dcrtv.com - Mailbag - January 10 to January 14, 2007

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DCRTV Mailbag - January 10 to January 14, 2007

Latest messages listed first.....
\/ January 14 Messages \/

Here we go again. The Ravens moved to Baltimore in 1996. The move was announced 11/6/95, and at the time Art Modell said he intended to keep the name "Browns" and the team colors. It was only after pressure from the NFL that he changed his mind. When they put out feelers to the Colts about returning the name & colors, Bob Irsay was still alive, and Jimmy was not yet the principal owner. There were a lot of numbers thrown around, but the bottom line was this: it costs a lot of money to re-brand a major sports franchise, and quite frankly, the Colts had already been gone 12 years, so getting the nickname back wasn't really such a good idea. Jimmy Irsay is not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but in this instance, it's a real stretch to condemn him for this. (1/14/07)

Mark Kaye has announced the new morning show. Read the blog here: blog.myspace.com (1/14/07)

Say Silvie of the Waldorf, didn't you make a previous comment in ye old Mailbag on how female anchors and reporters shouldn't be judged on their appearance but on the the quality of there work? Huh? the ole mange....was it ms. theoharris that said San Diego had a one dimensional offense? What about Antonio Gates? nevertheless, that Brady is effing amazing ain't he? (1/14/07)

This should please everybody... Youtube sports owner hall of shame tributes.......... Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay www.youtube.com, those oh so clever Cleveland Browns fans toast owner Art Modell www.youtube.com and of course one of our currently local non-favorites, Orioles owner Peter Angelos www.youtube.com... I also found one about Jimmy Irsay's guitar collection, but no one wants to watch that. Although the Baltimore Sun did do a glowing pathetic piece on what a great guy Jim Irsay is compared to his father last week. As usual, the poor Baltimore Sun writer forgot to do his research. Otherwise The Sun could have included Jim Irsay's offer to sell the Colts name & legacy to Baltimore for 1 million dollars, you know, just to show what a great guy he is. Oh, almost forgot....... Where's Danny Snyder on YouTube you ask? I don't know, couldn't find anything, apparently Redskins fans are very content with his wonderful and successful ownership and he's apparently beloved by everyone??? :-) (1/14/07)

RE: "RE: [ "I hope this is not the end of your run because when your teams are bad they get no support and move to cosmopolitan cities like Indianapolis." ]........ Hmmmm, why does the name "Senators" come to mind? I can't seem to remember, something about the worst attendance in MLB history maybe?" Get off your high horse and do some research, nitwit. The Senators aren't even close to the worst attendance in MLB history. They left town for the same reason the Colts left Baltimore: They could, because their lease was up, local politicians dropped the ball, and another city offered them a better deal. It's that simple. It's the same reason the Dodgers left Brooklyn and the Giants left New York and the Braves left Boston and Milwaukee and so on. Don't write about what you think you know, write about what's fact and available to be researched. Good grief. (1/14/07)

Dave: I love you like a brother, but you're off the mark on your Bonneville rant. Whenever anybody busts your chops about the b.s. political views you insist on forcing down people's throats on DCRTV, you say its your site and you'll do what you want. Well, last time I checked, WTOP is Bonneville's radio station. And, the peanut gallery doesn't need to chime in about FCC, license, etc. Bonneville is well within all measures of legality. Don't like it? Buy the radio station and yank the PSA. The issue Dave is ranting about may be a good example of why markets need multiple ownerships promoting multiple points of view. Bob in sunny Tampa (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Did I suggest that Bonneville didn't have the legal right to run Mormon PSA's on WaPo Radio (or on WTOP)? Absolutely not. Bonneville can run whatever PSAs it wants to - with the FCC's blessing. But should Bonneville be running Mormon church-backed PSAs on a radio station affiliated and branded with a major non-church-related newspaper? Is that what the Washington Post wants on a radio station with its name on it? That's my ethical (!) pondering.....

Rusty - the voice of Smokey Bear was Jackson Weaver. (en.wikipedia.org) (1/14/07)

Mr. Gibson, Jackson Weaver was the first voice of Smokey the Bear. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (1/14/07)

RE: [ "I hope this is not the end of your run because when your teams are bad they get no support and move to cosmopolitan cities like Indianapolis." ]........ Hmmmm, why does the name "Senators" come to mind? I can't seem to remember, something about the worst attendance in MLB history maybe? And I'm not sure it's such a good debate tactic to indirectly make fun of rabid Redskins fans for being so blindly dumb sheep walking off a cliff. No wonder all the DC sports talk radio stations Sportstalk 980 and Dead Zebra all suck, you have absolutely NOTHING good to talk about! :-) PS: CORRECTION: The Colts will never win ANOTHER Superbowl. The INDIANAPOLIS Colts will never win a SINGLE Superbowl. Very important distinction. (1/14/07)

(Regarding today's Rant:) Yes, you should find all the Bonneville stations plus the non-Bonneville stations that run LDS psa's and tell them to stop it!!! While your at it, you should ask every station to pull the ad-council psa's that talk about staying in school or stopping global warming, Katrina relief funds or anything about fighting crime because people disagree with the content, dogs in a trench coat or a charity that uses ex-presidents. By the way, I'M scared of bears so please stop the "only you can prevent forest fires" psa. I'M sure there is plenty at Post radio you can rant about but a PSA. (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Well, is WaPo Radio also running PSAs (if that's what that was) from other religious groups? Just curious.....

RE: The Franken audio logger mentioned below...so THAT'S who listens to Radio America! Shit. I thought it was just James Roberts and the cleaning crew. I see by a stroll through their website that Radio America still doesn't list it's affiliates. I guess they don't want their kool-aid drinking contributors or their Per Inquiry advertisers to see that they basically do it all for some AM station owner in Arkansas who fell asleep and left the transponder dialed up overnight by mistake. Pathetic scam. Truly pathetic. RA is a bigger joke than Liberty Radio in Baltimore ever was. (1/14/06)

Surprise! Without notice, Dish Network adds "Taxes" to bills for Virginia customers. In my case, $3.08. No letter. No e-mail. No nothing. Of course, Dish is the company without MASN and does not respond to e-mails and letters and when a customer calls, the alleged customer service reps don't know what MASN is. Are DirectTV Virginia customers also taxed? Starting now? Did you receive notice? (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Yes, I did get a notice about it from Comcast.....

Dave I was listening to the tape of our Fab show w/ Johnny Holliday this morning And when he was discussing Harden and Weaver, I seem to recall one of the two was the original voice of "Smokey The Bear" anyone remember which one it was? As I meant to (and didn't even think to ask Johnny about that). Rusty Gibson WEBR Radio/Fairfax (1/14/07)

Good god, do you want to see the least useful radio website anywhere in the world? It's the one for the IBC Radio Network www.ibcradio.com... Click nearly any link and watch what (doesn't) happen. (1/14/07)

I love all you baltimore haters out there talking about the ravens, probably the same assholes whose redskins season was over after week 8, SHUT UP ... and you can't come up with anything better than baltimoron? I've been hearing that for 30+ years, get something new ... and for the person talking about the radio girl drinking purple kool-aid, probably that no talent bitch anita marks, she sucks, so does amber theoharis, terrible!!! hopefully she's drinking it on her way back to florida, that show is soooooo bad... JIM (1/14/07)

Has anyone mentioned that Baltimore's WNST 1570 handed out anti-Peter Angelos "FREE THE BIRDS"/"WE BELIEVE IN STEVE [Bischotti]" signs at the AFC Championship game in Baltimore? Did any of the anti-Angelos signs actually get seen on live national TV? Also, Keith Mills' Baltimore Colts to Baltimore Ravens historical perspective on WBAL radio was absolutely essential to understanding the Baltimore NFL situation in comparison to Cleveland and other cities that lost teams and made for great radio. I especially enjoyed the old clips of the late Robert Irsay cursing at reporters, slurring his words in public, and outright lieing on live television. I remember hearing/seeing them all originally, but WBAL should post these clips on their website for people today to hear and see for the first time. It's amazing how evil this guy was. Some of these things were recently mentioned here at DCRTV and scoffed at by transplanted people from Cleveland and snooty arrogant DC people. However, this should be required reading/listening for all of the uninformed airhead NFL announcers, people from Cleveland, and all the head up their asses DC snobs. And yeah, I totally agree that now that all this DCRTV Ravens NON-HYPE is over with (has DCRTV even done 1 newsblurb on the Ravens media frenzy up in ol' Bmore hon???), hopefully all the arrogant snooty loser Deadskins fans will climb back under their Joe Gibbs NASCAR rocks (or cars up on blocks, whichever the case may be), we can get back to an important Baltimore media topic recently discussed on the Baltimore sports talk stations, Art Modell belonging in the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame! At least Modell didn't shop his team around the country city by city in a drunken stupor out of a rented helicopter begging for the 1st 10 year sellout guarantee he could find or run his own private parking extortion & radio cartell like Danny "Six Flags"/Red Zebra Snyder, or the worst NFL weasel owners of all, The Lerner family of Cleveland. History will show that it was Al Lerner that sold out The Browns on his own plane at BWI because he had a quid pro quo to get an expansion franchise in Cleveland. Mark my words down. This wouldn't be unusual by NFL standards. If anyone remembers, the late Caroll Rosenbloom made such a slimy deal with the late Robert Irsay to purchase and swap the LA Rams and the Baltimore Colts in the '50s. PREDICTION: THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS WILL NEVER WIN ANOTHER SUPERBOWL. Neither will The Browns. And I doubt either the Orioles or the Redskins will win a championship under their current respective owners either. It's called karma, or as they used to say on the old Maude TV show, "God will get you for that one." -- Mitch (1/14/07)

Im so happy, that the Revens lost. On MASN they had some woman (Can't remember her name) She was going to drink purple Koolaid , The reason is she, is a Revens Fan. Give me a break! God i wish i could remember her name, she has a radio show, on one of the Baltimore radio stations. DJ (1/14/07)

It's a subtle gag, but one worth telling. The internet forums for broadcasting and computers are where engineering types go to exchange information about the technology they use. On one such forum, it seems that DC's Radio America network has an audio logging computer called "Franken", named in honor of the host on the liberal Air America network. Franken's only task as a logger: to listen to every moment of RA's conservative programming 24 hours a day, record every word of it and be ready to repeat it at the whim of the person at the keyboard. Engineering humor can indeed be dark, but funny. (1/14/07)

What a pleasure to watch the Ravens and Baltimorons get branded by the Colts for the entire country to see. I hope this is not the end of your run because when your teams are bad they get no support and move to cosmopolitan cities like Indianapolis. (1/14/07)

Occasionally Felix Grant is mentioned in the mailbag. How much he is missed. Here's a picture I took when I sat in with him on a 1984 WMAL show, I interviewed him for an hour, and most of that interview ended up in Johnny Holliday's autobiography, "From Rock to Jock." I thought folks might enjoy seeing this picture.I believe the interview is one of the most comprehensive he ever did. Steve Moore, www.jholliday.com (1/14/07)

I found the joke about the temple very humorous. Mary Baker Eddy. (1/14/07)

Better check your link to Political Pet Toys on your right margin - kinda weird !?!?!?! (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Whoa, looks like it's been hacked. Hey, Blogads sells the ad and just serves up the code. We have no control over it.....

Thank God we can now dispense with all the silly Ravens hype on Comcast Sportsnet and other media outlets. Talk about laying an egg. And the silly anti-Colts vitriol which, of course, all stemmed from that persistent Balmer inferiority complex, was too funny. (1/14/07)

The Clem @ MD game was on channel 609 on Directv with sports subscription. (1/14/07)

Hey Dave - Happy New Year to you and all DCRTVers ! As a native OldTown Alexandrian/Alexandrite/Alexandrese - Weenie Beenie was not only a part of my diet - but an intimate part of my extended family. My father Tommy Grimes was best friends with the two partners Carl and Billy Paul Staton (nicknamed Weenie Beenie) since it's inception after WW 2. I was caddy countless times @ Belle Haven, WGCC and the CC my father partnered in Tantallon off of Indian Head. Billy Staton was the World Champion One Pocket Pool/Billiards Champ for most of the late 50's and 60's and quite an infamous hustler with the likes of Minnesota Fats. Billy lived off of Ft. Hunt Rd. in the Waynewood subdivision - he passed away last year in Myrtle Beach. And glad to say my Dad is fully recovered and celebrating his 79th in a week. Weenie Beanie off of Rt. 1 in the old railroad yard and Little Tavern on the GW Pkway entering Old Town from National - man that was good eatin' ! Bruce Kelly - still forceably retired in Littlestown, PA. brucekellyradio@comcast.net (1/14/07)

Those who have been hanging around Hagerstown radio awhile will want to know of the death of Russ Wiebel, longtime sportscaster on 1240/WJEJ, 1410/WHAG and (if memory serves correct) 1490/WARK. Russ did local high school play-by-play for about 50 years, as well as sportscasts & sports talk. Russ worked for the post office full-time, and just did radio sports as a sideline, but 50 years of it will make you downright famous in a town of 40,000. Russ was a very nice guy and will be missed by both friends & fans around the Hub City. (1/14/07)

(Regarding Weenie Beenie:) Dave - (Check out ) this site about Billy. www.billiardsdigest.com... It corrects alot of my inaccuracies from total pubescent recall. (1/14/07)

