Michael Higgins is Senior Lecturer in Humanities at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. His books include Media and Their Publics, The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture and La Leadership Politica as well as more than 30 book chapters and journal articles. His academic interests range from national identity in the news to populist political rhetoric. Michael is also a member of the Ross Priory Broadcast Talk Group.Angela Smith is Reader in Language and Culture at the University of Sunderland. She has published widely in the areas of media discourse, gender and politics and is a member of the Ross Priory Broadcast Talk Group. With Dr Claire Nally (Northumbria University), Angela is co-editor of the International Library of Gender in Popular Culture.

‘This book offers an in-depth academic exploration of the role, function and wider cultural and political impact of belligerence in broadcasting. The authors’ insightful and detailed analyses and discussions of rudeness, bullying and banter in a variety of programming provide a most engaging and enlightening read.’ - Professor Åsa Kroon, Örebro University, Sweden.

• 1. A Polite Introduction2. Pugnacious Political Media Talk3. Truculent Talk Television4. Bellicose Business5. Chastening Changes: Make-over TV6. Banter as Playful Sociability7. Mediated Fury: Talk Radio and its Publics8. Some Courteous Conclusions

Michael Higgins is Senior Lecturer in Humanities at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. His books include Media and Their Publics, The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture and La Leadership Politica as well as more than 30 book chapters and journal articles. His academic interests range from national identity in the news to populist political rhetoric. Michael is also a member of the Ross Priory Broadcast Talk Group.Angela Smith is Reader in Language and Culture at the University of Sunderland. She has published widely in the areas of media discourse, gender and politics and is a member of the Ross Priory Broadcast Talk Group. With Dr Claire Nally (Northumbria University), Angela is co-editor of the International Library of Gender in Popular Culture.

‘This book offers an in-depth academic exploration of the role, function and wider cultural and political impact of belligerence in broadcasting. The authors’ insightful and detailed analyses and discussions of rudeness, bullying and banter in a variety of programming provide a most engaging and enlightening read.’ - Professor Åsa Kroon, Örebro University, Sweden.

• 1. A Polite Introduction2. Pugnacious Political Media Talk3. Truculent Talk Television4. Bellicose Business5. Chastening Changes: Make-over TV6. Banter as Playful Sociability7. Mediated Fury: Talk Radio and its Publics8. Some Courteous Conclusions

Michael Higgins is Senior Lecturer in Humanities at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. His books include Media and Their Publics, The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture and La Leadership Politica as well as more than 30 book chapters and journal articles. His academic interests range from national identity in the news to populist political rhetoric. Michael is also a member of the Ross Priory Broadcast Talk Group.Angela Smith is Reader in Language and Culture at the University of Sunderland. She has published widely in the areas of media discourse, gender and politics and is a member of the Ross Priory Broadcast Talk Group. With Dr Claire Nally (Northumbria University), Angela is co-editor of the International Library of Gender in Popular Culture.

‘This book offers an in-depth academic exploration of the role, function and wider cultural and political impact of belligerence in broadcasting. The authors’ insightful and detailed analyses and discussions of rudeness, bullying and banter in a variety of programming provide a most engaging and enlightening read.’ - Professor Åsa Kroon, Örebro University, Sweden.

• 1. A Polite Introduction2. Pugnacious Political Media Talk3. Truculent Talk Television4. Bellicose Business5. Chastening Changes: Make-over TV6. Banter as Playful Sociability7. Mediated Fury: Talk Radio and its Publics8. Some Courteous Conclusions