David Sirota

Free Press media reform panel answers the question: "Is journalism dead?"

Journalism is dead: That seems to be the familiar refrain among the public these days. But last night, a panel of practitioners and free-press advocates at a preview event for the National Conference on Media Reform taking place in Denver next month, begged to differ. In their view, journalism is a ... More >>

Free Press' Craig Aaron on teaser for National Conference on Media Reform

Craig Aaron, president and CEO of Free Press, an organization devoted to changing media and technology policies, is among the headliners for "The Perfect Storm: Democracy in the Age of Big Money and Big Media," taking place tomorrow at the Tivoli Center. But while the event can certainly stand on it ... More >>

David Sirota asks: Is Denver a police state?

David Sirota was disappeared from KHOW last month -- but that doesn't mean he's done communicating about Denver. His new report for Salon asks the question, "What Does a Police State Look Like?" -- and the Mile High City is his answer. He not only goes after the Denver Police Department (for its all ... More >>

Michael Brown, Clear Channel respond to David Sirota's KHOW ouster

Update: As we reported yesterday, David Sirota was suddenly disappeared from the KHOW afternoon-drive show he'd shared since June with Michael Brown; see our original coverage below. Since that post first appeared, we've received responses from Greg Foster, vice president of programming for the Den ... More >>

Marijuana: David Sirota's Amendment 64 petition to pass signature threshold today

Update: On Monday, KHOW talk-show host and syndicated columnist David Sirota created a WhiteHouse.gov petition calling on the Obama administration to back a law protecting the right of states to establish their own marijuana policies, as the voters of Colorado did by passing Amendment 64. Such petit ... More >>

Readers: David Sirota wrong in "motherf*cker" bombing -- or maybe Mike Rosen is

Yesterday, we shared KOA vet Mike Rosen's take on being called a "motherfucker" by KHOW's David Sirota at a Battle of the Talk Show Hosts event last week. Shockingly, reader reactions to his argument were split. Here are two items representing widely disparate points of view.

Video: Mike Rosen says David Sirota's spin on "motherf*cker" bomb makes him a liar

Update: Last week, we told you about a live event at which KHOW's David Sirota called KOA's MIke Rosen a "motherfucker;" see the clip below. For our original post, we managed to contact Sirota, but a communication mix-up delayed our efforts to reach Rosen. Now, however, the conservative radio vet ha ... More >>

John Hickenlooper: Hear guv go off on KHOW's Michael "Brownie" Brown before debate

Amid the crazy scene near DU's Magness Arena, where last night's presidential debate took place, Michael "Brownie" Brown and David Sirota, who team up in KHOW's afternoon-drive slot, scored a broadcasting coup: Brown provoked normally affable Governor John Hickenlooper to freak out and call the host ... More >>

David Sirota's Dean Singleton take-down: Accurate or overstated?

Denver blog posts are ready for the week. Big Media's Jason Salzman thinks David Sirota's Harper's article about Dean Singleton (I'm quoted in it) is accurate in some respects, exaggerated in others. Plants & Animals Denver's Hana: Dog manners are for CHAMPS. The Ralphie Report's Jon Woods checks ... More >>

Gloria Neal on new AM 760 gig, following David Sirota

Last month's announcement that David Sirota and Michael Brown would team up to replace Dan Caplis and Craig Silverman on KHOW opened up a 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekday vacancy on AM 760, Sirota's previous radio home. But rather than hire another ideologue to fill the slot, Clear Channel Denver, which ov ... More >>

David Sirota will have to get conservatives to call if show with Michael Brown is to succeed

Denver blog posts make those miracles happen. Big Media's Jason Salzman thinks David Sirota will uphold progressive values better than did Craig Silverman when he teams with Michael Brown on KHOW today. But will right wingers listen? Burning Down the House's Andi brings together home and Tolkein. ... More >>

Michael Brown and David Sirota team up to fill KHOW Caplis & Silverman slot

Last week marked the end of the long-running Caplis & Silverman show on KHOW. Shortly thereafter, we started hearing rumors about a new pairing -- one that would team a conservative KOA personality with a progressive from AM 760. Turns out the buzz was true. Meet your new KHOW afternoon-drive team: ... More >>

