dcrtv.com - Mailbag - May 19 to May 23, 2005

Shop amazon.com via these links, pay the regular low price, and support DCRTV too: Radios - TVs - Electronics - XM Gear - Top DVDs - Radio Books

Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV

DCRTV Mailbag - May 19 to May 23, 2005

Latest messages listed first.....
\/ May 23 Messages \/

Man you 2 are nuts, Tom Gavin or Dennis Murphy on Don and Mike are fantastic. That goes for Robert the Angry Mailman as well, they are funny and great on a great show. Also I would kill to hear the sweet, sexy voice of Clementine Tran again (or her friggin hilarious mother.) Oh for a ride on that glorious Air Tran. AdamSchecter (5/23/05)

To Steve Clarendin: You mentioned "Greggo & Moe" in your post. Whatever became of them? I asked DCRTV Dave in "Mailbag" on this site the same question a couple of years ago and he had "never heard of em." I recall I was tuned in to 98Rock while heading up for the Orioles opener (I think in '95) and they had by far the funniest most entertaining morning show I had ever heard at that point. Blew Stern & D&M out of the water. C Ya, Rusty Gibson (5/23/05)

We have lost far too many friends to cancer. I'm praying for the Lopez family since they will feel his loss more than any of us. Rock and roll Heaven has a brand new member. I will do as Lopez asked and raise my glass to his wonderful life and incredible talent. There's an empty feeling tonight but his spirit will live on. Radio is lucky to have had him as long as we did. Linda Kelly (5/23/05)

There was some interesting movement in DC with the Sunday morning b-cast shows yesterday as FOX News Sunday moving ahead of Face the Nation in ratings in the DC market. Washington DC on May 22..... Meet the Press got a 4.2 rating..... FOX News Sunday got a 2.3 rating..... Face the Nation got a 2.1 rating..... This Week got a 1.3 rating..... Source: Nielsen Media Research (5/23/05)

Finally, after 1 and 1/2 years HOT 99.5 is now streaming live on their web site at www.hot995.com. (If you'll recall streaming was pulled from their web site in December 2003.) Davin Peterson (5/23/05)

Can you get a hold of this year's BIA billing data? I'm curious to know how everybody did in 2004... (5/23/05)

Dave's response: Yeah, I'd like to see the local numbers, too. Anybody from BIA wanna send me the data? I'll keep the source confidential.....

I met Bob Lopez in 1976. We were both working at WLMD in Laurel.(A progressive country format then) At that point in his career, he had already created a fascinating product, "90 seconds." These were an endless series of news features; interviews with and about unusual people in unusual situations that were meaty, rich and always entertaining. I left WLMD in the Spring of 1997 at the request of Denise Oliver who was leaving her postion as afternoon drive and music director at DC101 to take on the PD job at WIYY (98 Rock) in Baltimore. I did mid days, a lot of production, a call out music research project and various other projects for both WBAL and WIYY. Denise and I were pretty close. About a year into the format shift, she said, "We need a morning news person. Someone different. Not the regular kind." I said, "I think I know who you want. Let me put you two together and see what happens." It was obviously her call and not mine, but it was a good one. From the morning news to his Saturday morning "The Spanish Inquisition", Bob created a continuous and thick stream of high quality news and public affairs, while weathering quite a few partner changes along the way. Our lives went in different directions and, as often happens. Regardless, I had a gray day today in reflection of Bob's death. He was a smart and talented guy who beat the odds in radio by having what most of us would consider an enviable career. He will missed. I will always remember his laugh. Regards, Ty Ford (5/23/05)

Did ABC News actually hire a producer who can't get more than a .4 rating in television to produce their wounded and bleeding Sunday morning program? Unreal. Katherine O'Hearn just spent two years producing a .1 show on CNBC and prior to that produced the .4 CNN morning program. She's a proven ratings killer . . . she could end up hitting the triple, the trifecta w/ "This Week" and take the show down even further. (5/23/05)

To TMU: Yes Tom Gavin is retarded but he IS funny as well. I'd bet he's also 10X funnier and more entertaining than you could ever wish to be. JR. (5/23/05)

Dave's response: If I was running WMAL, it would be Tom Gavin from 9 AM to noon. Old 630 needs an "intelligence boost" in that slot.....

Format change more complete at 1370 ... for a couple of weeks they have been somewhere between Oldies, MOR, and Nostalgia. As of this hour, they seem to have switched to a mostly 60's and 70's oldies format, probably to capture the old WQSR audience. Now there's even LESS to listen to on the local radio dial. We have XM at home and may need it for the cars as well. Vegas Radio would be great if anyone could hear it. They sound "okay" in parts of Gaithersburg and most of Germantown. In DC, Baltimore or anywhere between WTRI is so deeply buried in WTOP digital noise that it is unlistenable. One can only hope that Buddy Rizer and the Vegas folks can get simulcast on another station so we can hear them. ...Sam (5/23/05)

Who's been (b)itching about Elliot and Doni? I haven't seen any posts in ages about them. I did notice on the DC101 website that Doni is considerably larger. Is she preggers? (5/23/05)

In reply to Mr. Rube in Hagerstown , this isin reference to Mr Savadove's purchase. I'm going to to teach you a few words: Ever hear of cash flow ? How about economies of scale. The Hagerstown Dame properties have performed in such a way, ever growing revenue and ratings, while maintaining, even increasing operating efficiencies, something that Mr. Prettyman and Mr. Verstandig only manage to dream of. I hope this wasn't too far over your head, Mr. Rube. J. Albert Dame has always been the gold standard of radio. Look at the history of the past five years, as Dame performed the shrewd programming maneuvers, format and frequency flops, as well as consistent sales effort, toppled Verstandig from the top, even though he has better sticks. I'm not sure Prettyman ever grasped much of this. (5/23/05)

I have to agree with the TMU about Don and Mike. The ONLY times I ever change the station on them is when they talk to Tom Gavin, Dennis Murphy, or go to a commercial break. Of course since I don't listen to the commercials anyway they probably don't care. Darren (5/23/05)

Dave's response: I used to tune out whenever D&M talked to that Vietnamese sales lady at WJFK. But I've heard she's gone.....

Those who have been listening to Orioles games this season have noticed that at the end of every half inning, whoever has been doing the announcing has worked in a line about "...on the WBAL Orioles Radio Network." Well, in the last week or so, I've heard WTEM and WFMD start splicing their calls over these plugs. Have any of you noticed this on other stations carrying O's games, and would WBAL have a cow about it (i.e. does it violate anything in the affiliate agreement)? Cygnus (5/23/05)

Ray--Thanks for the clarification of your show's format. It STILL sounds like someone calling a Vega or a Pinto an "automotive classic." I would think seriously about narrowing the focus in one direction or the other. As far as YOU go...try a bit of Ed Graham's Red Bull instead of the Tang! Sit a little more on the edge of the chair and turn up the headphones a little bit. I know you don't want to be a Top 40 jock -- but think about Wink Martindale. He's animated, yet warm and upbeat. -- Ward and June (5/23/05)

Much as I enjoy Don and Mike, there’s nothing that flips my radio dial to another station like a LONG, DRAWN-OUT, telephone conversation on the show with Tom Gavin. OK, the guy’s retarded. We get it. What he’s NOT is funny. Not even a little bit. I just turned my radio off (it’s now 3:40 PM), because it was apparent that they were going to let Mr. Gavin occupy more airtime. I would defy anyone to suggest that Gavin adds anything to the show. Sincerely, TMU (5/23/05)

Here's a thought kids ... how about just for one day everyone stop bitching about D&M, Eliott, Peter Angelos (OK, maybe not him), the Junks, Doni, Jack Diamond (only if we have to) and everything else and simply write something that Lopez family might enjoy hearing about ... a great story about him ... jokes he was known to tell etc. To the Lopez Family, take solice in the fact that the toughest decision he will ever have to make now is how much red to put into a sunset ... Cherokee Rick (5/23/05)

In the wake of Main Line Media's $22.5 million acquisition of the local Dame cluster, I took a walk around my neighborhood in Hagerstown today to see if the streets had been paved with gold while I was sleeping. Nope, same ol' Hub City. At one time or another I've worked at all of those stations and my caluculator says Dan Savadove paid at least half-again too much. Does he see something us rubes out in Hagersbush just can't see? Did metrorail open a new station on Dual Hiway? Did the Nats decide to build the new stadium at Marty Snook Park? Did he mistake the Valley Mall for Arundel Mills? Are we finally gonna get a P.F. Chang's up here? What possessed this guy to cough up $8-to-10 million more than they were worth? (5/23/05)

You Know The one thing i do not like about the Big O and Duke show is how they do not seem to have the ability to fill the four hours they have been alloted on 105.7 and take the lazy way out by having sokme horrible comedian on every day and they basically give the Zanys regular an hour or so of their show, these guys need to do a little showprep i think but at least they are better than ahything on 98 rock.HughboytitzofAnnapolis. (5/23/05)

Just chiming in with Ed Graham...personality and great oldies make the format IF you add the attitude, you gotta strut your stuff. BUT, SALES is the answer great sales staff, SUCCESS! . WWLG can make it happen, but don't whimper about certain artists shout about them. They are rock n' roll. PLB:0) (5/23/05)

I never had the pleasure of meeting Lopez.. but I do know from others he was the epitome of professionalism. He will be sorely missed. God Bless, family and friends. Lopez, "soar like an eagle" you're pain free. Liberation, YES! (5/23/05)

As long as we have all that useless information about the Sun-Sentinel (formerly Ft. Lauderdale, now South Florida): In Miami-Dade County, you can buy "The Miami Herald". In other counties, it is merely "The Herald" -- Carl in Olney (5/23/05)

Some of you agenda posters are ridiculous. I heard the Junkies segment mentioned in the previous post. First off, the caller the Junkies went nuts on was an idiot. Are they the first show to go off on callers? Please. Secondly, the specifically DIDNT make fun of Lopez. A caller brought his death up, and the only comment they made was that you can't make fun of someone who had just died, and it was Kirk and Mark who had talked crap about them in the past anyway. You dopes that love to make people look bad to the couple of thousand people reading this site need to get a life. The people who actually listen to these shows are going to continue calling you out for the frauds you are. (5/23/05)

I moved half way across the country over 10 years ago to produce a new morning show called "Byrd, Mark & Lopez," so the first time I met Lopez, I had no idea who he was or what he was about. I spent 2 years enduring "B" of the "BML" experiment,, and then spent 4 years with the Kirk, Mark & Lopez show. It did not take long to learn he was always direct and to the point, had a wry and sometimes very dark sense of humor, and had great conviction in his beliefs. He did not fit into the mainstream or status quo...he had his own views and opinions and was NEVER afraid to express them. I always respected and admired him for those reasons. (Although the day he deployed the fire extinguisher in the air studio I could have killed him!) Fortunately, when I left the show, I didn't leave the station, so over the last 4 years we remained friends. I was glad to be able to help make his broadcast from his home, the "Sparks Bureau," a possibility, as being on the air was so important to him. It made him very happy that even though he was unable to get to the radio station, he remain on the air and a part of the show. He loved his family very much, and second only to that, he loved what he did, and 98 Rock. I feel truly lucky to have known Lopez for as long as I did. He was a good friend and I will miss him more than I could ever express in words. Kerry "Pork Steak" Dietrich / Kerry Plackmeyer -- Operations Manager, WBAL-AM & 98 Rock (5/23/05)

