Radio America Online News Bureau

Archives for December 2024

2024 Martini Awards Finale: Person of the Year, Loser of the Year, Turncoat of the Year

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Listen to “2024 Martini Awards Finale: Person of the Year, Loser of the Year, Turncoat of the Year” on Spreaker.

Jim and Greg close out 2024 with the finale of this year’s 3 Martini Lunch Awards. Today, they give out their prestigious choices for Person of the Year, Loser of the Year, and Turncoat of the Year.

On Person of the Year, they both choose Donald Trump. Jim says the choice is so obvious that he spends his time focusing on the astounding year that his runner-up (and a close Trump ally) had in 2024. Meanwhile, Greg chronicles the staggering comeback Trump has achieved over the past year and really the past four years.

For Loser of the Year, Jim chooses the man whose stock plummeted the most in the past 12 months and he says there is a runaway winner. Meanwhile, Greg picks a group of people whose awkward efforts to engineer the outcome of the 2024 campaign imploded in spectacular fashion.

For Turncoat of the Year, Jim chooses a figure who used to align with the left and not only flipped to supporting the Trump-Vance ticket but embodies a demographic that supported Trump in huge numbers this year. Greg offers a whole list of conservatives who actually endorsed and even campaigned for Kamala Harris. But he has another choice that may be our favorite turncoat ever.

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2024 Martini Awards Part 5: Most Overreported Story, Most Underreported Story, Best Story of 2024

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Listen to “2024 Martini Awards Part 5: Most Overreported Story, Most Underreported Story, Best Story of 2024” on Spreaker.

It’s media day in our year-end Three Martini Lunch awards and Jim and Greg have plenty to say about how things were covered – if they were covered at all. Specifically, they look at the stories the mainstream media covered far too much, the ones they conveniently ignored because they didn’t fit their narrative, and they highlight what they saw as the best stories of 2024.

First, they dig into the most overreported stories of the year, with Jim choosing a massive, relentless political snow job from the mainstream media. Greg agrees with Jim but also notes how the media fawned over a piece of legislation which was little more than an attempt to change the narrative about Biden’s legacy. Oh, and there was one overreported story that Jim and Greg were guilty of as well. But it was also a lot of fun!

Then it’s on to the stories the media didn’t cover much or didn’t want to cover. Jim points to media apathy concerning stories about a prominent Democrat and how the media would have had huge coverage of them if it were a Republican. Greg picks a heinous act committed by one of our enemies that the media buried as quickly as possible.

Finally, they reveal their selections for best stories of the year. Jim goes with a series of encouraging events over the past several weeks. Greg focuses on the media itself and how this year and how the media should have learned a big lesson. But are they paying attention?

Make sure to listen on Tuesday as Greg and Jim unveil their selections for Person of the Year and Turncoat of the Year.

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2024 Martini Awards Part 4: Best Ideas, Worst Ideas, Boldest Tactics

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Listen to “2024 Martini Awards Part 4: Best Ideas, Worst Ideas, Boldest Tactics” on Spreaker.

More year-end awards today! Jim and Greg embark on the fourth installment of the 3 Three Martini Lunch Awards. Today, they offer up their selections for the Best Political Idea, Worst Political Idea, and Boldest Political Tactics for the year.

They start with the best ideas of the year. Jim chooses a clear message that voters sent on Election Day that was long overdue. Meanwhile, Greg’s award goes to the clever tactics that successfully eliminated one of the world’s most prominent terrorists..

Then it’s time for the worst political ideas of the year, with both Jim and Greg finding many good options. Jim focuses on a ridiculous aspect of Biden’s Middle East policy. Whereas, Greg highlights one of the most stunning political miscalculations in recent memory.

Finally, they’re on to the boldest political tactics for 2024. Jim chooses a Trump campaign tactic and message that undoubtedly worked to perfection. And Greg salutes a group of athletes who sacrificed a lot to send a message that’s now yielding results.

