Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2007 > February > 21 > Entry
2/21: Top 100 talk show hosts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Talkers magazine, a trade publication, ranked the 100 “most important radio talk show hosts in America.”
The editor Michael Harrison has been compiling the list for several years and it’s fairly subjective. He writes that the goal is “to create a list reflective of the industry’s diversity and total flavor as well as giving credit where credit is due.” Factors include courage, effort, impact, longevity, potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent and uniqueness. Most of those on the top of the list are syndicated and I am only referencing their local affiliate here in Atlanta below.
The top host is not surprisingly Rush Limbaugh, who has 20 million-plus listeners a week and has wielded more influence than virtually any other talk-show host this side of Howard Stern. He’s heard locally on WGST-AM. He was No. 2 last year. With Howard Stern off terrestial radio, Talkers dropped him from No. 1 to No. 12.
He’s followed by Sean Hannity on WSB-AM (No. 3 last year), then Michael Savage (also on WSB-AM and No. 4 last year). Dr. Laura, who has not been heard in Atlanta for about four years since WGST-AM booted her, edges up to No. 4 from No. 5 in 2006. (Side question: Does anybody want her back? Do you miss her?)
Opie & Anthony, who are heard on XM but returned to FM markets last year, are now No. 5 after being absent from the list a year ago. WGKA’s Laura Ingraham is No. 6, up from No. 7. She’s followed by another WGKA-AM staple, Mike Gallagher, who holds at No. 8. Our local boy on WSB-AM Neal Boortz, whose new book “Somebody’s Gotta Say It” came out yesterday, is ranked No. 9 again. And former WGST-AM talker Glenn Beck is No. 10. He’s heard on 720/WVCC-AM in Newnan and he is up from No. 14.
The only person I don’t know much about in the top 10 is Ed Schultz, a progressive talker out of Fargo but is syndicated and not heard in Atlanta. He was at No. 13 a year ago. Don Imus fell out of the top 10, tumbling from No. 6 to No. 14. Air America’s Randi Rhodes dropped from 10 to 13. Bill O’Reilly falls from 11 to 15. Weekend legal show on WSB-AM Bill Handel moves up from 23 to 17. Jim Rome (used to be on locally but no longer) drops from 17 to 19. WGST’s Dave Ramsey moves up to No. 21 from 23. Weekend WSB-AM show Kim Komando also holds at No. 24. WGKA’s Bill Bennett holds at No. 25. WGST’s George Noory holds at No. 28 and GKA’s Michael Medved holds at No. 29. WSB-AM’s Clark Howard holds at 27.
No. 60 is Bob & Tom. WDUN-AM’s Martha Zoller, who shows up often on CNN and Fox as a guest commentator, is at No. 88.
There’s an alphabetical list of hosts from 101 to 250, not ranked. The Zone’s The 2 Live Stews are listed there. Former WSB-AM and Air America talker Mike Malloy is on the list, too, and so is WSB’s Chris Krok. But 102.5’s Michael Baisden isn’t there, though perhaps he is not counted because he plays music.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Mark
February 21, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
I don’t think Bill Handel is on the list simply for his syndicated “Handel on the Law” show… he also has a daily morning drive-time talk show on KFI in Los Angeles — with topical local discussion — gee, what an idea, too bad there’s nothing like that in Atlanta.
By Law Dawg
February 21, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
The only person I don’t know much about in the top 10 is Ed Schultz, a progressive talker out of Fargo but is syndicated and not heard in Atlanta.
Rodney, it’s okay to call a liberal a liberal. There’s nothing wrong with that.
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
TruthHurts you sound white and ignorant yourself. Just a dumba$$ comment you just made.
By jh
February 21, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
Whine on liberals…..Rush is kicking your a _ _ es!
By Progressive?
February 21, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Progressive???
Way to show your true colors, Rodney. I am glad to see that the AJC has not abandoned their practice of only hiring liberals.
Call a spade a spade. If you are ashamed of being a liberal, don’t be a liberal.
By Toto
February 21, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t seem like a very diverse list to me.
