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DCRTV Mailbag - February 12 to February 16, 2007
Latest messages listed first.....
\/ February 16 Messages \/
DCRTVers: In all my years of listening to WJFK's talk radio -- from Howard Stern to the Olde Tymers Don & Mike to The Junks -- I don't believe I have heard anything as pathetic as 1067freefm.com... It really is the most disturbing attempt at a radio show since Dr. Laura: Rush Limbaugh shin compared to "Michelle & Michael". And to think: Penn is off the air and Junks re-runs are gone too over this shit. The "woman" -- if you can call her that -- is as annoying as fingernails on a chalk board. The "dude" -- if you can call him that -- is a sorry ass ankle grabber. Today's Topic: Boobs... Answer the question in the Unzipped Web Poll. Makes you even miss Jay Severed Head or Penis McDonaldsberg. Turn off WJFK once the boys have gone home: Michael Hughes, please get them OFF. (2/16/07)
OK, so Richmond is getting MASN by April 1, in time for the start of the Nationals’ and Orioles’ regular season. Anyone got an idea on when we might see it on the old Adelphia systems in Winchester and Front Royal, which Comcast has taken over? Charles in Winchester (2/16/07)
Thanks so much for the that montage of old 104.3 The Colt liners. "Now More Classic Hits than a singles bar on a Saturday Night", lol, I remember those quite well. I remember I think it was 1996 or 1997 when The Colt added the 80s. I think it was early 1997 to be exact. I remember hearing it on my walkman coming back from a high school basketball tournament in Cumberland. Going back in my memory, I guess it was what 1993 or 1994 when The Colt came on the air with their all 70s format. Some of the old jocks were Karen Aylor, Herman and McBean, Bob and Tom were syndicated for a while, you had Johnny Pantarelli(sp?), Miles (Steve Austin). Remember when Variety 104.3 (formerly B104) flipped to Soft 104.3 with Manilow, Streisand and Diamond as their mainstays. Wow 104.3 had really taken a 360 degree turn...Hey Brian Carter, good to see you post, you were just brought up today in conversation at the station I work at, about the old Stereo 98 WSUX days, 'The Best Music on the Best Station. By the way for the rest of you the 'SUX represented Sussex County (Delaware), fuuny calls but a really good Top 40 station...Again, Brian if you or any of the old B104 jocks have old tapes of the station, airchecks of yourself I would love to get copies and I would pay for them, the same in getting old Brian and O'Brien tapes. Thanks for the trips down memory lane. -Michael P. (2/16/07)
Each season, FOX5 attempts to make some sort of local connection with the contestants. I think last season, Holly interviewed the contestant from Richmond and made a comment about all of his supporters back "home" in D.C...But, then again, I've noticed with ALL local networks, whenever someone's in the headlines, especially national headlines, there's always a "connection to our area" as they say..Someone dying in Iraq, a mass murderer, a beauty queen, etc..Can someone just be from another area or have connections eleswhere? (2/16/07)
I do believe neither Dead Zebra nor WTEM is staffing spring training. These alleged sports stations just don't cover baseball. Thank God for TOP. And that deal for Tony Kornheiser to be on XM? If it is like the deal he had at WTEM, Tony gets all the money, not the station, not his sidekicks and not the producers or support staff who make him look good on the radio. (2/16/07)
Given that HD provides at least two added channels per FM, thus effectively giving us 3X the number of channels we have now,,,spend the $100, not $300, and buy an HD Radio. You are the exhalted one of commentary on the state of Radio in DC. Do not let your loyal subjects down by not being able to converse with us about all that surrounds us. (2/16/07)
There's a radio report that says, apparently, the inventor of the television remote control has died. (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Oh my. Does that mean our remotes will stop working?
A weekend in AC with my man. My big Mike man. Can't wait! - Dawn Geronimo (2/16/07)
Comcast has "Dating on Demand"?????? I can use my remote to order a date from the comfort of my own family room at any time I want? Wow! Tonight, I think I will order a pay per view movie using "on demand," maybe "the US vs John Lennon," and then use Comcast to order a date and we can watch the movie together! That's Comcastic! The movie will be $4.95; how much do they charge for each on demand date? (2/16/07)
Dave, if you ever do get an HD Radio, be sure to check out The Globe's HD-2 channel, called "The Jam". It features even deeper and more eclectic cuts than The Globe...good stuff! (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Honestly, with The Tube, XM (Fred, Ethel, Lucy, XMU, etc.), the web (WTMD, WFMU, BBC's Radio 6), my massive CD collection, iTunes, and, now, The Globe, I really don't have enough hours in the day to enjoy all the cool music that's available. I simply don't have enough time for HD Radio. Plus, when I'm in the car I usually keep it tuned to news and talk.....
Don't any of your readers realize that Penn wasn't killed by HFS? The show airs at midnight now. A better fit in some respects. Adam (2/16/07)
Sometimes even models need help finding a date, and Comcast’s Dating on Demand is stepping up to help connect eligible models with singles across the country with its first-ever opportunity to “Date a Model.” To win a date, interested individuals need to submit a personalized video describing themselves and why they deserve to date a hottie. Model profiles can be viewed by clicking on the “Date a Model” tab under the Cutting Edge category of the On Demand menu. They are also viewable at www.ziddio.com. The viewer-submitted profiles will be featured on Ziddio.com, where Web surfers can rate the submissions and send links of favorite clips to their friends. Love hopefuls need to visit www.Ziddio.com through March 30 for full submission details and contest guidelines. (2/16/07)
Re: "Dave - the flashbacks add no value - get rid of the extra page!" Don't you just love people who offer unsolicited advice like they own the page? Then again, maybe this guy can get a creative job at Clear Channel... (2/16/07)
Dave's response: DCRTV doesn't do as many "tricks" as some other sites do. Why do the Washington Post and other newspaper websites take one story and put in on three or four pages, with jumps? So they can get three or four pages of ad impressions from one article. We all do it, but DCRTV's not as "bad" as some of the others. Although, I've been thinking about putting each Mailbag posting on a different page - with several ads. And you'd have to click on 30 to 50 pages in order to view a day's postings. That would sure get DCRTV's "page count" up. Ha ha ha. Just joooooking. I think.....
Re: "WGTB ..... WTGB" I guess "everything old is new again"... IF you are dyslexic. (2/16/07)HAVE YOU GUYS HEAR ANY MORE INFORMATION ABOUT 1200 WAGE MOVING TO ANNAPOLIS BECAUSE WAGE WANTS A NEW TRANSMITTER SITE TO BROADCAST AND INCREASE THEIR DAYTIME WATTAGE TO 50,000 WATTS AND THEIR NIGHTIME TO 4300 WATTS? (2/16/07)
Dave - the flashbacks add no value - get rid of the extra page! (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Ahhh, along with the Flashback pic, we have several ads and generate additional "ad impressions" - and, ultimately, more revenue for the site. Devious, aren't we? He he he. Of course, we could be like the Washington Post and have pizzas zooming all over the page.....
Short memory there, ANG: Posting dated 2/13/07 "Hey shit****. 950AM is a totally AUTOMATED AM radio station." (2/16/07)
I also read your site before Drudge. I also read the rest of the internet before Drudge. Spoiler: it has a happy ending. (2/16/07)
Dave's response: No. It ends just like "Fatal Attraction." You know, a stalker with a knife in the bathtub.....
To Lou Kadishe: Dear Lou, I am so sorry I forgot that the broadcast game was full of folks that don't use foul language!!!! I guess I'm guilty of being overly passionate when someone attacks a knowledgable broadcaster. I truly don't hold anything back. As for my comments regarding shit****. I NEVER said that I said ****head! you twisted B*****d. Toodles, have a great day. Now, go slap a monkey-ANG (2/16/07)
Dave, is there any particular reason you refer to Tony K. as “superstar columnist?” He already has a huge sense of entitlement. Personally, I find him tiresome and take more stock in what Wilbon says on PTI. All Tony seems willing to do is go for cheap laughs. Tim in Stafford (2/16/07)
Dave's response: It just seemed the right thing to do.....
Yes KMS on HFS has been on for 2 weeks now. How are they doing? Well if you have ever poured milk over ice and drank it down, then left the glass on the counter for 24 hrs and came back to it. That’s what KMS is. Something you would rather pour down the drain than drink. Sorry guys Try something different……Like maybe……Being funny or try even entertaining! I think the thought behind having KMS on before the Ed Norris Show was to make the Ed Norris Show seem entertaining by comparison. With the Junkies as Ed’s lead in, The Ed Norris Show was seen for what it is. A fried bologna sandwich. Thanks HFS You have given me warm watered down milk and a bologna sandwich. MMMMMM. Where O Where have the Junkies gone. OH Where O Where can they be. Anybody know where in Baltimore I can find Greasemanelli. Hobble doo gaga. Hobble doo gee. Pounding my head against my desk, This is Elkridge Steve signing off. (2/16/07)
American Idol's Antonella Barba isn't local at all, she just attends college in D.C. She hails from Point Pleasant, NJ where she attended Red Bank Catholic High School. (2/16/07)
(Regarding an item in today's Inside Radio about more public radio programs being heard on XM:) They are right about public radio stations being angry about this. Public radio stations pay big bucks for NPR and American Public Media programming. And now the program suppliers are biting the hands that feed them by directly competing with them. (2/16/07)
Before responding to ANG and Vincent in Triangle, I would like for you two to read what I said in my original post: A couple of things: Will someone do a tribute page for Oldies 100? WCBS FM has a tribute page, and I think it would be in order for a tribute to Oldies 100 since they were on the air for 12 1/2 years. Nowhere in this post did I compare WCBS FM and Oldies 100 as to which were the greatest of the two stations. All I said was that I desired to see a tribute page to Oldies 100 for the length of time they were on the air. I do agree, however, that Oldies 100 in it's ending days wasn't the station it was. These two stations had distinctive approaches in their programming and presentation. CBS FM had a bigger playlist than Oldies 100. CBS FM played a lot of local New York hits along with the staples that were played on oldies stations, while Oldies 100 played mostly the standard oldies. Both stations however, had personalities that were entertaining and knowledgeable about the music. Oldies 100 had some great features like the "Lost Oldie" which later became the "Forgotten 45" which Tom Kelly presented superbly. They also had the "Top 10 at 10" which was hosted and presented excellently by Johnny Dark. I also enjoyed Scooter McGruder's Sunday Night Train, along with their special weekend features. So, once again, the mindless nitpicking and reading things into posts that are not said comes to the fore. Johnny Dark said the following better than I could, so I'll end this post with what this legendary air personality said about Oldies 100: "When OLDIES 100 took to the air in DC, the heritage oldies station in the area was XTRA 104 with pretty decent numbers. 22 months after we debuted, XTRA dumped out of the format, a badly beaten radio station. For the next several years, under Steve Allan's direction, we were consistently a strong Top 10 station and always Top 5 25-54." Ed Jones, Bel Air MD (2/16/07)
Jack Gale, who's new station, Oldies700, debuts in Dothan, Alabama March 1, will be the guest on The John Hancock Show on WBT, Charlotte, 1110 on the dial at 7:30 tonight. (2/16/07)
Hey Dave, have you thought about springing for an HD radio so you can provide fuller coverage/reviews of what's going on between the stations? Personally I'd like to see more pressure on WETA to use their 2 HD streams for something - what are they waiting for? WAMU is putting them to excellent use with WTMD and bluegrass. (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Frankly, I just can't see spending $300-ish for an HD Radio. If some kind soul in "the biz" would like to donate a receiver to DCRTV, we'd gladly accept. Just think of all the free publicity DCRTV could provide.....
I don't know if this qualifies as news -- feel free to ignore it if not -- but a Sirius promo I just received in my e-mail "In" box includes this news: "Coming soon to SIRIUS, Foxxhole, an exclusive urban comedy, entertainment and lifestyle channel with Academy Award®-winning actor, and comedian Jamie Foxx. And Frank Sinatra fans get ready: coming soon, Siriusly Sinatra: It's radio, Frank Sinatra's way. Siriusly Sinatra, the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, commercial-free channel, will air recordings spanning the entire spectrum of Sinatra's career, as well as other artists from the big band, swing and traditional pop genres." Christian (2/16/07)
On the FCC issue, I side with our esteemed DCRTV trail boss. I am uneasy with any government agency deciding what types of broadcast content are acceptable, and I say that as a parent. To me, the FCC seems focused on pleasing a tiny but vocal minority of self-appointed watchdogs. It's very easy for such an agency to be misused for political objectives. Also, the definition of "indecency" is somewhat subjective. Many of the religious groups that monitor content define "sexual references" to include appearances by gay characters, even when homosexual acts aren't mentioned. The self-rating systems used by TV and movies are far from perfect, but they at least provide a basis for me as a father to make my own choices for what my kids watch. (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Look, it didn't take the FCC's bluster to get Rupert Murdoch's perverted OJ Simpson "benefit" cancelled. All it took was public opinion. If the public are/is angry enough about "indecent" programming, then (1) campaign against it, (2) boycott the sponsors, and/or (3) turn it off. Government intervention in "free speech" - even for programming on the "public" (ha ha ha) airwaves - is not welcome/needed/Constitutional.....
