dcrtv.com - Mailbag - September 30 to October 12, 2009

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DCRTV Mailbag - September 30 to October 12, 2009

Latest messages listed first.....
\/ October 12 Messages \/

Heard from a source today WMAL Radio changing format tomorrow. Check it out. Keep up the good work. (10/12/09)

Dave's response: To what? Fred Grandy's showtunes?

Fresh from his twitter and blog, Don Geronimo's next radio move... post.ly (10/12/09)

Re: "If Rush gets team, Snyder no longer dumbest owner" Like him or hate him, Rush is a VERY savvy businessman. You don't go from making 16,000 a year with the Royals to amassing the pile of cash he has by being a dummy. In addition, Rush is a hardcore football fan, whereas Snyder is a businessman that just got the Redskins as an additional cash cow. Snyder would STILL be the dumbest owner in the league. If Rush bought the Rams this season, which team do you think would get to the Super Bowl faster? (10/12/09)

Re a previous post, " . . . couldn't the cable companies have some way of telling which channels are being watched in each house, or even at which outlet inside a home? I'd think that would be easier and more precise than what they do now. I'm sure you'd have to have some way to protect the privacy of the individual customer. . ." I understand that there are some systems in place, or well underway in development, that can do just this. To be measured the cable customer must have a set top box or at least a cable card. Each set top box has a unique IP address, just as you have for internet access via computer. The unique IP address allows you to access on-demand programming and not send it to your neighbor or often another TV in your house (thought that is beginning to change). So technically measuring TV viewing via cable is simple. An another issue is if the cable box is receiving an particular channel is anyone viewing it? As I write this I have a TV on, with a cable connection, and the volume is turned down and I can't see the picture. So am I counted or not as watching the channel? (10/12/09)

Was it just my reception, or did others have awful video on the Maryland/MTSU game on Saturday? I have Dish Network and the video was horrible and the audio bad as well. Shawn in DC (10/12/09)

Ok, so WBAL's morning news is a smash in Baltimore. WTOP is doing well with men in BALTIMORE. How long do you think it will take WBAL to flip to all news, ala WTOP? I mean, BAL has the resources from the TV side and has a great signal. If they do that, WCBM will struggle, as they barely have a local news department. All it is is rip and read from the Baltimore Sun's website. (10/12/09)

“Obambi” is not witty. In fact it’s no different than being in second grade and calling your classmate a “poopyhead.” Suck it up, fellow right-winger; our side lost and now it’s time for us to add some constructive, “right thinking” dialogue to the national agenda. Your poorly thought out scribblings on a radio/TV blog don’t do that. You too, Chris in Bethesda. Your blind adherence to Limbaugh is sad. He’s a race baiter and is conservative ONLY during his broadcast ramblings, as are Beck, Plante, Dobbs, and all those other loud-mouth, know-nothing pussies. If they thought they could make money and still be famous promoting an outrageous liberal agenda, they’d be ass-up for Obama in a heartbeat. In fact, this group is really just mocking the simpleton conservatives who don’t recognize demagoguery no matter how many times the reactionary GOP leaders run it up the flag pole. And they’re running to the bank with millions of $$$ thanks to your drooling worship. So stop saluting these idiots, stop parroting political ideas borrowed from the Civil War era, and STOP MAKING THE REST OF US LOOK BAD. Signed, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower. (10/12/09)

I understand every word I wasted time in my life reading. And I failed to find wit, or anything meaningful in the childishness you call a post on this fine site. Fancy, the only people crying are those who hated the result of the last election. Just like I had to in '00 and '04, I shut up and dealt with the results. You should do the same. I swear, some of you dolts have just totally bought into this 'If you disagree with Obama, you're a racist." Or "The media just falls over itself over the President." You mean you really can't do any better than this? That's what kids do. You know, "I can't hear you, la la la la la." You guys are terrific at complaining, and you suck at providing solutions. The best you can do is make fun of his name, and toss out baseless accusations. Makes you appear to be the complete clown you obviously have turned out to be in life. Neal (Sorry Dave, I know the rules. Won't break 'em again...for a while!) (10/12/09)

...Getting them to switch to AM for music is like trying to train a dog not to bark, poop or breathe...you sir speak the truth...look out for the rotten tomatoes coming your way on the mailbag. (10/12/09)

Baltimore PPM are out. How far does WCBM have to fall before getting more local radio hosts hmm.WMAL is now 17Th In DC.WCBM how low do you want to go.Congrats to WBAL Morning News BTW. John T. Henneman (10/12/09)

For those of you who have been in the DC area a while, here is the link to the Barry Richards home page. www.barryrichardsshows.com (10/12/09)

Re: "... he's still doing work for the VOA and racing cars around....." . Yup! For the last 10 months, at VOA but, I don't race cars 'around', I drag race, which is in a straight line! (HaHaHa) WOW!!! Someone actually wanted to know my whereabouts... (I don't owe them money do I?) federAL SANTOS (10/12/09)

i don't know if you were trying to be ironic/sarcastic, or if you are truly ignorant of what i wrote. if the former: disregard the rest of this. if it's the latter: it wasn't me crying. i was paraphrasing the white house's view of fox news (though i will be crying when all of the tax hikes, "fees", "surcharges" (fancy words for taxes) and passed-on-to-the-consumer price increases start coming). and yes, i know it's spelled "obama". "obambi" is a witty take on the fact the past-tense media treats every criticism of obama like bambi's mother was just shot. (10/12/09)

The emails about Barry Richards remind me of the day when a friend and I visited WHMC. The guy on the air when we arrived was named (I think) Ed Painter. He finished his show, and Barry took over. Barry was doing a live commercial read. He turned off the mic in the middle of the read, belched for about 5 seconds, and then turned the mic back on and finished the spot. This was all to the delight of the live studio audience. Roddy Freeman (10/12/09)

Regarding Nielsens: I have no technical expertise, so forgive me if this sounds like a dumb question. With technology today, to get really accurate ratings (25,000 households across the US doesn't seem accurate to me), couldn't the cable companies have some way of telling which channels are being watched in each house, or even at which outlet inside a home? I'd think that would be easier and more precise than what they do now. I'm sure you'd have to have some way to protect the privacy of the individual customer, but a cable company saying "_____ of our customers watched ___ channel at 9 PM" sounds fairly easy to do, in concept. Again I realize I have no real knowledge, just thinking of this when I saw the Nielsen thing earlier. (10/12/09)

Dave, Per your blurb about the NFLPA being against Rush Limbaugh buying the Rams, the executive director of the union explains his organization’s opposition by saying that “sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred." That would seem to me to be a very good reason for him to support Limbaugh’s bid. I only see one side hating here, and it ain’t Limbaugh. Chris from Bethesda (10/12/09)

RE: Bill Paris...I have been suggesting to get away from the modern TOP 40 thoughts on AM for years to him. First of all, the only people that will listen to modern music on AM will be radio guys. The average public demands better quality of sound for the music and they are used to FM. Getting them to switch to AM for music is like trying to train a dog not to bark, poop or breathe. (10/12/09)

Dave - Do you think 105.9 is ever going to hire DJs? (10/12/09)

Dave's response: If Citadel wants to get ratings, it'll have to put a local imprint on the station. And locally-based personalities would be the way to do it.....

Looks like you got that crying and whining thing down pat. You must be a natural at it. Oh, and for your assistance, he spells his name 'Obama'. Try to figure that out in between all your tears over his election victory (try to get over it, it's almost been a year. Thanks. Neal (10/12/09)

Obama: Fox News Is "Political Opposition" - translation: waaaaaahhhhhhh!!!! there's someone who won't grovel in our presence! waaaaahhhhhh!!! how dare they question our foreign policy appeasements and our socialist domestic agenda. waaaahhhhhh!!!!! i don't care if every other network, cable channel, newspaper, and newsmagazine tell everyone we're the second coming, we have to destroy fox news! waaaaaahhhh!!!! p.s. i hear obambi is also going to win the heisman trophy in a dramatic and head-scratching upset. (10/12/09)

Ref: Dave's response: I've suggested to Bill Paris, "KHZ Car Radio In the morning on 1590 AM”…..Local news and weather at the top of the hours between 6-10am along with two (2) live :30 second spots. All music would be up-tempo pop hits and oldies (no ballads) & no longer than 3 minutes per song and all “double plays”- Use the dj or a co-host as the news reader. Make it sound cool or modern with effects and newsy music beds. Maybe even bring back the tty sounder too. Work out a promo deal with a local paper and get the news from them as well as the internet. Record a local TV guy for weather and cross promote them at the same time.The other 60 second stop sets would be @ :10, :20, :30, :40 &:50 after each hour. This would give you a total 12 :30 Second spots with 5 minutes of news, weather & sports and 43 minutes of hit music per hour. i.e. KGB, KCBQ or my old 100KHI.Yea Dave great minds think alike, huh? Have a great day and I’ll be talkin’ to ya soon. J.J. “Hitman” McKay OC, MD. (10/12/09)

We have too much husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend up here at 9. Makes it easy for us to firmly believe that we're in the middle of the ocean with no oars. Plus, the digital correspondent whose shacking up with management really does little else but go to the 4th floor and sits on her idiot boyfriend's lap. Great for morale. Enough is enough, Allan! (10/12/09)

So now that the Baltimore PPM's are out - who will be the first station to flip? (10/12/09)

Anyone, ''journalist'' or not, who finds anything creepy and ''predatory'' about anything in the Kidspost needs to get out more. Paul (10/12/09)

Dave's response: So let me get this straight. The Post should never run pictures of fully-clothed children or their faces because some perv out there might start stalking him or her. Oooookay.....

Not sure if you have noticed, but the NBC employees are without a contract. So can we please put this useless political in fighting behind us, and concentrate on the issues that really matter. LIKE GETTING A CONTRACT! (10/12/09)

To the poster complaining about no Ravens game day coverage at 9:00am on a Sunday. You're going to complain that no one is doing any coverage at 9:00am for a 1:00pm kick-off? Dude, get a freaking life. Hearst and CBS Radio start their shows three hours before kick-off, it's been this way for a very long time. As for what shows are running before their respective kick-off to game day shows...what would you have them run instead? They need to pay the bills like the rest of America and those hours are leased out during that time. Should WBAL just rerun some sports talk from earlier in the week at that hour? I mean, come on...how much football and sports talk do you need on a Sunday morning? There is nothing different or special about a home game compared to a road game for the broadcasts. I'll let you in on a radio secret....they don't care what you think. Good for WNST to have a show on a 9:00am on a Sunday morning. I'm sure the five people that are listening are enjoying the static filled drivel. (10/12/09)

Was the encoder issue during the Redskins game localized to the DC market, or was it national? I thought that this lasted longer than 45 minutes with most of the game in SD and dropouts happening on an ongoing basis. (10/12/09)

Dave's response: The game was pretty much back in the HD mode after 2:15 PM. Although I did notice a number of momentary glitches during the remainder of the game, including video freezes and pixilation. In the old days, with analog TV, it was easy to tell if a local station had gone off the air. You got snow and a loud hiss. Today, with digital, a video glitch and a station going off the air look exactly the same - black screen and silence. I'm told that yesterday's problems were at WTTG and affected only those receiving the Fox5 signal, including those on cable and satellite.....

The poster who mentioned the infamous "Heidi" game didn't get it quite right. Here goes: The game, between the NY Jets and the Oakland Raiders took place in Oakland on November 17, 1968. At 7 PM EST, with 65 seconds left in the game, and the Jets leading 32-29, NBC cut away from the game in the Eastern and Central time zones to broadcast a made-for-TV version of "Heidi." During the remaining and blacked-out 65 seconds of the game, the RAIDERS scored two touchdowns to win 43-29. (There also have been reports that the NBC execs attempted to contact the mobile unit in Oakland, and allow them to carry the game to conclusion, but were unable to make telephone contact.) The incident outraged football fans across the country, and was a front page story in the following morning's NY Times. One other point, it was NOT an overtime game. The NFL did not adopt its rules for overtime games during the regular season until 1974. (10/12/09)

The Heidi game took place on November 17, 1968. It was the jets at Oakland. With the Jets leading 32-29 with only 65 seconds left in the game, NBC executives attempted to reach their broadcast operations unit to extend coverage of the game but were unable to reach them in time to delay the cutover or reinstate coverage before the game ended. The network cutaway from the game at that point to show a two hour presentation of Heidi. In the meantime, the Raiders came back and scored 14 points, winning 43-32. As a result, no fan following the game on TV was able to see Oakland's comeback live. The complaints to the network indicated a new height of popularity for the game in the United States. (10/12/09)

"... have you heard any scuttlebutt about a proposed walk out by NABET during tonight's NBC football game?" Well, maybe. Hell, yes, we could walk out, and to hell with the business as well. It's obvious we don’t "feel the love" anymore. If this POS contract goes through, we won’t have jobs anyway, so you might as well take the bullet in the face! The business of free-over-the-air TV broadcasting is going down faster than the Titanic, and the investment community knows it. TV broadcasters make dumb decisions and then blame labor and the economy. Notice that the suits never cut their pay, benefits, or their numbers. Stations are no longer a milking cow, they’re (not very good) hamburger by offering the public nothing more than a glorified video stream. Doesn’t anyone wonder why people are perfectly willing to pay $50 to $150 a month to watch reruns, PPV, and off-peak movies? Viewers can get their favorite sport anytime, anywhere, on-demand. They even screwed up games shows. Reality TV, talk TV, and Leno pass for prime time fare. The nets complain about the cost of production for scripted programs with real actors and real plots. They complain about the cost of labor for news gathering and live sports. Say what you will about it; that’s entertainment! (10/12/09)

To the intelligent poster who said "I'm not sure what I would do to grab those commuters if I were a programmer in Baltimore." , here's the answer.. And I swear, unless you give DCRTV credit, I'll hunt you down like Paris Hilton on her boyfriend! On a big signaled AM, Traffic and Weather back-to-Back, with 90 second commercial breaks. (hint WVIE) "YOU'RE NEVER MORE THAN 90 SECONDS AWAY FROM "TRAFFIC AND WEATHER NOW" on W-TRAFFIC". How about that sh*t! At night run local sports talk with young people, and still do traffic and weather at the :05's taking you through the next People Meter quarter hour into the break! Credit DCRTV when you do this Bitches. (10/12/09)

Dave's response: I've also suggested something called "Car Radio" (apologies to KHJ). On an FMer, up-tempo pop hits and oldies. With traffic and weather in between every (!) song/ad break. Or, kind of like you say, how about low-budget rip-and-read all-newsers for DC and Baltimore. Each five minute segment, you'd have two minutes of news, one minute of weather, one minute of traffic, and one minute of ads. No news department, just have a news reader take it all off the wires. Make it sound hyper with effects and newsy music beds. Maybe even bring back the old KYW teletype machine sound. Maybe do a promo deal with a local rag and get the news from them. CBS should do this as "94.7 News 24/7".....

/\ October 12 Messages /\

\/ October 11 Messages \/

RE: Heidi - Dear Unsigned Corporate suit, You are obviously referring to an overtime game once carried by NBC on a sunday in late December (I believe the year was 1969 or 8). THe corporate suits decided to break away from the game to run the movie special "Heidi" and was it the Jets that turned in a miracle and won the game? Coulda' used that trick for the KC/Dallas game!!!!! Signed, Unsigned pair of Dockers! (10/11/09)

To the Comcast promoter: perhaps you missed the second part where I said I'm using over the air converter boxes. On a matter of principle I refuse to give Comcast one red cent. Dish won't work and Verizon said everyone in my building (5 unit small apartment building in Arlington) has to take FIOS before they will install since they claim they have to rewire the entire building. I'll stand on my rooftop with a coat hanger before Comcast gets any of my money. (10/11/09)

To: Unsigned Corporate Suit, I also remember Heidi. There was bitching and moaning about Heidi for months. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (10/11/09)

If indeed the new weather guy and fill-in anchor are married, hope we don't have another "Holly Morris and Tom Sater" fiasco.. (10/11/09)

To the person complaining about the Dallas/KC coverage, pay the extra $5 and get the sports package from Comcast that has NFL Redzone channel. They carried the entire overtime period. (10/11/09)

Normally, I’m the last to defend Fox. But this time, I must. In a small way. The “Nielsen Encoder” which died today at channel 36 is a “necessary evil” these days. The broadcaster is not supposed to touch it in any way whatsoever. However, it can be patched-around. Obviously, you lose your trusted audience count in doing so. How reliable is it? One our CE's calls hers "HAL" Does that tell you something? Given the way it works, combined with the structure of ATSC itself, the encoder can be bad without displaying any fault status of its own. There must be some good techs at Fox who are persistent. Perhaps Fox has hired some of those laid-off or about to be laid-off by other broadcasters or some of the Cable operators. Pity Fox cannot seek compensation on this. And, as for the NFL rule on overtime coverage, all I can say is, ‘Heidi has been forgotten,’ Let me guess… I’m the only one here who understands the significance of ‘Heidi’ and the NFL? Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/11/09)

Too bad the problem with the signal during today's Skins game didn't last the entire game. At this point, anything that prevents me from watching the game is a good thing! Forget Zorn, Forget Campbell, Snyder is who needs to go!!! (10/11/09)

Dave sorry for the profane rant but I'm PISSED! The NFL is fucking insane!!!! I'm watching FOX after that debacle of a game. I get to see the tail end of the KC/Cowboys game. KC ties it up, 20-20 with 24 seconds left. Nail biter time. Then the FOX studio and Curt Menefee comes on and says due to NFL rules, they CAN'T show the overtime period!!!! That HAS to be the stupidest thing I've EVER heard! The NFL REALLY needs to take a look at their broadcasting regulations. Is there ANY rationalization for that? All they would have been postponing was the Jim Zorn postgame "I'm sorry" show. God knows he wouldn't have minded the delay. On another subject, I am using digital converter boxes; channel 9 doesn't come through. i'm in Arlington so I should be close enough to get a signal. Anyone else have problems getting 9 over the air? (10/11/09)

Baltimore market PPM wearer visits Philly for the weekend and the PPM hears WUSL for a long time. (10/11/09)

What's up with DirecTV and Fox and the Skins game? 2 PM and it's been out for awhile. All other networks OK. Ravens game is probably better anyway, so guess I'll stick with it. BC (10/11/09)

Dave's response: Fox5 has been having HD transmitter troubles during the first hour of today's Redskins game. I've been Twittering it. The HD sig came back at 2:13 PM.....

