DRIVING HOME THE OTHER NIGHT, I turned on KGO Radio and John Rothmann was having it out with a caller; a Trump supporter.The dialogue was heated and eventually led to a peaceful ending which kind of sucked because the back and forth was quite entertaining radio.
This is what makes Rothmann interesting because, dammit, when screaming and yelling would be the obvious go-to approach, Rothmann does the opposite. He ENGAGES with callers even if they make no sense and act like doofuses --at first I get annoyed but eventually I get what Rothmann's MO is; by trying to be civil and respectful, he un-dumbs-down the caller. If the person is a genuine goofball, lunatic, pathetic fool, he'll still be civil. Then he might hang up. Either way, it's riveting to listen to especially when you're backed up on 880 in commuter traffic hell.
It's the sort of radio style that made KGO famous and the envy of the industry. Not all callers make sense and in some cases, really screw up the show. But stupid people sometimes make great radio. And smart, intelligent callers (which Rothmann gets a healthy dose) can be downright boring. Go figure.
There's a frequent Trump support, "Rob from Richmond"--I can't take the guy seriously and not because he's an ardent, Trump-is-great 100% of the time guy, but I must admit I like hearing his spiel and enjoy it when he's blown-to-smithereens on the air. He's a frequent KGO caller.
And caller-driven radio isn't for everyone but it makes for exceptional audio entertainment --the kind of content that used to be a KGO staple. It isn't fake. At least it shouldn't be fake. It's not artificial and manufactured debate. It's a real, straight-forward passionate display of news-talk at its best.
I remember I called him two years ago about how the Dossier was false intel. He didn't know about it yet...I should call him back to see what he thinks about Comey and Brennan throwing each other under the bus about who wanted it out there back then.
ReplyDeletecall in and let john destroy you again
DeleteHe was nice and amicable and we parted friends. Rich is correct about his pleasant demeanor, not so much about John as the be-all end-all know-it-all of Presidential politics. He's just another old paradigm media jackyl rooted in the partisan divide. The Dossier was a fabrication and those who signed off on it are each trying to cover their ass and/or throw others under the bus for pushing it along. This was known two years ago, as I mentioned to John then, which he was UNAWARE and still ignores it presently like the rest of the religious left. I'm not a right-winger, just a truth seeker...paid media types are are to be scrutinized no matter what side of the aisle they're on.
DeleteTotally agree with you about John Rothmann, he is great at engage callers, and manage to do it without yelling or belittling the caller. Gene Burns was a master as well, although not quite as even tempered as John, he certainly kept you listening.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to know how he does it as frequently liberals are so unreasonable and closed minded when they meet opposition. What sort of mind set does he have when going into talking to a rabid Trump supporter, for example? Most liberals are so quick to call conservatives assinine or ignorant and end the conversation right there. What carries him through a conversation with someone with whom he may disagree? While I don't listen, according to all I have read here, he must truly be a professional at his craft.
ReplyDeletethe only quibbles with him are he needs to drop his lame sappy opening and the other thing i notice, and this is nit picking, but he never pronounces his "S"..its always the republican or the democrat..and oh yeah, and least 10 richard nixon references a night
ReplyDeleteAnd of course Rush and Hannity is not close minded? Rush as far as I can tell do not take calls from someone who disagree with him, and Hannity is so condescending if someone disagree, you can't listen to him, the same can be said for Savage and Mark Levin. Having said that I do listen to Tom Sullivan, who is conservative, but welcome calls from someone who disagree with him, same for Michael Medved when he was heard in the area. I think you are trying paint with to broad a brush.
ReplyDeleteToo bad I just don't listen to radio at that time. Wish he were on after 9 or 10. Just Trump's boy friend Bachelor.
ReplyDeleteMaybe John Rothmann can "un-dumb-down" MSNBC and CNN viewers. Unfortunately, I don't think he'd have many brain cells to work with. Let's all chant it together, "YES WE CAN!". Oh brother.
Delete@Hunter... why the fake name? Talk about lack of brain cells..Fox News will do that to you.
DeleteCome on, the old KGO had plenty of rude hosts; Ray T (may his soul rest in heaven) for one.
ReplyDeleteRay could be rude, but what about Karel and his Joe The Plumber on mic miscue. Last I heard he was doing a podcast from his studio/storage shed.
DeleteRothmann is an excellent, class act. I hope he pulls in the ratings and KGO keeps him in that time slot. Nobody knows the how the presidency and our govt. works better than John.
ReplyDelete