(pullquote) "WJFK should lose these armatures and play static in the mornings." (end quote). "Armatures"? Do you mean to tell me the Junkies are not flesh-and-blood men, but in reality are rotating copper-coil assemblies suspended inside a magnetic field? Maybe they should change their name to the Sports Alternators. (5/23/05)

I had to stop stirring my Tang for just a moment! :) My show is a mix of both popular and "forgotten" 45s from the late 50s through the early 80s. While you will hear some standard oldies, you will also hear Bobby Russell, The Partridge Family, Donny Osmond, It's a Beautiful Day...I could go on and on. Feel free to send me any requests too! Now as for the Tang, did I sound like Orange or Grape? :) Nevertheless, thanks for listening!! - Ray, Listen to "Forgotten 45s" every Sunday immediately following Nationals Baseball on Vegas Radio 1520 am WTRI! (5/23/05)

I had the exhilarating experience of working with Bob Lopez for a very short time years ago before 98Rock. He was truly an amazing talent. To quote a favorite author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius". ~Jim Herron (5/23/05)

WJFK's worst show, The Junkies went over the line AGAIN this morning when that dumb overgrown jock groupie Lurch berated a woman (wishing cancer on her/ calling her a slut/white trash) who called in to complain about WJFK'S retarded decision to pull Howard Stern at 9:30. Cakes (who makes Crackhead Bob look attractive) stated that "WJFK gets it's highest numbers when they interrupt Stern - during the 10-11 hour" These losers in life then began making fun of the death of Lopez.( real classy) One of those idiots even stated that Don and Mike were jealous of the attention the Junkies have been getting at WJFK. Junkies are a group of Men who don't know how to talk on mic without stepping over each other. 4 grown men who are always crying on air over that idiot cricket and using their show to solicit money off of their dead friend. If the numbers were soooo good, why bully a woman/mother/nurse? Lurch is a typical steroid infested jock/wife beater. Real tough screaming at a woman. You guys are sooo cool. BTW - good move by passing on the espn contract - WJFK should lose these armatures and play static in the mornings. an angry son. (5/23/05)

Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and "We May Never Pass This Way Again" by Seals and Crofts -- Sorry, Opie, neither of these qualifies as a "Forgotten 45." And, Ray, the DJ, brought NOTHING to the picnic. He made the sound of Tang being stirred sound exciting. You MUST live UP to your advertising. Same goes for WLG. The voiceover proclaimed "Oldies Radio" and went directly into a similar, seventies soft-rock song. It think it was "Wildflower," by Skylark. If you don't KNOW the music, hire someone who does. It's not that hard! I must say that we DID enjoy the WLG Big Bands, Blues and Ballads show a bit later. Gosh, doesn't radio just blow monkeys, in general? -- The Cleavers (5/23/05)

Note to WWLG: PLEASE, don't try to do both formats. MOYL and Good Time Oldies are like playing Miles Davis and Lawrence Welk back-to-back. Lately, you haven't even been doing MOYL well. You let the DJs pick their own music, your automation screws up frequently, and all of the DJs, some of the time - - need a four pack of Red Bull. You are the only hope for many listeners. Take pride in that and do one of the formats right. Love, Ed. # I think that WWLG could take over the Oldies audience without breaking their budget. But, again, jump into it with "Shock and Awe," don't sneak in and sort of apologize if you play Little Richard. Grow some stones. # The MOYL format needs to be updated. A combination of what is called the Vegas format mixed with standards by great artists would be great, should be on FM, and Alan Fields could put that together. # One of the problems local stations have going against Infinity and CC is budget. If you have a sales staff that can't sell, it doesn't matter what you program. If they have to run phony infomercials on the weekend and at night, you can be sure that the weekday programming means nothing. It is still a business and local owners have to survive, but don't expect a good music list and great personalities to sell commercials. Hire salespeople that sell, the rest is easy. Ed Graham (5/23/05)

Lopez is up in Baltimore Media Heaven today, along with the others I grew up with: Captain Chesapeake, Jerry Turner & Al Sanders, Chris Thomas. God's Speed Senior Smokes. (5/23/05)

Dave's response: Crusin' down Heaven River with Captain Chesapeake.....

When I went to work for WMUC, the campus radio station at the University of Maryland, Bob Lopez did the 6:00 news, at a half hour long our top newscast and the most difficult to put together on a daily basis. He did it with class and professionalism, even as a college student. The next year, when I got a chance to do the 6, I always tried to do it like he did. Sometimes I succeeded. It’s been many years since I’ve spoken to, or even heard him, but from what I’ve read, he hasn’t changed. Rich Kolker (5/23/05)

My thoughts and prayers are with Bob Lopez's family, and the family at 98 ROCK. Lopez's voice was a familiar one as I was growing up with Greggo and Moe, Byrd, Mark and Lopez, and Kirk Mark and Lopez. Lopez is no doubt delivering the news and information in the heavens. Lopez, you will be missed! But we all know you are in a better place--there will be NO MORE SUFFERING! Steve Clendenin, Program/Operations Manager, Good Times, Great Oldies-AM 970 WAMD (5/23/05)

To the family of Baltimore's beloved Lopez, may flights of angels sing him to his rest (even though I think he didn't believe in that stuff). We have lost a legend, irreplaceable. I have listened many a time to Lopez and found him and WPGC-FM's David Haines and Don and Mike's Buzz Burbank to be the among the few who can deliver the news in the most entertaining way possible for the young adult crowd (nothing against WTOP or WBAL). Stephen (5/23/05)

This morning, I heard on one of the ham repeaters that one of Verstandig's AM towers fell down. Any info on this? Also, condolences to the family of 98 Rock's Lopez. I read about his passing here in DCRTV. I listen to 98 Rock infrequently, but it's usually during the AM drive and have often been entertained by the antics of KML over the years. Rest in peace. Mike from Frederick and the entire Dashboard DX Society. "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." Lennon & McCartney. (5/23/05)

Dave's response: Damn termites.....

I am Deeply saddened by the death of Lopez. He was a good man. Ed Graham (5/23/05)

here is a picture taken saturday may 21st left to right voiceover kingpins pat garrett,dr dave ferguson and former wwmx program director jason kidd. (5/23/05)

A poster last week cited Channel 5's Nationals Extra as evidence that local TV is giving DC's new baseball team adequate coverage. Well, I checked it out last night and although Dave Feldman began with highlights of the Nats/Jays game and closed with a few tidbits on the team, the bulk of the show was devoted to Redskins discussion including an interview with Post beat reporter Mark Maske. While I don't object to offseason Skins coverage which has been standard operating procedure in this town for many years, calling a 30 minute program 'Nationals Extra' makes no sense unless you're willing to provide more than a few minutes worth of Nats coverage. There may be viewers tuning in expecting to see extensive Nationals related interviews and features, and instead they're getting commentary from Redskin legends Mark Mosely, Ron McDole and Chris Hanburger on Joe Gibbs and the upcoming season. On Channel 9's Sports Plus show, Levan Reid spent at least twice as much time on baseball as Feldman. While I'm not a big fan of Reid's sportscasting style, at least he can't be accused of false advertising. Clearly, the affiliation between 5 and 20 (which carries Nationals games) is the only reason for the name of Feldman's show. When it becomes Redskins Extra in August, I doubt very much whether the Nats will get more than a passing mention. Mike, Fairfax (5/23/05)

To Gary, thank you for including me with Bob Mathers & Jack Edwards as people WWLG should employ. That's pretty impressive company. My contract with WHFC-FM ends next month and I still have my WITH jock shout! Bob & Niles know how to reach me. Meanwhile, oldies fans really need to check out our "Oldies Block Party" on Sundays @ 1pm. Joyce Conroy does a fantastic job with that show, volunteering her time (like everyone on WHFC) each week for the love of the music. If you're out of our broadcast range, we stream at www.whfc911.org. Gary Helton, GM, WHFC-FM, Bel Air. (5/23/05)

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Lopez. Our paths crossed only a couple of times, but I knew him professionally to be one of the best. God bless, Aaron Rehkopf (5/23/05)

Prayers to Bob Lopez's Family and Heaven has a great DJ in the Radio Station in the Sky...... Thanks for the memories Bob, and the valiant fight,..... Rick WAMD (5/23/05)

Hey Ward and June, Maybe you caught Vegas Radio during one of its very unique enjoyable programs... Forgotten 45's www.buddyrizer.com..... I dig the Vegas Radio format too - but there is nothing wrong with hearing some forgotten classics on a Sunday afternoon from someone like Ray who has a great on air presence and a keen ability to program music. Opie in Baltimore (5/23/05)

If I could send a warm blanket of prayers and positive wishes to the family and friends of Lopez, I'd do it now. During the two times I worked in Baltimore radio, the name Lopez was said in absolute reverence. This was not an ordinary broadcaster. He was a passionate voice for many who couldn't and wouldn't speak. He had more testosterone in one finger than most men have in their whole lives. Strong. Caring. Articulate. Funny. Charismatic. I grew up in Philly, so I don't have the years of listening to him that many have - and I imagine that it's painful to think of part of a childhood gone with his passing - but those of us who learned about him and listened for even a few years feel the significance of the loss. It's gonna be tough for 98 Rock for a long time...especially for those who worked so closely with Lopez. Family takes on a whole new meaning when a tightknit group works together in Radio...and the core veterans at 98 are one tight little group. In honor of them, and the amazing Lopez, I'm gonna laugh hard on Monday. I'm gonna try. Trish Hennessey (5/23/05)

My favorite Lopez moment was at one of Mickey's comedy shows. Mickey was making a tape of a show at Hammerjacks, and Lopez and I ended up in neighboring urinals. We became urinpals with this quick exchange: Me: Hi, I enjoy your work in the mornings. Lopez: Thanks! So do I. Me: Enjoying Mickey's show so far? Lopez: No, I want to go home. Funny, sincere and bitter all at the same time. He will be missed. (PS...hey Big Don - you need to hang out with Ray from Ocean City again!) (5/23/05)

Wasn't Lopez also briefly WBAL 11's movie critic? I seem to remember that and thought he was pretty damn good, but I don't think it lasted long. WBAL, like many stations got rid of the movie critic segment for real on the street blood and gore. Geez, come to think of it, even ET and Access Hollywood rarely even do serious critical movie reviews anymore. Everybody's a shill these days. Lopez definitely was not and that's what I remember liking. (5/23/05)

Starting tomorrow, MyEarsAreBleeding.com will no longer be covering the Out to Lunch show with Big O and Dukes on Live 105.7. The new page that Lansdowne Charlie will be running will be www.oanddanimals.com and their message boards will be located at oanddanimal.proboards41.com/index.cgi. Hope to see you guys there. (5/23/05)

/\ May 23 Messages /\

\/ May 22 Messages \/

On a Sunday ride into upper Montgomery County today, we tuned in to Buddy Rizer's 1520/WTRI -- billed as "Vegas Radio." The two songs that we heard were Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and "We May Never Pass This Way Again" by Seals and Crofts. Uh... Buddy??? That's NOT "Vegas Radio." That's a copy of the WASH-FM playlist from 1978. Come ON, man. If you want be a Seventies Oldies station, cool. Just call it that! If you want to be "Vegas Radio," play some Rat Pack and other M-O-R classics by Nat Cole, Johnny Mathis, Patti Page and Rosemary Clooney. The reality of the format and the departure from the advertising left us with a bad taste in our mouths. -- Ward and June (5/22/05)