Hey FCC? You want some violence? Pass that bill through Congress and you'll see some! Welcome to the USSA (The United Socialist States of America) Greg in Reisterstown (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Now now now, Greg, violence is not good. Keep your protests legal and civil.....
WGTB ..... WTGB I wonder, could Corpus Callosum, Clark Kent and the Collective State of Quack, and Mystic Eyes be far behind? (2/16/07)
Brian Carter, as someone else pointed out, the former husband of Sally Thorner who owned WAYE is Stuart Frankel. His brother Robert owns the Frankel car dealerships. They are also my cousins. I believe I sent Dave Hughes some audio clips from WAYE a few years back. The station was in the final days of talk radio when I made those recordings of Rex Barney and Arnold Zenker. Dave Statter (2/16/07)
I love your rants. You were so passionate about the format change at WARW....I loved that! Nobody else who writes about radio/TV in this town is anywhere near as passionate or interesting as you. Heck, I even read you before I check Drudge every morning! (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Awww schucks.....
"Sorry, I should have read that before I posted it, Ed Graham" - You admitted you made a mistake, so I guess I’d have to take back the comment about you making good radio management today – because admitting fallibility is not a trait of today’s radio manager.
Regarding the blurb about violence on TV, this part made me laugh: "The long-overdue report suggests Congress could craft a law that would let the agency regulate violent programming much like it regulates sexual content and profanity - by barring it from being aired during hours when children may be watching, for example." Scrubs comes on at 9pm, the same time as most episodes of 24. Scrubs made it's first blatant sexual reference at a full 10 seconds into last nights episode. The amount of sexual references that are made on NBC between the 8pm and 9pm "safe harbor", "family" hour is rediculous. The FCC needs a hobby because they sure as hell aren't doing their job. If they start regulating violence like they do sex and profanity, 24 will not change one bit. (2/16/07)
(snip) Hey ANG – seek help before you end up with a gun (end snip) I agree. ANG, the Mailbag has always been a wide-open forum for soapboxers, but a little decorum is appreciated by the pro broadcasters who frequent Dave's fine site. "Hey shit***" and "get a life" reduces one to the level of an adolescent skateboarder. Share your opinions by all means; but a touch of netiquette adds credibility to those opinions and earns respect from us other participants. -Lou Kadishe (2/16/07)
(Regarding the Tony Kornheiser urinal story at SportsTalk 980:) Your Clear Channel source made all that stuff up. (2/16/07)
Sportstalk980, your white flag radio station, apparently abandoning “live and local all day.” Is there anything lamer than re-running an hour of Czaban from 9-10? Have they pondered tests of the emergency broadcast system for an hour? Actually, moving Andy Polley’s Happy Fun Time Extravaganza to the afternoon isn’t a bad idea, because he knows full well that 9/10 of his audience is trotting over to WP radio for the return of Mr. Tony. I also share the view expressed below that Andy and Steve don’t get baseball calls because they don’t actually know anything about baseball. I’m not even talking about detailed knowledge about a team’s prospects, the kind of stuff you’d get in Boston or Chicago or New York or Philadelphia. I’m betting that neither Andy nor Steve could name three players in the Nats’ minor league system without looking it up on the Net, and that’s just pitiful for an alleged sports talk station. Andy’s got a lot of time to fill between now and the NFL draft. Sincerely, TMU (2/16/07)
Dave, the problem with posting about local "American Idol" contestants is that you open up the floodgates for equal time demands from fans of other reality shows. I know this because I would start making such demands myself for "The Amazing Race." (Charla Faddoul & Mirna Hindoyan from Towson, Md. are part of the "The Amazing Race: All-Stars" edition to premiere this Sunday evening, after all.) Everett W. (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Don't worry. I'm in complete control of those floodgates. There is no "equal time rule" for websites.....
"Ed you clearly said Oldies 100 was not a great station… scroll down – there it is (I assume) written by your own hand." - - I did scroll down, and to my surprise, you're right. Sorry, I should have read that before I posted it. I really meant to say that Oldies 100 was a great radio station that became not-so-great after CC took it over. Ed Graham (2/16/07)
I heard WTOP's Craif Heist reporting from Spring Training. Who did WTEM and Dead Zebra send to Spring Training? And when Tony K wantrs to talk baseball next week, will he talk to Post beat reporters like Barry Svrulga or WTOP reporters like Crag and Byron (sp?) and Dave Johnson? Actually, I guess I do know the answer to my last question: Tony will talk to ANYBODY he wants to! (2/16/07)
Re: Local Gal Makes The Cut On "Idol": Dave - this is not local TV/Radio news. Its bad enough that TV stations (WTTG, for example) try to call this reality show crap "news", now you're doing it too. Stick to the real news, please. Dave in Fredericksburg (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Hey, "Idol" is no more "crap" than, say, Fox News, which is pretty much Anna Nicole Smith these days. And we cover the local rumblings with that.....
"A lesson for Gannett if they're thinking of buying 50 to pair with 9. Two aren't always better than one....." Yeah., but with its ratings, Gannett would probably shut down 9. Thanks, Darryl! (2/16/07)
Your story (yesterday's Rant) about Tony Kornheiser's outrageous bathroom demands & Dave Burd's bagel duties was picked up (with attribution) by washingtonpost.com yesterday (2/15/07) in Liz Kelly's Celebritology Live chat. (www.washingtonpost.com) Liz doesn't buy the story, surmises it's somebody's "sour grapes." (2/16/07)
Dave's response: It came from a reliable Clear Channel source.....
Re: Turnover at Post.com. That may not be a sign of imminent slashing. That may be a sign that those jobs simply stink. (2/16/07)
I believe that Mil Arcega is working at Voice of America. Al McGilvray (2/16/07)
“ANG” … the first three letters in the word angry … coincidence? Hey ANG – seek help before you end up with a gun stalking innocent victims at a mall. (2/16/07)
Isn't it a typical move for WJFK to cancel Penn Jillette, the one interesting show on that station? John in Stafford (2/16/07)
Last piece on channel 5 10 o'clock news last night was some lame thing about flirting in traffic. It struck this duffus that this was a paid for piece to get people to go to the website mentioned in the story. Are tv stations under no legal requirements to admit being paid to run a story? Is it pretty much they can run what they want without punishment as long as it don't have any naked and aroused content? Btws, Stacy Cohan was doing the voiceover on the story but she got no face time. Is she gone and this was something done beforehand and channel 5 decided to stick the piece in at end of news or whatever that sh8t is they do these days. And i still think Shawn Yancey moves her head the same way with every story she reads......as the days run down to a precious few for the George Michael's Sports Macheen on Sunday nights I realize the pangs of emptiness are starting to hit me.....the show has been a comfort after another lost weekend for all these years.....wonder what all them stations that carry the Macheen are going to do. More d8mn infomercials I guess......Do you think the speed channel is going to jettison Michael Waltrip?......I kind of thought Sue Palka and geronimo's wife sort of looked alike... (2/16/07)
Dave's response: Hey, Rupert Murdoch is going "green" - a la CBS with its launch of The Globe. He's going to shut down Channel 20 to save energy. Hell, nobody's watching My 20! Ha ha ha. Ah, the joys of a duopoly. A lesson for Gannett if they're thinking of buying 50 to pair with 9. Two aren't always better than one.....
When the old KTK-105 turned into WSQR...that was a good thing! JACK-ASS FM is definitely not. I can remember when we were playing the same 10 tunes every hour on WLPL under the direction of a "consultant". What amazes me is that with all this consolidation of facilities and staffs, Infinity and Clear Channel wine they can't make a profit. And whatever happened to some good ol' competition...that's what drives you to be clever and creative. Yes, it's all gone, and now we have JACK-ASS FM. Steve, Baltimore (2/16/07)
For Michael "P" and all the DJ's. 104.3 The Colt Start-up Package. www.bigfatdj.com... Enjoy! (2/16/07)
/\ February 16 Messages /\
\/ February 15 Messages \/
I guess jeez I was about 12 or so when Oldies 100 came on the air and due to the poor signal I really did not hear XTRA 104 that well but I do remember enjoying it when I could hear it in Caroll County or if I tried real hard to get it on my boombox at my house in Woodlawn. Certainly Oldies 100 had a bigger playlist than WQSR up until the Clear Channel days, I remember that much. At first I was a little too young to appreciate them but as I got older and could appreciate them more, having Johnny Dark on was a treat as was Goldie. Heck when I was 12 I didn't really know how much of a legend Johnny D was...I would have to think that Oldies 100's signal had a big part in beating out XTRA, I mean that is one killer signal that gets into two top 20 markets...I remember when XTRA 104 went all 70s, at the same time we had 104.3 The Colt here in Baltimore which was all 70s, that seemed to be the format of the week for a while. Either way it brings back the memories. I have a tape of the two of them at home in one my shoeboxes. I also have a tape of Dancin' Saturday Nights with Big Don O'Brien Hun! from 104.3 The Colt. I can still hear either Herman or McBean voicing the ID- "Its Dancin Hits Saturday Night on WOCT-FM Baltimore-104.3 The Colt Means Music. Then Big Don had some caller on that was pretty blasted from Arnold, no it was Savage, I think he commented like there wasn't much to Savage there in Savage, ahh the laughs!!! -Michael P (2/15/07)
Baseball Talk on DC Sports Radio. The biggest problem is that almost none of the hosts of sports talk radio in DC know enough about baseball to engage in anything close to insightful discussions about it. Why would anyone want to call Czaban or Pollin to discuss baseball or the Nats? They are laughable when they attempt to talk baseball and can't provide callers or listeners anything they don't already know. (Unless they've changed. I stopped listening to them a while ago.) (2/15/07)
Re: Penn Jillette show: I agree with the poster; Penn's show is a refreshing breath of fresh air. Shame on HFS for killing it. Thank goodness all of Penn's shows can be heard at Pennradio.com (2/15/07)
Anyone know whatever became of former NBC4 Newser Mil Arcega?As I recall, he preceeded Jo Krebs in the AM anchor Air Chair and seemed to be a talented guy. Rusty Gibson (2/15/07)
Mike in Fairfax is right. Baseball fans (and hockey fans, for that matter) already know that many WTEM hosts will do nothing but express disdain for and disinterest in those sports. So they don't listen to the station. Consequently, the moronic hosts shouldn't be surprised that they get few calls on the rare occasions that they actually want to discuss those sports. (2/15/07)
Brian Carter: The GM who married Sally Thorner was Stu Frankel. He was actually the owner of WAYE in those days. He and a partner went on to own a group of FM’s, including WMAR-FM/WMKR-FM in the Hot Hits days. Roddy Freeman (2/15/07)
Heard Rusty "Magical History Tour" Gibson calling into Anita Marks' show today on MASN. She was interviewing the great Johnny Holliday, who had props for DCRTV. Cool. (2/15/07)
Doni was talking about upchucking into his nasal cavity and almost collapsing. Now that's quality radio! (2/15/07)
Hey you, yeah you, the one trying to start something we Ed Grahm. Get a life. Ed's had more experience in the industry than you could ever imagine. He may not have said Oldies was a great station in his earlier post, but I think a guy like him is allowed. As for management quality with the f'n attitude you seem to have you'd make a great management TOOL! -ANG (2/15/07)
I miss WARW "The Arrow", but with such consistent low ratings I can see why they made a change. Trying to give "The Glove" a try...but already hearing repeats inspite of their "deeper cut" pledge. Also, for a "green" station - VERY disapointed they have a "DODGE RAM" truck ad on their website...what, no room for a Hummer ad? (2/15/07)
Dave's response: New Order on TGB at 6:24 PM. Followed by Zep's "Kashmir." I love it!
