I get a lot of mail from people --good and bad, mostly good, about my penchant for writing a lot, positively, about John Rothmann. Yes, I do write a lot about Rothmann because I like and enjoy smart people on radio. John Rothmann is smart. Better yet, he's great on the radio. That's sort of a commodity here because you don't get a lot of Rothmann's --mostly you get a lot of dunces; people that insult your intelligence; grown men yelling at you as if you some sort of idiot; people that, in lacking the basic ability to just talk to you, can't; because they tend to be dumb and useless and have to rely on gimmicky sideshows to lure you in; that's the art of dumb people; dumb people on radio. (Not that dumb people are only on radio, but you get my point).
Rothmann talks to people as if their adults and are intelligent. That's not only refreshing, it's smart. It's like he treats people with respect (imagine that!)--even those people who call him-- the few dummies who act like doofusses, he still manages to give them the benefit of the doubt and put up with their call. Again, that's smart.
Even when the few times I've disagreed with Rothmann, (like his call for Bill Clinton to resign because of the Lewinsky affair) I still managed to listen because listening to Rothmann is not only entertaining and useful, but also provocative too because Rothmann is provocative. So, yes, of course I'm going to write about him and at length too; can you blame me? Who else is there? I rest my case.
One day when and if John Rothmann acts like a buffoon I will write (again) about him and castigate him and scold him --I don't think that's going to happen but if it does, God willing, I'll be here to call him out.
Against Bill resigning, for Hillary, yea, just admit you're a Democrat and what you post is biased against the half of your audience that isn't. Rich, stick to what you know, ripping "entertainers". Politics is not your genre. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteStan is my favorite deplorable.
DeleteIf Bill Clinton had resigned, as John recommended, we probably would have been spared a criminal running for president now.
DeleteYou lost me there. How would Bill Clinton's resignation for sexual relations with a consenting adult have prevented the presidential campaign of the statutory rapist who's running for president now?
DeleteInquiring minds want to know.
First off, you're wrong--I'm a registered Independent --I tend to vote for Democrats, but unlike you, I'm open.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to Rothmann, do you know he used to work for Dick Nixon? He's hardly gung-ho Dems, but so what? If he happened to be a GOP guy and was entertaining, I'd still listen.
You've obviously never read my postings about the late Lee Rodgers --who was as conservative as all get-go, but did an great radio show on KSFO which I lauded ...ditto, Mike Savage, whose politics generally I disagree, but when it comes to his radio show, I listen because he puts out great content.
It's not "the politics" that dictate what I listen to or watch, it's whether the show is entertaining and enjoyable.
I can't stand Bill Maher, I think he acts boorish and come across as a jerk but I love his HBO show.
Stephanie Miller has a left-leaning radio show and whose politics I generally agree with but her radio show is dull and predictable.
I don't think personal analysis is your "genre" --stick to the basics.
Amen, Rich, Amen!! You speak the truth!! For it is He who shall set you Free. As for the others, well, Scooby-Doo will Doo-Doo on you. A triple rhyme for the culturally illiterate. Trump Wins!!!
DeleteAlright Rich. Eating contest. You and me. Harry's Hofbrau in San Jose. Friday. Be there or be a Democrat.
DeleteAs Lee Rodgers' health worsened, the quality of his program declined as well. Sussman is and always was unlistenable. He has to be the most unpolished radio professional I've ever heard.
DeleteGene Burns was amazing. I've traveled quite a bit and no one I've ever heard could lay a hand on him. Savage is great but even he gets on my nerves occasionally. Ronn had his time in the sun and should have retired several years ago.
What this place needs is someone like Mark Davis in Dallas but SF isn't that kind of place. People here are very thin skinned and take themselves far too seriously. That's a libbie thing that isn't going to change so one would think we are likely to see more of what's already here.
I also enjoy to listen to John Rothmann on the infrequent times he appears on KGO. Whether I happen to agree or disagree on the particular issue, his program still makes for an interesting and informative discussion. Another point for Mr Rothmann, John realizes the reason folks tune-in to a talk show is to hear what the other callers think, what the listeners think. Not so much to hear what the host or his in-studio guests think. And so John plays the part, and very effectively hosts the listener's calls.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly right, too many hosts use their programs as a soapbox for their own personal opinions and show little tolerance to callers, especially if they have a different opinion.
DeleteActually lately John has been on a lot, usually every week end (if there is not some kind of game) and often on Monday nights, besides that Pat often has him on as a commentator.
ReplyDeleteOther than that I agree with you, I often agree with John, but that is not the point, what comes through is John loves being on the air, and he delights in callers, thus he has the patience to let them speak their mind, even if he disagrees with the caller.
Agreed, John is a wonderful host. What's amazing is that I thought of him as maybe the 4th or 5th best host in the old KGO days, that's how strong they were.
ReplyDeleteThere has been such a disastrous roster of hosts since then, they and the station have been an embarrassment. If Bearman, Franklin, Langon, Scott and anyone else I'm forgetting had any intelligence they'd take note and study up on how Rothmann does and conducts his show and try to emulate it in their way. But they're not smart so we're stuck with idiot hosts and pointless shows.
Poor John and Pat...Chip keeps butting in and he knows nothing...it is frustrating. I was going to listen to Pat and John, but with Chips big stupid mouth - I think I will watch tv.
ReplyDeleteJohn is great. Pat Thursten, not so much. She's opinionated and one dimensional. Somewhere I read she's a journalist. Not in any wildest dreams. No thanks. Frankly, I change the channel when I hear her voice. Much like I do with C. Craft.
ReplyDeleteRefer back to other comments on this blog, a talk show host is NOT a journalist, they are SUPPOSE to have an opinion, have you ever listened to Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh others, certainly they have opinions. Having said that if you don't like Pat because of her style that is another matter, but both Pat and John are liberals.
DeleteTo me he was always in the top, but of course no one could beat Gene Burns, so my favorites were as follows: Gene Burns, John Rothman, Pete Wilson (depending on subject)then Ronn, I was not a big Bernie fan, although he could dissect the republican talking points pretty well, but when he went after Israel he lost me. Ray was too one sided, but when he talked jazz and music he had my attention. So for most of the hosts it depended on subjects, but I rarely found Gene or John boring.
ReplyDeleteWell, now we have Ethan Bearmann. So glad he elevates talk radio for the 'new generation' with his insightful and deep explorations of what his callers have had for lunch!!
ReplyDeleteTrue enough. Mr Bearmann doesn't seem to have much of an opinion about his listener's ability to focus on a single topic more than 5-10 minutes, then time for a food break ... lol ... Oh well, at least you get 5-10 minutes of KGO before switching back to NPR.
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