Bummer about Lopez. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Long May You Run, Lopez. (5/22/05)

Loppez may the angels lay thee to thy rest. Big Don O'Brien (5/22/05)

Hi DCRTV Dave: Well, after a more than 2 year hiatus from my computer I thought I'd get back in on the fun of being a part of one of (if not THE) best sites on the planet. I first wanted to convey my condolences to the family and friends of 98Rock's Mr. Lopez. I'd like to invite all DCRTV fans to check out my CableCast Radio show The Magical History Tour heard every Friday from 3:00pm -5:00pm on Fairfax Cox Cable Channel 37 or Channel 27 in Reston or on the web at www.fcac.org. You'll hear a "BeatleBreak", a "Motown Moment", a "1 Hit Wonder of The Week", some trivia and some info on the music and the artists that you probably didn't know before. What you WON'T hear is Rap (CRAP) or Hip-Hip (wish it would simply just Hop away in Hip manner). B/T/W, is former WMAR Sports Anchor Jack Dawson still living as far as you know? Though I was saddened to read of the passing of both Rolf Hertsgard and George Bauman while scrolling thru the news archives. REMEMBER: Yesterday Is History, Tomorrow Is A. Mystery. Today Is A. Gift, That's Why We Call It The Present. Simply untie the ribbons. Regards to all from Fairfax, Rusty Gibson (5/22/05)

This just in from FOX News......... "Lopez dead, dead. Did you get that?... DEAD. LOPEZ DEAD! Can you hear me?......" Sorry, I couldn't resist slamming FOX News, I'm sure 98Rock's Lopez would enjoy and get that joke if he were here. I always disagreed with the man politically, but I still listened over the many years, even called in and argued with him several weekend mornings. There is something to be said for that ability/quality. Sadly, a funny part of my childhood is gone. (5/22/05)

I just read the news and want to send my best to Lopez’s family and the air-staff at 98 Rock. I was Lopez’s last full-time Producer on “The Sunday Lopez” and our last full-time show was Sunday, March 12, 2000. During my short time at 98 Rock, Lopez was a great guy to work with and a real professional in any and all sense of the word. He will be missed - the world and radio have lost one of the last good guys in the business. Bulmash (Sunday Lopez Producer March 1999 to March 2000) (5/22/05)

As the "other" Baltimore contemporary newsman who outlasted God-knows-how-many morning shows and PDs; I'd like to add my two cents on Bob Lopez. First; my deepest sympathies to Jean and his family. It's been a tough year--first; losing Walt Starling, now Lopez. Bob always had something to say--and it always seemed to make sense. When I was at B104, I had two boom boxes in the newsroom. One was set to WBAL; the other 98 Rock. It's safe to say Lopez anchored every morning show he was on and outlasted them all because, frankly, he may very well have carried the other team members on his back by virtue of his consistency. Side of the fence notwithstanding; Lopez wasn't afraid to make you think. And; management wasn't afraid to let him. He did his job; did what he was asked and went home every day. Although I wasn't part of his day-to-day life; I can't imagine one getting where he did by being a whiner and complainer. Twenty-seven years is a long time for anyone at any radio station, but to last that long at an album rock outlet...nearly as long as the station and format itself...is unheard of. To have two personalities there that long--Sarah Fleischer included--is astonishing. Lopez's family will find out just how many people he touched when he's remembered later this week. It's just very sad they'll have to find out so after-the-fact. Bob Lopez was one-of-a-kind; irreplacable. His shoes will be so impossible to fill; they'll have to get a new pair and start from scratch. Another sad day as our lives move on. /sean hall (5/22/05)

Wow. I used to listen to Lopez's Sunday morning show. He was truly an original and he will be missed. And ENOUGH with Chad Dukes on here. He gets more free press on here than people listen to his wannabe show. He's a little fish in a big pond. I'm really sick of all the wannabes like him who can only get a little attention by attacking shows that he's copying AND listening to for ideas. Here's a revolutionary idea, Chad. Come up with YOUR OWN IDEAS! Oh...I forgot....He doesn't have any!! Spankin' Bozo's Pale Bottom (5/22/05)

Lopez of KML on 98Rock has passed away. 98Rock is doing a "celebration of Lopez' life" all day today (Sunday). Pretty touching stuff too. -Rich (5/22/05)

I just had 98 Rock (WIYY) in Balt. They just said Robert Lopez had passed away. They are doing an on air tribute today...sounds like they are doing flash backs and taking calls. Check their website for more. Respectfully, Matthew Briggs (5/22/05)

From the inside.... who's directing the programming at WLG... it's not Niles... Bob Pettit the Genneral Manager is has the final say on what goes in the format. Congrats to Jack for a great oldies party..... he knows his music. (5/22/05)

Regarding the issue of coverage of the Orioles in DC media, it's not so much an ant-Baltimore thing as it is an anti-Angelos thing. Only an idiot would aid and comfort someone who is trying to hurt you and your community and that is exactly what Angelos has done and continues to do by undermining DC area baseball. So DC outlets that cover his team are plain stupid. What's truly amazing is that it took so long for the Post sports staff to sense the intense hatred of Angelos in DC and environs. That reflects a remarkable lack of touch with the DC area sports fan, not surprising since most of the Post sports staff are out of towners with little or no appreciation for DC's sports history, traditions and the typical fan. (5/22/05)

Lopez has passed. Just wanted you to know. I have lost a friend and so has Baltimore. He was one of the most unique people I have ever meet. This is the release from my boss: It is with great sadness that I inform you that Bob Lopez has lost his battle with lung cancer. Since 98 ROCK's inception over 28 years ago we have had over 10 morning shows. Every show included "Lopez". He was the driving force behind each show. An unabashed Liberal, he was absolute in his beliefs. Lopez was extremely bright, incredibly passionate with an extraordinary sense of humor. He was "one of a kind". As a husband and a father his love knew no boundaries. Lopez is survived by his wife Jean"Trixie" and his daughter Leandra. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship will be set up in Leandra's name. More information will follow. Ed Kiernan (5/22/05)

WBAL Radio reports that Lopen has died. Sad. (5/22/05)

Guess I thought Lopez was beating the odds, but, he didn't..... wbal.com (5/22/05)

Lopez was a guy I grew up listening to, and then to be able to eventually work with him was an "indescribable" experience. Lopez YOU WILL BE MISSED! And there will NEVER be another like you. Coleman (5/22/05)

Lopez has died... God Bless him and his family! (5/22/05)

Bob Mathers couldn't have said it better. Politics and pin heads run the big FM's now and it's not what the people what to hear. Like one of the others posters stated earlier, many are moving to XM radio in record numbers because listeners are fed up with today's radio. I haven't met anyone who doesn't love their XM service. We signed up after 106.9 went down the tubes. Also remember that XM customers are the best XM sales people! I've signed up at least 20 people. And how many will they sign up? WARX had a very unique format and they were able to play many songs that typical FM oldies stations didn't play. And guess what, WARX was in the top five in two of their markets. To think that early Elvis, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, The Everlys and all of the legendary 1950's rock n' roll artists are not in demand anymore is insane! Elvis' estate makes more money today than it did when he was alive.......... about 40 million dollars in 2004. Jerry (5/22/05)

Who cares what or who Chad Dukes likes. He doesn't have to be loyal or a clone to the people that work at his company. He's not breaking any law by enjonyng OnA. Get a life to anyone that cares... (5/22/05)

I don't know all the details, but apparently someone collapsed at the festival and none of the rangers knew what to do while this guy was floundering on the ground. As I understand it Rick West aka Cherokee from WARW's promotions department jumped in and worked some CPR on the guy who revived to the point that he didn't even want to go to the hospital. (5/22/05)

At yesterdays cesapeake bay blues festival someone actually collapsed from a heart atteck during the opening band. What might make this news worthy is a radio guy from dc was the first and one of only two to check on the guy and perform cpr on the guy! By the time the fire department arrived the two men working on him seemed to bring the guy back! Pretty cool, when you consider the guy from the radio station got up and went back to doing what he was doing before the event took place! Any guess who it was (he deserves a pat on the back) or how the patient is doing? (5/22/05)

Do we really need play by play of what that no talented hack Chad (BTW get a real first name) Dukes is doing? It's just a matter of time before he's out of the business anyway. (5/22/05)

On the same day that Infinity ended the oldies run of WQSR and replaced it with JACK-FM, I attended an Infinity client party that afternoon in downtown Baltimore. A management official at the soiree (whom I worked with while there) told me exactly how many songs were being rotated in the new JACK-FM format. No, I won't quote the figure here because I'm sure that is proprietary info and I'll respect that. Anyway, this individual went on to say 'that's a lot more than any other station in the market'. Maybe so, but this effort to compete against the ipods and satellite radio is lamentably, sadly misplaced, misguided, not to mention too late and will likely be brought to an end before Spring 2006. The old timers always told me that a station should always 'play to its strengths' in fixing its problems, and WQSR'S challenges were eminently fixable. Perhaps the biggest irony of all is that oldies is THE format to offer true variety. You 'only' have about 3-5,000 hits to pick from, NOT counting stiffs and low charters. Some say that listeners don't care about those songs. Actually, it is the young unknowing programmers and their consultants who simply stopped playing these tunes. They employed the Humphrey Bogart philosophy from 'The Treasure Of Sierra Madre': 'You'll take it and love it!'. They also feel that the movie soundtrack of 'The Big Chill' constitutes oldies and anything else is irrelevant. The listeners had no choice but to accept this 'spin' on what constitutes 'oldies'. That is, until ipods, satellite, and the napsters and limewires of download land allowed folks to go and 'find' the tunes that were being withheld from their local oldies station. One can also offer the bromide of 'the agencies won't buy this kind of radio because only the old fogies listen'. Sure, the 50's and 60's songs are true memory makers with the over 50 crowd...but their kids as well who grew up listening to them in the house ALSO like them. Who by the way are smack dab in that 25-44 demo. How about that? So in the space of 3 years (2001-2004), 50% of the schoolyard kiddies left WQSR's sandbox and went elsewhere to play. Where's the playground, Susie? Not across the street from Joe's Parking Garage, that's for sure. WQSR obviously had the music and the KNOW-HOW (re: Worthington, Dark, others) to evolve into an 'oldies' JACK-FM. Wouldn't have been hard at all, as every single hit was in audio vault, and the local hits could have been dubbed in (as Dean Martin once sang) 'for the flavor'. It's no secret that when WQSR gutted the format and removed 1955-63 songs, it was the beginning of the end. However, telling that to the decision makers over there while the remaining 'drano' version of WQSR drove the numbers down was like John The Baptist crying in the wilderness. It was like talking to dead men. It is highly unlikely that Infinity will go back to oldies on 102.7. In fact, unless they were to put RADIO...and specifically OLDIES RADIO people who know what BALTIMOREANS want in there to run the thing should such a change be made...it is best that they leave it as it is and give some other station a chance to do it right...like perhaps a WWLG...which is another story altogether. Bob Mathers (5/22/05)

