Limbaugh and Hannity involved in fraud?

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Michael

The above question mark is ironic: like FOX Noise, I’m really outright claiming what I wrote. However, unlike FOX Noise, what I’m claiming has evidence:

But according to an online account, Premiere [the radio company that employs Limbaugh and Hannity] is hiring actors to fake on-air calls to radio shows who do not divulge the scam. Before being abruptly removed, their website read:

“Premiere On Call is our new custom caller service… We supply voice talent to take/make your on-air calls, improvise your scenes or deliver your scripts. Using our simple online booking tool, specify the kind of voice you need, and we’ll get your the right person fast. Unless you request it, you won’t hear that same voice again for at least two months, ensuring the authenticity of your programming for avid listeners”.

As reported, once the actor “passed the audition, he would be invited periodically to call in to various talk shows and recite various scenarios that made for interesting radio.” In addition, the source was specifically told there would be no on-air disclosure of the fabricated nature of the call. He subsequently landed the job, at $40 per hour and a minimum one hour of work per day.

This suggests an array of radio clients is broadcasting bogus calls by actors, categorized by their accents or vocal qualities. Next time you hear a “gruff”, “clean”, “crisp”, “deep”, or “textured” voice, you might just be hearing a Premiere On Call actor secretively playing a real person.

This report stems from an accidental posting that appeared on Premiere’s website. I can’t say I’m surprised at the revelation. Both hosts have a history of being very selective about what information they present; the fact that they would hire actors to demonstrate specific points makes sense. They just aren’t honest guys and this is perfectly within their characters.

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Thought of the day

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Michael

One of the most fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans is cohesion. The Democrats don’t always stick together, thus weakening their clout. I think this generally reflects the more nuanced stances they take; that’s what happens when people invest a little thought into reality. The Republicans, on the other hand, tend to be more mindless. They don’t deviate from The Plan. This greatly reflects how ideological they are. Really, just take a look at the reactions the party had after it was killed in ’06 and ’08: it wanted to get rid of all the RINOs and people willing to compromise. It looks like that worked, at least in the short term, so kudos to them for having a successful, even if abhorrent, political strategy.

So I don’t think we’re going to see another John McCain sort of candidate in 2012, one that emphasizes being a maverick. Granted, McCain was (and is) pretty slimey in his overt moves to the far right, contradicting much of his career, but he just couldn’t appeal to the pale white, suburban base of the Republican party enough. A Huckabee has a better chance because of his pretty generic anti-all-things-good Republican positions. Though I’m not making any sort of specific prediction right now, it is clear that anyone with nuance is unlikely to be successful in the GOP any time soon. (Think about it: How many Democrats cross the aisle all the time, voting for generally conservative positions? How many Republicans do the inverse? I can name two, and they’re both from my state.)

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