Is DISH Network the only server having problems with reception of the Redskins/Panthers game, or is this Fox network problem? (10/11/09)

Dave's response: Signal probs for 5. Affecting everyone.....

WTTG-5, OTA, the Skins game broadcast is all bollixed up. Pixellating, unwatchable... Now totally off the air, black screen...Now back but still unwatchable. (10/11/09)

The people who believe that KidsPost helps predators, chances are they would be saying the very same thing if we were are talking about Captain 20, Stu Kerr's Professor Kool, Captain Chesapeake and just about everyone who is featured on kaptainkidshow.com that all these people and their TV shows "attract" child sexual predators so therefor a host like Captain 20 or Stu Kerr would put kids at risk. Interesting, the other day I had saw a news report on TV that pointed out where more and more kids of today ( those under 16 ) are in favor of such laws becoming reality like the banning of soda pop, the banning of cigarettes, having health insurance available only for those who are married and the banning of adults from appearing on TV shows and musical concerts that are designed with kids in mind. Imagine what the country would be like once these kids become adults with children of their own? I guess coming soon to Kings Dominion and Six Flags America, the kiddie section will be fenced in and no adult would be allowed to enter unless you work for those parks or if you want to see a PG rated movie at the theatre, no dice since kids may be inside and they would think you are a pedophile. Its amazing as well as sad that to see just how far we had gone from watching Stu Kerr Professor Kool hanging around the studio on camera with kids or Captain Chesapeake showing pics on his show of his young "crew members", no biggie back then but today sadly both men would be labeled as "perverts" by many adults. Hey I am all for protecting kids, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere. (10/11/09)

RE: Barry Richards Sneak Preview. A generous estimate put 75 attendees in the AFI Silver Thursday night, mostly aging boomers who were associates/acquaintances of Barry back in the day. Barry is packaging segments from his TV shows in Washington and Baltimore from the late-60s/early-70s onto DVD, with the first disc scheduled to be released later this month. The sneak preview included video performances by Richie Havens, Little Richard, Alice Cooper, Muddy Waters, The Bob Seger System, and Fats Domino backed up by The Byrds, among other lesser-known and long-forgotten acts. God love him, Hairy Barry is still out there hustlin' to make that dollah. (10/11/09)

Hi, Does anyone know the whereabouts of Al Santos since his days with WJZW? Bill (10/11/09)

Dave's response: He just posted a message on this here Mailbag a few days ago. I think he said he's still doing work for the VOA and racing cars around.....

98.9 WUSL "Power99" comes in pretty strong in Havre de Grace. I know this thanks to my 15 year old daughter and the fact that with pre-digital tuning on my work radios it walked all over 99.1 WHFS depending on weather conditions. I wouldn't be too suprised if WXPN 88.5/88.7/90.5 showed up on Baltimore PPMs. Alot of people like the WRNR-like music with only an occasional "_______ supports WXPN" instead of commercials. WTGB needs a repeater up the bay to beat out WDSDs signal. (10/11/09)

KTI-930, do not remember the station, tells us more about it?? thanks, rob (10/11/09)

Say what will about WNST 1570's ratings, but it's 9AM on a football home game Sunday and guess who is the ONLY Baltimore radio station talking Ravens football this morning? Yep, WNST 1570. 105.7 The Fan is running some real estate informercial while ESPN 1300 is running some other infomercial. 98ROCK is play music of course and WBAL radio has some syndicated non-sports program on. FOX Sports 1370 is running FOX Sports, but there's almost nothing about The Ravens. So guess who I was listening to this morning without the help of a PPM device while getting ready for the game? Guess who the tailgaters are listening to most likely? Yep, lil' ol' WNST 1570! Even WMAR 2's Jamie Costello made a cameo appearance. I won't say it's the best pre-game show I've ever heard, but at least it was local sports coverage on an NFL Sunday @9AM. Why CBS would choose to run infomercials before a Sunday home game boggles my mind! (10/11/09)

It looks like WUSA has found a replacement for Tony Pann on the weekends, and it's not Kim Martucci. They had a new guy on last night named Devon Lucie, who looks to me just like another pretty face for the station. His forecast and a pic are on the website at www.wusa9.com. I did a little more research, and I found out that he and Surae Chinn, the god-awful weekend fill-in anchor that WUSA also recently hired, both got relased from the CBS affilliate in Kansas City earlier this year. And, according to blogs.pitch.com, the two are a married couple. Yikes! (10/11/09)

(Just saw an ad for it in the Saturday 10/11 edition of the Frederick News-Post)- WFMD Radio- which may be considered as Frederick's version of WMAL (in its Rush-esque talk format)- has added an extra hour of their local afternoon program, "The Blaine Young Show", now from 3-6 PM. (10/11/09)

Hey Dave, Last Thursday morning I dialed in the Jack Diamond Morning Show and caught the tail end of his interview with legendary DC area DJ Barry Richards (first progressive rock station on the AM dial in this area). He was hyping an upcoming sneak preview that night at the AFI Silver Theater of his collection of the ‘70s rock TV shows that he hosted; I couldn’t make it and was wondering if anybody out there attended and has anything to report?? He has a website with airchecks, videos, and clippings and is looking to get in touch w/people who worked on the TV shows or anyone who has any memorabilia they would like to share. Check out: www.barryrichardsshows.com. -John (10/11/09)

Noticed one major anomaly in the Baltimore PPM numbers... WUSL 98.9 Philadelphia? I had to look that one up! Also surprised WRBS came in so high. Now on the other hand, several previous anomalies have been fixed by the PPM... 105.9 and 106.7 no longer get hardly any Baltimore ratings at all. I sort of predicted this because so few people in the Baltimore market can receive either station, but I'm still scratching my head that a Philly station showed up at all. I seriously doubt anyone other than possibly up in Havre DeGrace can receive that station and certainly not even easily there if at all. Finally, poor FOX Sports 1370 and WNST 1570. Even combined, they barely show up. I don't know how both of these stations are going to survive unless one gets some ratings soon. I know Nestor has a loyal following, but how many restaurant dinners or sub shop subs can that station possibly be selling and who would buy ad time when its basically just Nestor's friends, relatives, and neighbors listening at this point? (10/11/09)

Dave's response: Christian contemporary stations do well in the PPMs. In the DC market, WGTS is now a top 10 performer, something that it never was in the old diary system.....

Magic 959 top rated station in Baltimore ppms in the first round very interesting. Are you listening Clear Channel( i know that it is an old drum beat), but even WERQ still has strong ratings(even though it fell from its 13 year run as Baltimore`s most listen to radio station GREAT NEWS)urban radio is still very strong in the nations 22nd ranked radio market. CC(Baltimore could not go wrong going either urban hip-hop or adult urban(Steve Harvey morning show in Baltimore). They could not go wrong. (10/11/09)

I saw the Baltimore PPM's in a bit more detail and wow - it's very interesting! Personality driven radio seems to be what is doing well with one exception which is Jack-FM, but I think they are just doing well in the mid-day parts being played in offices. WLIF "Lite 101.9" still rules the office though - their mid-day numbers are huge as is their CUME. Otherwise, it's good news for the on-air people because Magic 95.9, 98 Rock, WPOC, and Mix 106-5 all showed well. 92Q is down as expected, but not too bad. The stations that have adopted the music-only and no talk approach really took a hit, like "100.7 The Bay" and the still struggling "Channel 104.3". It doesn't help "The Bay" that literally no one is listening to their syndicated morning show and it is dragging the station down overall, which explains why the out of market "Big 100" (same format) showed so well in the AM drive. Same goes for "Channel 104.3" with Elliott, not doing so well. Religious WRBS, like DC's WGTS in the Washington PPM, showed very well which surprised me a bit. The other FM religious station WFSI didn't even show, what a waste of a big signal. Further down the list to the AAA stations. WTMD, ouch. No one listening to them. WRNR only slightly better. Maybe it's a good thing that Michael Hughes is going to WRNR because apparently AAA, as both stations do it, isn't working. The only thing that I can think of would be to drop the softer new music and aim for the deep cuts classic rock and 80's alternative more. More people travel from the Baltimore area to work in the DC area than the reverse, which explains why many of the DC stations showed fairly well. I'm not sure what I would do to grab those commuters if I were a programmer in Baltimore. Overall this PPM tells me that Baltimore likes personality when it's local, and likes a wide variety of formats. -JS (10/11/09)

I had The Edge playing for a few hours and noticed a huge no-no in classic rock radio. playing the SAME three songs in the exact SAME order twice, an hour apart. about an hour ago, I heard Rock N Roll Train, Burnin For You and Talk Dirty To Me, and just UNDER an hour later, those same songs are played again. WTF?? $hitadel, if you plan on making a success out of The Edge, you need to expand the playlist a little, and add deeper cuts. In fact, start making the station sound like it did during the first week, when it had a great deal of deep cuts....I didn't want to turn the station or turn the radio off! At least until I heard Beast of Burden being played 3 times every fuckin' day. And just now Burnin For you starts, which was ALSO played an hour ago....LISTEN $HITADEL YOU BETTER DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW AND FIX THE REPETITIVESS BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!!!!! THIS STATION W-I-L-L N-O-T GET IMPRESSIVE RATINGS THE WAY IT'S IS GOING RIGHT NOW. On a more positive Note...Dave, i am a very avid reader of DCRTV, and i love the site. Keep it up! I always rely on you to tell us what station is making a format flip next..... (10/11/09)

RE: Drive-In movie Theaters that use AM signal I wish i could go back up to Bengies in Maryland tomorow night at 6:45PM to hear my Fave Sticthpunk movie 9 thru that 830 AM that Bengies uses!!! I dont have a way to get there either!!! Betsie Beadling of Fairfax, Fair Lakes area (10/11/09)

/\ October 11 Messages /\

\/ October 10 Messages \/

For some obscure technical reason, part of my AM DX post was corrupted. The stations on 570 and 950 are “Radio Reloj”. The shortwave clandestines I was referring to were, respectively, “Radio Libertad” and “Radio Caiman”. The Nat “King” Cole song was “Ochos Negros” and could also be heard on 9960 as well as 7240. And, of course the station on Marathon Key is “Radio Marti”. Here’s another blast: Anyone else remember KTI-931, an experimental on 650 in Baltimore which was supposedly related to WBMD on 750? Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/10/09)

New Documentary Celebrates Virginia’s TV Horror Hosts... Floyd, VA. After 18 months of production, Horse Archer Productions will release its much anticipated documentary, “Virginia Creepers: The Horror Host Tradition of the Old Dominion,” with a debut at Monster Fest 6 in Chesapeake, VA on October 10. The film, which looks at more than 50 years of hosting horror movies on the Virginia and DC airwaves features extensive interviews with all known living hosts, previously unheard audio and video footage from shows not seen by the public for nearly four decades. Horror hosting, as it is commonly known, was a very popular form of local entertainment in many markets for decades and survives to this day, largely on cable access television and the internet. “We have put a lot of research and leg work into this film,” said Sean Kotz, co-producer and co-director of the full length feature documentary, “but we have also been fortunate to find passionate people with photos, audio and video that would have otherwise been lost.” Kotz said the idea for the film evolved in 2007 after he moderated a panel of Virginia’s hosts including Count Gore De Vol, The Bowman Body, Dr. Madblood, and Dr. Sarcofiguy at MonsterFest that year, an annual event at the Chesapeake Central Library. “There were a lot of funny stories swapped at that table and it got a tremendous response,” said Kotz, “and I started thinking about the fact that we had a great little tradition in this state with some legendary names that are known nationally.” The documentary runs chronologically, starting with “Jonathan,” whose show appeared on WSLS in Roanoke on February 6, 1958. Soon after two female hosts, Ghoulda and Hazel Witch hit the Richmond airwaves while Ronald began his show on Friday the 13th in 1959, running off and on for nearly a decade. From there, the film takes the subject right up to the present day and talks with hosts who are still producing their shows in various forms. Additionally, the film is hosted itself by Mr. Lobo, a California host whose show, Cinema Insomnia, has been syndicated in Virginia with a great deal of praise and success. As a result, the producers have already seen pre-orders come in from across the country, which they say is an indicator of how important these shows were to people in general. “This documentary is also very much about the transformation of television,” said co-director/producer, Chris Valluzzo. “Originally, local talent was very important for a variety of programs but gradually infomercials, syndication and corporate ownership pushed most of that out.” Noting that both Bowman Body and Dr. Gruesome’s Movie Morgue were beating Carson in Richmond on Friday nights through two decades, Valluzzo said it is not surprising that so many people care about this topic. “It is more about comedy and localism than it is about being scared,” he said. Rob Floyd, co-founder of Monster Fest, says the October 10 premiere of Virginia Creepers is an exciting event for everyone involved. “The fact that a past Monster Fest was the inspiration for Virginia Creepers makes me very proud,” said Floyd. “Horror hosts are just as much fun today as they were when we were kids and remind us that someone else out there ‘gets it’ like we do.” The documentary, which also features original songs by Virginia musicians, is available at www.virginiacreepersmovie.com and and is likely to appear at future conventions and film festivals. People can also search for “Virginia Creepers” on YouTube to see a mini-documentary, a music video trailer and a few clips from the film. PHOTO CAPTION 1: Poster art created by George Chastain will also grace the cover of the DVD. MINI-DOCUMENTARY LINK: www.youtube.com... MUSIC VIDEO/TRAILER: www.youtube.com.(10/10/09)

Dave, Please give me the good news that Paul and Brenda have renewed for 3 more months. I can't get through the day without knowing that they live life to the fullest. (10/10/09)

Dave's response: Cool. P&B's current ad term runs up through the end of the year.....

Here's a link to a two-part interview with legendary WBZ overnight host, Larry Glick. It was originally done earlier in the decade, by the current overnight host at 'BZ, Steve LeVeille. These segments are the re-broadcasts, done in September 2009. Back in the day (night, actually) Glick was heard all over the U.S. via WBZ's monster signal, in the wee hours. Larry died on March 26. 2009 following 10 hours of open-heart surgery. larryglick.podOmatic.com (10/10/09)

We just received this from Mike James, who's responsible for the NewsBlues TV news website.....

