I have a nasty dirty habit. Its been a guilty pleasure over
the last 2-3 years as my job has up and down road and paperwork time. This is
Talk Radio. I am slightly political in my interest as my grandfather was very
involved in politics when growing up. I got to meet such people as Mark Warner,
Creigh Deeds and Chuck Robb among others when I was a child growing up in a
small town. Talk radio is a major source of political information as well as
misinformation and propaganda. One of the things my grandfather used to tell me
was that you need to listen to all sides and you will usually find the truth in
between. Though Most talk radio is right wing it is possible to find left
leaning as well as very liberal hosts as well if you look hard enough. I have
decided to give a nice little summary of the programs I have been listening too
on and off and list where you can find them in case you want to be better
informed about the world.
Glenn Beck
Political Leaning: Conservative/Libertarian
Easy Access Hours: 9:00-12:00AM
Monday-Friday
Glenn Beck is insanely popular with a lot of the right
especially the tea party crowd. He embodies the new republican party and the
direction they are hoping to head. His show uses humor at times recalling his
roots in standup along with sources of information to support his belief
system. This is an excellent source of information from a conservative
perspective with a laugh now and again. There are few callers on the show as he
tends to soap box so if you are a person that likes to call in and say your two
cents I wish you the best of luck as he takes maybe 1-2 calls per show.
Opinion: I respect Glenn Beck for his dedication to what he
believes. I do think that what you hear is what you get from him. I have no
doubt that he believes fully in his rhetoric and does not simply follow a
candidate if they have an R next to their name. He calls it as he sees it and I
am certain if there was a democrat that held more similar beliefs to him than
the republican running he would reluctantly support the democrat. At the same
time Glenn tends to fear monger a lot and as a mental health worker I have
plenty of Beck Listeners that are stocking up their guns and preparing for the
mobs to rise up and take the country back or for the g-men to come to take your
guns. His humor is a bit biting and a bit insulting if you are left leaning so
you may be offended if you are not ready for it but if you are prepared you
should be able to roll with the punches just fine. In the end I think this is
worth listening to but please make sure you listen to what he says and just
don’t just take his word for it. If you are left leaning this show is not a
good one to cut your teeth on as it goes pretty far right field. I would
consider Glenn as listening for those who have cut their teeth on right wing
talk radio for a little while or you will just end up flustered. If you are
right leaning you will be upset a little of the time but for the most part you
will love this show.
Leland Conway
Political Leaning: Conservative/Libertarian
Easy Access Hours: 3:00-6:00PM
Monday-Friday
Leland is a “common sense” type right leaning host that took
over the similar Doc Thompson slot at 1140 AM. He covers local issues that
effect the Richmond/Virginia area and gives his opinions from the above
perspective. Leland offers an unapologetic view to the day’s issues. His
callers are all over the board and he takes them relatively frequently without
a lengthy screening process he will even talk with you if your beliefs are not
his and will be mostly polite about it. This is a show you can call and have a
chance of speaking with the host. Leland also addresses his email often and
will bring them up on the air if they are of interest.
Opinion: Leland is a bit abrasive at first, especially to
liberal or progressive leaning individuals. He is more on the Libertarian end
of things valuing personal freedom over most things and doesn’t always let
religion trump it as with most republican hosts that include Mr. Beck. He is a
straight talker and though I will admit it was difficult listening to him at
first and I do not believe him quite as fun as his predecessor he is still one
that attracts attention and respect for the way he handles things. He does not
appear to be fake and is very approachable. If you can handle the glut of
commercials and interruptions that take place during his time slot this is a
good right leaning show to listen to. Leland
is a fairly good show for the middle ground listener left leaning people may be
mildly annoyed and right leaning individuals will be mildly pleased.
John Fredericks Show
Political Leaning: Conservative/Republican
Easy Access Hours: 6:00-9:00AM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://thejohnfredericksshow.com/
John is another “Common Sense” host covering political
information throughout the nation with high powered guests working to better
lend a hand to the republican party in their work. John tends to have guests
from both sides of the isle on his show and is very willing to allow other points
of view to be told without censure. He
takes multiple callers with little screening and does not kick you off if you
do not agree with him being civil. His show is a good one to call if you are up
and listening this early.