By ron
February 21, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t spend over a minute listening to anyone in the top ten except Dr. Laura.She’s down to a nanosecond.I listen occasionally to Howie Carr on WRKO-Boston.Howie seems to walk the walk.At the very least,he believes in what he is doing.
By bob
February 21, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
SexyLeggs, based on your “white” comment, you are no better. Racists come in all colors.
By real bruh
February 21, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Hey truthhurts I guess Ike Newkirk is a ghetto,corrupt preacher and or politician…please. If u want to hear someone who knows his stuff and not afraid to say it i.e. pres & his stupid war. tune in on Sunday morning from 5am-8am. and baesed on your commits you don’t go to church because there is to much hate
By In-The-Know
February 21, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
What a sad state our nation is in when so many people listen to talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. It actually explains a lot.
By Black
February 21, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
TruthHurts,
Your sentence should read, “there are no black hosts…” NOT, “there IS no black hosts…”
You were typing something about ignorance?
LOL
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Black I was just about to comment on TruthHurts’ sentence structure….thank you. To think this is 2007.
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
Bob true, racists come in all colors, but because I AM BLACK, I had to defend that dumba$$ comment he made. Sometimes, what goes around come around no matter what your color is!!!!!
By GaNative
February 21, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
TruthHurts, there are some good black talk show hosts out there. Herman Cain and Ken Hamblin just to name a few. And they are not liberals, their view align with the conservatives. Hey, you mentioned preachers when you started ranting about blacks. Well, I think the white televangelists are on top of the CORRUPT PREACHERS list.
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
oops…should have left “is” off my comment. Oh well!
By adrien
February 21, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
I think it wouldn’t have hurt to add Michael Eric Dyson or Michael Baison to this list. Every culture is different and want different topics to talk about. We are not ALL interested in Rush Limbugh’s opnion. He is a hypocrite anyway for judging drug addicts then turning out to be one with Oxicondon for pain. It’s easy to judge when you are on the outside looking in. I think all of these people have something to offer, but the list could be a little more diverse. As for TruthHurts, all I can say is keep your Klan Robe clean for your KKK meetings.
By tom Robinson
February 21, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
The only Names that don’t belong on the list are Opie and Anthony, those two stern ripoff clones are lame no talent hacks
The failed at Sat Radio and now they are failing on “free Radio”
They pull worse ratings numbers on their home station than David Lee Roth - Ha ha
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
adrien your entire comment is on the money.
By Sammy Kershaw
February 21, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
To not have Howard Stern #1 on this list makes is completely meaningless, but thanks for trying
By Bud
February 21, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
It’s an interesting list, but Michael Savage and Dr. Laura’s stock has fallen quite a bit…no way should they be #3 and #4…anybody on Air America should be way down the list due to the incredibly low ratings this network gets. Tom Leykis and G. Gordon Liddy should have been ranked much higher. So many of the headshots posted are promo pics that are 10 years and 40 pounds ago.
By gttim
February 21, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
1st - Rush, the drug addict and not the great Canadian band, has not had 20 million weekly listeners in a long time. The current number is 15 million. That is not 15 million unique listeners a week, it is total, repeat listeners. Since many listen 5 days a week, his number of unique listeners is probably closer to 3 million and certainly is no more than 4.
2nd - Ed Schultz is a progressive. Does he hold liberal views? Certainly! There is no shame to having liberal views, or being a liberal. Some people think that liberal ideas like balancing the budget, protecting the environment for citizens including hunters, giving proper care to our wounded vets, equality for all citizens, protecting all of the amendments, an end to corporate welfare, and pursuing green, renewable, cost effective energy are great ideas and are proud to support them! I am a proud liberal!
3rd - Liberal talk radio will never succeed because liberals know how to read and don’t need some guy yelling the GOP talking points at us on a daily basis! We can form our own opinions after reading up on topics. (Conservatives have trouble reading, which is why conservative authors always have conservative groups bulk buying their books to get them on the best sellers lists.)
By Rodney Ho
February 21, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
I simply used progressive because that’s what the description was in the magazine. Bug Talkers Magazine editor Michael Harrison about that one.