Who will Tony Kornheiser's sidekiks be? I am so glad he will be. He's an angry, grumpy little old man. And he plays the part well for laughs. (2/15/07)
WAYE..ONE WAYE86(bumper sticker looked like a one way sign)...great alternative to WKTK and 98 ROCK in the early 70's. They seemed to be HIPPER musically.They played Stevie Wonder,Rolling Stones,Robert Palmer,Eagles. The first time i heard "New kid in town " was on A-Y-E! RAN TO THE RECORD STORE and copped Hotel California.!!!! Chris Emory,Marty Mclean,Frank Adair....Only a daytimer but they rocked. One day i walked into the station (300 blk of N.Charles st,i worked down the street at FETTING'S)RAN INTO THE GM(who's name escapes me,but he married tv newsperson Sally Thorner) Asked about any dj openings...he told to come back in few months. I didn't bother to return. I did get a small chance to a little radio in Bmore a few times.MANY YEARS LATER OLDIES 700 sounds better than most terrestrial stations!!!!! Hey Larkin..go get get em Buddy!!!!! brianCarter (2/15/07)
re: My thoughts on KMS?- Ya don't don't know what ya got til it's gone. When KMS was out, I gave M&A a chance but they are REALLY horrible (go back to afternoons). K&M have kept me laughing for a long time. Shamrock is a nice addition too-and he's much more interesting than Spegiel! (2/15/07)
Frank Marchant: streaming media guru has penned a deal with Dr. Laura's TOTD Group in NY and will be building a TV station in LA for the good Dr. Marchant has been crusading IPTV for several years and has become one of the premier spokesman on the subject of IPTV. (2/15/07)
While Alan Etter is back at the DCFD, he is not back in the same capacity. Tony Dorsey took Etter's job and Dorsey hired him back because Dorsey is not qualified to speak fire issues. Dorsey was fired from WMATA for the same thing - he knows media but he is not a media relations person.... (2/15/07)
Wow, I can't wait for the "plenty of stories and sports content to take care of" in high-definition on Comcast SportsNet...that's much better than watching the Orioles or the Nationals. And thanks for the rate hike Comcast, you really know how to keep your customers happy. By the way, how many days until you take off Channels 45 and 54 from your system? (2/15/07)
hey Dave--you are right. apparently, baltimore put up a huge fight against letting the HFS calls go back to DC--even though, as previous posters have suggested, they belong here. but GTB is OK. and for the dude who dave responded to with "duh...the Globe"... double "duh" from me. oh and hey everybody--it is now coming to the end of the SECOND week... a format makeover like this require a lot more time . just relax and be thankful that sweet home alabama is not playing for the 600th time this week! not every song on the globe is a winner--but that makes it kinda fun. (2/15/07)
"HFS - High Fidelity Stereo, for a previous poster." 99% correct: in full - Washington's High Fidelity Stereo. When we applied for the call it was going to mean Washington's High Fidelity Station, but then we decided to start off in stereo and the "s" changed meaning. (2/15/07)
[Dave's response: Speaking of album rock on AM, anyone remember Baltimore's WAYE, 860?] I DO, I DO !!! One of the key DJs from the RockWaye was Chris Emry, a.k.a. "Delightfully Decadant Dr. Dirt." He has moved from the Chesco Swamp and continues to be heard on an FM station in Westminster, Carroll County Maryland. Used to be WGRX ("all Steely Dan, all the time!") (2/15/07)
Sorry, but when I heard WARW's new calls were WTGB, I was thinking someone dyslexic who remembered Georgetown U.'s old radio station WGTB had processed the change. What would've been so bad about using WHFS, especially in the D.C. market? Using 'HFS in Baltimore is the broadcasting equivalent of the name "Washington Bullets." -- Vincent in Triangle (2/15/07)
Dave's response: Oh yeah, WTGB - WGTB. Hmmm.....
First Post: "Oldies 100 was not a great radio station, but it was around for a long time due to lack of competition. Exclusive formats make programming easy, but not good. Ed Graham"..... Second Post: "I said Oldies 100 was a great radio station - - and I even had it on my push buttons in Baltimore. Ed Graham"..... Um, - Ed you clearly said Oldies 100 was not a great station… scroll down – there it is (I assume) written by your own hand. You know, with your double speak; you’d make a fine radio manager today. (2/15/07)
To my way of thinking, any Air Personalty that continues to stay on the staff of radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, is a legend. Especially to the City of Baltimore, he's a good guy, who's been in the business for the better part of 50 years and is in no way a small part of any operation. Johnny Dark is a gentleman, he's honest and has more integrity in his little finger than most of the air personalities I've met. I only worked with him for a short time at Oldies 100. But, I've known him for what seems to be centuries. LOL. I left Oldies because of the stagnation of personality that just didn't fit what I wanted to do. I joined XTRA and had a blast doing exactly what I wanted. Shortlived but a true broadcasting adventure. Johnny and I have spoken through the years on an off. He's truly NOT A SMALL PART OF THE INDUSTRY. PLB (2/15/07)
HFS - High Fidelity Stereo, for a previous poster. (2/15/07)
Ed...you are correct - 'programmer-think' and 'listener-think' ARE different. Some programmers think like radio guys and some try to think like listeners. This point was made in the context of your unsupportable contention that 'We need a little...' should not be played at Christmas ...and....(quote) That it worked (end quote). You are guilty of thinking like a programmer in that case, not like a listener. And, if you are really trying to throw Arbitron in my face on this - try again. There is absolutely no way to prove that NOT playing that song had any effect on your numbers. Context and content are, of course, key to a successful radio station. But don't drift on me. This was about one song and one point. We can debate larger programming issues but this is an instance of you being called out on something that, while it may be your opinion, is not empirical in any way. I think some of the responses to this thread have proven that point - most people are clueless that the song in question is not a Christmas song. And, I would venture to say, base their decision on whether to listen to the song at Christmas on whether they do or do not like the song - not because it was originally from Mame and set in the summer. (2/15/07)
How could WJFK get rid of the one show that was mildly entertaining and different on that station? I'm talking about the Penn Jillette show. I tuned in Monday and that absolutely horrid "unzipped" was on instead. I tried to listen but dear God it was painful. Not the "train wreck I'll see how bad this can get maybe it'll get better" painful, but the "oh where is a stray bullet when I really really need one?" painful. Who can we try to contact at WJFK/CBS to try to get the show put back on? I have little faith but want to try. Any ideas? (2/15/07)
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic can't import broadcasts for the Phillies or any other major league teams. Such a move would violate Major League Baseball rules for designated television territories. No Orioles or Nationals means no baseball options for our regional CSN. Everett W. (2/15/07)
Here's another two cents on Oldies 100/WBIG. Oldies 100 did the job by "destroying" XTRA 104. Of course, XTRA 104 had no signal, so it wasn't so much a "search and destroy" mission as "Bloated Hack" Steve Allan would make you think. That's like WMAL claiming that they "destroyed" WOL. XTRA was a great sounding radio station, but there were (and are still) a finite amount of listeners for Oldies...and they migrated to the stronger stick. Not because it's programming was superior, but because you could actually hear the thing inside office buildings and homes. Clear Channel didn't immediately kill WBIG. The nail in the coffin for BIG was when their moronic consultant Gene Romano took over. Romano was a "rock guy" - and didn't "get" what Steve was doing with BIG. When Gene stepped in, Steve-O lost all control. If you want to blame the demise of Oldies 100 on somebody - it should be put on Gene Romano. Not Stevie or Little Billy Hess. They followed their orders - and by doing so, killed a radio station that was adored. (2/15/07)
Can't Comcast Sportsnet pay for the rights to either Yankees or Red Sox games? I would bet that those games would get good if not better ratings that Orioles games that were broadcast last year. (2/15/07)
Dave's response: Comcast SportsNet started in Philly. Maybe they could relay the Phillies down in the DC-Baltimore area on CSN/Mid-Atlantic. Better than nothing. Oh, I guess not. That would put the Phillies on "the bird," something not now available via CSN/Philly, which is landline distributed. And that makes the Phillies basically exclusive to Comcast subscribers.....
What on earth does "TGB" stand for? And... has anyone noticed that many of the new songs they're playing are terrible--many of them songs that people make fun of? And while Weasel is one of the best DJs working in the business, he's, by nature, not really a morning-drive-type show. And what's happened to Medley--who was the funniest person at the station? So you've taken away a decent morning show, you've taken away much of a great songlist, you've added a bunch of crappy songs, you've put one of your best DJs into morning drive without a morning drive type of show, you're added a bunch of ridiculous promo spots that don't make any sense, you've taken away you're funniest DJ, and now you've changed your call letters to TGB. This is an improvement? They just destroyed, for no real reason, a perfectly good radio station. RIP WARW. (2/15/07)
Dave's response: WTGB - The GloBe. Duh. Shame they couldn't get the HFS calls back to DC.....
To Johnny Dark: Sometimes, in order to keep a post short, don't really explain things fully. I said Oldies 100 was a great radio station - - and I even had it on my push buttons in Baltimore. It was one of the stations that I really liked until CC took it over. I think WPOC was a great radio station most of the time, but when it wasn't, it kept the high ratings anyway. * * * To Guru: You said, "That is a classic example of 'Programmer-think' and not 'listener-think.' First, they are not the same thing and have no relation to each other. It's the programmer's job to NOT play things that would cause an adverse reaction for the listener. Playing the Vaughn Meader Kennedy comedy album after JHK was killed would have been a bad idea, but the listeners didn't think, "I hope they don't play that today." The point I was making was not about the song, but about all the content of the radio station. There are some things that research doesn't help you with, and the only research available is the ARBITRON survey. I don't ever want to play a song that might create cognitive dissonance, I don't want jocks to say things the listeners don't want to hear, nor would I want to run public service or commercials that are totally opposite to the needs of the target audience. I used to kid a friend of mine for programming 'right-wing news and left-wing music.' It has nothing to do with 'listener-think' it has to do with creating an interesting and comfortable experience for the listener. Ed Graham (2/15/07)
(From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) Events Coordinator - National Association of Broadcasters, Washington, DC has an opening for an Events Coordinator. This position has primary responsibility for: Logistical coordination of NAB Radio sponsored meetings... Manage sessions at NAB conventions and... Coordinate communication efforts within NAB Radio for NAB’s membership. Other specific responsibilities includes: Provide logistical planning and assistance in coordination of the NAB Radio Group Executive Fly-In. Must be able to communicate with group executives; register attendees, including working with NAB Finance Department on fees; confirm seminar speakers; coordinate logistics with NAB Meetings & Conference Services Department; and, prepare badges, handouts and any other materials. Ability to maintain accurate records of meetings, follow budget guidelines and initiate future budget figures. Market and coordinate logistics for NAB Radio’s Executive Development Program. Includes developing direct mail pieces; telemarketing; registering attendees; assisting NAB’s Meeting & Conference Services Department in negotiating hotel contract and food functions; coordinating logistics with Georgetown University executive staff and teaching professors; and, oversee program on site. Need to maintain accurate records of the meeting follow budget guidelines and initiate future budget figures. Assist in planning NAB Radio sessions for NAB conventions, including but not limited to working with subcommittee of radio broadcasters; finding speakers and panelists for sessions; registering attendees; and coordinating conference calls. Responsible for all logistics of these sessions on site. · Coordinate Radio Department member service communications including maintaining NAB Radio’s web page; developing ideas for articles in NAB’s weekly radio newsletter; and, writing follow up articles about NAB convention sessions for members. · Write speaker introductions and develop scripts for events within said meetings and conventions. Ideal candidate must be a team player, proficient in MS Office Suite and basic web programs, knowledge of the broadcasting industry or trade association, along with marketing and project management skills. Excellent writing skills are mandatory. Extremely developed interpersonal and leadership skills, excellent grammar and analytical skills and strong attention to details necessary. Qualified candidates, please send your resumes to HR@NAB.org. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER (2/15/07)
My thoughts on KMS? I tried to listen the 1st morning, but I live in Southern PA & could not get the 105.7 signal since it is up against a station in York at 105.7. I finally could p/u that crappy signal up clearly when I got to the other side of Forest Hill. Once I picked it up, I realized I wasn't missing anything. They weren't funny anymore, & Mark was still terrible like he always was at 98 Rock. According to what he said on the air that 1st day, 98 Rock did not tender him a contract & they were going to let him go & keep Kirk. It took them 10 years, but they finally did what they should have done when Byrd was there, which was get rid of him. & I was no Byrd fan. I miss them at 98 Rock, but have not wasted my time since the 1st day. I have continued to listen to 98 Rock since. They did not make me laugh 1 time the 1st day & that was enough for me. (2/15/07)