Attention Infinity Radio / 105.7 WHFS-FM Baltimore, Your employee Chad Dukes of the Big O and Dukes Show, which as you know is aired between Howard Stern and Don and Mike has been stabbing in the back everyone at WHFS, Infinity, all who worked on the HFStival and both Howard Stern and Don and Mike. Chad Dukes is a big Opie and Anthony fan, thats right Infinity's competition. Chad Dukes has been a frequent poster to the biggest Opie and Anthony Forum at Wackbag.com. Chad Dukes original Avatar (the photo some folks place next to the messages when they write on internet bulletin boards) on this Opie and Anthony Forum was of Don Geronimo, most on those on that board hate Don and Mike and this is Chads way of ripping on the show which Chads leads in to. Chad has recently changed the photo to one of "Spiderman." Now here are some direct quotes of what Chad Dukes has been writing on this Opie and Anthony board, In this first one he puts a dig into fellow Infinity broadcaster Howard Stern calling him hoo hoo, and then he tells the XM/Opie and Anthony fans on that site that if any of them are in Baltimore or DC he has W.O.W.(Opie and Anthony on XM) promotional stickers to give them (Chad's Quote) "ya we do a hack talk show. in between hoo hoo and mike sorce. the station managment get sawed off when I wear my XM shirt to work. If u are in bmore/DC I g wow sticks."(End Quote.) In this next statement he tells the Opie and Anthony fans that he is going to be at the HFStival and that he is going to be passing out XM/Opie and Anthony promotional stickers and than he follows with his bragging about how Big O and Dukes had a comedian and Opie and Anthony regular named Vos on the Big O and Dukes Show who on Big O and Chad Dukes show criticized and insulted Don Geronimo and his wife. (The Quote) "I'll be there dude, passing out WOW stickers. We had Vos on the show and he killed. Ill be at the 8pm saturday show. Hope u charm city/ DC shitdicks show up." (End Quote.) Thats right Chad is promoting a competing talk show and XM radio at the HFStival which you at Infinity are paying him to attend, thats loyalty for you. Next Chad Dukes returns to criticizing Howard Stern and Artie (Chad's Quote) "the one thing that I have noticed with hoo hoo is some comedic angles he takes with certain issues mimic angles O and A have already taken. I remember Norton and Anthony making comparison between Mike Tyson and King Kong. When Tyson jumped on the hood of that guys car, The guys said something about him running toward the empire state building with a blond in his hand. The very next morning hoo hoo used the same comparison and then artie ran with it . I actually find that more offensive than stealing a taped bit, because its not just taped material but creative ideas that are being lifted." (End Quote.) So, he's ripping into the person who leads into his own show??? More Chad comments here www.wackbag.com..... Chad actually edited out a Don Geronimo reference from the above one! HA! www.wackbag.com..... www.wackbag.com..... Yours in Christ, Anonymous Poster. (5/22/05)

/\ May 22 Messages /\

\/ May 21 Messages \/

My congrats to WAMD for the Havre de Grace Live Game on Saturday the victory over Sparrows Point, once again the gentleman doing the game called a supreme game and yes I am a parent and have heard his broadcasts why have not the Ironbirds considered him...... Bob from Belcamp, an avid listener of Oldies (Thank God) WAMD....... I heard him say, the broadcasts would be on Tuesday what time, please advise..... (5/21/05)

Re: WWLG going Oldies... When WLG goes full fledge Oldies--they need to do it the right way. They are easing in everything too slowly--they either need to do it or forget about it. Also, they need to fully do away with the Adult Standards and easy tunes--NO Carpenters, etc....Also--it needs to be tighter, I have heard dry liners, then songs played----get rid of the dry liners, either bring in a good jingle package, or play the dry liner over the song intro. Second, I can tell that they have no set MD---the playlist varries from jock to jock. They need to bring in a PD and MD that loves the music--Niles is NOT a rock and roll fan. Also----put some firecrackers under the jocks asses------they need some energy...make it a true TOP 40 throwback--with the tight-ass compression, reverd on the mics, high energy jingle package, and play the hits---and throw in a few lost favorites as well. Good Luck WLG, you'll need it--with the sounds now----the Oldies won't do too good (5/21/05)

What a terrible void in Baltimore without WQSR...The LAST of the big "personality" music stations that we all grew up with. Rouse & Co, Bob Worthington, Johnny Dark, 8 Track Saturday Night, Alan Lee's Forgotten 45's, Beatle Brunch, all gone but NOT forgotten! Tony D. from Rousedale! (5/21/05)

Dave's response: You know, you listeners have more power than you think. Seriously. Complain to some of WQSR's sponsors. Let them know how dissatisfied you are with the station. And how you won't be listening to it - AND THEIR ADS - in the future. If some advertisers start relaying those complaints back to the QSR suits, you could see a return to the 102.7 you once knew and loved. There is hope.....

Bumper stickers I want to put on my car: "Infinity doesn't know JACK." JACK- The best reason to buy an IPOD." I ordered an IPOD today. I guess that mean JACK-off for me. (5/21/05)

The problems on Z104 reception toward B'more have nothing to do with 104.3. Sorry, can't say any more than that. (5/21/05)

This message has to do with the start of Christmas music AGAIN so soon and up until Christmas. I like Christmas like anyone else but I think it's too much of an over-dose, and by the time Christmas rolls around, you're SICK of it!! I particularly HATE having to miss BEATLE BRUNCH Sunday mormings!!!! There is NO reason WHY you Mr. LaBrozzi shouldn't let that play! It's ALWAYS HAS A CHRISTMAS THEME.All Joe Johnson's programs are geared around whatever holiday it happens to be. He has a GREAT SHOW! Mary J. Tunno (5/21/05)

All this talk about local radio going by the way side, if you want to hear of an examplary local radio station success story you should listen to 98.5 The Peak(formally 98 YCR) out of York, PA. They have a decent signal into B-more and can be picked up around the beltway. After 30 years of playing top 40 they secretly changed format to what is now classic hits. None of this cry baby crap like what was going on with the jack. The change was handled professionally and they kept the entire air staff after the format change. Their music blend is suitable for all and it doesn't get worn out. Local radio is alive and doing well in York! (5/21/05)

Has anyone else noticed problems with Z104 reception going toward Baltimore? The signal starts fading fast past Laurel where it used to boom. Out by BWI, I hear mostly static now. - Steve from Phila soon to be moving back (5/21/05)

Dave's response: I'm told that WSMJ on 104.3 has been running a digital (IBOC) signal. That will make adjacent channel reception of 104.1 (DC's Z104) and 104.5 more difficult in the Baltimore area.....

In reply to "I-81 commuter": An incident regarding an on-air stunt Opie and Anthony involving people getting screwed by management and subsequently getting fired. ... Sounds familiar. I too was sorry about the firings that took place in THAT incident. -- Dan the New York A.F.R.O. Fan (5/21/05)

If WWLG is going to do the oldies route, then do it right. I wish they would employ the help of Gary Helton, Bob Mathers and Jack Edwards. I don't have a lot of faith in Nils, he's never been a big fan for the oldies format. Would be nice to hear something like the old 1230 WITH. That station had a nice niche in the market until they were bought out. I remember the sold out Buddy Deane dances promoted by the station, the Friday night Ronnie Dove show and Jack Edwards on morning drive. I might even break away from my XM radio to hear these talents again! Gary (5/21/05)

The new Steve Doocy show will be called ''Right Wing, Mindless Doochbag''. Bozo The Clown (5/21/05)

Dave's response: No, not "doochbag" - "doocybag"!!! Oh, just caught the new "Star Wars" flick. And I kept thinking about Rupert Murdoch at every mention of "the dark force".....

"ESPN Radio 1300, just identifies itself as WJFK-Baltimore, shouldn't it be WJFK-AM Baltimore?" - The actual reason is that the FCC assigns 4-letter (WJFK) and 6-letter (WJFK-FM) combinations, and in the past 3-letter (WRC) and 5-letter (WJZ-TV) combinations. (WJZ-TV was given a waiver of the rules when the call letters were moved from WJZ Channel 7 in NYC [now WABC-TV]. The FCC would not allow the call letter transfer to take place, because they were no longer assigning 3-letter combinations. ABC asked to have the call letters changed from WJZ to WJZ-TV which the FCC did allow because there rules only stated that new call letter assignments must be at least 4-letters. The FCC then changed the verbage to speciffically state 4-letter and 6-letter combinations.) AM stations are never assigned 6-letter combinations. Only FM, TV and DT are assigend these call letter combinations. According to CFR, Title 47, Sec 73.1201, paragraph (b), subsection (1), Placing an "AM" in the ID would not be permissable. (5/21/05)

To TOM CONROY...... I remember WLPL barely (I was sort of young, but all the older kids listened to it from what I remember) and it would be great to hear those call letters back on Baltimore radio, but maybe not exactly on AM1370. With AM1590 being sold and soon becoming possibly Hispanic with probably new call letters, I have a better idea for WWLG AM1370...... W F B R ! :-) Joe in Essex (5/21/05)

As bad as WTEM is, it is still better than than WMET. I heard the guy in the afternoon cut off 2 callers who tried to criticize right wing theology. If you don't vote for Bush, there is no sense in listening or calling. It appears that very few people are doing either. At least WTEM has some entertaining sporting events once in a while. (5/21/05)

Clearly what is happining at WFMD is just representative of almost all local stations with "corporate" ownership. Once upon a time, you could depend on radio for instant news and information on a local level...those days are long gone. Let's hope stations with local ownership, like WTRI, gain momentum with listeners. I am convcenced there is still a home out there for GOOD local radio. Ray, wmrtv.com (5/21/05)

It's good to hear that WWLG is giving a try to Oldies in the Baltimore area. They have a great staff with lot's of experience in this market and the music is quickly moving in the Oldies direction, a huge job for Niles and team in a short time. Here's a station, with it's 50kw signal (heard south as far as the northern banks of NC), which in time has great potential if all of the elements are in place. Also, the old WLPL calls are avaliable, wouldn't that be something worth picking up! Now if RC could bring back "Sgt Ugly" occasionally, a few might remember that bit from his Big 60 days. It will be fun to hopefully hear a return of Top 40 as we knew it as kids. Keep listening... Tom Conroy (5/21/05)

The writer complaining about the helicopter-driven "breaking news" is right on the mark. When will news directors figure out that every house fire, water main break and fender-bender is *not* breaking news? It's very telling that so few of their so-called "breaking news" stories even make it into page B5 of the newspaper. They also need to stop interviewing helicopter captains as if they represent some form of authority. They work for the station! That's pretty sleazy ethics. (5/21/05)

Okay, here's what's going down with Ron and Fez, and remember, you read it here first. They will be headed to XM, followed by a sweet syndication deal by Premiere. It's just a matter of time. E. Douglas, Georgetown (5/21/05)

/\ May 21 Messages /\

\/ May 20 Messages \/

So Dan Savadove buys into the Dame properties in Hagtown, huh? In the mid-90s, he was competing directly with Dame as GM of Harrisburg's WINK-104 (WNNK). I hope he's changed his style a little bit. He left me with the impression he's a Dilbert-style boss, minus the pointy hair, with a generous dollop of smarm.(5/20/05)

