10 Questions with ... Sam Greenfield

NAME:Sam Greenfield TITLE:Talk Show Host STATION:WWRL AM 1600 MARKET:New York COMPANY:Access.1 Communications BORN:Yes RAISED:Above a grocery store in D.C.

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Las Vegas to New York and a decade plus career in standup comedy before that.

1. Why did you choose radio? WHat attracted you to the medium?

I began to talk when I was eleven months old, before I could walk, so talking was going to be part of my career somehow.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

Bigotry, cruelty to children, my family, hosts who divide our country in the name of ratings.

3. The obvious question that comes up with any host who isn't conservative is: will liberal talk survive? But detaching it from Air America, it's clear that examples of successful progressive talk have existed for years, so the better question is: what does a liberal talker (or, for that matter, any talker) need to do to succeed?

If REAL radio people (not media celebs who "want to try this radio thing") were hired, this question would be unnecessary. Ed Schultz, Randi Rhodes, and, uh... oh yes, ME!!!! for example, are all successful radio people who aren't doing this until an elective office or movie role becomes available (hold on, it's my agent....).

4. You've done standup comedy as well as talk radio- which is harder and why?

Nothing was harder for me than getting drunk NYU students to laugh at 2:30 AM, with the possible exception of listening to Mark Levin.

5. Is the nation too politically polarized for there ever to be a middle ground or public consensus again? Can a moderate talk show host find an audience?

This last election created a middle ground of both parties rejecting the administration's war supporters, and folks are weary of hypocritical phonies on the right (Gingrich) attempting to impose values they don't follow. Between Limbaugh, Crowley, Coulter, and Ingraham does not rest one successful marriage, so it doesn't make sense for them to preach about values on family. I am a liberal, and my sense of family is quite firm, so I don't need or seek finger wagging from them.

6. Who are your mentors, your inspirations, the people you've learned the most from?

Media consultant Valerie Geller and my first program director Alan Eisenson for radio. They have always---ALWAYS--- been there for me, and in life, Barbara Singer, my wife.

7. Of what are you most proud?

How our daughter has turned out: a bright, happy, honest, and polite child.

8. What do you do for fun?

I get up at three in the morning, so sleeping is fun, as is playing poker and hanging out with my family and friends, I treasure them more than ever now.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.

...writing on my blog (SamGreenfield.net) and watching "Around the Horn" and "Pardon the Interruption" on ESPN.

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?

The best: Treat your ability to make people laugh as a ministry, not to be abused or wasted.

The worst: I don't have enough column space to tell you, but "stop trying to be funny" from my third grade teacher is right up there.