Let’s get to the first oft-asked question: What’s with the name “Lionel”? No last name? Nope. Mononymous, like God. Get over it. The name actually comes from Al Pacino’s character in the 1973 film classic “Scarecrow.” Why? “Ben-Hur” was taken. Born Hiawatha Lipschitz, Lionel has been performing talk radio for 18 years (85 dog years). Don’t even try labeling him or his ideology as such is for naught: He’s the quintessence of sui generis. Carol Channing scares him. He implores and entreats his listeners to critically think and analyze, to parse topics and peel the layers of the issue onion. The barbate Lionel loathes trite shibboleths, playbook and bumper sticker labels as well as leprosy.


Lionel started as a mere caller whilst in law school in his home town of Tampa (cf. Tampa Bay) and was given his own show in 1988 on 970 WFLA – a weekend show (Sunday, no less). For reasons yet to be fathomed, he then jumped to middays, then afternoon drive in less than a year. The rest is . . . well, you know the line. Lionel was a prosecutor and criminal defense trial lawyer, so when a legal issue needs dissecting, whom better to consult? Lionel hosted his own show on Court TV and has appeared as a guest on virtually every news commentary show. Then again, who hasn’t? He never wears sandals with socks. He’s a proud polyglot, sesquipedalian and accomplished manualist. Rachael Ray is the Antichrist. Lionel’s wit and biting humor are nonpareil. He has often said that he’d rather be the editorial cartoon than the editorial.

He emphasizes the absurd and recondite and there’s a lot to emphasize. Politics, music, pop culture, memetics, numismatics, name it – Lionel will tackle the issue. Talk radio is supposed to be fun, last time Lionel checked; that’s why he never listens to it. He’s the Harold Stassen of talk radio. For revamped, rejuvenated, retrofitted and reinvented talk radio, Lionel is where to go. He has consistently been the Number One rated talk host during his time period in New York (no joke). New affiliates grow like yeast. Lionel redefines talk radio. He’ll make you think, whether you want to or not. You will learn. He hates magicians and comedians. And, oh yes, mimes. In his free time Lionel enjoys spelunking, frottage and making haggis for friends.

Blog Entries by Lionel

Gelt For Geezers: Obama's New Healthcare Plan

1 Comments | Posted August 11, 2009 | 09:43 AM (EST)


The natives are restless and royally PO'd. Remember when the term "town hall meeting" inspired a Norman Rockwell vision: peaceful, good-natured and respectful citizens politely addressing an assembly, raising their hands meekly, waiting their turn to be called? Those days have gone the way of, well, Norman Rockwell.

Nope. Now...

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Olbermann Versus O'Reilly: It's a Shoot

23 Comments | Posted August 4, 2009 | 10:36 AM (EST)


On July 31st, the New York Times ran a story entitled "Voices From Above Silence a Cable TV Feud," detailing the almost pathological and utterly boundless mutual abhorrence that MSNBC's Keith Olbermann shares with and for Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. (For purposes of brevity, these two gentleman shall...

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Gatesgate: They've All Got It Wrong.

63 Comments | Posted July 28, 2009 | 11:58 AM (EST)


When Henry Louis (Skip) Gates Jr. was arrested by Cambridge Police Department Sgt. James Crowley on July 16th, it was a glorious day for talk radio and commentary in general because it dealt with everyone's favorite subject: race. No subject invigorates national discussion like it, especially when the subjects included:...

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Why Rush and The Right Are Blameless For The DC Shooting

31 Comments | Posted June 15, 2009 | 01:30 PM (EST)


James W. von Brunn, the 88-year-old white supremacist alleged to have opened fire on June 10 at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, killing 39-year-old security guard Stephen Johns, is and was nuts. The insane von Brunn, as of today in critical condition at George Washington University Hospital after being...

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The Hangover: Proof Humor Is Dead. D'oh!

31 Comments | Posted June 10, 2009 | 12:03 PM (EST)


Let me state this unequivocally and in terms that fans of this dreck will understand. The Hangover sucks.

This is the worst movie that has received the most attention. A movie written for children. Retarded, short-bus, bicycle helmet, severely mentally-compromised kids. It's "written" for simpletons who find South Park deep....

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Obama in Cairo: The Immutable Sapience of the Good Book(s)

2 Comments | Posted June 5, 2009 | 12:10 PM (EST)


I was most impressed with the president's June 4th address at Cairo University in Egypt wherein he, I absolutely feel, assuaged the fears of many Muslims who question the intentions of the United States. And after eight years of Dubya, why shouldn't they have questions?

Obama spoke eloquently about the...

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Stop Repeating and Retelling What Rush Says!

42 Comments | Posted May 31, 2009 | 10:01 PM (EST)


I have a simple question for non-conservative Tweetsters, Tweetrices, bloggers, bloggettes and the like: Why do you track, note and reiterate every idiotic statement uttered and belched by Rush, Sean or Beck? Seriously. Why? Have you nothing better to say? Have you no spokespeople or pundits that you'd like to...

