"Tolerance" is a word used around these parts quite a bit by my so-called, progressive friends. I just wish they would look up its definition.
I'm appearing on the Michael Savage radio show tonight. He's had me on a few times. While I'm not a big fan of some of his politics, I think his show, get this straight: is.a.blast. Funny, entertaining and even enlightening.
I read the Wall Street Journal--does that make me a right-wing whacko? No. I even scan Drudge and WorldNews Daily, pardon me for taking a peek at the other side. Truth is, I want to be entertained and informed. Sometimes, even the dark side has its moments.
Part of the reason why "progressive" radio is utterly non-successful is that its painfully boring. I'm sorry, but Stephanie Miller jumped the shark long time ago. Mike Malloy is a repetitious failure. Alan Colmes is the funniest guy on liberal radio, but often gets chided because he dares allow GOP sympathisers and goofs to call his show. Go figure.
Savage is not for everyone. He often goes overboard, but he's an entertainer more than a political/talking-points messiah. In fact, Savage transcends politics. To compare his show to Hannity or Limbaugh would be like comparing Chevy Chase to Bill Maher.
Have any of you guys a sense of humor? Do you all just lump everyone together? Get a life. Get out and LISTEN. Savage talks more about his dog and Chinese food than he does about Barack Obama, (who I voted for, by the way, which means the right-wing nuts must think I'm a commie).
If Mark Levin would broaden the scope of his show and try to be funny, I might give a listen. If Ann Coulter were to cease becoming the angry bizarro she is, she might have one more friend on the planet. Bill Maher is a personal boob, but his show is entertaining--does that mean I agree with all his talking points? Of course not. And who the hell said Keith Olbermann speaks for me? (Keith needs to get some air).
My point is this: you don't have to turn to the dial if you don't like anyone. And the TV too. It's your right.
It's MY right to do a show if I think a guy is funny and I find Savage's show, for the most part, funny. He's far more genuine and real than some of the national and local yokels here. And he's got a religion of believers and followers too--that doesn't make him the messiah, so get a hold of yourself.
Do this: show some "tolerance." Matter of fact, go look it up in the dictionary too.
And if you want to castigate me for doing a talk-show, for god's sake, then I guess I'm not your flavor either. Grow up.
*Follow me on Twitter
Pretty much hate his politics...but love his show? Damn straight...hands down, THE most talented performer on the air today.
ReplyDeleteAnd it ain't close.
Well written, Rich.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteFor most of my life I thought I was what would be considered "liberal" or "progressive", until over the last 5-10 years I realized most of the folks who label themselves as such are as intolerant any one else.
another savage quote ... "these big-mouthed, phony scum of the ACLU, who should be rounded up, arrested for sedition. Their property seized, and they should be put into Abu Ghraib prison as far as I’m concerned"
ReplyDeleteLink: http://williamrwilson.hubpages.com/hub/Michael-Savage-Hate-Speech-and-Political-Violence.
He has a right to free speech - not a right for support.
Gordon
I'm tolerant...up to a point. Fundamentalist Christian Republicans is where I draw the line. So, Rich, enjoy your conversation with Savage this evening. It doesn't define who you are.
ReplyDeleteAmen Gordon!
ReplyDeleteI tried Savage. Yuck!
But in all fairness, Rich seems to be a fan of the shockey jockey folks--and I am NOT putting them down!
I know folks who SWEAR by Howard Stern. I can't stomach him, but that's just MY taste.
If Rich wants to go on any show, more power to him!
I just won't be listening.
I mourn for conservatives. I am not one but still...it's embarrassing that the current crop of their pundits are such horses asses.....
I read and respect Debra Saunders. So there!
Damn right Rich!
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to agree with someone's opinion to be willing to defend their right to have that opinion. In certain parts of Nor Cal, the supposedly "open minded" will not listen to, and will go so far as to try to silence anyone who doesn't share their opinion.
Savage can be an idiotic bigot, but I defend his right to be so...
Does Ralph Barbieri always have to put his foot in his mouth?
ReplyDeleteIt is now clear that RB can no longer do a show SOLO as todays co-host is Kevin Lynch.
Barbieri just had to talk about Reggie McKenzies in-ability to oratate up to Barbieri's standards.