Opinion: I really liked this show when it first came on the
air. It is good to see a host that is willing to admit if he is wrong and
willing to consider other points of view. This is a very rare thing for most
radio hosts no matter their leanings. He has drawn flack from many of his right
leaning listeners for being too soft on the left and for disagreeing with
republicans from time to time. I respect the man and unlike Beck I consider him
less dangerous to the mental health community. I feel this is one of the best
starting points for a left leaning listener to hear the right wing agenda as it
is presented in a fair low propaganda way. The Right may have some annoyance at
his mildness but if you are easy going this could be the show for you.
Political Leaning: Liberal/Democrat
Easy Access Hours: 9:00-12:00AM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.thejackgravelyshow.com/
Jack is a “Common Sense” show covering the nation’s events
from a left leaning perspective. Jack has multiple guests and experts during
the week seeking individuals from both sides of the isle and has had multiple
left and right organizations represented. Jack has a variety of callers and
pretty much no screening process so his show is easy to access and he is very
approachable. Jack is usually willing to listen and hear out any caller so long
as it doesn’t come across as a soap box issue. Jack’s show is almost as much
about the callers as it is about him or his guests and calling in is very much
recommended.
Opinion: Jack is probably one of the fairest talk radio
hosts on the left with his closest right wing counterpart being John Fredericks
as listed above. Jack is mostly civil to his callers usually allowing most
people to air their information and is not afraid to apologize if his facts are
wrong. I consider him a man to respect in the talk radio world and highly
recommend the show. Those listening from the left will agree with most of his
information and can usually listen wish ease. Those on the right can usually
delight in the fact that they can call in and that he will even occasionally
concede a point. I would recommend Jack to any right leaning person cutting
their teeth on left leaning talk radio.
Sean Hannity
Political Leaning: Conservative/Republican
Easy Access Hours: 6:00-9:00PM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.hannity.com/
Sean presents himself as a mostly neutral newscaster with
conservative opinions trying to present the facts and let his listeners decide
for themselves. Sean has on multiple guests from both sides of the isle and
tends to enjoy setting up debates between the two. His show has a fairly
complex screening process and is moderately difficult to reach, especially if
you are left leaning. This is a show mostly meant for listening.
Opinion: Sean’s show is anything but neutral in my opinion.
He pretty much does the fox news thing making sure he has weak democrats
cutting off any left leaning individual that might make a legitimate point and
belittling them later. Sean is a show that is very difficulty for any left
leaning individual to listen to and his rants can even near a level of insult.
Right leaning individuals will be pleased with this show as all of your
opinions will be supported and those on the left will be made to look stupid in
a “fair” debate.
Rush Limbaugh
Political Leaning: Conservative/Republican
Easy Access Hours: 12:00-3:00PM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/
Rush is the big man on the Right the professor of
conservative studies and the expert of all things that are “right” in the
world. Rush has been in the business longer than the majority of the
individuals here and has a very well deserved reputation. His opinions are very
much respected by the right and gives probably the best insight into the minds
of the republican party to date. His show is incredibly hard to reach with a
very VERY extensive screening process so if you have a belief opposing his and
the ability to intelligently articulate it you will either not make it through
the process or be cut off so don’t bother calling unless you want to compliment
or support his point of view.
Opinion: I, like many used to really dislike Rush before I
got to listen to him. After doing so I have managed to build respect for the
man. He does not appear to be a bad person and usually will give his callers a
decent amount of time if they talk about something he is interested in. Rush is
a follower of the right and though he may express negative thoughts when there
is another right wing alternative you can bet that if the individual has an R
next to his name Rush will be in support of them as the “right” is always
right. Rush does not apologize often and will never admit he is wrong. I would
recommend a little wading into the right wing pool to left leaning individuals
before listening to Rush but I do highly recommend this show as you will be
getting the best Idea as to how the right thinks. If you are a right leaner you
will love this show and it will support all your beliefs. It may actually get
boring as with Hannity as there is little challenge to your beliefs.
