Michael Savage and the Viral Savage Truth

The controversy stirred up by Michael Savage and his remarks concerning autism have made the caustic radio host the subject of front-page news across the US. A Yahoo or Goggle news search will show no end to the commentary and backlash Michael Savage has garnered from reporters, broadcasters and yes, even everyday American’s like you.

The Boston Herald is reporting that sports hero and general all around good guy Doug Flutie, the father of an autistic teen, respectfully lambasted Savage in a press release from the Foundation for Autism saying Savage’s on-air remarks were: “inappropriate and lacking of respect for all families affected by autism.”

Radio and Records, the most influential weekly for the radio broadcasting industry notes that Michael Savage’s remarks on autism have lost him at least one outlet for his combative style of talk radio. Telesouth Communications has canceled Savage’s talk show on all of their “Super Talk Mississippi” stations. It’s a defection of a total of seven Michael Savage affiliates, but it’s not likely to effect the talk host’s rating or monetary bottom line, as the stations are mostly broadcasting to smaller radio markets and represent just a fraction of Michael Savage’s audience.

Still, the flak over Savage’s remarks on autism haven’t been completely ignored by some of Savage’s larger talk radio affiliates. Radio and Records also reports that the vice president and general manager of WOR/New York, Jerry Crowley, Savage’s affiliate in the largest radio market in the US felt the controversy was ‘big’ enough to release the following statement: “The views expressed by Michael Savage are his views and are not those of WOR Radio. As Michael Savage is a syndicated show, the content is the responsibility of the syndicator, which is Talk Radio Networks. Unfortunately, it is impossible for WOR Radio to know the subject matter in advance of airing. WOR is in the business of serving the community in which we broadcast. That is our stated goal, and we will continue to do so. We regret any consternation that his remarks may have caused to our listeners.” Wow. With the ability to write politically and corporately neutral press releases like that, Jerry should consider a run for public office.

The smoke has yet to clear or even to thin out over Michael Savage’s on air tirade. The statements about autism, which some would deem as misinformed or even inflammatory, have consciously or unconsciously created an environment that media personalities lust after with all their spin hungry hearts; tons and tons of press. In just a few days following Savage’s remarks, press wires, newspapers, Internet news portals, TV networks and even the workplace water cooler were abuzz with Savage’s comments. To put it lightly, you can’t buy press like that. Savage has made himself a household name, again.

It’s possible we’ll see a few more stations cancel Michael Savage, and there will undoubtedly be a few advertisers that will pull their commercials from the caustic talk host’s show. Although the General Managers and Program Directors of Michael Savages radio affiliates may seem incensed and will release public statements on how they are outraged or at the very least disagree with Michael Savage’s remarks on autism, the ‘smart’ media managers will be popping champagne in their corporate media offices and toasting their good fortune at all of the press their stations are receiving indirectly from the Savage debacle. In the end, all of the controversy will only help Michael Savage. He’s made more people aware of his show, he’ll captivate and incense more listeners, garner higher ratings and in turn, have the ability to charge those advertisers even more to run commercials on his radio network. It’s his job to make a buzz for himself and gather more listeners for the Michael Savage show. And like it or not, from all the press Savage has garnered in the last week, he’s doing a fine job.