Dave, You need to change your headline. Tucker didn't get that asshole fired. The clerk violated company policy by release the information on customers. But anything a little socialist peon can do to help their cause. (1/14/07)

Oh, almost forgot, are the Washington Redskins even still in the NFL? I haven't seen them at the NFL Competition committee meetings lately. Anyway, if they need help in moving to a more appropriate league, say the NCAA or Arena League, I'll be glad to give them my Mayflower discount coupon. Hell, for a million dollars, I'll even sell them The Baltimore Colts name and legacy! .....Regards - Jim Irsay (1/14/07)

Dear DCRTV........ Please remove the name "Baltimore" from you webpage description. The biggest Baltimore local TV, radio, newspaper, media story in more than a decade just happened in Baltimore and your website did not even mention the event. Therefore, you should discontinue misusing the name "Baltimore" in the description of your website. It is just leading to confusion as to what your website is really about. ------ Signed, Baltimore (1/14/07)

Before the armchairs come out with critique: Yes--I misspelled "whose." Sorry. /sean hall (1/14/07)

How classy was it for WBAL to have Vince Bagli on helping do the play by play for the Ravens game yesterday. Vince and Chuck Thompson were as much a part of the Colts experience in Baltimore as Johnny U and Lenny Moore. Remember back in the old days not every game was on TV so most fans grew up listening to Chuck and Vince do the games. Very nice move! (1/14/07)

...as a long time patron of the Weenie Beenie, my two cents. I used to stop by there every early morning on my way home from NBC/Mutual. The Hanley family owned that place for years--also owned a similar hamburger stand-alone on Kenilworth Ave. Their daughter, Tracy (quite cute and we all wondered what a nice girl like her was doing in a place like THAT), ran the Weenie Beenie for years. She later married Steve Friday--who's family owned World Motors auto service up the street next to DMV. Tracy would open up at 5:30 and leave at 2. I wouldn't go NEAR that place for decades due to fears of food poisoning. Later, by process of desperation, I found out they had terrific food (at least for what they were doing). Sadly; the Weenie Beenie, while still there--is not what it used to be. Tracy started a family and left the day-to-day running of the business to subordinates. With that--the food quality kinda went downhill (some will debate whether it was already rock-bottom)...and I only stop by there these days for a single hot dog with the works; still a delicacy. It's an interesting microcosm: You have the Weenie Beenie; the day labor migrant worker depot where the WETA parking used to be...and the shiny WETA studio building--all within stone's throw. Only in America. /sean hall (1/14/07)

ALL you baltimorons who were SO SURE THE RAVENS WERE GOING TO MIAMI ( including everyone who works on their flagship rdio stations, and probably more thanhalf the Sun) time to put down the pom-pom's, and start trying to sell those hotel and plane tix to sd or new england fans , LOL!! instead of painting your face purple , you should have used Egg. Nice Offense at home ....Regards - Jim Irsay (1/14/07)

Raycom Sports, the ACC syndicator offered N.C.State-Wake at 12, and Virginia-BC at 2pm. ABC took UNC-Va-Tech, leaving MD-Clemson for ESPNU. Tuesday night, MD-UVA will be syndicated by Raycom. (1/14/07)

(Anyone know why the Terps/Clemson game this afternoon wasn't on TV in the Baltimore market? I can't remember a Maryland-ACC game not being televised in this area. Thanks...) . . . . . .It was on - as long as you had ESPNU. I don't have it and agree that this was a rotten situation. Thank goodness for Johnny Holliday's vivid descriptions. Gary in Southern MD. (1/14/07)

The ESPNU channel held exclusive rights to the Clemson-Maryland men's basketball game, that channel is not available to most area viewers. We may recall a like problem last fall when the Maryland-Virginia football game was chosen to air on the limited access ESPN360 service. The ACC's contract with ESPN allows for ESPN to allocate some conference games to such minor outlets. Everett W. (1/14/07)

I wonder how many people noticed this T-Shirt during the FOX playoff coverage between the Eagles and Saints. It was on the air for a good five seconds, will there be any FCC action on this? This shot aired at approximately 8:34PM. (1/14/07)

I was particularly fond of the Fox cut away of the female New Orleans fan sporting the F*CK THE EAGLES tee shirt (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Look at how Rupert Murdoch's Fox News Channel and his NY Post superhyped Dem Barbara Boxer's "slur" (as Fox called it) against Condi Rice (saying she doesn't have any soldier children to lose in Iraq) on Friday's news cycle. Hell, John Gibson almost burst a blood vessel "reporting" it. No way will the FCC fine pro-Bush Fox for anything. And if it does, it'll be strictly for "show".....

Anyone know why the Terps/Clemson game this afternoon wasn't on TV in the Baltimore market? I can't remember a Maryland-ACC game not being televised in this area. Thanks... (1/14/07)

Am I the only one who notices a resemblance between Tucker Carlson and Matthew Lesko? (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Yeah, I think Lesko was a Tucker DNA lab experiment gone wrong. Or maybe the other way around. Look, I don't disagree with Tucker nearly as much as I do with Rush and Hannity, but he's just such an annoying soul, if you get my drift. Reminds me of the kid we all knew in school who got straight "A"s with his "style" and yet didn't really know shit about anything. Just knew how to schmooze the right people.....

www.nwanews.com - "Local commentator Don Elkins is preparing to leave Northwest Arkansas to take a job as anchor for a Maryland TV station. Elkins is taking a job with WBOC-TV, a CBS / FOX affiliate located in Salisbury, Md. He said that while Friday was his last time to broadcast on News" (1/14/07)

Dave's response: NWA News? Oh, nevermind.....

Allan Etter - Yummy Yummy; Brian Bolter - Yummy Yummy; Steve Villanueva (way too young for me) - Yummy Yummy; Leon Harris - Super Yummy Yummy. -Silvie in Waldorf- (1/14/06)

Dave's response: Brian Bolter sure doesn't look a day over 55. Amazing, that Fox 5 Anti-Aging Cream.....

(.."I found it rather tasteless...") I agree. Joseph Smith from NY. Geaux Saints. (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Is America ready for a black man (Obama), a woman (Hillary), or a Mormon (Mitt Romney) for president? Me thinks any of the above would be far better than what we currently got.....

This email ended up in my spam box but it had an unusual subject line...so I released it from the spam and opened it to find that it was just another piece of worthless crap. But here's what the subject line was: Hi there and welcome to wonderful Radio One it's seven thirty three in the morning and here's a golden oldie a great classic from Arthur Askey! :)) Of course, all I saw initially was... Hi there and welcome to wonderful Radio One Weird huh? Eric O'Brien, Pittsburgh Radio and TV, PBRTV Editor/Webmaster, www.pbrtv.com (1/14/07)

Dave's response: Hi Eric! Good to hear from you.....

Just heard that Dan Snyder will soon be applying to change 92.7's call letters to WNKY and 94.3's to WDNK and rebrand his station as Winky Dink ESPN Sports Talk. Joel in Annandale (1/14/07)

/\ January 14 Messages /\

\/ January 13 Messages \/

I wonder how many plasmas were smashed in Baltimore? My screen still looks great. Channel 9/CBS does a great job with HD. Looks like it will be a buyers market in Baltimore with so many betting their house. Should be top story on WJZ at 11:00. At least there are the Orioles...oh never mind. Bryslock (1/13/07)

The 9am-11am Saturday morning show on 1300 is a brokered boxing show. If it was wrestling, it would likely have a larger audience. (1/13/07)

DeeDee fans, she is on tonight 9-11pm on XM 202 The Virus, O & A channel. Rick in DC (1/13/07)

Couldn't be happier about the (... some not nice adjectives ...) town of Baltimore and their beloved Ravens being embarrsed in their own stadium. Peyton Manning said on the post game show that he couldn't believe how many "middle fingers" he received on the bus ride to the game. Lots of class. (1/13/07)

Mr. Hughes, I do hope your reference to the "Temple in Kensington" was indeed a joke. I found it rather tasteless. Signed, Brigham Young (1/13/07)

Dave, I just thought I�d tell you something interesting and depressing that I found this (Saturday) morning. On the way from Philly to DC today, I wanted to hear some of the local pre-game Ravens hype while driving through Baltimore. Oh no, sports fan�sorry. No local station checked and associated with sports had anything to do with it! In the 9-10am hour, WJFK-AM had on a wrestling show. 105.7 which does a lot of talk had on a �money� show and WBAL was discussing Anglo-Muslim relations. I didn�t check 98 rock because, frankly, I didn�t think of it as the Raven�s station and thought it would be rockin�. I also didn�t try the MD XXX station because I didn�t expect �Redskins Radio� to be focused on a Baltimore team. Needless to say, it is a sad statement when, in Philadelphia, both WIP and WPEN were talking E-A-G-L-E-S at 7am�and the Eagles game starts four hours later than Baltimore�s. One would think Charm City radio would be a little more pumped up, no? JR (1/13/06)

Dave's response: Hey, I turned on WaPo Radio this morning to hear what they've replaced David Burd with and it was some doctor talking about colon cleansing. Obviously, a very popular radio discussion topic here in the Nation's Capital for some reason. Hmmm.....

ha ha ha, Tucker Carlson a Republican, no way. He is a self proclaimed Libertarian. (1/13/07)

Kudos to Bob Mathers for his excellent post about memories of Johnny U. and the Colts. It was a real tear-jerker Bob, and you wrote it so well. Glad I was in Baltimore during those special days. Jack Gale (1/13/07)

Actually, the WPIK reception was from my waning days as a serious broadcast band DX�er! I was a senior in high school at the time and other interests were coming to the fore. Also, I was living in Northern Virginia at the time, so it wasn�t really "DX". WPIK was notoriously picky about QSL�ing. As their CE put it to me, "the report would have to be of special merit or interest". I suppose an equipment test (the only one I ever heard out of them) fit the criteria. I find the concept of "Dashboard DX" interesting as that�s about the closest I�ve come to AM DX�ing in many years. Unfortunately, most car radios today are mere shells of their former image in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. The least offensive of the current breed is still the Pioneer Supertuner, now into its third gen! eration. I must say least offensive, as most of the factory (or dealer) radios I�ve encountered in the last twenty years or so did not do justice to the car they were mounted in! Of the cars I�ve had along the way, my Datsun 810 Maxima and Volvo 760 GLE were probably the most infamous combinations of decent car with a horrible radio! The absolute worst would have to be the factory radio in the Suzuki Vitara I had in Alaska a few years back. Once you got a few miles out of Anchorage, forget it! In spite of their comparatively high powers, KYAK, KENI, and KFQD were rough copy at night. The most surprisingly good radio/car combination was the Blaupunkt I had in my 1994 Fiat Punto. I just about drove the car to death, but its LW//AM/FM radio was really good! It had the ubiquitous stubby folding antenna in the center of the windshield frame, like most cars in Europe �even the imports from the U.S.A. Best DX I had on that radio was Radio Monte Carlo on 1467 while driving ne! ar Rouen on a summer night. Daytime, the combination of clear channels and superpower made for such niceties as being able to choose between BBC, Europe 1, or RTF on LW while driving in Paris during the day, while the VHF-FM didn�t suffer from "Dolly Parton Syndrome" while driving near Tour Eiffel (Serious intermod in that area as literally everybody in Paris is on the thing! (Most of the transmitters are in what can best be described as semi-underground �bunkers" around the base of the structure!) Or, around my neighborhood in Grinzing, across the valley from Khalenberg where every radio in the house got torn-up with the stuff coming off the ORF stick visible from our dining room! (Talk about �line-of-sight�!) My most pleasant "Dashboard DX" was years ago on the 101 and listening to "Dick Bartley�s Solid Gold Saturday Night" by bouncing between KPNW and XETRA while we were driving our Parisenne Brougham back to Pasadena from Carmel. I still "Dashboard DX" occasionally. Although the noise level seems to have crept up! The Mojave! has lots of power lines in the vicinity of the 8, 15, and 40 freeways making nighttime AM reception difficult at times. Driving up to Reno is a bit better, but not by much. If I go tuning away from my usual KNX, KGO, KSCO, or KNBR on these drives, I can often hear as far east as CBK in Saskatchewan or WWL in New Orleans. Yes, I guess you could say that I've been around quite a bit since those days. But, there are still occasions when I still tune around "just to see what's there"! Nice to see a comment about a long-ago "DX" reception from an era in broadcasting we�ll likely never see again. John Pinckney (1/13/07)

Dave; WETA-FM is not in a 'dive' in Shirlington....it's in the multi-story building at Shirlington Circle. Quite nice digs. When it was built in 1999, it was the first all digital plant in washington, all the way to the digital FM exciter, and it was used for test broadcasts for IBOC, so to the experimental recievers...it was digital all the way. (TV is still in the older building near the 'Weenie Beenie') (1/13/07)

Dave's response: Back when I worked at Radio World, we'd often make the jaunt from Bailey's Crossroads over to the Weenie Beenie and share some "fine eating" with the longhairs at 90.9.....

Can someone please tell Kid Chris on 94.1 WYSP in Philthadelphia to stop doing everything Don and Mike do...Please! (1/13/07)

You think anyone at WETA is smart enough to demand a few million dollars from Bonneville to make the classical problem go away? (1/13/07)

Dave's response: Hey, maybe WETA-FM could move from that Shirlington dive to golden digs in that big temple in Kensington. Just jooooking. No hate mail, please.....