I had a regularly scheduled doctor's appointment last Monday. Blood tests showed that my cholesterol was still borderline (has been for decades), and my blood pressure was borderline (has been for five years). I mentioned that during my daily walks with Mona, I'd noticed a very mild burning sensation in the upper part of my lungs...almost the sort of burning you feel when you run too fast and you're a little short of breath. The sensation was hardly noticeable. I just thought I'd mention it in passing. Based on my family history (my father died of a heart attack at age 42), the doctor said he wanted me to visit a cardiologist. An appointment was set for Thursday. I was given a battery of tests, including a nuclear stress test. This is a 3 1/2 hour procedure that involves injecting nuclear material into a blood vein, waiting 30 minutes for it to circulate, then lying on a table under a big scanner for 15 minutes. The scanner makes a photographic survey of the heart at rest. The images derive from the nuclear material. I was then wired to an EKG machine and got on a motorized tread mill. The first minute was a slow warm-up, then the speed and angle were increased. In about five minutes, I had reached my target heart rate...and I was really working. At that point, they injected me with a second blast of nuclear material. I was taken into a room and told to rest for 30 minutes while I cooled down and the stuff circulated. Then I went back under the scanner for a second round of pictures. The first set (at rest) was compared to the second set (after exercise). They were to show if any areas of the heart were not getting proper blood supply. That evening, the cardiologist called me at home and said I'd "flunked the stress test." He said there were clear indications that the lower portion of my heart (the pointy end) was not getting adequate oxygen and blood flow. The "inferior bottom and apex" is supplied by the right descending coronary artery. He said he wanted to schedule an immediate cardiac catheterization. I hemmed and hawed and asked if we could postpone it for a week. (I have a high performance race driving school next Tuesday and Wednesday in Birmingham). He said he wouldn't recommend waiting...that there was a risk of a blocked artery. I guess I didn't understand the ramifications, and I continued to push him to wait a week. He asked me to talk to my regular doctor the next morning. I called the doctor's office Friday morning, and his nurse said he wanted to see me in his office as soon as possible to review the test results. I put on a T-shirt and sweat pants, and Mona and I drove to Gainesville. The doctor explained that there "could" be a serious problem. He urged me to address it immediately. He said there were three possible outcomes... (1) the catheterization would show a minor blockage, which could be treated with medications (2) the catheterization would show a serious blockage, which could be fixed immediately with a balloon stent, or (3) the catheterization showed a more serious problem that would have to be dealt with later, via open heart surgery. Two of the three options sounded okay...the third, not so much, so I agreed. At 1 p.m. Friday, I was admitted to North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. At 3:30 p.m., I was in the "cath lab," where they perform roughly 30 of these procedures per day. I was prepped, given a mild relaxant, and a local anaesthetic. I was fully awake. The surgeon inserted a wire into my right femoral artery (near my crotch) and quickly fed it up into the heart and down the anterior artery, which actually runs on the outside of the heart muscle. This artery is only as big as a pencil at its biggest point, but it's critical to the heart's survival. I'm guessing it took him no more than three minutes to find the problem. "It's 95% blocked," he said. "I'll fix it." Ten minutes later, I was wheeled out. He had used a tiny balloon to push apart the blockage, leaving a stent behind to hold the artery open. I was back in recovery by 4:00 p.m., fully awake, with no pain. I spent the night in the hospital and was released Saturday around 1:00 p.m. It would have been earlier, but the nurses screwed up some paperwork. I've been cleared to go to Birmingham next week and drive. They say there's little or no threat of complications. They noticed no other significant blockages, just the typical arterial plaque found in a man of 61. During a post-procedure meeting with the surgeon, he put it all into perspective for me. When an artery become fully-blocked, the blood flow stops, the heart stops working, and within minutes, the heart tissue beyond the blockage begins to die. The tissue never recovers, even if you survive the heart attack. My blockage was near the top of the heart. When that final 5% plugged up, "You probably would have died within minutes," he said. "There would have been no recovery from a heart attack in that area." How long did I have until the artery might have clogged? "Days, weeks, but certainly no more than a month or two," he said. And that's how close I came yesterday. The hole in my groin is about the size of a pencil point. No stitches were required. I walked out of the hospital and drove home. Mike (10/10/09)

Dave's response: Wow.....

(RE: Am Dxing!) This is so true! It is almost impossible to get good AM reception, even in a little town. I think back to even the late 70s and early 80s, most mornings I could tune in without any problem, WOR/Rambling with Gambling, and listen with little interference. Today that is all but impossible, sometimes I can get WFAN, but with all the electronic gadgets now, plus interference from other stations, forget about it! Burt in Denton (10/10/09)

RE: Am Dxing! When I was growing up in Kansas City I remember tuning in Radio Americas one friday night on a Halicrafters S-120 receiver. I was really surprised how well it came in considering the more powerful station that it sat next to on the dial. These days Dxing like that on the AM band isn't possible because of all the former daytimers running low power at night. I may be wrong but unless you're out in the middle of Utah or even Wyoming Dxing as I grew up knowing it is a dead issue. It's really a sad state of affairs when a once clear channel giant like WLS is somtimes inaudible due to a spanish station (which I think is in Utah). Using a "sect-tenna" helps (that's a device you place next to your radio that improves AM reception) helps. One more thing that hinders AM dxing are the amount of buildings with home PC's (and their networks) trashing out the airwaves. At any time of the year I have to take either my Sony ICF 2010 or my Radio Shack (Sangean) DX 398 outside just to get away from the PC generated interference. It just isn't like it use to be! Alvin G. Lawton (10/10/09)

White people cannot say ANYthing about ANY other ethnicity( i refuse to use 'Race' as the truly bigoted white rulers insisted on) without being labeled Racist. When 99.1 HFS flipped I was called Racist for railing against it. Despite the fact that I worked alongside Hispanic guys and got along great with never a bit of condescension. It isn't that we avoided the fact we're of different ethnicity its more that IT DIDN'T MATTER! We all busted our humps for the 'priveledged'. When Y100 Philly went Urban and we protested again I was called a Racist. I supposed the fact that some of my best friends were Black,my sons friend of 10 years who we unofficially 'adopted' ,and his father who is like an uncle to our kids, is Black well I guess that was all an act. The media is excellent at stirring up Racist tension and since illegals have gotten more attention it has just gotten worse. Divide and Conquer is the status quo and until Whites,Blacks and Latins can get together and address the REAL problem namely the CLASS division that 'does not exist' in America we're all doomed to be force fed the garbage that perpetuates the problems. (10/10/09)

(Okay, thanks for confirming. White folk can't say anything disparaging about blacks unless they want to be labeled as racists.) Okay idiot, let's try this again. No one says that no criticism can be made of black people; it's done every day by people of all races, yes, including blacks. Cosby, Obama and Bob Herbert have made pointed criticisms of black people. When it is done out of hatred, spite, sport, and/or a belief that blacks as a race are inferior, then it is racist. When one listens to the things Limbaugh and Bob Grant (if he is still around) say and how they say them, I'm afraid that they fall into that category. Shawn in DC (10/10/09)

Obviously, someone is not well versed in internet culture. You have a nice day, too. (10/10/09)

Dave: Thanks for posting the fantastic link showing the opening day festivities at the NBC Studios on Nebraska Avenue in 1958. They were so proud of the technology they HAD, yet today they are the only station in town that does not produce news in HD. My, how times have changed! (10/10/09)

I love how Sinclair Broadcasting refers to Cunningham Broadcasting in the 3rd person when in reality it went down something like this...... [ Scene: Smith Family dinner table, Mamma Smith speaking ]...... "If you don't eat all your vegetables son, there'll be no dessert! Oh, and I'm cutting your allowance too boy!" But seriously, I believe Cunningham Broadcasting is a Pittsburgh based company, at least that's how it was originally founded, so Sinclair is also evading Maryland corporate taxes too unless something has changed. However, the original CEO of Cunningham has since died I believe so I have no clue who the current CEO is, but I'm guessing it's someone in the Smith family. The reason Sinclair got away with this scam initially is because the original CEO and technically majority owner of Cunningham was African American, making Cunningham Broadcasting the U.S.'s first African American TV ownership group. However if you follow the money trail, you can see that Cunningham was never really African American owned in the first place. But this was a big deal back then because as with anything involving race appearances are more important than reality, so the FCC was under tremendous pressure to approve this scam, sort of the way many of our politicians are still defending ACORN to the death even though they know it's wrong. And as with anything in government, once you get something approved for good or bad, it's nearly impossible to undo the damage. I'm sure if the FCC were to take action at this point against Sinclair, Sinclair would undoubtedly sue and the costly battle would drag out for years with Sinclair possibly winning since the FCC itself set a bad precedent by allowing this LMA mess in the first place. The biggest irony though is that Sinclair is possibly the whitest and most conservative station ownership group in the country (remember the John Kerry documentary?) And Cunningham Broadcasting operates as its shadow Uncle Tom! In related race news, I caught a bit of the Dan Patrick show discussing the possible Rush Limbaugh Rams purchase with Rich Eisen. While giving a disclaimer that he doesn't speak for the NFL Network or the NFL, Eisen trashed the idea of the NFL approving the sale to Limbaugh. Patrick, playing devil's advocate said basically, referring to the infamous McNabb comments, "Well didn't they hire him for exactly that [controversy]?" And Eisen said yes, but that a scarecrow shouldn't be playing with fire. I thought that was funny, hehe. (10/10/09)

RE: “AM Static” Wow… It’s nice to hear that someone is still trying to “DX”, as we used to call it, the AM broadcast band. The Cubans on 570 and 950 (not to mention other frequencies) are part of [] whose time signals (mixed in with “news”) are supposed to be super-accurate. I’m old enough to remember when Cuban radio and TV was mostly privately owned and very commercial. And, I’m also old enough to remember how tough it was to sell WRVA clients that the “buzz “ you could hear at night while driving on West Broad Street and listening to 1140 was aimed at WQBA in Miami. There’s a lot of intrigue involving broadcasting and Cuba. Some of which has been audible in the D.C. area. Anyone else on this board remember hearing “Radio Americas” or “Radio Swan” around here on 1160? The enigmatic [] on shortwave? The mysterious “La Voz del CID -- with its many [] named for pre-revolution Cuban patriots? Back in the 1980’s there was the mysterious station in the 41 meter band which would come on at 0000 GMT with a Spanish song sung by Nat “King” Cole called [] (“Dark Eyes”) until the Saturday night it came on instead playing the Michael Jackson “ Thriller” LP and identifying as []. Yes, I know I’m “geezin” from the 1960’s to the 1980’s here. There used to be a lot of interesting antenna arrays and signals to be found in the stretch from what used to be Homestead AFB down to Key West. Dry Tortugas was one such area. Last I Heard, [] was using a former VoA site on Marathon Key on 1180 (protecting WHAM). I’m sure during his days in Key West, Ed Rodruguez (who used to be active here) may have seen/heard some “very interesting” things. –Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/10/09)

George Michael - Not sure if you have ener seen this web site or metnioned it on DCRTV. Take a look at www.musicradio77.com (10/10/09)

To the "bonehead" Rusty Shackleford: it's "moron" not moran. Here's an easy way to remember: the moron Jim Moran is Congressman for the 8th District of Virginia. Have a nice weekend. (10/10/09)

/\ October 10 Messages /\

\/ October 9 Messages \/

Re: "... Dave Brown ... as pro as they come" That may be, but it's what comes out of the speaker that counts. He may be beloved for his years and years here in the DC market, I get that. But what comes out of the speaker on WTOP Saturday and Sunday mornings when Dave Brown is on does not sound good. He makes a lot of mistakes and flubs. Listen and judge for yourself. I have to wonder if anyone from WTOP is listening when he's on. The WTOP overnight guy Dean Lane may sound cheesy like a small market jock who pukes, and uses ill-themed music beds and corny celebrity voice drops, but at least he's tight and keeps it moving. (10/9/09)

Re: 830 AM experiment. Hmm since i dont have that portable stick i was not able to recive Movie Audio from the Bengies Drive-in!!!! (10/9/09)

Okay, thanks for confirming. White folk can't say anything disparaging about blacks unless they want to be labeled as racists. I'll keep that in mind with all this cool change going on. Finn Grove (10/9/09)

DCRTV reported that The Ravens had higher TV ratings than the Skins, DCRTV reported that the Nat's TV ratings were last in MLB. it's that simple, yet people here are throwing fits and making all kinds of excuses and making grandiose snobby typical arrogant Washingtonian predictions that The Redskins will always be the region's premiere sports team. I simply disagree, and the news, attendance, & ratings numbers happen to be heading in my favor. Sorry the truth hurts. And by the way, it's spelled "Baltimorean" for those intelligent Washingtonians keeping score. :-) (10/9/09)

So let me get this straight. Joe in Essex claims that the Balamer Ravens are number one in the local market, yet he concedes that maybe twice as many people watched the Redskins game? No wonder he's known as a blowhard. (10/9/09)

From the "Get a brain, morans" department - RE: "I'm guessing Keenan McCardell skipped math class 'a locker room that's 60% minority'" What he was actually saying was that 6 out of10 people on the team are non-whites, bonehead. Rusty Shackleford (10/9/09)

I can't be the only one who is sick and tired of seeing Richard Vatz on Baltimore television. He seems to be the only person that CH45 gets to react against the administration. Keep him in the classroom. Thank goodness for the remote. (10/9/09)

RE: "I have a question for all those racist experts out there..." Nice loaded question. First off, if you're referring to Limbaugh, he wasn't "a white person who disagrees or makes fun of a black person...despite the fact race has nothing to do with it." On multiple occasions on the air he has used racial stereotypes to attack black listeners and black celebrities specifically because of their race. Dress that up any way you want, it's still racism. And BET co-founder Sheila Johnson wasn't racist when "she made fun of a white governor candidate's speech impediment," because her attack wasn't based on race. She was pretty damn stupid, though. Next time just look this stuff up in the dictionary, OK? (10/9/09)

I have a question for all those racist experts out there. So I get the twisted logic that a white person who disagrees or makes fun of a black person is a racist, despite the fact race has nothing to do with it. So, does it make Mrs. Johnson, billionaire co-founder of BET, a racist too since she made fun of a white governor candidate's speech impediment? Finn Grove (10/9/09)

Anyone else having trouble getting today's (Fri 10/09) Tony Kornheiser show podcasts? (10/9/09)

The FCC should have never allowed LMAs to exist in the manner they are today in the first place. Let's face it, all they are is a method to evade the FCC's market ownership limits and in effect a violation of the law. Why this practice continues to be allowed baffles my mind. Cunningham Broadcasting is a sham phony shell company, pick whatever word you want, they all fit. Sinclair isn't the only company pulling this scam either, Nextar is doing the same thing. Why is it allowed? (10/9/09)

Dave's response: Exactly. LMAs should be temporary, short-term deals allowing a company to start running a station while sale approval is pending. They should not be long-term situations in order to skirt the FCC's own ownership limits and regs.....

Condolences to Dave Brown on being bumped from Metro. He's as pro as they come. (10/9/09)

Re 99.1 El Zol- Has anybody got BIA data about how much the station is actually billing at the moment compared to other local FMs?? I’ll bet it isn’t much. El Zol’s cume and audience share in the Washington market are in nose-dive mode these days, and in Baltimore, where ‘HFS used to generate great numbers before the corporate rot set in, 99.1’s current audience is next to nil. My suggestion is to take Cerphe’s current HFS 2 ‘alternative’ programming, freshen it up with a higher proportion of genuinely edgy new music, along with some hot new imaging, cool young jocks and a nice-sized promotional budget; and CBS will have a profitable, worthwhile enterprise on its hands again. Mark O. (10/9/09)

Jeezus--every time ratings come out we get anohter flash from the Baltimoran explaining how the numbers prove the Ravens/Orioles are superior franchises to Washington's. Alright, alright, ALRIGHT ALREADY, WE GET IT. If you EVER think of anything else to say, I'd like to hear it, but this topic is done to death already. (10/9/09)

The lengths that Washingtonians will go to make up Nats/Skins excuses are truly unbelievable. I'm still laughing. Anyone with a brain knows total viewership for the Redskins would almost certainly have to be higher than the Ravens simply due to the market size difference, the point was the ratings in the market that DCRTV reported. DC is nearly twice the size of Baltimore! Secondly, the O's haven't had a winning season in 12 years now, and not won a World Series since 1983, so this baseball culture argument is starting to lose its effectiveness for either poor Nats TV ratings or attendance. Once again, it's important to point out that DC is nearly TWICE the size of Baltimore and I'd bet that total Orioles viewership is probably still higher than the Nats even with the incredible market size difference. Claiming it's because of Angelos & MASN because people can't find the damn channel is one of the dumbest embarrassing excuses I've ever heard! Too funny. Not to mention, The Baltimore Sun recently did a story about how not involved Angelos was in The Orioles & MASN operations anymore and how some players had never even met the man. He is after all reaching the nurse-fed assisted living jello age, but I won't let facts get involved in this, the conspiracy theories are much more funny. Keep them coming! I honestly think that Angelos will get blamed even after he dies! Thanks for my end of week laugh. --- Smart Enough to Find a TV Channel in Baltimore :-) (10/9/09)

re: "When the hell is CBS gonna put an end to 99.1 EL ZOL?!?! It placed 20th in the latest ratings, why the hell is there ANY reason to keep it going any longer?" Because the station and its advertisers aren't the slightest bit interested in their share of the total available audience. It is a station pointed directly at a Spanish-speaking audience, and that's who its advertisers are trying to get to. They may be 20th overall, but I'm pretty sure they're doing huge numbers in their target demo, because there is literally NO COMPETITION. And as long as that's the case, I'd expect El Zol to be in business (and making a LOT of money) for a long time. (10/9/09)

"With Metro dumping Dave Brown, does this mean he'll no longer be heard anchoring WTOP on weekend mornings? ...Does this also pull back the curtain to reveal WTOP was using voices from Metro (in Silver Spring) to sound like they're in the WTOP studios in DC?? Someone in the know please clarify!" DUH! No. All WTOP news anchors are live inside the glass-enclosed newscenter in Northwest DC. Traffic reporters other than Bob Marbourg are in Silver Spring. And the Metro Sports reporters work in WTOP's Newsroom, not in Silver Spring. (10/9/09)

With Metro dumping Dave Brown, does this mean he'll no longer be heard anchoring WTOP on weekend mornings? I hope so. He was gawd awful. He always sounded like he needed to clear his throat, and he talked (read) so darn slow. Does this also pull back the curtain to reveal WTOP was using voices from Metro (in Silver Spring) to sound like they're in the WTOP studios in DC?? Someone in the know please clarify! Thanks. (10/9/09)

On New York Social Diary today, a night out on the town at the Swedish Ambassador's and then the Meridian Ball, plus a champagne party at the Watergate home of Reggie Van Lee: www.nysocialdiary.com... Carol (10/9/09)

Byron Kerr & Dave Brown are gone from Metro. George Wallace is the new sports director at WTOP. (10/9/09)

Joe in Essex is such a blowhard. The Ravens did not, of course, "beat" the Redskins in total viewership. Which is really the point. And if you think that Angelos doesn't manipulate the Nats broadcasts to the Orioles advantage every chance he gets, you're even more clueless than you seem. (10/9/09)

OKAY. When the hell is CBS gonna put an end to 99.1 EL ZOL?!?! It placed 20th in the latest ratings, why the hell is there ANY reason to keep it going any longer? I think it's time to FINALLY bring HFS back to DC via regular radio (sorry Cheap BS, but nobody listens on 94.7 HD2. GAWD What a stupid radio company. (10/9/09)

Dave's response: With Michael Hughes gone from CBS and El Zol's less-than-impressive numbers of late, I wouldn't be surprised to see CBS make a format flip on 99.1. A return of HFS? The musically-intensive "progressive" WHFS that we had in the 1990s, not the crap station of the 2003-2005 era. Hmmm.....