Dennis Miller Show
Political Leaning: Conservative/Republican
Easy Access Hours: 12:00-3:00PM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.dennismillerradio.com/
Dennis is a comedy icon and deserve respect for his years in
the media. Dennis offers laid back comedy and a right leaning prospective on
the world affairs. If you are to call in here it may be difficult due to call
volume but he is willing to listen to you no matter your point of view and is
typically polite even if you are belligerent. If you call in to this show with
a differing opinion be respectful and you will be heard.
Opinion: It is hard not to like Dennis Miller as he is very
mild and relaxed. He tends to enjoy the peaceful approach to talk radio and is
a good first listen to many left leaning people. Dennis is not really one of
the hard hitters politically and is more for entertainment than information
purposes. Many on the right can enjoy this show and get a laugh or two but will
probably end up switching to Rush in the end.
Stephanie Miller
Political Leaning: Liberal/Progressive
Easy Access Hours: 9:00-12:00PM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.stephaniemiller.com/
Who doesn’t love a nice political comedy show in the
morning. This show resembles much of what Glenn Beck used to be when he was leaning
more towards the humor. This biting unapologetic style of humor is a fun way
for most liberals to start the day. The call system is not heavily screened and
is moderately difficult to reach. Beware though if you are calling with a
differing view as you will likely be made fun of.
Opinion: I feel a little guilty in enjoying this show as I
know I would be offended but as I listen to Glenn Beck I feel it is good to
have a balance. She is a fun host to listen to but does not appear heavily
informed mainly confident her belief’s are right. She does have facts at times
to back her up but tends not to get bogged down in political debate trying to
keep the show light. If you are left leaning you will find this show a guilty
pleasure and very humorous. If you are right leaning you will want to cut your
teeth on something different as you will find this show very insulting.
Randi Rhodes
Political Leaning: Liberal/Progressive
Easy Access Hours: 3:00-6:00PM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.randirhodes.com/main.html
Randi is a “Common Sense” Type radio host for the left
calling things as she sees it offering no apologies and a little bite. She
handles issues as a strong figure and will not back down from a debate. She
tends to take most callers on her show but will cut you off if you are
unwilling to give her any slack as she will not take any pummeling. Both sides
of the isle if they are civil can manage calls here.
Opinion: I really don’t know what to think of this show much
yet. She seems angry and a little intimidating most of the time. She does not
appear to be a follower and tends to speak what she believes even if it
tramples some people. Left leaning people should be a little weary as she calls
it as she sees it and not always along the party lines. Right wingers will need
to also be weary as she will come across as quite abrasive.
Ed Shultz
Political Leaning: Liberal/Progressive
Easy Access: 12:00-3:00PM
Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.bigeddieradio.com/
Ed is probably one of the most similar hosts to Glenn Beck
on the left though not quite as powerful. He covers things from the Progressive
prospective and is not afraid to call it as he sees it even if it does not
favor a democrat. Calls into his show are an unknown to me but he appears to be
willing to take calls from both sides and will not cut you off so long as you
are willing to allow discussion (respect the host and you have a much better
chance of staying). He knows his facts and is willing to take a stand for his
views.
Opinion: I used to see him as a left leaning Rush Limbaugh
but after listening to him for a while I see him more as a Glenn Beck type
willing to fight for his beliefs and not for the R or the D next to a
politician name. He even was willing to call out the president several times
during the last few weeks. He has had a segment on some Fridays that allows for
small business to call in and advertise on the air for free and this was
something I greatly respect. If you are a Left leaning individual you will
likely like this show unless you blindly follow the D. If you are a right leaning individual you may
have a hard time at first but if you have an open mind you can enjoy the show
and get a pretty good view of the progressive though process (not necessarily
the democrat though process).
Doc Thompson
Political Leaning: Conservative/Libertarian
Easy Access: 6:00-9:00AM Monday-Friday
Website: http://www.docthompson.com/
Doc used to be on 1140 AM and was another “common sense”
right leaning host. He gave his views on local issues and tried to add a sense
of humor. Doc is currently on the Blaze and I have not managed to listen to his
show so this is all I can comment on.
Opinion: I used to love listening to Doc on the radio as he
was right leaning but fair and his humor was not abrasive to those listening on
the left. He was also willing to admit that he is wrong from time to time which
many hosts will not do. I cannot say if things have changed under his new boss
Glenn Beck but I wish him the best and will give his show a nod of respect with
the intent to listen when I can.
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