dcrtv.com - Mailbag - January 14 to January 21, 2008

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DCRTV Mailbag - January 14 to January 21, 2008

Latest messages listed first.....
\/ January 21 Messages \/

So more people hundreds of miles from here are in line to get MASN, and yet the Northern Shenandoah Valley remains dark. Doesn’t make a lot of sense. Sure hope that birdie that told me we’d have it on the local Comcast system in time for the ’08 baseball season was right.... Charles in Winchester (1/21/08)

Re: "WJFK will claim that they dumped O&A over ratings...but anyone with a pulse knows this is bulls**t." Actually, anyone with a ratings book knows this is true. They got a 0.9 P12+. That's embarrassing. How can anyone criticize a station for dumping a low rated, tape delayed, syndicated show in favor of a local one. WJFK is now live with local shows from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., and longer on days when they run Terps programming. WMAL, WTEM, Triple X, and 3WT can't say that. A year ago the station had no ratings with Opie and Anthony, and the abortion known as Unzipped at night. Can you imagine taking over that mess? I worked in sales at WHFS while CK was there, and I can tell you that no one works harder. He's a very bright guy and gets it, which is why he got the job at such a young age. I know for a fact that the AE's at WJFK are happy with this move, since they've only been able to charge about $50 per spot in Opie and Anthony, if even that much. Go back and listen to Opie and Anthony's own words about getting dropped. They didn't even seem upset, just resigned to the fact that they lost again. They thanked the Junkies for being cool to them, and said there just isn't any room for them in WJFK's lineup. And then they moved on, because what else can they say? No ratings=no stations. (1/21/08)

In the fall book, Opie and Anthony had a 1.8 for 18th place in Persons 25-54. Big O and Dukes had a 3.2 in same demo. O and A have been in middays for over a year and a half. Big O and Dukes have been on what, 6 months maybe? You can't make money with an 18th place syndicated show. My guess is they'll be off all CBS stations as soon as their contract is up. You can't fault a station for giving local talent a shot, especially when they show some promise. Isn't that what we all always bitch about here, no development of local talent? (1/21/08)

Looks like WJFK found the cure for the Virus. (1/21/08)

Dave's response: Sounds like the birth of a cool new marketing campaign.....

WJFK will claim that they dumped O&A over ratings...but anyone with a pulse knows this is bulls**t. If this were true...They'd replace it with a show that has already garnered ratings elsewhere and give it a try. But, by replacing it with a vastly shi**y show like "The Junkie Imitators"...It is clear to tell that it was not ratings, but nothing more than a "good old boy" mentality coming out of WJFK...PD Chris Kinard (who is also Executive Producer of the Junkies) out of nowhere decides to change course and promote a show that had only been on about 6 months and pulled no ratings into a Midday slot which, while low, HAD ratings...So..take a low rated show and replace it with a ZERO rated show..and then claim it was a ratings decision...Not a chance...It was nothing more than a Junkies' lacky in a position of power throwing a bone to two more Junkies' lackies....I said it before...WJFK has become a public access station centered around the Junkies, their friends, and their crap show and crap shows much like their own. To say WJFK was a former shell of itself would be giving that station too much credit. (1/21/08)

Re: "Where is Seth Warner these days?" Seth is doing fill-in work for Metro Traffic. You might here him just about any place at just about any time. (1/21/08)

"Sport's Chunkies in "best of" mode today. WJFK cut the show off at 9:45 and started the last airing of Op and Ant." Mr. I don't want to leave my name because I am a wuss, what do you have against The Junkees? I started to listen to them in the middle of 2007 and they tend to grow on you, pretty much the way Don and Mike do. Sure, some of the plugs they have are downright stupid and misplaced, but the show overall is entertaining. Besides, what other local radio shows are podcasted? Other than Don and Mike, name it. I seriously doubt Elliott is smart enough to do this, besides the fact his show isn't funny, and never has been. Mike in Waldorf (1/21/08)

Regarding Michael Hughes, you could be correct about New York and Dallas, but I’m not familiar with that part of his resume if it exists. When I came to Atlanta, Michael was PD of heritage rocker 96 Rock and was there for quite a while. Then he went to KLOL-FM in Houston, then a rock station, as PD for several years. Then he moved up to the GM ranks when he joined WZGC-FM here in Atlanta, a CBS station. From Z93, he was promoted to Market Manager in DC. Roddy Freeman (1/21/08)

Dave's response: While based in Houston for AM/FM, he was VP of rock programming responsible for 62 stations. When AM/FM bought DC101, Hughes was sent here to work with a team to fix it, while still living in Houston. He was also sent on projects working with stations in Denver, Dallas, and Q in NYC, among others. This was just before AM/FM was sold to Clear Channel. That is when he headed to Atlanta as a GM.....

I listened to Mr. Tony's return this morning and was disappointed. I don't remember him being this big of an ass hole. I can't believe how much I miss David Burd and Nigel, along with the rest of that team. It's going to be a long winter. Tony seemed to be funny last spring. What the heck happened? (1/21/08)

Re: ("Did hear a promo for the D'oh and Dukes show starting tomorrow at 10 am on WJFK. What's that going to be like as Sport Chunkies leave the studio and their students come on in. A big suck fest?") ... How about you tell us, dummy? You're the one obviously listening to WJFK constantly. Stupid. (1/21/08)

OUR LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE IS OVER! Mr. Tony is back. Memo to the suits at Bonneville: When and if Mr. Tony takes another break for MNF, hire a replacement with both talent and the kinds of sensibilities that Mr. Tony brings to his show rather than inflicting the talentless and smarmy David Burd's morning zoo shtick onto an unsuspecting audience. (1/21/08)

Great site. I'm pissed over the fact that WJFK took Opie and Anthony off the air. Do you think the numbers justified it? I'm looking everywhere and I can't find any ratings by show. I can see WJFK is not doing too well and O and A have been booted from a bunch of stations, but is it due to poor ratings or are their other reasons? I'm sure tomorrrow JFK will say it's becasue of the ratings, and when I listen to O and A on XM they will say it wasn't. But i'm just curious, I'm a fan either way. Do you know where I can find a site that gives REAL ratings for individual shows? thanks, Chris (1/21/08)

I've never been a big David Burd fan, that is until he started doing Tony's show this past July. I found out that he and his posse were very funny people. I was also looking forward to Mr. Tony's return today. Uggg....It is amazing how totally boring Kornheiser is. The contrasts between the Burd version and Mr. Tony's couldn't be more obvious. I had forgot what a blow hard TK really is. Burd's a blow hard as well, but a funny one. I'm praying that Tony will leave again for Monday Night Football and that Burd will come back. Today's show was all about Tony. No Nigel to speak of. I'm bored with Tony's life and don't really care to hear about it again and again. Now that Burd's doing the morning show, how about Nigel hosting this time slot. Today's show was unlistenable. You got any pull over there Dave? (1/21/08)

("My dial will no longer be set to 3WT from 8 to 10.") That may leave Carol J. as the only listener! (1/21/08)

Sport's Chunkies in "best of" mode today. WJFK cut the show off at 9:45 and started the last airing of Op and Ant. Who found the cure for the Op and Ant virus, skateboarders? The old ennui just got old? Did hear a promo for the D'oh and Dukes show starting tomorrow at 10 am on WJFK. What's that going to be like as Sport Chunkies leave the studio and their students come on in. A big suck fest? Speaking of Fred "The Silver Fox" Weiss, did he remain at channel 7 many years after Louie Allen had departed? And if your a Washington Senator fan of the mid 1960's just wanted to point out the passing of Steve Ridzik last week. Is the History Channel morphing into a version of Spike/Discovery channel? I await Tina's postings with baited breath. (1/21/08)

From Carol Joynt's "Swimming In Quicksand" blog at nathansgeorgetown.com: "But, on the bright side, TONY KORNHEISER is back on the radio at 1500 AM, and already today he's made me laugh out loud at least twice. Big yucks as I walked the empty street to the Four Seasons. Go, Tony! And thank you for pointing out that all the canned junk radio on that staion is just that - junk." (1/21/08)

"Buck, on the other hand, must have learned from the great Jim McKay: his voice always has an of excitement..." Considering who Joe Buck's father was (Jack Buck, longtime baseball/football announcer), I don't think Joe needed to learn from Jim McKay. -- Vincent in Triangle (1/21/08)

I listened to David Burd and company on 3WT from 8 to 10 a.m. for the past several months and really enjoyed that show. Now Kornheiser's back. I listened this morning and nothing has changed. He's still obnoxious, boring and really annoying. My dial will no longer be set to 3WT from 8 to 10. (1/21/08)

About this week’s hotties picks… kidding right? (1/21/08)

The Green Bay Packers lost on Sunday...someone put a suicide watch on Don Geronimo please! He must have worn some unlucky piece of clothing to get them to lose in overtime. Greg in Reisterstown, MD. (1/21/08)

It is so great to have tony back. Authentic real local genuine relevant fun smart quick and worthy radio. (1/21/08)

("After reading a recent crime news item on www.nbc4.com, I find myself confused by their policy on reporting the race of alleged perpetrators....") Do you want the brutally honest truth? I figured this out over twenty years ago, with the Wash Post. If they don't mention the race, it means the alleged perpetrator is black, and they expect you to ASSUME that the alleged perpetrator is black. It's the biggest no brainer on earth. Does it make us feel warm and fuzzy? No. Is it the most rational explanation? Yes. Does it suck? Yes. Should it be changed? Yes. Why didn't you get a response? Imagine drafting an email explaining that policy (really probably not a policy, but a pattern of behavior). Shoutout to all my peeps (you know what race you are, so I won't mention 'em). Caller X. Courtesy, MF'er!!! (1/21/08)

RE: 'What kind of business has this become?' PLB, you said it all. -Tom Soul (1/21/08)

I just caught the Robert Hall spot over on YouTube. Reminds me of the bad old days when stations actually had national account spots with the graphics on slifes that required the TD to hit the next slide in sequence on cue with the audio on a cart! Arrrggghhhh! Also, Fred Weiss was the "corporate voice" for all the Evening Star/Albritton TV stations back when the chin was "only" WMAL-RV/WJLA-TV. WLVA-TV/WSTW, and WCIV... Unsigned Corporate Suit (1/21/08)

Hi- This is a reminder that the D.C. Pro chapter of SPJ is currently accepting entries for the annual Dateline Awards. The date to remember - the deadline - is Feb. 20. The contest is open to anyone, not just SPJ members. Please pass this notice to anyone else you think might be interested. --------- The 2007 Dateline Awards are here. The contest is a wonderful way to showcase and gain recognition for the work of your news organization. As always, the contest is open to both print and broadcast media outlets throughout the D.C. metropolitan area. This includes the District of Columbia; Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Stafford and Prince William counties in Virginia; and Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties in Maryland. Entries will be judged by members of another SPJ chapter. The deadline for entries is midnight on Feb. 20, 2008. Awards will be presented to the winners at the annual Dateline Awards dinner, which will be held at the National Press Club the evening of Tuesday, June 10. For complete guidelines, rules, entry categories and an entry form, please visit http://www.spj.org/washdcpro/dateline/2007-12.pdf. To enter, please send your entry form and entry fee of $30 - made out to Washington, D.C., Pro chapter, SPJ - to: Brooke Kenny, Awards Coordinator, 8401 Greenwood Ave. #3, Takoma Park, MD 20912... If you have any questions about the competition, feel free to e-mail Brooke at witwer52@hotmail.com. (1/21/08)

Dan Rather at 76 - click: www.chron.com (1/21/08)

“And Jim Nance isn't much better.” Agreed. In the 2 games Sunday, you could really see the stark contrast between Jim Nance, as the lead announcer for the NE-SD game, and Joe Buck, who had lead PBP duties on the GB-NY game. Nance might know the game, but he has no excitement for it. Honestly, I thought he was doing a golf match there for awhile. Buck, on the other hand, must have learned from the great Jim McKay: his voice always has an of excitement, like he expects a big play at any moment, whether he’s describing a routine 2nd and 8 play in the first quarter or the winning field goal in OT. Compared to Buck, Nance is positively comatose. -Brian (1/21/08)

While being in town visiting this weekend, my aunt happened to ask me (since she knows I am a radio geek) what the music is that George Noory plays to close out his show on Coast to Coast. She even taped it from the radio on one of those mini cassettes and played ti back for me. I have no idea. Do you happen to know what it is? Thanks. -MP (1/21/08)

Dave's response: They usually clue listeners into music used on the show at coasttocoastam.com.....

/\ January 21 Messages /\

\/ January 20 Messages \/

I just laugh myself silly when I read some of these looooooooong, completely pointless posts (in mind here: the gripe about Wilbon's Bullets column). For Christ's sake, if you possess no ability that could be applied ( i.e. crisp, coherent writing) to radio or TV broadcasting, you have zero business commenting on the radio or TV industry. Just shut it, man. Tina in MoCo (1/20/08)

Did I hear right Sunday night, was that Brian Carter (from the old B104) on Mix 106-5 doing an on-air shift? It sure was...Brian, great to hear you back in Charm City. I am glad I was able to catch you, with me visiting Baltimore this weekend. Your voice sure brought back the 80s memories of "Baltimore's Best" and "Amazing FM".-Michael Popovec (1/20/08)

After listening to Jim Nance and Phil Simms announcing the NE-SD game, I've concluded that Phil Simms is one of the worst announcers in pro sports. And Jim Nance isn't much better. (1/20/08)

After reading a recent crime news item on www.nbc4.com, I find myself confused by their policy on reporting the race of alleged perpetrators. NBC4.com never seems to provides the racial makeup of suspects-at-large, except when the suspects are white or Asian. Despite several emails requesting an explanation of this, I have yet to receive a reply. Describing alleged perpetrators of serious crimes in the most basic of terms ("male, six feet") is not only unnecessarily sensitive, but a disservice to the community. Viewers should be informed of every possible detail about potentially dangerous criminals, and NBC4 has a responsibility to provide them. (1/20/08)

What's up with the set for "Meet the Press"? Part of it seems to have been revamped, but it looks as if NBC ran out of money during the remodeling process, leaving the work half-done! The newer portion is blue with the usual MPT logo. This looks great, but from other angles, the camera shot picks up the old set background. It's very distracting. (1/20/08)

Dave's response: Tim Russert said that today's show was being done from NYC, via the "Saturday Night Live" studio, instead of its usual DC base.....

