But it's not just here in the city, (Savage is heard locally, 6-9 PM on KSFO), where the "Savage Nation" continues to thrive, but NY and other big markets where he has blown away the competition. For good reason.
Savage has re-defined the art of broadcasting. He is the master of telling a story. Any story for that matter. As I have stated too numerous times, politics is the least element to Savage's brilliance, almost an afterthought. Yes, I have heard his diatribes against Barack Obama, the administration, the Democrats, but if you listen intently, Savage has no love for the GOP either. He railed against Mitt Romney calling him a mutt and it was Savage on election night who early on reacted to the results as if he had just concluded an Italian dinner at the North Beach restaurant--pass the Cabernet.
The problem for you Savage bashers is that he's funny. You can't admit it. He's also passionate and does a radio virtuoso like no one else. Moreover, Savage keeps you glued on especially when he talks about the most mundane, the most archaic ideas that have absolutely nothing to do whatsoever with anything in particular. His frequent rants over the likes of eating Chinese food even when it's proven, (says Savage, and he's right), that most Chinese food isn't good for you; his hilarious references to his dog, "Teddy", whom Savage notes on a daily basis is beginning to act worrisome--"after all, he's 16 and that's pretty old for a dog."
Savage recently signed a mega-arrangement with Cumulus where he's now on almost 200 radio stations. It's one of the more shrewd deals Cumulus pulled off and most of you know how I feel about the cloud people, but on this transaction, they hit a grand slam. Period, end of story.
Savage has eclipsed that rare combo of broadcast inertia and appointment radio. He makes it look easy. And unlike the majority of his brethren both locally and beyond, (Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, et al), he's uniquely unpredictable and provides a cathartic three hours of everything you never expect.
Does he go overboard from time to time? Yes and it's still infinitely listenable even if you do a semi-cringe. Do the frequent utterances regarding our current POTUS as "socialist" make you stop and wonder? Sure, just enough to realize that a part of you realizes that more than just a broadcaster, Savage is, in reality, more of a performer. And it is on that platform where he hits it out of the park on a nightly basis.
Even better a few of the local posers that long ago lost their little cachet could learn a thing or two about Savage's pizazz but instead are more concerned about gadgets and cruises.
I said the Bay Area has no stars. I was wrong: There is a Michael Savage. A pain in the ass? Sure. Sometimes surly and over the top? Absolutely. Nobody is perfect.
I expect you, SF and the progressive mafia to once again call me out because of my appreciation of the Savage Nation. Bring it on. Better yet, tell me who's even one iota superior to Mr. Savage? Yeah, good luck with that.
*Follow me on Twitter
Savage recently signed a mega-arrangement with Cumulus where he's now on almost 200 radio stations. It's one of the more shrewd deals Cumulus pulled off and most of you know how I feel about the cloud people, but on this transaction, they hit a grand slam. Period, end of story.
ReplyDeleteAnd McDonalds is the world's most popular restaurant. Still serves up shit.
Amen!
DeleteRich, to each his own. But Savage has never done anything for me except to make me change the dial.
Rush and Howard S. also have large fan bases. I find them crude, mundane, and NOT funny. popularity does not equal excellence.
Who is better than Savage? Well, our own Michael Krasny for starters. Neal Conan with "Talk of the Nation" on npr is also a delight. Of course, these guys talk about actual issues and have interesting guests. They entertain ME! But like I say, to each their own. Just sayin'...
npr is the welfare network.
DeleteI like McDonalds, as I'm sure you do when your liberal buddies aren't looking...
DeleteYeah, McDonalds is so popular because it serves up shit, haha. Go back to eating your tofu and seaweed sushi and spare us the tired metaphor. Dr. Savage has more brains in his little toe than you probably do in your whole body.
Delete"Michael Savage, much to the consternation of my progressive friends, is the biggest star in Bay Area radio"
ReplyDeleteProgressive friends? He is also despised by many conservatives. Period. That guy has nothing to offer. Only hate mongering. Nothing else.
His program is nothing but one heated angry rant after another.
Savage does not represent the conservative movement. End of discussion.
If you think that locally, Melanie Morgan and Brian Sussman represent the conservative movement, then you are dreaming. The Tea Party is a corporate-funded entity.
