Quick hits

All too often, there are some smaller stories worth mentioning, but not enough to really fill a whole article. So here's a few "Quick Hits":

First up, fans of Ed Schultz will want to tune in to C-Span today (August 28) at noon ET, as Fargo represents with a three hour television simulcast, as C-Span often does with AM radio talk show hosts. You can find C-Span on your cable or satellite system (naturally) or access it at c-span.org.

Air America Radio's Thom Hartmann gets the C-Span treatment this Friday (August 31) from noon to 3PM ET.

Meanwhile, in Young Turks land, only one turk remains, as Ben Mankiewicz departs for a new gig. He will be working for gossip site TMZ.com's new television show, to debut in syndication this fall. Mankiewicz is also a weekend host on the Turner Classic Movies cable network. No word on any replacement, as Cenk Uygur carries on solo.

So, how did Keith Olbermann's recent NBC Sunday night gig turn out? In the initial Neilsen numbers (not finalized), the special network edition of "Countdown" beat FOX's game show hit "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" but fell behind "60 Minutes" and "America's Funniest Videos" on CBS and ABC. Olbermann's show lead in to "Football Night In America" throughout most of the country, though West Coast viewers saw it after the game, as is customary in those markets to fill in the prime time lineup there.

Should I spoil it for those who haven't checked their TiVos yet? Well, you can still catch bits and pieces at YouTube, including the 'Worst Person In The World' and another segment.

Elsewhere, Gonzo is Gone-zo, and family values Republican Senator Larry Craig of Utah once got busy in an airport bathroom. Let's hear it for the Grand Ol' Perverts!

Speaking of not-so-great Gonzos, Ted Nugent got a slide by most of the media for his onstage fatwa issued this past weekend toward members of the Democratic Party (video). Taunting the likes of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and others to taste the business end of his submachine gun, he also flung around some rather violent rhetoric. And they say we're filled with hate! Geez! Meanwhile, all the Dixie Chicks said was that they were ashamed that the President hailed from the same state as them, and look what they had to put up with. Meanwhile, Sean Insannity on FOX Noise was bending over backwards to kiss his buddy Ted's ass, which in itself is tough to do when one has no neck. As for The Nuge, well, what else do you expect from a gung-ho right-wing war nut who avoided the draft in the late 60s in perhaps the most disgusting way possible?

For those that are curious, yes, the newly minted (pun intended) "Green 960" in San Francisco (formerly "The Quake") does indeed have a new logo, as you can see at right.

And finally, remember this guy? That's "Radical Russ" Belville, and he won that "Next Progressive Talk Star" contest thingy last year. And yes, he does have a radio show, airing Saturday mornings on KPOJ in Portland, OR. Tomorrow morning, he goes nationwide, as he fills in for the day for morning talker Bill Press on his syndicated show. Catch "The Bill Press Show" weekday mornings 6-9AM ET.

Radical Russ is the next "Progressive Talk Radio Star"

Congratulations are in order for "Radical" Russ Belville of Portland, OR, who has won a national contest to find America's next Progressive Talk Radio Star.

The contest was sponsored by Clear Channel Radio, The Center for American Progress Action Fund, Jones Radio Networks, and Media Syndication Services, Inc.

Belville, who won a local contest sponsored by Clear Channel progressive talker KPOJ (620AM) in Portland, went on to defeat Curtis Hannum of Boulder, Colo., in the finals of the contest, a two-hour broadcast in Washington, D.C. hosted by veteran television broadcaster and nationally syndicated radio host Bill Press.

Judges for the final broadcast included Product First syndicated talker Ed Schultz, Melody Barnes, executive VP for Policy at the Center for American Progress; Paul Woodhull, founder and president of Media Syndication Services; Jessica Sherman, VP of Affiliate Sales for Jones Radio Networks, and Bill Hess, program director for Clear Channel talk WWRC (1260AM) in Washington, DC.

As the winner, Belville will now get an opportunity to develop and host his own syndicated radio show in conjunction with the contest's sponsors.