a syndicated hypothetical question

[evnlee]

It seems that the 2nd tier conservative hosts and the 'top' libtalkers will have years and years to go to top Mount Rush~ but this begs a silly question.

Why not pair up 2 of these hosts and premiere them as a 'crossfire' type program? I know that it hasnt been done in awhile, and when it was on in that format, it fared..okay...but why not pair up a Stephanie and Dennis Miller? How 'bout Ed Schultz and Mike McConnell? Maybe a Laura Ingraham vs Randi Rhodes program? Even if it's only done once in awhile, as a promotional stunt, I'd love to hear some of these ankle biters go at it in a neutral setting.....

Too many syndicated shows have become boring with callers just calling up to 'agree', and those that dont get railroaded....If done fairly, two opposing hosts that play nice could really hash things out in an entertaining format.

Who would be good on this type of show? Would it work? What do the 2nd and third tier hosts have to lose?

[gr8oldies]

Mike McConnell did share the mike with Jerry Springer for an hour or so. Actually was kind of interesting.

[Al Johnson]

It seems that the 2nd tier conservative hosts and the 'top' libtalkers will have years and years to go to top Mount Rush~ but this begs a silly question.

Why not pair up 2 of these hosts and premiere them as a 'crossfire' type program? I know that it hasnt been done in awhile, and when it was on in that format, it fared..okay...but why not pair up a Stephanie and Dennis Miller? How 'bout Ed Schultz and Mike McConnell? Maybe a Laura Ingraham vs Randi Rhodes program? Even if it's only done once in awhile, as a promotional stunt, I'd love to hear some of these ankle biters go at it in a neutral setting.....

Too many syndicated shows have become boring with callers just calling up to 'agree', and those that dont get railroaded....If done fairly, two opposing hosts that play nice could really hash things out in an entertaining format.

Who would be good on this type of show? Would it work? What do the 2nd and third tier hosts have to lose?

Great idea.  I think it could work, although the right chemistry between the two host is often difficult to achieve.  The concept works well at WABC, New York on the Curtis and Kuby show in morning drive, however the station tried pairing various hosts before getting two who worked well together.  It can't turn into Crossfire/Point-Counterpoint.  They do have to be able to work together (five days a week, 50 weeks a year) as equals and as partners agreeing to disagree.  And each has to challenge the other without alienating the other side by being too disagreeable, or their own side by being seen as too easy (like Alan Colmes on "Hannity and Colmes").  Often when this kind of thing has been tried on the local level the show has fallen into the "Hannity and Colmes" trap and one of the co-hosts has ended up as the "fall guy" for the other.

Who comes to mind?

Schultz and Praeger.
Hartmann and Medved.
Miller and Mancow.


As long as WFAN/MSNBC is doing rotating hosts (possibly until Imus finishes his penance at the ranch), they might try out some host-pairs.  It might be more of a draw and everybody could keep their current gigs without making a commitment to a paired show.

[Signal_Faded]

I would like to hear Jerry Doyle and Ed Schultz do this kind of a thing.

[JohnAllan]

We were actually going to do this with a local morning show at WWAA 1690 Air Atlanta.  We had a conservative, and a liberal (that were good friends, by the way) and a neutral third party that was for voice work (he did a GREAT Bush and a FANTASTIC Clinton!)  It combined comedy, and serious issues.  We did three demo shows, made it all the way to the approval stage, then the owners announced the sale.  We had the same idea that you had, we just didn't get to do it!  I think it would have been a hit.  There were fireworks, ofcourse, but beyond that, we seriously discussed issues and actually came up with SOLUTIONS to some local issues in Atlanta!  In other words, we didn't just bash each other. 

It seems that the 2nd tier conservative hosts and the 'top' libtalkers will have years and years to go to top Mount Rush~ but this begs a silly question.

Why not pair up 2 of these hosts and premiere them as a 'crossfire' type program? I know that it hasnt been done in awhile, and when it was on in that format, it fared..okay...but why not pair up a Stephanie and Dennis Miller? How 'bout Ed Schultz and Mike McConnell? Maybe a Laura Ingraham vs Randi Rhodes program? Even if it's only done once in awhile, as a promotional stunt, I'd love to hear some of these ankle biters go at it in a neutral setting.....

Too many syndicated shows have become boring with callers just calling up to 'agree', and those that dont get railroaded....If done fairly, two opposing hosts that play nice could really hash things out in an entertaining format.

Who would be good on this type of show? Would it work? What do the 2nd and third tier hosts have to lose?

