Who'd have believed that a quirky, educated, unconventional guy from the Bronx would end up in San Francisco as one of the most popular voices on American syndicated radio?
The King of Interesting, provocative, entertaining, talk radio with an eye for unpredictability did one better.
Michael Savage --heard live on KSFO here from 12-3 PM, has become the only talk-radio voice in the Bay Area to make it big in the syndicated radio fortress--against all odds and out of the blue. Savage began at KGO in 1994 and quickly established himself as a force in the business --how ironic that it was Savage that would emerge from the 415 area code into the heart of America and beyond --out from the same station where Ronn Owens, a once-dominant talker couldn't cut it in LA.
I bring this up not to embarrass Owens and others who, behind the scenes, are said to bemoan Savage's popularity and are still aghast at his ability to connect to a national audience--I'm merely pointing out that Savage's success both locally and nationally didn't figure in the equation early on.
He's still regarded as something of a professional outcast because he doesn't play the game practiced by others. To Savage's credit, he's built a professional pedigree that doesn't kowtow to the establishment; that doesn't cozy up to the nebeshes that act one way on the air and are precisely the opposite off. Savage had the other essentials: he earned his PhD from Cal after two Masters degrees -- he's one of the most educated talkers in the US which may explain his ability to walk with kings but never lose the common trust.
Savage's critics, (and I'm one occasionally even if many of you don't know or care) point out his drifts into extremism rants and borderline insanity--and that's what makes him so weirdly compelling, so thought-provoking genius --his own worst element is his best attribute. "Savage Nation" is more than borders, language and culture--which is important and unique discourse; don't get me wrong.
Savage Nation and its leading conductor, Savage himself, has built up this successful broadcast reservoir due to a basic human element--it's, as I've always said, different, funny, brilliant and yes, unconventional --bring on the Chinese food buffet and meatball recipes.
Get a table for one for Teddy. And THIS JUST IN.
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Savage's critics, (and I'm one occasionally even if many of you don't know or care) point out his drifts into extremism rants and borderline insanity--and that's what makes him so weirdly compelling, so thought-provoking genius --his own worst element is his best attribute. "Savage Nation" is more than borders, language and culture--which is important and unique discourse; don't get me wrong.
Savage Nation and its leading conductor, Savage himself, has built up this successful broadcast reservoir due to a basic human element--it's, as I've always said, different, funny, brilliant and yes, unconventional --bring on the Chinese food buffet and meatball recipes.
Get a table for one for Teddy. And THIS JUST IN.
*Follow me on Twitter
Michael has a birthday two weeks from today
ReplyDeleteWow, almost made it to Wednesday before the all too frequent promotion of Savage by Rich again.
ReplyDeleteYawn
They let you have your 5 minutes of internet trolling at the asylum before you had to disconnect?
DeleteHow nice.
Happiest of Birthdays to you, Michael! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that Savage has his talk show based in the Bay Area, yet strikes a consonant chord with about 90% of the rest of the country but not here.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Rich, for the nice and fair reiview of the most entertaining talk show host, Michael Savage. Only in the so-called tolerant city he lives in, San Francisco, is Savage reviled with few exceptions. You're one of few locals that see his good side.Even if one doesn't like his politics Savage is still the most entertaining host with his stories, wit and even taste in music. While 'Mr Softy' tries to play it cool, trying to play up to a younger demographic with his juvenile music his older listeners hate, Savage isn't afraid to 'date himself,' proud of the 'fantastic Fifities' during which he grew up - it's music, personalities, cars, etc. Glad others across America have picked up on Savage. Savage, who may be reclusive, gives more of himself than any of the other hosts, perhaps because they have little to say- leading ho-hum boring lives while Savage is still cranking out interseting books and material. Thanks for being one who sees the light.
ReplyDeleteright on!
DeleteI often enjoy listening to Savage from the seven-day archives on KSFO due to my schedule. However, for the last couple of weeks the podcasta and archives have not been working. Same for KGO810. The audio files only have news at the beginning and after that... silence. Podcasts have not been updated for a long time either.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I use, they always have good podcasts of his shows and updated daily. http://conservativestream.com/
DeleteThanks very much for the link. Does anyone know when 7 day audio archives will be back? Especially from KGO.
DeleteThis registered "Independent" listens to Michael Savage regularly not always agreeing but enjoys his show.
ReplyDeleteHope this coming birthday is a grand one indeed and hope that 2015 finishes out with Savage remaining on TOP. Would be glad to be the official SAVAGE illustrator but after first mentioning having a editorial cartoonist a few years ago, I suppose this fantastic individual simply has too much on his plate. I just hope America has our SAVAGE for years to come.
ReplyDeleteKSFO is airing promos today featuring the team of Melanie Morgan and Brian Susan. What's happening there? Is Katie Green history?
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU to the earlier post(er) who noted that Savage podcasts are available at www.conservativestream.com (listening now...again, another THANKS!) Does anyone know how to hear Ronn's shows (and, yes, I like him, too ;))
ReplyDeleteYes, what about the other 21 broadcasting hours? I would like to be able to hear more than one show.
DeleteLove Savage, we refer to him as the "Evil Genius". He spans a lot of topics and can go very deep, and I do enjoy the humor, attempts at humor, and even when he misses ... at least he tried!
ReplyDeleteIs there an update on Dr. Bill Wattenburg, Bernie Ward, etc.? What is the whole semi-retired or retired gang doing? I used to sometimes catch Dr. Bill on weekends on a small station out of Santa Cruz.
ReplyDeleteLIke Limbaugh, Savage is supported by the extremely powerful right wing "powers that be" and with the right wing purging of all media progressive talk they have no competition (remember that word?). Welcome to the era of Ron Paul!
ReplyDelete