Quote " WMAL not only didn't interrupt the Maryland game Wednesday, they didn't even bother to air the [President's] speech, period." Of course they did not air the speech; before the speech, the press knew (A) the president would admit he made lots of mistakes in Iraq, (B) the president would say he is responsible for those mistakes, (C) the president would request a troop increase in Iraq-an issue he stood firmly against when dealing with the "liberal" press, (D) the president would be setting up for a possible air strike against Iran by sending specific equipment into the region, and possibly igniting yet another war. The President was doing all this just to appease the liberals. WMAL rightly put their fingers in their ears and sang, "Happy Days are here Again." Program update; Hillary Rotten Clinton, Osama Hussein Obama, Congressional "demoncrats," and Nancy "stretch marks" Pel"ugly," updates beginning noon Monday on WMAL and extending until 10:00 PM. Listen TO WMAL for news and stimulating talk about how bad the "demoncrats" really are. We need you now more than ever. Ten hours a day, that's all we ask. If you listen to WMAL you are a great American. Support our troops-listen to Hannity & Levine. The mainstream media, lead by the Washington ComPost and the New York "Slimes" should be tried for treason. Ms. Shiavo could have been helped-liberals killed her. Jeff Gannon was "a terrific White House Bureau Chief." It is you liberals to blame-stop calling, you liberal jerks. Remember Chappaquiddick! Mark Foley was "acting like a democrat." It is the Clinton�s administration�s entire fault. Finally, the conservative radio and TV talking heads are starting to address head on immigration from Puerto Rico. From www.mediamatters.org; While discussing immigration on the January 11 edition of his CNN Headline News program, former Baltimore disk jockey Glenn Beck referred to his guest, former US Rep. Herman Badillo (D-NY), as "an immigrant from Puerto Rico." Badillo was born in Puerto Rico in 1929 and moved to New York City when he was 11 years old. Way to go Glenn; is there any way you can go from WTNT to WMAL? (1/13/07)

Dave's response: Heard a radio report Friday that the US has amassed so much debt to finance the Iraq war that a number of foreign countries - including China - could collapse the US dollar if they called in the loans. You mean, a foreign power could bring down the entire US economy without firing a shot? Hmmm. Maybe the press should focus on a bit more that and a little less on the Rosie-Trump feud.....

So Dave according to what I've read so far, WAGE and WINC are the only No. Va. "AM'ers that plan on carrying O's games this season. Am I reading this correctly? Is this "HFS" deal etched in stone? Rusty Gibson (1/13/07)

Dave's response: Apparently. The O's should also he heard on DC's WTEM, SportsTalk 980.....

A new report cuts through the static on the radio industry www.houstonpress.com (1/13/07)

Alan Etter is a hottie! (1/13/07)

Dave: Thanks for clarifying the Orioles-Nationals situation for the time being. I noticed you used an old logo for WAGE on your site. Attached is the newer logo we started using last summer in case you ever need to talk about us again. (1/13/07)

("WETA is one of the strongest brands in public broadcasting.") This is very true. During the time that they were classical, they had much more credibility than 104.1. They still have the Met. They have a great signal. They have great announcers. They don't need anything from any other station. It is beyond me, what the hold up is, unless they are thinking about going all sports also.I would love to hear Riggo on 90.9. (1/13/07)

Hello? Can you spell "smokescreen"? That whole business about WETA taking on the WGMS calls, and picking up WGMS personnel smells because it sounds way too good to be true. As someone else pointed out already, WETA's call letters are as well known as any in the business, and still have high recognition with folks who know it for the classical music radio format, as for the public TV programming it provides. Besides, WETA never really laid off many of its classical music announcers from before the format change to news-talk, retaining most of them to be board ops for the news shows. It wouldn't take much for them to put them back to work hosting classical music shows. Without knowing who your "source" is, Dave, I can only say that at this point, someone's blowing lots of smoke up your leather miniskirt (and advance apologies to anyone needing serious therapy after that frightening mental image!). I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like I'm tired of the endless game of speculating about this, and only want to hear about it when and if something materially significant happens. - Call Me 'Legs' (1/13/07)

Dave's response: Often, industry sources to try to "spin" things via DCRTV. It's definitely a possibility that someone is trying to "get the word out" that Bonneville is serious about making a change (to sports talk?) via 104.1/103.9 (as Postie Paul Farhi reported a week or so ago), with WGMS going to 90.9, in order to get some "movement" in the sale of GMS to Dan Snyder. Again, we labeled it a rumor and, as yet, unconfirmed. Please, take it for what it's worth.....

NBC to expand Today Show to 4 hours? According to variety.com, NBC has given the greenlight to expand the top-rated morning news program into the 10am hour. Local NBC affiliates, including Washington's NBC 4, and Baltimore's WBAL 11 have been notified by NBC of this decision. This news comes on the heels of NBC's decision to cancel 'The Megan Mullally Show'. Also being rumored, NBC cancelling 'iVillage Live', which has received a sour reception from viewers... and 'Passions', a daytime soap opera which has been seeing very low ratings for the past several years. Source... www.variety.com... Thought I'd share this bit of info with you. (1/13/07)

/\ January 13 Messages /\

\/ January 12 Messages \/

www.radioandrecords.com - I have a funny feeling that the sale of Bonneville stations to Red Zebra in Washington, might be the tip of the iceberg for commercial classical. The ratings for KDFC in San Francisco plunged in the latest report. I don't think they have ever been this low. I predict that Bonneville will abandon the format entirely. (1/12/07)

Dave's response: Well, it's a pretty small iceberg. Nationwide, there are only a handful of commercial classical radio stations left.....

Well..what will be interesting to me (and I've not had the opportunity to check this out yet) will be to see how far WHFS gets over into Sussex County, Delaware; I play music down that way..and sometimes, when the Os have either a late-afternoon game..or if they have started before I have to leave to go pick, I'll get them on the radio in the van; one thing that must be remembered is: some car radios pick up better than others; our Ford van's radio antenna (I think) is mounted in such a way that..it has a tendency to pick up more motor noise..and since it's close to the windshield, I don't think the reception is quite as good as the radio in the Lincoln Town Car that we had! Tom in Denton, MD (1/12/07)

Agree with the poster about the Steele piece. Things like that are why "journalistic ethics" is an oxymoron. (1/12/07)

"Shame on CSN, shame on Sage Steele"---- You're an idiot, the piece was noting how much more the ravens PR staff was doing compared to an average week, they talked to chad for maybe 20 sec of the entire 3-4 minute pkg. It was great to see the "behind the scenes" people that really help an organization run smooth, again a side piece you can only see on CSN, not your usual lindsey czarniak BS. Don't be a dick. Jim Miller, Baltimore (1/12/07)

My thanks to Dave Hughes (and to the fellow DCRTV�ers who responded) for allowing me to post the full-length Tolstoy commentary on Buddy Deane. Now, we enter what for Baltimore sports fans will likely be the most emotionally nostalgic football weekend ever experienced. As a Baltimorean living out here in the Great Northwest, I�m blessed to have a �two-fer� as the local Seahawks square off against �Da Bears�. I�m also glad to have a wife from southern California to whom all this means nothing except that it means something to me, and that�s pretty cool. While I�ll be rooting for Hasselbeck, Alexander and company to win their game against Chicago�my heart will be with that game back on Russell Street at 4:30 (1:30 out here) tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon. Recently I was sifting through a ton of my Colts memorabilia and the image that really grabbed me was the picture of Johnny Unitas standing among the weeds at soon-to-be-demolished Memorial Stadium. A real lump-in-the-throater, brother. Now, it all comes full circle. Every time the Ravens score or make a big play, I�ll see the ghosts of the white frame houses on 36th street, glimpse the gray skies amidst the backdrop of the starkly black light towers, and remember the many glorious moments of Sunday�s heroes at 33rd & Ellerslie�with the WCBM Colts Ray-dee-ooo!!!!!! jingle playing through the mist. Yes, those magical blue and white uni�s with the horseshoed helmets, �cept now they represent the opposition. Even Barry Levinson couldn�t have written this script for the movies, and here it plays out in real life. Go Ravens! - Bob Mathers (1/12/07)

Joyce thanks for sharing about the strong frienship of Buddy Deane and Hot Rod. Two of Baltimore's medias all time best. (1/12/07)

Methods said to exaggerate NPR cumes - www.current.org (1/12/07)

Is 90.9 a better signal than 104.1? Is 630 a better signal than 730 and the two FM's that now carry Dead Zebra? (1/12/07)

Re: Orioles Western Shore Affiliates (Calvert/Charles/St Mary's)..Maybe RZ could carry the O's as I assume Roy Robertson would be too cheap to put them on any of his Somar sticks. As neither a GE SuperRadio nor a CCRadioPlus can pick up the nighttime signals at the plantation on the affiliates listed, guess I need to pay to hear the O's (which I won't do w/o Jon Miller). Larry-in-Leonardtown (1/12/07)

Nice piece about Allan Etter in today's Washington TImes washingtontimes.com. The incoming administration is making some very poor decisions very early on by trying to hyper-control the flow of information by putting their own people into public information jobs. Also, congratulations to Mark and Chris on their move. Cox runs a really nice operation down in Jacksonville, all run out of a big warehouse a little off the beaten path. State of the art stuff though and it will be a nice change for them. I hope that they are well accepted. Don't forget that Jacksonville Beach is only about 20 minutes away so we should all expect plenty of pictures of Chris and her bikini in a few months. (1/12/07)

Wouldn't 630 by itself solve all the Redskins' problems? It would certainly be a strategic move blocking Bonneville from going sports on 104.1 and 103.9. (1/12/07)

Re: The O's Eastern Shore coverage: 105.7 WHFS may have a bad signal towards PA and DC, but they have a killer signal through Annapolis and onto the Eastern Shore. They make as far down as Cambridge and across they go past Denton. By far the strongest Baltimore FM signal in my car when I drive around the 'Shore. Makes me wonder why WNAV in Annapolis would bother carrying the games when a clear FM is now doing it. (1/12/07)

Something doesn't seem kosher with this GMS-WETA news. First off, WETA still has many of their classical announcers on board, why would they want the GMS staff? Secondly, why would they need the GMS library? It's probably about 99% dupes of what they already have. Third, the mailbagger who had the inside info about the salaries being too low, WETA is a union shop just like WGMS. There shouldn't be that much difference. Also, why would they change calls? WETA is one of the strongest brands in public broadcasting. If the GMS staff really is incensed that they aren't all getting an invite, or that the salaries aren't big enough, that's some chutzpah. I'm incensed that Premiere hasn't given me my own three hours to babble to the nation while high on oxy. I hope they can whistle Bolero while holding a tin cup for change. (1/12/07)

I love WGMS. If it survives on 90.1 that's a much better tsignal than they are on now. Everybody wins. It was stupid of WETA to duplicate the exact same news/talk programming that is on WAMU. as for the vil Dan Snyder, why doesn't he just buy WMAL and put them out of their misery? Doesn't 630 solve all his signal problems added to the 3 current weak signals? (1/12/07)

Dave's response: 90.1 is C-SPAN Radio, WCSP. While I think C-SPAN is a wonderful and important TV service, does anyone listen to its DC radio station?

Shame on Comcast Sports Net, and their puff piece PRAISING the Ravens PR Staff. While the Ravens PR staff might deserve praise, its the slimey way the piece was done -- by SAGE STEELE, who's brother is a member of the Ravens PR staff. Shame on CSN, shame on Sage Steele. (1/12/07)

Red Zebra sales guys out on the street are telling client and prospective clients that they will EITHER acquire a better signal OR lease time on other stations for the Redskin games and maybe even for other times (Riggins for example). By now clients ALL know they have crappy signals. Big, big problem for RZ Sales... Many mention a great deal of nervousness on Jennifer Street. The WMAL towers sit on 100 million dollars worth of real estate between Potomac and Bethesda. Dan Snyder does not need the real estate. He's got all that land near Redskins Park. Rather than put up towers for 730, 630 would be a powerhouse with signals there. And as you may have read, Farid at Citadel is making noises about wanting a lower price for the purchase of the ABC radio stations. 100 Million goes a long way. ABC keeps the land. Sells 630 signal-only to Snyder solving his serious signal problem. Citadel pays 100 million less. Pretty damn plausible scenario when you think about it, and it would explan all that nervouseness over there. (1/12/07)

Dave's response: Hmmm.....

