Michael Medved is my favorite talk show host for several reasons. He is funny--often even devastating, watch-or-you'll-drive-off-road-funny--but never vulgar or demeaning. He talks about important subjects, not just what is in the day's papers. He not only encourages people who disagree with him to call in, he "puts them at the head of the line." Unfortunately, that usually that means that the poor wretch is quickly reduced to stuttering, but occasionally a shrewd caller forces Michael to concede a point, and that makes the show real sport, not inhumane slaughter.
Medved could easily monopolize his own show--many hosts do--and he certainly is entertaining and bright enough to keep the viewer involved without bothering to bring on guests. But, he is not so smug as to hog the mike and likes very much to introduce to his program exactly the kind of interesting figures that one would like to hear from--topical authors, of course, politicos, and even worthy adversaries. Medved is polite and conversationally avuncular with all. He also is courageous; he doesn't shirk from unpopular stands, but rather tries to take them in a way that causes listeners (and readers) to rethink their assumptions.
Finally in his favor, Michael Medved, is a true writer himself. He uses research assistance, but writes his own material, and it is very good. He is also prolific, perhaps the result of his remarkably retentive and precise--nearly photographic-- memory. One could envy such a gift, but it is wisest just to admire it.
A good example of Medved's combined facility and depth (and the original stimulus for this blog item) is his look at the multi-cultural history of America, or, rather, the NON-multi-cultural history of America. It appears as a long article on Town Hall.
This kind of prose is indicative of a genuine, contributing intellectual who just happens to appear on the radio, in contrast to the on-air blowhards (some with intellectual pretensions) who make so many talk shows tedious. His books are all insightful and accessible. His latest, Right Turns, is a classic in in the political autobiography genre.
I have noticed that Medved pre-tapes ahead for holidays, when there are no phone-ins, and, actually, those are some of his best programs. He told us all about the real history of Thanksgiving last year. This past Independence Day weekend he ran a riveting series on Israel's various wars. I thought I knew a lot about these matters, but Medved's radio show managed to inform and entertain on both subjects.
It is gratifying that a talk show of such charm and seriousness would have a large and growing national audience.