One of the biggest differences among news/talk shows is how they view the listeners who are motivated to call into their show. I think this decision is a major factor in how successful a show will be. As you listen to shows, think about which role the host sees for the listener.
- The Topic Introducer – this type of host decides before the show begins what they want to talk about today, and the call screener looks only for callers who want to talk about that topic. The host will interrupt the caller and hang up on them as soon as they have set the stage for what the host wants to talk about
- The Debate Partner – this host enjoyed being on the debate team in college, and cultivates callers with the opposing point of view. Callers are given time to explain their point of view, but if they come to the debate with dubious or inaccurate facts, they get their heads handed to them. The purpose of the callers is to reassure the host that they are smart.
- The Example of Stupidity – this type of host searches for oppposing points of view, but only if it is obvious they are coming to a battle of wits with no weapon. The purpose of the caller is to then associate the ignorant caller’s views with the larger group of people who hold similar views
- The Sycophant – This type of host views the only real purpose of the caller to be to tell them how important and smart they are, since the listeners are all just morons anyhow
- The Information Source – this type of host knows they can’t possibly know everything and their audience has many smart and involved thinkers, so they actively seek out callers who have information about topics that have remained “under the radar” in national media coverage
- Show Prep – some hosts walk into the studio 5 minutes before the show starts without doing any show prep. Just throw open the phones and take every call that comes in and let the caller talk for the entire segment.
- Measuring the Pulse – this type of host wants to know what people are thinking, not just the type of people who feel a need to hear their voice on the radio. They often do “polls” where they ask a question, and invite callers to just call in unscreened and say “yes”, or “no”
- Community Organization – the purpose of the caller is to exchange information on how to get together and cause change by working together as a group, with the host playing the role of focusing the efforts of the community
- No Role – this type of host views talk radio as a one way medium. Taking calls from listeners is just a waste of air time that can be better used by the host talking to his guests and/or friends
Can you think of any other types? Which do you think is the most interesting show to listen to?
Art: This is brilliant breakdown of the types of hosts. What a great jumping-off point for a discussion. I’ll start.
The first type of host is what I hear most frequently on local shows. So I rarely listen to local shows. It gets too boring and I get the feeling I’m being “played” by the hosts.
The Information Source host (if he’s otherwise smart and well-prepared and backed up by a good producer who is on the ball) is a favorite of mine. Because tv news has become so stinky I am trying more and more to get high-quality news from radio sources (and Internet and print media.)
The only No Role host I can think of is John Batchelor (and I did read your current posting about his show.) You’re right — the quality of his guests is superb. (Diana West is one of my favorites of his regulars; I thought her book, The Death of the Grown Up, was outstanding when I read it last year. I was very disappointed that she disappeared as a regular on Lou Dobbs’ tv show. She’s smart and thoughtful and never screams; I like ladies who are lady-like, even in the midst of a roiling argument about important issues.) Of course, this type of show requires a very smart host and great producing (whether he does it himself — which I think is the case with Batchelor — or he has an official producer. Doesn’t make any difference to the listeners like me who want QUALITY.)
Glenn Beck clearly is of the Community Organizer type, both on radio and his Fox tv show. But he does much more than that, especially on tv. He is using his resources at Fox (producers, researchers, reporters, satellite feeds) to do real journalism, i.e., running down story leads and getting the reports onto the air. I also give his tv show high marks for excellent quality guests, the kind of people you don’t see doing the endless rounds of shows and saying the same stuff on all of them. Again, that’s only possible with great producers who aggressively go out and look for guests like that and convince them to do the show.
ANYBODY SEEING A THEME HERE IN MY COMMENTS? Great producers make for great radio shows. Great tv shows, too.
My vote for the most interesting show (based on your analysis of the different types of hosts) is Jerry Doyle, who broadcasts out of Las Vegas. (He’s not on in my area so I listen through your Web site. THANK YOU!) His has one (sometimes two) guests per hour and I’d rate most of them an 8 or 9 on a ten-point scale for intelligence, range of personal knowledge/expertise, clear perspective on “their” topic, depth of answers they offer to Jerry (or the occasional caller), good humor and politeness (again, I’m big on civility and nice manners.) I get the feeling the show is mostly produced by Doyle with help from a sidekick? producer? (Jesse?) I respect them for their hard work and not wasting my time with second- or third-rate programming that just fills air time.
I am annoyed with the trend I think I see (hear) with people other than hosts (and their guests) pushing onto the air. I really hate the cross talk that is creeping in. It’s particularly apparent with Bill Bennett which is a shame because he does get some excellent guests and I’d rather hear more of the guests and less chit-chit between Bennett and his employees. But, again, I am a serious listener trying to get serious news and information mixed with serious guest interviews. I’m not looking for personality-driven stuff or lots of yuks. (Funny is fine in its place — Doyle is a very witty guy and makes me laugh — but I don’t listen to radio for that.)