(Regarding DCRTV's 1/12 newsblurb about some WGMSers moving to WETA-FM:) Several Insiders from nyc (Sharon Rockefeller fellows) are saying Dan DeVany has offered no deal to rest of wgms workers to come abroad! Wgms on air stuff is furious on weta's low salaries and they are refusing to come on board without full programming staff of wgms and matching salaries which is upsetting DeVany- according to weta 07 budget there is no room to navigate for added salaries even to cover Mr. Allisons demanding annual salary of $150 K. Bonneville is writing off wgms library as a tax write off according to Bonneville insiders. (1/12/07)

RE: [I was just reading the "Today in History" column.. It mentioned that today is Rush's fifty-six birthday. You did send him a card, didn't you?] According to Miss Manners, the best gift you can give is something that you know the recipient does not have, but desparately needs. In Rush's case, might I suggest a conscience? How about throwing in a modicum of ethics while you are at it? Personally, I'd pass on sending him the Carvel Ice Cream Cake shaped like a huge Oxycontin tablet....that would be bad taste......I mean that literally...Rush says they taste like S#!T. (1/12/07)

I think what we are seeing is that both O&A and D&M numbers are down because they can't do the things they use to�.You have to give Howard credit�.he saw it coming and left "FM" Radio��But I still enjoy D&M and the Junkies in the morning on WJFK�... (1/12/07)

btws I think the Washington Bullets could have done a little more to note the recent passing of Jim Karvellas....I mean the gentleman was the voice of the Bullets for many a year and all they have is a perfunctory mention in the official blog....and the WaPo just had an obit taken from news wire services? Come on now, that's a Boo of the Week!..I was wondering if Mr. Karvellas is in that acclaimed video that came out last year about the New York Cosmos?.....and back to the Nooooobboooddyyyy! ads was Bob Catterson of Bob Catterson Buick of Indianapolis(Go Ravens!) the same person in the ads or was it somebody else in the commercials with the Nooooobbbooooddyy ad campaign originating with the Bob Catterson Buick?......while perusing the internet for info on Bob Catterson Buick I did come upon this site which seems to be a repository of film and videotape in the Indianapolis market, tinyurl.com wonder if there's something similar to this in the D.C. area? I mean the local tv stations don't just throw out old video do they?......major b.....all things that I use to say, all things that I use to know, have gone out the window.....ever forward, indeed (1/12/07)

Re: O&A - I'm sure their compensation is pretty good - but - when they flipped to FreeFM, I recall Opie asking Joel Hollander if he had any comments during the XM/FreeFM "celebation". Joel's response was: "Just get me ratings". Period. If the boys ain't doin' that - how long will CBS stay with them? Another six, nine or twelve months? As D&M have demonstrated, just about any sociopathic behavior will be tolerated in the talk radio world - as long as you have ratings. If O&A don't get better numbers soon what could be in store for them if they don't make it in NYC? The mind boggles - maybe O&A to mid-days in Jacksonville!! Habadogaga!! daPJDJinVA. (1/12/07)

Re: Orioles Eastern Shore Affiliates. Yes the Orioles have had a tough time down here with getting affiliates in the last few years. As was previosuly mentioned WCEM-FM out of Cambridge dropped them a while back which I think really hurt because their 6,000 watt signal can cover the mid-shore and to an extent into Salisbury. You can't blame them though with all the losing seasons. Whatever sticks the O's are on carry weak signals at night. I could be wrong but I think WICO-AM just runs the O's on the weekend (JE can provide guidance on that one). 540 WGOP does run the O's and that does get into Salisbury but not in OC or much of the mid-shore or any of Sussex County, DE. 106.5 WKHW runs Sam-FM from Westwood One off of the satellite, I don't think they do run the O's. WETT 1590 (now WKHZ) out of Ocean City, MD used to run the O's. I know the O's wanted to get on Talk Radio 101.1 which gets into Salisbury and OC but it would interrupt too much of their regular format, especially the Larry Elder show which runs from 6-9pm. If the O's can put together three straight winning seasons, .500 and above and a buzz starts to occur then you could see them pop up more on the Eastern Shore. The best thing the O's or Nationals can hope for is for a decent signalled (3-6k watter or more) FM sports talker to pop up which the shore lacks. -Michael (formerly of ESRTV) (1/12/07)

You would think that WETA would have more pride than to hire a bunch of redtreads, and to even change their own call letters. I find that totally bizzarre. WETA used to have its own unique sound. It sounds like they are being absorbed by the Borg from Star Trek. What's wrong with the people that are there now? Why not promote from within? Why not bring back the people who went to XM? Will the television station change its call letters too? Something is not right here. It will be interesting to see if a lot of donations come from Utah during pledge drives. (1/12/07)

RE:..."And as for Anita Marks, it's not just her, it's been the entire lineup for that time slot since day 1. Steve Stofberg and Paul Mittermier (sp?) were awful. They dropped Stofberg. Still awful. They then had guys that were so bad that I never listened long enough to get their names. Then Anita, who couldn't handle it by herself, so they bring in co-hosts, and among them is the previously demoted Steve Stofberg ! Getting the picture here? The CBS-Baltimore mgmnt. flat out can't evaluate talent for this type of program. Imagine that. Doug in Bel Air (1/12/07)" Doug's last sentence should have read "The CBS Baltimore Radio management flat out can't evaluate talent"...period!!! Lord Vader Philips' and his evil assistant Igor LaBrozzi's blunders include hiring Kirk & Mark (two people who can't stand one another) for the failing HFS, losing the winning Ravens, procuring the losing Orioles, scaring away Tim Virgin from HFS, programming some of the most repetitive and depressing Christmas music ever of LIF, putting has-been Steve Rouse and loudmouth Diane Lynn on LIF's morning show, dumping The Merson Person for the painfully lame Greg Carpenter on LIF's afternoon show, deep-sixing Oldies for JACK on QSR, jettisoning Kenny Campbell from MIX's morning show but keeping the Original Amateur Hour cast (JoJo, Reagen & that awful news woman Sara), putting all of ESPN 1300's eggs in the talentless Anita Marks' basket and kicking Mix's Greg Valentine to the curb. One can only hope that Philips and LaBrozzi will one day be tried for their many atrocities they've committed against radio broadcasting, listeners, employees and humankind as well. (1/12/07)

RE: ""Mess" Does Jacksonville Deal ". Going to the WAPE website wape951.com today finds the old morning show host's photo gone and replaced with a big question mark and the caption: "5:30am-10am! Listen Monday, January 29th at 5:30 am as we make Jacksonville Radio Morning History...Again!" (1/12/07)

To Bob Mathers...enjoyed your post on Buddy Dean! When I was a pre-schooler..not mor than four or five years old, my mother would drop me off into my grandmother's house every morning on her way to work. She would put the Buddy Dean Show on for me every afternoon (this had to be around 1958..maybe 59; this is some of the earliest music I remember listening to..and is nice to know that Buddy really was a nice person! Concerning the Orioles: I also share Burt's concern about being able to pick them up as I live in the same town...the folks on the lower shore at least do have a couple of stations to choose from, although..at night, WICO barely gets out of Salisbury! I guess this summer, we'll find out just how far WHFS gets out, won't we? And BTW, Burt..is nice to know that there's someone else other than myself who posts on this mailbag from the same town as I; figured that most of the posters are in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area! Tom in Denton, MD. (1/12/07)

I agree that some of that Orioles radio affiliate information may be left over from last season and simply not updated yet. The team was still listing WBAL as the flagship right until the point that it officially switched to WHFS. Everett W. (1/12/07)

Dave, I was just reading the "Today in History" column.. It mentioned that today is Rush's fifty-six birthday. You did send him a card, didn't you? JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (1/12/07)

Dave's response: It's Howard Stern's birthday too. I sent him an XM gift certificate.....

Bob Mathers, thank you for the beautiful, heartfelt and honest response on Buddy Deane. Also, it was great to hear about Buddy and Hot Rod. By the way, Buddy is mentioned in Stuart Goosman's book, "Group Harmony, The Black Urban Roots of Rhythm and Blues". It was Buddy who told Hot Rod that Baltimore was looking for a black disc jockey. Hot Rod had high ratings in Memphis and WITH took note of his accomplishments and Hot Rod was hired on WITH in 1951. Buddy told Tony Warner in his book that he often struggled as to whether he should have taken a stronger stance with the integration issue; however, he felt that either way, things would have escalated no matter what. Buddy told me that although the dance show was popular and became a positive force for many of teens and members of the Committee, he was often blamed when things would go wrong. He shared that Fabian made an appearance at a local store and some overzealous young ladies caused a real ruckus resulting in a broken window and a near riot. At that time, I wasn't one of the ladies, but my time was soon to come for my not to happy dad who became an usher at the Baltimore Civic Center. Blessings for a great weekend. Joyce Conroy (WHFC/WYTI). (1/12/07)

Doug is correct; the management at 1300 is clearly not qualified to make decisions regarding hiring sports talk talent. Then again, WBAL didn't do the audience any favors hiring Steve Davis, whose knowledge base is almost as shallow as Anita Marks'. It's frustrating for the listener, who has few better options in town. The best hosts are the older guys who tend to be overlooked by management because they're older guys. Tell me, please, do people really prefer a host who doesn't know much, but has a schtick, an attitude of some kind, or style that loses its appeal very quickly. "Ooh, that guy said 'pissed off,' he's cool, I'll listen to him..." Give me a break. How many of these hosts do things like read books, or conduct actual research? Or don't people care about information based on fact? (1/12/07)

Great job on Buddy Deane, Bob Mathers ! Thanks. And as for Anita Marks, it's not just her, it's been the entire lineup for that time slot since day 1. Steve Stofberg and Paul Mittermier (sp?) were awful. They dropped Stofberg. Still awful. They then had guys that were so bad that I never listened long enough to get their names. Then Anita, who couldn't handle it by herself, so they bring in co-hosts, and among them is the previously demoted Steve Stofberg ! Getting the picture here? The CBS-Baltimore mgmnt. flat out can't evaluate talent for this type of program. Imagine that. Doug in Bel Air (1/12/07)

Thanks to Joyce & Bob for enlightening me to the greatness of Buddy Deane. As I previously stated, I wasn't trying to 'stir the pot' with the racial question. I figured there would be a few folks here that could tell the real story...and a fascinating one it is. Seasons change quickly in this biz. One day you're the toast of the town; the next, just yesterday's news, soon to be forgotten. Every once in a while, an individual comes along that sets a standard that we all need to remember & respect. Sounds like Buddy was one of those people. A tip of the mic to Buddy Deane! (1/12/07)

SportsTalk 610 in Winchester is a Clear Channel station that carries Fox Sports programming. They do high school football in the fall and Winchester Royals baseball (a summer college wooden-bat league) in June and July. SportsTalk 610 does not do major league baseball. WRNR-AM 740 in Martinsburg, WV does carry the Nationals. Al McGilvray (1/12/07)

There still is no station for the Orioles on the mid- shore. We cant get the stations up here in the Denton area, from Salisbury and Pocomoke. Since 106.3 stopped carrying the games a few years ago, its either poor reception or satellite or online radio to follow the Orioles. Does anyone know if the Nats have any stations on the Shore? Burt in Denton (1/12/07)

Agree! The only way to go with sportstalk radio is local born and bred show hosts. Anita Marks has no connection to most of her listening audience because she's from somewhere else. Local knowledge of the town's important teams like the Orioles and Redskins in Balt and DC is a must. In DC, hosts like Pollin, Czaban, Michael, Weinstein and Sheehan may aggrevate but they're knowledgeable and it results in better talk. (1/12/07)

As far as the blurb listing WAGE as part of the Orioles network, WAGE is still in talks with the Nationals. We have not made a commitment to either the Orioles or the Nationals yet. Hopefully it will all be worked out soon. (1/12/07)

Somewhere in my collection I have at tape of the night the COLTS lsft Baltimore. I was on the air the night it took place. I actutally have a tape of the Evacuation. It's a paroady of Irsay...Drunk as a skunk..beiing inteiviewed by me on WBAL. I was doing the overnights at the time. I would strongly suggest Jeff Beauchamp give me a call. It is a classic moment. I'd even do a live interview....I remember it so well... I[';m sure there are no recordings of the event, anywhere...Paul L.Bicknell (1/12/07)

Dear Dave: To the poster who is concerned about WAGE becoming a member of the Orioles radio network, I wouldn't get too worked up just yet. I seem to remember hearing a couple of O's games on WAGE last season when the schedule of the Nats and O's didn't conflict. In fact, I remember looking at the station's web site during last season and seeing that they were carrying the play-by-play of both teams. The best approach is to just wait and see on this. The O's affiliate listing has changed with respect to their flagship, but for the rest it may well be no more than a restatement of the status quo. As Dave said there is still WTRI, and MLB on XM will give you converage as well. All I can say is: pitchers and catchers report next month. Great site Dave! Sincerely, Joe Kasell (1/12/07)