Regarding XTRA 104, I always enjoyed listening to them when driving on the BW Parkway. Like Roddy Freeman stated, it was difficult receiving their signal in many areas especially the northeast end of Baltimore County where I was residing. I agree with Johnny Dark that during the Steve Allan days, Oldies 100 was one of the best. Let's face it. When a conglomerate like Clear Channel takes over a radio station, creativity, originality and most of personality will be a thing of the past. The station is just a bland jukebox unlike those beautiful Seeberg's in the White Coffee Pot. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC/WYTI). (2/15/07)
Faced with a gap in WTEM's programming during the 9 AM hour leading up to the Brian Mitchell show, Clear Channel chose to do the least creative thing possible - replay one of the earlier hours from Steve Czaban's national program. In effect, the station is conceding that hour to Tony Kornheiser on WTWP starting next week. Of course Kornheiser himself goes into replay mode starting at 10:30, meaning that many of his listeners will likely drift over to 980 or Triple X at that time. I noticed that hosts on two different WTEM shows made a point of remarking that the phone lines weren't exactly humming after they asked for calls on the Nationals' prospects for the coming season, whereas any Redskins or Wizards topic instantly lights up the lines. I find it hard to believe that difficulty in attracting Nats callers on shows that seldom talk baseball in the first place signifies general apathy toward the sport in the DC area. If those hosts were to give the team the run it deserves instead of constantly pandering to the football and hoops crowd, Nats fans would be more likely to listen more often and participate when asked to. Back when Phil Wood was with the station, he always got plenty of baseball calls - and that was before Washington had a team. Should Mark Sterne host a postgame call-in show on WTWP this season, it's a safe bet that he'll rarely if ever have to beg for calls. On Sports Reporters, Czaban mentioned something about Nats president Stan Kasten visiting the studio and jokingly asking why he and Andy Pollin weren't doing their show from spring training. But if Pollin and Czaban ever did get to broadcast live from the Nats training site in Florida, they'd probably come on the air and immediately start talking about the Redskins. Mike, Fairfax (2/15/07)
It’s official. The Globe has definitely replaced the Arrow’s 10-song playlist with a new 10-song playlist. I have heard the same playlist every day now since the format change, and it doesn’t look as if the situation is going to change any time soon. Mother Hubbard (2/15/07)
Regarding your rant about Burd getting "bagel banquet" duties for Mr. Tony, I have to say that the veracity of 99% of the rumors on the website is a big fat zero-shaped Lenders. (2/15/07)
I still lived in the area when WBIG introduced its oldies format. Oldies 100 had a very good, slick, music-intensive sound as well as some good personalities, including Tom Kelly and Cathy Whiteside. I’d say it was a very-well programmed station. XTRA 104 was not quite as slick, but it had more emphasis on personality. In my opinion, the biggest reason Oldies 100 knocked XTRA out of the format was signal. Until Oldies 100 came along, people who wanted oldies went to XTRA despite the poor signal in parts of the metro. Even after XTRA built its new, taller tower, good reception as close to DC as the northwest corner of the Beltway was somewhat problematic. And Oldies 100 smartly exploited the signal difference. WBIG ran promos saying things such as, “When you try to listen to your favorite oldies, does it sound like this?” This was followed by sounds of hiss and interference. We all talk about programming, but full-market signals usually win over rimshots over the long haul. It’s the reason WGMS’s numbers were lower after moving to 104.1. When XTRA was in the format, the oldies format had legs, which is why people went out of their way to pick up the station. The 104.1 formats after oldies for the most part did not have the following of oldies, and listening to 104.1 on the northwest side of DC just wasn’t worth the effort. This is not to take anything away from Oldies 100; it was a darn good station. Roddy Freeman (2/15/07)
So, it been a few weeks, and KMS on HFS has had a little time to get settled in to their new location. Thoughts on how they're doing so far? (2/15/07)
Re: "We should only play 'We Need a Little Christmas' in the summer!!!": Add me to the list of those who realize it's not really a Christmas song. It would be great for a 'Christmas in August' concert, if WETA would ever bring those back (I'm a dreamer). (2/15/07)
Even if his commentary is sometimes off the wall, Les does know how to ask the questions that we all mentally glance at, draw a conclusion and dismiss the thought, yet privately, like a naughty child's restrained hand that does not reach for the cookie, wish someone would ask. Les doesn't view things through the hole in the doughnut, he skewers the hole, peircing whatever unseen veil may lie within as his victim twists uncomfortably in the revealing light. He is polite, sincere, well mannered almost to a fault, pays on time,,,and if you are in his house at dinner, invites you to his table. In the fall, one can learn the taste of more than just roast turkey at his house. The rabbit was great!!! (2/15/07)
Rusty: I'll jump in front of Ed re: WEAM in its album-rock days. I did some weekend shifts there for a few months in between stints at WEEL. I was also working at WPIK/WXRA on the weekend--ALSO spinning at Dimples at the Tyson's Emerson's Steak House. You could do those things when you were 21. Simon Trane did mornings. Ed Rod did middays. Who was afternoons? Frank Adair? He was still lining-out album cuts with a white grease pencil so jocks wouldn't play those songs. Funny thing was the audio processing was exactly the same as it was during the recently-departed top40 days. David Tate did nights; Marty Dempsey did overnights. It was a pretty strong staff, overall.. /sean hall (2/15/07)
ease up on Bob Ryan, he is a nice guy. I here he goes by the name ginger nuts around the office. (2/15/07)
"Who was it who some years back came to the conclusion that Tucker Carlson had some ability?" That would be his father, who was head of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. For the record, Tucker Carlson used to live near me. He's actually quite a likable person. That doesn't mean I would pay to hear his opinions. But, he's a nice guy. I know there are partisan sites where Tucker Carlson is portrayed as practically having cloven hooves. That just tells me they've never met him. If you have problems with him as a neighbor, you're going to have problems with everyone. (2/15/07)
If you're going to accuse John Mainelli of being a liar, why not specify as to what he lied about? Perhaps the specific example you're referring to is that one involving the censorship of O&A. Remember that one? He said for years that he never demanded that upper management censor WNEW O&A but then just last year he admitted to Sean Hannity that he had? Oh sorry, that was someone else. AB Silva (2/15/07)
" I've been watching March Madness on CBS for years, and I have no memory of James Brown doing play-by-play." Before Brown went to Fox, he did NCAA tournament games for CBS. (2/15/07)
Regarding the person who writes about commercials for some Daily-Show knockoff appearing on Fox News -- yep, Joel Surnow (producer of "24") has made two episodes of something called "The Half-Hour News Hour", because he and Ailes think commie-leftist comedians like Jon Stewart have warped the minds of young people with their mocking of Fox, conservatives, Republicans and President Bush. Yep, the show is going to be as bad as you imagined... www.youtube.com (2/15/07)
Don and Mike fans remember these Ballatine's Days 2002 comedy stylings of Dennis Murphy www.dennismurphy.com and when in Bowie remember to stop for ale at Murphy's pub (2/15/07)
/\ February 15 Messages /\
\/ February 14 Messages \/
Biff is right, Weatherbug is not spyware. I do IT security and support for a living and what I have found is that many peoples systems are so screwed up and the owners 'know everything', but have not the faintest idea how to troubleshoot a problem. Many people would rather blame someone or something else for their mistakes, blunders or inability to stay off porn and gambling sites where most spyware and other internet spooge originates. (2/14/07)
To Ed Rodriguez: When you have some free time, please share some memories from the days from when WEAM was "Album Rock in the 70's. as I was a HUGE fan back in those days! Thanx, Rusty Gibson (2/14/07)
Dave's response: Speaking of album rock on AM, anyone remember Baltimore's WAYE, 860?
In observance of St. V's Day, can we please stop wrestling over which which weather forecaster was more wrong and go inside the bedrooms of the highly-regarded Lennon Sisters of The Lawrence Welk Show who (back in the day) explained to "TV/Radio Mirror" magazine readers why each girl asks her husband every night: "HAVE I DONE ANYTHING TO DISPLEASE YOU TODAY, DEAR?" The true answer (then as now) is what Alexandria's Jimmy M once directed; "Girl ya gotta love your man!" (2/14/07)WJFK's new evening show is so bad that it makes me nostalgic for the days of Peter Rosenberg, who I still found myself listening to no matter how badly he sucked, which was nearly all of the time. I'd rather go to McD's at two in the morning and chill with the aforementioned 'DJ PMD' than listen to 'Unzipped'. I'd rather be J.P. Flaim's chin on fight night than listen to Unzipped. I'd rather sit here in absolute silence and listen to things outside my window re-freeze than listen to Unzipped. -Ted in Fairfax (2/14/07)
I love Les Kinsolving! Somehow these loser right-wing hosts forget that the point of being on the radio is being informative or entertaining. Not just reading what the Heritage Foundation faxes over. He is a right-wing NUT but he unlike Rust Windbag is very entertaining. (2/14/07)
Oi! All of you "altercoccers" are making me stay up past my bedtime... which is 7.30 with my commute! (rimshot) First, saying Johnny Dark is "just a small part" of ANY radio station he worked for is like saying, "L'Enfant drew a circle!" Second, a VERY quick Jules Henry story before we get even farther away from the thread: He decided to drop his last name, Festog, from on-air use after he received a post card from a listener at WWWS (3WS) in Pittsburgh, addressed to, "Jules Pissedoff." Or so he said! Finally, all this talk about WMAL, QMR/GAY, WJMD, et al., is making me too nostalgic. Was it really as good as I remember? Mother Hubbard and I have decided, perhaps not, in WEAM's case. But, damned if we didn't have FUN! And, the lovely and talented Trella Hart sang it to us on those PAMS jingles. Thanks for the threads everyone! I GOTTA go to bed! It's almost 8 o'clock! - Ed. Rodriguez PS - D...di... did I just morph into Bill Gold for a second there? Nahh... (2/14/07)
John Manielli has things ass backwards. If he could remove his lips from O&A's backside for a minute, he would realize that the anchor dragging down ratings is IN NYC, not the markets they are talking about imposing the talentless twosome on (are they even still on XM?). Typical radio programming myopia, but then again, this is the same guy who lied about Howard last year, so it figures. (2/14/07)
I must say Bob Ryan was much more contrite this evening about his weather forecasting than he has been in the past -- he usually seems very defensive when he's gotten the forecast wrong. But, in my opinion, his forecast wasn't very far off, compared to other times. -- Bobbie (2/14/07)
An apology and a correction. First, I am deeply embarrassed about the gaffe on the air during the Henry Fonda remembrance. Although I don’t remember saying Norman “Bates” instead of Fonda, I’m sure the listener remembers accurately. I’m even more embarrassed about hanging up on the caller as I never did that unless I was listening for the third repetition of what the listener didn’t like. I dimly remember playing some dialogue from “On Golden Pond” and there may have been some problem with it and trying to fix it meant either hanging up or fixing the problem. My apologies to “Jamsonion.” Regarding Ed Graham’s note about “Mame,” the song occurs after Ms Dennis has been fired from Macy’s after screwing up an order for roller skates to be sent to a Texas orphanage. Mame is disconsolate at Beekman place as the depression has wiped out all her money; she can’t afford to pay Ito and the Cook. Beauregard, the Texas oilman who tried to buy the skates tracks down Mame at Beekman place and suddenly all is well. Mame, Patrick, Ito and the cook sing “We need a Little Christmas.” It is definitely Christmas in the stage musical. The unfortunate movie starring Lucille Ball may have moved the song to another season but I could never sit through the film. Years of smoking had hurt Ball’s voice and she wasn’t much of a singer anyway. (Great comedienne!) Her close-ups in “Mame” look as though they were filmed through Vaseline. Tom Gauger (2/14/07)
Wow.....this topic XTRA/WBIG...gettin lots of action ain't it. Truth is who cares? There's no real oldie stations on the FM dial here in DC or Baltimore any longer. I do disagree about the content of both. I don't know anything about the "budgets"....ownership likes and dislikes or "sloppy staff" stuff. I do know they, XTRA sounded better that Big 100 ever did (my opinion). The blame for that lies on corporate dictatorship and meddling in the programming. Cookie Cutter play-lists aren't very appealing, expanded play-lists can be dangerous...the fact of the matter is...RADIO, pure, fun radio is GONE, PERIOD. As for that Christmas...or whatever song...who cares? Remember opinions are like **-holes, everyone has one...toodles.....ANG (2/14/07)
You screwed up in crediting the City Paper with breaking the story about Alan Etter returning as Fire Department spokesman. The Washington Times had it Feb. 7... (2/14/07)
Dave's response: I never said that City Paper "broke" the story. I simply linked to their story. In fact, several DCRTV Mailbaggers probably "broke" the story.....