Micheal from ESRTV: Drop you resentment against Jack FM--Infinity did not pick the name--they bought the rights to use it--so they can't change it...and with the imaging---it is not on the local level--it is national generic imaging, QSR just adds the local stuff.....QSR is gone--get over it, and why dont you work on your own damn site..... (5/20/05)

The guy from WCBS who was fired for used the "f" word to the Opie and Anthony "people" was screwed by management, and I'm sorry he was fired. I-81 commuter (5/20/05)

Regarding the new "Jack FM", I kinda like "Out of Business FM" better. Although I didn't listen to the station it was nice to know WQSR was still in Baltimore, even though they never played any local top 10 hits from the sixties, and had a 100 song play list. But due to the politics w/ upper management at Infinity, heads rolled and that's just the way it is. Why do you think people are subscribing to XM radio in record numbers? Listeners are fed up with it! All of these big corporate companies that own FM radio stations have taken the local personality out of broadcasting........very sad. We will continue to see trends towards satellite radio because there is a big variety in programing, something that FM radio does not have today. Infinity Broadcasting would definitely not be the role model for inspiring people to get into the broadcasting field. Eventually they will feel the pain for all the destruction they've caused to local radio. Gary (5/20/05)

"ESPN Radio 1300, just identifies itself as WJFK-Baltimore, shouldn't it be WJFK-AM Baltimore?" One is a DC station and one is Balmer station, that is why they don't have to I believe, or maybe they don't cause they are owned by the same folks? Keith Lavon (5/20/05)

I hear through the grapevine that Matt Tacka, who got let go from Metro & Infinity a few weeks back, got hired on by Clear Channel in DC. I believe he may be doing traffic for a few of the DC stations. If that's true, Clear Channel got their hands on some good pipes! Infinity & Metro's loss!! M.G. - Baltimore (5/20/05)

Don't know if it means much, but if you go to www.whfs.com and hit enter if you watch the top blue part, it briefly flashes 1049 LOVE FM before forwarding to the AOL site...perhaps another format switch coming? Keith Lavon (5/20/05)

How many times is something breaking news? OMG there is a 3 alarm fire going on in the city. Wow, that doesn't happen everyday in Balmer. Oh, and Captain Mike Perry is almost as bad as Capt. Roy Taylor of WBAL TV with their wonderful knowledge of the workings of the fire dept. (insert sarcasm here.) The best thing that could happen is those copters crash in mid air. Now that is breaking news! BTW, anyone else notice that Donna Hamilton has some nice breasts? (5/20/05)

I strongly believe with Don and Mike you have to get the show and the personalities. I am not saying its right but I understand why D&M get tired of being asked how they are, I do too quite often. D&M keep the callers on their toes and try to at least be somewhat interesting too. I have only called twice in the 13 years of listening to them because I didn't want to come off stupid and be hung up on. I think they have established something there with their show, not that they don't get stupid callers but the ones who really know can be damn funny. That's just my opinion, you will rarely here me say anything bad about D&M, they have gotten me through many a drive to the beach in stiches. It takes time to get used to the show...I have to say so far minus the Adult Standards WLG is doing pretty good with the oldies music. I just hope they eliminate the Adult Standards and make it all oldies and get Johnny Dark at the least to be on the station...I still wish that Infinity could at least change the name from Jack to something else, I know its a brand name for the format but, it just doesn't sound right. I hope Drep changes the imaging on Jack-FM when the time is finally allowed for the format to be tweaked with, I hate the voiceover guy, he sounds so God damn smug and condescending. Plus the station needs major work with the end tones and mix points on the songs, the songs go down way too far before the next liner or song fires off at times. I know though locally then just got the stuff dumped into their computer and its not their fault. If the music was put in that fast which it was, say via zip or something, the audio quality of all those songs cannot be 100%. That's why Ken Merson dubbed every song 1 for 1 back into Lite FM's computer. -Michael (ESRTV) (5/20/05)

What do you think will become of the heritage WQSR calls? Will they be changed to something like WJKB? How about WLG flipping their calls to WQSR-AM? By the way can someone let me know what AM stations the Jack format is being put on? Oh that's right they are not so why the Jack-FM. When Alice came on it was never Alice-FM...Lastly not that its a big deal but I thought when the same call letters were both on an AM and FM station that the AM and FM had to be said in the legal ID. ESPN Radio 1300, just identifies itself as WJFK-Baltimore, shouldn't it be WJFK-AM Baltimore? -Michael (5/20/05)

To Bill R.: If we had alternative sports talk programming when Kornheiser's abomination is on, changing the station would be a viable approach. Since there isn't however, DC area sports fans have every right to kick and scream about wasting valuable sports programming time on such a terrible show. By the way, "The Best of Tony Kornheiser" is an oxymoron. (5/20/05)

Otis: you raise a good point. WTEM would be a great station if it still had guys like Dan Miller and Kiley and da Coach. But the guys with talent have left for bigger and better things and WTEM is left with the dead wood like Pollin, Walker and Kornheiser. (5/20/05)

Best of Tony Kornheiser? How long did it take them to actually find something good? He is showing why his show got canned from ESPN, even though Colin Cowherd isn't any better and he is losing markets (D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh). Does Kornheiser have a list of more than 10 guests? Then WTEM replays the same crap for two more hours? His show fits right in with the format of the station -- No creativity. John Thompson is awful and can't even pronuciate correctly. Hey coach, it Tiger Woods, not Tiga Woods. He also refered to someone as "a good judger of talent." That's right, he said "judger." I can't even listen to that show. The Sports Reporters isn't bad, even though neither of the hosts are actual sports reporters. Czaban is entertaining at times, but Andy Polley's knowledge of sports is well below everage. WTEM is a small-time sports station in a big-time market. We need another sports station in the D.C. market. WJFK has Sporting News Radio on weekends and late nights, but we need that full time, especially since Tony Bruno is getting a show with them. We don't need Fox Sports Radio. It sucks. (5/20/05)

Until WFMD killed their music format totally around 1991 or 92 and WFRE FM went from Beautiful Music to Country, FMD was the best, even beat the old Z-104. It was full service AC all the time except for weekend games, holiday programming, Rush and Bohannon. However, even during those times, there was a live personality at the board and local, in-house, news staff until 11:00 pm. After that, the overnight personality picked and chose stories to fill the time. Plus, there was a scanner on in the studio all the time so that breaking stories could be broadcast. There were regulars who would call up the studio asking for the current temp., or about public service events. This was all during the reign of one of the best PDs in the business, John Fieseler. He was very community oriented and great to work for. Around the time of the change, he was relieved of his PD duties in favor of Mike Gibbons, but remained the morning show host for a while. At that point, it was the beginning of the end for WFMD. As for WTRI being local, uh, nothing like the old FMD. They sound automated during the weekends and other times except the morning show. The music on there is good, but they don't even come close to the former FMD. Hopefully, they will get some locals in the studio to cover all shifts. (5/20/05)

George on WTEM's programming: It's Dan Patrick that we get from 1-3 daily, not Dan Miller. Dan Miller was one of WTEM's decent hosts and I wish he was still on locally. He's in Detroit now and he's covered the NFL on Fox for years as well as hosted a radio show sponsored by Player's Inc. Dan, if you check in here, we miss you man. Sincerely, The Otis Campbell Five. (5/20/05)

You'd think by the number of WTEM posts on this board that the station actually had ratings. The term 'perennial also-ran' doesn't begin to do this station justice. OF COURSE the programming is weak. This is a station that prays it can be a two share! You need to lower your expectations. WTEM is just...not...very...good. You should be used to it by now. This radio station will never be good. The management - who have been running it for years - are more interested in schmoozing sports celebs and playing free golf than worrying about stupid thinks like quality and ratings. Why should your expectations be higher than theirs? (5/20/05)

"WFMD was a regional powerhouse that boasted LIVE talent through the 1940's and 50's (we're talking live singers and performers ...)" - Uh, hello? In the 1940's (and a good part of the 50's) ALL radio stations had live singers and performers when they weren't carrying network feeds. What's your point Dad? After all, gas stations were once full service operations too. -- Once again, junior's lack of knowledge rears it's ugly, pimple-ridden, adolescent head! After the advent of network radio in the late 1920's, for the most part, only major market stations retained singers, actors and musicians on their staffs. Notable exceptions in smaller markets were exceptional stations like KID in Idaho Falls, WDAY in Fargo and, yes, WFMD in Frederick! And, when service stations gave up full service, the prices dropped to reflect the change AND the paradigm shifted to accomodate the consumer. The corporate radio paradigm has ONLY shifted to cut costs and accomodate Wall Street. And, if you disagree, study the steel and auto industries in this country during the 1970's and 80's and the airlines today. Again, I suggest that you listen and learn...junior! -- Love, Dad (5/20/5)

I have to disagree with a bunch of poster here and agree with at least one about the Kornheiser show on WTEM. I could write a long posting about how much I like Mr. Tony’s show; I won’t, but suffice to say that I have enjoyed most of the (I believe) 13 years that he has been on the radio. I think that those of you who don’t like him or his show should either listen to something else (which you would likely bitch about here) or turn the radio off. But I do agree that if WTEM is going to go a “best of.” like they did today, they could have come up with 4 hours of Kornheiser rather than recycling just 2 hours. I don’t think that it would have that much production work and may have grown the TSL a little bit. Of course the Spring Arbitron rating period may be over )I don’t know what the exact dates are) and they don’t care. Bill R. (5/20/05)

The bit where Don & Mike hang up on callers who ask “how ya doing” was lifted straight from Tony Kornheiser. (5/20/05)

It's absolutely true: after recording the canned weekend news Saturday morning, that's it from the news staff at WFMD until Monday morning. Nothing happens in Frederick County until Monday because WFMD says so. But don't blame the reporters; blame the suits that don't want to invest in a decent local news operation anymore ("if they're in the station, we'd have to PAY them or something!"). And yes, that's the story elsewhere as well. Cygnus (5/20/05)

RE:"As for WLIF Greg does one hell of a job." And what exactly is that job? His morning show is passable at best. The rest of the WLIF jocks are market professionals . They know exactly what needs to be done and they do it. (5/20/05)

Add me to the list of WTEM bashers. What a lineup! Mike & Mike in the morning, where they discuss such topics as Pedro Martinez' bad hip as if the future of the nation was in the balance. (The best example of their weighty take on sports was in March, with Mike Golic's somber reading of the email from the father who explained how his son, with tears in his eyes, ripped down his Jason Giambi poster.) Then we get two hours of Tony K. talking to his newspaper cronies and trying to mention PTI and Wilbon as many times as he can. That's repeated for the next two hours. Wow, what innovative programming! Then we have Dan Miller, who's not too bad, save for his tendency to be overly kiss-ass to any athlete he's interviewing. (With every question, you can almost hear him pleading, "Please think of me as a cool guy!") Next up is the John Thompson show. Oh brother. Lemme ask you a question...when's the last time John Thompson asked a question without prefacing it by saying, "lemme ask you a question?" The show is unlistenable, especially when Thompson is there. Finally, I will spare the Sports Reporters show as I think it's okay. At least they hit different topics, take calls, and have a decent list of rotating guests. --George in Springfield (5/20/05)

Tom - Columbia was lost in '03, not '93. Maybe that's why WFMD wasn't talking about it much that day. (5/20/05)