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I Hate Hate Crimes

2 Comments | Posted May 7, 2009 | 06:33 PM (EST)


Hate crime. Hate crime. It's redundant. Almost tautological. And now an indelible addition to our national lexicon. I hate and loathe the concept as it is patently unconstitutional, un-American and antithetical to a quintessential right -- the freedom to hate, loathe, despise and detest anything or anyone.

It's a popular...

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I Know of a Springsteen Cover Band Available for Weddings

Posted April 29, 2009 | 09:52 AM (EST)


Did you see this? Am I the only one who finds this hysterical?

First, I'm sure you heard of the "Craigslist Murderer," creepy Philip Markoff, currently cooling his heels sans bond in a Beantown hoosegow for allegedly murdering a "masseuse" he met online. He's being held for murder. Repeat: MURDER....

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The NY Air Force One Flyover: Plane Stupid

2 Comments | Posted April 28, 2009 | 12:45 PM (EST)


Fine. So the "plane" pun has been used a thousand times since yesterday. Once more's not going to kill you. Get over it.

But really, what's the big deal? Just because the Director of the White House Military Office, Louis Caldera, authorized a Manhattan flyover of Air Force One, tailed...

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Jumbo Jets Tax Jumbo Passengers

6 Comments | Posted April 25, 2009 | 11:06 AM (EST)


I'd like to discuss the "rights" of the obese. It was reported that airlines will charge more when tubbies find it hard to be seated and situated on airline flights. "United Airlines says it will start charging passengers who can't fit in a single seat, can't properly buckle the seat...

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The "Comedy" Of Mocking The Teabaggers

2 Comments | Posted April 24, 2009 | 06:04 PM (EST)


Get thee to a "punitentiary."

It was a field day for the South Parkers. Tea bag? (Snort.) Get it? Hardy-har-har. Tea bags. Every testicular-nuanced, jejune "comedy" aficionado couldn't believe her ears. In fact, not only did most of the tea bag party attendees not get the sexual references, they didn't...

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He's Not "The Craigslist Killer." He's a Killer. Period.

Posted April 23, 2009 | 12:38 PM (EST)


On April 14, a Boston med student, Philip Markoff, is alleged to have murdered "masseuse" Julissa Brisman, 26, whom he met on a Craigslist advert. Said murder was alleged to have been committed in a Boston Marriott Hotel room. On April 10, he is also alleged to have committed armed...

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What Would You Not Do to Stop a Nuke?

91 Comments | Posted April 21, 2009 | 06:21 PM (EST)


Assume, arguendo, this hypothetical.

It is Inauguration day. President Obama is about to be sworn is as 44. Virtually everyone in federal office is there. Congressmen, Senators, the Supremes, the new cabinet. Get the picture? You, a federal law enforcement type, have in your custody a man who you reasonably...

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Stevens: Justice Was Served (Damn!)

3 Comments | Posted April 10, 2009 | 11:52 AM (EST)


Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is irascible, choleric and was the longest serving Republican in the Senate. He rarely smiles and is the personification of the old fart and royal pain in the arse. He's 112 years old and pulls the wings off of butterflies. Mother Teresa would've slapped him...

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Note To Spitzer: Gremilns?!

Posted April 8, 2009 | 05:39 PM (EST)


First, I don't think it was a matter of "gremlins" that lured former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer to become Client 9 with $4K-a-night trollop, Ashley Dupre. No, not gremlins. Demons, maybe. Testosterone perhaps. Satyriasis is my uneducated guess. Gremlins?!

There are no excuses," he said. "I have tried to...
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We Are Our Memories

Posted April 7, 2009 | 12:55 PM (EST)


What is a memory? Where's its locus? Where is it situated? The New York Times addresses the subject today in an article entitled "Brain Researchers Open Door to Editing Memory."

How on earth can a clump of tissue possibly capture and store everything -- poems, emotional reactions, locations of...
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The G-20 Protesters Are Rebels Without a Clue

Posted April 2, 2009 | 06:02 PM (EST)


"What are you rebelling against?" Johnny (Marlon Brando) is asked by the innocent and shy Kathie in The Wild One.

"What have you got?" he replies.

How many of the G-20 protesters know what they're protesting for and about? Come on, it's about the party.

Oh, sure. I'll bet there...

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The Genius of Glenn Beck

Posted April 1, 2009 | 01:13 PM (EST)


"I'm a rodeo clown," says Glenn Beck. No, this man's a genius. And, no, Glenn, you're no rodeo clown. The rodeo clown causes a diversion when a bull threatens a downed rider. The rodeo clown's not the star. The circus clown is a more apt description. You're a clown, and...

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Sanity at Long Last! Prostitution Laws Are Un-American.

Posted March 29, 2009 | 05:37 PM (EST)


The New York Post today announced the arrest of Sean Delonas for impersonating a cartoonist. That was a joke.

What's not a joke was the following:

The NYPD quietly shut down its highly successful Vice Squad operations on Craigslist without any explanation to the officers, The Post has learned. The...

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