You know - it's funny. people hear what they want to hear. If you take the posts on DC sports radio at face value WTEM is a tool of the owner and WJFK is the 'people's' voice. Yet, why is it that almost every time I tune in to WTEM this fall they are talking about how bad the Skins are, how Vinnie's drafts are suspect and how it all starts at the top.? They mix it in with stuff directly from Redskins park (team sources) that spout the company line - which is what you would expect. But, with the exception of Joe Theesman the WTEM folks are a pretty critival bunch. Over at the competition they are trying to stir the pot (and rouse the rabble) by going over the top. Frankly, WTEM seems to take a more even handed and factual approach while WJFK is trying to fan the flames of controversy to get attention. (10/9/09)

Dave, I completely understand you need advertisers to help pay for the costs of your great site, which I visit regularly, but I am struggling to understand the current Pressbox ad. Loyola soccer? Seriously? WHO CARES?!? I can't fathom more than 0.000001% of your readers being interested in this. Out of curiosity, I checked the attendance at Loyola's last home game - a whopping 624. Doesn't Pressbox cover anything more newsworthy than LOYOLA SOCCER??? (10/9/09)

"So Nats fans can't find the Nats games because people from Baltimore are smarter than people from Washington? Did I get that right? How else do you explain the Nats poor TV ratings while the Orioles TV ratings are sound? The games are divided up equally on MASN1 & MASN2 and promoted equally as well. Both teams finished in last place in their respective divisions. Yet Orioles TV ratings are good and the Nats are DEAD LAST in MLB!" Frankly, I don't think either market is smarter than the other. The difference is that Baltimore has a long-established baseball culture, while Washington doesn't -- the combination of a third of a century with no team and the absence of a contender when baseball was/is in D.C. Washington last experienced a legitimate pennant race (the 2005 hanging on to stay in the wild card race doesn't count) in 1945. To put it in human terms, area native Goldie Hawn (an avid baseball fan), who'll turn 64 next month, has never seen her hometown team contend. I would bet that in the '80s and early '90s, when the Cleveland Indians had been miserable for more than three decades, they probably had the lowest local ratings in MLB. Then they got good, had sellouts for several years, and their ratings skyrocketed. It can happen here once the Nationals ever become NL East contenders -- but you don't build (or rebuild) a baseball culture overnight; it's going to take time. The attendance has been okay considering the poor product -- if the Nats ever fielded a team as talented as, say, the Phillies, I'm certain Nationals Park would be as jam-packed as Citizens Bank Park was this year. (Oh, and by the way, I knew where to find MASN and watched just about every game. More folks will do likewise once you give them reason to watch.) -- Vincent in Triangle (10/9/09)

I'm guessing Keenan McCardell skipped math class "a locker room that's 60% minority" (10/9/09)

Dave: I guess a bad football team equals bad radio programming. It's funny how ESPN980 goes into the tank and is great at criticizing the Redskins...coming-off as phony as can be in the "let's try to be objective department." While on the other side, I respect WJFK's talk of the poor Redskins play because they actually tell you why this/that is going wrong and not just say, things are f'ed-up. Think of this, Sheehan has zero credibility and needs to be replaced and Rick Walker is a Redskins employee, two-times over because of his participation in their radio broadcasts...plus his vocabulary is quite limited to street-talk. When Will Mr. Snyder realize he has the wrong management team in place...First, he has to realize changes need to be made in the coaching ranks and then deal with radio. Finally, I was in a DC bar last night and some media people were there and brought-up an interesting idea. Why doesn't the Angelos Family buy parts of NBC, may be their owned-stations, and have MASN produce their sports for that group. MASN's talent is far better than Comcast Sportsnet and more importantly, they have baseball contracts. Just a thought. (10/9/09)

RE AM Static: "How come some sound different??? Sunday nite when i was sifting thru AM numbers, some sound like a buzz, screeeeeeeeeeee and one signal i hear beeeeeep boooop." Depends partially on where you live and what is surrounding you; and partially on who else shares the frequency you are listening to. Put your radio next to a PC and wait for the fireworks show to begin. Keep a cellphone nearby and listen to the radio make popping and whistling noises. Drive under high-voltage power lines and enjoy the grinding noise. If your neighbor is running power tools or your kid is using a hair dryer upstairs, you'll hear the mid-pitched whine of those motors as noise rides the power line all the way to you. Distant thunderstorms, sunspots and ionospheric activity can also contribute to some wacky sounds not normally heard. As for the beeps and boops, both 570 and 950 kHz here in DC are frequently stepped on at night by a Cuban time-standard broadcast who repeatedly sends the Morse letters "R R" (.-. .-.). Lastly, you could also be experiencing "heterodyning" where a distant station at the same or adjacent frequency is causing a whistling tone, as that distant station's frequency "beats" against your local one. This is the "whee--oo-oop" effect you see in old military movies when someone is trying to eavesdrop on the enemy's radio transmissions. Hope this was helpful. (10/9/09)

Jay Kendrick hasn't been seen on WBAL for quite some time, since at least June or July. (10/9/09)

"Rush is a racist" GIVE ME A BREAK. "all the players would remember what he said about Donovan McNabb"? WTF...80% of NFL players are border-line illiterates who have no clue who Rush Limbaugh is. ~"kinky-neo-con" (10/9/09)

You’re Invited. Thursday evening, October 29, 2009. for a Halloweeny ROAST* of Jeff Hedges Ronnie Mervis And more!!! a FUNraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society There will be a $100 donation to the National MS Society, and proceeds go to help people who live with MS in the DC area and to fund research for a CURE for Multiple Sclerosis! Dinner is included. Cash bar. (Hey, we’re a charity – and none of the money goes into Chris Broullire’s pocket) Pooks Hill Marriott, Bethesda, Md. (If you live in Virginia, too bad – come anyway) Cocktails start at 6pm - Roast starts at 7pm RSVP to: Patti Cochran 301.758.7178, Jody Lish 301.922.8398, Chris Broullire 202.255.3334/// * These will be funny stories, told by people you know. Face it, you need a laugh right now, and people will be laughing about this one for a LONG time! (10/9/09)

Another ranting Angelos post from an ignorant Washingtonian who probably doesn't even watch the Nationals in the first place. So Nats fans can't find the Nats games because people from Baltimore are smarter than people from Washington? Did I get that right? How else do you explain the Nats poor TV ratings while the Orioles TV ratings are sound? The games are divided up equally on MASN1 & MASN2 and promoted equally as well. Both teams finished in last place in their respective divisions. Yet Orioles TV ratings are good and the Nats are DEAD LAST in MLB! Well thank you for clearing that mystery up, Baltimoreans are officially smarter TV watchers and can find channels while Washingtonians apparently cannot! HAha! By the way, the Nats were going to fire Bob Carpenter at least once already but they couldn't get who they wanted. And Don Sutton wanted to QUIT! Personally I find Carpenter and Jim Hunter both kind of boring cookie cutter broadcasters who are shills for their respective organizations. At least Gary Thorne livens things up a bit with some humor and Buck Martinez and Jim Palmer obviously are more free to speak their minds since both could or already have deals outside of the Orioles & MASN and are not beholden to Angelos. Dibble just doesn't strike me as all that bright or tuned into today's game of baseball. Both Martinez and Palmer, as you can tell from watching them, study the game's minutia. Also keep in mind, Angelos does NOT select the announcers for the Nats. I know the Washingtonian conspiracy theorists are hard at work on that theory, but if you don't like the Nats broadcasts or aren't watching them (as most aren't), you need to look at Lerner, NOT ANGELOS. I do however like the Nats post-game show with Johnny Holiday & Ray Knight and think it's better than the Orioles. Tom Davis is usually rock solid, but Dempsey certainly meanders from time to time and often seems like a clueless rookie broadcaster. But I'll certainly sleep better knowing Baltimoreans are smarter than Washingtonians and can actually find TV channels. Thank You for the compliment! :-) (10/9/09)

Dave, I believe you’ll be interested in a Claude Hall profile of the DC pop radio market from a 1965 issue of Billboard I happened to come across at Google books: tinyurl.com/weamwpgc1... Click on the link at the bottom of the WEAM piece on ‘page 72’ to go to the full factual survey on ‘page 74’. Interestingly, WAVA-FM’s format was listed as ‘Folk Music’ in those days. The comprehensive selection of old Billboards now available at Google books contains a gold mine of radio and music trivia...a good way to idle away one’s time for at least the next six months! Cheers, Mark (10/9/09)

Dave, One more tip: Citadel's payment promptness and completeness to a very major supplier may be not only a major cause of not just a chapter 11 filing, but could result in someone "going back into the radio business"... Citadel's bankruptcy is not only inevitable, but it's going to be full of messy litigation and very drawn-out. It will likely not be "packaged". ABC is also getting a lot of quiet political flack over the programming on the stations they sold to Citadel which still have a strong ABC image/history. A friend in the Obama administration says WMAL is not only still perceived as an "ABC" station, it is also one "of the most liberal talk stations Citadel owns". I can tell you that Citadel suits includes a lot of liberals, but they air the right-wing stuff because it's low-overhead high-margin sometimes with good ratings and demos, if properly sold. (Which WMAL hasn't been for ages.) Also, the banks will only prop-up CC for just so long. The banks are under serious external pressure to raise interest rates while also under political pressure to keep them low, lest credit dry up. This will really get dicey if the Republicans take the Governorship of NJ. There's another tranche coming soon in mortgages combined w/a collapse in the condo markets which will send the banks reeling. This isn't just local. It's national. And, it's going to be much worse elsewhere in the U.S. than here. Finally, there's a record amount of prime and choice spot avails in radio and broadcast and cable TV in the Thanksgiving-Christmas timeframe that are still unsold. I remember a time when we'd have about 50% solidly booked by now. This year, we'll be lucky to see that by Halloween. (10/9/09)

Dave's response: Nehman's a lib. And Grandy's a RINO, Republican In Name Only. Parks, yeah, a real righty. Since everything else on WMAL comes in via satellite, that's 2/3rds of WMAL's local airstaff that ain't real Repubs. Hmmm.....

RE: The Nats' broadcast team. Bob Carpenter is so-so, but pairing him with Rob Dibble was a great move as they complement each other quite well. I could do without Debbie Taylor. To the poster who misses Don Sutton, you're probably the only one. When he and Jim Palmer teamed up during the O's-Nats games, I was surprised that there was enough room in the broadcast booth for both of their egos. Bob and Don were not a good team; Bob and Rob are - and they are better than the Orioles team, especially since the O's announcers vary from day-to-day - it's muscial chairs with Gary Thorne, Jim Hunter, Jim Palmer, Buck Martinez, and who knows who else. And the Nats ratings are low due to not only the team's poor performance, but the MASN deal. Nobody knows where to find the games. MASN? MASN2? The Nats play second-fiddle to not only the Orioles, but all Baltimore teams on Mr. Angelos' Shi--y Network. For example, after the Nats season finale this past Sunday, MASN didn't do the Nats Xtra post-game show because they apparently only have one studio and they kicked Johnny Holliday and Ray Knight out so they could do a Ravens show. Very few people know where to find one or both networks on their TVs - MASN actually took out ads in the Post telling people to find MASN by pushing the channel guide button on their remote control. On the radio side of things, is there any word of a deal that will put Charlie Slowes and Dave Jaegler - one of the best radio duos in baseball - back on an FM station? I love listening to them, and I can listen online at home through mlb.com, but I can't pick up WFED in my car in many parts of Fairfax County after dark. The loss of 107.7 really hurt a lot of people's ability to pick the broadcasts up. They really need an FM flagship station. I can't believe the Caps renewed their deal with Bonneville keeping them on 1500. I hope the Nats can do better... (10/9/09)

I have a question about AM Static?? How come some sound different??? Sunday nite when i was sifting thru AM numbers, some sound like a buzz, Screeeeeeeeeeee and one signal i hear Beeeeeep boooop. (10/9/09)

Concerning the May 22, 1958 official dedication of the WRC Facilities at 4001 Neb Ave which is plugged at DCRTV Plus, you can watch the full streaming video of the first time a POTUS was broadcast on living color TV. And the fascinating story of how the master tape of that event was painstakingly restored thirty-years later is detailed at: QuadVideotapeGroup.com... (10/9/09)

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

/\ October 9 Messages /\

\/ October 8 Messages \/

Corporate Suit writes into the cloud with a meaningless yawner message that corporates/ politicals 'get together'. Actually, we already knew dat. Most of us are not impressed with corporate intrigues and generally want tax dodge parasite blood sucking corporates out of our lives. (10/8/09)

Wow, that Rosalind is a mental midget, isn't she? Because newspapers are quoted in political ads, there's hope for the business...? Seriously, how can the Post print such mindless crap?!? (10/8/09)

Dave...Jim Robinson was NEVER GM at WMAL...just Mix and Smooth Jazz. Chris Berry was WMAL GM. Now all three are under Jeff Boden. (10/8/09)

What's so "inventive" about "WAMU's listen line". Less than 20 years ago radio stations had listen lines (numbers not available to the public) so their corporate suit bosses could keep an eye on them. In comparing that old time technology to just listening online you'll get better fidelity off an internet stream as opposed to a plain old "Ma Bell" copper line! Sometimes the old tin lizzie is better than a horse! (10/8/09)

www.wusa9.com... Ben Ali has passed on but his name and great food live on. (10/8/09)

Just as the web ad for the carwashing cheerleaders has the disclaimer "not actual cheerleaders", Danny-Boy should have one on the jumbotron at Fedex stating "not an actual NFL team". If you're gonna be honest, be honest all the way. (10/8/09)

Interesting how everyone is focusing on Limbaugh's comments about McNabb but overlooking all the other blatantly racist things he's said over the year: saying the NAACP should be training members to rob liquor stores, telling Black callers to put bones in their noses, etc etc etc. I think the NFL owners will let Rush be a minority owner if his group offers the most cash, but if they had an ounce of logical consistency to them, they would not: though he was never convicted, Limbaugh is an admitted drug addict, felon and womanizer. I guess only players are expected to live up to NFL policy. (10/8/09)

Mark Levin is Jewish? Holy Yahweh! His underground bunker isn't the old Alan Prell place is it? Yeah Mark levin is the new William F. Buckley! (10/8/09)

"I disagree with Jim Williams on the Nats broadcast team. While they're a capable group, the Orioles by far have a better announcing team." Are you kidding? I disagree with Jim Williams, too, especially about know-nothings Byron Kerr & Debbie Taylor, but no one in MLB makes more on-air gaffes than Gary Thorne in the O's booth. He makes Jim Hunter palatable. But yes, Jim Palmer is world's better than Rob Dibble who's coming across as somewhat of a dinosaur as far as the game is concerned. (10/8/09)

Jim Robinson was and is without a doubt the best of the best. I am stunned and shocked. There aren't many good ones left anymore. I'm deeply saddened and am hopeful he lands on his feet again soon. I owe a great deal of success in my career to him. (Please withold name and info-thanks.) (10/8/09)

Re: ABC RADIO/CITADEL,Citadel does NOT operate ABC News Radio, and my understanding is it's not a licensing-of-the-name deal. They PAY ABC News for the product; they distribute and get to sell it. CORY (10/8/09)

From the City of Brotherly Love itself: www.philly.com... So McNabb is hardly a slam dunk hall of famer. Notice most people even in Philly said in the poll, "Only if he wins a Super Bowl." Of course when Limbaugh criticized him, McNabb had amassed much less of these stats, so it's kind of disingenuous to slam Limbaugh in hindsight other than for the racial angle he brought to the criticism, which was totally unnecessary. And that's my final word on this off-topic convo since I don't know why I'm even defending Rush, I can't stand the bastard, but he did have a point about the "cause celeb" status of McNabb way back then. (10/8/09)

Jim Robinson was "well liked by all" when he was in sales at ABC/DC. However, once he got into upper management, he changed. He protected his "inner circle" despite the fact that many were lazy and unable to produce a winning product. Maybe the house of cards is about to come tumbling down. (10/8/09)

(RE:) I am going to listen to 830 AM Radio to see if i can hear the Movie Audio from way down here in Fairfax, Fair Lakes area Virginia!!! Will this be a Success or a Failure??? (END) That's a mighty feeble signal you'll be trying to pick up there, Tex. You'll have a chance of success with a highly directional antenna, or a little portable AM with a loopstick that you can rotate. You might get interference from the upper edge of 820 WWFD Frederick, or from over your shoulder you may scrape the lower edge of 840 WHAS Louisville. But I'll keep my fingers crossed that you have a successful evening. Good luck! (10/8/09)