I think we've had this discussion before....I have Weatherbug on my computer and have no problems whatever with it. You always see the exact temp in the system tray from whatever nearby school you choose. You get a little beep in the system tray whenever there is a severe weather warning.. The other day it was was well before the Weather Channel televised it. You can configure it any way you want to. I'll bet it is superior to NBC4's program where you get a little station logo in the system tray and have to work from there. There is always talk about Weatherbug containing spyware but I've never seen it and I run anti-spyware progs almost daily. It does put a harmless cookie on your system which comes up when running anti-adware programs. You can also look at radar and get the temp in other cities. I would recommend it to any weather fan and of course it's free. Regards Biff (2/14/07)
The only people who know that "We Need A Little Christmas" is about a time before Christmas are the ones who have seen "Mame." They are probably a small percentage compared to people who think it's a Christmas song--you really can't tell from the lyrics that it's not. Sorry, this may not be on topic for this board, but it's been debated, so this is my contribution. I'm familiar with "Mame" and I still think it's a Christmas song. -- Bobbie (2/14/07)
Unlike XM with its in-house traffic division, Sirius outsources that job. Sirius reports may air around the clock, but overnight reports may not necessarily be updated as routinely, if at all. Your best bet, listen to the 24 hour newser here in town for developing traffic problems especially during inclement weather. Now, while listening to Sirius a few days ago, there was an announcement regarding a channel shift for one of the entertainment channels I listen to. It would be highly unusual for them to air a BB game on a traffic channel, but stranger things may happen while they work on their newest reshuffle. (2/14/07)
In the 1980's James Brown did basketball play by play on Home Team Sports. (2/14/07)
Thank you, ANG - you unwittingly proved my point. You are 100% correct about the lyrics to 'We need a little..' And you know what - PEOPLE DON'T CARE. Here, I'll draw you a map...To the average listener the song screams Christmas. I mean, what else could 'roll out the holly..' mean? I repeat the 'programmer-think' vs 'listener-think' comment. You and Ed are probably the only two people in the world who, when they hear that song, scoff: "Humph, that's a summer song.' (Oh, and by your twisted logic stations should only play 'Summer in the City' between Memorial and Labor Day'.) No, wait, I have a better idea. We should only play 'We Need a Little Christmas' in the summer!!! Yea, that's it. Listeners would get it. They wouldn't look at their radio like a dog wondering why the hell that song was playing in August. But, then again - you may be right. If Ed Graham did so much research he will likely quote the perceptual results of that song to us to prove his nay-sayers wrong. As for Oldies 100 - read Johnny Darks' comments. He just might have a bit of credibility. (2/14/07)
My 2 cents on the XTRA vs. OLDIES debate. OLDIES won with a bigger budget AND bigger signal, but not necessarily bigger talent. Look at the success (or non-success stories) of stations and formats that have landed on 104.1 and it's marginal metro signal. None of them have come close to the numbers acheived by XTRA in it's heyday. (2/14/07)
"Slice up the fruit-cake... It's time we hung some tin-sel on that evergreen bough..." Great; thanks, you cheeseballs. Because of the thread that began earlier, 'We Need a Little Christmas" has been going thru my head all day. "Need a little sing-ing... Ring-ing through the raf-ter..." Aaargh! Make it stop! Make it stop! -Lou Kadishe (2/14/07)
To the Ed Graham "Critic" One thing that can be said for Ed is that he does RESEARCH...Heavily. He is correct about the impact of "We need a little Christmas". It was only a Christmas song in title not in message. Take a listen. Now, Know it all....As for Oldies vs XTRA.....XTRA was a much better sounding and content station than Oldies ever was. The only reason XTRA folded had to do with DEEP POCKETS. Money was the issue...Oldies came in with a mammoth budget to promote their "Oldies Sound" LOL. XTRA ran out of money. That's all there is to it. So GURU me this, how come you think you know so much, when you don't? ANG (2/14/07)
Let me see. The comment comparing programmer-think to listener-think is dead on the money. What made XTRA 104 great? Hmmm...lots of Saturday morning used car sales to break up the monotony of the music? Frequent off-air, blamed on a variety of things except the real reasons,, CHEAP. Construct an 800' tower, but don't put the station antenna on the top, put the ham repeater that pays no rent there. On that same tower, don't rent to at least half the prospective tenants because you don't like them, and those you don't want can probably finance their own tower, which they did!! Traffic reports that ignored half of the metro area? Station in Mono with stereo pilot on? Station running at 2/3 power? Steve "I'm sorry, we don't play that" Michaels, John "let me finish my drink, i mean take my medicine" Columbus? The bent of the promotions staff? Ever try calling the program director to complain about what was said,,,and the response was "I didn't know..." The only time the ratings went up was when everyone had left, except Ron Ross, and he just played the hits, gave the news/weather and shut up pretty quickly. A pretty sorry lot ran the place as though it was their own playground, rather than a business. Everything that could be bought on trade and consumed in house was, no matter how expensive!! Mmmm. WBIG didn't have to try very hard to beat WXTR, it was given to them, by WXTR. When WXTR did finally try a turn around, the poor GM couldn't even get a new marketing package, he had to draw it on a napkin, modifying the old logo, while sitting at the Reb Lobster and ask the only 'consultant' he was allowed to use what he thought. Technically, it was a great logo. Clear Channel runs WBIG like a business, so regardless of what the programmers think about it, it will survive long after those who "remember when" only in their own fantasies, are deep in the ground, buried, along with all their lame ideas of what makes great radio. You can't beat the street if you aren't even on it. (2/14/07)
Ed Graham: When OLDIES 100 took to the air in DC, the heritage oldies station in the area was XTRA 104 with pretty decent numbers. 22 months after we debuted, XTRA dumped out of the format, a badly beaten radio station. For the next several years, under Steve Allan's direction, we were consistently a strong Top 10 station and always Top 5 25-54. Why no competition? Several companies considered the change to "oldies" but knew it would take a big war-chest to knock us off and decided against it. Everything changed for us when Clear Channel purchased us. Hence the name changes to "BIG100," "BIG100.3," etc. San Antonio took control and that was the end of a great radio station. To say that we had no competition is ridiculous. As a former programmer myself, I've always said "If they've got a stick in the air and transmitting a signal, they're competition." You're entitled to your opinion but, believe me, OLDIES 100 was one Hell of a radio station and I was proud to be just a small part of it's success.....Johnny Dark (2/14/07)
I listened very briefly to the WAMU pledge drive. They reported a big upsurge in pledges. I can only assume this is mainly from WETA "former member" who are disaffected. Thus WETA probably has to go after the former WGMS listeners and thus the "light" programming. I have more hope for the evening hours as I have already heard the Faure Requiem and the Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms. (2/14/07)
Who was it who some years back came to the conclusion that Tucker Carlson had some ability? This guy is the classic high school debate team know-it-all, who when pressed, folds like an accordion. His command of history is pathetically weak, unless you want to give him points for his seat-of-the-pants ad-libs which are frequently completely off-topic. Almost any bartender has a better grasp of what's going on in the world. Just awful. (2/14/07)
I know Ed Graham is seen as a programming guru on this board but I would like to hold up two of his recent statements to public scrutiny. First, to not play 'We Need A Little Christmas' at Christmas because it is set in the summer is, well, ludicrous. That is a classic example of 'programmer-think' and not 'listener-think'. Ask any 10 random people if they think that is a Christmas song and I would venture to say the answer would be "YES! (duh)". As to his assertion that 'it works'. How would he know that? Did he do research into attitudes on specific titles? That is a bogus claim that, I'm sorry, can't be allowed to just lay there as fact. Of course, if ED has some empirical evidence as to why that worked I'm sure he'll enlighten us. Second, he is one of the proponents of how bad Oldies 100 was. He stated that is was around for so long because of a lack of competition. Ahem, if memory serves - there WAS competition when Oldies 100 signed on. And Ed, along with his many defenders and minions, have waxed long and hard about how GREAT XTRA 104 was. So, riddle me this programming guru. If XTRA was great and Oldies 100 was not - why did OLDIES 100 win that war? Handily. And quickly. And they lasted so long because of a lack of competition? Well, you would think that such mediocrity would INVITE competition, wouldn't you? Guru? (2/14/07)
whatever happened to Mary jo walsh that used to do the morning news for WJLA? (2/14/07)
Reading Tom Gauger's comments about the importance of the DJ in earlier years reminded me of my favorite such moment: Tom Gauger's spontaneous on-air memorial to Henry Fonda. Fonda had just died that morning, and in a somber voice Gauger proceeded to list all of his important screen credits. Everyting went fine until he mentioned his Academy Award-winning performance in On Golden Pond as Norman Bates! The mental image conjured by that gaffe still makes me laugh 25 years later. When I reached Gauger by phone in the studio a few minutes later to point out that the character's name was Norman Thayer, he hung up on me! Gauger was a pleasant guy to listen to, but he always sounded so full of himself. It was nice to hear him stumble- hilarious, in fact- and that stumble reinforces his point of how such spontaneous DJ moments are lost these days, but not necessarily for the reasons Gauger indicated. -Jamsonian (2/14/07)
It probably should have said James Brown is ONE OF the play-by-play announcers. They need at least 8 for the first week of the tournament, and I would guess he’ll be on the #2 team behind Jim Nantz and Billy Packer, with Greg Gumbel continuing as studio host. JB was at CBS before he went to Fox in 1994 or so when they got NFL games, and I’m pretty sure he did NCAA play-by-play for CBS in the early ‘90s. (Note also that his news gig tryouts are in February and April, so they’re leaving March free for him to cover the tournament.) (2/14/07)
Those of a certain age will be pleased to hear that WKRP will be out soon, season one at least. www.amazon.com (2/14/07)
I was going to do a big long rant about weather coverage, but deleted it. I’m only going to say that what we got in DC (or Bethesda for that matter) was not snow but sleet. I shoveled about 4 inches of sleet this morning from my sidewalk, with some frozen rain underneath it. I’ll take the snow anytime. While the weather guys tend to want us to believe that the end of the world is about to occur meteorologically they were not all that wrong this time and lucky for us they were. Do you remember the BIG and REAL ice storm of 1999? (2/14/07)
[none of them called for snow] Topper and Doug both said snow was possible on top of the ice on last nights 11pm news. And the white stuff on the ground outside my house was sleet (rain which freezes before it hits the ground), not snow. And that was exactly what Topper & Doug's forecast called for. (2/14/07)
As one who highly depends on getting accurate and detailed weather forecasts, I listened very carefully to the WTOP/Doug Hill ABC-7 coverage of this storm system over the last three days. My conclusion -- they frequently appeared clueless regarding future weather events any further out than a handful of hours of visibility. Much of the time weather "commentary" and small talk took the place of actual focused forecasts extending up to 12-24 hours for a potentially critical weather system. The ABC-7 weather team and its "brand" and Doug Hill specifically came off badly for me. Perhaps my expectations were too high given the conditions. But I did hear other sources weighing in with actual forecasts. Maybe it is still early for ABC-7 and their expanded contribution to WTOP which explains what I perceive to be a debacle in this instance. And yes, I will likely not be using them (WTOP/ABC-7) for meaningful weather forecasts in the future. And yes, thankfully there are alternative choices. (2/14/07)
Dave's response: The problem, me thinks, is that the TV weather guys and gals really know what's going to happen (more or less), but they face enormous pressure from management types to "overhype" the storm to "juice" up the ratings in the all-important "sweeps." That's why you'll see promos like: "Killer storm will render your pet poodle absolutely senseless. Details at 11".....