Ralph = Please Retire. You no longer do any homework...blasting the FB game last night = Alabama vs. LSU...
Hmmm, I admire Huntsman and respect Romney. I'm aware of the Bay Area actually having a strong Republican history (the late Senator Knowland made it possible for Oakland to have a Zoo, for which we are forever thankful).
ReplyDeleteI'll always believe that rational thinking if done right can be entertaining. Just because irrational thinking turns me off doesn't make me immature. God Bless America to the millions who want to be Oscar Meyer Michael Weiners because they need their lazy entertainment! Tommy T's has hundreds if not thousands of comedians who want to entertain all over the Bay that are far more entertaining than Mr. Weiner. And if I want to laugh at a dog, my hometown and dozens of other cities love their doggies where I can easily drive by the dog parks. Thousands of neighborhood dog owners can tell the same stories 'Savage' does but are far funnier than this most bitter radio personality to ever enter the airwaves.
It is still pathetic, no matter how mad you get at his critics, Lieberman. We'll all grow up some more once you get a deeper grip on the reality that you will inevitably get screwed by this guy who has no clue on how to keep professional or personal friends. The tirades all over the media outlets speak volumes. And you two can bond together and prove us wrong all you want. Doesn't change the inevitable!
Ah, but we shall respect you for your been-there-done-that approach to everything you do. And we still thank you for giving us all the needed Cumulus scoops to help us brainstorm how can we further expose the Tricky Dickeys that have clearly abused the deregulation gift that the U.S. gave us all! Must find a way to take these very poor business 'minds' out of our radio/media hands.
I agree with you Rich. The Weiner is a great entertainer and I love his show. Like good Mezcal or Tequila he is an acquired taste. I can understand why some people can be turned off by him. His voice is unique and can scare people especially when he gets "mad". His "best of" shows are hilarious. I am a liberal from Berkeley and I must say that there are certain liberals who are intolerant of other views, they are the type who caused such a rauccus at a scheduled bibi netanyahu appearance in Berkeley a few years ago that the event had to be cancelled.
ReplyDeleteTolerance is the word you have given us.
ReplyDeleteHere's one for you: HYPOCRITE
This issue is of course not about Free Speech or even whether a person can be witty at times. No one questions Savage's intellectual horsepower.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is one of morality. Where does one put ones support?
Rich, you have the right to appear on Savage's program. However, you can not dismiss out of hand the vile, hateful things he says between cute bits about his dog and take-out food.
Many of us would choose not to appear on or work on his program under any circumstances, because we don't wish to empower him.
We liberals are paradoxically intolerant of one thing.. intolerance. It is not live and let live to support hateful things spewing out of the radio. The message overwhelms the mastery of the medium.
good interview with savage Rich
ReplyDeleteExcellent interview on Savage! Well done Rich!
ReplyDeleteCan you set up a podcast for those of us who did not hear your interview on Savage??
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more, Mel Baker. Savage is vile, disgusting and far from entertaining IMHO.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Rich, you ever try listening to Bill Press or Norman Goldman? Great liberal minds and entertaining shows, especially Bill's.
Rich, good for you going onto Savage's show.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Berkeley. After returning here after years in the "real" world I am shocked by the aggressive Thought Police. I had completely forgot that tolerence and diversity are not welcome here.
Keep up the good work.
I don't care if you go on his show because I don't listen to it and never will.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I agree with any of Mel Baker's posts. Weiner is a money hungry opportunist. He is smart enough to realize that 3 hours of Obama bashing would be boring radio after Rush has already done it earlier in the day. He has differentiated himself from other hosts brilliantly. He says very racist, incendiary things but why get mad about it? The guy is an entertaining clown with zero power.
ReplyDeleteYo Rich: why did you remove earlier critical comments? Not Kosher baby! Let us not censor those critics of Savage while accusing them of trying to do the same.
ReplyDeleteRich, you sound to be almost disappointed that people aren't screaming and yelling, in protest, about your appearerences with Savage.
ReplyDeleteI'm an SF Lib, and I'm grown up. Relax.
Im sick of extreme labels "liberal" conservative" We are killing ourselves! Im really just an openminded, "liberal" by most definitions, but I like a little bit of everything. Lets dont catagorize ourselves so much, we are the problem! The so called, 'progressive" folks are just another group trying to point fingers like the rest. lets all just getalong folks! A little savage is good stuff, only a little, but good. Hes not a gene burnes, hes an entertainer.