An experiment i plan on doing tomorow nite and Saturday nite!!! Since this is the final weekend until next April for the Bengies Drive-in i am going to listen to 830 AM Radio to see if i can hear the Movie Audio from way down here in Fairfax, Fair Lakes area Virginia!!! Will this be a Success or a Failure??? (10/8/09)

Let me "do the math" for the poster who appropriately signed his name as DUH! Donovan McNabb is one of only six quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for more than 25,000 yards. He is also the least intercepted on a per pass basis of any NFL quarterback ever and is a five-time pro-bowl selection. He holds many other NFL records but I don't want to numb Dave's or the reader's brains with more league laurels. He has been with the Philadelphia Eagles ten years and holds the record for most career wins, most pass completions, most passing yards, and most passing touchdowns. The Eagles have had a winning record every year he has played for them except for 2005 when he was injured and only played in half their games. His Hall of Fame selection is, as they might say on WJFK or WTEM, "a mortal lock." ACH (10/8/09)

Former Washington Times reporter Rob Redding, who runs the online Redding News Review, said in an interview, "While at The Times, I developed important contacts for my scoops and learned how to write a biased story, which helps me recognize biased news. The problem with newspapers now is that no one believes that they're neutral anymore. This lack of neutrality is why papers like The Times, Fox News and talk radio continue to grow and other so called 'nonbiased' news sources continue to see an erosion in their popularity, because old media are not being forthright from the perspective of the people being served. . . . The answer for newspapers is to recognize that the 'news' environment has dramatically changed into a climate where people actually want newspapers to be biased toward their individual perspective." Source: www.mije.org/richardprince... Original interview: www.allaccess.com (10/8/09)

There has to be a Gurvir Dhindsa bobble head doll available for purchase. Her head goes up and down like she knows "EVERYTHING" when it comes to the weather report. Those Geico eyes wrapped around the dollar bills in the commercial, they are Gurvir's eyes!! (10/8/09)

I realize Limbaugh is hated by the left & I can't stand the bastard either, but please take off your Flower Power glasses before discussing sports. McNabb doesn't have a chance in hell of getting in the NFL Hall of Fame! How many NFL QB's have gotten benched for poor play and then gotten in the Hall of Fame? Do me the math please, I can't think of too many. If anything, Limbaugh was proven half-right since that comment. But bringing race into the discussion in the first place was just plain wrong & out of place for a sports event. That's a political discussion, not a sports discussion. But the idiots did hire him for controversy in the first place. Shouldn't they have known what to expect? DUH! (10/8/09)

RE: [ " Ravens Beat Redskins In TV Ratings " ]..... Didn't someone post here recently that The Redskins would ALWAYS be this region's premiere team and most popular? Oh well, so much for that opinion. First, Danny Snyder dumping tickets to ticket brokers, now this. I don't think The Ravens have often beaten the Skins in TV ratings that I can remember before. Between those stories and the "brown bag" story being hushed by Danny Snyder, I think we can officially put that theory to bed finally though, hehe. Oh, in other Bmore vs. DC sports news, The Sun reports that Baltimore has requested the Maryland Stadium Authority to study a proposal to build a 20,000 seat soccer stadium near Camden Yards in an effort to steal the DC United team now that PG County & DC have both basically snubbed the very successful team in its efforts to get a new facility. This is in addition to the 20,000 seat arena being planned currently several blocks from Oriole Park. Finally, I disagree with Jim Williams on the Nats broadcast team. While they're a capable group, the Orioles by far have a better announcing team. I miss Don Sutton on the Nats broadcasts still. And when him and Jim Palmer were both working together on the Nats/O's contests, boy was that a brain trust of baseball knowledge at work. The current Nats broadcasters are just so-so in my opinion, not to mention their TV ratings are dead last in the MLB. (10/8/09)

From your item: "Citadel Media operates ABC News Radio and uses the "ABC News" name under license from Disney....." I'm pretty sure that's not correct. As I understand it, ABC News Radio is still operated as a unit of ABC News (still owned by Disney). Citadel signed a deal to be the exclusive distributor of ABC News Radio for 10 years. That invokes your other source quote, that the money to pay for ABC News Radio comes in from Citadel, through that deal. Thus, that still spells financial trouble for ABC News Radio, even though Disney/ABC still owns it as part of ABC News, and thus, the layoffs being reported. (10/8/09)

/\ October 8 Messages /\

\/ October 7 Messages \/

OK, so David Axelrod of the Obama administration had a meeting with Roger Ailes of Fox News… Is that really surprising? I bet they were discussing future strategy and coordination. Why? Because they need each other. And, they each know it. -Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/7/09)

Limbaugh’s comment was not racist, it was race baiting. There was absolutely no reason to bring race into that conversation and Limbo did it anyway. His comment condemned the sports media by painting a picture of an image that wasn’t there, and then condemned the quarterback because of that image. He does the same thing on his radio show with politics. Next subject; my Catholic priest hates what Sean Hannity says, and told me he actually called WMAL and complained when WMAL moved Chris Core out of afternoons/evening for Hannity’s “garbage.” Does anyone remember Hannity’s early days on WABC when he railed against Catholics who didn’t believe in Jesus’ “immaculate conception?” Several callers said Hannity was wrong, Jesus was not born under Immaculate Conception, and old Sean hung up on each one of them. Then Hannity got a Catholic priest who “reminded” Sean (something he obliviously forgot from all that Catholic school he attended) that it was Mary who was born under Immaculate Conception, and Jesus was “born of the virgin Mary.” Maybe that was the day Hannity stopped going to church. Sean Hannity’s pig headed and confused views can be heard locally on 630 WMAL. Rush Limbaugh’s unfair attacks can be heard also on WMAL (10/7/09)

I hope WBAL television is not planning on a daily "stupid segment" like WTTG was doing for a while. Looks like giggly Sandra Shaw might be exiled, at least in the beta phase, to doing outside liveshots on an idiotic premise. Tony Pann then does the weather. Wasn't he on WBAL before he went to WUSA ? Sure looks comfortable on the set, and he and Sarah Caldwell would make a nice couple. (10/7/09)

Dan Snyder, WTEM, and Redskin cheerleaders coming to your house to wash the car explained: Snyder's wife, Tanya, is a former cheerleader. That sort of explains this fetish, doesn't it? As for Limbaugh, his remarks about Donovan McNabb being overrated because the media wanted a black quarterback to succeed was made in October of 2003. Thus his words has been proven false as McNabb is likely a Hall of Fame player given his play and the records he holds. Limbaugh was being investigated at the time for illegal Oxycontin use so perhaps that could have influenced his remarks except he has made many more such racial/racist snarks since then and if you recited each one, you might think Limbaugh is obsessed with people of color. ACH (10/7/09)

(From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) Radio Anchor - Freelancer. POSITION DESCRIPTION: MarketWatch Radio Network is looking for a freelancer anchor for work starting November 1st and lasting through June 30th of 2010. Must have network and/or major market experience. Must know how to handle tight deadlines, work independently on copy, and file multiple newscasts an hour. Flexibility with scheduling key. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Responsibilities: Will work independently without an editor and is responsible for presenting interesting reports which are accurate, up-to-the-minute, precise and unbiased. Will initiate and conduct telephone interviews with stock market commentators, industry and company brokerage analysts, newsmakers and correspondents, depending on the news flow for the day. Segments may be incorporated into newscasts, podcasts or weekend reports and produced for the Web. Requirements: Bachelor's college degree required 3 plus years at a national broadcast network or major market radio station required Must have on-air delivery acceptable to affiliates Must be able to work a flexible schedule Must know how to handle tight deadlines, write own copy, file multiple newscasts an hour and gather tape on breaking news Must be facile with the use of the Internet as a news gathering resource and be able to scan many Web sites and news sources each hour Candidate must be proficient with PC's and broadcast equipment including a microphone, ISDN unit, minidisk recorder, audio editing software, mixers and a telephone recording system. Contact Alan.Karamehmedovic@dowjones.com. (10/7/09)

The dumbest part of WTEM's "Spongetech" promo is the product itself, which is "so much easier to use." Y'know...for people who find traditional sponges too difficult to use. By the way, Spongetech is nothing more than a normal sponge with detergent pumped into it -- and the price pumped up to about $8 per sponge. After I use mine I like to cuddle up in my leopard skin Snuggie and spend an hour or so using my Neckline Slimmer before laying down to rest my head on my Chillow. (10/7/09)

(regarding a previous post) "If you think that's racist, then you must also think that criticizing the main stream media for too much coverage of President Obama both as candidate and president is also racist." It doesn't matter what I think (or what Rush’s apologists think). The target of Limbaugh's 2003 comments, Donovan McNabb, said at the time: "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal." (10/7/09)

Re: Debbi Taylor: Every time she appeared or was heard, the old Meow Mix jingle played in my mind. Just can't stand the role she plays for the Nat's or Amber for the O's. Nor their voices. Pam Ward would add credibility to the broadcast even if she knew nothing about baseball. (10/7/09)

Jim Williams must have interviewed GW Basketball Coach Karl Hobbs for that piece on MASN & WFED Nationals coverage. Hobbs has been calling the talentless and forgettable Byron Kerr "Bryan Kerr" for years. And for the record it's spelled Dave Jageler not Jagler. And Jim, could you actually pay a little more attention to the Nats radio team? Charlie and Dave must warrant more than an afterthought at the end of an article devoted to how well the broadcast teams did in keeping listener/viewer interest during a 103-loss season. Do you ever get an article correct, you butt-kissing freak? (10/7/09)

I haven't seen anything else about it here but noticed yesterday afternoon that 105.9 has HD again and Smooth/Cool Jazz is back on the HD2 subchannel. Am I the only one in the audience? Cool. (10/7/09)

Dave's response: If WASH 97.1 already has smooth jazz on its HD2, why doesn't 105.9 put its old "True Oldies" format on the HD2? Dumb station.....

I don't like Rush Limbaugh nor do I listen to his show, but let's get something correct. Limbaugh did not make a racist comment about Donovan McNabb, he made a racial comment. There is a difference. He made a politically incorrect statement and criticized sports journalists for giving McNabb way too much credit as 1 of the greatest quarterbacks considering his stats at the time because he was black and stated that if McNabb were not black, he'd not get nearly as much media attention. The comment was typical asshole Rush, but hardly racist. If you think that's racist, then you must also think that criticizing the main stream media for too much coverage of President Obama both as candidate and president is also racist. (10/7/09)

The FOX 43 WPMT story and the lack of the word Amish, this very much reminds me of what I saw on Colorado TV last month when I was in Fort Collins on business. One of their local stations was doing a fluff piece about the current fad among the youth of Fort Collins, Colorado..that being putting a burnt cigar or cigarette behind your ear so they could smoke it later and of course the news report showed a bunch 8th, 9th and 10th graders just a puffin away on their Phillies Blunts and Marlboro Lights...puffing not inhaling the way Lucy & Ricky did with their "Call for Phillp Morris" on I Love Lucy..now they were REAL smokers !! But HELLO...isn't illegal for kids to smoke cigars and cigarettes? The news report I saw didn't mention that part nor did they even bother about how bad such stuff is for one's health ( look what smoking did for Desi Arnaz? ). What was this station scared of by the lack of mentioning those two facts? That they would lose that 15 year old viewer? (10/7/09)

102.7 JACK FM keeps going off the air today. Static--off air, then a tone and about 10 seconds later audio resumes...maybe the wind in Pikesville (10/7/09)

Dave's response: My power's been blinking a bit. The wind hitting those tree branches, which are heavy and still sporting leaves, falling onto power lines.....

How often to you see a story like this in DC on the TV news? "Child Killed by Horse-Drawn Wagon"... www.fox43.com... What's most interesting is the political correctness of the story in not mentioning the word Amish, yet that's plainly obvious to anyone who knows the area. What is FOX43 afraid of? That people might erroneously think all Amish people are out to run over children? (10/7/09)

Sal's Pizzeria Has Nothing on Baltimore Sports Talk Radio www.stetsports.com... Online media and journalism of the citizenry has changed the scope of minority inclusion in journalism, but sports radio in Baltimore is significantly deficient in presenting diverse views and voices. You can take all of the calls from black listeners and feature all of the black athletes that you want; you're still missing a wealth of knowledge, talent and appeal by whiting out the airwaves. (10/7/09)

ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” match-up between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers on Oct. 5 was the most-watched cable telecast ever, reports B&C. The game drew 21.8 million total viewers, topping the 18.6 million viewers who watched ESPN’s Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys game in September of last year, the previous record-holder. The game also beat the broadcast lineup Monday night, with ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” drawing 17.8 million viewers. (10/7/09)

Sean Hannity lied or he sleeps in church! The answer, Sean, about the sermon question, was “marriage.” The Catholic mass calendar had “marriage” to be the focal point of mass last Sunday. But then again, I only know this because I actually attended Catholic mass with my two sons last Sunday. Also, I paid attention. www.huffingtonpost.com... Sean Hannity’s bullcrap can be heard locally on the radio on 630 WMAL. Oh, and speaking of bullcrap, Monday night’s second hour plant caller on Mark Levin’s show played a woman physician against health care reform who told of attending a town hall meeting on health care armed with her copy of “Liberty and Tyranny.” It was like two, TWO, commercials in one! Mark Levin’s crap can also be heard on 630 WMAL. (10/7/09)

What possible reason could there be for the Post to remove the bag pictures? Now, I'm no Snyder fan, but the Post clearly has a "get Snyder" agenda up to an including what at least appears to be orchestrated columns by their columnists (four over a three week period) attacking the team's name. So all of a sudden, the Post is going to say "how high" when Snyder says "jump"? I don't get that at all. (10/7/09)

WH's Axelrod Met With Fox's Ailes - it's amazing. this white house is so thin skinned that they can't stand the fact there is 1 cable channel/network that doesn't worship the ground they walk on or report everything they say as gospel. this is a classic case of the fat kid with a 32-scoop sundae crying because the kid next to him with a 2-scooper has a special kind of spinkle and he doesn't. (10/7/09)

LOL that anyone with a sane mind thinks Limbaugh made "racist" comments about Donovan McNabb. (10/7/09)

Yeah Dave, I too saw that portable digital t.v. at my local CVS and it was going for around $100.. (10/7/09)

"[The] former editor-in-chief of the Towerlight resigned over a flap about an anonymous column about masturbation." (snicker) Her name is Wood! Heh heh heh hehhehehhehehheheh….. B&B (10/7/09)

Dave, last night I was listen to the first half hour of "The Mark Levin Show," as I usually do during the drive home, and he was railing against Wikipedia because, as best I could tell, his entry includes criticisms from David Frum, Dalia Lithwick and other people he branded as "losers." I'm not sure what the rules are about feeding the Wikipedia page/site, but he seemed outraged that he couldn't get the critiques removed and replaced with more laudatory comments about his radio show and published books. Anyone else know the scoop? Christian (10/7/09)

Hey, Thanks for quoting me today on dcrtv.com (the beauty of having shared friends on facebook). Made my day even if there was no credit attached! Judy Plavnick Kiley (10/7/09)

Dave's response: May the above posting remedy that.....

Hey Al (Santos) You missed the WQCB, and we missed you. PLB (10/7/09)

I'm sure that Rush Limbaugh has a shitpot full of money, so obtaining an ownership position in the St. Louis Rams organization won't be a problem for him money-wise, but don't the other NFL owners have some say in the matter? His previous connection to pro football, as a commentator in the ABC broadcast booth, was tainted by his racist remarks about Donovan McNabb. Limbaugh's history, past and recent, in that area certainly won't help - and would likely hurt - and put the kabosh on any deal he has in mind. The NFL doesn't need the headaches that the cigar chomping, fat fuck would inevitably bring, as an team owner. (10/7/09)

stores are still selling radios that are built to pick up tv stations (10/7/09)

Dave's response: And, I have noticed that my local CVS is selling battery-powered portable digital TVs for use in a power outage.....