Re: Weatherbug - eatherbug is a weather service that has posts at pretty much every elementary school in the region. WMAR-2 in Baltimore uses them, as well as a lot of local sites like www.kentisland.org and local school sites. (2/14/07)
Weather people are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. If they give you a specific forcast and say there will be three inches of snow, they are blasted if there are is only a dusting in your front yard. If they predict heavy rain, and a system moves 20 miles away from Washington and there's only drizzle, they are blasted. What these people are doing is predicting natural events. And those natural events follow SOMEWHAT predictable patterns. But if anyone knew ABSOLUTELY what the weather was going to be every day, they would make a fortune with their bookies. Computer tracking tells them what MAY happen in an hour, 12 hours, 24 hours, whatever, but not EXACTLY what will happen. These forcasters are more likely to err on the side of caution so that when a major weather event DOES happen, they are not criticized for jeoparodizing lives by not giving an alert soon enough. Imagine if conditions were right for a tornado or hurricane and they did not tell you, just because they could not be specific about where and when it would hit. What they are doing is giving you an educated guess as to what may happen in the future. BTW, the promotional arrangement Farley and ABC7 have come up with apparently is working very well. Doug and his team are the only forcasters who are getting criticized here, even though every other one in town said basically the same thing about this storm. (2/14/07)
Tom Gauger, great post. Most PDs like research, few know how to use it. Having a cookie cutter playlist - - produced in another city, will not give the listener anything special. Playing the wrong record at the wrong time causes a reaction. Probably not a good one. I never played "We Need a Little Christmas" during the holiday season, because the song is about trying to cheer up in the middle of summer. I know that sounds picky, but it works. * * * The XM list is interesting, three of the top 5 songs were 46, 42, and 41 years old. I didn't know XM listeners were that old. Certainly no self respecting radio station in Baltimore of DC would play songs from 1961. In the interest of science and honesty, I don't know what 100 songs the XM audience had to choose from - - they might have all been old. It reminds me of the WCBM top hits of all time. Ever year listeners sent in their favorite three songs, and Elvis' "I can't Stop Falling in Love With You" was number 1 for about four years in a row. * * * By the way, I didn't say that I would move WBAL to FM, I said that it had to be done at some time. WTOP began their simulcast on FM way ahead of when it had to be done. They are no longer faced with that problem. WBAL is doing great, but some day they will have a bad book, think it is an aberration, and then never recover. WMAL should also be looking for an FM. Aside from a handful of stations in major markets, AM is dead. * * * Someone asked where Alan Prell is...don't know. He was supposed to start a syndicated program last Fall, but I haven't heard a word. * * * Oldies 100 was not a great radio station, but it was around for a long time due to lack of competition. Exclusive formats make programming easy, but not good. Ed Graham (2/14/07)
"Brown currently anchors CBS Sports' NFL pre-game show, "The NFL Today," and is the play-by-play announcer for the network's coverage of college basketball, a la "March Madness." I've been watching March Madness on CBS for years, and I have no memory of James Brown doing play-by-play. I don't even remember him being in the studio - that's been Greg Gumbel's gig. Is CBS making a change for 2007? (2/14/07)
About the poor weather predictions: I agree. The newscasts that I watched called for freezing rain, not the 4 inches of snow that I have at my house in Bethesda, just 17 minutes from National Airport. The point is that Topper, Bob, Doug or whoever else you watch; none of them called for snow. I agree with the earlier post that there is zero accountability. They are "generally" right but they completely missed the mark with last night's several inches of snowfall. The earlier writer was right; if you were wrong like that in your job, you'd probably be fired, too. (2/14/07)
This exchange on the Chip Franklin show today between Chip and WBAL-TV weather guy Neal Estano. (paraphrasing) Chip: "I thought it was supposed to get warmer overnight and this stuff was going to turn to all rain." Neal: "Well, it got up to 50 in OCEAN CITY and on the Eastern Shore." Chip:" But you said it would rain in Baltimore." Neal: "Well we just don't cover Baltimore. We're watched on the Eastern Shore, and other parts of Maryland, so we don't forecast for just inside the Beltway." Huh??? This is why many of the people on this board disdain the weather people. We KNOW it's not an exact science, but for God's sake when you don't get it right, at least admit the mistake, explain what happened, and stop trying to constantly cover you're respective behinds ! Gotta give Chip credit (a rare occasion)...he didn't back down. Doug in Bel Air (2/14/07)
Wow! Talk about a giant leap backwards..what were the suits thinking over at WARW? Wonder how long long-time DC icons Cerphe and Weasel will be stuck on 'the globe'? (2/14/07)
"Watched a bit of today's White House briefing. Les Kinsolving of WCBM baltimore asks some ratheroff the wall questions. Please esplain" Les is a character! I had the pleasure of having him on my WPGC-AM staff delivering the most outrageous commentaries in the late 1980s. I unleashed him on Howard Stern once. I think Les got the best of Howard! He told Howard..."If they ever put a price on your head, TAKE IT!" Les made the cover of either Time or Newsweek decades ago. While interviewing a Hippie in San Francisco, the Hippie decided to disrobe. There's Les in his minister garb, microphone in hand interviewing the naked long haired hippie! Then there is Les in the Clinton press room, asking ad nausium about the President's "first member". Les wanted to know about any identifying characteristics to verify allegations made by several women about the Presidents infidelity and rape accusations. Then there was less on the Morton Downey, Jr. Show! Mort got in Les' face and Les grabbed a pitcher of water and "baptized him"! The body guards jumped on Les and a riot nearly broke out! Les is one of the rare originals in radio! If he can rub someone the wrong way, he'll rub harder! Steve Chaconas (2/14/07)
[Bobbie wrote: What's the deal with Alan Etter, spokesman for the DC Fire Department? I had read on this site that Mayor Fenty had fired him (because, someone wrote, he was getting too much publicity). But now he's the DC Fire Department spokesman.] www.washingtoncitypaper.com (2/14/07)
[Weather reporters have the best jobs in the world. They have absolutely no accountability; it may snow; it may be cold. There was not one weathercaster that predicted the snow that we have this morning! The three local channels that surfed said that the worst is over. Not only are they all wrong, they aren't even attractive.] Huh? Do you live in Pennsyltuckey? I watched both Topper on 9 and Doug on 7 before going to sleep last night and they both called the precipitation we received here in Arlington accurately. By 7:30 they said the worst of the storm was over (IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY) and my observation from going out and cleaning off my sidewalk and cars proved that to be 100% accurate. (2/14/07)
Hey ****head, it you want the title MISTER it's yours! Nothing like being addressed MISTER ****head! As for the Mensa meeting, sorry I'm doing my nails that day. Now, why not create a tribute page to Oldies 100 yourself..Simple job, Blank Page. ANG (2/14/07)
"Have you heard that Howard Stern got engaged to model girlfriend of seven years Beth O?" And of course she will eventually want to have a kid. Howard Imus. I can't wait to try the Stern tortilla chips and salsa. Maybe he'll open a ranch for retired & out of work hookers too. (2/14/07)
Dave's response: No. If they have a kid, they should call it Howard Karmazin Stern, Jr.....
What's the deal with Alan Etter, spokesman for the DC Fire Department? I had read on this site that Mayor Fenty had fired him (because, someone wrote, he was getting too much publicity). But now he's the DC Fire Department spokesman. Was he fired? Was he rehired? Was he never fired? Anyway, I'm glad he's still the spokesman. -- Bobbie (2/14/07)
Dave's response: Apparently, there were rumors that the new mayor would be letting Etter go. But he changed his mind.....
Could not disagree more with the couple of anti-Doug Hill posts. It is good to have a live local weather person on the air to give us the latest info. Yes - in spite of all the technology - the science leaves a lot to be desired. My only negative comments are theat some of the slots are still obviously voice tracked and they also seem to have re-badged some of the Atlanta crowd under Dour's channel 7 moniker. Also same adivice goes to you as to me - if youdont like what you're hearing, change the station. Mel W. Columbia, Md. (2/14/07)
Weatherbug-----do yourself a favor. DO NOT DOWNLOAD this on to your computer. Next to a full on virus this is the most insipid application I have ever seen. It will load all sorts of unwanted pop ups as well as slow the average computer to a crawl. I suspect that weatherbug is tying into local news to promote themselves. This application is banned at my business. (2/14/07)
Happy Valentine’s Day, DC! Have you heard that Howard Stern got engaged to model girlfriend of seven years Beth O? Holy cow! Claims he’s not going to get married, just be engaged forever. Time will tell. Congrats, Howard and Beth! Mazeltov! (2/14/07)
Weather reporters have the best jobs in the world. They have absolutely no accountability; it may snow; it may be cold. There was not one weathercaster that predicted the snow that we have this morning! The three local channels that surfed said that the worst is over. Not only are they all wrong, they aren't even attractive. If I was wrong in my job like this, I would be fired. What gives. (2/14/07)
Puzzled by the comment about Sirius traffic that's posted below. Sirius had DC/Baltimore traffic and weather as promised at 5:48 this morning, and still does now at 8:14 am. (2/14/07)
"XMers Pick VD Tunes"...My choices are Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire", Naked Eyes' "Always Something There to Remind Me" and Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin' for You" for the metaphorical approach, and Monty Python's "Medical Love Song" for the direct approach. (2/14/07)
What is this "Weatherbug" thing that Doug Hill is talking about on channel 7? It seems to be their new weather service. I didn't notice it before today. (2/14/07)
RE: "I foolishly tuned in to WTOP several times today hoping to get weather updates. What a waste of time that was. Doug Hill spent ungodly amounts of time explaining that he really didn’t have a clue—didn’t know what the temperature was going to be in 30 minutes or 4 hours or 24 hours, didn’t know where the second half of the storm was going to go—and the dumbass anchors kept hyping this as “Weather Updates.” Give me an ‘effin break." Here's the story. Doug Hill's Winter Weather Updates = Indecisiveness & Timidity. Is it any more clear that this guy is in over his head and over extended? He talks & talks and says nothing with regards to a committed forecast. Why WTOP decided to let its weather franchise ride on ABC-7 and Doug's cluelessness is bizarre. Hey, Doug (and his not ready for prime time team) -- you're highly paid weather "forecaster(s)!" Past time to step up to the plate. But, no doubt I've also lost confidence. P.S. To Jim F., every (embarrassing) 8-minute s for the last three days it has been a train wreck with the weather on what is fast becoming "WT-Opie." Can a less challenging Spring-time weather season come too soon? Sheesh... (2/14/07)
What I've learned about "true community radio" from WAGE was that Draisey interupts people he's talking to, wanders off on weird tangents, forgets the topic, mumbles quite a bit, and is on the type of station his talent warrents. Kind of makes you wish WAGE ran that Dr. Joy Browne show 24 hours a day instead of 23. (2/14/07)
Watched a bit of today's White House briefing. Les Kinsolving of WCBM baltimore asks some rather off the wall questions. Please esplain.............. Victoria Jones sighting at same press briefing, working for Talk Radio News Service......Don and Mike are merely fading away.... may they forever fade (2/14/07)
I haven't listened to the new George 104 very much since its launch on January 22nd, but I hear mixed reactions in this mailbag forum about the station. George 104 is in the middle of 104 days of commercial-free music, which, according to my observations, will end on May 6th. So far, I am initially enjoying this new concept here in Washington, which is based on other stations named after people, such as Jack, Bob, Ben, & the like. I am trying to spread the word to all of my friends & neighbors here in the DC area about listening to the new George 104, including all of my friends who work at Santa Fe Cafe in nearby College Park. How's that for self-promotion? In closing, I think that Bonneville, the Utah-based media company that owns George 104, named the station after our 1st President of the United States, which is, you guessed it, George Washington. Christopher in Hyattsville, MD (2/14/07)
Just wanted to share this on-line comment I sent to Sirius today: "Once again Sirius traffic and weather has failed me in the middle of treacherous driving conditions in the Washington, DC area. Two years ago I wrote to complain because I was driving in a snow storm and forced to listen to the same inaccurate traffic report played over and over for 3 hours. It was never updated. Last year I wrote to complain because when I was driving during an evening snow storm all I heard was the same construction report over and over. But this year takes the cake. I was driving in an ice storm and guess what I heard when I tuned to Sirius traffic for DC? The Ohio vs. Akron basketball game. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Why not use all those empty stream numbers? Why after three years have you STILL not developed a policy to have updated traffic and weather for all hours of the day; ESPECIALLY when traffic conditions are hazardous due to the weather? How do you expect me to take Sirius seriously as an alternative to local radio when you make such bone-headed decisions?" (2/14/07)
/\ February 14 Messages /\
\/ February 13 Messages \/
Regarding WAGE... yes the station powered down for the scheduled VA Tech game at 7:30. They decided to extend their afternoon show which normally ends at 6 to 7:30. Obviously the FCC would not have appreciated them remaining at daytime power for the VA Tech game; although I am sure many of the Hokie fans would have enjoyed it if they were still stuck in their cars on the Beltway... For those that tuned in.. it was great to hear afternoon host Paul Draisey give live reports of road conditions on his drive home to Middleburg. No where else would you hear such true community radio. (2/13/07)
Derek McGinty exposes the truth behind Valentines Day. Find out why he won't be buying anyone flowers this year. www.wusa9.com (2/13/07)
I foolishly tuned in to WTOP several times today hoping to get weather updates. What a waste of time that was. Doug Hill spent ungodly amounts of time explaining that he really didn’t have a clue—didn’t know what the temperature was going to be in 30 minutes or 4 hours or 24 hours, didn’t know where the second half of the storm was going to go—and the dumbass anchors kept hyping this as “Weather Updates.” Give me an ‘effin break. “I don’t know” is NOT an update. I know meteorology is supposed to be difficult, but if even the weatherman is saying he doesn’t know what’s going to happen and everyone believes him, WHY IS HE ON THE AIR 56 MINUTES AN HOUR WHENEVER IT SNOWS? And somebody slap Mr. Hill’s snide face and please tell him most of us are educated enough that we don’t need him to explain, at great length, that water freezes when the temp falls below 32 degrees. We get it. Chrissakes. (2/13/07)
(snip) Hey shit****. 950AM is a totally AUTOMATED AM radio station. (end snip) That's MISTER Shit**** with a capital "S", if you please. See you at the Mensa meeting, sunshine. (2/13/07)
Did WAGE's "weather emergency" end before it started airing a Virginia Tech basketball game? Just curious. Everett W. (2/13/07)
"Did you use "Righteous Brothers" and "classic" in the same sentence? Worst band, EVER. The RBs are the one band that will guarantee that I will change the channel or leave the room no matter where I'm at. " Wow, you've never heard Insane Clown Posse, huh? It will make you WISH for the Righteous Brothers. It's them or Posion or Dead or Alive. Any of the three is a good pick. Bill in Salisbury (2/13/07)
Wow, imagine if WBAL 1090 or WTWP 1500 could declare a weather emergency and stay 50,000 watts more non-directional (totally non-directional in WBAL's case)! Somehow I imagine that wouldn't go over so well with the FCC in a similar fashion. :-) (2/13/07)
Someone informed me that there was a story on your site about my bringing "It's Showtime" to WTRI. I just wanted to correct a piece of info on the story. The program runs at 12noon Sundays, not 1 pm. Also, the story left out the 2 years I spent at WAYE when it was Big Band 86. Alan Field (2/13/07)
Dave's response: The blurb has been updated.....
Hey shit****. 950AM is a totally AUTOMATED AM radio station. No jocks, not ID's. It's a write off. OLDIES 100 sounded like a TOTALLY Automated station PERIOD. My 180 is totally non existent. Oldies 100 sucked. As stated below just compare it with WCBS FM ,Oldies 100 couldn't even carry their CD case. Geesus, some of you non broadcast idiots just have no idea. Get a life. ANG (2/13/07)
WAGE Radio has declared a local weather emergency and according to FCC regulations is continuing to broadcast at 5000 watts (daytime). Maybe some of you in the DC area can tune in and hear what local radio is supposed to sound like! (2/13/07)
Dave's response: Coming in loud and clear at 6:28 PM Tuesday on 1200 here in Wild West Fairfax.....
I say bring NY radio here. It is great if you have XM. OA, and J. Ron and Fez are great, It is awesome to here some real people speaking about real topics and making sense. I turned the Junkies on. The first time I have in about a year. I listened for about 15 minutes and it was the same old shit, wife sucks, minivan, suburbs of Washington bullshit, really fucking unhip stuff and one of the fuckers is having another kid...Jesus boys as much as you hate on all that shit, why keep having kids??? WTF? Oh, hey Dave, Ant and Ronnie gave your site a plug today on XM. (2/13/07)
Dave's response: Cool. We're widely read! DCRTV was mentioned by former Governor Bob and Ron Smith yesterday on BAL.....
