We interrupt our serious political wonkery for a snapshot view of Seattle's radio scene from the left side of the dial by Michael Hood on blatherWatch: "~~Dave Ross (KIRO m-f, 3-6p) is, simply, the only local liberal talk host in Seattle. And he's the best. (No, Erin Hart and Mike Webb don't count. And neither does the goof-ball trying out for Prell's slot today, who, about half the time, forgot to mention his name or the KIRO call letters). Ross is eloquent and clear with such issues as I-912, the dangerous anti-roads repair initiative on the Nov. ballot. Supporters don't want to talk about intersections and concrete--they want to talk about sending a message. Ross takes the issue to the core--intersections, HOV lanes, the tax policies that create them; and still makes compelling radio. The I-912 people count on short attention spans, and the tempting elixir of anger and revenge to bollox the road repairs bill. Fear & loathing makes for more enticing politics (and radio) than the nuts & bolts of issues, but there's evidence that voters are starting to look deeper. Check Ross's website for listeners' specific questions he directs to the Department of Transportation.
~~Michael Savage, the demented, homophobic, talk radio entheomaniac, (KTTH m-f, 3-6) whose real name is Michael Wiener, is advertising for "five characters and a primary co-host" for his diatribic weekdaily show that leaks like a stain from San Francisco. Its going to be like a reality show with 32 contestants starting out but fired one day at a time by audience vote until only five are left. the one with the most votes will become co-host for 3 months or until Savage fires him or her. The audience can (he claims) veto his firing if 500,000 or more call in to an 800 line. Sound cool to "talk where he talks?" Send a tape or CD to The Michael Savage Show, C/O Talk Radio Network, P.O. Box 3755, Central Point, OR 97502.
~~Should be fun to meet Allan Prell fans (and Allan Prell) at the big demonstration Weds. Luckily for us, it's a "free day" at The Home, so we're hoping to make down to Eastlake at noon on Wednesday. We were always so mean (Allan says 'cruel,') to him in print, we're hoping no one will 'shoe" us away. We've been speaking to Allen recently and now we officially love him--not in the biblical sense and better late than never.
~~We'll be close to others around KIRO and KTTH who hate our guts as well. Like Mike Webb, who's usually packing (a gun, presumably, and not his pants, though we wouldn't put that past him) has made some pretty harsh threats on us over the email. We're watching our backs--he hasn't sued anybody lately either. Mr. Clendening and Mr. Pridemore probably don't want much to do with us either, though they probably wouldn't bother shooting us, unless, of course they had a gun and no one was looking. We'd like to go across the street to Azteca with those two and clean up some of that negativity between us. Remember boyz: a smile is just a frown turned upside down.
~~We haven't beat up on Mike Siegel lately--honestly, we've been trying to quit. But damn it, now he's flacking listeners to Ocean Shores (where he owns a condo) for a fabulous cheap weekend, with a FREE GRRRMET DINNER, his company, and the rare opportunity to hear the investment opportunities of buying into this condo arrangement. Wonder what his cut is? They probably'll let him take the leftovers home from the FREE GRRRMET DINNER. You usually hear about these "opportunities" from telemarketers--why doesn't Mike get back to more dignified flacking like for snore cures, rotary nose hair trimmers and herbal viagara?
~~BlatherWatch is not covering the flatulance/Limbaugh beat anymore because we got quite a stern lecture about taste and discretion by an editor we respect and fear. We did want want to tell you that, according to the tabs, Limbaugh's nickname around the clubhouse is "Limberger"
~~We asked Dan Savage, The Stranger editor and celebrated sex advice columnist if he's ever reconsidered being a talk radio host. Savage was touring his new book, The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My Family. (Dutton) Back in the early '90's, he had a talk show on the old KCMU (now KEXP) on Sunday nights. They did live fisting on-air, interviewed a man who married his horse, and talked to John Wayne Bobbit and plenty of dominatrixes, all accompanied by witty Savage banter. When Al Franken came to town last Spring, Savage was again funny and right on. No, he told us, it was too much work too time consuming. He said a host (like Franken) must do most of his own research himself, just so he can learn the stuff in such short order and so regularly. "You always gotta be right," he said, "you can't just make up stuff," Someone should tell that to Sean Hannity."
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