Carrie Wood, former editor-in-chief of the Towerlight, resigned over a flap about an anonymous column about masturbation. She joins Shari Elliker this morning at 9 a.m. (on WBAL radio)... (10/7/09)

With Tony Pann back at WBAL 11, I wonder if the reason why WBAL 11 didn't renew Neil Estano's contract or attempt to re-sign him is that they knew Tony wasn't going to get renewed at WUSA 9. Funny thing is Sandra Shaw has gotten much better in the meantime and come into her own and she was actually very good as a sub for Kelly on Regis & Kelly. I'm left now wondering who's leaving WBAL TV next as Neil Estano getting cut was sort of described as a budget cut yet WBAL TV now once again has 5 meteorologists! By the way, WBAL TV is now running a new morning news commercial advertising Tony Pann and Sandra Shaw, so I'm guessing both of them are staying. I hope they don't let John Collins go. Ok, I found my answer from WBAL's website, I now notice that it looks like WBAL 11 let meteorologist Jay Kendrick go. He's no longer listed on their website, although his page is still accessible here... www.wbaltv.com (10/7/09)

RE: [ " Comcast is not doing anything wrong. In fact the opposite argument can be presented: Comcast is improving the service by offering 10 TIMES as many channels which more than offsets any hardship induced by the requirement of cable boxes. Incidentally, since subscribers are supposed to be paying per TV outlet, and the TV outlet fee includes rental of said cable box, Comcast can now actually get paid for all those unauthorized analog TV outlets you've been stealing from them all along. Admit it. " ]......... WRONG! That's the biggest phony ignorant bullshit corporate apologist argument I've heard in a long time......... #1... HDTV sets right off the shelf via QAM already offer the 10 TIMES number of channels you referred to WITHOUT ANY CONVERTER BOX! HAHA! So Comcast is NOT IMPROVING THE SERVICE AT ALL so the entire basis for your argument just went down in frikking flames. Sorry, but you obviously do not know what you are talking about at all or you're a Comcast plant or shill on this site. An HDTV set does NOT need a box to get the 10-1 digital to analog signal bandwidth. Comcast floating this myth is nothing but FLAT OUT LYING to consumers & the public (and if Verizon is saying the same thing, they're lying too!). HDTV sets already get more than 10 digital SD channels on 1 analog channel right now as I type this (in fact I think as many as 12)! Comcast is just treating their paying customers like thieves first and making their cable experience more complicated with more boxes and more remotes and hassles that they otherwise wouldn't need other than to order Pay services. And the even more hysterically funny part is Comcast is running a commercial as we speak making fun of Verizon for exactly my same criticism here! Talk about hypocritical scumbags!............. #2... Since when is a paying cable customer who hooks a 2nd TV up to cable without a box a thief? The law & policy changed there buddy. Cable companies haven't required a cable box for quite a long time, they only charge extra for the ones you request and presumably eventually will now. Get out of the pre-cable ready TV 1980s that you apparently are stuck in............. #3... The main reason this is happening is the egregious DMCA law passed by Congress. None of the media companies or networks want their digital signals copied or taped in any unauthorized way. Basically, they are saying, its OUR DVR RULES or the HIGHWAY to you the consumer. These converter boxes are designed to prevent you from recording TV signals digitally other than through Comcast or Verizon's DVRs which do not permit making a digital copy to say a DVD or to a computer in a digital fashion. That's the digital equivalent of telling you your VCR is now disabled and yes that's a new feature so deal with it. How is that an improvement of the service again? That's a fair use issue, theft of cable TV has nothing to do with it. But hell, they're probably already selling these boxes on Ebay already! HAHA!............. #4... The other more hidden reason this is happening is Comcast wants to force ALL its customers to have access to Pay Per View options to increase revenue (I'm sure Verizon has the same motive here as well). Personally, I don't think most parents want their kids to have access to PPV in their own bedrooms or playrooms. Most kids know more about technology than their parents do. There will just be hundreds of thousands of more area kids with access to PORN after this Comcast move. Hell, when I was a kid, I hacked the box to get The PlayBoy Channel. It was simple & that was pre-internet era, I think it was in Computers & Electronics Magazine or something like that. What do you think today's kids will be able to do? LOL........... #5... How can the Congress & the FCC stand by without getting involved and basically let the ATSC & QAM standards and the term "Cable-Ready TV set" basically fall by the wayside and be abandoned? IT'S JUST INSANE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUY A TV SET THAT IS "CABLE-READY" ANYMORE WHEN THERE'S NO TECHNICAL REASON! I'll repeat for the hearing impaired... THE BOXES ARE NOT NECESSARY, THE HDTV SETS CAN ALREADY GET THE DIGITAL CHANNELS!........... #6... I can't wait for the revolt at the senior centers when this change goes through. There's gonna be a hell of a lot of canes being raised in anger at Comcast TVs when they can't find The Golden Girls! :-) (10/7/09)

I think that the City Paper hits the nail on the head regarding 'bag-gate'...Snyder and the Redskins FO had to make a request to the WaPo to remove the pictures. While this is a sad state of affairs, it would have been better to simply remove the entire bog post since it does not make a lot of sense without the graphics. (10/7/09)

One correction to Scott Fybush's excellent pics and write-up on WTOP... "WZAA. There's a pending construction permit to move 1050 from its longtime home on the nearby Sligo Creek golf course to a diplex on one of the 1500 towers." That's not true, at least not according to the current AM 1050 construction permit. The current CP clearly lists the Sligo Creek Golf course site. But maybe the Bonneville engineering folks told Scott something that they've not yet filed in an FCC app? Hmmmm. Great pics by the way! (10/7/09)

“This underground bunker that Mark Levin broadcasts from here in Fairfax, is he comparing his plight to Adolf Hitler?” What plight: the man has a hit radio show listened to by millions, had the honor of working for one of our greatest presidents, Ronaldo Maximus, is a highly acclaimed, best-selling author, a father, an adoring husband and an all around great guy I’d go down any alley with, so skip the rhetoric that borders on Jew baiting, will ya pal? As for this: “I forget did DCRTV mention that O'Meara got married? And is he taking his kids with him to Florida? (10/6/09)” Since Carla dumped Mike “Fatboy Ain’t Slim” O’Misery not too long ago, one can assume that any woman who married this load comes from some arcane village located in the Eastern Front of Russia, will take him for whatever he’s worth these days (which probably ain’t much), and then, like the wise aforementioned Carla, dump his sorry ass: I feel sorry for his kids. (10/7/09)

/\ October 7 Messages /\

\/ October 6 Messages \/

RE: "Weren't Kathy Whiteside and Al Santos doing board work?" Hi everybody! federAl Santos here and yes, I did return to 105.9 to tend the machinery (Like RUK of the Star Trek episode, "What Are Little Girls Made Of"). Dunno if Ms Whiteside was there... if so it was after me! By the way, Charlie Maxx used to do mornings back when 105.9 was still Washington, DC's "Smooth Jazz" juggernaught! Awww, the memories. And a resounding YES!!!!!! That's my voice on the "Allergy Care Center" TV commercial. Lemmie see... what else...? Oh yeah, next year marks my 25th anniversary on the DC airwaves (started off in December of '85 at "Classy 95"... Lisa Baden was an intern there at the time) so, with 25 years under my ever expanding belt, I'll be attending the Washington Quarter Century Banquet... What a long strange trip it's been! PS: Yup! Still drag racing! Best time to date, 13.291 @ 107.50 mph!! WHOO-HOO!!!!! (10/6/09)

"...Also out at 105.9, Charlie Maxx, who did morning traffic and board work....." Weren't Kathy Whiteside and Al Santos doing board work? (10/6/09)

Dave said: "But we're told that it probably should be called "The Real Housewives Of McLean". Meh... if they want some flava, they should consider a Waldorf Walmart Whore Right-Winger Beck & Hannity Lovin' Suburban Mom.... -Silvie- (10/6/09)

This underground bunker that Mark Levin broadcasts from here in Fairfax, is he comparing his plight to Adolf Hitler? I forget did DCRTV mention that O'Meara got married? And is he taking his kids with him to Florida? (10/6/09)

This will go over big - In the 5th largest radio market in the USA where they are TURNING OFF HD stations..... BMW expands HD offering. The German luxury automaker was already equipping two of its 2009 models and three 2010 models with HD Radio as a standard in-dash fixture. Now the mid-size crossover SUV X5 and the mid-size sports activity coupe X6 roll off the assembly line with HD as standard equipment. (10/6/09)

When will the Baltimore ppms come out? Can not wait to see where WERQ ranks they need to brought down a few pegs(my opinion) they have not had competition in 12 years maybe the ppms can do to them what CBS radio refused to do and what Clear Channel (Baltimore)should try to do. (10/6/09)

Dave, so the masturbation story caused a "spurt" of controversy? (10/6/09)

Dave's response: Yes! A gooey, intense, warm spurt!

Regarding Father O'Brian's wandering indecipherable catholic post, it might be alcoholic Irish red wine jiberish, but OMG. I just took a bath and looked down at my clean feet and discovered that I have 'catholic toes' ie crusty yellowing bumpy infections. Dressed up in all the gilded garb and hatted under milticolored lamp shades, the catholic fathers are never funnier than a retard on fire. (10/6/09)

To the poster who is complaining about Comcast's digital transition: get real. The cable companies can run whatever signal they desire over their system. It can be analog, digital, encrypted digital, smoke signals, you name it. Have you heard of AT&T U-Verse? It isn't even a "signal" - it's IPTV which no television can receive. As long as those little cable boxes are free or offered at nominal cost, Comcast is not doing anything wrong. In fact the opposite argument can be presented: Comcast is improving the service by offering 10 TIMES as many channels which more than offsets any hardship induced by the requirement of cable boxes. Incidentally, since subscribers are supposed to be paying per TV outlet, and the TV outlet fee includes rental of said cable box, Comcast can now actually get paid for all those unauthorized analog TV outlets you've been stealing from them all along. Admit it. -Chainsman (10/6/09)

Dave: I thought this headline from NBCWashington.com hilarious: "Local Leads: Barry Hospitalized and Dummy Helps Solve Murder".... Shawn in DC (10/6/09)

I have booked my next Q&A Cafe with Simon van Kempen, star of the "Real Housewives of New York." He's probably the most notorious of all the "Housewife" husbands. It's Nov. 12 at The Georgetown Ritz Carlton. Our first at the Ritz is next Thursday, with Alexandra Wentworth. It sold out in a week. Amazing. Carol (10/6/09)

NBC's Ann Curry Interviews Her "Inspiration" Helen Thomas (10/6/09)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

(regarding a previous post) "Hey, its a legit question, just like the question posed to Don Hewitt about his editing of 'The Uncounted Enemy'". Don Hewitt had no connection to the 1982 CBS documentary, "The Uncounted Enemy". The senior producer of the program was Andrew Lack and the late George Crile was the producer. The editor of the documentary was Ira Klein. The host of the program was Mike Wallace. In 1982, Don Hewitt was where he had been since 1968, heading up "60 Minutes". Other than working for the same network, CBS, Hewitt had no connection to "The Uncounted Enemy". (10/6/09)

Hey Dave, I'm sorry to read about Steve Allan and the others getting canned from the former True Oldies 105.9. When I was in Northern Virginia back in March I used to listen to them as much as I listened to WERQ out of Baltimore. When I listened to True Oldies online on 850wref.com I wish they would run those Catholic grave yard commercials that 105.9 used to always run (smile!) (10/6/09)

Dave's response: They still run 'em on Citadel sister WMAL, plus ads involving just about every disease on the planet.....

ABC layoffs included 13 year veteran ABC radio correspondent Pam Coulter (with many earlier years at CBS and WTOP, and nearly all tape editors and desk editors. There is a skeleton staff now in D.C. Rumor is it is because of the likely implosion of Citadel, which contractually owes money to ABC to continue carrying its product after they bought the ABC radio stations. If Citadel goes bankrupt, the contract is void and the money stops flowing to ABC. (10/6/09)

"Layoffs At ABC Radio - 10/6 - Incoming. We're hearing about "massive layoffs" at ABC Radio in DC and NYC. More soon....." Since when did ABC radio come back? Please let me know so I can go back to work there. (10/6/09)

Channel 4 has been the longtime news favorite in town and if Leno’s poor numbers don’t bring them down at 11PM, nothing much will. ABC7 is strong, but it appears they have some internal decision making issues. “Interim anchors” and a potpourri of fill-ins does allow for any consistency. When Doreen is gone, you know Wendy will be there. Channel 9 is full of fluff, young reporters and specialized segments that cater to niche groups. The junk on the morning show sidebar is pure clutter. Fox5 already looks prematurely dated and lacks originality as does 9. (10/6/09)

-------WUSA President and General Manager Allan Horlick downplayed the bad news yesterday, saying Channel 9 is in wait-and-see mode. "I don't think there's anything definitive to be learned yet," Horlick said. -------- Hey Allan, what does that mumbo jumbo mean!? CBS is in first place at 10-11, then half the people switch the channel and the other half can’t find the clicker! It means you suck and you can’t figure it out yet? Your anchors are the worst on TV, that is what it means. Hire a PR guy so you don’t shoot yourself in the foot anymore. You should be fired! That’s what it means. (10/6/09)

Jim and Doreen will be the king and queen of local news as long as they are a team together. Here's the problem with WJLA: They waited almost 3 YEARS to ''officially'' announced Kathleen Matthews replacement and both Ms. Simpson and whoever that blonde is are both horrible anchors and are there simple because they're attractive. Anyone ''offended'' by that last statement should try sitting through a newscast by either. WUSA doesn't even register because it's unwatchable. FOX5 is just salacious and sleazy. 4 will always dominate because people are used to the anchors and have certain attachment to them while the others play musical chairs with increasingly empty headed anchors. Paul (10/6/09)

Tony Pann at WBAL Channel 11? Why did they fire Neil Estano, then? To try a Sandra Shaw experiment? -pipette (10/6/09)

ref; "Am I reading this right? Comcast is dropping the analog signal so all TV's will require a box of some type?" Yes you read that right. You should have gotten something in the mail. The analog signal will be discontinued in two phases, the first on November 30th. Comcast will send you digital converter boxes via UPS for free. The boxes are smaller than the standard cable box. You also should have been assigned a unique password and when you hook up your boxes, which takes about a minute, you call Comcast to activate the boxes. (10/6/09)

Hi, guy: Regarding your news item that "Mo'Nique Starts BET Show" and your mention that she also stars in the upcoming movie "Precious", which is getting Oscar buzz, check out this article in the NY Daily News: www.nydailynews.com... Rudy Brewington, Former Journalist (10/6/09)

Can anyone explain why [deleted]'s non-compete with CBS runs through next year while Mike's apparently runs out in Dec. '09? Weren't they represented by the same agent? And didn't their contracts run concurrently? In the same vein, why does Kirk McEwen's non-compete run so long? Tom In Wheaton (10/6/09)

Dave's response: The talent contracts for the former WJFK afternooners did run concurrently, but do have different expiration dates, quite obviously.....

Does your station carry Don Imus on radio and if so, where can I find this station? (10/6/09)

I was working on the air in Reading, PA in 1966 when WFIL came "Alive". I listened to the boss jocks run WIBG outta town. The death of Jim Nettleton reminds me of many other great jocks that have passed on since their days at Famous 56. Dr. Don Rose, Jay Cook and Jim O'Brien come to mind. More recently, I heard Jim Nettleton on WARX in Frederick/Hagerstown (doing his show from a home studio). On a few occasions, I visited the WFIL studios and once watched King George Michael in action. Over the years, I've listened to many Top 40 radio stations across the country. I would have to say that Philly's WFIL was at the top of the heap! (10/6/09)

Not exactly local, but since WRC RF channel 48 is co-owned… Looks like corporate shuffling has begun at Universal. Universal chairmen Marc Shmuger and David Linde have supposedly been ousted after three and a half years. My sources tell me Universal Studios President Ron Meyer will promote Marketing chief Adam Fogelson, to chairman, and production president Donna Langley to co-chairman. I wonder if there may be similar changes afoot at the peacock network??? –Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/6/09)

Am I reading this right? Comcast is dropping the analog signal so all TV's will require a box of some type? www.washingtonpost.com (10/6/09)

Dave. Was that a slip of the editor's keystrokes, or was that intentional editing? Hey, its a legit question, just like the question posed to Don Hewitt about his editing of "The Uncounted Enemy". That program, and the legal action stemming from it, with the Benjamin Report following, are the proof of liberal bias in media. You combined my post about the Washington Post and Redskins, with another one about anal rape. I never mentioned anal rape. Please fix that and separate the two posts. Thanks. (10/6/09)

Dave's response: Any time anyone needs to reference a posting here in the Mailbag, please send me a complete copy of the particular post in question so I can check it out. By the way, we did have some upload problems on Monday evening. You may have received a screwed-up or partly uploaded version of the Mailbag page that could have caused several posts to appear to have become merged.....