Don’t miss Monday’s special edition as Jim and Greg reveal their choices for Most Overreported Story, Most Underreported Story, and the Best Story of 2024.

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2024 Martini Awards Part 3: Biggest Lie, Best Political Theater, Worst Political Theater

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Listen to “2024 Martini Awards Part 3: Biggest Lie, Best Political Theater, Worst Political Theater” on Spreaker.

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed our conversation with Die Hard legend Robert Davi! Jim and Greg are back today for the third round of the Three Martini Lunch Awards. Today, they discuss the Biggest Lie, Best Political Theater, and Worst Political Theater of 2024.

They start with the biggest lies of the year. Jim kicks things off by citing a massive lie that has been obvious for years and finally exploded for all the world to see this year. Greg focuses on an obvious Trump campaign policy statement that the left and its media allies immediately twisted into a sinister promise of mayhem if Trump lost. It was nothing of the sort.

Then it’s time for the best political theater of 2024, with Jim choosing an indelible campaign moment in the midst of shock and horror. Jim explains why that moment had such a profound impact on many Americans. While Greg wholeheartedly agrees with Jim’s selection, he points out one of the worst examples of the left not handling Election Night very well.

Finally, they cringe remembering the worst political theater of 2024. Jim singles out a key moment from the Democratic National Convention that served as a final insult to the outgoing president. Meanwhile, Greg finds his worst political theater in in a pair of New York courtrooms..

Please join us on Friday as Jim and Greg hand out their awards for Best Political Idea, Worst Political Idea, and Boldest Tactic for 2024.

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Christmas Encore: Three Martinis with Robert Davi

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Listen to “Christmas Encore: Three Martinis with Robert Davi” on Spreaker.

Merry Christmas from all of us at 3 Martini Lunch! Today, we want to talk politics and celebrate the greatest Christmas movie of all time, which is, of course, Die Hard. So please enjoy our September conversation with actor and director Robert Davi.

Jim and Greg welcome acclaimed actor, director, and singer Robert Davi to sip three martinis. Today, they discuss Davi’s role in the recent biopic of Ronald Reagan, what it’s like for him as a conservative in Hollywood, and his unforgettable performance as Special Agent Johnson in Die Hard.

First, they discuss how Davi got involved in the Reagan movie project nine years ago and how he deeply researched his role as former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Davi also explains why he wanted to be part of the film, how Reagan fought communism in Hollywood and more.

Next, Davi shares what it’s like to be a conservative in Hollywood and how becoming more publicly supportive of conservatives and Republicans curiously coincided with a sudden decrease in opportunities to act and direct. He also takes us inside his recent film, My Son Hunter about Hunter Biden, the approach he took to directing it, and why many people discovered the film was far different than they expected it to be.

Finally, they spotlight Davi’s very memorable role in Die Hard and why the film endures more than most action movies. And you will not want to miss Davi’s hilarious story about watching the film for the first time alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger – complete with his perfect impression of Arnold.

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2024 Martini Awards Part 2: Sorry to See You Go, Rising Star, Fading Into Oblivion

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Listen to “2024 Martini Awards Part 2: Sorry to See You Go, Rising Star, Fading Into Oblivion” on Spreaker.

Join Jim and Greg as they offer the second installment of their highly coveted year-end awards. Today they remark on the people connected to politics that they’re most sorry to see pass away in 2024. They also share their choices for rising political stars and those who appear to be fading into political oblivion

They begin with those who left us over the past year. Jim chooses a former lawmaker who came within a whisker of holding one of the biggest jobs in the country, and most importantly, was a guest here on 3 Martini Lunch. Meanwhile, Greg highlights a conservative stalwart who served in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades.

Then it’s on to a much happier subject as they consider the rising political stars for 2024. They both choose an incoming Trump administration figure who promises to play a very important role as soon as Trump takes office. Greg also offers up an honorable mention for a cable news figure who has excelled at demolishing left-wing talking points while surrounded by Democrats.

