There will always be broadcasters that we admire, take things from, and try to mold into our own. A little of this person, a little of that person, and you try to develop your own style as a talk show host.
You can’t knock someone else off; it has to be unique to you. But since the beginning of the business, hosts have found their voice largely by emulating those they have looked up to and then making it their own.
However, developing a style off of others is different than simply parroting their talking points.
I spoke with a fellow broadcaster earlier this week who was bemoaning that he disagreed with FOX News’ top primetime host Tucker Carlson’s recent takes on Russia-Ukraine.
He worried that he might turn off some of his audience by disagreeing with Tucker’s take. I responded with, “First off, I do too in some respects. But more importantly, why do you care?”
Granted, we live in a world where people want their biases and beliefs to be confirmed. However, there are enough media in today’s fragmented environment that you can certainly find in a relatively quick fashion.
But it’s still far more important to be interesting and entertaining than it is to parrot the same opinions of those theoretically above you in the food chain.
Tucker Carlson is the highest-rated cable news host because he doesn’t stand by a specific party or ideology. So yes, you would watch Tucker and consider him a conservative, but at the same time, he’s more likely to compliment former Democrat Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard than he is to compliment many Republicans.
In fact, recent reports shared that in October of 2021, Carlson’s program was the top cable news show among Democrats in the advertiser-coveted age range of 25-54.
That’s because Carlson is interesting, entertaining, unpredictable, and authentic.
If a talk show host in a local market is doing a show with fear of crossing Tucker Carlson’s opinion, or Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, or anyone else you want to add to this list, then that means the host isn’t himself. And there’s nothing worse one can be than inauthentic. The audience will sniff you out in a heartbeat.
Our goal on the local level is the same. Be interesting. Entertain. Be authentic. Obviously, try to find angles that tie it back to being local, although some national stories are harder than others to achieve that. But regardless, if someone wants a watered-down, regurgitated version of Carlson’s talking points, they can watch the show back on their phone, FOX News’ website, or anywhere else.
They no longer need you.
Be different. Have fun. Don’t overthink others’ opinions, and consume as many of them as possible. That way, you won’t worry about one. But, most importantly, be you.
Pete Mundo is a weekly columnist for Barrett Media, and the morning show host and program director for KCMO in Kansas City. Previously, he was a fill-in host nationally on FOX News Radio and CBS Sports Radio, while anchoring for WFAN, WCBS News Radio 880, and Bloomberg Radio. Pete was also the sports and news director for Omni Media Group at K-1O1/Z-92 in Woodward, Oklahoma. He’s also the owner of the Big 12-focused digital media outlet Heartland College Sports. To interact, find him on Twitter @PeteMundo.
