Alan Colmes: The man who stood as the liberal voice at Fox News
In short: For over a decade, Alan Colmes served as the designated liberal counterpart to Sean Hannity on Fox News. Often dismissed by critics as a mere foil or sidekick, Colmes navigated a complex media landscape, balancing his own political identity against the demands of a high-profile, conservative-leaning television platform.
Born in Brooklyn in 1950, Alan Colmes began his career in comedy before establishing himself in radio across the Northeast. His broadcast journey included stints at stations like WABC and WNBC, where he famously became the final voice heard when the latter ceased operations in 1988. By 1996, Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes hired Colmes to co-host the nightly political debate show Hannity & Colmes, a role he held until 2009.
Throughout his tenure, Colmes faced persistent scrutiny regarding his effectiveness as a liberal commentator. Critics, including former Senator Al Franken, argued that he failed to challenge conservative claims or secure equal speaking time. Others labeled him a token liberal or a human straw man. Colmes, however, maintained that he preferred the challenge of debating opposing viewpoints rather than preaching to the choir. He occasionally utilized research from Media Matters for America to push back against conservative guests, signaling a shift in his approach toward the end of his show's run.
Beyond his television career, Colmes was a prolific radio host, author, and blogger. He penned two books, Red, White & Liberal and Thank the Liberals for Saving America, and ran the Liberaland blog. His personal life connected him to the conservative media world; he was married to Jocelyn Elise Crowley, the sister of pundit Monica Crowley. Colmes passed away in 2017 at age 66 following a battle with lymphoma, leaving behind a legacy as a unique, often debated fixture of American cable news.
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