Berko: Cramer only one in wrestling ring

Syndicated business columnist Malcolm Berko was asked by one of his readers about “Mad Money” Jim Cramer and what he thought about the show.

Berko replied in his column published Sunday. He wrote, “Watching Jim Cramer’s bombast, his hysterics, philippic, harangue and theatrics is like watching a World Wrestling Federation match and not knowing for whom to root. However, Jim is the only one in the ring.

“The first time I saw his show I was ‘monsterized’ by the cornucopia of weird sound effects, flying bears, tossed chairs, water pistols, alligator costumes and S&M toys.

“I watched part of Jim’s program, but the theatrics were too slapstick for me and I couldn’t wait to change channels. Oh, how I pine for the droll and dry Louis Rukeyser and his staid, stiff and serious guests.

“But I can’t dismiss Cramer, who is called the Jerry Lee Lewis of business shows with his screaming, his props and wacky paraphernalia. Cramer is eminently qualified to dispense market information. He is one of the founders of a popular Web site, www.thestreet.com. He’s the author of several stock market books, has a syndicated radio show, and in the 1990s Jim made a bloody fortune managing a hedge fund.”

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