JAMES LILEKS SPEAKS FOR ALL OF US, with this advice:

Note to people who feel compelled to begin talk-radio conversations with “long-time listener, first-time caller” – no one cares. Least of all the host. Nor should you say “as I told your screener . . .” because A) it eats up time and B) reminds everyone of the process that weeds out long-winded dullards, and C) how this process has failed.

Yep.