NYT
Several of the supporting actors in this year’s Republican primary are showing interest in the medium, too. Fred Thompson, the “Law & Order” star turned presidential candidate, will begin hosting a two-hour show in March, as the syndicator Westwood One is expected to announce this week. Mr. Thompson’s show would take the place of Mr. O’Reilly’s.
Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and a Republican presidential candidate, had been in negotiations with Westwood One for Mr. O’Reilly’s time slot, according to two people with knowledge of the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity because a deal was not struck.
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YES!
Talk about an upgrade!
MadisonConservative on December 22, 2008 at 9:01 AM
I’ll listen to FRED!, but I would have had a hard time listening to Rudy for 2 hours…..
Tim Zank on December 22, 2008 at 9:04 AM
No mention of “The Great One” Mark Levin??? He is one of the strongest constitutional voices on the radio today. I have to listen on the website marklevinshow.com but always take time to hear his voice of reason. Fred will be a welcome addition to the conservative movement.
trs on December 22, 2008 at 9:07 AM
I doubt that Fred will do a good job of this. I hope I’m wrong though.
DannoJyd on December 22, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Levin is in the article on page 2.
If Thompson is to take O’Reilly’s spot, it’s definitely an upgrade, but in my area if NYC, he’ll be up against Rush Limbaugh in that time slot. Have to hear Rush, sorry Fred! Hopefully he will have a podcast.
As for Giuliani, he’ll be a great host. I recommend everyone to listen to Curtis Sliwa’s show, the third hour of last Wednesday to hear how Giuliani did in his weekly segment he had here in WABC years ago when he was mayor called, “Ask the Mayor.” He was hilarious.
jencab on December 22, 2008 at 9:16 AM
I hope this is a trend.
TheSitRep on December 22, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Thompson has a good “radio” voice and he’ll bring a lot of depth of knowledge with a wry, folksy touch that I think will prove very popular. I do hope they don’t put him up against Rush where I live–ideally he’d come on either just before or just after El Rushbo.
Matt Helm on December 22, 2008 at 9:20 AM
I can see Rudy talking for two to three hours. Thompson not so much. It’s more work than people realize.
Blake on December 22, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Fred has great ideas. I love the guy BUT He lacks the punch you need to keep things rolling fast and hard hitting……. He will never make it in radio. He dirfts off into his slow southern comfort rant and I fall asleep….zzzzzz
He has the same Obama thing going on with the uh…uh….
Giuliani would make great radio except on some social issues but a big improvement over B.O’R
katy on December 22, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Senator Fred will be great. Let’s hope he has a liberal podcasting policy. (No “membership” required, etc.)
Sirius’ homegrown duo of Mike Church and Andrew Wilkow are seriously (ha!) underrated. Wilkow has the misfortune of being a conservative on at exactly the same time as Rush. Church is every bit as good a listen as Levin.
Conservatives own talk radio – we have too many solid voices. On the other hand, the libs had a tough time filling out the Air America schedule…
Nat Hound on December 22, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Isn’t this odd? Since when is becoming a TV/radio personality a respectable move for a politician. These guys actively want to become media hacks? What ever happened to statesmen? Huckabee basically acts like Oprah up there and now Fred is taking after O’Reilly, Gibson and Hannity, three of the biggest blowhards of life? Is there any doubt the GOP is doomed? It’s leaders aren’t governing, they are entertaining.
DeathToMediaHacks on December 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Um, you realize Fred has spent a good many years as an entertainer, right? Ever heard of “Law & Order”?
The fact of the matter is that celebrity draws a lot of water in this country. Our new President-Elect rode into office on little more than celebrity. If Fred as a radio personality makes him a household name and brings the conservative message to the masses, I’m all for it.
HuskerNate on December 22, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Early in the primaries, I seem to remember Fred substituting for Paul Harvey now and then. It was pretty lightweight and insubstantial. I wasn’t impressed.
We need new leaders anyway. This is like John Kerry getting a show after losing in ‘04.
JiangxiDad on December 22, 2008 at 9:39 AM
It’s all part of the alternate universe we live in. The Gov. of california, and possible Sen. of Minn. going from Hollywood to Washinton.
Fred just can’t seem to make up his mind…
katy on December 22, 2008 at 9:40 AM
I love Fred, but I’m not sure a slow talking guy who coughs every two minutes is a good fit for radio.