DeleteRich is spot-on in everything he has said here and in the past about Savage. He's not afraid of the Savage-haters out there.
As far as Savage not representing conservative views: balderdash.
Savage's viewpoints are along the lines of historical conservatives of the past century. You might consider them conservative intellectuals. Savage is an intellectual.
Morgan and Sussman are shallow thinkers. (Sorry, Rich. I know you like Melanie.)
That is not to say that Morgan and Sussman are bad people. From what I have heard, they are very fine people, sans their own hate-mongering on the radio.
And, yes, the left hate-mongers must as much.
The only problem I have with Savage is his regurgitation of adjectives that should be off-limits: vermin comes to mind. Reminds me too much of The Holocaust and what it did to my relatives.
I also recall Savage calling for America needing a nationalist leader, a strong man to lead the country. What, to the promised land? Reminds me of what happened to my relatives in Italy with Mussolini and the Black Shirts.
So, Savage is flawed like the rest of us, but Rich is correct: Savage is the best on radio today as far as story-telling. Unlike Morgan and Sussman, Savage doesn't need cheap sound effects like the trio on KSFO rely upon, much to their own humiliation, which they must be blind to since they keep doing it and seem to relish it.
You are falsely lumping all nationalism together with Nazism and fascism. Nationalism can best be summed up in Savage's motto; Borders, language, and culture. These elements create a nation state. Conservatism's primary principle should be conserving and protecting that nation.
DeleteThe current GOP represents international corporatism. This is why it continues to fail. Who would want to vote for country club rich guys who continue to support their big business buddies plunder the United States economy? Droning on about free markets, free trade, and American exceptionalism doesn't connect with the people. A nationalist populist conservative party is sorely needed. But this may never happen since the powers that be are importing the third world in order to balkanize the electorate and the nation.
7:44. Please re-read the past 150 years of history. I do not incorrectly mix anything.
DeleteNationalism was a primary ingredient in Franco's fascism in Spain, Mussolini's fascism in Italy and Hitler's Nazism in Germany.
Are you actually saying nationalism did not play a role in those movements?
Are you kidding me?
Just look at the posters from each of those countries that promoted nationalism.
Look at the films, primarily from Nazi Germany. duh.
Listen to their anthems. For example, the Nazis taught their children to sing of Aryan nationalism.
Read their poetry.
If you want, I can give Rich my number since he knows my IP and we can set up a meeting so I can further educate you.
Furthermore, you speak ignorantly of a nationalism that doesn't exist in history. If you and Savage think a new nationalism will not result in fascism, have at it.
We'll see where that gets you.
Moreover, that's your nationalistic view of conservatism. As a person who is often described as a conservative, I disagree with your tunnel-vision-view of conservatism.
There is also an internationalist view of conservative values that foresees a worldide federation of nations, much along the lines of the American republic.
While I understand your point of view and am quite familiar with Michael Savage's nationalistic motto, which is archaic and outdated in this era, it is also laughable that you, Savage and others think this world can afford nationalistic nations when the world is "shrinking" and interdependence is increasing and will continue to grow. ROFL.
With all due respect to Michael Savage, it is laughable that in this country of multiculturalism (from its very start), that there would be nationalistic cries for a "culture."
Which culture? Every religious, political, social, philosophical cultural influence has come to America. There is no dominant culture.
Do you mean Christian culture? Which Christianity? Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant? In America, where there is separation of church and state?
Come on, get serious.
I like Savage, but he has allowed his usual sophistication to be simplified into stupidity by restating his motto, "borders, language, culture" again and again to the point that it has become a rallying cry for some of the ignorant among his listeners who actually believe that nationalism can work in a world growing more interdependent by the minute, whether you and Savage want it to or not. Such viedws are actually hilariously funny, except when they manage to result in armed insurrection.
Signed an American patriot, conservative and realist.
Tony doesn't like the term "progressive" when referring to liberals...it implies progress in the correct direction.
ReplyDeleteOther then that, Rich sums up Tony's view of what makes Savage worth listening to. Tony was a Dr. Laura fan too but only in small doses.
Apparently he(Michael Savage) is not as popular on the internet as http://bit.ly/TomLeykisShow as shown on http://bit.ly/1TuneIn!