By Ben
February 21, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Hey GTTIM:
Liberals don’t need talk radio because they have the mainstream TV media yelling liberal talking points at them all day. Anything wrong with that? No. As both a conservative and a liberal I could care less where the balance is. The truth is out there as long as you have the resource to find it. You should pay attention to both sides.
If you truly want to be a top-notch liberal (instead of posting the typical liberal talking points, which you just did interestingly enough after using that argument against conservatives) you should pay attention to Rush, Hannity, O’Reilly, and the others. If you don’t know your enemy you can’t defeat your enemy.
But after you made the comment stating “conservatives have trouble reading” I’m sure you won’t be able to to raise yourself to that level for quite some time, because to post a comment like that shows your intellectual level is right on par with say, a doorknob.
At this juncture in modern history we’re in need of some good liberals in office. So do the liberal community a favor and stop making them look so bad.
By Mike Hunt
February 21, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Lights,
Camera,
Action,
Your in the Doggggggggggg, Houseeeeeeeeeeeee,
With the 2 Live Stews.
With that “I’M GONE.” (Not Out)
By Ben Gone Wild
February 21, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Ben,
If you truly consider yourself “both a conservative and a liberal,” as you say, you should probably just kill yourself.
A prostitute cannot adequately serve two masters, no matter how many times you assume the position.
By R2D2
February 21, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Hey BEN, where are you going to go when that candle burning at both ends meet your @$$ sitting on it in the middle?
By Nunya
February 21, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
By Mark February 21, 2007 09:12 AM …he also has a daily morning drive-time talk show on KFI in Los Angeles — with topical local discussion — gee, what an idea, too bad there’s nothing like that in Atlanta.
WAOK Powertalk. Lorraine Jacques-White. Neither corrupt nor a politician. Her callers are usually very smart and very aware of what’s going down in the community. Sometimes you get the comic relief but it’s all good. She’s on in the mornings until noon.
By Al
February 21, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
“Truth Hurts” you have to be a complete idiot. Hope you haen’t procreated, we need to get you out of the gene pool.
By Randy
February 21, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Honestly,Neal is the best he is brutally honest and that is all right by me, as far as black host Herman Cain and Royal Marshall are excellent they just need a chance,my top 3 to listen to is Neal,Royal and MichaEL Savage are the best you can keep the rest.At least they are real unlike the rest of them.
By CC
February 21, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Link to the total list is here http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=44
By Tommy Sheen
February 21, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
I have historical facts that Neal Bortz the voice of Atlanta, has ancestors that were slave owners, slave beaters, and slave breeders. Do you all still believe in this man Atlanta or is the South still the same.
By Unclebuck
February 21, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
Ike Newkirk is a lefist douche bag. I think it is to damn funny that Atlanta’s most popular left winger radio host is on at the hours of 5-8 on Saturday Morning. That time slot fits him just fine. His callers are just as retarded as Ike. They all spit out the typical Bush Lied and Whitey Sucks.
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
TurthHurts you see you are the epitome of STUPID. Don’t judge a book by its cover. I have very, very, very nice, long legs. I have a Masters and I have my J.D. I decided to keep this name because it’s the name I use on another, much more important blog. You got a lot of f———- nerve is all I have to say. Wish I could punch you square in your. BTW, I am no golddigger, bet you wish you could dig over this way…you are plain stupid.
By lucky
February 21, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Where is Ike Newkirk? Reverend IKE?
By Unclebuck
February 21, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Tommy- What is your point. I am sure you have ancestors that had relations with each other.
By Chuck Shiflett
February 21, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Glenn Beck is also heard on NewsTalk AM 1270 - WYXC in Cartersville 9 to noon live. Coverage from Kennesaw to Dalton.
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Turthhurts what the hell is a “skip skap”. You must have learned this during your early teachings at the KKK headquarters. I see this is how you see black women. Unfortunately, you just happened upon an educated on. If you could only meet me, I would blow your mind with my charm, wit, all the while slipping something in your Miller glas…..bah humbug - what a waste you are!!!