It's always nice to see Buddy Deane's name and career come up for discussion, although there's inevitably the accompanying question of whether he was a racist. Joyce Conroy hit the nail on the head when she said that Buddy wrestled with the issue of integration on the show and was never able to get a handle on it. That did not make Buddy Deane a racist. He was not a racist. I would like to say a few things about the Buddy Deane I came to know, and what many others who were on the scene in his heyday have said about the man. With respect to folks like the aforementioned Marc Steiner, his focus as a young man in 1963 Baltimore was not so much with Deane the individual as it was with the show's policy of segregation as a part of his involvement with the ongoing city-wide civil rights protest. He'll be the first to tell you that for all he knew, Deane was an okay man, but it was the racism issue surrounding the show that troubled him. In fact, Steiner said that almost word for word when he was interviewed for the MPT-TV program 'Shake, Rattle & Roll', the Buddy Deane Scrapbook, first aired in January 2004. I know, because I narrated that production. I was asked to handle that honor because of the relationship I was privileged to have with Buddy for the last 8 plus years of his life. Buddy and I worked close to 50 dances together in that time, including promotions with WITH, WAMD, and WQSR. I 'managed' his 6 stations for a time in Arkansas in 1997. For all of that time, I found Buddy Deane to be a tremendously kind-hearted yet at times brutally honest, intelligent, well-read, and articulate man. He favored Sinatra, fine scotch, Socrates, and history. Buddy was a graduate of Cornell University and was awarded the Purple Heart for his efforts in the 'Battle Of The Bulge' in World War 2. Maybe the following anecdotes will shed some light on this nagging perception of Buddy as a racist...and for some (maybe) put it to rest once and for all. White DJ Buddy Deane and Black DJ Hot Rod Hulbert had known each other since 1951 when both worked at WITH. Rod was simply the most innovative and talented DJ Baltimore has ever seen. Buddy would be the first to agree if he were here. Deane & Hulbert resumed acquaintances at the WITH Radio Reunion promotion in March, 1996. In June of 1996, Buddy ws in town for a hop (dance) and we went to Rod's home in Randallstown to see him. His wife had fixed dinner for the 3 of us and had to leave before we got there. We didn't know we'd be offered a meal. Buddy had just eaten, but he ate again because he did not want to offend his host. At the time, Rod couldn't speak because cancer had taken his vocal cords and he wrote everything down that he had to say on an etch-a-sketch. Needless to say, they had a good time reminiscing. In the summer of 1996, Buddy came back to Baltimore for another event and heard that Hot Rod Hulbert had taken a turn for the worse. Sadly, Hot Rod was suffering more intensely from the cancer that would claim his life on Christmas Eve of that year. I was there in the hospital room at Johns Hopkins to personally witness Buddy give Rod an embrace as he sat up in his hospital bed and walk away after his goodbye crying 'I'll never see him again'. It was an intensely private and emotional moment that I felt both privileged to see, yet at the same time intruding on their special farewell. On another occasion, Buddy recalled the time in 1958 when he got a call at 1 o'clock in the morning on a cold winter's night. It was from Hot Rod. He was calling Buddy from the old Coliseum on Monroe Street, where a concert Rod promoted had just concluded...and the event lost money. A shady individual who loaned Rod the money to do the event had sent two tough goons to get their money, or they were gonna beat Rod up and hurt him real bad. Rod told Buddy he needed $3,000.00 (big money in '58) to avoid bodily harm, and could he come down and help. Buddy drove from his home in Glen Burnie, gave $3,000 to the toughies and told them to clear out. One year later, Buddy Deane received a Christmas card from Hot Rod Hulbert. Inside the card was the $3,000.00 in cash, paid back to Buddy. In April of 2003...several months before Buddy passed, veteran radio personality Joe Evelius, WBAL's John Patti, Buddy and your obedient correspondent all gathered around the table for a bull session up at the Holiday Inn Timonium that lasted for almost 3 hours. I advised Patti before hand to grab his recorder and 'roll tape' as it were, because this was gonna be a special occasion. Thankfully, he did. Buddy retold those stories and a few others on the subject of segregation, along with everything else that was said that evening. I once talked to Buddy about what he thought his chances were of being voted in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He said in his usual objective manner, 'I doubt it. I've been tagged with the racist handle and people are going to believe what they want to believe'. What makes this all the more interesting, is that for every 'enlightened' local black personality (i.e., Oprah Winfrey during her days at channel 13, who was not from this area...yet going on hearsay decided to ambush Buddy during a segment of 'People Are Talking' to appease the politically correct crowd) and well-intentioned but misinformed (largely white) folks who perpetuate this legend of racism, you'll find the likes of a Hot Rod, and Sir Johnny O, and Fat Daddy, and Larry Dean, and Sam Beasley, and J.B. Brown...all notable black personalities from the golden era of Baltimore radio...some still here and some now gone...who knew, loved, and respected Buddy Deane. And then, there's none other than the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. Buddy contracted with JB to do a concert in his hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas sometime in the 70's. When James Brown emerged from the plane, he walked up to Buddy Deane on the tarmac, gave him a big hug, and proudly and loudly proclaimed to all within listening range, 'This is Buddy Deane, the first white man to ever put me on television and play my records'. As far as the 'racist' angle surrounding the show? Well, according to Buddy (and popular '63 'JZ personality Jack Wells), Deane went to the management of channel 13 in the fall of 1963 and told the new station manager who just arrived from Boston that WJZ had to find as non-controversial a way as possible to integrate the show. Buddy's position was that although it was the 'Buddy Deane' show, the program was property of WJZ and therefore the station needed to revise the policy. Keep in mind that Baltimore was in attitudes, a very southern town in '63. Much more so then nearby Washington D.C. and the Milt Grant Show. The management at WJZ became increasingly nervous as the station drew more protests about the show and eventually, the decision was made to sweep the problem under the rug by pulling the plug on the program. Deane got the word prior to Christmas from station management, who asked him to put a spin on the impending announcement so that it would minimize controversy. When the news broke several days later, the official statement from WJZ cited Buddy's unwillingess to change as the reason for the program's cancellation. This infuriated Buddy and he gave Baltimore Sun reporter Lou Cedrone the real reason. It's all there in the archives. Winston Joe 'Buddy' Deane very much deserves inclusion into the DJ section of the National Rock Hall Of Fame. He broke more hit records, gave breaks to more new artists, and was more honest than many big name jocks of his day. Because of Buddy Deane, Baltimoreans didn't know who Dick Clark was. Bobby Rydell himself recalled how amazed he was that Deane could capture a region as big as Baltimore to the exclusion of 'American Bandstand'. The man never even took payola. He didn't have to. Like the great Jack Edwards once said, 'Buddy could smell a hit record a mile away.' Buddy Deane was not a racist, but he was certainly one in a million. Bob Mathers (1/12/07)

It was my understanding that WAGE will carry both the O's and the Nat's next season with the Nat's pre-empting O's games if they play at the same time. Is that not correct? (1/12/07)

Did you see Marc Fisher's column in the Thurs Metro section? He discloses that Dan Snyder is in negotiations with the DC govt for the land that RFK is on . . . to build a new . . . hold on to your beard! . . . football stadium. It's hard to imagine that he might need another one, considering it's the largest stadium in the NFL. Fisher says that Synder will make Fed Ex field into a shopping mall . . . (1/12/07)

Dave's response: I can see it now - The Snyder Shopping Village At Raljon Meadows. One of those "fakey" downtowns like Fairfax Corner or Reston Town Center.....

WINC is an Orioles affiliate? Does that mean 610 AM, the all-sports station in Winchester which used to air Baltimore games, will be airing Nationals games instead? Hard to believe the Nats don't have any affiliates in the Shenandoah Valley. -- Vincent in Triangle (1/12/07)

I just saw a post from Tom Gauger from yesterday. If this is the same Tom Gauger, formerly of AFN - Frankfurt, please contact Chip Chapin at email address Chip@mhcable.com I got some old photos for you! (1/12/07)

abclocal.go.com... Dave, Did you see this, the imploding of the WOR towers in NJ? The live radio coverage, which I listened to at 11:00 AM today, is available on the WOR710 web site. The link above is WABC's coverage and film. Cheers, Bob F. (1/12/07)

Dave's response: Dig this from Scott Fybush, editor of NorthEast Radio Watch at www.fybush.com. I just knew he had to be there.....

We'll be looking forward to seeing Alex - and most of the rest of the New York engineering community - on Thursday morning, when WOR (710) tries again to take down its old three-tower array in Lyndhurst. An invitation-only viewing party will take place at WOR's new site a mile away in East Rutherford; we'll have pictures for you Thursday night on Tower Site of the Week, and maybe even some video, if we can make it all work right. Stay tuned!

/\ January 12 Messages /\

\/ January 11 Messages \/

1) Dave, I wish you a swift recovery from your bronchitis. You need a wife to make you some soup! 2) Shawn Yancy looked amazing today in a forest green suit on the FOX5 5:00 p.m. broadcast. 3) I really miss Susan Kidd! 4) Madonna is still a whore. Toodles! -Silvie in Waldorf- (1/11/07)

To the "Heidi" bashers on the G-W bailout on WTWP for the President's speech, WMAL not only didn't interrupt the Maryland game Wednesday, they didn't even bother to air the speech, period. (1/11/07)

Sorry to hear that DCRTV Dave and Barbaro ain't feeling too perky. I recommend use of the saline nasal spray and hot toddies along with watching some old b & w movies while falling asleep and drifting off to dreamland. I wonder how Zsa Zsa is doing these days?. .....speaking of Bruce "What's Up Tiger" Williams here's a mess of podcasts you can listen at your leisure at his syndicator Lifestyle radio www.lifestyletalkradio.com ....and I see Chick Chat is also on the site ....which reminds me Michael Hughes ain't going to name a new show for WJFK in the evenings is he?....... and sloppy work is most characteristic in lots of radio these days ain't it....as long as the ad revenue is rolling who cares if on air presentation sucks....it's them d9mn kid's running radio these days they just don't care, why back in my day.... Major Bill Smith....and today's phrase that pays is "glue factory" (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Basically, if Michael Hughes can't sell Colon Cleanse infomercials during evenings and weekends, you'll hear reruns of the Junks and D&M. Maybe Dennis Miller soon.....

What the hell are the Nationals thinking letting WAGE go with to Baltimore team? For the last two years WAGE has had the Nats games and its the only station that can be heard in central/northwest Montgomery County where alot of their fanbase comes from. First this Lerner/Kasten group messes with the TV guys and now they screw up the radio network. (1/11/07)

Dave's response: I imagine that Brunswick's WTRI (1520 AM) will again be a Nats' affiliate, but it's a daytimer.....

On Friday 1/12/2007. A great lady of Washington broadcasting will be retiring.Mary Dorman will be retiring from NBC NEWS.Mary was and is a consummate broadcast professional, and a genuinely nice person. She was already at NBC Radio, when I started at NBC Radio in 7/76. I for one will miss Mary very much. I along with many others wish her a great retirement. I love u,Hoosier! Cory Haber (1/11/07)

So STILL no O's station for the Eastern Shore? Figures - why let customers actually have access to your product. They just might BUY it if you do that, and we CAN'T have that...what is teh full list of stations? The Orioles don't seem to have it on their website. Bill in Salisbury, MD (1/11/07)

Dave's response: I didn't include all stations in today's blurb, but Salisbury's WICO (1320 AM), as well as Pocomoke City's WGOP (540 AM) and WKHW (106.5 FM), are also listed as part of the Orioles radio network.....

What the hell is going on over at WJFK? By the time those people figure out how to broadcast a radio show consistantly, they won't have an audience left. Don and Mike were cut off mid sentence with a 20 minute commercial break, followed by Don and Mike talking on the telephone over the radio about MORE technical problems. Good job WJFK!! What a joke. - Hank, VA. (1/11/07)

"Whatever's happening to O&A's show, you can bet they're laughing...all the way to the bank." ....... Yes and Howard too, but about 500 times more! (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Money can buy comfort, but not happiness.....

Let the record show that my Ravens are going to kick the shit out of "Indy Irsays" on Saturday! And then proudly wave their purple banners to the winning locker room at the SuperBowl! Rusty Gibson (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Speaking of Irsay, someone from Channel 9 just sent me this - www.wusa9.com. Enjoy.....

Dave, A bit of shameless promotion, if you'll allow me: you and your fellow hardcore radio-fan readers may be interested to know that this weekend Washington Post Radio will be running an hour-long interview I did with the Post's Marc Fisher on his new book "Something in the Air: Radio, Rock and the Revolution That Shaped a Generation". We'll air it twice (barring an asteroid strike, a total technical meltdown or misplacement of the CD), at 8pm Saturday and again Sunday at 4pm. It was great fun to find and add some sound from such folks as Alan Freed, Cousin Brucie, and The Joy Boys. It was also very annoying for me to realize that I'm old enough to have lived through almost every event mentioned in the book! I'll also be running some excerpts Jan. 15-19 at about 2:20pm each day (barring a major news event, the heat death of the universe or my inability to push the right button). Everyone still has to buy a copy of Marc's book so he can get rich and retire young (well, relatively young), but you may get a kick out of hearing some of what he writes about. I did. Thanks and best wishes, Sam Litzinger (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Thanks Sam. And please do buy a copy of Marc's new book - but please do so via the link on the right side of the main Mailbag page. And you'll help support DCRTV, too.....

Whatever's happening to O&A's show, you can bet they're laughing...all the way to the bank. The RCL (1/11/07)

Dave: Nice Flashback with the WPIK/WXRA QSL letter. I wonder how far away Mr. Pinckney was when he heard the station... Mike in Frederick and the Dashboard DX Society, where DX is our middle name. (1/11/07)

Markandkrisonline - the adult-ed class in how to create a webpage that doesn't suck begins Jan. 29 @ 5:30 AM. (1/11/07)

The recent mention of Bernard Meltzer brought back a lot of memories. I used to listen to him when he was on the air here in DC and I thought his show was absolutely hilarious - and that's not a compliment. Poor Bernie (he called himself "Dr." Meltzer if memory serves me correctly) just went on and on about everything (just the way ol' Jack Eden used to), but was never an expert in anything. The "advice" Bernie dispensed to his moronic callers bordered on the laughable. He used to start each conversation with a caller with "friend" .... "Friend", how can I help you; "friend", what's on your mind tonite ... on and on. I remember riding in my car one night with a buddy listening to him and we laughed our asses off. And talk about hilarious shows: anyone remember "Wally's Workshop" on Channel 11 or 13 Sunday mornings with Wally Bruner and his idiotic wife Natalie? She was something else! (1/11/07)

Perhaps the WJFK signal is weak afternoons from 3-7 PM because "Mike & Mike" suck up all the power with their hokey reverb. Or it could be either of the "Mikes'" vibrators they plug into their butts during breaks. Either way, like it or not DCRTV fans: they're still funny at times if not almost all the time. I still love 'em: THIMMESCH (1/11/07)

More great news for you skateboard fans! Here's the money quote from the Chicago Sun-Times: "The only morning show doing worse is WCKG's latest replacement for Howard Stern -- the syndicated duo of Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia. They're faring no better than Shane "Rover" French, who lasted only seven months here. The ongoing calamity at WCKG is costing CBS Radio millions in advertising revenue, prompting the inevitable talk of adjustments to the station's lineup -- if not a total overhaul of its format." The link for the article is: www.suntimes.com... The station is DEAD LAST in the ratings with a .9 share. Rover had a .2 which means about 50 people were listening at any given time. Where are all the O&A defenders now? (1/11/07)

Man - I'm glad someone else caught that. I thought it was just old age. I sat there and said to myself - she didn't just call Cal "Carl" (1/11/07)

Hey sniffles... ...No wonder you are not feeling well; running around without a hat on and no shirt (from picture). What you need is some homemade chicken soup! While you are up working on the website, you could be chopping veggies, putting the rotisserie chicken carcass in the water for stock, measuring the rice, grabbing the salt and pepper... Hope you feel better soon. NOW... go back to bed! (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Ha ha ha.....

