HOUSTON'S TOP 10 SPORTS TALK SHOWS FOR 2014 - (5-1) - CRAIG SHELTON

HOUSTON'S  TOP 10 SPORTS TALK SHOWS FOR  2014 - (5-1)

Written by: Craig Shelton

Date posted: 1/6/2015

5. THE PROPER GENTLEMEN OF SPORTS - (SPORTS TALK 790)

•  Lance Zierlein has done the best job imaginable in creating one of the most successful and entertaining shows in the market. Zierlein is seriously handicapped by his co-host, Adam Clanton, who is clearly in over his head as a prime-time host. Outside of reading liners for station events or sponsor ads, Clanton's strengths are few and far between.

Adam Clanton is an often unprepared "Negative Nancy" who comes off as lazy, uninformed, and overwhelmed professionally by the vastly superior sports knowledge of his co-host Zierlein.

What ultimately hurt "THE PROPER GENTLEMEN" in my rankings was the dumbing down of the show's content format to better suit the weaknesses of Adam Clanton. This cheats Zierlein and the intelligent sports listeners and has at times added too much of a goofball atmosphere to the show's dynamics.

As great as the radio icon Lance Zierlein is, not even Zierlein's talent can supersede the "WALKING DEAD" viral effects of taking the mic at 6am next to the sports talk radio terminal, Adam Clanton.

Zierlein, much like Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans, deserves a better QB to be paired with after so many years of excellence.

#4.  IN THE TRENCHES - (SPORTS TALK 790)

• "IN THE TRENCHES" is a good show led by ND Kalu and is a personal listening favorite of mine. Kalu is an audience pleaser who at times shows too much tolerance with the heavy volume of annoying repeat callers to the show. Kalu always offers callers and guests a fair platform to agree or disagree, but often will make under-his-breath comments referring to people who didn't play in the NFL as idiots.

Greg Koch overall carries his weight well, but spends too much time reading takes from other sources, as if they are his original takes. Koch will often take viewpoints that have no factual foundation and at times appear to be generated from personal displeasure towards the athlete or the position being debated.

"IN THE TRENCHES" is a ratings success and has legs to go on that should keep it as one of the market's best shows, as long as Kalu remains tolerant of the inner workings of the poor man's country club infrastructure of AM radio.

#3. THE BLITZ - (ESPN 97.5)

• Fred Faour and AJ Hoffman are the definition of what it means when we hear the phrase,  "an acquired taste." Fred and AJ are regular guys with a dry, not for everyone sense of humor and comedic timing. They're "men's-men." The type of guys you'd drink a beer with and talk football, hoops, baseball, or your favorite stripper or TV series. 

Fred and AJ  regularly force gambling culture on their listeners and avoid over-the-air debating or back-and-forth confrontations with callers.  These are smart witty guys who  should never miss out on the opportunity for a lively debate with a lcaller.

Overall, "The Blitz" provides a refreshing brand of sports talk radio for men to enjoy.

In an era of "nail shop" sports talk hosts,  Hoffman and Faour are still in barbershop mode. I appreciate that.

#2.  MAD RADIO - (SPORTS RADIO 610)

• The power duo of 2014 features a younger but less hip version of Charlie Pallilo next to original Houston Texan, former defensive lineman, Seth Payne.

Mike Meltser and Seth Payne are equal driving forces behind Sports Radio 610's MAD Radio. Seth Payne provides NFL pedigree and credibility,  as well as a sometimes awkwardly delivered, but always timely brand of comic relief.

Payne gets easily rattled by socially sensitive content, but combined with Meltser's more measured responses usually provides an acceptable intellectual response.

Mike Meltser is always well prepared as the ideal fit aside Payne as the ships straight man navigator.


This is a strong duo with national audience type of potential. 

#1. CHARLIE PALLILO - (SPORTS TALK 790)

• Steady as they come is Charlie Pallilo. "Mr. Dependable" is definitely the safest pick for #1. Charlie is a "pro's-pro" who is consistently topical, knowledgeable, and more up on popular culture than most are willing to acknowledge.

Charlie Pallilo reinvigorated his solo brand of sports talk excellence after the failed pairing of he and "Proper Gentlemen" host, Lance Zierlein, and never missed a beat in doing so. Pallilo's brand of evening-drive radio is caller-intensive accompanied by always well thought out analysis and intelligent debate.

Professionalism is the top protocol with Charlie Pallilo's radio brand. Charlie has avoided giving into current trends of foolishness and unprepared hosts who just show up in goofball mode collecting a check while cheating their listening audience.

Charlie Pallilo is #1 for 2014 because he is a "pro's-pro."

HOUSTON'S TOP 10 WORST SPORTS TALK PERSONALITIES COMING SOON TO HMW!

Craig Shelton