Mike Malloy
Michael D. Malloy, a self-described "traditional Democrat," is the host of The Mike Malloy Show, syndicated by Air America Radio. The program airs every weekday 10PM-1AM (EST).
Malloy is resolutely left-of-center, and is famous for his brash presentation. He makes sweeping statements about Republicans, claiming "All Republicans are evil. All of them. Your momma's a Republican? Bad luck." His supporters view his use of argument ad hominem as humorous. Opponents, however, have labeled such attacks as vitriol.
Malloy has clarified that his on-air attacks are intended to be humorous, previously stating, "there are some good Republicans," but explaining "You know... I tried to be Mr. Nice Guy... I used to be on CNN's Talkback Live. I tried to be a nice man... you know, don't get ugly. What did I get for it? Pushed into the wall. Screw 'em." Malloy dismisses the notion of "try[ing] to see both sides", as "these [right-wing Republicans] are murderous sons-of-bitches who won't allow normal, rational discussion". Malloy labels "liberals", such as Alan Colmes, who try to "compromise with these bastards" as "whores."
Malloy grew up Baptist, but is now a professed atheist. He attacks all religions, believing them to be superstitions that advance bigoted views.
Malloy is often rude and abrasive with people that call into the program professing conservative or right-wing views. In his words, he "plays with them like a cat plays with a mouse."
Early career
Journalism Experience
Prior to his radio program, Malloy was a news writer with CNN from 1984 to 1987, and publisher of the weekly Atlanta newspaper Creative Loafing. His educational background focused on English and Political Science, and included study at N.C. State University in Raleigh, the University of Toledo in Ohio, Georgia State University in Atlanta, and Jacksonville University in Florida.
WSB (Atlanta)
Beginning his radio career in the early 1990s, Malloy was originally heard on Atlanta station WSB, where he gained an early following among Georgia liberals. However, when WSB moved his show from evenings to middays against Rush Limbaugh on WGST, Malloy was unable to continue his initial success and was eventually released by WSB.
WLS (Chicago)
When an opening arose at WLS in Chicago in 1996, Malloy applied and got the job; although he was the station's biggest ratings-getter at night, WLS fired him in April 2000 in a gradual purge of their liberal-leaning air talent.
i.e. America Radio Network
Malloy first gained national popularity with a radio audience when his program was syndicated between October 2000 to February 2004 on the now defunct I.E. America Radio Network. The Mike Malloy Show featured monologues, occasional guest interviews, brief musical interludes and listeners' calls.
Radio Show
While his on the air style features of variety of moods and themes, he is well known for his mocking, ad hominem, relentless satire and polemical criticisms of U.S. Republican Party, Democratic Party, George W. Bush, right-wing Christians, politicians (especially rightist conservatives and neo-conservatives), and people he deems racist and homophobic. Following John Kerry's 2004 election loss, Malloy made public that he would remain a Democrat, but no longer donate money to the leadership of the Democratic Party which he feels is weak and docile in comparison to the Republican Party. He has subsequently made public overtures to the Green Party while still occasionally speaking at selected Democratic Party fundraisers.
Trademark catch-phrases
Malloy is frequently heard employing a number of catch phrases that have become trademarks of his style, among them are:
- "Have I mentioned yet tonight how much I hate these people?"'
- The Bush crime family
- The flying-monkey right - right-wing media commentators
- This filthy, degenerate Republican Party
- End your day screaming...with Mike Malloy! - a commonly played and pre-recorded tagline of the show
Nicknames
- George W. Bush: Chuckle Nuts, the Giggling Killer, President Bunny Pants, Man-or-Monkey, Dim Son, Weak-and-Stupid, Raisin Brain(s), Too-Stupid-to-Be-President, Too-Stupid-to-Chew-a-Pretzel, Dipthong, MENSA Man, the Bush Bastard, Guaca-Moron
- Dick Cheney: Cyborg Man
- Laura Bush: Pickles
- Scott McClellan: Snotty Scotty, Simple Snotty, Quack!
- Rush Limbaugh: the Pig Man, the Pig Bastard, the Drug Addict, the OxyMoron
- Sean Hannity: Sean Insanity, the Piglet Bastard, the Baby Jesus