Michael Jackson (radio commentator)

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Michael Jackson is a radio talk show host based in the Los Angeles area. Jackson is best known for his political radio show, which aired on L.A. radio station KABC.

He was born in England, became a radio deejay in South Africa before coming to the United States. In the 1960's he started one of the first radio talk shows in the country on KEWB during the overnight hours, in the middle of spinning records. He received national acclaim in Time Magazine for saving the life of a suicidal person by keeping him talking on the phone until the police came. [1]

After that, he moved to Los Angeles, where he began hosting talk radio on KNX-AM in 1964 before beginning a 30 year tenure on heritage talk station KABC, occupying the 9 am to noon spot. The mid-day talk show drew guests from around the world but began regularly losing to The Rush Limbaugh Show on crosstown KFI. The show was deemed too liberal and serious for the new generation of talk listeners. His show moved to weekends. moved to KRLA (1110) and KLAC until those stations ended their talk radio format.

Most recently, he returned to all-news radio station KNX as a news analyst and interviewer until he chose not to renew his contract, citing a lack of a regular time slot.

Jackson's biting commentary, uninhibited questioning and refined sense of humor evolved from his earliest radio experiences in South Africa, Great Britain and in the United States. His US broadcasting career began in Massachusetts, after which he moved on to an all-night radio talk show in San Francisco and from there to Los Angeles. He spent 32 years on KABC where he frequently was voted Outstanding Radio Personality of the Year by the Los Angeles Times.

A recipient of seven Television Emmys (and 13 nominations), Jackson has also been awarded six Golden Mikes, also known as Radio's Oscar Michael received 2 in Januanry 2006 for outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting. In June of 2006 Michael was honored with a second place award from the LA Press Club for "Entertainment Reporting/ Criticism" for " Michael, Jamie and Ray."
Michael's various honors include membership in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, (the MBE), presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, along with being presented with the French Legion of Merit bestowed by President Mitterrand. He has his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Western School of Law.

Jackson is renowned for his interviews with celebrities from all walks of life and his probing exchanges with politicians.