/\ October 6 Messages /\

\/ October 5 Messages \/

Yeah...the Penis making a protest about any post is a real gem. He is a troll, which thankfully most ignore. Like Tom Gavin, he adds nothing to any dialogue. Boor and boar, he fits both the bill for both. For the record, the hostess was a relative of Tom Gavin's, so he could hardly be denied. (10/5/09)

I'm glad to see "Imus in the Morning" back on TV. It's too bad that the program is on a shitty channel like Fox Business Network, but then, there weren't too many options, channel-wise. Roger Ailes will probably seed the show with lots of Fox talking heads from its other channels and shows. Hopefully, the program will still be watchable. (10/5/09)

Yes, Jim Nettleton did mid-days on WARX for several years from his home studio in Cherry Hill, NJ. He also pioneered voice tracking in the early 70's on WCAU-FM in Philadephia where mid-days was voice tracked every day and all of the jocks - Long John Wade, Joe Niagara, Jim and myself - tracked all of the weekend shifts. Jim was a creative genius in the production studio, a programming wonk who did his homework and who brought out the best in everyone who was privileged to work with him. I first met Jim in 1972 and we worked together on 'CAU-FM, WUSL (U.S. 1) and more recently during his years on Oldies 106.9 FM. He was a true professional as a broadcaster and an incredibly loyal friend through those many years and different circumstances. Jim's friends and family will gather for a Memorial service at the Alloway Funeral Home, 315 E. Maple Avenue (at Cove) in Merchantville, NJ on Friday, October 9th at 6PM. Gene Manning (10/5/09)

“Anti-Catholic is the 'preferred' bigotry over anti-Christian. Often anti-Christian has a catholic angle.” Well, “anti-Christian” would always include being bigoted against Catholic, Protestant, even Greek Orthodox (one could even argue Mormons are Christians, but not really) religions as all are Christian religions. Since Catholicism – over, say, certain Protestant religions – is apostolically “pro-life” (anti-abortion for those of you in the MSM) and opposes homosexuality as a “lifestyle” let alone within the sanctity of marriage, the MSM usually condemns or cites the Catholic faith when these matters are opposed and Catholics are often labeled “bigots” for their beliefs (but somehow Muslim & Jewish faiths are not labeled “bigots” against pigs for distaining from pork). So a Christian most certainly can be (as many Protestant religions, especially “born again Christians” tend to be) “bigoted” toward Catholics but Catholics cannot possibly be “anti-Christian”, only “anti-Protestant” or anti-other religions. Yours in Christ: Father O’Brien (10/5/09)

Does anyone here know the name "The Mighty Penis"? It is the name of the boat where radio shock jock Johnny Crunch lives in the movie The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. Crunch is a friend of Ford from back in Brooklyn and works at KDRT, an L.A. station that runs a contest where folks answer their phone saying "Hit paydirt with K-dirt" for a chance to win a prize. (great movie btw) Robert, Arlington (10/5/09)

How is it that the Washington Post can find time to report on the private affairs of faith, and yet miss this story from a sister publication. I am suprised that with all the longwinded posts of political bent here, no one has mentioned this. www.newsweek.com.... I don't get the dead tree post and did not see it in the online version either. This is what the Post should be finding time to communicate,,or perhaps they are intentionally trying to keep it off the local radar. This is news. Religion is not. No wonder circulation is down. They have so little of any relevance anymore... (10/6/09)

Did I seriously just see someone post that they wished anal rape on someone else? Jesus Dave, get rid of crap like that. There is absolutely no excuse for that on this site. Just plain immature and disgusting. (10/5/09)

Dave's response: Anal rape references are OK in the season finale of "Entourage".....

The FCC should step in and force VERIZON, COMCAST, COX, DISH, & DIRECTV, etc. to support the existing DTV standard that the FCC created. The notion that a brand new HDTV set w/ ATSC & QAM capability will not support any basic cable/satellite TV service soon is just plain ridiculous and should not be allowed or be legal, especially since the companies often are charging extra for these boxes whether explicitly or implicitly. This should be illegal. If not the FCC, then Congress should step in. This is clearly against the "fair use" concept. This DMCA law has run amuck again. Did the media companies not learn anything from the lesson with music copy protection? It failed, so people found ways to steal the content. People want easy control of their content that they are paying for, not tons of copy protection, encryption, and limitations or to be treated as thieves. Somebody needs to put a stop to this mess. I may very well go back to an antenna over having 4-5 boxes/converters and remotes floating around my house in addition to the 8 remotes I already have. Plus, I can easily view or steal most of the cable/satellite content off the internet now and just play it on my HDTV set directly, nob converter box needed. Do they think that people won't start doing this just like they did with music? This is just plain NUTS! Especially because there is no technical limitation or reason for encrypting every single cable/satellite channel that people are paying for other than pure GREED and stupidity! The HDTV sets are technically capable of receiving all of this content right off the SHELF! Of course Pay content would require a box, but for just Basic cable or satellite, this is just crazy copyright law run amuck. Just wait until the elderly people at the senior centers have to learn how to use these new boxes/remotes just to watch 2 or 3 channels. This transition could actually be more traumatic than the OTA DTV transition! (10/5/09)

"If you see a message that's in poor taste or unfair to someone, contact us and it will be removed." ---ThePenIsMightier" ---Oh that's rich...the biggest offender of it is crying about it....tough shit Penis...deal with it you douche. (10/5/09)

To the poster who wrote "why in the hell is Tom Gavin at anything remotely close to a social gathering/party??? How does that thing sneak in anyhow? No chance he's invited" I wish anal rape on you. Dave, a wise man once wrote: "If you see a message that's in poor taste or unfair to someone, contact us and it will be removed." ---ThePenIsMightier (10/5/09)

1. Anti-Catholic is the 'preferred' bigotry over anti-Christian. Often anti-Christian has a catholic angle. 2. WJFK probably did away with their pre and post game show either because of a lack of advertisers, which is the likely reason, or possibly due to some form of cease and desist from an interested owner of copyright. (10/5/09)

Is anyone else not getting HARO updates? I think my last one was Thursday or Friday. (10/5/09)

Dave's response: What the hell is a HARO?

Sylvie makes ONE post a few days ago. Multiple posts about Sylvie...but SHE is the stalker? Mr Pot, quit calling Mr. Kettle black (10/5/09)

Does anybody know when we will see the first set of monthly numbers for Baltimore and the PPM? (10/5/09)

Dave's response: By early 2010.....

Hey Dave, Any word on the streets about Mike O’Meara coming back to radio? I haven’t heard anything about him in a while. (10/5/09)

Dave's response: I believe that Mike is still under contract to CBS Radio through December. There were some rumors that he'd be moving to Florida and doing a national podcast-based show from there come next year. I just can't see Mike landing at any local station in the DC market. There just isn't much of a broadcast radio market for his kind of "guy talk" any more.....

Wasn't Jim Nettleton also heard on Frederick's dearly missed oldies' station, WARX, thanks to voice tracking? (10/5/09)

I love the troll comment about how the only bigotry the left likes is "anti-Christian/Catholic." First of all, the justices have every right to go to a mass. If they were invited and accepted, fine. I do agree, that I wonder just how that translates as "news." Then again, we've seen the religious coverage over the past several years by conservative media prove itself to be biased toward Christianity, with a little lip service to Judaism, when it's necessary. Anytime someone mentions God, or prayer, it becomes a sound bite. To me, that is really trivializing a person's faith, regardless of what that faith may be. I am not a Christian, but I have no dislike, disdain nor disrespect toward the faith, or anyone's. It is each person's business, and TV, radio and the rest ought to just let it be that way. Of course, it is an emotional issue, and emotion quite often drives the media, rightly or wrongly placed. The RCL (10/5/09)

RE: football on FOX, the sound is always distorted? Via DirecTV, the audio on both 10 yr old tubes might be fine then start a slow buzzing/popping sound reminding me of when vehicles used generators rather than alternators. Only noted on Fox national/regional sports programming. Larry in Leonardtown (10/5/09)

Proof that DCRTVers don’t really read posts: “Exactly what is wrong with Supreme Court justices attending a mass? They were invited guests.” And: “The post was offensive. It has absolutely nothing to do with local media. There was no reason to allow the post, except that it agrees with your own views. Pull it, or allow all political posts. God Damn you for your hypocritical allowance on the posting of such invective.” Jesus: I was MOCKING the AP VIA THE WASHINGTON “LOCAL POST covering this as a “news”, not criticizing the Supremes for attending mass. Please READ and THINK about posts, not jump to conclusions based upon your feeble eyes. And please: no swearing on DCRTV’s mailbag. (10/5/09)

Re: Tom Gavin "play a little air-cane(guitar) to a ZZ Top song, then hog the microphone for a few seconds before they cut him off." --It fantastic that his diva like schtick only lasts a few seconds before people get sick of him....But my biggest question here is why in the hell is Tom Gavin at anything remotely close to a social gathering/party??? How does that thing sneak in anyhow? No chance he's invited..... (10/5/09)

Someone told me our friend Silvie in Waldorf was on the air on the big hour with Grandy & Andy last Thursday or Friday. Did you hear that! Silvie called in to one of the shows that replaced The Chris Plante show on WMAL. Let me ask everyone here; is Silvie calling the G&A Big hour considered “radio stalker adultery?” I can see Silvie calling other shows in different timeslots, but the 9;00 AM hour on WMAL should have been sacred to her. But then again, now that Chris Plante is off the air, maybe it is time for Silvie to move on with her life and find a new radio love. Speaking of WMAL, they said “tell a friend Sean Hannity is on 630 WMAL.” So, Dave, “Sean Hannity (and all his bullsh*t) is on 630 WMAL.” (10/5/09)

Dave's response: Yeah, I think I heard her. She's calling herself "Silvie From Alexandria".....

These new Comcast TV spots are absolutely hilarious! "Verizon was too hard to deal with...Their DVR is too complicated to learn...they didn't know what they were doing." Has anyone told Comcast, "Physician, heal thyself?" FiOS must REALLY be eating away at Comcast's customer base for them to be mudslinging insults at Verizon. I had Comcast for 10 years, then Dish Network for two years and now FiOS and I love it! Comcast charged twice as much for about a third fewer channels. My parents were Comcast customers for 27 years (going back to when they were called Caltec Cablevision) and they just switched to FiOS too. Don't get me wrong, Verizon is just as big a corporate entity as Comcast, they're just have a much better product than Comcast and they're more affordable...for now. Greg in Reisterstown, MD. (10/5/09)

(RE: football on FOX, the sound is always distorted?) I dunno, I watch Fox football via DirecTV as well and the sound is fine via HDMI to a big HD set, and also via video/audio outputs to older sets. I got a different complaint though - watching WRC Ch-4 the lip-sync is TERRIBLE when they run HD network programming. This happens to the 7PM network news, anything in primetime, and the Sunday Night Football. This is via DirecTV ---> HDMI cable ---> LG widescreen. When they drop back to standard definition for local news etc everything is fine, it happens when they carry network HD programs. No Lipsync problems on the other DirecTV HD channels. Someone please fix! (10/5/09)

Dave's response: My Vizio HDTV has a "lip sync" option on the audio menu for that occasional digital channel where the audio and video don't quite match.....

Everybody knows that the only acceptable bigotry to the left is anti-Christian/Catholic bigotry. Why should this board be any different. (10/5/09)

RE: Brown Bags..I guess that PRICK SYNDER doesn't want a crowd full of anonymous spenders or anything that resembles the old days in New Orleans. Unless he felt it was a security issue. Little bastard has to have control of everything. That’s why I can no longer attend such a SUCKFEST. If they're winning it's great but when they look as bad as they did yesterday I'll watch it on the Tube. As to the distorted sound mentioned by another poster I too noticed it and I have FIOS. I believe it has to do with the parabolic microphone's they use close to the field to create that almost there feeling...Plus you get to hear an occasional F-Bomb which is always great IMO.... A.M.F from delmarva........ (10/5/09)

Can someone tell me why when watching football on FOX, the sound is always distorted? Every weekend now, I have had to turn to another channel to watch something else because I cannot understand anything they are saying. I have Direct T.V. Is there anything I can do? (10/5/09)

re: brown bags at FedEx...The Junkies on JFK mentioned it this morning. They said bags were confiscated at the gate and that there were trash cans full of them. According to a caller, one fan, who snuck one in, was pounced on immediately by three security men when he put the bag over his head...Too bad they can't have them working on directing traffic in the parking lot! (10/5/09)

Kudos to Channel 11. The Tony Pann era has officially begun, therefore, Baltimore viewers will not be subjected to Sandra Shaw's "Valley-Girl-Meets-Hampden-Hon" voice & hideous outfits as the station's primary morning weather interface. Sandra? Well, she's back to the morning "human nature" stories with a hint of weather thrown in. I still miss the days with Neil Estano, but hope they don't tinker with this lineup, b/c it goes from bad to worse if Marty Bass is the next best option. Brian in Towson (10/5/09)

I was watching Imus this morning on FBC. There was an imposter on this morning doing sports. He was claiming to be Warner Wolf. I remember Warner from WTOP. This was an old guy with grey hair. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (10/5/09)

Dave's response: Sad to say, but Warner Wolf is now an old guy with grey hair - and dentures!

Regarding the Comcast digital changeover: you should be advised that while Verizon FiOS supports QAM, there are a precious few channels accessible on QAM. Nearly all of the channels are actually scrambled/encrypted on FiOS except for some (not all) of the channels you can get with an antenna. -Chainsman (10/5/09)

Can anyone confirm a report on Fox 5 last night that stadium security confiscated paper bags when people entered FedEx? I would not expect the TV coverage to show this unless there was a huge showing and the game had really turned out badly for the Redskins. (10/5/09)

WE JUST WANT TO THANKS EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO THE STUDIO SKATE PARTY THIS PAST SATURDAY! IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. THANKS TO MITCHELL'S MARTIAL ARTS (FORMALLY SKATELAND), CONRAD & THE CREW, AMY, TRACY, DEE-LITES DAD, VICTORIOUS MUSIC, THE ENTIRE STUDIO CREW, AND EVERYONE WHO HELPED OUT!! 100% OF SATURDAYS PROCEEDS WENT TOWARDS GIVING DESERVING DELMARVA KIDS THE CHRISTMAS THEY DESERVE. IT WAS SO PACKED, WE HAD TO CUT THE DOOR OFF SO WE DIDN'T GET SHUT DOWN. WE'RE SORRY IF YOU COULDN'T GET IN, BUT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING THE NEXT STUDIO SKATE PARTY...SO KEEP LISTENING TO YOUR OLD SCHOOL AND NEW HOME FOR THE TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW, STUDIO 106-1 & 95-3 (10/5/09)

"I read this AP story by an unknown but obviously female writer via WASHINGTON’S WASHINGTON PEST WEB SITE HERE IN WASHINGTON covering six of The Supremes attending – gasp – a “Roman Catholic” church" How did Diana Ross sound? Were they singing in the choir or what? --Chris in DC (10/5/09)

Where is Dave Durian? He hasn't been mentioned or heard from all morning on "his" news show that began at 5, and now it's 8... (10/5/09)

Agree 100% with the comment about having Joe T. alone from 8-10am on Monday - I think that he brings a lot of knowledge and insight, but why not give him a partner? Frankly, I wish that Andy Pollin and Kevin Sheehan would stay on for at least another hour. How many people are actually listening at 6 or 6:30am? Plus, I was really hoping to hear Czaban's comments since you don't get to see much of him anymore. It would be great if CSN could put him back on the post-game show. (10/5/09)

When a Neighbor Dies a Stranger to the Neighborhood - Today my column is about the last Friday's house fire in Georgetown: www.nysocialdiary.com... Carol (10/5/09)

Thoughts and prayers to Jim Nettleton's family, but am I the only one that notices the typo in that WFIL 56 ad you have displayed on the website - "Nettleon" - isn't there a T missing? R.I.P. Diamond Jim Nettle(t)on. - D.J. (10/5/09)

Dave's response: My family lived in the Philadelphia area until 1972. As a kid, I spent much time listening to the "top 40" radio war between WFIL, 560 AM, and "Wibbage" WIBG, 990 AM. And Jim Nettleton was one of the "boss jocks," along with former NBC4er George Michael, on the old "Famous 56." Yup, those cool radio days are fading fast.....