Finally, there are a multitude of figures who they see fading into oblivion after this year. Jim looks at some of the most prominent names in the news while Greg eats crow on one of his picks from last year.

There will be a special 3 Martini Lunch on Christmas Day, as we bring you our September conversation with actor, director, and singer Robert Davi, best remembered by Jim and Greg as Special Agent Johnson in Die Hard.

Then join us on Thursday as we consider the categories of Biggest Lie, Best Political Theater, & Worst Political Theater for the past year.

Merry Christmas and thank you for listening to the 3 Martini Lunch!

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In Memoriam 2024: Film, Television, & Music

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Listen to “In Memoriam 2024: Film, Television, & Music” on Spreaker.

In our final segment remembering the famous names and faces we lost in 2024, we focus on the entertainment world and the women and women who created indelible memories in film, television, and music.

We’ll remember one of the greatest voices of all time that belonged to one of the greatest actors of our time and stars of comedies, dramas, and musicals.

In television, we’ll remember one of America’s most beloved comedians, a star from the earliest days of TV sitcoms, and actors gone far too soon.

We’ll also pay tribute to numerous country music legends, pop stars, and perhaps the most accomplished producers and composers of all time.

Please be sure to find our specials on those we lost in politics and the media as well as in sports.

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In Memoriam 2024: Sports

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Listen to “In Memoriam 2024: Sports” on Spreaker.

Our look back at the famous names and figures who passed away in 2024 continues. We started with politics and the media and our remembrances of legends in entertainment is still to come. But now, we turn to the world of sports.

We will remember some of the biggest legends in baseball history, including the man many believe is the greatest ball player of all time, another all-time great whose off the field problems got him banned from the game, and the greatest leadoff man ever.

We’ll also look at the legacy of an NBA player so great that he’s literally the logo of the league and excelled on the court and in the front office. We’ll also pay tribute to one of the greatest college players of all time and one of the best defenders.

In football, we’ll highlight the running back who was larger than life until he was charged with murder.

All those and many other greats will be remembered in this special segment.

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In Memoriam 2024: Politics & Media

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Listen to “In Memoriam 2024: Politics & Media” on Spreaker.

As we near the end of 2024, we pause to remember the famous names and faces who left us this year. In this first segment, we focus on the arenas of politics and media. Please find our other remembrances of those who passed away in sports and entertainment.

In this edition, we remember a senator who came within a whisker of becoming Vice President of the United States, several long-serving senators, a key Cold War ally, and a lot of bad guys who died.

We’ll also look back at the lives of key figures in the media, from a talk show pioneer to a respected evening news anchor to a longtime Sunday morning host and more.

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2024 Martini Awards Part 1: Most Overrated, Underrated, Honest Political Figures

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Listen to “2024 Martini Awards Part 1: Most Overrated, Underrated, Honest Political Figures” on Spreaker.

Today, Jim and Greg begin handing out their prestigious annual 3 Martini Lunch Awards! Starting today and running through New Year’s Day, they reveal their choices in categories ranging from rising star to best and worst political ideas to the stories the media ignored and the ones they could not stop talking about. And it all builds up to next week when Jim and Greg reveal their Person of the Year and Turncoat of the Year, plus their predictions for 2025.

In this first installment, they offer their individual selections for Most Overrated Political Figure, Most Underrated Political Figure, and Most Honest Political Figure. Jim picks a prominent figure in this year’s presidential campaign, while Greg selects someone whose reputation for winning took one on the chin this year.

When it comes to underrated political figures, they agree on their top choice, but Greg also highlights a prominent political leader who doesn’t often attract a lot of headlines…and that’s a good thing. However, last week’s drama has Greg already regretting this choice.

Finally, Jim’s choice for the most honest political figure is a famous Democrat who was ignored by the party this year, while Greg picks a very different person the Democrats should have listened to but didn’t – to their own peril.

Don’t miss Tuesday’s special edition, when Jim and Greg list the political figures they were sorry to see pass away in 2024. They’ll also name their rising stars over the past year and people who seem to be fading into political oblivion.

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