I periodically listen to 103.9/104.1. Without a doubt it is a train wreck of a radio station. One big question...... who is the target demo?..... I need to know, since it is not me a 38 year old male!........... It is open for debate the merits of Don and Mike, however it not open for debate that their format works (top 10 ratings). How come more stations do not follow the format of a morning like show in the afternoon? (2/13/07)
Topper Shutt doing the weather on the The Glob 94.7....I thought Mr. Shutt has expressed his non belief in Global warming? And he drives a big SUV? Does this go along with the Glob greenie emphasis? All a gimmick?.....Was Dave Kopay still with the Dreadskin's when Riggo came on board?...... Man o 'man Lavar has taken a big financial hit the last couple years...career over? (2/13/07)
This is why I love the mailbag. The recent postings about and by former music directors spark wonderful memories for me having been one myself for 12 years at WASH-FM. Those were times when we had the opportunity to help shape the sounds of our respective stations. The folks who held the position at MAL were great, particularly Bonnie Smith and Mike Dawson. I remember Candy Wessling at KYS, Jim Elliott at PGC, Buddy Rizer at DC101, and, in Baltimore, Greg Cole was brilliant at POC...just to mention a few. And, of course, we annually caught up at the infamous Bobby Poe conventions in Virginia. And how 'bout a salute to the local promoters who were a more than interesting group themselves. Duck (2/13/07)
What is this silly shit I hear on D&M? PLEASE RETIRE... just tuned in and they were doing this weird "singing" over some tunes. it sounded silly and awful... (2/13/07)
Woo-hoo...stop....you're killing me...I'm laughing so hard I'm peeing in my pants...lemme get this straight...XM...the medium that will revolutionize radio....that will do to FM what FM did to AM...just published a listener voted list of the top love songs and Unchained Melody is #1...Why, that is shocking. You mean - when people get a choice they choose THE HITS? What an effin' concept. People pick the 'same songs over and over'. Who would have thought that could ever happen? That people...want...to...hear...songs...they...know...and....love. Man, someone better jump on this information quick! There might be a radio format in there. The sad thing is that the music and radio snobs that populate this board will not get the irony in this...ho-ho-ho-hee-hee-hee-haa-haa-haa...Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go mold some clay... (2/13/07)
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(quote from earlier message) Oldies 100 was without a doubt the WORST OLDIES STATION THAT EVER PUT OUT A SIGNAL!! (end quote) I suggest you dial up 950 AM, then. WCTN is actually calling itself "Washington's Oldies Station". You will do an immediate one-eighty, I assure you. (2/13/07)
Permit an old radio geezer to make a few observations about DJ’s, jocks, and other on-air folk. The personality projected by the voice you hear is largely an act. There’s nothing phony about it; what you hear is a person who has created an on-air “persona” that is believable, sincere, trustworthy and a pleasant companion. Or, at least that’s the way it used to be. The successful radio DJ would play music appropriate to the moment, to the general mood of the public and compatible even to the weather. At WMAL, we had rain songs, holiday music, Monday songs, Friday songs, summer songs, winter, etc…. I would never touch “Good Vibrations” or Summertime (either Gershwin or the Jamies) until the weather warmed up. If a notable figure in the jazz world died, Felix would throw out his entire evening and build a show celebrating the life of that performer. Bill Mayhugh could do an instant documentary on almost anyone. Even Harden and Weaver with a limited amount of time for music had a producer who could dump a music list in a heartbeat and come up with new material to reflect a changing public mood. When Elvis died, I dumped the entire day and went “All-Elvis” interspersed with ABC instant specials from Memphis. When the Marines were captured in Beirut, the music changed. While it didn’t get somber, it nevertheless got a lot more in-tune with life. The point of all this is that play lists created by focus groups kill a radio station’s credibility. A focus group, sitting in a room evaluating music is one thing, how the music plays out in context is something else that can’t be predicted by a Music Director in the far-off headquarters of a conglomerate. Eventually, WMAL had Music Directors, most famously Bonnie Smith Rollison and Mike Dawson. Neither of these two were Hitlers about the music and both were extremely helpful about running music to the control room, often in the space of a newscast when we learned a singer had died. The first piece of music following the newscast was by the late singer just mentioned. Music Directors, when in sync with the market and its mood, are terrific. Tom Gauger (2/13/07)
WJFK, as it stands now, needs a magic bullet and I for one would love to see a New York Free FM takeover. Other than Don and Mike, their live programming is a disaster. O'Reilly and his half-live 2 hour infomercial for his website and books is horrendous. DC is ready for live O & A in the mornings. Maybe they could take the entire fanbase of that obnoxious laughing Canadian on DC-101, put an end to his pandering to the Northern Virginia crowd by pretending to like NASCAR and send him home to the NY morning zoo or, even better, back to the great white north of his birth. When it comes to the existing JFK morning show, the Junkies need to be put out of our misery while the guys are still young enough to find other careers -- maybe they can all be paralegals for J.P. Flaim and start a legal firm called the Law Donkeys. While once a huge fan, the Junkies downward spiral into middle age has not been enjoyable and I know that I'm not the only one sick of hearing them do little besides talk Texas Hold 'Em and play pseudo-edgy sex quizzes and guess-how-many-guys-I've-banged games with female callers. Time to clean house and think ahead to when Don and Mike ride off into the sunset. (2/13/07)
[Did anyone else hear John Riggins on Triple X ESPNradio...] Wow, XXX Radio actually has a listener? (2/13/07)
Dave's response: Yeah, one gay guy.....
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"Will someone do a tribute page for Oldies 100? WCBS FM has a tribute page, and I think it would be in order for a tribute to Oldies 100 since they were on the air for 12 1/2 years." Going into my Lloyd Bentsen impression: "I listened to WCBS-FM (I lived in metro New York for nearly a decade), and sir, Oldies 100 was no WCBS-FM." And that's true; I never heard CBS-FM play "Summer In The City" twice a day, every day. -- Vincent in Triangle (2/13/07)
Did you use "Righteous Brothers" and "classic" in the same sentence? Worst band, EVER. The RBs are the one band that will guarantee that I will change the channel or leave the room no matter where I'm at. And "Unchained Melody" has to be as close to the sound of fingernails on the chalkboard as any band has ever recorded. (2/13/07)
Did anyone else hear John Riggins on Triple X ESPNradio last week when he compared homosexuals to snakes? They were discussing that former NBA player who just came out of the closet, and Riggins said something like "Gay people are like snakes. I prefer to face them head on--if I can see what I'm dealing with, I'm OK with it...but I don't like them to sneak up on me or surprise me..."...it was pretty shocking, and almost made me vomit. AC in PG (2/13/07)
If anyone recognizes the "croc" puppets (and/or the kids' TV show which featured them) in today's DCRTV FLASHBACK snapshot, please drop a line to kaptainkidshow@yahoo.com . That photo was graciously provided by Tom Buckley from the Broadcast House archives and may date back to the 1950s. The man in the photo appears to be a member of the stage crew caught on camera. KaptainKidshow.com (2/13/07)
For the record, I posted the question regarding the FCC and I am a Conservative. While I am concerned about "indecency", I don't think that it is one iota of the government's business. If people don't like what is on TV or on the radio then they can TURN IT OFF, change the channel or watch a DVD or listen to a CD or Ipod! I don't want the government telling me what I can and can not watch or listen to. And as for "the children", let me worry about my own kids and I'll let you worry about yours..but none of us want "Big Brother" raising them. I agree with Dave that the FCC should still regulate the frequencies and maintain broadcasting licenses...those things fall within the pervue of what the government should be doing. And before you all start going off on me... I don't care if anyone is gay or not, I don't support the War in Iraq (though I do support the War in Afghanistan), and I don't like George Bush (nor do I want Hillary or Obama in charge either.) Basically, I'm sick of all the politicians and the government's growth in general. Okay, start bombarding me with protest posts, but you'll miss Dave's website once the FCC starts regulating the Internet as well! Greg in Reisterstown. (2/13/07)
Ed Jones, you must be crazy! Oldies 100 was without a doubt the WORST OLDIES STATION THAT EVER PUT OUT A SIGNAL!! The station had no personality, no great mix of oldies, no vitality, no content, no brightness...no NOTHING. The best tribute for that wradio wreck would be a BLANK PAGE. 12 1/2 years of misery.ANG (2/13/07)
Reading the front page made me laugh pretty hard. The suits in New York may force a national lineup on WJFK--funny as shit. Like it'll really work. So, moving Opie & Anthony to drive time is supposed to save the station? Who listens to them now, if they are in the toilet? What happens to Don & Mike? Do they finally have the balls to drop 'O Reilly? Ron & Fez are supposed to make a difference in the station's ratings? Did they make a difference when they were on the station a couple of years ago? Damn, that is funny stuff? Why doesn't CBS get smart and sell those stations, if all they are going to do is program the same shit they already do and call it a national lineup? It's called polishing a turd. I can't stop laughing. John in Stafford (2/13/07)
"Will someone do a tribute page for Oldies 100? WCBS FM has a tribute page, and I think it would be in order for a tribute to Oldies 100 since they were on the air for 12 1/2 years." Why? They weren't that great. I mean I liked Goldy and Scooter but WTF? CBS-FM was much better IMHO. (2/13/07)
"Philisophical question for all: How is the FCC Constitutional? If the first amendment to the United States Constitution reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances", then how can an organization -- created and funded by the government -- which has the sole purpose of limiting what can and cannot be said on the public airways exist legally? Greg in Reisterstown" - The First Ammendment right of free speach empowers you to go out to the village green, stand on a soapbox, and say whatever you want about the government, politics, the way the country is run, etc. with no fear of being hauled off to prison. It does NOT give you the right to shout "FIRE" in a crowded theater, to use the famous example taught in law schools. It also gives you no universal right of access to limited "public resources" such as the RF frequency spectrum. The Government began licensing broadcast stations shortly after AM radio was invented to prevent the chaos that was developing as new stations began to pop up willy nilly. The Communications Acts have been found to be Constitutional over the years and thus FCC regulation of broadcasting is a proper function of the US Government and the FCC. The Constitution guarantees you freedom of speach - talk away all you want to whoever will listen - but it does not guarantee you access to a microphone, transmitter, and antenna...nor to an operating frequency. Bill S. in Owings (2/13/07)
A couple of things: Will someone do a tribute page for Oldies 100? WCBS FM has a tribute page, and I think it would be in order for a tribute to Oldies 100 since they were on the air for 12 1/2 years. The second, the Mark Stevens on the New Globe; is this the same Mark Stevens that was on WZBA? I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him on the way to work in the morning a few years ago. Ed Jones, Bel Air MD (2/13/07)
I must say, "The Globe" is becoming addictive! Especially now that I just installed HD radio in my car. This morning on their HD2 channel, I heard all in a row: Big Head Todd, Nirvana, and the Tubes. Earlier I heard Roxy Music's cover of "In the Midnight Hour." But the main channel plays a pretty eclectic mix too. Okay, it isn't quite HFS at its peak, but it's certainly better than what we've heard the past decade or so. I imagine Cerphe and Weasel are enjoying their work a bit more lately. So yes Dave, I agree (for once)--bring back the call letters. Perhaps CBS believes if it brings back "the old HFS," the buzz would obscure the whole "Globe" theme. Understandable, but there's probably a way to do both. Anyway, as a right-leaning capitalist pig, I'm all for the "go green" theme as long as it doesn't morph into WWRC with a Green Day or U2 song thrown in occasionally. Promote private efforts, avoid proselytizing, and remain adventurous with the music--there's a potential for success there. David in Odenton (2/13/07)
mikes bad teeth, brush thems teeth boy! (2/13/07)I called in to 94.7 last week (I believe it was Friday) and gave some feedback. I told Schelby that I liked the extended play list, but that I was also hoping for them to go deeper with regards to the classic stuff. I mentioned the Stones and suggested that they go a bit beyond the standards and try something like “Sister Morphine” or “Dead Flowers.” Yesterday, I get a call from my brother, chastising me for calling on the job. I told him that I was in the office and did not call. He then told me what I said nearly word for word. It seems that they saved my call and used it as a lead in to a Stones song…Midnight Rambler…one of the standards that they played when they were The Arrow. In listening to the station, it appears that they will add a few Elvis Costello songs, a few from The B-52’s and the like, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for them to expand the play list to go deep, especially with regards to the older artists. Tim in Stafford (2/13/07)
Dave,
As the last Music Director at WMAL (what a distinction!), I fondly remember Jules Henry from our dealings as fellow Music Directors in the early to mid-1980’s. In those days, even though competition was pretty fierce, Music Directors would often trade songs and music pieces back and forth on a regular basis. I remember getting bootleg copies of music to Jules on several occasions when he was at WEZR (EZ Communications). One was the National Symphony Orchestra’s version of “Hail to the Redskins” (Felix Slatkin, conductor – 1954) during the height of Redskin-mania in 1982 leading up to the Super Bowl win. I also remember when the theme to the TV mini-series “The Thornbirds” by Henry Mancini was released in 1983. Since it was an ABC-TV project, the corporate folks gave the song to ABC owned and operated stations first….at about the same time the series debuted. WMAL got an exclusive on the song and played the hell out of it for a week but it still wasn’t available to the public or other radio stations. Jules called and told me he was getting calls from listeners about it and thought it was a perfect fit for his format….he told me he just had to have it. I agreed. Well, with all the intrigue of Watergate and Deep Throat, I slipped him a copy of the song (without WMAL management knowing) and Jules got it on the air within the hour. Jules returned the favor many times by pulling hard to find songs from his vast library at EZ for use at WMAL. He was very knowledgeable about music and well respected in the business. I also have to give a “shout-out” to Tom Gauger, Bill Trumbull, Ed Walker and Felix Grant, who always put the music first at WMAL. Those were the days….I left MAL in 1986 to program the music for VOA/Europe with Terry Hourigan, another great music man who left us way too early. Love the site…Mike Dawson (2/13/07)You took Stevens and Medley off? They were so much fun to listen to in the morning on my way to work. They ALWAYS made me laugh and woke me up. And for an old rock fan over 50, the selections they played were "right on"! I NEVER listened to Weasel at night on the way home because I could not stand his voice, so I will not listen to him now in the morning. And the music you have played lately...I don't recognize it! Guess I'll be shopping around for a new radio station. (2/13/07)
Dave's response: WARW did. (DCRTV didn't.) Oh, the "2.0" version of Mark Stevens still works at 94.7, doing the evening DJ shift.....