[evnlee]

We were actually going to do this with a local morning show at WWAA 1690 Air Atlanta.  We had a conservative, and a liberal (that were good friends, by the way) and a neutral third party that was for voice work (he did a GREAT Bush and a FANTASTIC Clinton!)  It combined comedy, and serious issues.  We did three demo shows, made it all the way to the approval stage, then the owners announced the sale.  We had the same idea that you had, we just didn't get to do it!  I think it would have been a hit.  There were fireworks, ofcourse, but beyond that, we seriously discussed issues and actually came up with SOLUTIONS to some local issues in Atlanta!  In other words, we didn't just bash each other. 

It seems that the 2nd tier conservative hosts and the 'top' libtalkers will have years and years to go to top Mount Rush~ but this begs a silly question.

Why not pair up 2 of these hosts and premiere them as a 'crossfire' type program? I know that it hasnt been done in awhile, and when it was on in that format, it fared..okay...but why not pair up a Stephanie and Dennis Miller? How 'bout Ed Schultz and Mike McConnell? Maybe a Laura Ingraham vs Randi Rhodes program? Even if it's only done once in awhile, as a promotional stunt, I'd love to hear some of these ankle biters go at it in a neutral setting.....

Too many syndicated shows have become boring with callers just calling up to 'agree', and those that dont get railroaded....If done fairly, two opposing hosts that play nice could really hash things out in an entertaining format.

Who would be good on this type of show? Would it work? What do the 2nd and third tier hosts have to lose?

I'd love to know who the talent was...

If you get a chance, check out the Frank and Joe Show on 1230/1340 sun 11-1 pm....They do 'bash' each other, but these guys have been doing local radio for 15 years~ a liberal redneck and a conservative black urban type going toe to toe..One, a former US rep ( that got busted for bribery ) and the other a trial lawyer...And the white guy is the trial lawyer!

www.myspace.com/frankandjoe

these guys are gut busting funny... I know there's alot of 'inside jokes', but whaddya expect from a duo that's been poking each other for so long?

[Radio_Realist]

The syndicated Quinn in the Morning Show has included a co-host, Rose Tennant, for years. Quinn and Rose work quite well together. They are not opposites, it's more like listening to the Bickersons agree on politics and disagree about everything else.

[JohnAllan]

I don't know if you would know any of us, but here is the talent list:  Liberal - Buck.  He is an ex-marine and very vocal.  He went back to TV sports.  He does audio and video in that arena.  Conservative - Me (John Allan).  I am actually a Libertarian (NO don't compare me to Bortz!)  I now program a couple of music stations in the north Georgia area and own Digital Creative Networks.  This is a consulting, programming, and voice talent for smaller stations.  Voice Talent - Tim.  He is incredibly talented.  He now works at Dave FM. 

You probably don't know any of us.  This was going to be a brand new thing with new talent.  Too bad the sale got in the way.

We were actually going to do this with a local morning show at WWAA 1690 Air Atlanta.  We had a conservative, and a liberal (that were good friends, by the way) and a neutral third party that was for voice work (he did a GREAT Bush and a FANTASTIC Clinton!)  It combined comedy, and serious issues.  We did three demo shows, made it all the way to the approval stage, then the owners announced the sale.  We had the same idea that you had, we just didn't get to do it!  I think it would have been a hit.  There were fireworks, ofcourse, but beyond that, we seriously discussed issues and actually came up with SOLUTIONS to some local issues in Atlanta!  In other words, we didn't just bash each other. 

It seems that the 2nd tier conservative hosts and the 'top' libtalkers will have years and years to go to top Mount Rush~ but this begs a silly question.

Why not pair up 2 of these hosts and premiere them as a 'crossfire' type program? I know that it hasnt been done in awhile, and when it was on in that format, it fared..okay...but why not pair up a Stephanie and Dennis Miller? How 'bout Ed Schultz and Mike McConnell? Maybe a Laura Ingraham vs Randi Rhodes program? Even if it's only done once in awhile, as a promotional stunt, I'd love to hear some of these ankle biters go at it in a neutral setting.....

Too many syndicated shows have become boring with callers just calling up to 'agree', and those that dont get railroaded....If done fairly, two opposing hosts that play nice could really hash things out in an entertaining format.

Who would be good on this type of show? Would it work? What do the 2nd and third tier hosts have to lose?

I'd love to know who the talent was...

If you get a chance, check out the Frank and Joe Show on 1230/1340 sun 11-1 pm....They do 'bash' each other, but these guys have been doing local radio for 15 years~ a liberal redneck and a conservative black urban type going toe to toe..One, a former US rep ( that got busted for bribery ) and the other a trial lawyer...And the white guy is the trial lawyer!

www.myspace.com/frankandjoe

these guys are gut busting funny... I know there's alot of 'inside jokes', but whaddya expect from a duo that's been poking each other for so long?