“Damn...talk about your double-whammy: Suzanne Pleshette (Newhart) and John Stewart (the composer of "Daydream Believer" and "Gold", not the Daily Show host) both died this weekend.” As did Sam the Butcher from The Brady Bunch. The trifecta is complete. (1/20/08)

Dave's response: I loved Suzanne. From her role as the school teacher in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" to her role as Bob Newhart's wife in his first CBS series.....

To Ed Rodriguez re: "Whoa, Marty Chickaboomer- You were in Key West and didn't call or write a fellow (albeit expat) Washingtonian? Next time... Next time! - Ed. Rodriguez, Operations Manager, US-1Radio, 98-7 Conch Country and 97-7 The Wave" - My dear Ed, I had NO idea you were there. Had I known I would've ridden my rented bike to meet you for lunch at Sloppy Joe's or some other classic Key West hangout! I'll be back, Ed. Loved Key West! Please send me an email so we can catch up. marty@chickaboomer.com xomarty (1/20/08)

Dear all - ABC News veteran correspondent Sam Donaldson needs no introduction, but on the off chance you've been hanging on Mars, he's covered Washington since the 1960s, and along the way was twice a White House correspondent, and memorably during the Carter, Reagan and Clinton years; was co-host of "Prime Time Live," is a long-time regular of "This Week" on Sunday mornings, and hosts the daily ABC News "Politics Live." So, please join us Wednesday, Jan. 23, for what will certainly be a lively and informed conversation about the goings on in the '08 campaign, plus more. Please call Jon Moss at 202.338.2000 to book at seat. He is on hand weekdays after 10 a.m. The fee is $35, paid at the door, covering all costs of food, beverages, tax and tip. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS LUNCH: Due to Sam's live daily political broadcast, we will start a little later. The doors will open at 12:15, and the program will begin at 12:45, the interview at 1 p.m. This is 15 minutes later than our usual start, which means we will end at exactly 1:45 rather than 1:30. Again, the doors will open at 12:15. I look forward to seeing you Wednesday, and bring a friend. Carol (1/20/08)

I wanted to wish Rick Jordan the best in his new endeavors. When I was the ESRTV Editor, he always responded to my e-mail questions and usually in quick manner. Everytime I visited WBOC to see my radio historian friend Terry Klegar, the atmosphere was always upbeat. Rick certainly did a nice job at WBOC and the people that he has there are really good. All the best Rick! -Michael Popovec (1/20/08)

Hey Dave... Hadn't read anything in the last couple of days...any news on how Craig's doing? GE (1/20/08)

Dave's response: We reported that he was released from the hospital. I haven't heard any more.....

I agree with another poster, caught the Terps upset over the Tarheels. Johnny Holiday was at the top of his game as he has been for years with another exciting broadcast, especially in the last couple of minutes when the Terps were attempting to hang on. Chris Knocke had some nice insights on the victory that I was forced to listen on the inter net. I can not pick up the Washington affiliate WJFK, and the same goes for most of my friends. Why does the University have a station that no one can hear? I think the Football and Basketball teams deserve better. Who can we write or e mail about such a ridiculous situation? Shawn, Bethesda (1/20/08)

If Channel-7's Fred Weiss is moonlighting at the new Robert Hall, three guesses which store is being managed by Johnny Batchelder, (when he isn't hosting "Money Movie" or some bowling show at the ice palace). youtube.com (1/20/08)

And let's not forget Allan Melvin, better known as "Sam the Butcher" from the Brady Bunch. He was also the voice of Magilla Gorilla and appeared in quite a few older TV sitcoms. (1/20/08)

Damn...talk about your double-whammy: Suzanne Pleshette (Newhart) and John Stewart (the composer of "Daydream Believer" and "Gold", not the Daily Show host) both died this weekend. (1/20/08)

I was a fan of WMZQ especially of the DJs Jim London and Seth Warner. Where are they now, cause I really enjoyed their voices and their programs...they made WMZQ. Please let me know where they are now ...if you can. Thanks, Cathy Cornwell (1/20/08)

Did I actually see a Michael Wilbon column in WaPo the other day about the Bullets? What's that , the first column in ages? Not even one for Coach Joe bidding adieu. How did Shirley Povich do it for so many years and for a lot less money? That includes you Kornholio. Saw the first edition of George Michaels Full Court Press on channel 4. Nice to see that David Dupree is back despite his recent departure from USA Today. But if they were going to talk football for most of the time why not another week of Redskin's Report? I'd like to get actual opinion on something other than Redskin's from Mr. Jurgenson or does he get bored(nod to Mike O'Meara bit) and has already flown to FLA for the winter? Btws Mr Wilbon I think Bullets let Agent 0 go and use the money to get some inside help. Caron Butler is the best all around player on the Bullets! And ain't Jamison in a contract year so they'll need some cash to pay him. I listened to Bullets beating Kincks Friday on the radio for first time this season with Dave Johnson and Dave(?) Consur I enjoyed ther work together. I primarily watch on tv with Buckhantz and Chenier which I've enjoyed all these years.. But don't like how Comcast has pushed post game analysis and interviews into the Comcast version of Sportscenter at 10pm. I say push back the start of Sports Nite or whatever it's called and have the analysis and interviews immediately after a Bullets game. But I know what your trying to do Mr. Comcast. You're trying to get me(collectively) to watch your Sport's report but I just don't bother and move on. Also listened to Maryland beating them Tar Heels on the radio with Johnny Holiday. Go Terps! Still bitter over how so many long time fans treated in move from Cole to Comcast(that d9mn name again) Centre but I'll put it aside for this victory. Dug how Gary Williams said in post game interview how it sucks ACC no longer has you playing long time rivals twice in a season anymore. I too think this sucks big time and has devolved the quality of the league. I guess in short run got some schools some additional revenue(and that's all its about?) but long term just weakens the quality, intensity of what ACC basketball was! And Ledo may no longer be sponsoring the WTOP glass enclosed master control center but I think I know were their ad dollars have gone. Mr. Holiday read some ad copy for ledo's while the game was actually going on with about 40 seconds to go. Jeezus Christ! I'll never go to a ledo's! of course, in the toothless fairfax area the only Ledo's I know of was at the Fairfax Circle shopping center but that's been gone for years. I believe ledo's is expanding into carolina's so maybe they pull the same stunt on tar heel broadcasts. the Ledo's at fairfax circle, that reminds me of some character on the Don and Mike show and some incident that occurred there many years ago. The devil made me say that. Go pack! El Jefe and Dubs had nothing to report on a possible move back to WJFK 7-11 pm weekdays on their Saturday eve show. I didn't quite follow, El Jefe has his own show on an AM station in Tampa? Are rumors circulating that in the reunion show for the old "Taxi" show that Jeff Conaway will play the role of Reverend Jim? And what's Daniel Baldwin's story Don and Mike? (1/20/08)

Say... if you find yourself looking for some fashionable threads this weekend, I heard WMAL-TV 7's staff announcer (and sometime weatherman) Fred Weiss advertising a brand new Robert Hall Family Fashion Centre in White Plains... between Waldorf and LaPlata on US301. (You know... they're right next door to Kinney Shoes.) youtube.com... Remember... "When the values go up up up, and the prices go down down down, Robert Hall this season, will show you the reason, low overhead, low overhead!" (1/20/08)

Whoa, Marty Chickaboomer- You were in Key West and didn't call or write a fellow (albeit expat) Washingtonian? Next time... Next time! - Ed. Rodriguez, Operations Manager, US-1Radio, 98-7 Conch Country and 97-7 The Wave (1/20/08)

/\ January 20 Messages /\

\/ January 19 Messages \/

Sexism is alleged after female Wonkette is fired... bigheaddc.com (1/19/08)

A Mailbagger wrote: "For the first time ever, the comic strip 'LIO' in the Sunday Post funnies section is actually worth the read." I haven't seen the Sunday edition yet, but I've been reading "Lio" for a couple of months, only gradually warming to its eccentric humor, which delights in deviousness. I've enjoyed more than a few daily "Lio" strips, so I'll check out tomorrow's, if I can make out the recently reduced type in the compressed Comics page. I'm only 37 and sometimes have to squint in good light to make out the text in the various comics. Eee-gads! What do older readers do, ball up the section out of frustration and toss it into the fireplace? Anyway, my new personal favorite is "Brewster Rockit," the humor for which borders on dumb but which does make me laugh, without getting too cerebral. Meanwhile, "Baby Blues" continues to deliver regular laughs (says this parent of three, soon to be four kids). But the most intriguing strip, and often the funniest, although it gets a bit "cerebral" at times, is Richard Thompson's "Cul-de-Sac" in the weekly Washington Post Magazine, and his Saturday strip in the Style section. Guy's great! Christian (1/19/08)

Reading on DCRTV about how Martinsburg, WV's WRNR-AM is dropping Laura Ingraham in favor of Dennis Miller for the 10am weekday slot, I am very surprised that WRNR hasn't an effort in trying to get back the West Virginia based Talkline radio show with Hoppy Kercheval, a program and a very popular one too at that which WRNR aired for years before losing it to crosstown WEPM. Considering the problems that WEPM had/has lately such as losing its full time news staff ( Chris Strovel and Travis Smith ), bad automation, the 100% Beef Magazine episode involving one of their past employees which WEPM approved of I heard, a website that hasn't been updated since last Summer ( not even during the recent snow ), a lackluster morning show, even WEPM's Panhandle Live a show that has won many awards over the years I am hearing is NOT the show it once was, surprised WRNR doesn't point this out not only to local listeners but to Metronews Radio Network as well. I am sure Metronews knows about the problems of WEPM. Maybe they will come back to WRNR and not only give AM 740 a better daily talk show in the 10am slot but perhaps the rights to those popular WVU football/basketball games too. WRNR could do better. (1/19/08)

('The attire one wears reflects their attitude and attention to detail.') For the ones who work behind a microphone, the threads above and below the face are quite irrelevant. The boss, born in 1910, comes from period in which ordinary folks wore work clothes, lived in a dump, and had no education. Those slightly better off were obligated to differentiate themselves from the lower class by demonstrating they could afford to buy a suit. People who buy suits may "supervise" other people. The supervising suit buyers are insulted when their direct reports don't follow the dress code. It is all about extracting (what passes for) respect for the boss from the hirlings. It has nothing, zero, zilch to do with "attitude" or "attention to detail." According to my discussions with Satan, there is a special Circle of Hell for this kind of Authority. I'd love to arrange a short field trip where we could taunt the residents. It would be amusing. TV is a whole nother matter. (1/19/08)

I'm sorry, but Jim Williams is a lazy writer, who seems to never have met a subject he didn't like...and subsequently fawn over. The story you link to from the front page on Tony Kornheiser is rampant with small inaccuracies that bug anyone with a modicum of knowledge about Tony K and the broadcasters he works for. Right off the bat you wonder if Williams has ever actually listened to TK on 3WT. He only lists the 1500 AM frequency, where you have two others to quote that are far from "rimshot" signals. Secondly, he says "There is no morning sports show that has a bigger or more loyal audience in this area than Kornheiser." Now while I can't vouch for the ratings claim, I can most certainly say Korny's show is NOT a morning sports show. It has nothing to do with sports. As a matter of fact, Tony is famous for not having athletes as guests, and the program is most notable for having a host who can approach pop culture with the same zeal he delivers when sports IS the focus. Although that becomes apparent in the body of the copy, overall this is just another Jim Williams fluff piece. Either the Examiner has stretched Williams out too far by having him pen pieces for almost all of their editions coast-to-coast, or Jim is doing here what he did at the start of his Examiner career when his only beat was DC, and that is filling space in a meaningless rag. If he had talked to TK at any length he would have had much more than the two quotes from Tony and would have been able to flush out a much longer intimately detailed article. Any Jim Williams piece is laughable. As a writer who extrapolates rehashed web postings and opinions into "facts" that are only justified by is own set of standards, he has become a punchline for most of us in the DC sports community. Sorry Jim. Just one man's opinion. (1/19/08)

www.examiner.com... MASN, CSN, WBAL and ESPN 1300AM will be among the area media that will carry the announcement of new Ravens head coach John Harbaugh at noon today. The announcement comes after a wild week in Baltimore as the media thought that Jason Garrett was going to get the Ravens job. The Garrett turned down the job and became the highest paid assistant coach in the NFL - staying in Dallas. Then at 6:06pm last night MASN announced that Harbaugh got the job followed by other local media outlets around 6:15pm. Proving that it oays to be the cable home of the Ravens. (1/19/08)

For the first time ever, the comic strip "LIO" in the Sunday Post funnies section is actually worth the read. (1/19/08)

