Alan Colmes

Learn about Alan Colmes (1950–2017), American radio and TV host, liberal political commentator on Fox News, author, and voice of civil discourse. Discover his biography, career, philosophy, and quotes.

Introduction

Alan Samuel Colmes (September 24, 1950 – February 23, 2017) was a prominent American broadcaster, liberal political commentator, and author. He became widely known for his role as the liberal voice on Fox News’s Hannity & Colmes, and for hosting The Alan Colmes Show. He represented one of the few liberal voices in a predominantly conservative media landscape. Over his decades-long media career, he combined debate, commentary, and writing, navigating criticism and praise alike.

Early Life and Education

Colmes was born in New York City into a Jewish family, and raised in Lynbrook, Long Island. Hofstra University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications in 1971.

While at Hofstra, he worked at the campus radio station (then WVHC, later WRHU), gaining early experience in radio broadcasting.

Career and Achievements

Early Career & Radio

Colmes initially pursued comedy, working as a stand-up comic before shifting more fully to radio.

He built a radio career across several northeastern U.S. markets, including stations such as WABC, WNBC, WHN, WMCA, WEVD in New York, and WZLX in Boston.

One notable moment: when WNBC radio signed off in 1988, Alan Colmes was the last voice heard before shutdown of that station’s radio division.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he co-founded a syndication venture called Daynet, which helped syndicate his radio show nationally, later sold to Major Networks.

Hannity & Colmes and Television Presence

Colmes’s national recognition came when he joined the newly launched Fox News Channel in 1996 and became co-host of Hannity & Colmes (alongside Sean Hannity). In this format, Hannity represented conservative viewpoints and Colmes liberal ones, engaging in debate and discussion.

The show ran from October 7, 1996 until its final episode on January 9, 2009.

While on television, Colmes also made contributions to Fox News’s commentary shows like The O’Reilly Factor and served on The Liberal Panel on The Greg Gutfeld Show.

Fox often billed him as a “hard-hitting liberal,” though Colmes sometimes described himself as more moderate.

The Alan Colmes Show & Writing

Parallel to his TV work, Colmes hosted a nighttime radio talk program: The Alan Colmes Show, syndicated nationally and distributed by Fox News Radio.

The program aired from February 2003 until February 23, 2017 (ending on the day of his death).

In his radio show, he shared commentary, interviews, guest segments, and took calls from listeners.

Colmes also maintained a blog called Liberaland and contributed to AOL News.

As an author, he wrote books including:

• Red, White & Liberal: How Left Is Right & Right Is Wrong (2003)

• Thank the Liberals for Saving America (2012)

Philosophy, Criticism & Approach

Colmes positioned himself as a voice of liberalism in a media environment often dominated by conservative voices.

However, critics — both from the left and right — questioned how effective his debates were. Some liberal commentators argued that he was overshadowed by Hannity, did not challenge guests vigorously, or was given less time.

For example, Al Franken in Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them accused Colmes of not asking tough questions to those he debated.

Media Matters also analyzed the show and reported that a disproportionately high number of guests were from conservative backgrounds compared to liberal ones.

Colmes sometimes defended his style by saying that aggressiveness was not his approach; he preferred measured argument over confrontation. For example, he once responded to critics: “You fight fire with water, not fire.”

Despite criticisms, he carved out a distinctive niche — offering a liberal viewpoint in spaces where it was rare, often with moderation and civility.

Personal Life & Death

Colmes was married to Jocelyn Elise Crowley, a political science professor at Rutgers University. Monica Crowley, a conservative commentator.

He died of lymphoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan on February 23, 2017, at age 66.

Famous Quotes

Here are some notable statements attributed to Alan Colmes:

• “Why preach to the choir? You reach more independents and even more Democrats on Fox News given their huge audience than you would on other networks.”

• “I always wanted to be on the radio. But my background is more entertainment than journalism.”

• “People tune in to the Fox News Channel because it was founded on the premise that all sides should be presented fairly.”

• “’Collective’ sounds like communism, but we do work and live in a society where there is a collective well-being.”

• “I did standup comedy. I opened once for Jay Leno.”

These quotes show his self-awareness about role, media, and identity.

Lessons & Legacy

1. Courage to be a dissenting voice: Colmes embraced a liberal perspective on a predominantly conservative network, accepting challenges and critique.

2. Civility in discourse: His style favored reasoned debate rather than shouting matches — a model of how political commentary can maintain decorum.

3. Persistence in media change: He transitioned from radio to television to blogging, adapting across media environments.

4. Readable polarities: By pairing with a strong conservative in Hannity & Colmes, he illustrated that contrasting voices in conversation can attract attention and spark debate.

5. Moderation has a place: Even with critics on both sides, Colmes represented a middle path in a polarized media world — showing that one can be liberal without abandoning reasoned tone or openness to debate.

Colmes’s legacy lives on in the example of a commentator who tried to bring balance and engagement, not just partisan shouting.