the beginning.
Posted by: joanie | February 22, 2008 at 01:05 PM
That Kirby Wilbur (KVI) apparently is above Dave Ross (KIRO) just astounds me and makes me agree with you Bla'M -that they indeed pull it out of their a**.
Would have also guessed Geo Noory and the lovely and gracious Steph Miller to be higher.
Posted by: Duffman | February 22, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Factual error above regarding Sir Medvet's resume:
Michael Medved did NOT work with Roger Ebert on Sneak Previews on PBS or anywhere else; he inherited one of the SP "balcony" seats formerly occupied by Ebert and Gene Siskel when they jumped at a big-butts offer to move from PBS to syndicated TV. (The other was taken by Jeffrey Lyons, who still often appears on Medvet's fine nationally-syndicated radio broadcast lactating at flagship KVI/Seattle.)
Sincerely,
BRYAN STYBLE/Seattle
Posted by: Bryan Styble | February 22, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Michael Savage enjoys a listening audience of over 8 million. The astounding ratings are exceeded by only two radio talk show hosts in the entire country. It is amazing that the TV news networks pretend Savage does not even exist. Savage is never invited on any of the cable tv news talk shows. Instead they invite a long parade of political radio pundits who attract less than 5% of the Savage Nation audience.
Posted by: abob | February 22, 2008 at 11:52 PM
It's comical irony that Michael Medved rails against social programs and extols rugged individualism; yet he spent a major part of his adult life living off the govt funded teat of PBS.
Posted by: abob | February 22, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Savage did have a show on MSNBC and blew it, after 4 months.
He was later found in a N Beach Bath house doing stand up and bend comedy.
Posted by: J.Hova | February 23, 2008 at 12:23 AM
It's funny that abob bothers use Michael Weener's large number of listeners are reason enough to propogate his message and style. Dogged enthusiasm for democracy supports "might makes right" by default but in a matter of time our society will discover that just because someone has eight million whatever listeners doesn't mean they are saying something worth hearing, or that just because someone won an election doesn't mean they're the best leader we could have chosen.
Democracy is the best system of organizing leadership and yet we still somehow elect morons while actual smart and decent people lounge in the shade somewhere. This grand experiment is far from over.
Posted by: Andrew | February 23, 2008 at 02:22 AM
1930s Germany proved how easy it is to propagandize and attract people to malevolent leaders and causes. A-boob sounds like a regular Wiener listener.
A-boob, you really are still that little fearful boy stuck in the 50s hiding under your school desk.
Posted by: joanie | February 23, 2008 at 10:52 AM
It is amazing how casually dismissive some folks are about broadcasting talent. It is exceedingly difficult to get even one stranger to listen when we speak. Try talking into a bullhorn on a busy street corner and you will be astounded how many folks will not even acknowledge your existence. 99% of aspiring radio talk hosts fail. It takes talent on a cosmic scale to consistently hold the attention of 8 million people. Michael Savage deserves respect for his extraordinary communication skills whether you agree with his opinions or not.
Posted by: abob | February 23, 2008 at 11:14 AM
In other words, don't shoot the messenger? But if the messenger is the message . . .
Grow up, a-boob.
Posted by: joanie | February 23, 2008 at 11:42 AM
aboob's logic would vindicate Hitler's efforts and propaganda by virtue of the uniqueness of his skill and abilities as an orator. By extension aboob is a follower in the most classic Nazi sense - and I'm aware of Godwin's law.
I have no doubt in my mind that Obama's oratory skill is making people cry, faint and follow the leader in the exact same way Hitler did in his day. I'm not saying Obama is Hitler but he's proof of concept that another Hitler is probably over the horizon. Imagine if China had their own Obama and he talked about crushing the oppressive West, starting with the US?
Posted by: Andrew | February 23, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Some intriguing thoughts there, Andrew.
Posted by: joanie | February 23, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Reluctantly I give fodder to posters such as chucks who hate the thought of liberal teaching. But this is a very interesting "Why We Banned Legos" artical written by a Seattle teacher.
We are currently as a school trying to confront the issue of bullying which is getting worse. I wonder if that is a reflection of society in general esp. over the last eight years. Money and might make right. The "me" crowd.
Also, interesting Michelle Obama's Princeton thesis" Not very telling but reflects her concerns at the time.
Posted by: joanie | February 23, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I would like to read her complete thesis, not just portions that the MSM find worthy of comment. :)
Posted by: Duffman | February 23, 2008 at 01:04 PM
#1 Rule of Political Discourse: Always compare your political opponent to Adolf Hitler.
Posted by: abob | February 23, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Reason for Rule #1: It is the only example of which uninformed faux news watchers who are stuck in the fifties have heard.
Duffman, I agree. I wanted to read more. But, still telling for those who are perceptive.
Posted by: joanie | February 23, 2008 at 06:34 PM