Glenn Beck Program
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The Glenn Beck Program is a nationally syndicated radio program based out of Radio City, NY. Glenn Beck and his show are often compared to talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage. Beck's show differs in that it contains less discussion about politics, and more social commentary and humor. Beck frequently says that he hates politics, and claims that his show contains "half the politics and twice the comedy" and "is not about Left and Right, it's about right and wrong." The Glenn Beck Program can be heard live on weekdays from 9AM - Noon ET (with a "best of" weekend program airing on some affiliates). During this time, listeners may call into the show to voice their opinions.
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[edit] Program History
[edit] 2000
The Glenn Beck Program began airing on WFLA (AM) in Tampa, Florida. He inherited the 18th placed position at WFLA-AM and quickly gained popularity in its afternoon slot.
[edit] 2001
Within one year of doing his first talk show in afternoon drive at WFLA, Beck dominated the ratings, giving the station its first #1 program ever. [1]
Due to the overwhelming demand for live, news oriented programming after Sept. 11, Beck was offered a jump start on national syndication. This resulted in early affiliations with stations such as KPRC/Houston, WGST/Atlanta and WOAI/San Antonio. [2]
[edit] 2002
In January 2002, syndicator Premiere Radio Networks launched the show on 47 stations. The show was then moved to "The Big Talker 1210" WPHT-AM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[edit] 2003
Beck ran a series of rallies called "Glenn Beck's Rally for America" during 2003 in support of the troops fighting the war in Iraq. While generally attended by war supporters, Beck spoke of many who "disagreed with the war, but still supported the troops." He ran the final rally at Marshall University over the Memorial Day weekend. The event drew about 25,000 people.
[edit] 2005
This was a year of substantial ratings growth. The program ended the year being heard on more than 200 stations, and was the third highest-rated national radio talk show among adults ages 25 to 54 according to Premiere Research/Arbitron.
[edit] 2006
On January 17, 2006 Beck explained his recent three week absence with the announcement that he was beginning a new television show at CNN Headline News. To accommodate the new show, Beck relocated his studios to Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
[edit] Program Format
The first half of each hour of the show is usually monologue by Beck, but occasionally will include a guest or some conversation with the production staff - usually Stu or Dan. During the second half of each hour, Beck takes callers and continues discussing the themes he has previously introduced.
[edit] Comedy Bits
Beck and his staff frequently write and produce comedy bits which parody political or social oddities and play them on the show. The bits are either played at the beginning of a segment, or are cleverly written into the dialog script. Examples include Beck playing the song "I Like Chinese" in connection with stories about the People's Republic of China, and spin-off song "I Like the French" with stories about France. Both ridicule the target nation. He also plays the Bob Wills song "Roly Poly," a song about a fat kid that will eat anything, when talking about Michael Moore.
[edit] Mor(e)on Trivia
During the NFL season, Beck will pick an upcoming game and then randomly call convenience store employees in the cities which are home to the opposing teams. Pretending to be "Flap Jackson" of fictional radio station "109.9 - The Big Frog", Beck asks the unwitting guests easy questions about current events. Points are tallied for the competing cities when correct answers are given, but often people are unable to answer correctly, which is a source of comedy. See [3]
[edit] Glennisms
Several mannerisms specific to Glenn help to brand the show. Fans of the Glenn Beck Program are often called "Sick Twisted Freaks", as a homage to controversial broadcaster Bob Grant, who was often very aggressive on the air. Beck has also used Grant's infamous line "Get off my phone!" when he dumps a caller. Signature phrases such as "I'm just sayin'", "For the Love of Pete", and "Not so much" are heard frequently. Stu is quick to make fun of Beck during the show for any egregious display of a Glennism and will even go so far as to replay the audio segment to enhance the 'making-fun-of-Glenn' experience.
[edit] Glenn Beck Hatemail
Glenn Beck rarely reads e-mails on the program. Typically the e-mails he does read are "hate mail" that expresses (usually irrational) anger at his views or some of his segments.
[edit] Ratings
According to Talkers magazine Beck's program is currently tied for the 8th spot overall. http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34
[edit] Program Contact Info
The Glenn Beck Program can be heard live on weekdays from 9AM - Noon ET. During this time, fans may call into the show to voice their opinions.
Call toll free nationwide
- 888.727.BECK (888.727.2325)
Send Email
- Glenn me@glennbeck.com
- Stu stu@glennbeck.com
Send a Letter
- Premiere Radio Networks
- P.O. Box 2800
- Bala Cynwyd, PA. 19004-6800
[edit] Program Staff
- Steve Burguiere (Stu)
- Executive Producer, radio show
- Dan Andros
- Stu's minion Producer / Referee of More on Trivia
- Chris Balfe
- General Manager / COO of Mercury Radio Arts
- Christopher Brady
- Webmaster
- Mrs. Balfe
- Professional Correspondence Analyzer
- John Carney
- Operations Manager
- Adam Clarke
- Services Manager
- Carolyn Polke
- Director, E-Commerce
- Sarah Zitzer
- Glenn Beck Weekend Producer / Phone Screener
[edit] Substitute Hosts
Every so often Beck is absent from the program due to sickness or vacation. On those occasions, The Best of Glenn Beck (a rerun) will be played, or a substitute host will be asked to fill in for Beck. Some of the hosts that have been used in the past include:
- Bob Lonsberry
- Host of a conservative radio show on KNRS AM 570 in Salt Lake City and WHAM AM 1180 in Rochester
- Dave Glover
- Host of The Dave Glover Show an evening drive-time show on 97.1FM in St. Louis.
- Jeff Pats
- Joe Pags
- Host of News Radio 1200 WOAI's in San Antonio.
- Mac Watson
- Host on WRVA 1140 (3:00 - 6:00 pm) in Richmond, Virginia
- Mike McConnell
- Host of a radio show in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Joe Crummey
- Talk show personality on KFYI 550 AM in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Steve Burguiere
- Stu - The executive Producer and Head Writer for the Glenn Beck Program
[edit] Affiliates
The Glenn Beck Program can be heard on 212 stations nation wide. Visit glennbeck.com for a complete affiliate listing.
[edit] Streaming audio
These affiliates stream audio from the radio show during the indicated times:
- KNRS-AM 570 (Web site), Weekdays 4-7pm, Sunday 3-6pm (Mountain Time Zone)
- KGAB-AM 650 (Web site), Weekdays 1-4pm and 10pm-1am, Saturday 5-8pm, Sunday 4-8pm (Mountain Time Zone)