Asked and answered

Thanks to podcasting, I don’t listen to much talk radio anymore, which was once a staple of my media consumption. Granted, I listen to a string of NPR podcasts pulled right off the radio, and I listen to one or two ESPN radio shows that are re-aired as podcasts, but gone are the days of the classic talk radio show host. This means that when I do listen to one of these shows, I can’t help but notice some of the oddities connected with the media.

Specifically, I want to know why every talk show host feels the need to both ask and answer his or her own questions. Is this some communications strategy taught in broadcasting school?

In case you’re not a listener of talk radio or haven’t noticed this yet, this particular brand of stupidity sounds something like this:

“Do I think that the new healthcare bill will lower costs for the average American?  Yes.  Do I still think the bill is flawed?  Yes?  But is a flawed bill better than no bill at all?  Absolutely”

If you’re listening to sports radio, it might sound something like this:

“Do I think that Tiger Woods has a chance of winning the Masters?  Yes.  Do I think he faces an uphill battle?  Of course.  But am I rooting for him?  You bet I am. 

If you’re sitting in my car when the radio host begins this nonsense, you might hear me say something like this:

“Do I think that you’re a moron?  Yes.  Do you sound like a fool?  Absolutely?  Will I continue listening regardless of your stupidity?  Absolutely not.”