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I've often wondered why talk radio is a medium that is almost completely dominated by two topics: sports, and politics.
People talk about a lot of stuff everyday, and lord knows that every other venue of mass communication isn't limited to those two topics.
Television, the Internet, and print media boast a variety of entertainment options for their viewers and readers, unless you're watching a serial drama, in which case your slices of life include the life of a lawyer, the life of a doctor, or the life of a police officer or any combination therein.
(I'm thinking of pitching a show about a New York lieutenant who moonlights as a brain surgeon at a local hospital and is trying to get his brother off of death row by using forensic evidence and uncomfortable close-ups of Laurence Fishburne.)
Ever since ESPN Radio invaded my local FM airwaves, I've been listening more and more to sports talk radio.
Deciding that it was better than channel surfing between the same five Black Eyed Peas, Flo Rida, Alice in Chains, Miley Cyrus, and Kanye West songs that are on infinite repeat in San Diego's stations, the time I've spent listening has gotten me to think.
Why is listening to a different group of guys talk about the same topics every three hours so appealing to me and many others?
Likening this to politics, I get my healthy fix of controversy from my two favorite morning shows, which are comedic in nature but usually get into some heated discussions, considering cast members are from both sides of the political aisle.
I usually stay away from political discussions. Not only are they not my forte, but I feel they don't get anywhere. Not a senator/congressman/governor/president? Not interested.
And from this, I've figured something out.
The point of talk radio is cruel and unusual. To get you to yell back at your radio, knowing full well no one on the other side is going to hear your reply.
Think about it.
When's the last time you heard some homer talk about why USC should still be in the national championship game despite the fact they are routinely upset by at least one Pac-10 team? Two losses? No problem. They beat Notre Dame.
Anyone with a decent understanding of college football will lash out at hearing this. But when is the last time you pulled over on the highway or sneaked under your desk at work and called to retort?
It's the same effect you get every time you hear some blowhard talk about fixing health care reform when you know he's totally and completely whacked out.
The only people who dare to call in are the host's immediate family and friends, or their loyal army of listeners who agree no matter what.
Then there are those who don't encourage listener feedback, remaining out there in their little island on radio land, immune to criticism and common sense.
And it's not like other mediums don't do this. Entertainment media dole out opinions on celebrities regularly, but rarely is anyone completely demonized or tortured by absolutely everyone ("Leave Britney alone!").
The problem is: we're all the same.
We think that our fundamental understanding of topics that we are passionate about (i.e. sports) are backed by undeniable truths.
It's why turkeys like me pen opinion columns, exalting or bashing a certain person or organization that we probably know very little about on a personal level.
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