Chris Stigall hosts the "KCMO Morning Show" heard throughout Kansas City on KCMO Talk Radio 710. He brings a sharp wit and biting commentary to morning radio. Discussions of the biggest news stories and interviews with the biggest newsmakers are all found on "The KCMO Morning Show with Chris Stigall."
In college, Chris studied comedy writing and television production as an intern with “Late Show with David Letterman” in New York.
Professionally, Chris has also served as a representative and press assistant to U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06).
Besides hosting the KCMO Morning Show, Chris is a contributor to CNN's “Lou Dobbs Tonight” and serves as a guest host for the country's top talk show hosts including Michael Savage, Lou Dobbs, Jerry Doyle, and Rusty Humphries.
Chris Stigall
Move Over Talk Radio – Comedy Needs the Fairness Doctrine
by Chris StigallOctober 6th, 2009 –the Comedy Fairness Doctrine was conceived. A liberal civil war was declared. CNN versus Saturday Night Live. The cable news network turned their heat seeking missiles of truth detection on the laser-guided precision of punchlines delivered on a variety show. The weekend preceding this historic day, Saturday Night Live returned for a new season of shows. Their signature opening sketch featured President Barack Obama (played by Fred Armisen) reading off a laundry list of agenda items he pledged to do, and has yet to accomplish since winning the presidency.
The list was comically, painfully long and the audience applauded and laughed at the real-life, obvious absence of leadership the sketch had captured in President Obama. It is key to remember this is the work of comedy writers who could not find something funny about candidate or President Obama for nearly two years. They did all they could to mock anyone and everyone around the man as to avoid skewering the “One” bearing gifts of “hope and change.” But we’re coming up on a year in elected office and the liberals have grown restless. (more…)
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Confessions of a Letterman Intern
by Chris StigallDavid Letterman inspired my broadcasting career. Twenty years ago, he was an awkward, self-deprecating guy who wore tennis shoes with his blazer and tie. He was edgy, silly, and unconventional compared to the traditions of variety television at that time. He resonated with an awkward high school kid watching at home in Missouri. Carson was still the king of late night, and some guy named Leno filled in for him a lot. But Dave was cool because he didn’t seem to fit in. Yet, when Carson announced his retirement, Letterman was said to be the heir apparent to the Tonight Show.
As a fan, I didn’t want Letterman to move into Carson’s chair. Not because Letterman couldn’t handle it. It just seemed too refined for someone as eccentric and edgy as Letterman. Turned out NBC saw it that way too when they awarded “Tonight” to Leno. It pained Letterman. But it helped to foster that continued edgy, underdog status that led fans like me to follow him to CBS. (more…)
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If Obama Loses Jon Stewart, He’s Lost America
by Chris Stigall
July 15th, 2009 – a day that shall live in comedic infamy. The Obama administration’s first direct hit from reliably friendly allies. Former Saturday Night Live star, now stand up comic Dana Carvey was the guest on the new Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. When O’Brien asked Carvey his opinion of Obama, Carvey trotted out some fresh material. “I’m worried. The economy just had a heart attack, but Barack just wants to work on the knee,” Carvey riffed. ”Should we do CPR? No, we’re gonna fix this knee. We can do CPR when it’s efficient and cost effective, but right now we’re going to work on the meniscus. “Carvey concluded the bit suggesting George W. Bush would have used an economic “crash cart.” “Tax cuts for everybody – CLEAR!” The audience roared. Were they laughing at Carvey’s “dumb guy” Bush impression, or was it the excitement of more money in their pockets as an economic remedy? No matter the audience response. Carvey saw fit to address economic policy in his comedy. That’s telling. (more…)
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Ari and Rahm: No Business Like Show Business
by Chris Stigall
The Brothers Emanuel: Ari (L) – Rahm (R)
July 31st, 2006 – Hollywood, California:
At a time of escalating tensions in the world, the entertainment industry cannot idly stand by and allow Mel Gibson to get away with such tragically inflammatory statements. People in the entertainment community, whether Jew or gentile, need to demonstrate that they understand how much is at stake in this by professionally shunning Mel Gibson and refusing to work with him, even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line. There are times in history when standing up against bigotry and racism is more important than money.
That is a portion of a Huffington Post entry authored by a prominent Hollywood talent agent. It was written exactly two years ago this week after the arrest of actor Mel Gibson. During the stop, an angry and intoxicated Gibson made physical threats and was reported to say, “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” and asked the arresting officer, “Are you a Jew?” (more…)
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Sarah Palin: It’s Her Party And She’ll Resign If She Wants To
by Chris StigallIt has been amusing to watch the speculation of the Alaska Governor’s motivations and future aspirations after announcing her resignation last Friday. Senate bid? “No, Alaskans would never forgive her for leaving them” said the Sunday shows. Presidential bid? “Not possible now,” say the smartest strategists and campaigners. Host a talk show? Sell books? Go on the lecture circuit? All possible, though not all probable. But the one thing most of the pundits on both the left and the right in Washington D.C. have declared certain – Palin’s political career is D.O.A.
Not so fast, my friends. Since we’re all engaged in wild speculation, allow the reading of one more set of tea leaves, if you please.
You can roll your eyes and tease Palin’s supposed lightweight intellectual status. You can bury your head in shame when Charlie Gibson peers down his nose through his reading glasses and stumps her with international policy questions. You may say she had no business on the national stage from the get-go last fall when John McCain announced her as his vice presidential pick. But what you cannot ignore, nor take from her is what she is about to seize on in a big way. (more…)
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A Devastating Week for Elitism
by Chris StigallWhat do a Hall of Fame football coach and broadcaster, an overnight British vocal sensation, and several hundred thousand American taxpayers have in common? Quite a bit, as it turned out last week. Not because any of them had anything to do with each other specifically. Rather, it is what each of them represents individually and the disdain they draw from their misdirected critics.
After 30 years in the TV broadcast booth, John Madden announced his retirement from professionally commenting on a game he once professionally coached. Even a casual or non-fan can review Madden’s resume and appreciate his accomplishments and lifetime commitment to the game of football. He was a high school and college stand-out player. Though his professional career as a player was cut short due to injury, Madden spent nearly 20 years as a college and professional coach before spending the next three decades on all four major television networks. If you’re doing the math, that’s over 50 years of football for the 73 year old. He won a Super Bowl and never had a losing season as a head coach. Not to mention the endorsement deals and the multi-million dollar football video game franchise bearing his name. (more…)
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Remember When SNL Was Funny? (Obama Ushers in New Era of Comedic Irresponsibility)
by Chris StigallEveryone knows the old axiom about comedy. There’s always a grain of truth in that which an audience finds funny. Done well, comedy can make you squirm with its raw honesty. It has the power to inform our perspectives about politics and news just as any good journalist. Comedy helps provide insight into human flaws just as any good psychologist. Often self-deprecating and socially awkward, comedians themselves will deny their impact. Most comedians and writers prefer to think of themselves as lovable class clowns – laughing on the outside, crying on the inside. Just as former NBA star Charles Barkley once famously proclaimed he was no role model, many in the funny business will dismiss their impact in the hearts and minds of their audience.
Modesty, however, cannot dismiss a growing body of evidence that suggests comedians possess greater power than ever before when shaping the national debate. Notably in the last decade, television comedy has amassed an influence in politics to such and extent; nary a high profile politician can ignore its impact and resist the pull to participate. Numerous studies have been conducted through the years analyzing the staggering impact of comedy in the opinions and perceptions of its audience. The power is particularly significant with the country’s attention-short youth. (more…)
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