Hannity & Colmes (1996–2008) User Reviews

I don't get it

[wdevercelly · 2/10 · 22 June 2006]

Colmes is weak - not because he's liberal, but because he's just weak. We all know that Hannity is aggressive and that's all I'll say about him.

I've been thinking that liberals seem indecisive and waffly because they are willing to listen to reason and a good argument where the conservatives think that they know everything and that nothing ever changes. This "balance" leaves liberals looking vulnerable. Heck, I wish that I could be that narrow-minded and sure. Trouble is that I can't. I guess I'm one of Coulter's weak-wristed commies.

What bugs me more than anything is the way that Fox News masquerades as news when it's really mainly opinion and commentary with a heavy (clumsy, actually) right-handed spin. I really doubt that the producers at CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, ABC, CBS and NBC meet every morning and tell their staffs to "lean left" and attack any and all conservatives at every opportunity. I don't think that they are trying to impeach the entire Bush/GOP government (they do have the majority across the board) any more or less than they reported on the Clinton administration with all of it's foibles. It's NEWS, people - not politics. Fox is trying to remake news into politics. Let's hope that they fail.

Men (H & C): Talk About Something Else Once In Awhile!

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 28 February 2008]

Overall, this was a much better show before the 2008 elections began. Regardless of what political party you belong to, I would think most people don't want to hear about the candidates EVERY SINGLE NIGHT for 18 months! Give it a rest, boys.

But that's today's media for you: overkill everything. Frankly, after 90 straight days of election talk back in the middle of 2007, I gave up on this program. It's too much of the same now: same guests, same comments, same bias on both sides.

Hopefully, when the election is over, these guys will go back and discuss a variety of topics each night.

If you want an example of why Sean Hannity gets so upset at times, just read some of moronic, hateful lines the Left Loonies have printed in these IMDb reviews. It's hard to have an intelligent conversation with people when one side only knows how to call names and has very few solutions to any problem. It's also frustrating when the other side - Liberals - wants to tear down, as Hannity often points out - everything the Founding Fathers of the United States put down on paper - and begin their own secular nation in which principals are thrown out the window. So, as one our recent Presidents liked to opine, "I feel your pain," Sean.

What I don't like about Hannity, to be fair, is all the shouting and interruptions against those he differs. I know he's passionate, but he needs to chill a bit.

Alan Combs, the Liberal counterpart to Hannity, has a much better demeanor and comes across in a much more civil manner. The other problem with Alan is that he's wrong 98 percent of the time....but I like his personality.

This was an interesting talk show until they decided to talk only about one subject.

Laughable

[Reno-007 · 5 September 2003]

I like to watch the O'Reilly Factor and some of the news on Fox but I cannot tolerate Sean Hannity for more than 2 minutes. That nauseating little punk is so blinded by his conservative nature that if a conservative burned down his house, killed his dog, wrecked his car and told him to go screw himself he would shake the other conservatives hand. He has no journalistic credibility or brains. He does not give people ample time to speak and if there is anyone who is remotely moderate or liberal he's ready to drive a stake into their heart. Alan Colmes is tolerable but when the heavy debates start he just kind of sits there and doesn't do much. They need to get James Carville on that show, woo man he would kick Hannity's ass off the planet! I am a moderate, not liberal or conservative and I try to give everybody the benefit of the doubt. However with an annoying little troll like Sean Hannity, it's a lost cause. Oh and by the way that show Jumped the Shark from day one!

Fair and Balanced My A**

[metalface101 · 1/10 · 30 August 2006]

First of all, Sean Hannity has to be the biggest right-wing gas-bag I've ever heard. If you're a Liberal you might as well be a leper in his eyes. It's either his way or no way. Alan Colmes is much more respectful to the guests even if they're conservative. Hannity needs to get some manners and keep his mouth shut. I'm surprised the show has lasted as long as it has. What makes me laugh is he thinks George W. Bush is the greatest President ever, as least thats the way he acts. Hopefully in '08 we get a Democrat back in the White House so I can watch Sean Hannity cry and whine every night about not having a Conservative Republican in the White House.

We are being outfoxed.