By Rusty
February 21, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
hey real bruh, I think the fact that the Rev. Ike is only on the air from 5am til 8am on Sunday morn when nooobody is listening to the radio says it all. I did like Royal Marsha at night on 750 though.
By Tommy Sheen
February 21, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Unclebuck- You probably are another close minded racist southerner. Of course someone would your close mind of racist thinking would not think anything of Neal Bortz comments let alone him being the son of slave owners. You have no definition to yourself, your family or your name. At least I put my name on this page. Unlike you or your people, like the KKK who hid their identity with a white hood and white sheet. Go sleep with your sister and keep the white race pure.
By don
February 21, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Mark Levin’s got’em all beat and I’ve been a long time Rush listener.
By Norma Lee
February 21, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Why Larry Wachs not on there? Sound like lots of blacks in Atlanta stupid.
By TopDog
February 21, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Hey truthurt and ben, Who are you guys are fooling… Mr. hurt is black and Mr. ben is an libertarian. You guys need to stop trying to push folks to respond to your blogs. Because people know only fools listen to that crap Mr. Rush and Mr. Hannity put out. Nobody that dumb to listen to that all day! Are you?
By SexyLeggs
February 21, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Turthhurts I can only laugh at you. You are truly pathetic. I am an educated, grown woman. You’re calling me such a vile name and you don’t even know me. Do you think I would cry. As my people say HELL TO DA NAW!!!! Although I’m educated, I can get down with the best of them. You must really be something to even know where the Velvet Room is (for a white man). I see you’re still trying to get some our sweet drippings that simply keep eluding you. Again, say what you want, I am done corresponding with such and ignorant APE….
By PTC Ragan
February 21, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
Black talk radio - Ken Hamblin and Larry Elder - two of the best on the air. Take either over Boortz any day.
By News Flash
February 21, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
For those of you who haven’t gotten a clue yet, TruthHurts and Puchinski are the same idiot who likes to come on here and post under different names in order to start trouble by using insults and causing race-themed unrest.
Just ignore this sick person.
Giving attention to this jerk is like feeding a stray dog.
By gttim
February 21, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Ben, your concern troll act does not work, When you even mentioned a liberal media in your first sentence, you were exposed as a wingnut. (I tend not to use the term conservative because today’s GOP are no longer conservative and now put party power over any ideology.)
But please be sure to post any examples of of a liberal media, any actual verifiable examples. After watching the media, print, broadcast and cable news spend 8 years smearing Clinton with any GOP talking point offered up, spend 99-2000 smearing Gore with falsehoods, 2004 smearing Kerry with GOP and Swiftboat lies, nobody actually believes the GOP spin of a liberal media. Even the “so-called-horrible-and-biased” New York Times spent the 2000’s cheering on the war with all the other media. Remember all media right now is owned by multi-million or multi-billion dollar conservative corporations.
Bring your concern troll BS back and try it again. You never know, somebody might buy it.
By DeepSouthRick
February 21, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
One black talk show host no one mentioned is Shelly Winter (WAOK afternoons). Sure, he’s not national, but he’s got a great local Atlanta show — one of the few left! Herman Cain gets my vote, too.
By Jerry
February 21, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
All Hail TRUTHHEARTS
King of the Trolls
By JOhn
February 21, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Bob and Tom….. what a horrible show. I have never heard two guys laugh so hard at their own jokes. I wonder if anyone else out there was ever laughing too. I sure wasn’t.
By toogoodtobetrue
February 21, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
This remark is to “truth hurts”. Within every blog, you have to have an ignorant person,such as yourself, just to make a name for your short coming of being human when you really aren’t. To begin, I think there are more corrupt white politicians, preachers, and exec’s than there are blacks. Do I need to start naming names.Don’t forget to mention to that you also have welfare in the white race, too. Oh, and for Rush Limbaugh, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes besiden, he is nothing but a corrupt drug head. So look who is holding the bag now.
By Shannon, M.Div.
February 21, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Interesting list. I am a proud liberal (while I’m sympathetic to conservatives, I’m a Christian first and foremost, which won’t allow me to believe that people are self-made, the cornerstone of conservative and libertarian principles). I didn’t really enjoy Randi’s talk show when I heard it. I think there really is something to the format not being quite suited for us progressives/liberals, as we are too attuned to nuances to be able to appreciate “sound byte” dialogue.
