I like it when people call in to correct them/debate them but they usually jump down the caller's throat and turn it into a 3-on-1 argument where they all talk over the caller and then opie screams "HOLD ONNN!!" or Jimmy says "dude we let you talk, let me respond" when the caller tries to say his part. It's kinda pointless to bother. I don't have the patience to deal with that shit but I do enjoy listening to people try.

Good point. I just think about how people complain that Opie ruins the show and Jimmy gets all aggressive and throws a temper tantrum and wonder how they would react if a caller told them that. I imagine Jimmy doing the old "whatever dude. Don't listen" and Opie calling someone a "fuckface" and bragging about how he knows good radio more than the listeners.

I remember one caller in particular who called in to say that opie would be nobody if he didn't have Ant and Jimmy to be funny/provide content to the show. Jim and Ant defended opie and opie didn't say anything really til after the caller hung up. He was "proving a point" by not contributing during the call in order to demonstrate how things drag on without him "steering the ship."

If I remember, that was a long while back. In fairness, the Ant and Jim shows are definitely listenable.

Definitely. Some of my favorite shows involved the opster being out.

I think when people call up and immediately start in with "YOU GUYS ARE FUCKIN IDIOTS" then yeah it might sort of set the tone.

And really they're looking for people to respond to their tactics (jumping down the caller's throat) because hey, that's good radio.

Well when the caller is right, though, you can admit that you were wrong rather than trying to somehow defend your incorrect point. You can still trash the guy for being a dick but just screaming over the guy and then accusing him of "not getting the bit" comes across as petty/fake.

But every call started out with being combative right off the bat. Everyone ought to know how they are by now with this shit, it's kind of crazy to expect different, no?

Yeah I think people just expect to be ganged up on when they are calling to disagree so they figure they oughta go in hard. Sorta like being the first person to throw a punch in a fight cause if ya knock em out it's over. I think it's a bad tactic cause they're the ones with the mics so they can drown u out, put u on mute, hang up on you, talk about u after hanging up, etc. but it's fun to listen to. Plus if you call and you're timid they they crush u. Basically if you're not calling to agree with them or contribute a genuinely hilarious line they're gonna attack.

And don't get me wrong, I love hearing when people try, especially when the person puts up a good fight and doesn't play into their screaming match bullshit.

It seems like it can't be that hard to get past the screener, but I've never called so I have no idea.

You definitely nailed the point here as hard as possible. I like Opie, I want to like Opie, I said a second ago that I like Opie, I just feel like Opie is taking himself too seriously lately and it infuriates me. Maybe that comes with fatherhood and maturity. I don't know. Fuck that shit.

I just don't want the only other option to be to "don't listen". Or to be called a "baby boy". I say that like I've ever called in. I suck.

But seriously, Jim will never be an A list celebrity. I know he doesn't expect to be. I wish I could have his career and more importantly, the respect he gets amongst comedians. He's revered in the community. Enjoy the money and the respect, dude. You're as good as it gets.

And for Opie, I hate demonizing rich people, I really do, and I know it's not easy to talk interestingly for four hours a day, but you get to go home to your wife and kids every day. We all love you. Quit being so full of yourself. Take the hits, be self depreciating and just laugh and enjoy and everyone will love you. You have one of the best jobs in the world other than "blowjob tester", though I understand that that can be rough and toothy at times.

I think jimmy tries to have an honest debate with the guy and does his best to hear the callers side. But Anthony can't control his anger and Opie is just a dumb 14 year old who yells over anything the caller has to say.

Except when you get Combative Jim, in which case you may as well hang up and let him puff out his non-chest.

I hate myself but not enough to call in to the show. Fuck they're brutal.

No, because the people on this subreddit who complain about minor stuff are normally full of shit, so when they call in, they get torn apart pretty easily.

What about the F-U line? Anyone call that? No one to yell hold on or baby boy...