RE: Or does Centennial just not know what they are doing? ...Could it be over the dismal ratings the station just got? It flipped to be more of an active rocker (we play anything) last fall under Sanchez and it looks like it tanked further than it did playing just classic rock with Bob/Tom. (1/19/08)

Dear Dave: Willard Scott is buried in Key West. In Ernest Hemingway's garden! I thought you'd find this photo from my recent trip to KW amusing. The real Willard probably won't. In the 1930s Hemingway was given a six-toed cat by a ship's captain and some of the cats who live on the museum grounds are descendants of that original cat! Including the now-departed Willard Scott. All the cats have weird names like Sophia Loren, Clark Gable, Norman Mailer. Marty Chickaboomer (1/19/08)

Any scuttlebutt on Michael Hughes headed to NYC to take over K-Rock from the soon to depart Tom Chiusano? Come on Don Geronimo you didn't get satellite radio in your Escalade? Anyone see the Bob Dylan Escalade commercial? So will the last few months of the Don and Mike show be Robbay jockeying for more and more airtime in an attempt to bury Buzzito? Buzzito has more wit imo versus Robbay's junior high comedy styling's. And Robbay's ClaraBell/Ed McMahon laugh. Oy! But in the end Robbay will win because he is the listener's friend. Call AOL with regards to a billing question Thursday evening. First off , nearly impossible to find a phone number to call and Live Help didn't seem to work. Anyways finally find a number to AOL and get machine telling me the AOL Help center is closed for the MLK holiday. Isn't the MLK holiday Monday 21st and I was calling on the 17th? Is AOL trying to tell it's customers something? Anyone see moving vans and for lease signs out there at Dulles? You know DCRTV Dave I did encounter a pharmacist, not the technician, at a local drugstore chain formerly known as People's in this area the other night who's English did not seem to be very good. What? (1/19/08)

Dave's response: Michael Hughes may be a very cool cat, but I'm not sure about his track record with rock radio. Look at what happened to the legendary WHFS on 99.1. And the alt rockish Globe ain't doing much, ratings-wise. Would it be smart of CBS to promote him to its NYC alt rocker, K-Rock? Hmmm.....

Centennial Rocker has let go of Joe Sanchez! Rumor has it that is was all about budget! But there could be something more to it! First Bob and Tom then Kym Mckay now Joe Sanchez!! Sounds like a format change is in the offing! Or does Centennial just not know what they are doing? (1/19/08)

Dave's response: I'm telling you, Centennial could increase its ad billing ten fold for WINC-FM by making it a talk/music/traffic mix and calling it Northern Virginia Radio, with a focus on suburban DC. 92.5's certainly got the signal to do that.....

Brian, to answer your question, yes they were. But, I figured WTF? They hired me. I was unemployed at that point and chalked it up as another "life experience". -Unsigned Corporate Suit (1/19/08)

/\ January 19 Messages /\

\/ January 18 Messages \/

Hi Dave, Just tuning around the AM dial and note that WTNT is off the air again this evening - now 6:50 pm. They were off the air last night as well. Dick (1/18/08)

Hello Dave, I noticed a small segment on WLMD the am station in Laurel MD that had a studio in Columbia MD for a time. Interesting connection with the Bun Penny - too bad it's gone, that was a real icon in Columbia Mall. But to my subject; The Laurel Museum is looking for old audio archives from WLMD, especially for now, ones with commercials in them, for possible use in a coming exhibit. Is it possible that you have some that we could borrow or copy? - Thanks a lot. I volunteer over at the museum, live in Laurel, and work in Columbia off 108 - Ho County building on Bendix Road in a small company there. Best regards, Ken Skrivseth, kaskal@aol.com (1/18/08)

Why does WJFK feel the need to tape delay shows? First, they run O&A tape delayed during the mid-days and now they are going to run Jim Rome tape delayed at night. Don't they realize that people like listening to LIVE radio? I just don't get it. I'm not saying that O&A would have pulled in stellar numbers live but I'm sure that they would have had better numbers than their tape delayed show. People like to interact with radio shows and you just can't do that on tape delay. Anyway, my suggestion for the WJFK line-up: O&A mornings, Big O & Dukes Mid-day, D&M, and then the Junkies. Once Don is gone they can shake things up a bit... (1/18/08)

Holy Christ on a stick...That Big ZerO and Douche headshot/promo pic is easily the QUEEREST thing I have ever seen...Nice makeup ladies...Did mommy spring for that Eddie Munster haircut, Chad Douche? And I absolutely love the "I'm tryin' to be the Rock" look Big HomO is attempting to pull off....You ladies were made for Midday..I'll give you that...Thankfully, like most shows in that slot on WJFK...You'll go there and die a slow painful ratings death...Enjoy unemployment...It'll be coming sooner than you think... (1/18/08)

Dave's response: Well, one of the BO&D duo did recently comment on-air that Justin Timberlake is "prettier" than many women. Not that there's anything wrong with that.....

He has now been fired this morning.... www.keminications.com.... Can media executives learn this valuable lesson? Have a good weekend guys! Kemi in Toronto! (1/18/08)

In response to the person asking about the Rocky Mozell/Duran Duran song connection. My answer to your question I think is simply....nothing...In fact..I'd take a guess and bet that neither Duran Duran, Justin Timberlake, or the record company approved the use of that song for that cheezy product. (1/18/08)

I agree with the post about Craig Laughlin. I think he's a terrific hockey color man. Maybe he's not everyone's cup of tea because he does have a unique style. But I find him knowledgeable and he has a kind of old school hockey way about him that's very engaging. (1/18/08)

Why is JC Hayward's hair the same color as her face?..Looks kinda copper. Or is my t.v.? (1/18/08)

Hey, Dave, I used to live in DC, but have since moved to Newport News,Va... Outside the typical area, I know, but do you have any contacts or inside info why Mancow is back in the mornings down here on 96x? I really hate that asshat and thought we were purged of his radio bile only to hear him again... Crap. Thanks for any info! Bill (1/18/08)

more rumblings that the CC AM's are in the process of being sold. No official word as to whom but it doesn't look good. They have "reassigned" 980's sales mgr and moved a senior seller to another station in the last couple of days. Looks like they are trying to rescue select people from the stations before they go under. (1/18/08)

Speaking of Rocky Mozell and the ISR… Has anyone else heard the new spot with the Duran Duran song with J Timberlake – “Falling Down”? What on earth does that have to do with “naming a star after someone”? (1/18/08)

chris matthews. hardball? more like no-ball(s). (1/18/08)

Dave's response: If Chris was a single guy, I maybe could understand all his sexist on-air flirting. But he's married. I feel particularly sorry for Kathleen Matthews. She shouldn't have to put up with his juvenile antics.....

I am probably unusual in that I like O&A and I am a girl. I know I am not the demo they want for advertising but still should count for something. I will miss O&A and might actually invest in XM but I like O and Dukes too and look forward to having something to listen to mid-days. Don't know why they are moving Rome to evenings - does anyone listen? (1/18/08)

Question for the fellow bag readers....Which is a bigger rip-off? Radioxdeal.com claiming to 'give away' a free XBox 360 or Rocky Mozell and his International Star Registry? In my opinion, both reek of fraud beyond belief. (1/18/08)

Speaking of the OC market, a couple of AM talkers also showed strong ratings, WICO and WCBM. Ratings tend to go up for talk stations during elections and this is an election with lots of intrigue. Should bode well for advertising dollars for talk stations, especially with political advertising dollars expected to be high. (1/18/08)

He will not be missed on the Red Sox broadcasts... "Geffner new Marlins radio announcer... After sifting through 146 applicants, the Marlins on Thursday hired Miami native and Red Sox broadcaster Glenn Geffner as their new No. 2 radio announcer. Geffner, 39, will handle play-by-play for four innings, with lead announcer Dave Van Horne calling five. He replaces Roxy Bernstein, who was dropped after last season..." (1/18/08)

Dave, Yesterday as the word came out of Dallas that Jason Garrett the Ravens top choice for their next head coach was going to pass on the job and remain in Dallas (signing a new deal making him the highest paid assistant coach ii the NFL) Baltimore fans were lighting up the phone lines at ESPN 1300AM and WNST. Ravens Nation was saying that they did not want Jason Garrett in the first place and the man they did want was former Redskins boss and NFL vet Marty Schottenheimer. He has been a winner at Cleveland, Kansas City, (8-8 in his one year in DC) and in San Diego. Now the Ravens fans spent most of yesterday telling all the sports talk hosts on both of Charm Cities sports talk outlets that Marty Ball is the choice. It remains to see if Marty is the Ravens front office choice but the fans continue to speak. www.examiner.com... Jim (1/18/08)

Big ZerO and Douche to Middays at JFK, huh? Wow...did not see that coming. *rolls eyes* Who would have "thunk" it with their butt buddies the Flunkies the defacto mainstay of that station and a Flunkies puppet as PD. Bad enough it seems over the last couple months that the sinking ship that is WJFK has been turned into the Flunkies public access radio station. Boring bit players on their awful show doing commercials almost around the clock....Zzzzzzzzzzz...There is one silver lining in regards to this horribly stupid decision to drop O&A....I FINALLY have reason to NEVER go on 106.7 again...Not one second of entertaining radio on that station... (1/18/08)

Dave... just wondering why you think Opie and Anthony would be successful in mornings at WJFK? There is much less competition in middays and the numbers are dreadful. They don't have impressive ratings in mornings anywhere. That's why they were dropped in Philly, Dallas, Chicago, Detroit, etc. They're just too niche and inside, and the tune in factor is long gone. They would get absolutely destroyed by Elliot. (1/18/08)

Dave's response: We Hugheses have to stand up for each other.....

I heard the DJ on 102.3 said that Olivia Fox would be starting at the station on Monday. Any word on what time slot? (1/18/08)

thank GOD for MARK LEVIN we need him (1/18/08)

I saw that Channel 7 piece the other night about Coach Joe Gibbs. I thought it was a nice feel good story. Coach Joe sure looked very happy being with the grandkids and in the comfort of his real home these days. Seems like he gave a great deal of himself the last few year's and he burned out. He probably has enough cash to not have worries in that department. I sense Nascar would give him more pleasure than working in the pressure cooker of present day NFL football and put on top that a meddlesome owner constantly badgering him and then throw in Coach Joe's own health concerns. Hey life is short and the final game clock is running just a bit quicker these days I'm outta here! (1/18/08)

Just a quick comment on the Capitals coverage on Comcast. Not only do I love the Caps, but Craig Laughlin is just about the best color commentator in all of sports. He may have an odd voice, but his knowledge of the game and his ability to translate it to ordinary hockey fans with a fantastic sense of humor is beyond tremendous. What I love the most about him, is his insertion of some of most gut wrenching hysterical phrases I've ever heard. The other night he actually said "Gee Joe, Mike Green had a few of his chicklets shifted on that one". (ie -teeth rattled) or "Oh my, Ollie got a blast in the cocanut on that spin-o-rama(in the head)" or "Alex is gonna have to spit em out and have em fixed at intermission" (his teeth). Keep it up Locker!!! It's great to watch great hockey and laugh at the same time!!!! (1/18/08)

Big O and Dukes are taking over middays on wjfk. 10-3pm 5 hours. They are being groomed to take over PM drive in 2009. Jim Rome will be moved to evenings and the hideout will be off the station in 2 months. (1/18/08)

The Great Big O and Dukes are dominating middays on the amazing WJFK. 10-3pm 5 hours. They are being groomed to take over PM drive in 2009. Jim Rome will be moved to evenings and the hideout will be off the station in 2 months. GOD (1/18/08)

"And from a business standpoint, I just can't buy that Don makes 2.5 mil and Mike makes 1 mil. In the good old days (before the recession and the radio ad slump), JFK made, what, 20 million in revenue in a GREAT year? You really think they're making ANY money off of the show if they are paying the afternoon talent $3.5 million? Add in the rest of the show salaries, producers, sales commissions, managers, accounting and business, office staff, operating expenses... come on. Anyone with a business degree knows that doesn't make sense, and is just more bs spin from Don."............... It's well established that Don and Mike have earned the station as much as 50 million a year, so anyone with a business degree should suggest that you go check the actual numbers. And anyone with a business degree could prolly pick up the phone and call someone with an economics degree for the definition of a recession, and find out when the dates of the last recession were, since we're not currently in one. O and A off of JFK? Sucks. I'm a long time Don and Mike fan who loved the radio war between the two shows, but O and A kick ass, and I enjoy their new, kinder, gentler show (without all the replays of segments and with Little Jimmy Norton) more than the old incarnation. Caller X. Keepin' it courteous. (1/18/08)

“As was explained to me, 'The attire one wears reflects their attitude and attention to detail.'” Good Lord, Suit, I hope the person who said this wasn’t the same one who gave you the grammatical usage exam! -Brian (1/18/08)

/\ January 18 Messages /\

\/ January 17 Messages \/

More info fjallfoss.fcc.gov on the 105.5 WTMD relay...... Apparently, the station was operating under a construction permit, so that might explain the on/off signal. FCC License to cover was granted today, so hopefully that is all fixed. :-) (1/17/08)

The CW for out-of-market viewers on DirecTV has switched, as the CW for Baltimore (WNUV) was switched out, and now, the Washington CW is the one of DirecTV throughout the Eastern and Central time zones, for markets that do not have a CW affiliate. Joe in South Carolina (1/17/08)

The post asking about Bonneville's plans in the event of a major emergency is interesting. And, yes, they are very prepared. Even for the worst. The sad thing about radio audiences is that they are creatures of habit in one wierd sense: They are more apt to push a preset than they are to tune around. And, they are more likely to shut off the radio before they will tune around. Unfortunately, in a real emergency that delay could cost lives needlessly. Were a real sudden and serious emergency to hit the area, I don't think Bonneville's stations would be the only ones simulcasting WTOP! Given the number of news departments here it'll either be relaying WTOP or one of the broadcast or cable TV news nets for keeping your audience informed! The truly bizarre part of all of this is how XM and Sirius fit into the emergency equation! And, kudos to Dave on proper English usage! One of my former employers not only had a "pronounciation" examination as a part of the qualifica! tion process, but also a "grammatical usage" exam. Then, once hired, "gentlemen" were required to wear shirt & tie (even in radio) unless you were reading the news. Newscasts were to be done in suit and tie! Ladies were supposed to wear similarily proper attire. As was explained to me, 'The attire one wears reflects their attitude and attention to detail.' Ahhh... the bad old days! Unsigned Corporate Suit (1/17/08)

Numbers in for Salisbury-Ocean City are in 12+ Froggy rules the roost, with Q105 in second. 93.5 The Beach has DOUBLED its ratings! Great job! As for the other ones: Looks like talk radio is going strong, as WGMD and WQMR are up tremendoulsly! OC 104 remains flat, one wonders if the ship can be fixed before it goes under. Cat Country, BIG Classic Rock and JOE-FM all took big drops. And WCBM beat Kiss!!!!!!! Delmarva’s Max 92.5 is dead last, getting beat by out of market signals. (1/17/08)

I thought O&A always win in the end. KOF (1/17/08)

Dave's response: I like O&A. And I think if JFK had put them in morning drive live and properly promoted them, they could have been a ratings success in DC.....