Your comments about NY taking more control of CBS' Free FM. With Jay Stevens gone, perhaps NY will be taking more control of CBS DC/Balt. in general? (2/13/07)
I just saw a promo on the Fox news Channel for a new show called the half hour news show. I was positive it was about a show on Comedy Central the way the promo was being done. It said this show will offend democrats,anyone who voted democrats,gay penguins..."Then the announcer comes on and says, "Premieres this Sunday on the Fox News Channel. What happened to Fair and Balanced? (2/13/07)
The (Tuesday Flashback) picture above is, indeed, the late Jules Henry, who did middays at WJMD for several years. This picture was taken around the time I worked there (1971-1973). As I recall, someone had gotten a new camera and snapped Jules as he was finishing his lunch from the little canteen that shared the floor with us. Every weekday, it was like doing a remote from a school cafeteria. Oh! That smell. In fact, I would always flash back to those days when I played that Lynard Skynard song, years later, on the same frequency, at then-WARW. The picture was taken while WJMD was in it's "Music for a Man and a Woman" phase. And, if you look closely, you'll see the twin mics that Chief Engineer (later GM) Gary Hess installed. The problem was that the clock got mounted 45 degrees to the right and the thermometer got mounted 45 degrees to the left. So, when you did the breaks at :15 and :45, you'd turn your head directly to the right, then the left, as you did WJMD time and WJMD temperature. Several older listeners immediately began complaining that we were "jumping all over the room." The station was owned by the San Juan Racing Association, who also owned El Commandante Race Track in Puerto Rico. We were in the Chevy Chase Building at 5530 Wisconsin Avenue. Jules had been at WEEL and WEZR before WJMD. He told me that after striking out on a trip to Washington to look for work in radio, he saw a sign outside a motel in Fairfax. It said, "New Radio Station, WFCR, Auditions Inside." This was 1955. He went in, auditioned for two guys named Olsen and Kellar and got the job. He stayed at WFCR (later WEEL) and moved to the new FM station, WEZR, as Music Director. Before leaving OK and EZ Communications, Jules had a huge hand in programming all of the EZ stations, which were leaders in the Beautiful Music format in several markets. He was a very funny radio guy, full of terrific stories. - Ed. Rodriguez (2/13/07)
Jules Henry, born Julius Henry Festog, 1920, Pittsburgh. Had his own show on WHFS (102.3) during the 1960s, left there to go to Bob Chandler's WQMR/WGAY in Silver Spring. Thence to WJMD in Bethesda. Gave early career advice to Jim Bohannon. When asked, said Bob Chandler was "grandmotherly." Lost his driver's license for a period of time. Friendly, good natured, talented. Drove a Thunderbird. (2/13/07)
I had the chance to listen to 94.7 over the weekend, it was great for the two songs they played, then a real shit eater truck commercial came on and I turned it off, I have not been back since, those fucking commercials are scary scary....Bush your teeth Mike you filthy slob. Brush after every meal, not three time a week..... (2/13/07)
Sorry Dave but that vintage "Mailbag" photo to me looks like NBC4 Legend Mac McGaGcarry.. Oh and a Happy Valentintines Day to my AllTime Fave "Newsbabe": Sally Thorner! With Love for years, Rusty Gibson, WEBR Radio/Fairfax (2/13/07)
Your picture leading into the mailbag (Flashback Tuesday) is indeed that of the late announcer Jules Henry. The locale? Not WGAY, so presumably WJMD, WEZR, or WHFS (where Jules worked before the station went AOR). As for John Kelly's Sunday Post column, there were a few misconceptions about clear channel radio stations (the generic definition, not Clear Channel the company). It takes more than 50,000 watts for an AM station to be a clear channel, or class 1-A signal. It also has to be 50,000 watts day and night, and have no directional signal day or night. In other words, any other stations on that frequency have to protect it, not the other way around. Washington and Baltimore have none. In fact, the nearest clear channel stations are WPHT, 1210-AM Philadelphia and KDKA 1020-AM Pittsburgh. Also, since AM signals go further at night, most non-clear channel AM stations at night have to send a directional signal and/or cut power, or even sign off. (2/13/07)
Hay it just occurred to this dullard that the Mcrosenberger piece in the City Paper might have been paid for?......I like the City Paper with colums like "Cheap Seats" and News of the Weird but i sure miss the days when Jack Shafer was in charge and I always enjoyed reading the movie reviews of the late Joel E.Siegal tinyurl.com .....sometimes these days I think CP ain't thick enough and I know it lives by the advertising but lately it seems to be very close to 90% ads and 10% substance......why don't McRosenberger hook up with another great talent, 'Lewis the Retard" and buy some time at WCTN or WMET and let the jocularity and hipness begin t8rd is the word (2/13/07)
Dave's response: How did Joel E. Siegal review movies if he was "late"? Oh, nevermind.....
"Some record companies in the eighties avoided payola charges by simply buying 3 or four minutes of time to have their record aired as a commercial"---that didn't end in the 80s. Much of Spitzer's recent campaign was an attempt to end that practice. Entercom was the biggest offender. They solicited for that type of time buy and made a mint. Much more than the fine they paid. Cumulus was (some say still is) a big proponent of that practice. CC, CBS, Bonneville...not so much. (2/13/07)
Today's "Mark Trail" strip in the Post: Holy s***, a talking turtle !!! (2/13/07)
.ExternalClass P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Ed Graham, why would WBAL give up a signal that covers greater Baltimore and DC during the day and quite a bit of the east coast at night? Throw it away and go fm. I don't think so. They own radio news in Baltimore. Talk and news is the only thing that will make money on that frequency. Listen to the amount of national commercials they still sell. WBZ in boston is the perfect example of an AM that can still make money covering multiple markets. But with Rush and the whole crew on WCBM why need an fm talker without a mainstream host. There's no one left to anchor a talk station. I'd love to see Prell Back. I admire your wisdom and longevity. (2/13/07)
/\ February 13 Messages /\
\/ February 12 Messages \/
Dave, If a sponsor is mentioned by an on air personality it only needs to be noted on the commercial log. It doesn't make a difference if a penny is charged or a couple hundred dollars. As long as it's noted as a commercial on the program log it's legal. Some record companies in the eighties avoided payola charges by simply buying 3 or four minutes of time to have their record aired as a commercial. (2/12/07)
RE: [ " I have long called for the FCC to be restricted the regulation of radio/TV technical broadcast (interference) and license ownership issues. It should not be involved in program content. Period. So called "indecency" issues should be handled by the courts and other legal avenues " ]........ While I too disagree with a lot of what the FCC has been doing lately, I still have to disagree with that statement. Haven't the lawyers, the judges, and the courts royally screwed up just about every other thing they've gotten their hands on in the last decade? I'd much rather have an FCC, even if it's politically motivated for the simple reason that I can choose to vote an administration out of office if I do not like its direction. I cannot vote a lawyer or realistically even a judge out of a courtroom. In fact the public at large is completely at their mercy these days. Having them take control of this type of oversight would just be another crazed instance of the kids running the candy store. (2/12/07)
I saw that segment this morning on FOX5 and Tony didn't instigate that comment regarding Gurvir being divorced. What happened was that she had been going on and on about being "anti" Valentine's Day. Allison said that she liked Valentine's Day due to, something like, getting gifts. So, during that segment w/Allison and Steve Chenevey, a comment was made about the best gift any of them had received. So Gurvir said something about in the past when she was married, and then SHE said that she's now divorced..And then went on and on about how they were still friends and he's a good guy, YADAYADA..I think Tony was trying to make a joke about married women looking forward to V'Day vs. divorced women not looking forward to it..But, I think it came off really wrong. (2/12/07)
Re Flashback photo for Mon, 2/12: Orville Redenbacher had a radio show? (2/12/07)
Dave's response: I'm told that it's Jules Henry of WJMD. Anyone know more?
I agree the FCC should not be involved with regulating broadcast content. Conservative minds insist on ranting about what they hear on the radio and the TV. They don't mind having the gummint meddle in content despite their "he who governs least, governs best" protestations. Methinks NOT removing content control from the FCC charter was an oversight by Congress when they de-regulated broadcasting in 1996. Originally, say in 1934, the number of electronic outlets was rather limited. Congress was aware that spectrum space is public property that is handed over to broadcasters with the caveat that broadcasters behave responsibly. That means, at the very least, keeping emissions within tolerances. It may mean providing programming of interest to all segments of society. It may mean keeping the F-bombs down to a quiet roar. The NAB hoodwinked the public by paying off legislators who never saw de-regulatory legislation that they didn't like. We've got a war to finance, public. Why not rent out spectrum space to broadcasters. Those who pay, stay on the air. Those who don't, won't. Start by sending a huge bill to Clear Channel. (2/12/07)
Air America Get OK For Auction www.chron.com (2/12/07)
Is this newsworthy? Since taking over as GSM of WBIG Susan Dedeyan has run off every woman over 25 on her staff including one who had been with the station for 11 years. 1 was fired, 3 quit (one after having been put on probation) Now she has 2 rookie women under 25 and 1 middle aged man with experience all the rest male rookies and almost all under 30... (most, good looking, but that, of course, is subjective and not news!) (2/12/07)
you're killin' me... Frank Ahrens, Media and entertainment industry reporter, The Washington Post (2/12/07)
Comcrap is raising rates again in Montgomery county effective March 1, 2007. Basic up 1$ to 15.75. Expanded up 1.40 to 40.80. DVR to 11.95 from 9.95. VIP Plus from 122.95 to 129.95.(all movies/digital and Internet). HDTV converter from 5.00 to 6.50. all movie channels up 1$. After the 2 dollar increase shoved down my throat for MASN last fall, this may be the final nail in the coffin. FIOS TV, when are you coming to my neighborhood? (2/12/07)
The following exchange with Big 100.3 midday DJ Lisa Berrigan was forwarded to DCRTV by the author of the post.....
With the demise of the Arrow (94.7) last week, The New BIG 100.3, the Greatest Rock-and-Roll of ALL Time, is now Washington's ONLY Classic Rock Station! How does it feel to be a part of what is now Washington's ONLY Classic Rock Station? Christopher in Hyattsville, MD... p.s. May the Arrow rest in peace (1994-2007)!!!
Hi Christopher, Thanks for the e-mail. Hopefully this means you'll be listening even more to Big 100.3. :) Have a great day, Lisa (2/12/07)
"There is no way I could ever come out at work, but everyone knows." My question is, if you don't tell them, how would they know? And if they don't tell you that they know, how do you know that they know? (And why am I writing like Dr. Seuss?) To me, it seems like a tremendous leap of faith to say that a person is gay when the person doesn't confirm it, especially when the person is in the public eye like Anderson Cooper. It was different with Liberace because of his outrageously camp demeanor. When he was alive I assumed that if he wasn't attracted to men, then he damn well should have been. ( just had this image of Cooper appearing on his next show in a sequined suit with a candelabra on his desk.) (2/12/07)
Dave, Ron Smith was just joined in the studio on WBAL by Governor Ehrlich. You and DCRTV were a topic of conversation leading-off the 3 o'clock hour (Mon Feb 12th)... (2/12/07)
Dave's response: Oh my Gawd.....
Dave, have you ever bin to Mikes place? Is it a nice resturant, or one of those egg and beer joints? Also do you think it is nasty that Mike only brushes his teeth every 2 days? That