I'm not much of a radio-phile, but what's the rationale around WJFK's signal? I can get the Junkies and O&A clear as a bell from my cubicle all morning, yet when D&M come on the airwaves at 3, it's 80% static. No D&M joke needed, Dave. (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Lately, I often get Baltimore's 106.5 and Hagerstown's 106.9 bleeding in over Fairfax's 106.7, even though I'm only six miles (as the crow flies) from WJFK-FM's transmitter. I think CBS is operating 106.7 at a lowish power during afternoons, in particular.....

markandkrisonline.com - the adventure begins Jan. 29 @ 5:30 AM (1/11/07)

Dave's response: DC is radio market 8. Jacksonville is 49. But it's got a nice climate, if you don't count hurricanes.....

The problem with Anita Marks is she is not knowledgeable on Baltimore sports. Its very difficult for anyone to come from a different city and do a talk show when you know nothing about it. Not her fault but I think with sports talk unless its a national show you need to have grown up in that city you broadcast unless you have an uncanny knowledge of every major city and their history. Yes she does talk about South Florida too much. Why on New Year's Eve when the Ravens are in the midst of their best season ever are you on an ISDN line from South Florida I believe it was and not in Baltimore doing the show. (Your analysis of the playoff games were nothing special, Mangini and the Jets going back to New England, etc, etc, yeah everyone and their brother was saying that, give me something different. Anyone who knows football knew that Jets would fight, maybe even keep it close for a while but there was no doubt New England wins at home, they don't lose twice to a team at home just look at their home record since 2000, no doubt.) If the Ravens don't beat the Bills we lose our first round bye and home field. Yes an important game. You can't take off during football season for New Year's...You have Ralph Friedgen on and say you have Scott Hollenbach going in the middle rounds of the NFL draft, are you serious?!?! wow that's an indictment on your knowledge and analysis. Her comments on sports are very general and non-specific. Anita I don't care how you look on some MASN commercial in an O's uniform, I would rather you offer knowledge and credibility. She gets paid a ton of money and yet complains she has to do an in game show on Sunday, cry me a river, you're making more than your worth and your going to pull that stuff. There are ton of average Joes in Baltimore who make a quarter of what you make and never get to go to a game and have to work on Sunday. Welcome to the real world!!! Anita your job is tough no question and being from Florida puts you behind the eight ball and you certainly don't have a terrible show but Rob Long is ten times more local, more knowledgeable and oh he is from Baltimore. (1/11/07)

Ref. Mel's question- Bernard Meltzer, a New York & Philly Real Estate Broker and Entrepreneur who had popular (and profitable) radio advice shows at one time on big sticks in both cities (WOR for sure and maybe WCAU), passed away a number of years ago (mid-to-late 90's I believe). Genghis Cohen (1/11/07)

Worse than Dan Snyder being called "Dan Schneider," was yesterday on the Today Show when Ann Curry referred to Cal Ripken as "Carl Ripken." I think Ann Curry is the Barbara Harrison of network television. -- Bobbie (1/11/07)

Now that the potential "Art" induction into the Football has been reduced to one...there is a very compelling video (artmonk.wordpress.com) addressing and overcoming all objections to passing over the most completed receiver in football. Maybe Monk didn't do drugs, beat his wife, or lie to a Grand Jury, but I still think he should go to the HALL. By the way, he's a pretty good bass fisherman too! OH, I almost forgot: D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M, D&M. Captain Steve Chaconas (1/11/07)

Andy Pollin and John Thompson are the two main reasons that WTEM is a poor sports talk radio station. Andy Pollin is a shameless, idiotic sycophant of Kornheiser's and John Thompson only attracts the interviews he does because every guest knows that he will not be challenged in the least by any of Thompson's questions. Press releases are more informative than hearing Thompson restate the same stale question endlessly. Indeed, the show is better with only Koken and Walker. WTEM would be far better off if these two fools were no longer associated with the station. (1/11/07)

Saw this report about XM and Sirius merging on gadget blog Gizmodo. Thought you might find it interesting. Personally, I don't buy it, but who knows. gizmodo.com... Thanks for the great work. (1/11/07)

Kornheiser will be a ratings draw wherever and with whoever he works with but the combo of he and Pollin has been a good one. That's why when all clears, he'll end up at 980 or Pollin will end up at Triple X or Post. (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Well, Clear Channel (WTEM) is notorious for putting its people under contracts with restrictive local non-compete clauses.....

Hey Chas! Best of luck and a swift recovery. My best as you await the transplants. Hurry home and get back on the air. Tom Gauger (1/11/07)

On WMAL's 1 PM newscast today, the Redskins owner was called "Dan Schneider." (1/11/07)

So whatever became of Bernard Meltzer? I used to pick him up late at night with his homey adivce. Very pleasant to listen to, althrough I wasnt always convinced that he knew what he was talking about. I remember he used to say, "think of me as your Jewish uncle." He sure sounded like mine. Mel W. - Columbia, Md. (1/11/07)

Sorry to read that you're under the weather, Dave. I can empathize: while loitering in Jacksonville, Florida awaiting a liver and kidney transplant at the Mayo Clinic here, I've found time to break a leg -- fracturing my left fibula after tumbling down several stairs. Appreciate your continuing to update the site; tracking developments back home reminds me there'll be work to return to -- hopefully soon. Here's to quick recoveries all around. Best, Chas Henry (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Whoa! All our best wishes to you, Chas.....

Can somebody PLEASE tell Kidd Kris at 94.1 WYSP in Philly to stop trying to be like Don and Mike!!!!!!!!!!! and do something original!!!!!!!!!!!!! (1/11/07)

Its been a little while since I wrote in so I apologize for the length ahead of time...First I also wish to Ken Merson albeit late, a Happy Birthday. Ken was one of the first jocks I remember listening to as a kid on the old WMIX, Mix 106.5, he was of the first jocks that got me to want to get into radio. The excitement of running a board, talking up songs, etc, I definitely had a bug for it at a young age...Call me old fashion and most my age of 26 don't listen to AM anymore like I do but there is something about baseball being on AM radio, I am sorry to see the O's leave WBAL. I think WHFS should become a full out talk/sports station. Its music spins now will be even more reduced, how can they put on another HFeStival with any big time names? How about putting the Alt Rock on WQSR-FM HD2 which currently runs ESPN Radio 1300 in FM if I am not mistaken. Doesn't WHFS still at least have an all music stream as well?. It's too bad CBS can't combine WLIF and WWMX and then put alt rock on 106.5 with sports and talk on 105.7...The other night I watched MASN with Cal's 2131 game and man I can't believe its been that long ago, I had forgotten Mel Proctor and John Lowenstein(Brother Low as Jon Miller called him) were still doing games on HTS. To have Chuck Thompson and Jon Miller as broadcasters on the radio, man we were blessed, its a damn shame with what happened to Miller...I hope Steve Rouse plays the Memories song tomorrow which intertwined the Elvis Song and the old audio clips from Colts and Orioles games. That brings a tear to my eye everytime...Let's win this one for Johhny U on Saturday and I think it would be fitting if for just a day it was Johnny Unitas Stadium or at least Johnny U field. -Michael P (1/11/07)

Not to rip on one of the truly nice guys in the business, but try taking a chug every time James Brown says "folks" on the CBS pregame shows.. You'll be tanked before kickoff! (1/11/07)

Boy, that O&A "virus" must have run into a potent vaccine ... 21st (!!!) overall in12+, 18th overall in 18-34 (the supposed key demo they would do so well in) and 14th overall in the 25-54 demo. Basically, drawing flies and no better than the David Lee Roth experiment. The only difference being these two guys supposedly had an audience before they started. Wow, bomb city. Where are the pests now? (1/11/07)

If fantasy sports were all that mattered, then Anita Marks might have some kind of marketable talent. Her fantasy football show is acceptable. As it is, her overall knowledge of football is pretty non-specific (if you've seen the video on MASN of her throwing a football or a baseball, her mechanics are dreadful; I only bring this up because it's apparent they want us to think she's a real talented athlete). It's hard to imagine that the Orioles will be real happy with her doing any kind of baseball-related programming. No matter how good the Examiner's Jim Williams thinks she is, she's got no baseball chops at all. Could they possibly think she's going to be able to read a book and overnight know baseball? It's too bad that so little thought went into her hiring, that someone from a tiny station in Fort Lauderdale who's focus had been primarily on football could come to one of the most provincial towns in America and fit right in. She does spend far too much time talking about South Florida, and I suspect she may realize herself that she's in over her head outside of that market. I wish her well, because I think there should be more women doing sports, but don't give us posers; give us the genuine article. She's not. (1/11/07)

"But we're talking about WaPo radio, so the question would be whether Bonneville would want to put good money after bad?" It's a no brainer. Look at the ratings Tony had on WTEM. If WTWP gets some of that, watch them take off. Have you heard them at all this week? Sure don't sound the way they did when they launched. (1/11/07)

Great story in today's Sun, a special column written by movie director Barry Levinson about this weekend's big Ravens vs Colts game (probably the biggest news story in Baltimore this year to anybody in Baltimore)...... www.baltimoresun.com... It would be great reading for all those obsessive nutty Clevelander/Art Modell haters, possibly even bring them to understand the reality of their good fortune, instead of living in a depressing revisionist history of Art Modell hatred. Sometimes you just don't realize how good you got it. Read Barry Levinsons's column, he tells a good story I hear. :-) (1/11/07)

"Of course Bonneville can pay him as much. More. WTOP is the single biggest money-maker in Washington Radio by far." But we're talking about WaPo radio, so the question would be whether Bonneville would want to put good money after bad? (1/11/07)

Before Bernard Meltzer was doing his nightly program on WOR 710-New York (called "What's Your Problem?"), he was on WCAU in Philadelphia on weekends for many years. Even when he was on evenings at WOR, he took the train up from Philadelphia to NYC every day, walked to WOR at 1440 Bway, did his show, then walked back to Penn Station and took the late train back home. Bruce Willliams, who had a similar syndicated program and was once the mayor of a New Jersey city, is actually still on the air, but, sadly, has nowhere near the number of affiliates that he had in his heyday about 15-18 years ago. Sometimes when tooling around the AM dial in the 1150-1500 KHz range, I can hear his program. He used to have the highest listership in the US, but apprently was unnerved when Rush Limbaugh's program had a higher listenership (though their programs were very different). He then called his program the Premier Talk Show in America. After NBC Talknet (heard here on WRC-980 ) disappeared, he left a lot of big city stations, but he is still on. -- Carl in Olney (1/11/07)

First of all, DCRTV Dave, please take care of yourself. Hope you start to feel better soon. Also, would like to say "Hello" to Doug in Bel Air. To the person asking about the racist issues that surrounded the Buddy Deane Dance show, you are not being offensive at all. This was a question that I often pondered as a youngster who loved Buddy Deane and his show. I was fortunate to produce Buddy's radio show during my tenure at WAMD and had a chance to know him personally. Buddy shared that he was not trying to skirt the issue of integration, but was in a difficult position as host of the program. Although many of the teens on the show favored integration, their parents did not and made it very clear that their son or daughter would not be allowed to participate. Given the heated atmosphere at that time in Baltimore, Buddy didn't feel the dance show was the proper forum. Check out Tony Warner's book which provides excellent reading and facts about Buddy and the dance show at TonyW@arkansas.net. Also check out the handsome picture of one very young Ed Graham on a WWIN music survey. Damn Ed, here I go embarrassing you again. There is a young, handsome Jack Gale on there too. These guys just get better with age. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC/WYTI) (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Thanks Joyce, cough, cough. I'm pretty sure I picked up the bug around Christmas, when visiting my neice's two kids, who both had bad colds. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished.....

Regarding the Buddy Deane Show query, WAMU's "Metro Connection" broadcast an interesting story about "Hairspray" the musical and its similarities and differences to what actually happened at the Deane Show. Featuring the recollections of current WYPR talk show host Marc Steiner. Audio archive online, the second-to-last story on the following page: www.wamu.org (1/11/07)

Before he was on NBC's Talknet, Bernie Meltzer had a long run on WOR in New York. He was infamous for being too lazy (or too urgently in need) to walk all the way to the men's room, and thus peeing in the airlock. True story!!!!!! (1/11/07)

Wherever Tony K. ends up on the radio..I won't be listening. This man is an insufferable, insecure braggart on the radio. More later. Regards Biff (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Why is it that most of the most-popular talk radio personalities are "insufferable, insecure braggarts"? Perhaps we like listening to people who exhibit elements of our own personalities that we, unconsciously, repress. Calling Dr. Freud.....