"Any chance WJFK gives Don and Mike the morning drive slot to keep Don on the air? I do seem to remember however, that the Junkies have a contract stating they cannot be moved from morning drive to another slot." No chance - the Junkies ratings have gone up in the past year. Besides, D & M have dominated morning drive in the past, why go back? Also, with Mike's kids in school, that would complicate things a little more. Mike in Waldorf (1/17/08)

O&A getting canned in DC is the most predictable story since the sun rising in the east. When is the radio world going to wake up to the fact that O&A have been living off a reputation (and ratings) from 5-6 years ago and have shown no ability to draw any fans to either satellite (the much ballyhooed "tier" system drew a whopping 35,000 subscribers before being quietly scuttled) or terrestrial radio (where they have anchored (ha ha) the good ship K ROCK to dead last in NYC). What they do best is justify and excuse their own poor performance on everyone but themselves. Have fun podcasting boyyyyz, because at this rate, you won't be on XM or terrestrial radio in 6 months. (1/17/08)

I think I would rather hear the John Boy and Billy show on WJFK than O & A. Even 'Monsters in the Morning' from WTKS in Orlando would be a better alternative. Both shows are comprised of fruitcakes. Just replace one for another. JA (1/17/08)

Any chance WJFK gives Don and Mike the morning drive slot to keep Don on the air? I do seem to remember however, that the Junkies have a contract stating they cannot be moved from morning drive to another slot. (1/17/08)

Imus to morning drive on WJFK? No deal with him at TNT because of impending sale of stations to Snyder. Thoughts, Dave? (1/17/08)

Dave's response: CBS Radio fired Imus from its NYC sports talk WFAN last spring. There's no way he'll be heard on any other CBS-owned station, including the DC area's WJFK-FM. I'm still hearing that Clear Channel talker WTNT is the most-likely DC radio candidate for Imus - that is, if it's not being bought by Dan Snyder. Or, heck, even if it is.....

Congratulations WJFK....you've successfully lost another listener...Ax'ing O & A? Ahhh...let me guess...all in the name of moving Big ZerO and Douche to middays right after their butt buddies, The Flunkies go off....right?? Of course...that's gotta be it...In closing, WJFK can go shit in a hat.... (1/17/08)

The good thing about the current state of WJFk, is that with radio streaming the losers who program that dump can fuck up the lineup all they want...I can still listen to O&A on line...good luck WJFK...you will need it....Michael Hughes...can you say "unemployment line?" WB Centreville, VA (1/17/08)

I lost my job at Disney studios and they won't even tell me why! Hmmm... www.youtube.com (1/17/08)

If Snyder buys WTEM, I wonder if WJFK is the possible future home of some of the 980 personalities that would invariably get the axe (specifically Czaban and Pollin). O&A are gone, Rome has never worked here. Possibility? (1/17/07)

Love the posters who have replied to your rant, Dave. Two things. First - should we expect little better than "amba-lance" from radio types in Frederick? How good does your English have to be if your second job is hosting the tractor pull? Second - to the poster who stated, "...if proper command of English in the workplace is needed to keep a job, should we now impeach the President?" Pause. Is there a sign-up sheet? (1/17/08)

Just giving you my two cents regarding Mike O'Meara. I used to know Mike really well, but through the years as happens, our acquaintance faded LOTS. Most of it due to the business and the attitudes that come along with semi-success. Mike has had a lot of adversity in his life, most of it self created. Through all of his life he's had a terrible inferiority complex he tried to hide behind being a follower, not a leader. He has allowed himself to get more and more into self doubt. The relationship losses, the dominant partner, they all take a toll on people like him. Now, he is being given the opportunity to make life right. I, for one, believe Mike will rise to occasion. He a a really talented, bright and believe it or not, gentle guy. Someone once said to him,"dont let your ego get in front of your ability". Mike.....I really hope you read this. I still believe in you. (Guardian Angel) (1/17/08)

Good-bye, O&A! We hardly knew ye (OK, we hardly WANTED to know ye)! Start the clock for some of their half-wit listeners to tell us that this latest development is actually good for the IQ-challenged duo! Uh, boys, it’s my understanding that the table next to Peter McRosenberger at the Adams-Morgan McDonald’s may be available. Sincerely, TMU (1/17/08)

"Rumblings Post-Geronimo WJFK" It's Dead! It should be a totally different station. Can everybody and put on a new format. That male locker room approach to programming is as stale as an athlete's old, dirty socks. Stern moved on. The station acts like he's still there with the station programming that was designed to compliment his show. Give it up. JOHN IN STAFFORD (1/17/07)

This Monday marks Tony Kornheiser’s first day back on the radio at 3WT and XM. “The Bob Edwards Show” will air an interview with Mr. Tony on Monday, which Bob and Tony taped at the XM studios this past week. The interview airs Monday at 8:00 am ET on XM Public Radio (channel 133), with encores at 9 am, 10 am, and 9 pm. (1/17/08)

Mike has to be crazy think, after allowing Don to represent them both to management and the public and to manipulate and use him for years, that anyone would think that Mike has the ability to pull off a show by himself? Mike is an unproven entity unto himself. If he does well with his own show I am sure they will pay him more but just because he is Mike O'Meara doesn't mean squat. Also, if they have Mike and Buzz and a whole new cast of people they might have a chance at being something "new" but if you throw Robbay in there too isn't it a cheap(er) imitation of the D&M show? (1/17/08)

Dave - Regarding your most recent "rant" - The can start at WFMD in Frederick. Loretta Gaines constantly pronounces the 7th month of the year as JEW-lie and if I hear amba-LANCE one more time.... And while were at it, will someone tell the morning new lady, Diana Gibson, she's reading the news to ADULTS not 5-year-olds?! That sing-songy voice of hers makes it sound like she's reading a Dr. Seuss book! Now I feel better after my rant. Tom in Frederick (1/17/08)

Whether or not D&M are back on the air today, and if they ARE on the air, they launch into their “we can’t tell you what’s going on” routine, a couple of things are clear: (a) that show can still be really funny and entertaining (sometimes); and (b) the hosts – both of them – are spoiled, whiny, little bitches when they start complaining about how mistreated they are, to the point where they can’t actually do the show. When I go to a restaurant, and try to order food, I don’t want to hear about the waiter’s problems with the chef. I want food. When I tune in D&M, I want to hear the D&M show – not a tribute “best of O’Meara” from the hot steaming ego oven of Don Geronimo. The listeners deserve better, but it sounds like Don’s farewell cruise will be serving the full self-pity buffet every afternoon. Sincerely, TMU (1/17/08)

Dave, great interview on Chickaboomer. You know you're the real deal when it comes to media news blogging! We love you here in Canada. Check out your story at Keminications. Umm, Happy 50th birthday in advance! Kemi Joshua, Publicist/Canadian Assoc of Black Journalists (1/17/08)

Re:(You really think they're making ANY money off of the show if they are paying the afternoon talent $3.5 million?) ... If I'm not mistaken, CBS doesn't foot the whole bill. Westwood One pays their syndication deal. (1/17/08)

Unsigned Corporate Suit, don't you think Bonneville has a plan to simulcast WTOP on all frequencies including 1500 if the fit hits the shan?!? Exactly like they did on 9/11? Puhlease! (1/17/08)

Don Juan Geronimo said he's not allowed to talk about his post DnM show days radio plans? So is he going over to Sirius and play a box of records for Mel"cufflinks" Karmazin? Or will Donnie G. have to change his radio name to get on air somewhere else? Oh dear, could we be looking at the end of Don Geronimo? Maybe a new Scott Stevens? And if O'Meara doesn't get an offer from CBS will Don bring Mike along with him to Sirius and name themselves charlie(stuangstabalak) and harrigan part 3? And to the dude who says he's spent millions on advertising at WJFK lemme ask you something? How do you feel about them 9 1/2 minute commercial breaks or worse yet them back in the day 20 minute breaks on the Stern show? I'd love to know what an advertiser thought of being stuck at the 15 minute mark in a 20 minute commercial break that no one is listening to? do you get a tax break for running the commercials anyway? Are you Rocky Mozzell? Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars! At least Buzz can get voiceover work but Robbay? come on are you serious! then again having a decent voice doesn't seem to matter as much as willing to work cheap these days. I mean Kevin Sheehan reads commercial copy. (1/17/08)

First, if proper command of English in the workplace is needed to keep a job, should we now impeach the President? "If you've got somebody in harm's way, you want the president being—making advice, not—be given advice by the military, and not making decisions based upon the latest Gallup poll or focus group." George W Bush, New Albany, Ind., Nov. 13, 2007. And, "I want to thank my friend, Sen. Bill, first for joining us today. … He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. (Laughter.) Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me" George W Bush, May 27, 2004, Nashville, Tenn. Second, Dave, you did "Chickaboomer?" Did she squeal? (1/17/08)

Dave's response: With incredible delight.....

If a Mike O'Meara doesn't show up for his radio gig due to a contract tiff and no one is there to hear it, has he really not shown up? (1/17/08)

Someone wrote, "Ripley on 97.7 The Rocket... New DJ on 97.7 The Rocket "Southern Maryland's Rock Station---" Okay... Who's going to start the pool on how long "Crazy" Roy Robertson's latest victim will sit in the air chair? His myspace page shows a predilection for using the word, "shit," and labels himself a "drunk loser." Nice! Such class. - Dr. Samuel Mudd (1/17/08)

Ripley on 97.7 The Rocket... New DJ on 97.7 The Rocket "Southern Maryland's Rock Station--- www.myspace.com/ripley977 (1/17/08)

"There's a battle between show "newsman" Buzz Burbank and defacto show producer Robb Spewak about who will be the "number two" The jokes just write themselves don't they? Both of those guys aren't worth a "number two." Actually...that's not true...Its clear that Spewak is the best option for the "number two."....The libby news guy has the personality of a small soap dish....WB Centreville, Va (1/17/08)

Let's make sense of this Snyder to "buy" 980 et. al rumor. First off, he's lost millions on a swindle by now deposed Bennett "Dead Zebra" Zier. Second, he can't dump the string of triple tin-can signals he's overpaid for. Third, he just got a "Blutarski" rating: 0.0. (Glitch, my ass!) So what do you do? Double down on this awful hand, buy three MORE crap AM signals that STILL don't get you coverage in Ashburn after dark (i.e. football season), be forced to buy out or integrate a dozen talent contracts (don't forget JT's is a "Lifetime Deal!" Whoo-hee!). And THEN what? Is he going to run Granpa Riggo (zero ratings) in the PM drive just because he's making $1 million? Or do you flush that bad deal, run Andy and Czabe (your prime antagonist) and actually have something to sell? If you increase local shows in this play, then ESPN is pissed because they were sold on leaving 980 to get more shelf-time for other dayparts (i.e. The Herd). Oh yeah, then you need to actually ramp up and get a whole staff of RADIO sales people, reporters and update men. He can do all this too, while hiring a new coach, and conducting 10 hour interviews. Hmm. Call me skeptical. Snyder's a vindictive idiot, but he still likes money. This would be good money, after bad. If I'm CC, I would do this. Sell Snyder the three AM SIGNALS, and then port the entire 980 lineup to 100.3. Snyder would still need to buy time on 100.3 next year to hear Sam Huff dribble down his shirt (like he did last fall) and now CC has a POWERHOUSE FM sports talk station WITH not just "free" Redskins "rights"... but the Skins games plus CASH to run them! If they can pull of this deal, it'll make the T.J. Duckett trade look remotely fair by comparison! (1/17/08)

Re: Newest drama with the WJFK afternoon drive queens. Nothing to see or hear here. Move along. (1/17/08)

