The Laura Ingraham Show

The Laura Ingraham Show
Genre Conservative talk
Running time 3 hours
Country United States United States
Language(s) English
Home station WTNT (AM)
Syndicates Westwood One (2001-04)
Talk Radio Network (2004-12)
Hosted by Laura Ingraham
Recording studio Washington, D.C.
Air dates April 2001 to November 2012
Website www.lauraingraham.com

The Laura Ingraham Show is a three-hour American radio show hosted by conservative commentator Laura Ingraham. Ingraham's show has historically aired from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Eastern Time Zone (ET), adjusted seasonally for Daylight Saving Time, with delayed rebroadcast on various local terrestrial radio stations.

As of 2008 her show was one of the most popular radio shows.[1] Her Web site features online polls, "Read It or Weep" articles of note handpicked by Laura from various Web sites and blogs, and audio clips available via podcasting.

The show covers primarily politics, pop culture, and media bias; with topics of interest including race relations, trends in schools, the Middle East and the legacy of feminism. The show features several recurring segments, each with a distinct satirical theme.

Ingraham's show, one of many to launch in 2001 as the conservative talk radio genre expanded in popularity, was originally aired on the now-defunct Westwood One. She joined Talk Radio Network in 2004. In June 2008, Ingraham temporarily left the air due to a contract dispute.[2] A number of hosts filled in for her, primarily Tammy Bruce and Monica Crowley; Ingraham returned at the end of the month. Ingraham left TRN in November 2012 after her contract expired. The show returned on January 1, 2013 after Ingraham took ownership of her show. In addition to politics, Ingraham discusses pop culture. The new show is distributed through Courtside Entertainment Group, a company controlled by Norman Pattiz.[3]

Show segments

The segment called "But ... Monkey" takes someone's sound bite and divides the words before "but" (usually something positive or complimentary) from the words that follow (usually something negative or critical) with a screeching monkey sound. Other variations of the monkey cited include the "Having Said That Monkey" and the "Double But ... Monkey." Other segments include "Lie of the Day," during which a sound clip is played of an alleged lie over the Anastacia song "Why'd You Lie to Me". Another satirical segment is the "Deep Thought of the Day", signaled by the sounds of piano, smooth flowing water, and chirping birds accompanied by someone making an adage-like statement. For example, one "Deep Thought" featured on the show was from Maya Angelou who said, "Don't let facts get in the way of the truth. You can tell so many facts you never get to the truth."

Other segments include the "Sound Bite of the Week", which allows callers to choose which of several noteworthy sound clips or "bites" (played before accepting calls) is the most outstanding, good or bad. At the end of the year, a "Sound Bite of the Year" is chosen. The segment "Looking for Leaders" profiles individuals who have made some outstanding contribution to America by example; one segment featured wrestling champion and author Kyle Maynard, born with a rare congenital disorder that left him with no elbows or knees. Other lesser-used segments include the "What's He Smokin' Moment of the Day", the "Awkward Pause Moment of the Day", and most recently, the "Black Helicopter".

The segment "Guess the Guest" — in which callers are encouraged to hypothesize as to the identity of a certain guest on selected episodes of Larry King's CNN show by listening to choice sound cuts from the interview — had been played often on Ingraham's radio show until 2005 when for no stated reason, she stopped using the segment. Later, in 2006, the segment was resumed.

The "Clash against Civilizations Update" spotlights a story in which Ingraham believes a person's or group of people's cultural beliefs are infringing upon other peoples' lives. The "Pornification Alert" spotlights a story about a cultural trend (usually involving sex or pornography) which Ingraham believes is pervading American culture in a negative way.

The Laura Ingraham Show discusses a wide variety of issues from a conservative perspective, summed up by Ingraham as "Politics, the culture, and media bias." Depending on current events, she sometimes discusses other issues in more depth.

During the George W. Bush administration, Laura had been requested along with other prominent conservative talk show hosts to the White House for an unannounced meeting hosted by the President, where he tried to explain and convince them to support his policies such as the war in Iraq, and comprehensive immigration reform proposals.[4]

Illegal immigration

Ingraham frequently advocates "securing the borders" by putting more resources into stopping illegal immigration. She has a segment called "The Illegal Immigration Sob Story" alert, in which she highlights media articles that she believes are gathering emotional sympathy for illegal immigrants who, she states, are simply breaking the law.

Jihad

The show frequently raises the topic of radical Islam viewed from the perspective of U.S. conservatives, with Ingraham discussing current events and media reports about the so-called war against terror and what she believes is a growing faction of Islam  — jihads.

Bioethics

Ingraham often talks about bioethical issues, opposing abortion on demand, human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research. She was an outspoken opponent of Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2006), a ballot measure that she felt was deceptive and that legalized human cloning. Every January 22, Ingraham promotes the anti-abortion movement March for Life which takes place on the same day as the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States.

Raunch culture

Ingraham frequently highlights sex and pornography on her show. She has criticized people such as Howard Stern, Hugh Hefner, and others who she claims have pervaded the culture with what she describes as "filth" at the expense of "traditional American values."

Staff

The show staff consists of producers Tom Elliot, Brad Feldman and Bryan Preston, as well as several other support staff members occasionally referenced by Ingraham. Former staff members include longtime producer Matt Fox and co-producer A.J. Rice. Its co-creator and Executive Producer was Lee Habeeb.

Ingraham's personal life on the show

Ingraham often calls the show "Reality Radio", and this is evidenced by her and her producer's constant jokes and bloopers and Ingraham's occasional lateness on the show. Once, when she was coming back from Israel, the show opened the producer introducing Ingraham on the phone as she urged her taxi driver to go faster while rushing to get into the building.

Ingraham often talks about her personal life in between commentary on current events. Frequent topics include tales of her yellow Labrador Retriever, Lucy, and her travel adventures with her producers and interns on the show. She also speaks of her conversion to Catholicism.

Music

Music is an important part of the show. Ingraham usually plays favorite songs going into and coming out of break (her favorite artists include Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley). Some commonly played songs are:

Each day's playlist is also posted on Laura's homepage, along with recommended albums and songs.

Frequent guests

Web site

Lauraingraham.com is the official site of the Laura Ingraham Show. It features the Laura365 subscription service, which offers complete shows available for download to one's iPod or other MP3 player.

References

  1. ↑ "The Top Talk Radio Audiences". Talkers magazine. November 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  2. ↑ Ingraham Speaks Up About Her Silencing on Talk Radio
  3. ↑ Laura Ingraham signs with Courtside Entertainment Group and Launchpad Digital Media
  4. ↑ As Talk Radio Wavers, Bush Moves to Firm Up Support — New York Times
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