British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith — who has become a household name in America in recent weeks courtesy of Talk Radio Network host Michael Savage — announced she’s stepping down from her post in the current government of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. While Savage joked to San Francisco Chronicle reporter Carla Marinucci that it was “unusual for a mere shock jock to bring down a government official,” the real reason behind Smith’s departure likely stems from a whole bunch of political scandals going on in the U.K., including one suggesting her husband was charging purchases of porn DVD’s to British taxpayers. However, one has to imagine that all the publicity she received, both in the U.S. and across the pond, for recently banning Savage from traveling to Great Britain couldn’t have been — as they say in diplomatic circles — “helpful.” Read Carlucci’s “The Spin Cycle” column in the Chronicle HERE.

That’s the advice of Talk radio programmer, consultant, and author of the book Censorship; The Threat To Silence Talk Radio, Brian Jennings about those proposed station “community advisory” boards. “On page 23 of the FCC’s Report On Broadcast Localism and Notice of Proposed Rule Making, the following language is found under paragraph 43 regarding community advisory boards: ‘We [FCC] believe that, generally speaking, if a licensee already has formal groups in place with which it consults to determine the needs of its community, it should be deemed to have satisfied this requirement.’” But, Jennings warns broadcasters to not be lulled into believing the FCC’s proposed new rules on those so-called “advisory boards” can be viewed as voluntary. “In paragraph 26 the document also states, ‘We believe that these boards will promote both localism and diversity and, as such, should be an integral component of the Commission’s localism efforts.’” he notes.  ”What role these boards would have in the license renewal process is unclear, but you can bet they’d have a say if there’s a disagreement between station management and advisory board members.” Your comments on this or any topic are always welcome at al@ntsmediaonline.com.

Syndicated talker Allen Hunt was on the air “live” last Sunday when the story of the tragic murder of Wichita, KS Dr. George Tiller broke. Hunt flushed plans for Sunday evening’s show and switched gears to cover the shooting, something that Allen Hunt Show GM and longtime Talk radio PD Phil Tower says serves as a timely reminder that Talk radio is always at it’s best when it’s live — even on weekends. “Allen dove head first into a highly combustible topic — abortion — talking live with callers about the biggest news story of the day. It resulted in some of the most raw, real and compelling hours of Talk I’ve heard in a long time.” OK, so Tower’s not exactly an unbiased observer, but his point is more than a little relevant in today’s cost-cutting, budget-slashing broadcast industry. Whether syndicated or local, Talk radio is always at it’s best when it’s live, 24/7, and able to instantly focus on the hottest topic or event of the moment. Hear clips of callers to the controversial edition of Hunt’s show from affiliate KNSS/Wichita HERE.

Along with the shows we listed in our prior coverage of the new lineup at KPWT (FM Talk 106.7)/San Antonio, additional syndicated hosts now heard on the Cox Radio FM talker include Take On The Day’s Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Talk Radio Network’s Jerry Doyle … The Street.com senior technology writer Scott Moritz says the bankruptcy of General Motors will have “a big impact” on subscribers to Sirius XM Radio. More details HERE … The NAB is now offering early bird rates for the upcoming NAB Radio Show, September 23-25 in Philadelphia. Special hotel deals are also available. More info HERE … Deirdre Blackwood joins Arbitron as SVP/Corporate Communications. Most recently VP/Communications for satellite telecommunications company TerraStar Networks, Blackwood assumes a role previously held by Thom Mocarsky … Look for Salem Radio Network host Michael Medved on MSNBC’s The Ed Show with Ed Schultz today at 6pm (ET).

In a move that was announced five years ago, Conan O’Brien took over NBC television’s long running late night Talk TV franchise last night, following in the footsteps of an elite club that includes only Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, Jack Paar and Steve Allen. O’Brien, who’s hosted NBC’s Late Night for the past 17 years, and also just moved from New York To Los Angeles to host Tonight, began his first night at the helm by observing, “I think I’ve timed this move perfectly. I’m on a last place network, I moved to a state that’s bankrupt, and the Tonight Show is sponsored by General Motors.” Meanwhile, over at CBS, the man who NBC passed over to host Tonight 17 years ago, David Letterman, opened his program by quipping, “I’m still here, I knocked off another competitor.” Letterman also said he’d gotten a call from his mom — a frequent guest on The Late Show over the years — who said, “Well, David, I see you didn’t get the Tonight Show again.”

That’s the main title of a new book by Citadel Media syndicated talker and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough. The Last Best Hope: Restoring Conservatism And America’s Promise is the latest title written by a Talk radio host to hit bookstores in the last several weeks that also includes recent bestsellers by fellow Citadel Media talker Mark Levin and veteran PD Brian Jennings. A former Republican Congressman from Florida, Scarborough hopes his new book will help to redefine conservatism for the 21st century “in a way that pays tribute to Ronald Reagan and William F. Buckley and restores America’s greatness.” Published by Crown Forum, Scarborough’s book hits stores on June 9th and is also available for pre-order now at Amazon.com.