I heard the whole fiasco this afternoon on Don and Mike. I've listened to them for at least 15 years. I love their show, it's the best radio show I've ever heard. I've bought ads on their show to the tune of millions over dollars over the years. But I'm sorry, I realized some time ago that the show is built on lies and exaggeration from Don. Who knows if Mike and the rest of the crew actually still believe his bs, but I can tell you that I, as a listener, can't even keep track of the lies and "suggestive innuendo" that has permeated the show over the last 15 years. If I had a dollar for every time Don hinted at something big being right around the corner, or some big decision coming down from CBS suits on high, I'd be a rich man. None of it EVER happens. Yet Mike and crew keep sitting there with baited breath, waiting for Don to save the day, and steer them out of the crisis of the day. It's not going to happen... the show as we know it is over in 5 months. I just hope that Mike has the good sense to do what is good for HIM, and not listen to a word Don says. And from a business standpoint, I just can't buy that Don makes 2.5 mil and Mike makes 1 mil. In the good old days (before the recession and the radio ad slump), JFK made, what, 20 million in revenue in a GREAT year? You really think they're making ANY money off of the show if they are paying the afternoon talent $3.5 million? Add in the rest of the show salaries, producers, sales commissions, managers, accounting and business, office staff, operating expenses... come on. Anyone with a business degree knows that doesn't make sense, and is just more bs spin from Don. If they are making a million each, they are still overpaid, especially in this terrible radio ad economy. (1/17/08)

Ex-WMAR-TV reporter Scott Broom has been on WUSA-TV many times since about Christmas time. All I know about him is what I see on TV. His reports on many high profile stories have brought a rare seasoned authority if not gravitas to 9's coverage. The DC TV/radio market needs more of that. (1/17/08)

Join the Baltimore Jazz Network and make Jazz Connections. Tamm E Hunt... Click here to join: thejazznetwork.ning.com (1/17/08)

/\ January 17 Messages /\

\/ January 16 Messages \/

Dave wrote, "Seriously, I'm trying my best to look like Ed Rodriguez....." LOL... It's close, Dave! Very close. It just needs to be a little tighter. Would you like to borrow the stencil? I'm holding a good thought for everyone who has to drive those icy roads if tomorrow's forecast is correct.- Ed. Rodriguez, Broadcasting LIVE from the Cabana Breezes Club in Key Colony Beach this Friday! Come join me... (1/16/08)

Dave's response: Well, we'll be thinking of you this summer during hurricane season.....

Sad news about WLIR changing to an ESPN radio relay. From what I've read, WLIR was a kick-ass alternative rock station similar to an earlier era WHFS or even a current era WRNR. One interesting factoid: WHFS alum and current WRNR deejay Bob Waugh is an old school WLIR disc jockey. I'm sure he knows a few up there who have gotten the ax. KeninBrooklyn (1/16/08)

OK, so I had a "Senior Moment" of sorts when I said WTOP for the user of 1500 in D.C.! Actually, I was repeating the imagery that Bonneville still needs to face up to regarding "the big switch" in 2006. And, IMHO, all-news is a format made for the survivability of AM. While it's true that FM is needed for normal circumstances to penetrate those office buildings and high-rise apartments downtown, there would be a serious need for a wide-coverage AM in the event of a genuine local, regional, or national emergency. And, 1500 is about the best we've got around here. And, having all-news already available on an AM frequency would make things a lot easier in terms of reaching people fast in the event of something truly serious. I can hear the nay-sayers now: "But, you can't hear 1500 to the we! st of D.C." Here's my response. And, it's in the "God forbid" category... If the D.C. area were to be hit by a true life-and-death local or regional emergency, I'm sure there's an easy "non-directional" option available at the transmitter site. It's been in every DA site I've ever set foot in. All you need is an STA from the FCC to use it outside of experimental hours. "What about night interference from KSTP or others?" That's a reasonable question. The answer? The same FCC that authorizes your operation can rescind it with cause. KSTP or any other station on 1500 could easily be ordered silent by the FCC. "What if a station ignores the order?" There are two results: Messy and ugly! The messy would be FCC actions when "normal broadacsting resumes". The ugly? I don't want to contemplate. However, one site I've been to still had guard quarters in it (and a bullet hole from a rifle misfire) from WWII, showing how important broadcast facilities ar! e to the Feds. As for me, in the event of a real emergency, I'd rath er see 630 be used instead of 1500 for the sake of groundwave coverage. However, I'd like to see at least a 3DX50 (Although for the circumstances that could be involved, i'd rather see a Continental 317C, if not an RCA BTA-50 instead.) on-site and kept ready to go "just in case". Unsigned Corporate Suit (1/16/08)

"am I wrong or did I see CNN headline news do a promo today "guess when Britney Spears dies - win a playstation?" someone should be fired." So not funny. Yes it was on during the 10am hour. I remember a time when they did real news, now it is celebrity tabloid crap. (1/16/08)

The CNN Headline promo was in reference to a private website (I won't repeat the address) that is giving away a Playstation 3 for the best guess of the date and time of Britney Spears' death. Presumably, none of the CNN family of stations are sponsoring the so-called contest. Everett W. (1/16/08)

Is anyone tracking how many downloads of podcasts of local radio shows are done on a daily and weekly basis? I think that might cause a bit of reshuffling in some ratings listings. I know I like the local 3wt shows in the morning (David Burd and David Burd pretending to be Mr. Tony's brother), but people keep scheduling meetings in the middle of them. Thanks, Brenda P., Upper Marlboro, MD (1/16/08)

am I wrong or did I see CNN headline news do a promo today "guess when Britney Spears dies - win a playstation?" someone should be fired. So not funny. (1/16/08)

Dave's response: If that does happen, one thing is for certain - Rupert Murdoch and his ghoulish "news" organs will be ready to exploit it for ratings.....

Seen on the podcast page on the WMET 1160 website: "The Greaseman Show. Grease is back and packing 50,000 watts of power at Talk Radio WMET 1160 every weekday morning." Oh dear, how do I break the news to them? (1/16/08)

Check out Chickaboomer: Danny Gonaduce chickaboomer.blogspot.com (1/16/08)

Just in case you were wondering Don at one point admitted how much he and Mike made, 2.5 for Don, almost a million for Mike. Here's audio proof: www.filemonster.net (1/16/08)

"F" Robbay....go Buzz!!!!!! We now return to our regularly scheduled program, already in progress. (1/16/08)

Should Ezra Klein be kicked off Hardball bigheaddc.com (1/16/08)

I have 2 questions Dave. Did you shave anything else besides your head? And when do you start hosting the syndicated version of "Deal Or No Deal"? (1/16/08)

Dave's response: No. Very funny. Seriously, I'm trying my best to look like Ed Rodriguez.....

RE: “Hi, Any word on what has happened to AM540 WGOP in Pocomoke City, MD?” I know, someone wanted to save money on the power bill and unplugged the transmitter. It’s like keeping the TV on and no one is home. (1/16/08)

Picking up WTEM is possible thanks to the relative abundance of water (the Bay, hon!) along the way to Chincoteague. Works the other way, too. Down here near Fredericksburg, 1330 WESR from Onancock rolls in with a decent signal. Regards, Dave Loudin (1/16/08)

Check out Chickaboomer: Chickaboomer Does DCRTV's Dave chickaboomer.blogspot.com (1/16/08)

Dave's response: And behold my newly-shaved head.....

(“Yes, I know Taylor being murdered and his grandson being sick was hard on him. Still doesn't change the fact that the team WAS on the verge of maybe being a powerhouse and now we're back to square 1....Again. I'm tired of every media outlet in this city seeing Gibbs through rose tinted glasses.”) What team were YOU watching? They had to win four straight just to get in the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. Powerhouse??? You sound like you’re auditioning for a job with Larry, Sonny and Sam. The media world has enough homers in the DC area. Tim in Stafford (1/16/08)

Would it be possible that the local media [Radio, TV, Newspaper] take a time out from STILL rambling on about what a God Joe Gibbs is? Channel 7 did a piece last night about Gibbs and his grandson. The kid even sang ''Hail To The Redskins'' at the end. Are you kidding me? Gibbs bailed out and didn't even finish his contract yet, George, Bret Haber and every other dope in this city still looks at him with visions of Jesus swirling in their collective heads. I've also heard every sportscaster in this town say Gibbs left the Redskins ''in good shape''. Who's buy that load of shit? Again, he bailed. Yes, I know Taylor being murdered and his grandson being sick was hard on him. Still doesn't change the fact that the team WAS on the verge of maybe being a powerhouse and now we're back to square 1....Again. I'm tired of every media outlet in this city seeing Gibbs through rose tinted glasses. Paul (1/16/08)

Oh, goody, more melodrama from the House of Geronimo and O’Meara in the show open today . . . Mike’s just too emotionally overwrought to go on, so Don does a stirring eulogy-to-the-living speech about how he can’t really talk about their situation, but Mike is under-appreciated and his contract is up, so here’s four more bleeding hours of best-of, featuring Mike O’Meara. Boy, they’ve been back for what, EIGHT WHOLE DAYS? I can understand that the strain must be telling. Memo to the boys: we love you. Use it, don’t abuse it. There are 20 other hours in the day during which you can complain about the unfairness of life. Sincerely, TMU (1/16/08)

Hi, Any word on what has happened to AM540 WGOP in Pocomoke City, MD? (1/16/08)

Dave,,, I am sure you meant Howard K. SMITH as your abc news reference...Howard K Stern...the greasy lawyer for anna nicole.... (1/16/08)

Dave's response: It was a joke, however subtle and lame.....

i've been reading about strong signals lately, and i have one of my own that really surprised me. during the day, i could pick up WTEM loud and clear down in chincoteague. (1/16/08)

("I was in 2 bars in bethesda last night, and in both places the bar tenders had problems finding the wiz game on csn plus as the channel is always different. Many patrons were mad cause they rather watch the wiz after the impressive boston win than the caps. Also worth mentioning both bars had the MASN game on with 2 colleges i never heard of but on the TV unlike the Wiz. So is CSN plus just like masn was when it launched...no where to be seen what a waste to put the NBA on plus in a metro city!") MASN carries college basketball from several conferences. MASN showed the Liberty/Winthrop game last night and if you follow college hoops, you would have heard of Winthrop. They have scared a lot of big schools in the NCAA tournament in recent years. The addition of MASN has helped out with college sports in more ways than you realize. Georgetown and George Mason have been on that channel a few times this season. Regarding CS N+, in Waldorf the channel has always been channel 28, and when they aren't showing sports, they are showing something Congress related. I did a search on TV Guide's site, apparently the poster is right, because Bethesda is using Discovery Communications and CSN+ isn't listed (CSN is channel 45). Mike in Waldorf (1/16/08)

I don't know where this spin is coming from about Triple X breaking up its simulcast only once but it just isn't true. The troika aired multiple weekday afternoon baseball playoff games on 730 exclusively so it could keep its normal lineup on 92.7 & 94.3. It aired a Virginia Tech/Boston College regular season football game on 94.3 while airing World Series Game 2 on 92.7 & 730. Even just last month, it aired two Virginia Tech Sunday basketball games on 94.3 only while airing Redskins pre-game on 92.7 & 730. Geez! Everett W. (1/16/08)

Scott Broom is freelancing frequently at 9. I have had the pleasure of working with him. I hope to God he gets hired full time. Ability, experience and quality: how refreshing! (1/16/08)

Shit! Dave is the feed still open? “…Noooooo WIRE reports Dammit! I didn’t get to where I am in this man’s world darling by reading wire reports! Christina dear – bring mommy her special medicine – no dear the big bottle…” m (1/16/08)

Hi, Dave! Happy New Year! In answer to this question in the mailbag: Does anyone know if/when George Michael's "Full Court Press" starts airing again?. Full Court Press has its season premiere this coming Saturday night (1/19) at 7pm on NBC4.... (1/16/08)

I was in 2 bars in bethesda last night, and in both places the bar tenders had problems finding the wiz game on csn plus as the channel is always different. Many patrons were mad cause they rather watch the wiz after the impressive boston win than the caps. Also worth mentioning both bars had the MASN game on with 2 colleges i never heard of but on the TV unlike the Wiz. So is CSN plus just like masn was when it launched...no where to be seen what a waste to put the NBA on plus in a metro city! (1/16/08)

Howard Stern? Didn't he used to have a radio show? (1/16/08)

Dave's response: No, you're thinking of Howard K. Stern. Used to do the news on ABC-TV way back when.....

