Rest in Peace, Alan Colmes

In today’s polarized political climate, it seems almost impossible to imagine liberals and conservatives getting along despite strong ideological differences.

But Alan Colmes could get along with anybody.

The talk radio and Fox News Channel veteran passed away at the age of 66, leaving behind a wife and a legion of fans who either cheered his liberal voice in a sea of conservatives or jeered his views while enjoying his charm and wit.

While the Hofstra University graduate first came to prominence as a talk radio host, he is best known for being the longtime co-host of the Fox News program, “Hannity and Colmes,” alongside Sean Hannity.

Despite their strong differences of opinion, the two remained friends the entire time they were paired together as well as during the years after they had been broken up on-air.

Said Hannity during an appearance on FNC’s America’s Newsroom, “I know a lot of people remember us from our political disagreements, but what they may not know is he was not only a guy with the greatest sense of humor but a guy that had a human level of decency and love and kindness and humor. One of the funniest guys I ever met.”

“I want people to know this was a good man with a great, huge heart…I have a hole in my heart today.”

This echoes sentiments from Colmes’ other most famous on-air sparring partner, his sister-in-law (and O'Reilly Factor nemesis), Monica Crowley, who took to Facebook to describe what this loss meant to her.

“Alan was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He took his beliefs and work seriously and at the same time lived his life full of joy, laughter and commitment. He loved what he did for a living, and he loved those around him---without condition. During the most heated political debates, his infectious sense of humor would come through, and before you knew it, even his staunchest political opponents were smiling.”

“He was incredibly kind, generous and warm---and completely devoted to my sister and our family. He was a gentle soul and a good man.”

Colmes got his start as a standup comedian and that is perhaps why so many people loved him despite political disagreements. He would disarm his opponents with humor, so that even if they wanted to wring his neck, they couldn’t help but like him.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Colmes several times myself and I, too, was very impressed with what a nice, thoughtful person he was.

In a way, Colmes was one of the last of his kind.

Old school television and radio personalities who loved their jobs and refused to let anything get personal, no matter how heated a debate would get.

That was what always attracted me to Larry King’s show on CNN as well. King would ask interesting questions and challenge guests, but he always remained likable and never descended into the gutter.

Larry King was never politically partisan, but it was the same principle of presenting interesting television without being over-the-top-obnoxious that makes me long for the days of “Larry King Live.”

It also had me thinking to myself on many occasions how much more enjoyable Sean Hannity’s program was when it was he and Colmes together, having heated but friendly on-air squabbles. No disrespect to Sean Hannity, but that 9PM (and now 10PM) slot was never the same after Alan Colmes left.

Unfortunately, he has now left more than just the 9PM timeslot.

RIP Alan Colmes. Your class, professionalism, and jovial nature will be missed by millions.