ReplyDeleteHe's to political radio what Radnich is to sports radio. And they both bash Obama.
ReplyDeleteNo need to say more.
I've never heard Radnich bash Obama. Stan must think those crazy voices in his head are coming from his radio.
DeleteYou hadn't heard it ,so he didn't say it?. Whats scary is you take the time to post such stupidity.
DeleteEven more scary is, your ability to write the same message over and over,month after month. Like the same guy who does that to Rich and Lowell. You could change Rich to Lowell to Stan..and you nuts say the same thing.
Many more to come KNBR lovers,many!
Did you hear when Radnich said "History proved Nixon was a great president" ?..He never repeated that one. It gave too much away about Raddys deep conservative roots. THAT ONE..he wont say again!
DeleteI have noticed,the more I post to bring it on to KNBR?...the more those almost scripted automated putdowns come back. Like a certain PR department at work. Almost word for word to Lowell and Rich and myself.
DeleteYes of course! Undoubtedly the KNBR PR department has made it a top priority to deal with every obscure internet nut.
DeleteGood thing you're so cagey and manage to stay one step ahead of them
Ok then 749,you do it for them?. lol Republicans.
DeleteActually, Gary did mention Stan this week. How does it feel Stan to make Gary worry about the safety of his family to the point that he will not allow his daughters out to sell girl scout cookies. You should be very proud. If Rich and BASG haven't yet notified SFPD about you, they should. You are a tradgedy waiting to happen.
DeleteSlight correction, @1:02, Stan is a tragedy that unfortunately has already happened.
Deletecomment bait.
ReplyDeletechow down suckers.
says the commentor.....
DeleteSpeaking of sports radio,Monte Poole was on all fours kissing Radnich ass today. I mean he was as submissive as a man can be. Monte,like Mark Purdy have broken ranks to be on KNBR with the local writers. Even more galling? Radnich,knowing he has Monte by the ears, asked why he hadn't been on the show?..Poole would not say the real reason. Nothing about ethics..or strike, Monte babbled on like a kid needing Ritalin,thanking Gary over and over. And Radnich knew it..he knew Monte Poole was owned and selling out..no going back.
ReplyDeleteWhat a desperate way to be heard by Poole. Sell out and traitor.
Monte Poole is a "sell out and traitor" for going on the Radnich show?
DeleteHow many of Rich's readers are this insane?
Monte and Gary haven't complained...but you of course are compelled. Like its your job huh?
DeleteI cant figure how many "fans" are outraged to come here. I cant figure out why???..lol. What are the odds so many of his rabid "fans" habituate blogs of hosts who are no friends of the bloated one?
Why?..lol. More then one flunkster in this world.
Once did afternoon traffic reports for an AM station with a lineup of Limbaugh, Hannity and Savage. At the end of every report I'd give the phone hotline for traffic incidents so listeners could call in, but most people used that number to randomly dial and have somebody to yell at after getting all psyched up listening to right-wing angry propaganda. Savage's listeners were the WORST and I'd frequently get two or three calls every traffic report from people who decided I was a good person to call and scream at about whatever they were worked up over. Finally petitioned the news director to allow me to stop giving out the number during Savage's show when he sat with me for an hour and took the calls. The guy may make a point or two on occasion but I have no respect for what he does, how he does it or how he affects people.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the insight. I had forgotten about his abhorrent anti Jewish rants, which luckily I have only heard about. I see no reason to listen to this man, despite Rich's boner for him. (Sorry, Rich, I like you--but cannot agree with you on Savage.)
DeleteHe's Jewish himself. He just criticizes liberal Jews. It's pretty obvious you don't listen. Another close-minded liberal who can't handle listening to different ideas and opinions.
DeleteIn the time I was working that shift and listening to 2 hours of Savage every day (my shift mercifully ended before the final hour), I do not recall any anti-Jewish rants, and that was over the course of about six months, five days a week. I did come up with a template for how every show would go, however (Bush was still in office at the time):
DeleteLimbaugh: How amazing Bush/Cheney are, why anybody who disagrees is an idiot
Hannity: All liberals/Dems are idiots, also Bush is awesome
Savage: EVERYBODY is an idiot except for ME, but when you vote, vote Republican because they're slightly less dumb, also BUY MY BOOK and everybody is still an idiot, raaarggghhhhblaaaggghhh-shouting and anger!