David Sirota has invitation to Scott Gessler rejected -- and he's not alone

Denver blog posts love Frank Tripucka. Big Media's Jason Salzman on media types who've asked to chat with Secretary of State Scott Gessler, only to be rejected -- including AM 760's David Sirota. Mile High Hockey's Cole D. Hamilton offers evidence the Avs are on the right track to compete for a St ... More >>

David Sirota bars Education News Colorado reporter from Emily Sirota on election night

Emily Sirota.​Update about the Jimenez-Draper Carson race below. By now, you've heard that Anne Rowe and Allegra "Happy" Haynes won seats on the Denver Public Schools board, and that incumbent Arturo Jimenez narrowly claimed victory over reformer Jennifer Draper Carson. As for Rowe opponent Em ... More >>

Mike Rosen on his best behavior during Battle of the Talk Show Hosts, says David Sirota (VIDEO)

David Sirota.​Last October, a public debate involving KOA's Mike Rosen and AM 760's David Sirota went national after Rosen called for hijackers to crash a plane into the so-called Ground Zero mosque; he insisted that he was being satirical. But Sirota says Rosen didn't let loose with any simil ... More >>

Ed Schultz can tell David Sirota to go to hell, but can't call Laura Ingraham a right-wing slut

Ed Schultz.​Is Ed Schultz coming unraveled? A week after telling fellow AM 760 air personality David Sirota to "go to hell" during a splenetic on-air spat, the syndicated yakker has been suspended from his MSNBC program for calling conservative mouthpiece Laura Ingraham a "right-wing slut" and ... More >>

Ed Schultz tells David Sirota to "go to hell" over questions about Osama bin Laden hit

David Sirota.​AM 760 host David Sirota recently said his growing ratings were due in part to the fact that "when we do politics, it's not just 'Democrats are great and Republicans are terrible'" -- and he proved it today during a fiery on-air disagreement with Ed Schulz, a progressive favorite ... More >>

David Sirota's AM 760 ratings grow thanks to unlikely talk-radio demographic: women

David Sirota.​Do the ladies love David Sirota? Apparently so. The AM 760 morning-show host's ratings have doubled in most categories over the past year -- but his audience among women, not traditionally a group that prizes commercial talk radio, has increased by leaps and bounds -- more than t ... More >>

Comment of the day: "I pity the foo!"

​David Sirota may have an ironic side -- his new book Back to Our Future, an examination of how '80s pop culture influenced the politics of today, has plenty of smirking affection for the cultural detritus of the past -- but he's still at heart a pundit, and as such, the book's nostalgia is ul ... More >>

David Sirota on Back to Our Future, Ghostbusters and the decade of "me"

The '80s thing about this picture is that the shower is in a women's locker room.​For much of his career, David Sirota has been a hard-hitting leftist political operative, running campaigns with what former Clinton White House Chief of Staff John Podesta once called his "instinct for the jugul ... More >>

David Sirota meets Charles Barkley 50,000 burgers ago and other 80s memories (PHOTOS)

Big pics below.​AM 760 host and columnist David Sirota is promoting a new book about the 1980s, Back to Our Future, with a March 16 book launch party at the Mercury Cafe, as well as an '80s photo contest on the AM 760 Facebook page. To get the ball rolling, Sirota's posted a couple vintage pho ... More >>

David Sirota named justice on Matt Taibbi's Supreme Court of Assholedom: Congrats!

David Sirota.​If syndicated columnist and AM 760 talk-show host David Sirota's parents ever hoped their son would one day become a member of the Supreme Court, their wish has (kinda) been granted. Today, Sirota is announcing that he has been named one of nine justices on the Supreme Court of ... More >>

David Sirota post-Jared Loughner attack: "Fight Club Friday" becomes "Festivus Friday"

David Sirota.​Jared Loughner's murderous attack in Arizona last weekend has prompted soul searching among assorted media types, who wonder if the polarized political climate somehow made such an act not just likelier but inevitable. That includes columnist and AM 760 radio host David Sirota, ... More >>

David Sirota: AM 760 host and columnist named one of 30 media heroes by The Nation

