John Batchelor: The Smartest Show on Commercial Radio

I’ve praised his show in the past, lamented its departure from my local radio spectrum, and now am grateful for its return . He’s doing 4 hours a night, seven nights a week and it’s almost never boring. He’s on WABC 770 AM in New York at 9 p.m.. Same station as Rush, ditto heads, Tune in and learn the difference between inquisitive reporting, conflicting viewpoints and know it all pronouncing. (Hiswebsite can probably locate it in your area).

He’ll introduce you to an eclectic smart group of reporters and writers on a wide array of subjects particularly history, and he (generally) can tell those who have an edge on the pack on whatever current event comes up. Often real working reporters who know things, not pundits.

I may disagree, but I respect the intelligence of the guests, and Batchelor respects the intelligence of his audience. Which doesn’t mean being boringly pedantic, he gets excited by the unfolding of history in front of us. Sometimes offering an unexpected, cranky point of view of his own. He once asked me to be a guest, but our pre show discussion turned into a kind of argument, and we have not had occasion to speak since, so this is not a favor for a friend. I’m doing it for myself–and for you, blog reader.

I can’t think of a cable or talk radio show that matches its intellectual energy and intensity. Plus he sounds like he’s having fun doing, it and the zest doesn’t diminish the seriousness. Give it a try.