I agree with the earlier poster about O and Dukes being interrupted all the time. This year I can't get a fix on what the heck to listen to every weekday from 1-7...I have Elliot in the morning (or the Junks if Elliot is in replay), then O&A, then...used to listen to Byrd replay then Chickaboomer then Stephanie Miller but 3WT insists on putting the right-winger hatred shows on during the time of day when I like to wind down and think happy thoughts. I enjoy O and Dukes but can't stand listening to COLLEGE!!! sports interrupting them. Sometimes I can't listen to O and Dukes OR Stephanie Miller as each station is playing some stupid sport show. Anyone have suggestions to what my options may be between 1 and 7PM? (1/16/08)

Why should WJFK bother having a night show if they're going to be off the air every other night? To make it up to O&D, perhaps Mince Ginard should give them a bigger time slot when they are lucky enough to be on the air....maybe 5 hours or so...stay tuned (1/16/08)

I have to agree about 740 AM in Toronto. Comes in loud and clear most nights and has a music selection that spans about 50 years, it seems. Knowledgeable jocks, too. (1/16/08)

Dave: I agree with your observations that print reporters covering the broadcasting industry (the Examiner and the Sunpapers) get most of their leads and information from you these days. They do very little digging on their own – when that digging could just mean getting the story right. For example, remember months ago when all those stories appeared in print about "vanity shows" for Ravens' players on HFS? The just released fall Arbitron shows this was another lame brain CBS Radio strategy that bombed. And, not a word of mea culpa in either paper. Confirm these numbers if you want Dave – it proves that a player on the air does not equal good radio or ratings. For the 6pm-7pm hour Monday-Friday, this was how it came down between CBS Radio and the Ravens flagship which did sports programming as well: P18+ BAL 4.0 Share-HFS 1.2 Share, P25-54 BAL 3.2-HFS 1.7, M18+ BAL 5.7-HFS 2.0, M18-49 BAL 4.1-HFS 2.7, M 25-54 BAL 5.0-HFS 2.9. In every demo the BAL audience is at least two or three times larger. I'll bet you won't see a press release from the suits at CBS Radio on those ratings or even read about them in the Baltimore papers. (1/16/08)

Taylor On Radio-Info Cite DCRTV Dave?. From this morning's TRI: "Breaking the “Triple X” simulcast just one time cost Red Zebra.... Cost it a “simulcast” rating in the Fall Arbitron, that is, and thus cost it a place in the quarterly book itself. The Washington Post reports that Arbitron’s policy (the Minimum Reporting Standard) kept the troika of 730, 94.3 and 92.7 from “making the book.” So you don’t see WWXX, WWXT or WXTR in the latest ratings. The Post’s Paul Farhi says it ultimately doesn’t matter all that much – Redskins owner Dan Snyder just isn’t getting what he wants out of his costly ($33 million) radio venture. Meanwhile, Dave Hughes at the DCRTV.com site continues to speculate about Snyder buying more stations in Washington, perhaps from Clear Channel – stations with better signals." (1/16/08)

Dave's response: Golly. Cool. Yeah, when it really happens in a few weeks, I just know Paul Farhi will report it like he just learned of it. Ha ha ha.....

Funny thing about the comparison betwen D&M and Stern. D&M probably have more aggregate listeners (maybe not even counting their small affiliate list) than Stern does on Satellite radio. (1/16/08)

("Satan just called, he wants his soul back....") Ah, the low road. "Clearly a dishonest person"? A bold assertion. Your concerns for my employment are appreciated, yet curious. We disagreed, we debated, I admitted you were right, and this is your response? Interesting. Intensely interesting. I am concerned for your hands; surely the weight of the time on them must be a trial. As Jack White, the star comedian at the famous Club 18 at West 52nd St in NY would say to a loud, persistent heckler, "Why do you heckle me? For all you know, I'm your father!" "A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand." Now that may or may not be true, but it sure sounds good, like a Sam Elliott voiceover. And what is up with Terps basketball? Who cares about listening to basketball on the radio? Once again WJFK denied me the opportunity to hear Big O and Dukes with their Bengali intern, as well as interfering with Manson on Loveline. How much is UMD paying them? Caller X. High Road! Rocking the Courtesy! (1/16/08)

The commentary regarding the Sports talk 980 website is important to notice. All of the big broadcaster’s websites look alike within the given company. The web effort is no different then the on air effort. Everything is homogenized and streamlined to save money. Just think of the all of the creativity we have lost on the web and on the air since the consolidation of radio occurred in the late 90’s Hell, radio might even be cool in 2008 if the creative effort wasn’t stymied for the sake of the stock price. Damn you Bill Clinton! (1/16/08)

Yesterday, Don and Mike were thrilled that a comic on the David Letterman show mumbled their names during a bit, like a secret code. Last week, Howard Stern was a guest on Letterman's show, and did three segments. It's interesting to see D&M's media pecking order after two decades in the biz. Famous in Fairfax and big in Beltsville. That's it folks. (1/16/08)

fyi, that couric stuff was put up by harry shearer. (1/16/08)

I am sick and tired of the WTOP talkback line. It's sappy and a waste of time; if I wanted to hear that manner of claptrap I'd be tuned to WMAL. I want to know what's going on, and I decidedly DON'T care what some random sample of busybodies thinks. I just don't think this has any place on an alleged all-news station. Am I the only one? (1/16/08)

Re - TMU: "You know, just when I thought Sportstalk980 ('The Future Home of Dan Snyder’s Ego') couldn’t get any more third-rate, I looked at their website. Oh my God, Ray Charles could do a better website, and he’s dead AND blind." WTEM's site looks like a pretty standard issue Clear Channel site in the company's current template, just cluttered up to the point that it's almost headache-inducing. They may also want to fix the part in Brian Mitchell's bio - on JT's page - about Brian having his own "new show" (unless I missed him getting a new time slot). (1/16/08)

I read the theory on why WTEM and 1500 AM ain't the blowtorches they once were in this area but why at night does Canadian CHWO 740 AM come in so strong in my evening travels around the toothless fairfax county? Love that station for the music it plays! Nothing at all in the D.C. area that plays that stuff no more. Has anyone listened to WTRI Vegas Radio online? I just keep forgetting cause I've got so many internet stations I already listen too! Another station from far away that seems to come in pretty good this time of year in many locations is grand old WSM out of Nashville with Eddie Stubbs. Am I comparing bananas and mangoes on this? (1/16/08)

/\ January 16 Messages /\

\/ January 15 Messages \/

Howard County's Government Television station is going dark. www.examiner.com (1/15/08)

Was it April Fools Day at WUSA 9 tonight? I cruise the 5:00 news and Jennifer Ryan is back! The great mistake was over with the over-hyped disappointing Anita Brickman. That was fast, thank you Lord. Six o'clock show is a bore. Tuning back to the 7:00 brought me back to reality sadly. Nice fake out 9. Wishful thinking. Anita was sitting there. Yawn... (1/15/08)

Does anyone know if/when George Michael's "Full Court Press" starts airing again? (1/15/08)

Over the years interference has increased on the AM band, mostly due to non-broadcast sources like computers, their networks and electrical wiring. Broadcast stations are responsible for more interference too. Demand for more stations and increased coverage by existing stations has produced more interference to everyone. HD Radio signals have also contributed to the increase in background noise. Analog AM could be "fixed" but that would mean less than 1,000 stations total in the USA (assuming everyone must have 24 hour operation). Plus the FCC would have to require computer gear to significantly reduce interference produced, and clamp down on electrical utilities with "dirty" power lines. Think about what it might take to make that happen, and you can see it's not an engineering issue, it's political. Note that high cable TV penetration makes the hard cut over to DTV likely to succeed, plus the political fix is in because of the spectrum sale. Radio has no similar path to a digital service. btw, directional stations like 1500 AM measure their signal coverage regularly, and a significant change would be noticed. Ironically, if their directional antenna was messed up many listeners would be happier since the most likely failure mode would increase signal in the weaker areas. Also the better fundamental sound quality of FM has raised the bar. What seemed perfectly OK to listen to twenty or thirty years ago would now be considered awful because we are accustomed to better sound (at least before typical FM stations screw up the processing LOL). (1/15/08)

To the post about 1500 WTOP. You are correct. Back in the 70s and 80s. I went with my dad to Eastern PA. on vacation. My dad would turn on 1500, the signal was strong. (1/15/08)

I think the main reason why 1500 AM now comes in even worse at night in D.C.'s western burbs is because of WLAC's (1510 AM) IBOC hash. Even though the latter tends to fade in and out, it usually comes in strong enough for its HD signal to significantly interfere with 3WT even here in upper Monkey County. Another reason why I can't stand IBOC. KOF (1/15/08)

Concerning reception of WWWT in the wild west of Fairfax these days, I would say that poorer reception is due to increased background noise from electronics and a gradual increase in interference at night rather than less signal from Wheaton. I remember that nighttime reception of 1500 in Vienna in the early 90's was not completely noise-free. Regards, Dave Loudin (1/15/08)

Hey, friends - There's still time to book a seat for tomorrow's Q&A Cafe featuring CNN political commentator AMY HOLMES. I know this was a late guest change, but c'mon. You have heard the last word on this week's hottest political debate until you hear it from a woman who also happens to be African-American and, by the way, a fan of the party that's getting the least attention from the media, the GOP. Jon Moss is ready to take your reservation right now at 202.338.2000. The doors open at noon, the program begins at 12:30 and the fee is $35, all inclusive. Please please join us. Thanks, Carol (1/15/08)

Dave: I notice you keep spelling Peter's last name wrong. It's not Diebler. It's Deibler. You have the 'e' and the 'i' reversed. I say this not to be a grammarian, but most people just hate it when their name is misspelled. George Wright, Also a Reston resident (1/15/08)

Dave's response: I did a search on Google and found it spelled "Diebler" on a page at wjpzalumni.org. Don't blame me.....

"Same goes for the former 1500 WTOP. That baby sent out a signal so strong my home radio would almost be shaking ...This is the Larry King Show from high atop the Rosslyn Marriott and I enjoyed some fine steak at the Orleans this evening....but nowadays I can hardly pick up 1500." Larry King hasn't been on WTOP since the late 80's. An awful lot of tall buildings went up since then that probably block the signal from Wheaton where you live. Think of all the buiildings in Arlington and around the Beltway around Tysons that weren't there in the 80's. 1500 still on the same towers, same power. What changed was buildings and intrerference. Dave Loudin, is that theory correct? (1/15/08)

Wouldn’t it be awesome for fans to stop attending baseball games until these clowns clean up the system? Seriously, why are you going to support these guys with monster salaries who obviously have cheated the last 20 years or more? The numbers have gone up which in turn has sent salaries through roof, what does that mean for fans? RAISING TICKET PRICES ! The Orioles have raised ticket prices for this season. I repeat the Orioles have raised ticket prices for this season. A team that just traded it’s highest paid player (tejada) and looks like they’re about to trade their next best (and popular) player brian Roberts along with their best pitcher erik bedard, add to that 10 STRAIGHT LOSING SEASONS and this asshole angelos has the balls to raise ticket prices. He obviously think fans are retarded, prove you aren’t and don’t go -- Dave (1/15/08)

Dave...did you notice that WTNT did not even show up in the ratings? Do they need Imus, or what? Ouch. The Fan (1/15/08)

Raw Wild Couric? She complained slightly because her mic would not stay clipped. She apologized for sounding bad because of her cold. She asked for a pronounciation of Wheatland. At one point she did say "oh shit oh shit oh shit" as an off camera comic reaction. She laughed and was decent to her crew. Is Drudge's case that she's a lightweight because she isn't a bitch to her crew, or does he think asking for a mic clip is evidence of a bitter liberal harpy? (1/15/08)

Dave's response: I expected a Joan Crawford-like meltdown. Must be a slow news day for Drudge.....

Here is a short column on coverage of Major League Baseball's day before Congress. The steroid issue that clouds the entire Major League Baseball history during the late '80's till today. www.examiner.com... CSN has coverage of the live testimony by MLB officials before Congress all day. Cheers, Jim (1/15/08)

If I had any brains I'd be a rich man today, I guess, but is that all you need to get rich? Anyways for what lil' danny is offering CC for their AM stations and if he unloaded his Dead Zebra stations would he come close to what Citadel would ask for WMAL or is that baby not for sale at any price? Back in the olden days when WTEM was WRC I could easily get the signal here in the toothless Fairfax region. But nowadays even before it starts getting dark the WTEM signal just drops off when I try listening on my home radio. Same goes for the former 1500 WTOP. That baby sent out a signal so strong my home radio would almost be shaking ...This is the Larry King Show from high atop the Rosslyn Marriott and I enjoyed some fine steak at the Orleans this evening....but nowadays I can hardly pick up 1500. Seems like WMAL is the only AMer that still sends out a powerful signal at night. But I assume Citadel won't sell. And say CBS wouldn't want to unload The Globe or WJFK to just get rid of that mess? Of course if I was CBS I wouldn't put it that way. (1/15/08)

If Dan Snyder were to purchase WTEM, what would become of the talk show hosts already there? I can't imagine that he'd keep them all on the payroll and fashion a revised daily lineup featuring a combination of the Riggins/Sheehan/Braun/Michael/Weinstein gang currently handling Redskins Radio's local programming and 980's Walker, Thompson, Koken, Mitchell, Pollin and Czaban. Some of the hosts on WTEM have been very candid and hard hitting in their critiques of the Redskins' players, coaches and front office over the past few years. In particular, you don't get the impression that Doc Walker, Brian Mitchell or Steve Czaban would be comfortable serving as house men for Snyder and his football team - and probably not Andy Pollin either. While John Riggins, Kevin Sheehan and Bram Weinstein haven't hesitated to criticize the Skins when called for, they do it in more polite, deferential tones and there's clearly a line they aren't prepared to cross. I'm wondering if there's any possibiilty that those at 980 who'd strongly oppose working for Snyder could defect to a station like 3WT if it's willing to ditch some of its syndicated poltical fare and become more sports oriented. The fact that Tony Kornheiser already works there could be an enticement for Pollin to come over and join him as sidekick again. The station formerly known as Washington Post Radio already has the rights to the Nationals, Capitals, Navy football and GW hoops and employs WTEM's former Nats beat reporter and baseball show host Marc Sterne as well as Craig Heist. So if Bonneville actually wanted to to transform 3WT into a full fledged sports talker competing with Red Zebra and not beholden to the owner of any local athletic franchise, it wouldn't be all that difficult to do so. Mike, Fairfax (1/15/08)

You know, just when I thought Sportstalk980 (“The Future Home of Dan Snyder’s Ego”) couldn’t get any more third-rate, I looked at their website. Oh my God, Ray Charles could do a better website, and he’s dead AND blind. I invite you all to take a look at www.sportstalk980.com, and decide if you would want YOUR business represented by THAT website. Oy. Sincerely, TMU (1/15/08)

How ironic that all the comments in the mailbag that are critical of stations and or people, are "unsigned". This business is tough enough with owners and stockholders that we have to use a forum to be the often times nasty judge and jury of how people sound or how stations are performing. A critque is one thing, but someone with an attack or agenda, in many cases from someone that has "done them wrong over the years", or just wants to be an arm chair program director and who wouldn't know emotional intelligence if it hit them in the face, is another. Way to start the New Year off broadcasting brothers and sisters. And Dave is not immune from it either, and then he wants us to send money to support people abusing others, when HE has never cracked a mike. Think about Craig Heist and realize life is too short without taking, excuse the expression ,"crap" by so-called radio experts. That will help people looking to make a living in a business, which is one step above Wal-Mart get ahead. Maybe if WE were more positive, employers MIGHT be. You get back what you put out. Check the want ads Dave. Ken Minnahan/Bethesda (1/15/08)

Dave's response: I believe that folks who listen to radio and watch TV should have the right to criticize what they see and hear, including the large corporations that own the stations and the people who produce and deliver what gets aired. If you don't like that, go work for CBS/Baltimore, where dcrtv.com is blocked from employees' internet access.....