The story about CPB taking on the role of content-police in public broadcasting is getting more and more interesting. A good collection of links is at www.Current.org. The latest story is that CPB's chairman suggested that Brit Hume speak to NPR about how to create fair and balanced reporting. With apologies to Albert Brooks, but when Karl Rove farts the sound comes out of Brit Hume's mouth. Fair and balanced, my ass. Well, Karl's ass, that is. (5/20/05)

I had the pleasure of meeting Buddy Rizer of WTRI (Vegas Radio) this morning at his live broadcast from the local coffee shop in Brunswick (Beans in the Belfry). What a super nice guy who seems to love what he does. We chatted about his time working with the great Eddie Gallaher, who Buddy referred to as his mentor and great teacher, He's doing a great job with the station and it seems like more and more folks here in Frederick that I talk to are making the switch from WFMD to WTRI,and the reasons are obvious. They have a really decent newscast in the a.m. with LOCAL and REGIONAL news, unlike WFMD which features national stories right off the wire service - during the LOCAL bradcast. (Wait another couple of minutes and you'll hear the same stories again on the national feed). The music is a cool mix of Big Band and current vocalists. Nest of all, not Mega Corporation has it's claws into it. Tune in folks, you'll love it! ~Robin in Brunswick (5/20/05)

Re: "Dave's response: Oh Jesus, I hope they stream that wonderous Saturday morning show where a bunch of government wonks are interviewed....." - They already have that.. It's called Federal News Radio A Bonneville Property (5/20/05)

Just let the former WQSR listeners do what they want with the petition. Let them vent, they have every right to do so. The pinheads at Infinity made a huge mistake by changing to the stupid Jack FM format. I hope that they fall flat on their face with that decision. For those that don't agree go log out of here and listen to your Jack. (5/20/05)

I agree with the poster commenting about WFMD. Their news department has been in the crapper for several years now. Remember when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas in '93? Well, it was on a Saturday. That day I remember taking my kids to indoor swim lessons and trying to keep up to date with what was happening and, of course, WFMD was airing syndicated programming. The only mention of the event was at the top of the hour network newscast. Anytime anything important happens on the weekends you won't hear about it on WFMD's air until Monday morning's newscast. Oh, by the way, for weeks after the shuttle tragedy WFMD aired promos stating "You heard these breaking news stories first on WFMD..." and, of course, they mentioned the shuttle tragedy. Liars! And their weekend weather is ONE forecast recorded early Saturday morning and runs until 5 a.m Monday. So, if you're listening to Sunday night baseball on the radio when the forecast is given you hear the details of yesterdays forecast and other information that's more that approximately 36 hours old! If it weren't for baseball I don't think I'd listen to the station at all. The dead air during baseball happens EVERY game and it's not uncommon for the station to air the Orioles, network news and commercials AT THE SAME TIME! Gee, and management wonders why people don't listen to AM radio anymore. My wish for WFMD is that Hearst broadcasting would buy it and just repeat their WBAL signal there. Yes, I know during the daytime you can pick up 'BAL in Frederick fine but at night you can't. This would solve that problem and the areas south and west of Frederick would be able to get the 'BAL programming. Tom in Frederick (5/20/05)

Glad to see someone finally mentioning the weak programming on WTEM -- especially taking Tony Kornheiser to task. I find it hard to believe that the masterminds at WTEM cant come up with some original programming to fill the 11-1 time slot weekdays. I dont care if is even one of the interns taking calls for 2 hours - at least it is original content and, who knows, if they could teach him to be rude, condescending and talk with his mouth full, he could develop into another Kornheiser. Has anyone ever listened to his radio show and then said "man, that was great, I would love to listen to that again!" Next, ask how many people have turned their stations away from 980 during the 11-1 slot because they dont want to hear the same ramblings again. CHUCK (5/20/05)

"I'm guessing that the reply regarding WFMD that began "They had their best book..." was a little tongue in cheek, considering that Frederick ratings books only come out every 6 months." That's true, but WFMD shows in the Washington Arbitron as well. Every six months (Spring and Fall) Arbitron over-samples Frederick as an imbedded Metro within the DC Metro, and issues a Frederakc book in addition to the DC book that comes out 4 times a year. (5/20/05)

Tuned in yesterday and heard WTOP doing sports updates from rfk. Man it sounded fantastic. Please give the TOP sports folks some respect they are hammering 980 when it comes to Nats coverage. Ted (5/20/05)

A few points of order: 1) The earlier “WQSR online petition” entry is right on the money. The petition was an emotionally well-intentioned idea that should have stayed “an emotionally well-intentioned idea. 2) It’s time for the “Baltimore Sun” to conclude their online “Rouse & Company” comment-a-thon. The half-dozen or so folks behind the aforementioned petition are submitting 90+% of the “Sun’s” entries. 3) Can it be any more obvious that Stephen Drepperd self-promotion machine is up and belching again? NEWSFLASH!!!! JACK FM’s automation is running itself and the imaging is being done out-of-town. Keep up the good work, Drep! 3) Nice to know Maynard is still on-staff and learning new skills. 4) That MIX PD position is up for grabs and it’s Josh Medlock’s job to lose. Candidates should be coming out of the woodwork any moment now. (5/20/05)

Josh Medlock, now there is a programming genius. (5/20/05)

Dad writes "The station was billing and ratings monster. As a News/Talker under the Gibbons family, the station more than just survived and worked hard to include local shows in it's lineup." As an 'FMD alum, I'll attest that JGR ran an outstanding full-service community-focused radio station for many, many years--into the early nineties, at least. 1994? But Gibbons killed it before Clear Channel ever got hold of it, when (morning king) Tom Grunwell shifted over to WFRE--along with other strong local talents like Jim Titus, Gary Jagow, et al--and they turned the AM over to (mostly) network talk. They essentially gave up on the AM, and focused most of their attention & resouces on the FM. While certainly understandable (everyone, everywhere else was doing the same), it probably wasn't necessary to consciously kill this particular AM station. The combo was (and still is) making SO much money, they could/should have beefed-up promotion for the AM--perhaps conceding that it wouldn't be the cashcow it once was--and let WFMD continue as a strong #2/#3. But I think they panicked. And, frankly, they never really understood promotion. For so many years as "the only radio game in town," they never had to promote and loudly disdained using other media. So when it became necessary, they didn't know where to start. (5/20/05)

I can't say for sure..but I am willing to bet Tony K. took the day off after getting the crushing news that CSB FINALLY pulled the plug on that piece of crap "Listen Up" show that was inspired by him...That probably was just too much news for him to take..you know..finally coming to realization that no one cares about him. (5/20/05)

This is in response to Joyce Jenson, Joyce you know that if mix is sounding better it’s not because of Medlock, at least not yet he’s only had the job for about a week. As for WLIF Greg dose one hell of a job. But Rohland at ESPN, what is that going to do? Show people that they care nothing about Baltimore sports. Rohland is a DC guy and cares nothing for Baltimore sports. As for WHFS, It’s dead people, let it go. As for LaBrozzie he will never know how to run the show, as you put it. Bruce (5/20/05)

Dave, Just want to let you know that i got a email from Comcast. The internet service will be down Sunday, May 22 between 12:01 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. for upgrade electronic devices and broadband services and maintenance. During this upgrade, you may be temporarily unable to reconnect to the internet.(DJ) (5/20/05)

Dave's response: Yeah, just did a newblurb on it.....

Dave: Here is the text of the email I sent to Don and Mike that started yesterday's war between myself and them. Don apparently read the whole thing... at the top of his show. I guess war is officially declared...... Dear Don and Mike: I host the AES Tom Moore Show in Baltimore on AM 680 WCBM. I agree with some of what you have been saying about Infinity.... what a way to treat people who are loyal to the company! That having been said, I think your war with Big Hole and Pukes of Live 105.7 (WHFS) is stupid. Why waste time on such talent-less hacks. I think you should fight a war with me instead because my show is actually good and I would appreciate the promotional value of a war with you much more-- because I am actually going somewhere in this business. So, here goes the first shot.... you guys are a bunch of losers to cut off callers for just asking how you are doing. That is rude and uncalled for. Why should you treat people who listen to your show day after day like they are little kids? Hard to believe you have been on for 15 years doing this kind of stuff to your own listeners. Tom - Tom Moore, host, "The Tom Moore Show," Talk Radio 680 WCBM (5/20/05)

Believe it or not, The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel is apparently now known as The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. You can confirm with the newspaper's public relations office--should take about one minute. (A friend works there, and he confirmed the name change just yesterday.) (5/20/05)

Dave's response: Frankly, who gives a rat's ass.....

So let me get this straight: Tony Kornheiser can't make it in to do his radio show so we get the best of for two hours from 9:00-11:00? Then we get the best of the best of again from 11:00-1:00. What a crock of crap! SportsCrap 980 can't put together some form of a local show for at least two hours. I don't mind a couple hours of Best of Tony but a repeat of the same Best Of just shows you what kind of station WTEM is. One that doesn't give a f**k about their fan base and one resigned to their .7 or whatever their crappy share of the market. I listen because I like sports but thank goodness for XM Online today. Why can't Tony's yes men Andy Pollin and Gary Braun come up with two hours of material together? (5/20/05)

It's sad to see what has happened to WFMD, especially it's award-winning news operation. There was a time when FMD had a news operation that could rival those in major markets, but no more. For me, the day of reckoning took place a few years ago when a major story broke in Frederick on a weekend. Still thinking WFMD was my news source, I turned on the radio. I heard nothing but the syndicated Kim Komando computer show. The news updates on the half-hour were also useless -- nothing more than canned reports that could have been done days before. I mourn WFMD. (5/20/05)

Hey, Got any news on this big infinity meeting reguarding HFS part time? What are the chances of a full time HFS or will it just get canned and go back to a full time Live 105.7 format? I will appreciate any information you have. Thanks, Jamie (5/20/05)

Dave's response: It looks like HFS will stay parttime on 105.7 for now.....

Say, Dave, I finally caught one of those episodes of "one foot in the grave" and it was indeed funny. Thanks for the tip off. Now I have to plan my day a little better so I can see more episodes. I'd tape them but my wife tapes her soaps. -Bill (5/20/05)

Dave's response: It would be great if they'd release the BBC's "One Foot In The Grave" on DVD on this side of the Atlantic.....