Okay, this happened a few days ago but on Fox5 at 10pm there was a story about the Maryland Gov. elect Martin O'Malley visiting Kensignton. This was accopnied by some video that appeared to be just the backs of peoples head standing outside some double doors. No O�Mally not even the face of any of the people in the shot. What the hell was that? If it WAS video of the event, someone needs to fire whoever covered the story and the camera operator. My two year old could shoot better video! CC in Olney. (1/11/07)

"Why would Kornheiser go to Bonneville/Post? Can they pay him as much as CC or XXX?" That's not a very well-informed question. Of course Bonneville can pay him as much. More. WTOP is the single biggest money-maker in Washington Radio by far. (1/11/07)

"It was a '' Heidi" moment for George Washington Colonials basketball fans Monday night." I beg to differ. Play-by-play guy Byron Kerr did a great job telling listeners when the President's speech was coming and that the conclusion of the game would air after the speech. This wasn't Heidi. It was the President of the United States announcing the escalation of a WAR. Hello!!!!!!!!! (1/11/07)

Why would Kornheiser go to Bonneville/Post? Can they pay him as much as CC or XXX? CC or XXX makes more sense. First, both can afford him. Second, if he goes to CC, he works with his long time co-host Pollin. If he goes to XXX, he could be reunited with his other long time co-host Braun. XXX also has Sheehan who handled sports reports and filled in for Pollin when he was out. But both of them are tied up with Riggins. The big question is can Kornheiser take Snyder's money? Seems doubtful. Kornheiser to CC for the cash and a reuniting with Pollin seems to make sense. (1/11/07)

George Washington can't fairly be said to have been Heidi'd when there was fair, ample warning of the planned presidential tape delay and when other live alternatives including a video broadband feed and the GWRadio.com student broadcast were available. Despite last night, GW has enjoyed superior radio coverage in the D.C. area as opposed to Maryland (entire opening game on tape-delay in D.C. market), George Mason (three tape-delayed airings) and Georgetown (occasional broadcasts still shunted to WWRC/1260 dead zone). The Colonials are really getting ripped off on the television side, not the radio one, but that is a long story for a longer post. Everett W. (1/11/07)

Thanks for identifying Bernard Meltzer. Is the wikipedia entry sort of correct tinyurl.com and he was an urban planner who later went into the radio business. I seem to recall hearing his show on WRC(?) so I guess he was syndicated. Here's a site that lists several of those quotes he use to give on the show tinyurl.com... Actually I think a radio talk show with an urban planner wouldn't be so bad. Especially in the toothless Fairfax area with it's overdevelopment. Which reminds me I was watching channel 9 the other morning and Jan Fox had a report on the Tysons Tunnel and she showed the traffic at 6:30 a.m. as I presume a good reason for the tunnel. Ain't studies showed that by the time they build below or above ground it really won't lighten traffic but will probably be far worse. Ain't the tunnel really sort of a subsidy for the landowners along the route who will be able to increase density and make even more moolah than the county government has already bent over backwards to accomodate over the last 15-20 years? I mean ain't we in almost 10-12 hour days of gridlock ( I can't even drive to the store down the street no more without it being a good hour sojourn) cause the county government just can't say no 99% of the time?....btws I see Chairperson Connelly, and talk about a god complex, hired the former county government reporter from either the local Times chain or the Connection chain to be his new P.R. person. No wonder we don't ever see no investigative reporting in the county. If a young reporter sees an opportunity for a nice job with the county why stir the pot. ..........and I serfed by the anita marx show yesterday and saw Art Donovan and Marty Bass on the show so I stopped but it's that voice, that attitude, I just can't take it. Hey she's sassy ,she's that girl! and how much airbrushing did they do for them playboy pictures. hey she's a sex machine but she's tough! she's the new Coffy, heavy on the creme...which reminds me have you caught them films TCM shows late friday nights...d9mn is that a fight club violation?......just bring back the good old days of Ken Beatrice when the only thing that was suppose to be up while listening was tract lighting!.....and what's the Vegas line that either Don or Mike crack before spring break doing that kind of show they do do now?....and speaking of that crack about Grease not giving 110% these days, didn't you hear that bit Wednesday morn using the tune Mellow Yellow with dialog from Deliverance? Why it was Squealolicious! gagagaga praise be the Highness of Hydraulics .......does the Maryland men's basketball team even know how to run a play? And my new drinking game is down a Paulaner every time Brant says "critical" during a broadcast...oh man, I'm wasted! Indeed, folks! Just folks. (1/11/07)

On my way home, I have been alternating listening between WTEM and WFAN in New York. I can see why people would want WTEM to dump John Thompson; Mike and the Mad Dog has been a first-rate sports talk program. WFAN sounds crisp; WTEM sounds almost amateur compared to them. However, it's not really a fair comparison. Thompson sounds laid back and Koken and Walker try to keep the energy level up, and often have to deal with an absent Thompson. The issue is the personality of the host. M&MD is where I would go for interesting fan calls. Thompson is where I would go for in-depth sports interviews. Washington is not New York and never will be. We will never have a WFAN. Rather, we should focus on what makes Washington sports unique and interesting. --GAB in the Airless Cubicle (1/11/07)

RE: Anita Marks. The reason I don�t like Marks is that when she first got on the air in B-more all she talked about was Miami teams. She had no working knowledge of Baltimore sports or history. (She admitted hse hadn�t been to M&T until one of the last game of the season) Baltimore is a very provincial town, if it isn�t Ravens, O�s or Terps we usually don�t care. She is a poor interviewer and the station had to bring guest hosts on to help her out. (1/11/07)

To the poster with questions about Buddy Deane: I can't answer with any certainty, because I was a bit too young when the show was in its prime, but MD Public Broadcasting ran a very nice documentary about the show during one of the pledge drives a year or so ago. If you're really intrested, you may want to contact them to see if you could purchase a tape or DVD. It was very well done, considering there is very little actual film of The Buddy Deane Show available. Doug in Bel Air (1/11/07)

Kornheiser is much better off on Post radio. Talking about "American Idol" on a sports station just doesn't cut it. (1/11/07)

So the all-white Buddy Deane Show (TV dance show, B-more's American Bandstand) was pulled off the air because it refused to intregrate African-Americans into the mix. Was that an upper-management edict or was Buddy involved? Was he racist? Not trying to get the old-timers all worked up with this question or throw a dead man under the bus. I'd just like to know the facts. Please respond only if you know the truth. Thanks. (1/11/07)

One of the posters brought up a name...that's Bernard Meltzer. He did a show that was mostly general financial advice on NBC Talknet, which included Bruce Williams, Harvey Ruben and Sally Jessey Raphael (before she whored herself out to TV). One of my first jobs ever in the business was board-opping the show. Bernie was interesting to listen to; his trademark "Hiya!" was his way of greeting his callers. It was pretty easy, not a lot of breaks, and the show was fairly interesting, though I'd say today's generation of listener and most consultants would find it boring, non-sexy and non-controversial. But it was a good concept that's kind of gone by the way. My doubts are there'll ever be anything like that again. The RCL (1/11/07)

Washington Times reported that Riggins will be on MASN in February (didn�t say when.) Os deal with CBS was savvy - they're now on a cleaner FM signal (everyone knows, DC doesn't listen to AM) and Os get promotion over 5 sticks / 5 different demos, and get to produce pregame/postgame shows. How is BAL taking it? (1/11/07)

Dave's response: Does anyone have a radio ratings breakdown regarding the Orioles ratings? Was 1090 AM in first place on a typical baseball game evening?

Okay..I don't claim to know much about sports; probably don't know much about the radio industry (what sounds good or doesn't)..but I feel I know what sounds okay to me! That having been said, I've noticed from time to time that..different ones have expressed their displeasure with Anita Marks. But I don't think she's so bad! So would someone kindly explain to me what it is that you don't like about her? I ask..because all I've heard is how.."she's terrible"..or ,"maybe they'll show her the door"..like I said before: I don't claim to know much. But to me, she seems to know what she's talking about. But maybe I'm missing something here! Tom in Denton, MD. (1/11/07)

It was a '' Heidi" moment for George Washington Colonials basketball fans Monday night. With the game on the line and less than two minutes remaining in the second half, WTWP bailed out to carry the Bush speech. Yes, the end of the game was replayed but the damage had been done. Elsewhere, Bozo Hannity interviewed Rudy Guiliani, New Gingrich and Oliver North for reaction after the speech. The red meat network provided conservative, more conservative and extreme conservative for their version of fair and balanced. (1/11/07)

/\ January 11 Messages /\

\/ January 10 Messages \/

"Everyone here... Kindly step to the rear... And let a winner lead the way!" That was definitely Marilyn Maye whose singing bridged a huge generation gap at WMAL. We ALL played �Step to the Rear� at AM63� and that included Harden & Weaver, Bill Trumbull, Bill Mayhugh, John Lyon and me, Tom Gauger. However, I don�t think Felix Grant ever touched that record. Incidentally, Ms Maye was a frequent guest on WMAL during her heyday. I don�t know any other performer with as much constant energy with the possible exception of the always exciting Karen Henderson. Where is she working now? (1/10/07)

Harvey Hudson commenting on VO person Jess Dubois---is that THE Harvey Hudson who hosted the morning show on top 40 WLEE in Richmond during the 60s, along with his sidekick Lud Sterling and occasionally his Aunt Lil? If so, its so cool to hear from you. I grew up in Chester and listened to WLEE each morning as I got ready to attend Thomas Dale HS----much to my parent's dislike, as they wanted to listen to Alden Arroe (sic) on WRVA. Regarding Dubois, wasn't he a co-worker of yours at WLEE for a while? I believe he was a personality on WLEE after working for top 40 WEET and before he moved to top 40 WGOE (where he was head houcho) if my memory is correct. God, that was a long time ago....William in Charlotte (1/10/07)

Say ain't Rick Edelman sort of like that radio financial guru of the 1970's, I think his name was Bernard Melcher(?). I remember Howard Stern talking about him. Stern said his father went on how the guy never dispensed any specific financial advice speaking in the largest generalities. Ain't Mr. Edelman sort of like that, never being specific ,trying to lure you in to use his services?....and what's the deal with Suze Orman's teeth, and does she have a pointed head like the haircut suggests?....Boo-ya!...............is Kim Fowley in the rock and roll hall of fame? Al Kooper? Johnny Maestro?.....hate the purple color on channel 4 news set...was someone watching the craig ferguson show? hate the glass cubes, too......you never know just how you look through other people's eyes (1/10/07)

"Wapo Eyeing Tony Kornheiser for Mornings" - I doubt very much that Tony would want to go from a national broadcast to that proverbial tree falling in the forest...we all know that there are some really bad stations out there, but when was the last time that any of you said "Hey, I was listening to Post Radio and so and so said...". Just not a conversation that's happening anywhere in DC...Really. (1/10/07)

Am in TOTAL agreement with the lovely Joyce Conroy that the Great Buudy Deane is most certainly deserving (though posthumously) of Rock-n-Roll Hall Of Fame Enshrinement (along w/ The Doobie Bros.., Foghat and Alice Cooper. Rusty Gibson WEBR Radio/Fairfax (1/10/07)

Does anyone know when Riggo's show will premiere on the Mr. Angelos Sports Network? Does this mean management came to their senses and will show Anita Marks the door? (1/10/07)

Regarding Jim William's latest four graf "column" in the Examiner. What was he smoking when he called WHFS an "FM Powerhouse"? Or calling the Orioles' move to HFS and WJFK a "stroke of genius". Combine HFS and JFK's share in the last trend and you get a 2.7. That's less than half of 'BAL's 5.6 share. CBS had money to burn after losing the Ravens, and Angelos was angry at 1090 for promoting the Ravens before the baseball season was over. That's not the work of genius, that's the work of a bitter old man. (1/10/07)

Dave's response: WHFS's 105.7 signal has two big problems - a same frequency station in southern Pennsylvania that restricts its signal in northern parts of the Baltimore metro, and a 105.9 station in DC (smooth jazz WJZW) that pretty much makes the signal unlistenable in much of the DC metro. Maybe CBS-Baltimore could move WQSR, Jack FM, back to its old 105.7 frequency (now that the Ravens are no longer on the station) and put WHFS on the much better signal of 102.7. If I was Orioles management, I'd demand it.....

The Baltimore Sun attacks the credibility of The Baltimore Examiner in today's Sun....... www.baltimoresun.com (1/10/07)

Dave's response: Credibility schredibility. It would be a miracle if the Examiner could get a reliable print distribution network set up.....