Anybody who makes political decisions based on a radio broadcast should probably not be voting (regardless of party preference), but the point of my original post is that only Savage seemed to get people so ridiculously worked up, upset and irate to the point where they opted to expel that energy by calling a random number at the end of a traffic report and just begin screaming. I would be called things like a Communist, a traitor, a libtard, etc., and all I had done was deliver a traffic report and read a commercial spot. The pure anger and vitriol generated was just astonishing to me, and it struck me that if a parent saw that type of reaction in their child from a cartoon, they would turn it off. If the fans of a particular band started engaging in that type of behavior per the music, there would be a push to stop teens from listening. I listened for a long period of time and amidst the few valid, coherent points he would make I would hear nothing but nonsensical, angry ranting that painted the entire world as the villain in each listener's universe, allowing them to be the unjustly-wronged hero in their tale. I totally, completely UNDERSTAND what he's doing and why the people who listen enjoy it - it makes every short-sighted, reactionary idea they have totally acceptable and CORRECT. And just as most people who own guns are not insane spree-killers, I'm sure most Savage listeners realize a fair amount of it is just silly entertainment. But I had my experience interacting with his fans and was astonished by how angry a person could become just from listening to a radio show, and once I was off that shift I became pretty determined never to listen to another second of his show.
Generally enjoy his program, not for content but for entertainment factor, love his stories but I think the third hour is recorded or pre recorded. Also, the constant reading from his books find me changing the station.
ReplyDelete> Michael Savage rules Bay Area radio...
ReplyDeleteThis shows you the type of people who listen to radio, and why I don't even care if my next car has one.
If you're talking about Savage 6-7 years ago, or even 2-3, I would tend to agree with a lot of what you wrote. He's an entertainer. But lately his show has lost its luster in a big way. I struggle to find it interesting. It always seems like the same show on repeat, and while I know a lot of shows are, I'm talking content.
ReplyDeleteHe constantly hawks his books, himself, and is becoming even more conceited by the day. He sounds like a guy who is scared to die, quite honestly. He wants everyone to know oh-so-badly who he is, what he means to society, and how his perspective is the only perspective. Consistently states how he's right 99% of the time. I guess he doesn't understand math.
Yes, Michael Savage is better than the Bay Area talkers but there really isn't any competition. Nationally there's very little competition as well. It's all the same competition. He's like the smartest kid in the retarded class, so to speak.
But I guess because he lives here and broadcasts out of his home he's local. That said, not sure when the last time he actually did an issue having anything to do with the Bay other than making fun of all the liberals who live in his neighborhood. They're the same people who never liked him in the first place, and that's why he has so much hate. The guy seems like a man with no friends, no life, and no real understanding of human interaction. The older he gets the more apparent it seems. My guess is over the next year or so it will only get worse. he claims to want to reinvent himself. I don't think he has a choice in that matter.
He use to be funnier, wittier, and more entertaining. Now it seems he's just constantly reminding everyone of what he once was, and how hateful he truly his. It's not an act.
I can say this having been around for some of his first shows in the Bay.
Good for Michael Savage. I'm happy for his success, though I rarely listen. I used to be a regular listener to Mike years ago, when he was first on ksfo. I stopped, but not because he was wrong about social or political events. Most times, Mike was quite correct in his conclusions or predictions of how likely something was or was not to occurr.
ReplyDeleteI rarely make a point of listening to Mike these days, because, by process of elimination or probability, he paints a very dark, bleak portrait of social disappointments. To use careless language, "It was a drag" listening to Mike's pontifcations on a steady basis over many months' time. It left me with an aftertaste of depression. He is an acquired taste.
I do respect him as a professional,an original, and I suspect, a man of God. I would not want him as a tenant or customer because he seems unplease-able, if that's a word. Good for Mike, and other talented, strongwilled ,brainy people.
Listening to the other talk show hosts throughout the day does get depressing but Savage makes me laugh and he has been trying to avoid politics after Obama got re-elected. You should give him another shot. It's certainly more uplifting than the hysteric who comes on before him. He lightens up my day anyway and I like the new time slot.