ReplyDeleteWeiner is far more interesting than megalomaniacs like Limbaugh or Lowenstein. At least he has some popular appeal to the people who get their hands dirty and pay the bills in this country. Otherwise the shock jock schlock and schtick is getting tiresome on both sides. John Stewart couldn't be more predictable and boring if he tried. Same with the right wingers carrying water for the Republican lunatic fringe. The young people do get it. One of these days they will rise up and through all the bums out from the greedy wall street types to the entrenched bureaucrats whether they be politicians or fat cat union bosses.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't care less about your appearance on on Michael Savage's show. I've listened to him enough to know that I don't care for him, but that's as far as it goes for me. He can talk about his dog and Chinese food all he wants, I'm just not interested. Nor do I have any interest in stopping anyone who does want to listen to him from doing so.
ReplyDeleteWhat does annoy me is your insistence that everyone tolerate your love for the guy while you run the opposing viewpoint into the ground. Shouldn't that tolerance go both directions? Not everyone has the same sense of humor, and that is a wonderful thing. Sad that you can't appreciate that.
You liberals are so funny.
ReplyDeleteLiberty and free speech means doing any show you want to do...maybe they can learn something from your presence.
ReplyDeleteHowever I personally can not tolerate any more right wing...or ...left wing drivel, hate mongering, or out right lying!
Not one issue of relevance, creative thinking, or problem solving from any of them.
Mark Levin is one of the most hateful persons of all time! And that's all you can find on evening radio now.
I tuned in. After Rich left, Savage took phone calls, and they called him Dr. Savage. It was sort of like a Dr. Laura segment, and I kept waiting for him to start insulting people. But he wasn't rude to anyone. Very calm, and careful.
ReplyDeleteCould it be he has softened? Then again, I only listened for a 1/2 hour. It's been over ten years since I first and last heard him. I remember being really surprised and saddened that someone so hateful and angry was on-air.
RE: Liberal radio
ReplyDeleteI agree with you regarding Stephanie M. I used to listen to her heavily, but she is very repetitive (the beaver jokes get tiring), anything Obama does is always right, no matter what....she plays commercials as part of her program, not just in between her program, constantly mentions her father who no one knows or cares about.
As for Malloy, the opposite of her...I find myself agreeing on many things but I can't be negative all the time like him, it doesn't accomplish anything.
In response to Mel Baker:
ReplyDelete"...We liberals are paradoxically intolerant of one thing.. intolerance...".
Now that is funny.
Okay, so freedom of speech should be based on what you or others deem appropriate? Who are you to judge anyone?
Maybe you should be more tolerant of freedom of speech!
Michael Savage wants to be back on a BIG radio station in the Bay Area. He is using you for publicity. The same thing with that little radio station in the South Bay. Who was talking about these two before you started blogging about them. When they are done with you, bye bye Rich.
ReplyDeleteSavage is great to listen too, as long as you take everything he says with a pinch of salt and realize that's it's just entertainment. I'm an Independent who will probably vote for Obama again. Savage is way above anyone else on talk radio today- hands down.
ReplyDeleteTHE PROBLEM WITH TALK RADIO is... It has turned into a scream at you political soap box for extreme view points! left or right.
ReplyDeleteIm sick and tired! Which is why we need more hosts like Gene Burnes, John Rothman, Jim Gabert, etc.. They have political views and do discuss politics, but they "discuss" they dont force it on you, and dont yell at you and make fun of you if you disagree.
Seems the recepie for "talk radio" now is to act like a child and make the other side look stupid every chance you get, and yell yell yell, all the time.
AND howabout the whole "sound clip" thing hosts are always using (mastly right wing types), "listen to clip 5".. They just give a little clip and them make fun of the person over and over, and WE eat it up! GOD!
Its our fault, we are all so damn extreme and hate "the other side" so much.. Obviously some sides are "extreme" and do need to be disliked, but thats "our fault".
News talk, should be variety, not just political, that just sucks! I get board and just turn it off.
Its not genuine, its just there to "entertain" DAMN it! We can get entertainment anyplace! Its a waste of time! Lets discuss issues intelligently and search for solutions!