[khazar400 · 1/10 · 8 May 2006]

This show is as vile as it gets. Colmes is very weak and was a virtual unknown until, he "sold out" to become Hannity's whipping boy. No self respecting politician of any stripe would appear on Fox; the voice of the growing neo-fascist movement in this country. For the scoop on Hannity and Colmes and Fox and the now almost totally right-wing media in this country; see "Orwell Rolls in his Grave" and "OutFoxed" Rupert Murcoch's War on Journalism. Jefferson said "Eternal vigilance is the price of Democracy". The founding fathers never envisioned the event of the entire communications media and the press falling into the hands of the rich and powerful few. There are no checks and balances for this, as the right wing media continues to stifle true dissent and replace it with faux debate forums such as this. This show is professional wrestling, bull fighting, the Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington. It ain't news, and the sad sacks it trots out to represent the opposition are not true competitors. Give us Buckley vs. Vidal if you want a real heavyweight title bout. I know, Bill Buckley, hardly seems fair, but despite his uncontrollable twitching he is the best they've got and perhaps the best mind of 8th century.

Conservative vs. Socialists

[techiehire · 10/10 · 2 May 2007]

Often comical and controversial, always entertaining and informative, Sean Hannity, an articulate American patriot, battles the promoters of a socialist America, ie. the Liberals. He does so with respect, tact, and intellectual logical proofs. He debunks common liberal myths and fallacies injected into the veins of Americans via mainstream media biases. The current liberal media slants the truth and propagates casuistries which promote their liberal political agenda. He debates, alongside his liberal sidekick Allan Colmes, who always argues with conservative guests. The show normally takes a controversial issue or comment in the news and invites guests usually experts, eg. politicians, authors and the like, to discuss and debate it. Sometimes they have multiple guests who share their insight on the issues. Hannity has a policy that if you can't answer his very specific question with a very concise yes or no answer, you're not ready to honestly and openly debate an issue. A person must be ready to disclose his or her beliefs on the relevant issues. Hannity has his own nationally syndicated radio show airing weekdays 3:00 to 6:00pm Eastern time.

Very outstanding debate show

[ksau-1 · 10/10 · 14 November 2006]

Sean Hannity is finally a voice of reason on the airwaves. Alan Colmes is somewhat ineffectual as a foil for Sean Hannity, primarily because his views are emotionally based, and cannot stand against vile things like Reason, and Cause and Effect.

There is a cry to censure this show, as neither left leaning guests like Al Sharpton, Charles Rangel and the others, nor Alan Colmes can back up their position with rational thought. This is unfortunate.

For a long time, I wanted a stronger proponent from the left, but after considering all of them, the left's best attack is attacking the person rather than the thought, and there is no one capable of entering the realm of ideas from the left, and presenting a cogent argument of fact.

People wanting Fox taken off of the air see a debate as a communist against a socialist being the only debates we should be having, and they tend to resort to Stalinist Tactics and scream "Put Sean in the Gulag"

Alright, most of the time

[jdemarre3000 · 7/10 · 10 March 2007]

Reading the comments here is rather funny. They seem to be commenting on whether they love or hate Sean Hannity's views or whether or not they think that Fox News is run by a bunch of neocon hacks trying to take over the world. I don't think this is the place that should be discussed. So, I think I'll go out on a limb and actually comment on the show itself.

This show is alright, most of the time. It gets old quick sometimes though, as there's Sean and Alan and then the respective conservative and liberal guests all going off at once yelling at each other like a bunch of third graders. That's really annoying and not very conducive to an intelligent discussion.

On the right side, Sean Hannity tends to nitpick about whether or not guests literally answer his question in a "yes or no" when he could be talking about the actual issues. He comes across as a blow-hard sometimes and usually will unfailingly stand by the "mainstream" Republican side of an issue.

On the left side, Alan Colmes tends to go off topic with his questions. Particularly when conservatives are alleging Democrats are wrong on an issue, Alan seems to go off and talk about how some Republican also supports whatever the issue is.

All in all though, the debate can be quite interesting sometimes as they often have relevant guests discussing relevant issues, but all too often they end up in shouting matches that aren't exactly conducive to an intelligent discussion. Sort of like the comments here, a bunch of irrational ideologues missing the point and barking their respective at each other.

