Fremantle’s Original Productions Preps Talk Radio Doc

Fremantle’s Original Productions (OP) has partnered with Deep Cut and Anchor Entertainment for Titans of Talk, a documentary exploring the rise of conservative talk radio in the U.S.

The feature-length documentary will take a look at how America’s conservative talk radio hosts have become political power brokers who have ruled the GOP in the nearly four decades since Rush Limbaugh began broadcasting. It is based on the book Talk Radio’s America—How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the United States by Brian Rosenwald.

Titans of Talk will expose the power of radio and how these larger-than-life figures were embraced by Republican politicians hoping to capitalize on their popularity and listening base. In addition to Limbaugh, the doc will delve into such personalities as Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Neal Boortz, Joe Getty, G. Gordon Liddy and Sarah Palin.

Jeff Hasler, president of Original Productions, said: “Original Productions has always been about bringing the biggest, boldest personalities to light, and there simply isn’t a louder, more persuasive and polarizing group of individuals than America’s right-wing talk radio hosts. We’re confident that both sides of the political spectrum will appreciate this dynamic story of a rise to power over the airwaves.”

James Smith, founder of Deep Cut, said: “When I optioned the Talk Radio’s America book, I knew right away that it would be imperative to find the right partners to help me chronicle this momentous era in history. We have formed a remarkable collaboration with the teams at OP and Anchor as we take a detailed look at this dominant radio format.”

Ethan Goldman, founder of Anchor Entertainment, said: “With the death of Rush Limbaugh, we were reminded yet again of the stark contrast between two Americas; the one that believed he was a tireless devotee to American freedom, and the America that will remember him as a repugnant, racist, homophobic misogynist. Whether you loved him or loathed him, there is no denying Limbaugh’s power and influence in transmuting American conservatism over the past three decades.”