Lets demand quality "news talk" variety, balanced, and FACTUAL, discussion of issues.
Miller's father was Barry Goldwater's running mate. And her jumping the shark doesn't make sense to me at all. At one time she must have taken herself seriously?
ReplyDeleteFree to choose: There's an overabundance of shows that are as serious as a heart attack. Her Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour album is #1 in the nation on i-tunes and amazon. Where's Savage's or Stern's comedy albums, hmmm?
Oh, okay. And it sure doesn't hurt that she's veeeery easy on the eyes.
Watch live at 6am : http://www.ustream.tv/stephaniemiller
Listen: iheartradio.com KTLA AM 1150
Tape delay, 7pm: KNEW 960AM
the best radio stations offer differing points of view..the spectrum..like the old KGO...I'm amused at all the straight guys turned on by Stephanie Miller who is very funny and original...don't they know?
ReplyDelete@ 8:22 Of course they know. Why do you think they're turned on?
ReplyDeleteI'm getting off topic here, but regarding Stephanie Miller: I like her, I agree the "beaver" jokes are old and tired, and I get her podcast and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER, I also bought her album off iTunes, and I'm sorry to say I was somewhat disappointed. Too much cussing (I sound like an old ninny now). Obviously, they can't cuss on their radio show, and that makes it more interesting.
I don't even know why it bothers me because I've been known to drop a few cuss bombs myself, but for some reason, I don't like it on her comedy album.
It's a sin they replaced her morning show with, of all people, Glen Beck. What a joke. A shot in the foot to 960.
Perfectly said 7:27. "Talk radio" has been redefined. Just because someone is on the radio talking, I don't consider that talk radio in the way that kgo was NEWStalk radio. Local interactive talk radio is what I want. Since most of them are now syndicated, politics seems to be about the only thing they can do nationally that is remotely relevant to a whole nation. I have no interest in listening to the syndicated ones, right or left or center, so I don't know what topics they cover, but whenever I catch a few minutes here and there as I scan the dial trying to find something to listen to, that's all I ever hear -- politics or related subjects like abortion or illegal immigration that politicians use as campaign issues.
ReplyDelete8:58 Maybe cussing is easier to deal with when it's live comedy, and you're surrounded by other people? Don't have the album. I've only been listening since the bloodbath, and I'm still open to suggestions for programming. Heh, I'm even listening to Rush. I'm a political junkie, so it serves me well to understand both sides.
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought I'd tire of the Miller Show sound effects and pace. Sort of like the morning show on KNBR. Wow, does THAT get tiresome. I know they mean well, but the remixes of songs are just not that cleaver, and sometimes horribly out of key. Oh well, I don't listen to Cumulus stations anymore, so problem solved.
Replacing Miller with Beck. Yeah. That, and blowing up Kgone, has nothing to do with the election...
Oh, no.
Not at all. *sarcasm alert*
I am only in my car for about 10 minutes at lunch time, which consists of two 5 minutes trips. Today, on each short hop, I heard two KGO commercials on KNBR......Wow
ReplyDeleteJohn Rothmann listens to RL so he knows what he is saying. He is not afraid to do this. The biggest problem in our government right now is the intolerance of different opinions. I can't stand either extreme but apparently right now that is where too many people reside. We are not getting anywhere until both extremes cut it out!! I am sick of it comeing from both sides extreme liberals and far right.
ReplyDeleteYou can rationalize it all you want but I bet if Mike Savage was a black person making deeply bigoted comments about white people, you wouldn't have such warm and fuzzies about him. But racism does seem to be all in the family. If you are comfortable associated with someone like Savage, it says a lot about the kind of person you are. Savage says disgusting things about black people. Years ago, I made the mistake of tuning in and was really shocked by his comments. I am black and I will never "grow up" enough that a bigot like Savage is just a nice guy trying to make a buck. Guys like Savage are the kind of guys who used to spit in my face. This says a lot about you and the people who post here that you cavalierly write off bigotry as just show business.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely spot-on about Savage! For the life of me, I don't see why any sponsor would associate themselves with his hateful, racist garbage. Bigotry based on race and religion should never be laughed off as "entertainment." The same goes for Rush Limbaugh.
Delete