Off the Air, But Not Out of Sight

English: The Jason Lewis Show Talk Radio Host Jason Lewis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jason Lewis, a syndicated talk show host based out of Minneapolis, made headlines recently for suddenly bolting from his July 31 radio broadcast.  Lewis later said he had quit the show to focus on his new website, which is aimed at libertarians like him.

It turns out that Lewis' leave-taking was nothing more than a publicity stunt to promote the site.  His contract with KTLK (AM 1130) was about to expire, and he didn't want to make his last weeks on the air to be one long goodbye.  Fair enough.  But he could have chosen a less-dramatic departure.

Lewis joins a growing list of former broadcasters who, for reasons of their own, have moved to the wonderful world of new media.  Tom Barnard, who still hosts the morning show at KQRS (FM 92.5), has set up his own podcast network, which features shows by Tom Mischke, Rusty Gatenby and others.  Rick Kupchella, former KARE (NBC 11) reporter, now runs the "Bring Me The News" website, and has a radio news operation based on it.

Lewis' new site is more in line with those of Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin.  For a small fee, you can read or hear them talk about conservative political philosophy as they see it, blame President Barack Obama and other Democrats for the sun setting in the West, and wave the flag every chance they get.  Oh, and Palin might throw in a few hunting tips if you're really good and can spare a few more dollars.

As we said before, Lewis could have chosen a better way to make his point than stalking off the microphone and blaming government for his troubles.  He could also have admitted that the Twin Cities media scene had become so boring that the reveal of KARE's new backyard, and the local version of the Kardashian family--also known as the WCCO (CBS 4) news team--had become worthy of our attention.

As it is, Lewis is being replaced at KTLK by a host named "Joe Pags" Pagliarulo from owner Clear Channel's station in San Antonio, WOAI-AM.  Another cog in the talk radio echo chamber, all saying pretty much the same thing.  Jason Lewis has escaped all that for right now.  One wonders if his new venture will keep him out of the chamber for good.

UPDATE:  Pagliarulo has since been replaced on KTLK by local host Dave Thompson.