Neal Boortz, he’s quite forthright and honest, and I used to listen to him frequently (as someone pointed out, know your enemy). I could agree with him if I held the same fundamental assumptions as he does. Michael Savage, though, scares me—really and truly.
The Rwandan genocide was fueled in part by government-sponsored radio broadcasts telling one ethnic group that the other ethnic group was their enemy, and they should kill them. I think of that when I hear Michael Savage. I believe he talked about liberals as “enemies of the country,” and talked about how he would feel safer if they were rounded up and shot. I nearly ran my car off the road! This is what I would consider irresponsible use of free speech, and this is one of example of why liberals can view conservatives as ignorant Neanderthals (or Philistines, if you don’t believe in Neanderthals, heh). Savage truly lives up to his name, and I believe conservatives can do better.
Rush is a joke these days, isn’t he? I mean, he’s his own punchline.
By jungleland
February 21, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Opie & Anthony should be #3 - If they were on the air in Atlanta they would be #1
By sensible
February 21, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
No, I do not want Dr. Laura back.
By Travis
February 21, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
Its really very very sad to listen to Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, both are War promoters, anti peace and very ignorant about Muslims and other nations. it is very alarming to the number of people who listen to their garbage. God bless America from such blood suckers!
By me
February 21, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Jim Rome is not on the fan, 790 removed him for the Steward brothers.
By Steven
February 21, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
You people are pathetic! It’s no wonder we can’t conduct rational discourse in this country. A simple list of talk radio hosts spawns a flame war of political insults and name calling. I guess this does confirm that our politicians do represent those who elected them. In fact, they act just like them.
By Big16
February 21, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
Stern at No.12? That man is a GOD. I love Sirius… Sure beats commercials, same replays, and the freaking BERT SHOW….
By JoJo the Dog-Faced Boy
February 21, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Travis: Start working on that GED again,Moron!
By Are you for real
February 21, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
I hope that when Cox communications cuts back they start with Rodney (yous a) Ho. Why do all of his blogs turn into a race war or a political war? You throw gas on the flames of racism. As you did the other day with the races of Atlanta radio. I mean anyone with any since would be safe in assuming Black people listen to music that they enjoy and white people listen to music they enjoy. I don’t know to many brothers that listen to Country just as do not know to many good ole boys who listen to rap. It takes many different kinds of people to make this world go around. Just don’t buy into the crap MR. HO spreads out. I mean how can you put much into someone who has blogs about American Idol. I mean sexxyleggs come on you said you were educated. Why respond to someone that is saying the stuff truth was saying. Your EDUCATED. Travis I am a strong conservative. I dont buy into Sean Hannity and Rush is a wind bag. Neal Boortz is comical with the stuff thats comes from his mouth. But they do not form my beliefs. I have educated myself with my beliefs. Everyone else should give it a try.
“sweet drippings” what the hell is that?
By IamMichigan
February 22, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
Sexy leggs, if your as fine as you say you are then show the world. Where do you hang out at? I would love to see if the username is justified.
By G-MAN
February 22, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
What a bogus list! As usual it is a WHITEWASH LIST excluding nearly almost 50% of the population and their participation. You have Black, Asian and Latino talk show host who have tremendous followings and they are ignored.
AJC please stop with the White-Only opinion polls the year is 2007
By Yalanda
February 26, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
Several Atlantans are riding the new wave with BlogTalkRadio.com (keyword search: Atlanta) I’m surprised BJ is not over there yet. There are a number of shows already appealing to an online audience (including one with yours truly). Plenty to listen too all day, taking blogs to a new level.
By bob
February 26, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Stern sucks, he lost his edge a decade ago and his new show, when its on, is horrible. He and sirius grossly missed how many fans would follow him to sat radio, that is why they need this merger, to survive. Doesnt matter, they are stuck with OnA if the merger goes through until 2010 when their XM contract expires.
As long as XM keeps Ron & Fez I would stay, they are better than either show.