DeleteSavages program is great. He strikes the liberals in the heart with a wooden steak like no other. So the hatred on here is not suppressing. He knows how to point out the hypocrisy and insanity of the left. I see all you on here squirming in the words you say. You're all pathetic.
ReplyDeleteYou see Rich, this is the effect of Savage on most of his listeners. And you wonder why many of us don't care for him.
DeleteGil Gross, 4-7 weeknights, on 910 KNEW, is far better than Savage.
ReplyDeleteSavage tells the truth about the dire state of our nation and
ReplyDeletethe dire state of the current fraud in the White House.
He is at the top because he's the only voice that the people can
rely on for a true perspective on the demise of their nation and
calls BS on the "leaders" no matter what political party they
belong to.
Nationaly Michael Savage is behind Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin in ratings.
ReplyDeleteI do not know where Rich is getting his information. Questionable source.
I have to believe Savage's Bay Area listenership is down after shifting to nighttime from the drive time.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Rich can confirm this...
His act is growing tiresome. Levin is much better.
Michael Savage for Presudent.
ReplyDeleteMany of us respect your right to like and defend Mr. Savage. You, on the other hand, need to respect those against your opinion. You are as hyprocritical and angry as anyone can possibly be. You are an angry, hateful, woman chasing, person, Rich. You are funnier than a turd in the punchbowl.
DeleteMichael Savage aka Michael Weiner aka THE WHINER is an insecure Jewish man of short stature who pretends he is tall and Christian. Has anyone ever heard him say he is a proud Jew? Why can't he say he is Jewish like other local media icons: Lieberman, Gross and Rothman? Even spineless Matress Man Lowenstein mentions his Jewishness evry now and then. Savage like Rush hails from a salesman background and thus people buy into the hocus pocus pitch. Is it any coincidence that both men avoid debating either on their shows or in national media? Their dim witted views of the world can't stand up to close scrutiny. Savage used to be funny but not anymore. He uses his show to peddle books he wrote 30 years ago such as "Healing Children Naturally" and to peddle his recent books. He even has the gall to call himself a "novelist"!! I almost drove off the road when he said that the other day. I tune into his show maybe once or twice every couple of weeks but he has become very predictable. BOOORING! He has a knack for overstating the truth. He might be in over 200 stations but if no one is listening then what's the point? If he was so good then Hannity, Rush and Levin would not be beating him day and day out. He overplayed his angry white guy schtick and now that he wants to reinvent himself it is way too late...time to hang it up, maybe he can apply to be his son's administrative assistant at the energy soft drink company...
ReplyDeleteWriter 5.04pm said, "He strikes the Liberals in the heart with a wooden STEAK like no other" I tried to ignore it, I really, really did, but I think you meant to use the word STAKE.
ReplyDeleteSteak= A tender piece of meat some will chose to eat.
STAKE= A long metal pole, held upright over Dracula's heart, to make a killing hole.
I'll go away now, back to my Gramarians' WorkShoppe
Michael Savage for President and Sean Hannity for Vice President. Get this country back to the morals and standards our forefathers indented. Oh yeah.... Just to show support for Obama... I agree with his State Of The Union.. Ship all the iillegals back to their country and make them wait in the back of the line behind everyone who is trying to come here legally.
ReplyDeleteThat will work out well, Savage has mostly contempt for other talk show hosts, doesen't matter if they are liberal or conservatives. He might be entertaining at times, I agree with Rich on many of his points about Savage. However, the truth is Savage does not really get along well with many people, not his co-hosts, not management, he really is not a people person. He might be a good observer of people, but not good at interacting with them. I know that he worked at KSFO
Deleteseveral years ago, he insulted most of the other hosts on the air (called Jim Eason (or Easton) and old man in a pyjamas, another female hosts, quickly set a caller straight when the caller suggested she was a friend of Savage. Fortunately, Savage seem to have enough insight into his personality to know his limitations. His biggest flaw is that he takes himself too seriously, and he cannot refrain from getting personal, and downright nasty when he disagrees with someone.
On my commute home, to whom shall I listen? Tom Tolbert? When Ratto is with him and depending on the guests. Michael Savage? In short spurts, but then he espouses his conspiracy theories with no evidence and I switch to FM. Towny and Bucher? Both have squeaky, squealy voices. Ugh. KCBS? Maybe for Phil Matier or local news. Running out of FM radio stations for baby boomers . . . Play the CD. Then start the whole process again . . .