An unpardonable and inexcuseable travesty of justice. AND THAT IS THIS SHOW'S POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES

[lwf31407_2k1 · 20 November 2001]

And that only scratches the surface. Mindlessly distortionistic of fact and truth. as is FOX TV News in it's entirety. None the less this excuse fo a show is given worldwide acclaim. Just goes to show you how some people cannot think for themselves. Anybody watching this show, do yourself a favor and stop it.

These funny comments

[pageiv · 8/10 · 6 January 2008]

I love debate shows, the original Crossfire remains the best, this one is like crossfire on crack, before they put Crossfire on crack and killed the show.

This isn't a royal PBS debate show, this is political entertainment, which gets to me after a bit. They really don't take the time to get to the issue and only are interested in letting the guest spout off to each other. But, unfortunately that's the way "news" is these days.

I'm very Conservative, but Hannity gets to me. I guess it's his debating style. "What about President Clinton?" he always spouts off regardless of what the issue is. I do agree the debates a better when someone else is hosting the "Colmes" spot.

But I'm perplexed, and extremely amused, by the hate filled comments here. Claiming because a show has a rightward tilt somehow it is an indication of a Neo-Nazi take over of America. You can say Colmes is weak, or Hannity is a blowhard, but wishing Hannity death, or blaming this show for "brainwashing" America is intellectually weak.

BTW: Bring back Crossfire CNN!

Engaging and Informative

[blaisecollura · 10/10 · 21 December 2006]

Hannity and Colmes has been a staple of my news intake for several years now. I find their debates interesting and their guests even more interesting.

The large amount of viewers garnered by most Fox News prime-time shows allows for some interesting guests to appear on the show, from both sides of the aisle. But Hannity and Colmes takes the cake, numerous appearances by people like Ann Coulter or Al Sharpton can be seen, along with the intelligent debate from the neo-conservative Sean Hannity and the Liberal-minded Alan Colmes.

If you want the news in rapid-fire fashion, this show is not for you. If you want to understand the news as both sides see it, then I highly recommend it.

Lie or TRUTH?

[M0KUJIN · 6 September 2005]

Let me ask:

What scares extremist radio talk show host & FOX News star Sean Hannity to the bone?

Freedom? Free speech? Free thought? Free people? He feels insecure in an uncertain universe. Extreme right wingers such as sh*t-eater Sean Hannity crave order and simplicity, and will impose these things where they are not and should never be.

Extreme right wingers such as Sean Hannity care about their feelings, not facts. Facts must either support rigid extremist right wing beliefs, or else the facts must be wrong. Those who present facts which contradict right wing dogma must be evil.

Extreme right wingers such as Sean Hannity support idiotic, even fatal policies because they place utter nonsense over knowledge. They believe using condoms increases the chance of pregnancy and STDs. They think racism is OK, but pointing out racism is "playing the race card."

They want to punish anyone who strays from the fold. They brutally suppress anyone who questions authority, and they always obey abusive controllers.

What scares extreme right wingers to the bone? Essays like this, people like me who write them, and people like you who read them and pass them on.

They are afraid of their own freedom. They are even more afraid of yours.

Avoid Hannity's mockery of a "debate show" as you would an oncoming speeding vehicle.

HANNITY & COLMES, The Ying and Yang of The American Political Scene (and an Hour-a-Day Well-Spent !)

[redryan64 · 8/10 · 27 August 2007]

The launching of an All- News Cable Channel, designed to operate 24-7 calls for plenty of current opinion/interview programing to go along with the hourly or half-hourly News Report. Confusing? Let us try to reason together and examine this issue closer. When is it "News Reporting" and when do we have "News & Commentery"? In order to examine these questions, Let Us Now First Return To Those Eearly Days Of Yesteryear, When..........

Yeah, the year was 1964. Little 18 year old punk Jack Ryan had just been released from High School. It was St. Rita High School here on Chicago's Southside that certified this kid with a real Diploma. What to do next? Never having given any thought to future plans and never or higher education. So, naturally, it was to the City College of Chicago, Woodrow Wilson Branch, that I matriculated. So now, education with members of the opposite sex! And there was no rules making attendance compulsory.