Re: "Ron and Fez producer Giant Brian will be LIVE on The Cosmic Circus tonight at 11pm EST" Umm...when "Giant Brian" officially moves to Philadelphia to be a morning show producer, will we continue to get updates on his every cough, fart and sneeze? (5/20/05)

"It's sad to watch a once-proud station like WFMD in Frederick slip slowly beneath the waves." They had their best book in over a year. Over a year? OVER a YEAR? They could have turned the carrier off and gotten those numbers BOTH years! WFMD was a regional powerhouse that boasted LIVE talent through the 1940's and 50's (we're talking live singers and performers that were one step away from Washington and Baltimore and, thus, two steps away from New York) and innovative programming ideas through the 1960's and 70's. When Jim Gibbons bought the station in 1967, it had become a foundering old fogies' outlet. He introduced a format called "Countrypolitan" that mixed the top Country hits with crossover artists like Glen Campbell and Kenny Rogers. The format phased out the Country by evening and the station ran a very competitive Top 40 format until midnight. The station was billing and ratings monster. As a News/Talker under the Gibbons family, the station more than just survived and worked hard to include local shows in it's lineup. The past year, indeed! Sit down, listen and learn, junior. -- Signed, Dad (5/20/05)

"I recall the opener to Mr. Rash's show was the appearance of the word "NEWS", followed by the dispersal of the four letters "N", "E", "W", and "S" to the four points of the compass." I was a "Bozo Birthday Buddy" in 1962. With my brother, a school chum and my parents, we awaited entry to the studio in the lobby of WRC-TV on Nebraska Avenue with other families. I remember Mr. Rash exited the elevator and crossed the lobby. I have only fond memories of Bryson Rash. Anyhow, the opening film described (in a previous mailbag item) was on Channel 7. It was a kaleidoscopic affair with newsprint moving in four directions through an old-fashioned newspaper press. Maybe Channel 4 had a similar thing, but I don't recall it. I remember Louis Allen and his Woodle weather cartoons and "Backstage with Jerry Strong" on 7. Gosh. That's got to be late 1950s. Four had Howard Streeter, Donn Doak, Frank Forrester and many others. In those days, newscasts were 15 minutes long and were provided as "a public service by the news and public affairs departments." In other words, local news was a non-profit, do-gooder project put on to satisfy the FCC. The news was SERIOUS business. It became profitable once the talent lightened up and poked fun at the funereal tone that once was de reguerre. In came "if it bleeds it leads" and "sexcapades for sweeps." Oh the humanity! (5/20/05)

Very impressive that petition to return WQSR to the air. Let's see, so far we have signatures from Baba Booey and Howard Stern. The Cheese family, Dick Licker, Kunta Kinte (from somewhere in Africa) and Lyndon B Johnson ... who claims he's in heaven. (somehow I doubt that) The entries get more and more funny as you read. Hey, do these signatures count? How about all the people that signed twice or three times? Or the one person that signed the name of every family member, dead or alive. OK, so remove those entries... and all of the "line deleted" entries and you've got about 160 "real" signatures. Yup, Infinity is shaking in it's boots -- and that threatened boycott of the sponsors will be bringing the Baltimore economy to it's knees. This is an embarrassment to all of the fine talent that worked at QSR. I'm certain that there are many more people that care, but you know, for one reason or another they ain't signing your petition. I beg you to take the freaking thing down. You're just not going to prove anything. In fact, you may help Infinity make their case. (5/20/05)

Why does Mr. Geronimo constantly refer to the official Don un Mike website during the show? Trying boost sales on all the groovy items in the store? Whatever happened to the "lottery winner" being on the show? (5/20/05)

Is it just me, or is this “radio war” just an additional plug for the Big O and Dukes “Best Of” show that runs on WJFK during the weekends. Granted it’s not run in the best slot, but it is still on the D & M flagship station and probably worth a few tenths of a point to curious DC listeners. I don’t think Infinity is scared to mention satellite radio on their airwaves (well, except for maybe some stations that dump Howard’s mentions of uh-uh-uh). Basically, if you are hearing these discussions, you are still in the right audience in the minds of the radio execs. I am a XM subscriber, but I also listen to both Big O and Dukes and D & M for local Baltimore and DC flavor. However, I would prefer a Baltimore-based show with guys that actually grew up in Baltimore (and didn’t trash it when they worked in DC). My advice to both shows would be to come up with more original material and stick to what works. Thursday’s “oopsies” or “poopsies” game on D & M was just plain third grade bathroom humor. Instead of constant calls around the station to try to find out if an employee really lost a key card, why not use Mike’s voice talents and come up with some original comedy – it seems as the gods are just coasting through each show with random calls here and there with no real substance, and the FCC excuse for their lameness. I understand they do well in certain markets, but they do so in a “soap opera” manner. If a new listener tunes in, it would take a week or more to figure out the players in the drama, and another week to give a damn about why they didn’t buy a vacuum cleaner or find all of the hidden cameras around the station. I guess I fall into the “sucked in soap-listener” category since I know about those show topics, but it’s hard to hook new listeners in this new faster-paced entertainment market with some of these bits, and I am growing tired of the same constant banter between D & M, their families and co-workers. I used to call my friends and ask, “are you listening to (or, did you hear) D & M?” when I heard a good bit, but I haven’t done that in quite a while. Big O and Dukes need to get out of their college-days chat and realize their audience is at least 10-15 years older than they are. The best part about that show is the daily hour-long call-in chat with a convicted felon and the news guy that use to talk about weeeeed-man with Albie Dee on WXVY and has an annoying voice that is topped only by WHFS/WARW’s Weasel. (5/20/05)

I've been puzzled every day that JACK FM in Baltimore signed on. But now as Thursday there's a good radio station on the dial. From what I hear from the MIX guys, Maynard from the old Rouse Show is doing the music, and Drep is doing the imaging and running the automation. The station sounds GREAT! LaBrozzie is running the show, as he's running the other 4 stations. He's finally delegating duties to his PD's. Greg on WLIF, Josh Medlock on MIX, Lisa on WHFS, Bill Rohland on ESPN 1300 and music and automation programming to Maynard and Drep on Jack. The Infinty Cluster may starting moving forward after years of backawrd steps. Joyce Jenson - Baltimore (5/20/05)

And the poster about FNC losing audience since the magical month of November proves what? That news programming viewing audiences has been down since the presidential election cycle ended? Duh! Check the weekly ratings of individual news shows on cable in the head to head battles - FNC still holds about the same ratios in lead over CNN on the major shows as they have for the past year or more...just call me Jethro. (5/20/05)

I'm guessing that the reply regarding WFMD that began "They had their best book..." was a little tongue in cheek, considering that Frederick ratings books only come out every 6 months. That will make for an interesting book next month, to see how WFRE has done without Cougar Michaels in the morning, and how the Nassau acquisition of WOMB 103 and WARX/Eagle/The Umpteenth Classic Rock Station To The West has gone over. As for WFMD, I was actually thinking a separate sports station, but a relay of WTEM certainly can't be ruled out. It's all about the shareholders, right BZ? Cygnus P.S. Would that mean no more Redskins on 930? Bring on the Ravens! (5/20/05)

/\ May 20 Messages /\

\/ May 19 Messages \/

WJLA's channel 7 news is preparing a story on Nielsen's Local People Meter's which are being introduced in the DC market in two weeks. They have already interviewed local Members of Congress. WJLA's corporate management (General Counsel Jerry Fritz) has publicly expressed their desire not to have LPMs introduced into the market at this time (basically when LPMs go in the show broadcast stations lose share to cable), and now it looks like the corporate brass has told the news division they have to do a story on it. Word is they are planning a story for Monday. (5/19/05)

According to the website TVNewser, Fox News Channel has been in a continuing ratings spiral since November 2004. That's six consecutive months where FNC declined in the Monday through Friday primetime time period in the much-coveted 25 to 54 year old audience demographic. This represents a decline in prime demo viewership of 58%, with no end in sight. Here are FNC's month-by-month weekday primetime averages in the 25-54 demographic: Oct. 04: 1,074,000... Nov. 04: 891,000... Dec. 04: 568,000... Jan. 05: 564,000... Feb. 05: 520,000... Mar. 05: 498,000... Apr. 05: 445,000... www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser (5/19/05)

"Thank God for WBAL" isnt that going a little overboard, Chip? (5/19/05)

"It's sad to watch a once-proud station like WFMD in Frederick slip slowly beneath the waves." They had their best book in over a year. 25-54 full week their total audience (cume) is 19,800 people. In morning drive (again 25-54) their AQH (average quarter hour listeners) is 3,100. A total simulcast with WTEM would not be a bad business decision. It's just that Clear Channel starves ALL of its AM stations. (5/19/05)

Dear Mr. Hughes, I work for a non-profit adoption agency. Recently I came across an ad regarding one of the TV shows presented on your TV station. The name of the show is "TV Family Time" and the name of this month's topic is " Teaching Values in the Classroom." I would like to find out more about this program and was wondering if you could let me know which station is this show taped and broadcast from. Could you give me a name and a contact information of the person I could speak with regarding this program. Thank you so much for your help. Sincerely, Angelika Balik (5/19/05)

Dave's response: You must be confusing DCRTV with DCTV, the DC public access programming provider.....

"The music accompanying this visual was, I believe, from "Sylvia" by French composer Leo Delibes."....... It's very possible. At one time Channel 5 used the same mucic for their 10 o'clock news. (5/19/05)

Ron and Fez producer Giant Brian will be LIVE on The Cosmic Circus tonight at 11pm EST. The Cosmic Circus is a fake radio show hosted by Perrynoid on the Internet at www.thecosmiccircus.com... Giant Brian Carothers (aka the Pete best of radio ) announced he was quitting WJFK and relocating to Philadelphia to work on John DeBella's Morning Zoo. Brian requested one hour of fake radio time so he could vent and get some things off his chest about his almost former employers-WJFK in Washington DC. (5/19/05)

Re Chad Dukes' blog and the person dissing it (because it sucked up to O&A and dissed D&M): Why would anyone read anyone else's blog unless they actually DID give a s**t about what the blogger had to say? Isn't that what blogging is all about? Geez, man. If you don't care what the Chad Dukes has to say, don't read his blogs and don't listen to his show. Just go back and listen to more great bits from the business veterans. Maybe there'll be making another call to the wife. (5/19/05)

Cygnus writes "It's sad to watch a once-proud station like WFMD in Frederick slip slowly beneath the waves. Sadder still is it may be by design; I smell Zier, Wyatt, et al. planning a possible "SportsTalk 930" on the horizon (they're halfway there already)." Just following Bonneville's lead, my friend. The million or so that once-proud WFMD might generate as a tagalong to WFRE in local billing (as in "Oh, hey, toss a few spots on the AM, too.") is lunch money compared to the value of beefing up WTEM's DC metro ratings--just as WXTR functions to add icing to WTOP's mass. BTW, "repeaters" like XTR will never get full credit for what they bring to the table, since most diary-keepers don't know their calls--they just write down "WTOP." It will take Frederick Countians awhile to forget "WFMD," but give 'em time. (5/19/05)

The O'Malley story is NOT a non-story. It is actually a major consideration. Here is why. You have a paper, the Liberal Washington Post who presents a story that, for the most part, implicates Ehrlich aides and the administration in the spreading of the rumor. Now, while a brief passing mention of the length of time the rumor was circulating was mentioned, it was dwarfed by the rest of the story. Now it is discovered that in an article was written in the year 2000 where the wife of Mr. O'Malley mentioned this rumor and said that is was most likely spread by her husband's opponents who at that time were Baltimore City democrats. The fact that his wife discussed it publicly those years ago lessens whatever was done by the Erhlich aide. The omission by the Post also shows a distinct Liberal bias against Ehrlich. Oh, and the Sun is not innocent in this. In their paper today, they have a news article about this situation and right next to it they have the wonderfully non-biased columnist Michael Olesker giving an opinion piece about the story. To those easily swayed or who marginally educated, his column may not read as an opinion piece but as fact. These are the subtle ways the local area papers are trying to tip the balance in favor of a liberal democrat who would love to turn this state into the People's Republic of Maryland. Thank God for WBAL bringing this to the forefront and making these papers and their biased Editors accountable for what they are doing. (5/19/05)