Just wanted to pass along some information from Frank Lidinsky, the Chairman for the Committee to Honor Buddy Deane. As you probably know, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently announced the 2007 inductees. However, we noted on the press release that no names were mentioned in the non-performer category. Frank received word from Tristin Aaron who is handling the press for the R&R Hall that there are NO inductees for 2007 in this category. Disappointing to say the least and shear apathy on the part of the Hall. We will continue our quest to have Buddy inducted into the non-performer category for 2008. Bob Mathers, I can't thank you enough for allowing me the opportunity to work with Buddy while at WAMD. Also, I would like to echo the sentiment on Janet. I can remember making a visit to the legendary WITH without an appointment and being greeted with absolute warmth by this lovely lady. Janet is also quite knowledgeable about rock and roll. Hopefully, our paths will cross again. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC/WYTI) (1/10/07)

Regarding Kornheiser, WTEM's Sports Reporters indicated that there was a Newsday article today strongly suggesting that Kornheiser had decided to continue to do ESPN. Pollin claimed otherwise based on "sources", but something tells me Kornheiser doesn't feel the need to check with Pollin on every career decision he makes. (1/10/07)

Tom Gavin appears to have moved on, perhaps the window lickers should take note?....The Old Mange from a field in Lincolnshire......uh-oh Barbaro ain't feeling too perky.....peas, peas, so many peas (1/10/07)

Does anyone know why viva la voce is not taking new subscribers? I tried to sign up but it wouldn't take my credit card. There is nothing wrong with my creidt card. I bought stuff from Amazon through Dave's site with it. I can't wait to read Marc Fischers new book. The excerpts are great. I agree with the poster about having three sports stations on FM. I think it could work each each one had a different team to cover. Sports on 100.3, 104.1, and 107.7 would make Washington, D.C. a real radio town. (1/10/07)

It would be great to hear Tony K back on the radio. And since he still has ties to the Washington Post, I guess WaPo radio makes sense, but in middays, please! Maybe Bonneville will be able to afford his contract if it gets the cash from Dan Snyder for WGMS. (1/10/07)

An August 4, 2007 riot in Canton, Ohio was averted today. The 15 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced today and Art Modell isn't one of them. www.profootballhof.com. This judicious decision by sportswriters saved Canton officials from having to contend with 5,000,000 extra visitors on a single day! The best "Art" on the list, Art Monk made the cut and has a decent shot this year. Browns/Redskins fan (1/10/07)

Glad to hear Tony might be returning to radio, hope that it is WTWP from 9-11 and replays from 11-1. (Still a good signal all the way to Reisterstown). I don�t think he can get �Big Time� Gary Braun since he took Danny Boy�s money to go to XXX ESPN. I don�t think Pollin would leave TEM though. BTW go RAVENS. (1/10/07)

Hi Vicki .. did you just finish listening to "Mountain Jam?" The need to set the record straight is based on the distortions and LIES that are told on this board and elsewhere about what is going on in the industry. This is particularly true among the so called "pests" who think that Howard is old, irrelevent, and past his prime. They CROWED about taking over for him at KROCK and now you hear the sound of crickets chirping as their ratings head toward David Lee Roth territory. Meanwhile, SIRI continues to crush XM, CBS Radio in NY went from 22d pre-O/A to 21st with them on the station for the better part of 9 months. More generally, when reporters and journalists try to spin things based on an agenda (like John Mainelli) and then are not called out on the possible conflict of interest in their writing, that too, needs to be exposed. For what it's worth, this problem will not fester for long, as XM's future as a company is not very promising. Indeed, the buzz of SIRI taking over XM in a buyout has goosed both stocks today (doubtful you would see the same reaction if it were the other way around). As for the untalented twosome, if you are going to try and claim you are successful, more popular, and more important than the guy who essentially invented the "shock jock" format, you should not be surprised when people call you on your BS when it turns out not to be true. That is all ..you can go back to the 12/5/71 version of In Memory of Elizabeth Reed now ... (1/10/07)

"All the money in the word does not BUY happiness....being sincere, kind and caring are signs of success. ANG" Do you people ever read? I copied was Robert Smith wrote and the point was too often people just write shit and run. It is like the guy at the bar who bitches and complains about the government. When you ask who he voted for, he informs you that he doesn't vote because it doesn't matter. For anyone knows, it could be the same guy posting with different emails. As for being sincere, kind and caring are signs of success, that sounds like that hippy garbage they use to tell the C students in school that still work in fast food. John Miratovski aka Bryslock (1/10/07)

Dave's response: This thread is cooked.....

re: "Who is the S in the KMS they are advertising? Do K&M own those rights to the name KMS and KML or is this someones ignorance at the station that S isn't coming along?" I'm going to guess it stands for "Kirk & Mark Show"... The Swami sez, the "S" is for (former WRQXer) Jeff Shamrock. (1/10/07)

WTEM? Dead Zebra? Post Radio? It's an easy choice for Tony Kornheiser assuming they all pay the same dough. Tony likes to be heard and way more people are goign to hear him on 1500AM anbd 107.7FM than on puny 980 or the even more puny Dead Zebra coffee pots. Tony will be heard "from Richmond to Baltimore, from the Chesapkeake to the Shenandoah." (1/10/07)

Nice to see the radio gods getting a chortle or two out of the death of Lilly Munster, acrtess Yvonne deCarlo, today. It was right after a tired and overly long bit about blowing up balloons on the radio. Westwood one - Give me Dennis Miller. Now. (1/10/07)

Hey Bryslock/Miratovoski, suck an egg! D&M successes?????????? HA-HA-HA-WHEW, AHA, AHA...success is from within...they are both personally miserable. All the money in the word does not BUY happiness....being sincere, kind and caring are signs of success. ANG (1/10/07)

I did not write the letter where I supposedly say I'm and "tool". Would appreciate it if you would remove this cowards attempt to discredit my post. Any further chickenshit attempts to falsely impersonate me from any other emai, other than mine, should be shit canned. Thank you Robert W. Smith (1/10/07)

Don and Mike. A Success?!? You've got to be kidding! (1/10/07)

You have to wonder about all of the personalities at MSNBC and their egos. I was watching the network after Imus today and saw a promo for Keith Olbermann. It announced a number of quotes from several "entertainment" periodicals essentially saying he is great and better than Anderson Cooper. I guess he is so great because all of 500-thousand people tune in to watch him?? That is pretty sad. They are also touting the fact that they grew in viewers when CNN and MSNBC fell. Again if you are at the bottom the only place to go is up. I don't think anyone on the network captures 1 million viewers. You have to wonder if people like Arch Campbell, Susan Kidd, and IJ Hudson were let go because NBC is throwing money into the Titanic of cable news? (1/10/07)

To: ONE OF THE 6 Robert Smiths in Arlington...WHO CARES? The excitment of sending a post to DCRTV is a total adrenaline rush...sign your name if you feel the need, don't if you don't. Who really cares? I for one care about content. If I feel I SHOULD sign my name I do,if I don't-ba-da-bing- ANG (1/10/07)

I have just one question to ask the Sirius/Stern poster: Why do you personally feel it so important to get on the board every day, feeding us all the stats about how Sirius is doing vs. XM, how Stern is doing vs. O&A, etc.? What drives you to continually run the same smack over and over again, and to personally attack people like me who have a different point of view? Okay, two questions but I think only one answer is required. Vicki (1/10/07)

Re: "If you hate O&A, D&M or Howard, write them not this mailbag. It is pointless. Call them up and verbally spar with them. Did Ripken take steroids? Probably not as he was too healthy. Did he take Human Growth Hormone? Maybe..." ////You seem to have opinions, what makes them valid? Are you any more knowledgeable about Cal Ripkin's health than anyone else? Who appointed you the Czar and arbiter of what folks want to kvetch and speculate about in this public forum? The folks you mention don't entertain long winded and criticism on their shows, and although their websites may offer message boards and forums, along with other fan sites which exist as an outlet, some people choose to post their opinions here, so what? You don't parse the messages posted here, so why bother complaining about others folks interests, opinions, and complaints? Anonymity is one of the main reasons people feel free to post their opinions, and one of the reasons scoops and info is found here ahead of the curve, even though this doesn't comport to your standards of full biological disclosure. The fact that you feel confident enough or stupid enough to post your real name, not being a public figure means nothing, because like most here, you are just another guy with a computer and an opinion. If it is all that aggravating to you, the answer is obvious... go somewhere else...or scroll past. Aren't your complaints about other people's complaints, just as pointless ? Has such a message ever stopped one person from posting ? The answer is: NO. By your own reasoning, we should all feel comfy in telling you to shut up. Ready to eat your lunch again, Pointlessly Yours (1/10/07)

(regarding the Ralph Brown commercial) According to an article in the Post in November 1972, it's an Indianapolis Bujick dealer named Bob Cattersan. He also did the same spot for Buick dealers in Atlanta, West Pam Beach, Detroit, Kansas City and Cedar Rapids. When the ads used to run, he said he received 10 or 12 fan letters a week. (1/10/07)

Ok, I admit it. I am a total tool & I apologize to you for my cantankerous behavior. But I will not relent when insisting that you sign your name! Do you hear me? Sign your real name! Robert W. Smith Arlington, VA (1/10/07)

To the cowardly anonymous poster who said, "Robert W. Smith's name-calling " I didn't call anyone a name. I just made a statement of fact, that you people who slander, defame and make false baseless accusations, ANONYMOUSLY are chickenshits. Thanks for proving my point! (1/10/07)

In the last Trend, full week 25-54, WTEM did a 1.3 share for 19th place. That's way down from their 2.0 in the Summer Book. What little Red Zebra has done comed right out of the WTEM audience. If somebody goes sports on FM, WTEM is toast because the immediate Clear Channel reaction to bad ratings or revenue is to cut local staff, and there's not much of that left. (1/10/07)

The problem with the two DC Sports stations is one discusses essentially one sport, despite having local shows. The other has only one local show, which has been mediocre at best, and again discusses only one topic... IN Baltimore, now that WJFK has a legit sports property, they need to step up with better local talent. Stein, Marks, all need to be shown the door. They need to make a play for Phil Wood, Craig Heist, Pete Medhurst, Joe Miller (already on WJFK doing Hopkins games), and if you need a female, Amber Theoharris at least she knows something about local sports. WBAL has done a solid job with Ravens, but could someone please tell Stan White to shut up when Gerry Sandusky is calling a touchdown.....Phil in Brooklyn Park (1/10/07)

Dave, when Ted Venetoulis lost the Maryland Gubernatorial Primary to the Sun-endorsed Harry Hughes in 1978, he promised to one day buy the newspaper and invite all of us campaign workers down to smash the presses. I have my sledgehammer at the ready. Howie (1/10/07)

("Unlike you chickenshit posters, Cal Ripken was a success. So are Don and Mike and the rest of the people you pummel daily with your idiotic cowardly cheap shots you make from the safety of your anonymity.") I agree. Those that stay anonymous and bitch are simply the problem. If you hate O&A, D&M or Howard, write them not this mailbag. It is pointless. Call them up and verbally spar with them. Did Ripken take steroids? Probably not as he was too healthy. Did he take Human Growth Hormone? Maybe but who cares? I'm not even an O's fan. Why do people even bring it up here? They want to cause controversy. If people would use this mailbag for info and questions instead of pissing contests or bitching. I'm just waiting for someone to cross that line between fantasy and reality. John Miratovski aka Bryslock (1/10/07)

Jess DuBois was the TV pitchman for Sheehy Ford, NOT Ralph Brown Buick. The Sheehy spots featured Jess standing in front of a chroma keyed aerial shot of the Sheehy lot. The Ralph Brown spots had the spokesman reciting his lines while seated. Jess was a Richmond-based VO heavyweight dating back to the '60s. A somewhat pompous prima donna in his younger years, Jess was "born again" in the late-1980s. He briefly bought TV time here and in Richmond for his new calling, "Jess For Jesus" (I am not making this up). Shortly thereafter, Jess dropped off the radar. The Ralph Brown Buick spots were produced either in the Midwest or LA. - Harvey Hudson (1/10/07)

Please explain what is the difference between WHUR and WHURWORLD? Juanetta (1/10/07)

Dave's response: The second is a digital subchannel on WHUR's main signal. You can hear it by buying an HD Radio or by listening on the web.....

The Ravens on 98 Rock this year ( I listened on Sirius) sounded a lot better than the last few years on CBS radio, That guy Drep with all the sound effects and the too tight board made the broadcast sound like you were sitting in a Chuck E. Cheese. Is this what we can expect from the Orioles broadcasts this year? (1/10/07)

As a selfish listener who's missed Tony on the radio, I offer these points: 1) WTWP would be a very good fit, but I hope Andy Polin will jump the CC ship and join him. 2) Morning drive would be a very BAD fit. Even WaPo Radio has service elements that would get in the way of Tony being Tony. The result would sound a lot like Imus' fourth hour, which is one big commercial inventory dump. Think about 9am to 12noon. 3) Whatever deal Tony cuts, I hope it involves XM Radio. Rich Johnson, Sportspages.com and Fox News Radio (1/10/07)

Robert W. Smith's name-calling reaction to the mere suggestion that the media be a bit more inquisitive about whether Ripken did or didn't use steroids reflects more than a little ignorance. Fairly or unfairly, all players of that era are under some degree of suspicion and Ripken is no different. I agree with others that the media seems to have treated him with kid gloves. (1/10/07)

Out of curiosity, what is the #1 Morning Drive show in NYC and what type of share does it get? I'd like to put O&A's numbers in perspective by comparing them to other top rated shows. It would also be interesting to look at how they rate in other markets where they are heard live. For the record, I'm an O&A fan but I think their show has suffered since they moved back to "normal" radio last year. The XM show was smart, funny, and amusing. Now we get 3 hours of watered down show followed by two hours of smart, funny, and amusing and two hours is not enough for me to keep my subscription to XM. Especially when I can download the show daily for free