It was at this time that a true education was coming my way. We had always been told that this is America and we have a God Given Right to Speak, Write, Believe, Vote and Worship in whatever way we choose, as long as we do no harm to our neighbor in the process. Well, I forgot that this was heavily Democratic Chicago, Cook County. The "Liberals" were out in force, pledging to 'help the down-trodden' minorities and bring them freedom and equality. (Notice the patronizing, elitist down talking? It's the tone they used and feel today, even.) Well, one October day that Election Year, we had some substitute for our instructor in English 101. Our regular guy, Mr. "M" was out, so this Lady Teacher brought in some kind of half-fast mimeographed "quiz" paper for us to take as a "study aid." The "Quiz" contained a series of sentences that had some grammatical errors or didn't. The "Student" would select his or hers own proper choice. (Mind you, this BS was being used in a College Level Class!) The thing that reminded me most of our discussion of HANNITY & COLMES is one of the asinine sentences. It read just about lika thisa: "The Tribune's Editorials are Biased."(all the quiz sentences were 'relevant to the '64 Presidential Election Campaign.) We were indeed in this "Peoples' Republic of Chicago" and I had been taught that you don't voice opinions contrary to the (Cook County Democrat)Party Line. But this silly, obviously politically charged slur on the Chicago Tribune's traditional Republican endorsements.

But years later it dawned on me, (duh!) ALL EDITORIALS ARE BIASED! By their very natured, they all ready had a certain point of view on whatever subject. This is separate from the News Reporting, which involves the Who, What, How, Where and When of any incident being reported. It's when somebody puts the Why into the story that we have our news "Editorialized", hence slanted, spun or otherwise prostituted for one's political agenda.

FOX NEWS CHANNEL boasts the slogan, "We Report, You Decide." As far as we can tell, they do stick to the spirit and letter of their platitude. They do keep the news separate from the Analysis/Commentery programming. The two are like the News and the Op Ed Page in a daily paper.

HANNITY & COLMES provides a sterling example of a News/Current Events Commentery program can and does work. Sean Hannity is the Resident Conservative & Alan Colmes is the House Liberal. Their time in questioning a guest is meticulously divided between the two. They constantly rib each other and each others candidates. But they remain civil to all.

Time was when our Elected Officials in Government at all levels left the disagreements on the floors of their respective offices or legislative chambers. Outside the Business of the Hallowed Halls, men from both parties, from the Left or the Right, all socialized together. John F. Kennedy and Barry Goldwater were very close personally as well as on the party scene. Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan often did some elbow bending at a certain Alexandria Irish Pub.

With the old line "Big 3" networks News Departments now having shown to be less than honest, the whole nation has turned to what has come to be called "alternate" news sources. With the internet, the "Blogosphere" and outlets like FOX NEWS, with the likes of HANNITY & COLMES, have stepped in to fill the void left vacated by the former all-powerful.

It can all be summed up with the old, oft quoted proverb: "I May Not Agree with what You Say, But I Will Fight to my Death to Defend Your Right To Say It!"

You have both sides and different views the right(Hannity) and the left(Colmes).

[blanbrn · 8/10 · 25 June 2007]

"Hannity and Colmes" a news program that most people dislike, but I disagree with them I like it because it presents both sides of the story. Really at many times the program can seem like a debate style when both the host conservative(Hannity) and liberal(Colmes) ask the guests the questions. Though many times plenty of guests are conservative like Dick Morris, Ann Coulter and other republicans still the interviews are balanced out when liberal host Alan Colmes ask them the tough questions and he tries to engage them into debate. While Sean Hannity I respect because he doesn't hide anything he makes no bones about it he's a flat out right wing republican! And really Sean is tough I really believe he loves his country and fights against terrorism and the secular causes as he really gets fired up and talks tough to guests especially liberals. Really Sean's honest he pulls no punches back! This program is really good you get to hear both sides of the liberal and conservative stories it's very close to a debate style program.

They actually tell the TRUTH

[abrafocus · 1 May 2006]

I absolutely love this show. There is none other like it. Sean Hannity is a truth teller, unlike some people I know. I listen to his daily talk show, and I watch his one-hour program.

I see so many things on this show, it's shocking that no other news program talks about as well. Why don't they? It's because they are afraid to tell the real truth.

There's no reason not to like this show if you are a Conservative. Conservatives do just what their name says: Conserves. Liberals don't do that.

Sean Hannity is a great American. If people even bother to watch this show every day as I have, they will soon learn the truth about American values. 10/10.

Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-Dum

[Achtung_Baby007 · 21 April 2003]

Although I usually enjoy debate shows, this one is very average. Even though I usually side with Hannity, there's no denying that he's just not all that intelligent. He just says whatever all the other conservatives are saying. The liberal Colmes isn't much better. They do have good guests and war coverage, though.

Well, at least FOX news had the courage to let a liberal co-host one of their shows...

[Lady-of-Rohan · 12 December 2005]

Alright, a debate show! Oh goody goo! I should probably mention at this point that I love debate shows. And that means that Hannity and Colmes is no exception. But I should mention right now that I am in no way a Republican. In fact, I'm center-left and I've lived in the Commonwealth my entire life. But Hannity and Colmes, no matter how way you slice it, is entertaining...much like the other dozens of biased bloated news shows on FOX.

If you've never heard of this show before, Hannity and Colmes is a FOX debate show starring jack-sprat and his wife, Alan Colmes and Sean Hannity, respectively. Then, they interview people. Then they debate. And then, things get worse...

Alan Colmes, in short, is a dweeb. With huge glasses and a face only a mother could love, Colmes is routinely harassed and barely gets any talk time. He's like the little annoying kid that gets picked last for basketball; not matter how loud he talks or high he jumps, he gets drowned out by just about everyone.

The man on the other side of the coin is Sean Hannity, who is the polar opposite of Colmes both physically and politically. Sean is louder, more obnoxious, smug (Don't worry Bill O'Reilly, you still have the lead) and has a neck like an Easter ham. Hannity is basically the boss of this show. Anything that the guests say in interviews can't be said without his approval. Because of this, Sean comes off as someone who adores the sound of his own voice and is very unpleasant.

Because of this totally lopsided bias, Hannity and Colmes is not the best debate show on TV. "Crossfire" is (or shall I say "was") superior to this joke but nothing - NOTHING - can ever replace Hannity and Colmes. Why? Because it's one of the few shows that no matter how much to hate it's guts or despise it's political beliefs, it's impossible to turn away. Hannity and Colmes will grab your attention from the start and unfortunately, it won't let go. That's probably why it's so popular and has many news shows in it's time slot running for cover.

Hannity and Colmes is one of the better shows on FOX but that really not saying much. It's biased, obnoxious, and sometimes, you just can't stand it. But it's ridiculously entertaining and I guess that's all that matters.

Much-Needed Ideological Parity

[stp43 · 7 August 2002]

Claims that Hannity & Colmes is mindlessly distortionistic betray a complete lack of understanding of the show. Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes bring a greater diversity of views than is found on most such debate segments of news programs such as the old This Week With David Brinkley series. That Sean Hannity seems to win more debates than loses may have to do with having command of the issues as well as strong delivery.

In any event, Hannity & Colmes offers real debate and real ideological diversity.

The above is WRONG!

[rivalf4 · 10 July 2005]

Sean Hannity is a Great American. Some people just can't handle his aggressive nature. People think he doesn't let anybody talk, but the real problem is that these liberals just can't answer a yes or no question. If James Carville were to be on the show, it would be pointless. That is what Colmes is for. People might as well just watch CNN with all the "Bush Bashing" that would go on. The show plays off of the balance between Hannity and Colmes, and thats what people want to see. It allows people to hear both sides of the story. It's an opportunity to get "the most comprehensive news anywhere." In fact Hannity is well contained on TV, and shares equal air time with Alan. If you really want to be "Hannitized" you gotta listen to his radio show, where he is much less reserved.

Best Debate Show On Cable

[jil-3 · 28 February 2002]

Soon to beat-out CNN's Larry King for the 9:00 slot on cable, Fox News Channel's "Hannity and Colmes" is easily the best political debate show - bar none. Alan Colmes, although extremely knowledgeable and a worthy combatant for the liberal viewpoint, is overshadowed by the brilliant, up-and-coming voice of conservatism, Sean Hannity, who also hosts his own radio talk show on WABC.

Superb hour of debate

[LCJ7230 · 3 March 2003]

Superb hour of debate between 2 individuals (Hannity and Colmes) of opposing philosophical views and their guests. Both hosts are well prepared and each guest is confronted by the host from "the other side". This makes for intelligent,rational, balanced debate and is a tremendous breath of fresh air from the stagnant, rote, left-leaning mainstream media.