What can talk radio pros learn from an Internet clip show hosted by a comedian who loves to be naked? A lot, I think.

I’m a big fan of Comedy Central’s Tosh.0. For the uninitiated, the show features a string of Internet video clips presented by comedian Daniel Tosh, who provides running commentary on the stupidity and other failings of those who appear in the videos. Here’s a typical Tosh video riff.

What does this have to do with talk radio? It occurs to me that Tosh.0 is successful for one reason: Daniel Tosh is fearless. He clearly does not care whether some people will find him racist, mean-spirited or perverted. Nor does it bother him that people will wonder about his sexual orientation, especially after bits like this. All he cares about is being true to his brand of comedy – love it or hate it – and to those who love it.

That kind of courage is a crucial but under-appreciated character trait in every successful talk show host. Show me a personality who is more candid in the hallways than on the air, and I’ll show you a mediocre performer. If I want to hear from a guy who pulls his punches because he’s afraid of what people will think of him, I’ll go talk to, well, just about any normal human being.

The most successful talkers have a well-defined worldview and the courage of their convictions. Rush Limbaugh has been that way from the early days of syndication when he defended the oil companies that raised gas prices in the run-up to the first Gulf War. Some listeners were angered by that position but Rush is a free-market guy and he’s willing to both live and die by market forces.

KFI/Los Angeles talkers John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou have proven fearless in their battles against tax increases and what they perceive to be the ineptitude and foolishness of California politicians. Seriously, have you ever listened to these guys? Their “heads on a stick” segment, in which they figuratively impale their enemies heads on stakes for public display is jaw-dropping radio.

Dial Global talker Neal Boortz is wildly outspoken. That’s why he and his wife decided years ago that she wouldn’t listen to his show. Negative feedback from her is like to kryptonite to Boortz – it saps his courage and makes him second-guess himself.

There are innumerable examples of how courage wins. To be clear, we’re not talking about the courage to be edgy or confrontational. We’re talking about the courage of one’s convictions – whatever they may be.

After all, Jerry Seinfeld could not be more different than Daniel Tosh. Yet it certainly took courage for Seinfeld to reject the blue, F-bomb laced style of comedy that dominated as he was coming up the ranks.