SoulGlo on December 22, 2008 at 9:49 AM
DeathToMediaHacks on December 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM
You are aware that Reagan was, in your words, a “media hack” for part of his career, right? He was a radio, movie and TV personality. Part of his background was the GE Theater gig he had for a while, that exposed him to audiences and gave him frequent speech opportunities.
Not that Fred’s the next Reagan- I think he’s gonna sit on the media sidelines next time, offering commentary rather than running. It can be a good way to influence the culture, if he can make his appearances “pop” rather than fizzle.
cs89 on December 22, 2008 at 10:09 AM
That’s the second post in defense of Hollywood experience as evidence of being a great statesmen/politician. Don’t you people hate Hollywood? Or is it more that you just don’t like that the majority of Hollywood isn’t conservative. Which should tell you something about the relationship between creativity and conservatism in general. But if it’s come to this, where the GOP is saying “hollywood good!” “infotainment good!” I look forward to your continued demise as a party. Again, in this time of crisis, is the GOP going to demonstrate they can govern or are they going to cement in the minds of voters that all they are good for is inflammatory discourse about social issues/jingoism both of which are right at home in the talk radio/tv format. You’re a PARTY (in theory) not a bunch of media hacks. In the words of Tim Gunn it’s time for the GOP to make it work!
DeathToMediaHacks on December 22, 2008 at 10:20 AM
No one is saying that “Hollywood experience” is the mark of a great politician, just that media exposure is a good thing.
In this time of crisis, the GOP is not the party in power. You’re barking up the wrong tree.
HuskerNate on December 22, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I’ll be tuning in. It’s a nice change. O’Reilly’s show kind of stunk.
therightwinger on December 22, 2008 at 10:41 AM
“Or is it more that you just don’t like that the majority of Hollywood isn’t conservative. Which should tell you something about the relationship between creativity and conservatism in general.”
Conservatives have no creativity, because most of Hollywood is liberal???
TheBlueSite on December 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I’m still trying to figure out how anyone could read the comments above and make that conclusion. No one said anything even remotely close to that.
TheBlueSite on December 22, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Fred on the radio? Merry Christmas to me!!!
Doppleganker on December 22, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I would say a good portion of conservatives are not creative types. Of course I’m generalizing here and there exceptions to the rule. If one was to walk into an art, film, or music class, I’m sure you will find very few conservative minded people. I think creativity goes along with a certain personality type and most conservatives probably don’t have that personality type.
terryannonline on December 22, 2008 at 11:28 AM
How about the Fred! & Rudy Show? They could team up and do funny gags like prank call Obama and Hillary. Imagine the possibilities!
saltydogg14 on December 22, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I’m not sure you know who the “you people” you’re aiming this at is, but your aim is off.
You were asking if being a “media hack” was part of an acceptable repertoire of a conservative leader. I just highlighted a primary leader who happened to have somewhat of a “Hollywood” background. If Fred wants to get his voice out via airwaves, it doesn’t diminish his conservative credibility.
I could make an assumption about the worldview of “you People” as well, but not today.
cs89 on December 22, 2008 at 11:41 AM
snooze alarm
The Race Card on December 22, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Perhaps this will help Fred with his spontenaity issues he had in his Prez run. He is SO the man, but did not perform well in the fast pace of live media spotlight. Acting chops are not the same thing at all.
Dare I hope – a couple of years of this would help him make another run in 2012. With the ‘Cuda on the bottom half of the ticket again. That’s my favorite “dream ticket” anyway.
connertown on December 22, 2008 at 12:02 PM
HuskerNate on December 22, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Listening to O’Reilly’s radio show is as entertaining as listening to paint dry. At least the program managers are maintaing continuity in the entertainment value of the program. I say this as someone who wanted Thompson to win. Radio is just a different ballgame.
Dilophos on December 22, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Oh YEAH!! Spending my afternoons with Mark Levin and Fred Thompson?!?!? I feel myself getting smarter just thinking about it. SWEEEEET!
ihasurnominashun on December 22, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I can see Rudy talking for two to three hours. Thompson not so much. It’s more work than people realize.
Blake on December 22, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Actually, if it’s a two-hour show, it’s only about 74 minutes with commercial breaks.
Damian G. on December 22, 2008 at 3:04 PM