> This is a great point, so maybe they were also among the first to attract the sort of parasocial relationships that also emerged with the rise of social media

> This is a great point, so maybe they were also among the first to attract the sort of parasocial relationships that also emerged with the rise of social media. Maybe I'm misreading the situation, but I'm pretty sure political AM radio show hosts beat them to that. Casual, conversational, "unlike those morons, you and I both know..." style, tons of in-jokes. Extensive call-in segments.