It's sad to watch a once-proud station like WFMD in Frederick slip slowly beneath the waves. Sadder still is it may be by design; I smell Zier, Wyatt, et al. planning a possible "SportsTalk 930" on the horizon (they're halfway there already). But if they do, who will be the cheap rent-a-news for WTNT, WMZQ, or WBIG? Speaking of news, did you miss any of Renee Dutton-O'Hara's morning drive newscasts? Chances are the former WOMB 103 jock will repeat the same stories verbatim 15 minutes later. Way to tell us about that Harford County crash, Renee; this is FREDERICK COUNTY! Who cares? As I've mentioned before, missed legal IDs are the rule, not the exception, on WFMD in the evenings. And now I've heard that news reporter/sports play-by-play guy Ryan Hedrick has been let go. Maybe SportsTalk 930 wouldn't be so bad after all. Cygnus (5/19/05)

To Mailbag readers: Former "Joy Boy" and current old-time radio host Ed Walker suggested that I place a question concerning Bryson Rash's late 1950's news show on WRC-TV in the Mailbag. Here goes: I recall the opener to Mr. Rash's show was the appearance of the word "NEWS", followed by the dispersal of the four letters "N", "E", "W", and "S" to the four points of the compass. (Clever, no?) The music accompanying this visual was, I believe, from "Sylvia" by French composer Leo Delibes. Could anyone confirm my recollections on this matter? Thanks a bunch! (5/19/05)

How nice that Chad Dukes can't write one sentence without using the 's' or 'f' word. Am I supposed to be impressed by that? Is that supposed to be ''edgy"? Shows me that someone wasted away their time in college? Paul (5/19/05)

Great, Don & Mike soon to be streamed. Another f-ing waste of internet bandwidth, and yet another thing I have to block at the firewall. Their show isn't worth listening to anymore, and certainly isn't worth being streamed (which will more than likely be something that you'll end-up having to pay for). What a worthless frigin' show. (5/19/05)

The dim-witted poster doesn't seem to get it but he IS the problem with journalism today. This strident criticism of those who would reveal their biases and snooty claims of professionalism are total nonsense. EVERY reporter and editor have biases and EVERY reporter and editor have their work affected by those biases. There are those who are up front about their biases and there are those who claim to be "professionals" and surreptitiously and insidiously pretend to be "unbiased", apparently on the pretense that consumers of news are too stupid to figure it out. It's the latter that gives journalism a black eye, not the former. (5/19/05)

WBAL must be sore this morning after patting themselves on the back for 24 hours and tooting their own horn. FOR WHAT? For "learning about" a newspaper article from 5 years ago? For reading e-mails from Katie's brother he sent to O'malley's staff? This, my friends, is NOT news. This could be called "OLDS" and I don't recall other stations running "rumors" as an actual news item. The smoking gun? How about the fact that members of the city police force were the ones I got MY rumor "info" from about 4 years ago. Why not investigate that? (5/19/05)

WBAL 11 should apologize says Ed Graham???? Then what horrific punishment should befall WJZ 13's Denise Koch for outright phony untrue news staged in a soap opera soft focus planned set environment??? Gee, thats a scary thought. Oh, and "the mayors" wife's brother and herself started the rumors, so could someone please explain to me how this is a dirty tricks campaign started by the Governor and not one started by either the mayor's family or himself??? The facts speak for themself. Once again, thank you WBAL radio and TV. WJZ has made a mockery of the phrase "Baltimore's NEWS STATION". They are nothing but a joke at this point. They even scrambled at the last minute to report this story when they knew they were toast. What's next for WJZ? They've obviously hit rock bottom and know it. I can't wait for the next ratings to come out. :-) It's gonna be another ugly day for CBS/INFINITY/VIACOM in Bmore. By the way, don't know if anyone else noticed, but WJZ 13 is now VIACOM, INC owned instead of CBS, INC owned, at least in their news production credits. I realize it means nothing as the companies are one and the same, but, hmmmm, could they be running from something???? Could his name be Dan??? (5/19/05)

I find the blog posting by Chad Dukes interesting. He talks like anyone actually gives a s**t about what he says....I don't think he could have kissed O & A's asses much more then what he did in that posting...And those who are talentless hacks..definatly should not be calling veterans in the business anything remotely close to talentless... Those in a glass house....well, you know the rest.... (5/19/05)

I might tend to agree that if Martin O'Malley had been caught having an affair, it might be a valid news story. That was not the case. It is easy to see why I can't understand republican partisans. One poster said, "Thank god WBAL has the guts to finally report where the dirty tricks campaign REALLY is located." WTF, are you capable of thinking? What does Katie's comment about a rumor have to do with dirty tricks? All the e-mails show is the danger of nepotism, and that the nut doesn't fall far from the tree. WBAL-TV took a non-story and plastered it across their broadcast day. Bad. Smarmy. Biased. What guts does it take to report nothing. I'm not defending Martin O, I'm just commenting on how sheep are led around by promising important revelations, and producing nothing. To WBAL-TV (and radio), your promos caused me to tune-in to hear what news you had on this issue - - shame on you for promoting a nothing story. I have always thought that WBAL (Jane Miller) had the very best investigative reporting. This STORY was not investigative reporting, it was a deceptive attempt to grab viewers. A connection was never made to the dirty tricks campaign. Those who think there was are engaged in wishful thinking. WBAL-TV should make a connection, or apologize. Ed Graham (5/19/05)

Let me get this straight: Even though WBAL-AM's news department (hardly the propaganda arm of the GOP) has now shown that the rumors about Martin O'Malley's extramarital affairs have been swirling around Baltimore and Annapolis for years, Michael Olesker continues his Quixotic campaign to put this matter on the back of the governor? This takes chutzpah to new heights, er lows. Guy in Frederick (5/19/05)

To the Poster who asked about Shay Stevens, she is at NPR. www.npr.org (5/19/05)

Darnit, Dave, you missed a NEWS SCOOP from the mailbag... Someone posted several months ago that "the mayor" rumors were coming from AA county, specifically "the mayor"'s wife's family & their neighbors. Now WBAL confirms this and even The Sun (Light for None) confirms it reluctantly today, although somehow they still managed to slam the Gov in the headline. Surprise, surprise. No matter, people are not stupid. They will see the truth despite the smoke and mirrors. But, will The Sun's Michael Olesker be publishing a formal apology/retraction for his hatchet-job story of the Gov (which now appears to be mostly false)? I doubt it. It looks like The Sun will set with a story covered from Michael Olesker's "home office" instead. Funny how WashTimes subscrips are up (and its not even a good newspaper! LOL) and Post/Sun subscrips are down. That must be embarrassing to them. Tribune, are you listening? God knows The post isn't and never will. (5/19/05)

"Rather, the problem is with reporters and anchors who claim to be "professional" or "neutral" yet subtly let their biases slip into their reporting." Careful, your Freudian slip is showing. (5/19/05)

O rumors are reality now? There are many other news items to report on, rather than pulling quotes out of the past, WBAL! Sure Katie may have started the ball rolling with her comments, but why is that news, when suddenly someone uncovers an old issue of the Washington Post? What is distorted about wanting real news? In my journalism classes, rumors were not a credible topic for a NEWS article....... (5/19/05)

Regarding Michael Graham's comment - "Watching and reading the media log-rolling from Newsweek’s so-called ‘competitors,’ it’s obvious nobody else is going to hold Newsweek responsible for the damage they’ve done to America and our efforts to promote freedom and democracy abroad.” A year ago, I don't recall Graham or other right wing radio windbags holding the US service personnel who abused prisoners at Abu Ghraib (in Iraq) accountable for igniting a similar outbreak of anti-American violence in the Middle East. That incident was every bit as damaging as Newsweek's journalistic lapse, but the Grahams and Limbaughs of the world desperately wanted to give the abusers a free pass ('harmless frat house pranks', some called it) and change the subject. Talk about a shameless double standard! Mike, Fairfax (5/19/05)

Well, well, what hath I done? I go away a few days and all hell breaks loose among the people with journalism experience, smarts and credibility, and the complete jackasses who actually pick their news station based on which talking hairdo is wearing a team jacket and yelling, "Go Redskins." So that's how sweeps works? Catering to the lowest common denominator. Wow. The esteemed Commish is an old newsroom pro, about 30 years in the business, author of a handful of books, and I've gone back to read his posts and your insane, inane follow-ups on a no-brainer, no-excuse, no-room-for-debate subject like boosterism, or homerism. There's no middle ground. Those of you who justify that behavior have never had to work a source, an angle or a breaking news story, so you cannot have it both ways: Either these so-called "reporters" and anchors are credible journalists, or they are just highly paid foofs playing the role on TV. signed, The Dim-Witted Poster. (5/19/05)

Thought this was a nice little indictment of Chad Dukes from Chad's blog at chaddukes.blog.com. His official blog. "The Junkies were awesome. Not to take away from their show, becasue they are very talented, but listening to them was like hanging out. Every piece of press shit review ever written about them has said as much, but it's what made me think that "Shit, if these clowns can kick ass on the radio, why not me?" I stared going back to school to study Communications when Opie and Anthony were syndicated from New York to JFK. The Line up at the time was Stern, then Don and Mike, O and A, follwed by the Junkies. I would listen to the radio for 12 hours striaght. O and A made Stern and Don and Mike sound like fucking Diamond in the Morning. I remeber when the beef between D and M and O and A started and it was the most riviting radio I have ever heard. The Day Geronimo called up O and A and got hung up on 5 times, I nearly shit my pants. I drove around the parking lot of George Mason for 2 and a half hours, and missed all my classes for the day. O and A were lazy fucks. They would replay segments all the time, play songs, start their show late, end early and all kinds of shit. That said there has never been anything like them on the radio. The Junkies are still my top doggs, but there is some wierd kind of energy around O and A and their fans . Stern and D and M fans are fucking nuts and very loyal, but they don't hold a candle to the O and A freaks. Those self destructive bastards locked women in oil drums, dumped blood, and crickets and eels on them. I think O and A are bad for society, but I love em, and I'm gonna pay to listen to em. But only if Norton is there. Norton is the lynchpin of that show, and the funniest man on earth as far as I'm concerned. Norton and John Auville." JAFO (5/19/05)

Hey Dave, Just wanted to share some pictures from the Baltimore Oldies Dance Party that was held at the Timonium Fairgrounds this past Saturday. Bob Mathers (pictured with Kenny Schreiber on the end) did a phenominal job putting this together. It was a thrill to see Jack Wells, Ed Graham, R.C. Allen, III, Denny Hill, Tom Davis and Ken Lang. It was especially touching to see Mrs. Brenda Hulbert (Hot Rod's wife) and Betty Thompson. When Betty said "Ain't the Beer Cold", it brought back so many memories of Chuck. Tommy Vann and the Epics also brought back the fun days of Hollywood Park and CYO. Yours truly was thrilled to get a picture with the Handsome Ed Graham and the equally handsome R.C. Allen. Also pictured is broadcast legend Jack Edwards who did some fine tune spinning. My only regret was not seeing Jack Gale. But then again, when it comes to Jack, I get way too excited. Maybe next time. God Bless. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (5/19/05)

/\ May 19 Messages /\

Jump to the Mailbag Archive Index.....