David Sirota.​It's been a big month for AM 760 host David Sirota. First, his first child, Isaac, was born. Now, he's been named one of thirty "media heroes" by The Nation, placing 21st on a roster topped by MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. And, as a bonus, he's also completed his latest book, Back to O ... More >>

David Sirota introduces world to son Isaac -- and special AM760 guest host Jonny 5 of the Flobots

Isaac Sirota.​Update: Yesterday, we shared with you AM760 host David Sirota's announcement about the birth of his son Isaac. As for who'll be filling in during his current leave, we know who'll be rockin' the mic today and tomorrow: Flobots frontman Jonny 5. Jonny is so progressive that he mak ... More >>

Ken Buck & Michael Bennet, South Park-style: Who's the douche and who's the turd sandwich?

​KOA's Mike Rosen accused AM 760's David Sirota of being humorless after Sirota circulated a Rosen line from a debate about crashing a plane into a thus-far-unbuilt mosque near Ground Zero -- a joke, according to Rosen, but one that still led to MSNBC's Keith Olbermann branding him the worst p ... More >>

Mike Rosen slams David Sirota for distorting his "satirical" mosque-destruction comment

Mike Rosen.​Last week, AM 760's David Sirota circulated a comment made by KOA's Mike Rosen during a debate, in which the latter appeared to call for hijackers to crash a plane into a proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero -- a bon mot that later prompted MSNBC's Keith Olbermann to brand Rose ... More >>

David Sirota apologizes to Mike Rosen -- but not for attacking comments about NY Islamic center

David Sirota.​KOA's Mike Rosen unloaded on AM 760's David Sirota earlier today, arguing that Sirota's claims about Rosen's comment regarding an Islamic Center near Ground Zero, which got Rosen branded the worst person in the world by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, twisted what was obviously a satiri ... More >>

Mike Rosen: Did KOA host call for hijackers to crash plane into mosque near Ground Zero?

Mike Rosen.​AM 760 host David Sirota and KOA longtimer Mike Rosen are both part of the Clear Channel empire, but there doesn't appear to be any love lost between them. Two days after a public debate in Centennial that also involved KHOW's Peter Boyles, Sirota is publicizing an exchange in whic ... More >>

John Hickenlooper handlers disagree about letting him go on David Sirota AM 760 show?

John Hickenlooper.​While officially anointed (by GOP boss Dick Wadhams) luckiest-guy-in-the-world John Hickenlooper is running for governor, did you know he's still Denver's mayor? Well, he is -- and AM 760 host David Sirota thinks these two roles came into conflict earlier this week in regard ... More >>

Shmuck of the Week?: Why don't you just ask David Sirota

​It has come to our attention that liberal talking head David Sirota has, for some unknown amount of time, been naming various people the Shmuck of the Week. It's a very childish, reactionary, black-and-white approach to journalism. More importantly, it's our childish, reactionary, black-and-w ... More >>

David Sirota on his upcoming slugfest with Michael Brown

Put up your dukes.​AM 760 host David Sirota may seem like a mild-mannered fellow, but he's actually pretty damned combative -- verbally, anyhow. Last year, he and KOA conservative Mike Rosen staged a radio smackdown in relation to President Barack Obama's first hundred days in office -- a ses ... More >>

Tim Tebow is even nice to bloggers: What an angel!

Courtesy of Predominantly Orange"You can do it!"​We've collected posts from three Denver blogs. Check 'em out. Tim Tebow rooted on Predominantly Orange blogger Kim Constantinesco in the forty-yard dash at a Nike event over the weekend. And not to pull a hamstring. The Denver Egotist presents ... More >>

David Sirota makes a monkey out of himself in debate, argues councilman Sean Paige

There's no back-down in Sean Paige.​Yesterday, AM 760 host/columnist David Sirota and Colorado Springs city councilman Sean Paige took part in an on-air debate, with the honor of Colorado Springs at stake. But while the program has ended, the scrap isn't over, with Paige continuing to take swi ... More >>

David Sirota-Sean Paige cage match scheduled -- with honor of Colorado Springs on the line!