Holy SHIT! Someone listens to WVIE—they somehow got a .5 12+. Wow, it must be a misprint. Or could it be that the staff some how got an Arbitron diary? (1/15/08)

Ha—to all who bitch about hearing wall to wall Christmas music on WLIF—you MUST still listen as they have claimed #2 12+. I am not a fan or Christmas music for two months—but as Greg has always said, it is good for ratings. And ratings mean that people MUST listen. That says the same for 105.7-which is at the other end of the spectrum….whoa suck! (1/15/08)

"If you’d scan around the radio dial once in awhile, you’d know that WTOP isn’t on AM, and hasn’t been for nearly 2 years (since 3/30/06). Maybe you should check your facts before showcasing that you have no idea what you are talking about." And this exchange highlights what was posted here recently. Listeners still THINK 1500 is WTOP, and have not mentally made the change to FM. Rather than berating listeners - why not do a better job at telling them where they can find the traffic reports they are looking for. Or better yet, dump the incredibly awful 3WT and put TOP back on 1500 as well as the FM. (1/15/08)

Looking at the Baltimore numbers I find it interesting that the now dubbed "FM Talk" 105.7 (WHFS) is getting beat by a DC rock station DC101, not even mentioning the numbers of 98 Rock, Jack, the Bay, and WBAL. I'm just going by the 12+ stuff that's posted on RNR, and I'm curious as to what the 25-55 numbers say. I heard from a CBS Baltimore insider last year when I complained about losing the rock on the nights and weekends that the alternative stuff wasn't selling time like it used to, and that may have been true given that towards the end of the run of music there seemed a lack of a musical direction, at least there was some sort of identity there. Now, I cannot say that there is an identity at FM Talk at all. This is a station that has changed so damn much in a matter of 5 years that no one even knows what to call it, let alone what is scheduled to play past Don and Mike. Orioles Baseball may have helped at least bring in O's Fans to include the station on their presets, but from the numbers that I'm looking at now it doesn't look like they stayed with the station at the end of the season. Dave, I like your ideas of shaking the stations and their frequencies up to better suit the DC and Baltimore audiences, especially the idea of moving the HFS calls back to 99.1 out of the remains of The Globe (a failed attempt), moving El Zol to 94.7 to better serve the large DC latino market, and changing the name AND the calls of the current FM Talk to something more Baltimore-centric like WJZ-FM (along with changing 1300 to WJZ-AM). I have a feeling that the only reason CBS Baltimore/DC isn't going with your ideas is because those ego's running the station didn't come up with that solution themselves. Listening to the playlist of DC101, while still more "alternative" than 98 Rock's, still doesn't strike me as truly being a true alternative station, a format that has changed to the more current "indie" tag. I can't say that there's anything "indie" about DC101, which I feel is sad because there are alot of teen's and young adults that would serve that type of audience well. Shit, the music video channels on cable are more "indie" than DC101. There's opportunities of change here that really should happen that probably won't because of the shortsighted-ness of the top dog's running things. KeninBrooklyn (1/15/08)

Good Morning! Found your site while looking for a way to express my total dissatisfaction regarding Metro Traffic's Tanya Bennett. Noticed other complaints dating back to January 2007....! Her voice is so annoying, monotone, and droning... Get her some voice training or get her off....! (1/15/08)

(Question from earlier posting) Why would a radio station hire and keep a program director who leaves a legacy of ratings plunging where ever he goes? (end) Ohh-hh mercy... for that answer, I direct you to the KRUD Radio cartoon website, WWW.KRUD.COM. Click the Cartoon Archives button, begin with "Bad PDs Can Always Get a Better Job" and work your way up to "Why You Should Never Burn Bridges." The answers will reveal themselves to you, Grasshopper.... (1/15/08)

I just happened to notice that the Junkies have been on commercial for about a half hour this morning. Something big is happening over there. (1/15/08)

Dave's response: Are you sure that's not just WJFK-FM's normal commercial load?

Sports game broadcasts bumped by WTEM scheduling overlaps have usually landed on WTNT or WWRC. The purchase of the stations as a unit would make sense only in allowing Snyder's group to gain similar scheduling flexibility for its accumulated game broadcast rights. Whether Dan Snyder would want to maintain the political talk formats of WTNT & WWRC is a more interesting question. Everett W. (1/15/08)

Why is it so hard for local media to distinguish between "robbery", "burglary", and "theft". WTOP and channel 9 are the biggest offenders. The latest error can be seen right now on WTOP's website where they are reporting on the bank crimes in Wheaton and D.C. Robbery is the taking of property by force or threat of force like sticking a gun in your face. Theft does not involve force and burglary is when someone breaks into your house or place of business. If an eleventh grader can get this right why can't the media? Its easier for them to call everything a robbery. That way they don't have to think. (1/15/08)

Red Zebra Czar Bruce Gilbert was asked by the Washington Post to explain why the sports format hasn’t gotten a bigger boost from the Redskins. His quote, and I am not making this up …”If I had the answer for that, I would be a rich man” Dude, you are supposed to have the answer for that question, otherwise why are you there? Do you mean to tell us that you filled out the Arbitron quarterly questionnaire incorrectly? The GM and PD must signoff on that paper. Don’t you make over 500K a year to have the answers and complete the paperwork properly? How can this guy be pleased with the overall progress? Didn’t you bill just a few hundred thousand more in 2007 in a 12 month span compared to the 5 months you were on the air in 2006? Isn’t the company losing millions? If you think the answer is to buy 980am and everything will be alright, you need to think again. That station has its own signal limitations at night. You will add considerably more debt to the expense line which you won’t get back form the client base. On a side note, I would like to congratulate you for successfully picking Dan Snyder’s pocket in broad daylight. Making over 500K a year running the worst radio operation in Washington, while losing millions, and admitting in the Post that you don’t have the answers is one of the great stings in business history. (1/15/08)

Apparently, what keeps the ol' coffers brimming is radio that plays like a music box or talks like a magpie. The music box never plays anything you haven't heard hundreds of times before. The magpie tickles the fancy of your inner Nazi. Nobody under a certain age has ever been exposed to radio as friend and companion. Too outrè (or corny or expensive) for the 21st century. (1/15/08)

“Face it, there are only two AM signals here that are worth a damn: WTOP and WMAL.” If you’d scan around the radio dial once in awhile, you’d know that WTOP isn’t on AM, and hasn’t been for nearly 2 years (since 3/30/06). Maybe you should check your facts before showcasing that you have no idea what you are talking about (1/15/08)

Dick Enberg and former Vikings/Cardinals coach Dennis Green called the Jaguars-Patriots game on Westwood One radio this past Saturday. Dave Sims and Bob Trumpy called the Seahawks-Packers game. Marv Albert and Jim Fassel called the Colts-Chargers game, and Don Criqui-Dan Reeves called the Cowboys-Giants game. (1/15/08)

If Clear Channel does put a for sale sign out, it wouldn’t advisable for anyone to go after 1260, but WTNT 570 still has good coverage and can be heard at night in the metro area. You’d think some one would love to have a voice in Washington, DC. Maybe ‘Talk Radio Network’ or “Radio America” would be interested to keep their syndicated host alive here. Didn’t president desirer Hillary Clinton say she created the Medium Matters? They have right to say what they want but if their objective is to stifle free speech then it’s them who should be looked into. If TripleXEspnRadio is going to be going be finding itself out of runway before taking of I’m going to have to make dcrtv.com my new homepage. Now that the Redskins season is over and most TripleX listeners being via the webpage as no one with an Arbitron book listens – it’s got to be near the end of Red Zebra unless Snyder can obtain WTEM. I did hear Sam Huff and Joe Jacoby mention they hoped to be back next year. Things are going to have to change for Redskins radio. Somebody there has got to have some marketing sense. First off there is no way in hell that the flagship stations should be broadcasting in delay. I don’t think that happens in any other market - it doesn’t happen in Baltimore, WFAN NewYork, WLS New Orleans, KOA Denver I know that. NFL isn’t like other sports with local broadcasters doing TV – you got to have it where the radio is ahead or with the TV broadcast or it’s a waste of money. And your flagship station needs to be receivable in the local media market with local programming – at least for the DC market. I don’t think syndicated sports talk works in DC except maybe at nights and on weekend when they keep abreast with on going games. Who won the late night radio ratings? Doesn’t that count for anything? Isn’t Jim Bohannon kicking that Noory guy out of non-reality land? WWWT is winning overnight correct? Hold it, Bonneville has some show out of Salt Lake on between 1 and 3am that no one here wants. Morons, put on Phil Hendrie live!!!! (1/15/08)

Is Count Gore in mourning? I believe the lady who played Vampira passed away over the weekend. I enjoyed the mondee edition of the Don and Mike show but let me ask you something. How many bridges did they burn? (1/15/08)

I know this is a dumb question, but since most of my other questions have been as well, I hope you will humor me. Why would a radio station hire and keep a program director who leaves a legacy of ratings plunging where ever he goes? According to the latest arbitrons, a local Citadel station tanked after the new program director came aboard. The same thing happened in Detroit, and even here a few years earlier. I simply don't get it. I like this message board because I always learn something. Happy New Year Dave. The only beacon of sanity from year to year is you. (1/15/08)

/\ January 15 Messages /\

\/ January 14 Messages \/

When we heard the story about CC supposedly dumping its vaunted D.C. cluster, we laughed around the Flavia machine! I agree with the guy or gal who said, "It just does not sound right to me." Given the political nature of the FCC beast, having a "showcase" operation in the D.C. marketplace makes good sense. But, it doesn't guarantee retention of FCC licenses. Just ask RKO General! Or, United Broadcasting. However, I can easily see CC dumping out of the AM business here. Face it, there are only two AM signals here that are worth a damn: WTOP and WMAL. If I were to bet on it, my money would be on CC selling 980 to Dan Snyder. Hasn't he been rumored at one time or another to be buying just about any AM around here except for perhaps KFA-942? (A station whose night coverage probably easily exceeds his nighttime nightlight on 730...) So, I see 980 going to Snyder, but 570 & 1260? I can't imagine anybody but a religious outfit wanting either. And, given the tower site! situation, I think CC would more likely LMA 1260 than sell it. Doing otherwise is way too complicated long-term. Unless of course, you're only transferring the license. As for who would buy either, I think Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, Crawford, or even Family Radio would love to have an AM here. Even if all it did was pickup the crumbs that fall off of the WFAX table. I say that because WFAX is the closest that D.C. has to a Christian station. WAVA is way too much right-wing political commentary and infomercials of dubious merit (Ever hear the "financial freedom/security" ones? How about "bee pollen" nutritional supplements? Or, the assorted clinics? The cancer "treatment" ones were the final straw in convincing me the WAVA is not really a Christian station. I say that because at this time 18 years ago, our family was helping my father (and each other) as much as possible with his impendending death from pancreatic cancer, which even today has no cure. I saw the d! esperation of my well-educated father as he tried the various "secret cures" that were available from "Doctors' of questionable merit.) to be called religious, let alone Christian. Sorry I got off subject! You'll notice I didn't mention CC's FM's. Unless CC's new owners want some quick cash, I'd bet George W. Bush will be serving a third consectutive term as President of the U.S. before WASH, DC101, WIHT, or even WBIG are put up for sale either together or individually. A big signal (for D.C., that is) FM here is like a license to print money if you're smart about how you run it. Unsigned Corporate Suit (1/14/08)

DC would be so lucky if Clear channel rids of thweir stations, the problem though it that who ever would buy them would be a CC# 2 like Cumulus. WBIG calls itself classic hits but it's not like ANY classic hits stations I've ever heard. The music amounts to Classic Rock with lots of Elton John, and CCR. The Globe though I haven't listened much sounds ok, but there's too many songs that just shouldn't be played. Songs that you might hear on a 101.9 or 97.1. CBS should give up the hope of this succeeding and either Jack it or fresh it up. Afterall CC owned the 2 Lite's that CBS created Fresh to compete with in NY and Chicago. They then should move the talk to 99.1 and dump the WJFK calls and combine the best shows from 106.7 & 105.7. Junkies mornings, Ed Norris middays, O & D in the afternoon (after D&M retire), Orioles Baseball, and then just pick a show for evenings. Move 105.7 & 106.7's programming to that frequency since it blankets Washington & Baltimore pretty well. It would make sense to make Baltimore's Classic Hits station WQSR with the HD-2 being a true "good time oldies" (50's-early 70's), and have Ken Merson or Bob W voicetrack the HD-2 signal. I myself would love to have both Classic Hits and the 80's extensive Jack on an HD-1 but it's something that would never happen as they'd cut into each others numbers. Finally Bonneville needs to dump anything to do with talk on 107.7 and 1500 because nothing is working. Dan Synder should definitely sell his group of AM'ers & FM'ers and buy 107.7/1500 or more likely 100.3. (1/14/08)