ReplyDeleteGood points.
DeleteYou can tell how successful Savage is with all the hate coming from the liberals comments! LOL I LOVE IT!!
ReplyDeleteLong Live Michael Savage
Limbozo, Hannypie and Levinegar are all puppets for the GOP. Limbaugh (will deny it to his death, but prove me otherwise) is a NWO insider. If you listen carefully, Rush contradicts himself time and time again, and (imho) he is not funny. I am conservative, and can appreciate humor that takes jabs at the left, but Rush's idea of "funny" is too predictable and sophmoric. He will act as if he has no affinity to the GOP, but come election time, he will artfully promote whatever turdball-dullard runs for office. He (rightfully)accuses the main-stream-media of losing younger viewers (just watch the ads to figure out who their demographic is), but Rush AND Hannity are on AM stations that play the same dull, boring, old, suppository ads you hear during the evening news. Then there is Levin...Well, is there really? He's not even worth mentioning. He will disappear soon enough. Then there is Hannypie. Hannity is to Rush what Sammy Davis Jr. was to Frank Sinatra. Enough said about that. He was a good-looking guy, a "man of the people," with a good voice and the gift of gab. He was created to be a voice for the conservative constituency, nothing else. He does not attempt to reach across party lines, and he is predictable. I do believe he is a man of integrity. He is (unlike Rush), a good father. A good husband and does understand the average American conservative....BUT, like any man, he wants what he wants. Would the average conservative want an invitation to the White House Christmas party every year, or the occasional seat at important GOP galas? Does this influence what he says? You bet. This is one of the many things that separate Savage from those guys. He is a vigilante. He is in the bag for nobody, and he certainly attracts a younger crowd (myself included). He is hilarious (without even trying), intellectual and nuanced. I realize this drives the left absolutely bonkers, since we are all supposed to be a bunch of dunderheads on the right, but you can't deny the facts. If I were a talking head on either side of the aisle, I would be intimidated by Dr. Mike. Savage rocks the airwaves, and I will listen as long as he has the strength to get up everyday and do it.
ReplyDeleteHeh. I don't know about y'all, but I'm enjoying my wooden steak...
ReplyDeleteSO many stars! Dinah Shore, if you can relate to that one.
ReplyDeleteAnd Bob Wilkins!
I listen to Savage without fail. An other underrated talk genius is Rodger Hedgecock. It is amazing the hate from liberals Savage generates. I have an IQ of 140. What can I say? I am an independent.
ReplyDeleteHey Tony Clifton...please refrain from referring to yourself in the third person. It makes you sound like some self-important nincompoop!
ReplyDeleteMichael Savage's share of the remaining radio audience is inversely proportional to radio's demise. Try and buy an AM radio these days. You can't find one, because there is no demand for them among technology early adopters. AM as a transmission method is poor compared with today's alternatives.
ReplyDeleteSo the megastars of AM (and increasingly FM) radio are going to be those who appeal to the oldest, dimmest Luddites. So the choice for radio is to find more hosts that appear to that demographic and ride the diminishing wave, or try to reverse the tide by getting talent that appeal to something besides the lowest common denominator.
Michael Savage is an example of the success of the lowest-common-denominator approach.
Hwey 11:15 PM...you're the kind of idiot who should be shipped out of this country because YOU give it a bad name. You don't understand or believe in diversity or the right of individuals to have opinions that may be contrary to yours. YOU ARE PATHETIC!
ReplyDeleteI just feel like I need a bath after 15 minutes of listening to him.
ReplyDeleteSavage is equivalent to a bowl of steaming hyena vomit with short curly hairs sticking out of it....
ReplyDeleteBut I have to admit, if I saw that on the sidewalk, I might do a double take before avoiding it, just like the sickening booger that calls itself "Michael Savage".
Just because something is outrageous and revolting, it doesn't mean you have to give it credit for anything.
People watch execution videos, but that doesn't make them worth watching, does it?
Take heart. I love that you are able to think not just feel. Your courage is noticed and I will notice you from now on as a p.c. survivor.
ReplyDelete