And in this corner...​On Monday, we told you about the rhetorical battle between AM 760 host/columnist David Sirota, who thinks Colorado Springs' conservative fiscal policies are largely responsible for the community's sizable economic woes, and Springs councilman Sean Paige, who sees Sirota's ... More >>

David Sirota to permanently replace Jay Marvin on AM 760

David Sirota is a fill-in no more.​Jay Marvin has been unable to helm the AM 760 morning show since early March due to a life-threatening health crisis we've documented in this space. The recovery process continues -- but syndicated columnist David Sirota, who's been Marvin's primary fill-in, ... More >>

Jay Marvin on his wife's possible breast cancer and the decision to pass the torch to David Sirota at AM 760

Photo by Michael RobertsJay Marvin at home in June, before his epic surgery.​Earlier today, Jay Marvin appeared on the AM 760 program he used to host with David Sirota, who's been named his permanent replacement. And those who missed hearing it may not get another chance to catch him on the ou ... More >>

Is this anti-Obama billboard racist? You be the judge

Obama meets Sambo? Click the photo to enlarge the image.​So... whaddya think? Is this billboard, on display outside Wolf Interstate Leasing & Sales, 4855 Miller Street in Wheat Ridge, a bold (and legitimate) statement of displeasure with the Obama administration that has the guts to link the s ... More >>

Don't expect a Mike Rosen-David Sirota debate sequel

Mike Rosen.​In April, KOA conservative Mike Rosen and AM 760 liberal David Sirota participated in a debate of President Barack Obama's first hundred days in office that was simulcast on both stations. And while those with ideological axes to grind disagreed about who won, the general consensus ... More >>

Nerdivore: David Sirota's nerd blog now open to the nerdy public

Denver-based "everything for nerds" site Nerdivore is taking the great leap into Web 2.0. From now on, you, the nerds of the world, can contribute to Nerdivore. Until now, Nerdivore had been the more-or-less sole province of political columnist, New York Times bestselling author, Denverite and, a ... More >>

The Westword.com blog shortcut, July 15 edition

Danielle Ate the Sandwich -- and then punched it, hard. Put up your dukes. Today in Backbeat Online: • Danielle Ate the Sandwich: Better than a bag of poop on fire! • Last Night: Paul Sprawl at the Laughing Goat in Boulder. • Hearsay bits: City Hall, Speakeasy Tiger, Torch the Wagon, Patrick ... More >>

John Turk to fill in for Jay Marvin on AM 760 next week

John Turk. With AM 760 morning host Jay Marvin still battling a serious health crisis and his main fill-in, David Sirota, in China for several weeks and uncertain if he'll be taking to the station's airwaves again upon his return, some listeners have worried that Clear Channel Denver, the outlet's ... More >>

No guarantee that David Sirota will be returning to AM 760

David Sirota. In today's blog about AM 760 morning-show host Jay Marvin's continuing health crisis, I note that syndicated columnist David Sirota, who's been filling in for Marvin on most days, will be gone for several weeks on a trip to China. When he returns, however, he's not certain if he'll st ... More >>

Listen to the Mike Rosen-David Sirota smackdown

Mike Rosen. A blog yesterday teased a KOA/AM-760 simulcast of conservative host Mike Rosen and progressive yakker David Sirota debating Barack Obama's first 100 days as president -- and the program itself, broadcast earlier today, turned out to be diverting. Rather than an imbalanced back-and-forth ... More >>

Mike Rosen, David Sirota debate Barack Obama's first 100 days in KOA/AM-760 simulcast

David Sirota. As every political pundit acknowledges, assessing a new president after his first 100 days in office is artificial and unfair -- but if Barack Obama is embracing the notion (he's holding a primetime news conference tonight), what the hell? Hence, a plan for KOA conservative Mike Rosen ... More >>

David Sirota carries no water on AM 760

David Sirota. Jay Marvin, the morning host for AM 760, Clear Channel Denver's progressive talk outlet, has been out of commission of late, after undergoing gall bladder surgery. He's on the mend and expected to be back at the microphone next Monday. In the meantime, however, his most frequent fill- ... More >>

Taking Debate

Dennis Prager and David Sirota face off.

Politics of Anger

David Sirota describes an uprising.

David Sirota vs. Stephen Colbert, Round Two

PoliticsWest Gangs Up With Gang of Four

The Post's Gang of Four blog is turning into a cyber-soap opera thanks to a pair of melodramas co-starring columnist David Harsanyi.