To the asshat who mentioned the Madden video game....No kidding dumbass...That was my point from the get go...Hence my comment about the absurdity of some ad person ok'ing an ad claiming Caliendo made Madden famous...Here's a tip for ya, Mr. Mann...Read twice, THEN comment.... (1/14/08)

After the disasterous ratings of The Globe and to a lesser extent WBIG, which even with the Redskins can't get people to listen, you have to wonder how long CBS and Clear Channel will let these disasters continue. Simply put, the Globe was destined to fail from the start. Its mix of Hot AC, Classic Rock and 1-2 songs from the top of the AAA chart satisfies no one, and it fails to distinguish itself from Mix 107. WBIG literally repeats the same songs every few hous and in my 45 years of following radio is the poorest programmed music station I have ever heard, and that goes for both large and small markets. With the success of WCBS in New York and WOGL in Philly, it would seem to me that there should be a race for an oldies/classic hits format between these stations, with the loser going for a "Fresh" AC format. Finally, with the ratings decline of WJZW with Steve Allan (I may have screwed up the spelling), in charge, you can't discount that that station may go to oldies since Steve has clearly proven that that is his best format. Anyway, by this time next year, I predict that at least two of these three stations will have new formats. Andy in Reston (1/14/08)

Dave's response: DC radio listeners have "gotten used to" really bad music radio. I'm tired of saying it, but I will again. A well-programmed, sophisticated rocker, aimed at adults from 25-to-55, kind of like WHFS was back in the late 1980s, would be a big success in the DC market. One that "leads" listeners into new territory, rather than catering to their wonkish ignorance. If only someone would have "the balls" to do it. CBS, apparently, isn't up to the task and will not reap the rewards. Sigh.....

Hey Silvie, will the police state under Hillary be like the one we live under Bush. You should listen to WMAL. You have their mentality. CORY (1/14/08)

To the poster who claimed "no one knew who Madden was until some fat guy started doing impressions of him: I guess the most popular video game in history was named after some other John Madden, huh? Jeeeeeeeeez. (1/14/08)

Dave's response: There is a British film director named John Madden.....

I just wanted to congratulate Meg Stevens on breaking the unbreakable. WPOC has been a top 2 station in Baltimore for as long as I can remember. It takes a true management pro to not only drop 2 full points in one book, but also plummet to 4th place 12 plus. And don't think the job you're doing with WMZQ is going unnoticed. Dropping .9 points in 2 books is truly remarkable. Soon you'll be an Ops Mgr where you'll be able to completely ruin a whole cluster of stations. Don't spend those ratings bonuses in one place Megey. (1/14/08)

Dave's response: And how about WHFS on 105.7. Down to 16th place, 12+. In case you didn't know, I put a curse on that station until CBS/Baltimore returns the legendary calls to DC, where they belong.....

Hey everyone, Alexander Piela here. Check out my website, www.misteroceancity.com. Click on and get a free frisbee! (1/14/08)

You mean THE Frank Caliendo? The same Frank Caliendo who made John Madden famous?!?!? Jesus...Who is the s**t brained jerkoff who actually ok'ed that radio ad for his Lisner Auditorium appearance...Yeah, because no one knew who John Madden was before some fat guy started doing a impersonation a couple years ago... (1/14/08)

Dave...Will your Bonneville source be commenting on the "explosive" ratings on 3WT?. Interested in hearing this spin. Should be good. Unplug the station. It stinks. The Listener (1/14/08)

Frank Calliendo was just on Don and Mike from the make-up room at the Letterman show and will try to work in "Don and Mike" at some point during the taping for tonight's show....could be interesting. (1/14/08)

RE: Michaels & Harrington Out At POC...Say it ain't so. Jeff's 30th anniversary on the station is this Saturday the 19th. His "Ridiculous Riddle" at 7:35 is the highlight of my Saturday. He and Terry made a great combo. Who's next to go...Laurie DeYoung? Grr... I hate Clear Channel. Sell the station back to Nationwide Communications. (1/14/08)

These are the new Arbitron #’s for the DC Talk and Sports stations. From Al Peterson’s newslatter. Prior postings in the mailbag seem to be in error. "... In Washington, D.C., WTOP posted a 5.8-5.6, good for No. 2 overall, while WMAL jumped 2.8-4.3. WJFK went 1.7-1.8, WTEM was off 1.2-0.9. WTNT doubled 0.4-0.8, while WWWT saw a 1.2-0.7 dip and WWXX declined 0.8-0.5" (1/14/08)

Dave's response: How can WWWT take a dip when the fall book was its first? I guess you can compare them to the old WTWP.....

AS Mr. Tony likes to say, Triple X radio stinks on ice. Their entire weekday lineup isn't anything worth spending time with, not compare to the rest of the DC radio world ... FROM their morning show (great talent but too niche) through the Cowherd, Tirico and Riggins shows, all of which are mostly unlistenable in their own ways. (annoying, boring and super-blowhard, in that order)... THE only bright spot you'll hear on their signal (if you can even pick up their signal, that is) would be local boy Scotty VanPelt chiming in middays with (yawn) the Mike Tirico Show.. . DID I mention Riggo is a total blowhard? (1/14/08)

The F’n Redneck was Phil Sims – he was a jerk when he played too. (1/14/08)

''Adult Themed'' Animal Planet? Hmmmm......''Nude 'Gator Wrestling''? ''Shaved Chimp Twister Contest''? I'm in. Paul (1/14/08)

Dave's response: They're changing the name to Naked Animal Planet. You and me baby ain't nothing but mammals, let's do it like they do it on the Discovery Channel's Animal Planet.....

Dave, Why would Daniel Synder buy Sports Talk 980? It's simple, why wouldn't Daniel Synder dump Triple X even at a slight loss and buy 100.3 and put Redskins Radio, ESPN Radio (the All-Sports format) on there. I guarantee he would make some nice money with that signal. Why bother with a day/night AM signal? (1/14/08)

When will the Imus show return to the DC area? What's the problem? (1/14/08)

Dave's response: My guess is it's Imus ratings. They stunk on WTNT before he got canned last spring. And no area station wants him.....

The 12+ numbers are mildly interesting - but could anyone share the 25-54 numbers? That's the demo that really matters. (1/14/08)

Dave's response: Basically, the Big Ratings Company doesn't much care if media outlets run the 12+s, but they might get pissed if we start diving in too deeply into their proprietary info. Dig?

The D.C. radio rights to the Wizards, Orioles, Mystics, four different college basketball teams and a state college football team are all sprawled across the various Clear Channel AM outlets. It would be a mess and a half to sort out what team broadcasts would go where if WTEM is separated from WTNT & WWRC by any sale. Everett W. (1/14/08)

If Red Zebra really did get a zero in the ratings book then it shouldn’t surprise anyone. They gave up the only piece of decent programming to the competition. By doing this, they admitted to the listeners, and the clients, that there own distribution system was useless. The Redskins are so damn arrogant that they thought they could succeed with those pea shooters just because they are the Redskins. It doesn’t make any difference who they hire, or what they do, because if you don’t have a decent signal in a major market then you can’t win. It is way too late to buy a signal now because they screwed everyone in town for two years. You can’t run a radio company like a pro football team. The Redskins are a monopoly and the radio dial is filled with competition. In a monopoly you can get away with treating people poorly, and short changing them at every opportunity. In a competitive business situation you can do that too, but you end up with a ZERO. Serves the little shit right! (1/14/08)

Dave's response: Even though Bonneville's new talker 3WT didn't have much of a ratings debut, it does seem to have pretty much erased Clear Channel talker WTNT from the fall ratings. It looks like WTNT is joining Snyder's Triple X, WWXX, as a no-show in the book.....

Dave, let me get this straight. Red Zebra launches and gets ratings to start. Anemic, but measurable. Then Redskins season comes along and their ratings not only go down, they totally disappear. Now you have a source that says Dan Snyder will throw good money after bad and buy WTEM? He got burned once buying radio stations. I doubt he'll get burned again. Surely he remembers the good old days when other people's radio stations paid him millions of dollars in rights fees? (1/14/08)

Dave's response: It's simple. You keep throwing money at it until it "works".....

“I think he actually worked at the FAN for a few years prior to the launch of WTEM in the early 90s.” – I believe you are correct. I think he was an “update” guy at the FAN. “perhaps in response to negative feedback from Capitals fans after the station gave the story short shrift a day earlier” – Perhaps you are right, it might be a result of the negative feedback, but regardless, a day late on a story that large for a local team, is unacceptable. (1/14/08)

“who was the fucking redneck calling the New England game on CBS Saturday night?” – I believe Dan Reeves was calling one of the games on Westwood one. He might be the guy you are referring too. (1/14/08)

Dave, I mentioned Comcast's digital realignment a couple of weeks ago after getting the 30-day notice, but I'm not so sure about any analog changes, at least up here in the Top of Virginia. Listing looked like all of that remained the same...... Charles in Winchester (1/14/08)

Clear Channel is selling their D.C. stations? Wow. Could that mean a possible change in formats at Classless Hits WBIG? Could this possibly mean bringing back a viable Oldies stations back to the D.C./Baltimore Metro Area? I can't wait to see what will happen after the dust settles. Ed Jones, Bel Air MD (1/14/08)

("What kind of business has this become?") Where you been?????? ..BECOME? BECOME? My good man, this business has not BECOME any different than it was 30 years ago. PLB (1/14/08)

For the record, I do not think it would be a good thing if Danny Boy Snyder acquired WTEM. It is fine for him to own a house station. But there should be some independent sports talk out there too. WTEM requires a lot of work. But I don't think a sale to Snyder is a good answer. (1/14/08)

Dave's response: If Snyder were to pair 980's 50,000-watt day/5,000-watt night signal with his two rimshot FMers, he might have a decent chance to get some ratings for Triple X.....

I love all the WTOP-bashers who say they are toast, should still be on 1500, etc. Then the ratings come out and silence these poorly-informed persons (I was going to say "idiots", but we need to raise the level of discourse in the mailbag). (1/14/08)

who was the fucking redneck calling the New England game on CBS Saturday night? He sounded like he just fell out of a fucking corn field. I would thought CBS could do better than that...Jesus.... (1/14/08)

"Perhaps [Andy] Pollin should listen to WFAN to get a few pointers on how a real sports show is run." I think he actually worked at the FAN for a few years prior to the launch of WTEM in the early 90s. On Friday's Sports Reporters, he and Steve Czaban did take some calls on the Alex Ovechkin signing - perhaps in response to negative feedback from Capitals fans after the station gave the story short shrift a day earlier. On Channel 9's newscast that followed the Jaguars-Patriots telecast on Saturday night, the lead story was an "exclusive" that the Redskins had interviewed Gregg Williams for their head coaching position. While I've long since become resigned to Skins news leading local newscasts, Willliams is already on the staff as defensive coordinator and has been mentioned a number of times as Joe Gibbs' potential successor. The fact that he's being considered for the job is hardly an earthshaking revelation. Mike, Fairfax (1/14/08)

Dave, I thought Andy Parks was getting fired today – do we have to wait for the ratings this afternoon? m (1/14/08)

Regis is back! Regis is back! Man that story about Regis trying to find the doctor's office was hilarious. I miss him when he's away! If anyone out there in DCRTVland can get in touch with Regis please tell him to get the pneumonia shot if he hasn't. He's at that age. Sounded like he's got some nasty congestion going on. I just knew if Doreen started wearing low cut blouses that it would get channel 4 back up there in the ratings. Channel 4 has been running ad saying they're number 1 at 6 and 11. Maybe Doreen could borrow Vance's ear ring. It's kind of cute. No not Vance! Speaking of low cut blouses, has Czarniak worn any? Maybe she could borrow some from Aunt Wendy. Do the news readers and street reporters do their own make up or can tv stations afford make up artists these days? When Larry King was working here in D.C. who was his favorite at painting the bald spot? sick (1/14/08)

Dave's response: Regis is back? I guess that'll be half the D&M show today. 3 PM: Don's weekend; 4 PM: Regis back; 6 PM: Buzz's news.....

Cheap Channel makes The Donald look like Norman Vincent Peale. One of the reasons that I left commercial radio was the total lack of appreciation shown to professionals like Jeff Michaels and Terry Harrington. I wonder if the two magic words ("Thank You") were even uttered as they finished their show last Saturday. I know that many will say it's just business, but terminating two dedicated broadcasters with 50 years of service in a cold and calculated manner is blatantly unacceptable. The conglomerates are and never will be a respecter of history and service. Jeff was my radio major instructor at The Broadcasting Institute of Maryland and also served as president of the BIM Alumni Association for many years. You can't find a more caring individual who gives his heart and soul to every project. Although I don't know Terry personally, it is evident she loves the business and the listeners with her bright personality. Their show at WPOC was fun, creative and most of all a tip of