I just saw a pix of Charlie Carson from the awards. Hey, if you see this, I'm Charlie WIlson who worked for HBO and helped out at WASH with the new EBS boxes in the mid 70's. Would like to catch up. I'm at the BBC at 2000 Mst. now. You can email me at chazow@gmail.com. Charlie Wilson, BBC World News America (10/5/09)

"I saw Tom Gavin at house party this weekend in Vienna, Virginia. It was kind of sad, as he seems like a shadow of his former ample shadow." ---He still thinks he's a swinging dick over at Fairfax Public Access, that's for sure. Emphasis on THINKS. He's garnered the name Tom Geronimo for a reason, don't ya know.... (10/5/09)

In honor of Maryland Public Television's 40th Anniversary, an old "Maryland Center For Public Broadcasting" logo (from a label), used from the station's beginnings in 1969 until 1984, when the organization changed to MPT. A 1970's on-screen version of the logo (from an episode of "Wall $treet Week") can be seen here: (begins at the 1:07 mark). (10/5/09)

Well Comcast can kiss my ass and say goodbye to me as a customer if they switch to All Digital and require those clunky easy to break remotes and pain in the ass cable boxes in every single room of my house. According to The Post, Verizon supports QAM which is on all HDTV sets & existing DTV converters, but Comcast is not going to support QAM. That really sucks. BaBYE Comcast, don't let the door hit ya in the ass. I'll switch to Verizon if that is true. Verizon should start running a commercial with 2 turtles that can't figure out how to use their clunky Comcast cable box & remote or hookup the damn thing up. That would be funny, or they could use that same fat cable guy they're currently using to make fun of Comcast. Priceless! (10/5/09)

Exactly what is wrong with Supreme Court justices attending a mass? They were invited guests. They were not students, aka hostages, in a classroom, being preached at against their will and being forced to take tests on subjects against their own beliefs. That post, going after SC members for attending a Roman Catholic mass is perhaps the single most discriminatory and biggoted comment seen here in quite some time. Just what the hell is wrong with a member of the Jewsih faith being a guest in another house of worship? I persoanlly have taken part in seders and been a guest of both Islamic and Eastern Rite services. Isn't that sort of ecumenical brotherhood just what Obama preaches? The post was offensive. It has absolutely nothing to do with local media. There was no reason to allow the post, except that it agrees with your own views. Pull it, or allow all political posts. God Damn you for your hypocritical allowance on the posting of such invective. (10/5/09)

/\ October 5 Messages /\

\/ October 4 Messages \/

Well, it looks like another smooth jazz station bit the dust...this time in Detroit, V98,7, WVMV was killed off to make room for another fucking CHR format. Is there any room at all for smooth jazz in ANY market anymore? I can't think of one that actually has a smooth jaz station. We don't need any more of the new music. there's way too much room made for it in every market. Terrestrial radio sucks....I've given up on it. (10/4/09)

OBSCURE CULTURAL REFERENCE ALERT: Sunday Oct 4 ("ten-four") is/was National CB Radio Day. I don't believe anyone has celebrated it since 1977. (10/4/09)

I saw Tom Gavin at house party this weekend in Vienna, Virginia. It was kind of sad, as he seems like a shadow of his former ample shadow. He did manage to get on stage with the band for a few moments and play a little air-cane(guitar) to a ZZ Top song, then hog the microphone for a few seconds before they cut him off. But, mostly he was sitting and eating, as he has great difficulty even walking around. For over 20 years his exploits in being a world class nuisance and radiophile have endeared him to some, and made him a cruel punch-line for others on the local scene. Now that JFK has flipped format there is no need to entertain Tom Gavin, after all it's sports talk now, and goofing on a mentally challenged individual doesn't really fit the bill. Like all things and all people, his time has come and gone. (10/4/09)

I read this AP story by an unknown but obviously female writer via WASHINGTON’S WASHINGTON PEST WEB SITE HERE IN WASHINGTON covering six of The Supremes attending – gasp – a “Roman Catholic” church: don’t this constitute stalking and invasion of privacy? “Five of the six Roman Catholics on the high court - Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor (who is God knows what), Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy and Samuel Alito - heard the homily by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo; the sixth, Justice Clarence Thomas, (wisely) did not attend. Justice Stephen Breyer, who is Jewish (oh, thanks for that), was there as well. “ www.washingtonpost.com... What: no Ginsburg? Look forward to AP’s coverage next Saturday of Ginsburg & Breyer attending temple. (10/4/09)

czabe.blogspot.com... This is Czaban's immediate response on the EA hotel video conspiracy. It wasn't very hard to find when Googling. (10/4/09)

Strange that WJFK would give up their pregame and postgame Redskin shows after only two weeks. I actually preferred their post game show over WTEM's while it lasted but mysteriously last week they started running a 4:15 NFL game that no one cares about. Speaking of WJFK vs. WTEM I don't understand what WTEM is doing by having their "Monday Morning Quarterback" show on from 6am to 8am and then putting Joe Thiesman on by himself from 8 to 10. He seems lost by himself and badly needs someone as co-host. Its a shame that they told Andy Poley to stay home until 4pm. Now he gets to call in from home and sometimes makes it clear that he is not happy with that assignment. Over at WJFK I am really getting to like Mike Wise but things get bad at 2pm when Lavar comes on. His feigned anger at the Redskin organization is not believable and he continues to mutilate the language. And finally I assume t hat WJFK has given up on that kid that they had on Saturday mornings. For the last two weeks they have had network programming. (10/4/09)

have you heard any scuttlebutt about a proposed walk out by NABET during tonight's NBC football game? I have received info that the union wants a contract bad enough to walk. If they do, they'll get locked out and never work again, much to the joy of GE and NBC/Uni's new owners. (10/4/09)

Dave's response: We got a few posts on it yesterday.....

Do the Washington Redskins now produce everything related to the mighty ones on channel 4? (10/4/09)

Czaben has deleted a blog post at czabe.blogspot.com. (read it in the google cache) In the article Czaben basically said Erin Andrews did it (peep hole video) to herself. He was like a 9/11 Truther. Now that the FBI has made an arrest will Steve apologize on Monday, deleting the rant without comment is weak. (10/4/09)

Back in the mid 70's I can remember watching the late Jerry Turner on Baltimore's WJZ-TV calling the then local Baltimore economy "a deep depression". In December 1982, WRC-TV's Jim Vance went on the air to say the same thing about DC's economy at the time while I believe it was around the same time when WTTG was sponsoring a job fair to help people find jobs as the TV promo said "..in our current depression" so yes the media has in the past used the term "depression" whenever the economy had isues but they aren't the only ones. Remember when the economy went into a recession in 1991? "....the downturn of 1991 is worse than the 1930's..we really are in a serious depression.." Donald Trump made that claim on CNN at the time. Then there was Dick Clark's making claims about America being a depression in 2005 when his restaurant "Dick Clark's American Bandstand Grill" was shutting down a bunch of their locations around the nation over poor sales. Of course Clark didn't mention about his company Dick Clark Productions rather questionable decision making about locations such as turning down Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Washington DC and even Charles Town Races & Slots for a location of his restaurant in favor of other "bigger tourist regions" like Indianapolis, Salt Lake City and Overland Park, Kansas ( Indianapolis and Overland Park has more tourists than Baltimore or DC ? ). I guess using a claim such as "..oh the serious depression we are in" makes things look better not too mention covering up ones own mistakes. No until the time comes when the government comes out and says "we are in a depression right now", whenever I hear anybody in the media saying that word, its just an opinion and nothing more. (10/4/09)

Re: "The Depression"....3000 people trying to get a back office job? Same thing happened in Pittsburgh with WTAE-TV only they received 6000...but this was in 1999 !!!! How many people were using the term "depression" in 1999? The thing to remember about broadcasting..well quite a few "things" actually. Broadcasting has never been a business that was "easy" to get into for most people not to we are talking about a biz where there are far more people WANTING to get into than the actual number of jobs that there are available. It has always been that way. The large number of people looking for work? Always been that way too even in the best of times. Nah, whenever I hear people moan about "..oh my god..we are in a depression..." I tell them to go to the local library and read old newspapers from the 1930's, the stories of people killing themeselves ( and their families ) because they were out of work. True the same thing, and sadly is happening today but if one reads many of these current stories such as the "laid off man kills family" or whatever it is usually followed in the same story with a line such as "...according to his former employer the man was fired because he had called in sick 15 days in a row" or that woman that I had read about recently who had punched out her boss, got fired and went home only to kill herself, yet the headines of those stories say "..Laid Off Man/Woman shoots themselves because of the economy !!!". "Laid-off" eh? Hey if I punched my boss in the mouth, safe bet to say I would be fired too but the media makes these stories as "economy related" to get ones attention. But going back to broadcasting, yes it is in a current mess right nowand sadly many people who have lost their jobs are still off the air but I still wouldn't go as far as post this as I have seen before on this site "....the radio stations aren't hiring right now". Depends on how one looks at it. For those who had spent years in the biz, it is a bad time for them to be looking for a job right now but IMO what is hurting the broadcasting business even more than the economy right now is the stations who actually are hiring, like that CHR station in the midwest who recently hired a bunch of announcers but the thing is..not one of them ever worked in radio before and we are talking about a station in a large market too. Rather than paying big bucks for the likes of Jack Diamond or the Sports Junkies, if CBS/Citadel could get away with getting rid of them and replace them with some kid right out of high school and pay them on the cheap chances are they will, if CBS/Citadel would be willing pay them at all ( a buddy of mine owns a radio station in Pennsylvania and lately he has been getting offers from kids who are willing to work at his station FOR FREE !! ). In other words many companies today want cheap young people rather than to pay more money for the experience can we say "sea change ? I believe somebody in the past had used that term some months back on DCRTV in describing the current state of broadcasting. I believe his name was Dave Hughes. (10/4/09)

I have been monitoring 107.3 HD-2 where Citadel is simulcasting 630 AM WMAL. I have a full-strength signal at all times on this and other HD stations using a 110-mile TV/FM antenna with a TV/FM inline amplifier. On 107.3 HD-2 the audio skips regularly every couple of minutes. It does not appear to be the signal in my location because 107.3 HD-1 never drops to analog and I have a full HD signal. In addition, just before the audio dropout, the voice of the talker gets a little lower in pitch and the SBR (treble signal) goes away. Is anyone else experiencing audio skips and dropouts on 107.3 HD-2? -Chainsman (10/4/09)

Dave's response: I often listen to WMAL via 107.3's HD2 and do hear the audio dropouts. Very common.....

dave, a couple of extra shots... sharon and charlie carson, dave arlington and carolee duckman.... tom buckley and jeff barron... (tom always takes the pictures and produces videos for the evening but never gets in a shot himself..he deserves it)... It was a fun evening and very deserving for Ed who accepted his award graciously before a full house. Thanks, Bob Duckman (10/4/09)

Dave's response: I've just added the pics to the WQCB 2009 page.....

On WMAL, Mark Levin devoted two sentences to Mark Sanford's affair but devoted 45 minutes to David Letterman's affairs. Sanford was married at the time of the affair, Dave, though shacking up with a woman, was not "married" at least most of the alleged time, and we don't know what the conditions were on the show biz relationship. Both Dave and the governor went public and both showed little or no remorse. Dave had no kids or a preschooler at the times of his affairs, Sanford has a slew of sons to embarrass. Dave holds no elected office and Sanford is the Republican governor of a bible belt state. Dave has displayed no moral or religious convictions, where Sanford associated himself with a group of self righteous and born again elected officials with creepy frat boy mentalities. Which subject would have made "great radio" Sylvie? (10/4/09)

The reason I use the term "Depression" to describe the economy is multi-fold. Look at what's happening to good people in broadcasting, cable, and print. If they're not being thrown (or have already been thrown) under the bus because of the economy, they're in fear of it every day. Also, if you look beyond the immediate D,C, ADI, the country's been in a Depressopm for ages. In this region, Politico is eating CQ's lunch, dinner, and midnight snack. And, look at what's happening to CQ's staff. Politico is the only bright star in the Albritton galaxy right now. On the Comcast merger, Brian Roberts couldn't give a rats ass about NBC broadcast. He wants Universal and the NBC cable nets. But, GE won't separate. If this deal goes through, I give NBC broadcast five years, ten tops before it folds. I expect ABC to be next, followed by CBS. Regarding the "Depression", I wonder what that poster was smoking! If they saw every day the people I see looking for work, they might change their mind. When a local broadcaster recently had a back-office job open, they had 3,000 electronic applications from all over the world the day it was posted. My God, I wish we weren't in a Depression, but we are. (10/4/09)

/\ October 4 Messages /\

\/ October 3 Messages \/

Silvie .... we all know you're still suffering from withdrawal, but "Chris Plante" and "great radio" should never be mentioned in the same post. (10/3/09)

NBCU, and its corporate parent General Electric, are playing a new reality game with union employees and shareholders alike. The game is "Corporate Greed," and the goal is to make those who contribute to the success of the company into "The Biggest Losers," while senior executives and corporate board members line their own pockets. In current negotiations with its workers, NBCU is pushing to change the 75 year relationship NABET-CWA has had with company. The contract expired on March 31 and union negotiators are working to reach a new agreement, but NBCU is insistent on making draconian changes. The quality of these jobs and associated benefits would be significantly reduced, and would greatly impact union workers in New York, Chicago, Burbank, and Washington, D.C. who have been loyal to the company throughout their careers. Tell GE CEO Jeff Immelt and NBCU Chairman Jeff Zucker that NABET-CWA members deserve a fair contract at NBCU and that workers and shareholders will not be the "The Biggest Losers" at GE! www.unionvoice.org/campaign/nbcugreed (10/3/09)

Silvie again flexing those Ann Coulter scarecrow scary anorexic old woman paid per post political leg muscles. (10/3/09)

Just can't get used to this new Lyndsay sports woman on channel 5..Seems like I'm watching someone from high school deliver the report.. (10/3/09)

Questions..Don't watch WUSA, but thought Angie Goff was the traffic reporter..Is she going to continue to do that?..Is Chuck Bell the permanent replacement for Steve Villanueva?..And is it really that hard to match the video/picture we see on the screen with the story the anchor is reading?..With just about every newscast I watch, there's a list one instance where the anchor's reading one story and there's a picture or video on the screen that has absolutely nothing to do with the story being read... (10/3/09)

Yet another post appearing on DCRTV that describes the current economy as a "depression". Very curious...do these people who post such stuff on DCRTV live in the Washington/Baltimore area or do they live in Detroit? If they live in the latter, they got a point but to say something like "..in this current depression"..and if they live say in Frederick, MD well THAT is silly. Do these people read Forbes? US News?. Both claim that the DC area is not has been or will be in a depression. Now with al of that being said, has anyone on the air in either DC or Baltimore have used the "d" word yet to described the local economy? I know some of those "entertainment" themed showslike TMZ and ET have admitted about actually wanting a "depression" since afterall in tough times people do seem to "care" more about the Hollywood stars than usual like those who worry more about what Ryan Seacrest had for dinner last night or where will Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie will be flying to this weekend because their own lives "suck" but for a local TV news anchor to say "...in this depression...." when the LOCAL economy hasn't even reached that 8% unemployment rate yet to me that similar to someone screaming fire in a crowded movie theatre. (10/3/09)

COULD THIS BE THE WEEKEND SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GOES DARK? What’s a September Sunday night in America without NFL football? Fans could soon find out if NBC Universal doesn't stop stiff arming their employees. NBC management has been way out of bounds – attacking good union jobs and blitzing working families. That’s why this Sunday when the Chargers play the Steelers, crew members may be forced to walk off the field – and that could leave millions of football fans scrambling. IT’S TIME TO THROW THE FLAG AT NBC MANAGEMENT. START TREATING WORKERS WITH FAIRNESS AND RESPECT. For further information, please contact NABET-CWA@CWA-Union.org (10/3/09)

"Fun Fact: At "106.7 The Fan" there's a list in the call screening room titled "Not on Air" Tom Gavin is listed with multiple numbers." ---Can you blame them?!?! This guy is a "radiophile" of epic proportions and NEVER adds to any show he calls. He consistantly calls shows on the very station he does his show (and I use that term loosely) from. And as a result of all those calls to other WEBR shows, he's pretty much on a "Do not answer" list there as well. (10/3/09)

Howard Kurtz was featured heavily last night on "Entertainment Tonight", talking about the Letterman situation. I think that out of 22 minutes, the show dedicated about 15 of it to Letterman. How I'd pay big bucks to listen to former WMAL'ers Jerry Klein and Chris Plante "going at it" regarding this topic as well as the Chicago Olympics bid fiasco. That'd be great radio! -Silvie- (10/3/09)

!#$%&?! ... This current crop of broadcast graduates doesn't know it's ass from it's ... uh, I mean,... it doesn't know... ah hell, just see for yourself. hawtness.com (10/3/09)

Re: "list in the call screening room titled "Not on Air" Tom Gavin is listed with multiple numbers." Now who would know that except for someone who works the phones at 106.7? Watch for a new ad on DCRTV next week soliciting a new screener. (10/3/09)

Fun Fact: At "106.7 The Fan" there's a list in the call screening room titled "Not on Air" Tom Gavin is listed with multiple numbers. (10/3/09)

OK… Here’s some of what’s going on regarding Comcast and NBC/U with my take on it… First, unlike the rumors that flew first, Time Warner won't bid for NBCU. Vivendi S.A. also wants cash that TW doesn’t have for the 20% of NBCU that GE doesn’t own. Yes, that’s right… a French firm owns 20% of NBC. While TW would find Universal a natural fit in an industry where there’s the occasional lack of production capacity (Not to mention as good a library as MGM’s which Ted Turner got when he briefly owned MGM.), TW has already cut the number of films in its pipeline. Unlike the last Great Depression when people who could afford to went to the cinema for a cheap diversion and air-conditioning in summer, that isn’t as important in this Depression, even though Hollywood as a whole is having a fairly good year. Now, here’s where things get interesting: Vivendi’s 20% of NBCU will be bought by GE come mid-November. (There are some contractual things that will make that part happen with or without a Comcast deal.) Comcast will in turn buy 51% of NBCU leaving GE with 49%. Expect to see Comcast put around $5B cash in the deal and actually toss-in its treasured cable systems. (They’ll likely exclude the “first” Comcast system, inTupelo, MS,) The risky part will be the share of NBCU’s debt, which Comcast would assume, figure about $5.5B. The total asset valuation of NBCU has been pegged at the low $20B range to as much as $40B. So, with the value of the CATV’s, figure Comcast’s 51% as costing around $21B, with all things factored in. My long view on this? If the deal goes through (and there are still enough “ifs” that it’s too early for the suits at NBCU to start buying “Sansabelt” slacks. (Which one-time Tupelo, MS dry cleaning entrepreneur Ralph Roberts supposedly owns the patent on. And, from what Comcaster’s I’ve talked with have said, wearing a belt or suspenders on your pants for a job interview at Comcast dooms the interview faster than first salting your food at Hughes Aircraft!) While Comcast has of late improved the standard of CATV-produced programming from its all too recent level of a cross between a modern version of something produced by a high school projection club or a home video, there have also been cases of cold feet and retrenchment. Also, while the Obama administration has been favorable on deals like this one involving vertical integration, there’s also enough potential concentration to make the necessary FTC, DOJ, and FCC approvals so condition-laden that Comcast might back away from the whole thing. As I said earlier, if selling the cable systems, which carry an NBC TV O&O, is a requirement, the deal is as good as dead. I wouldn’t be surprised if the FTC didn’t also require a substantial sale of other CATV’s, either. If that happens, the deal is dead. As a general rule, Comcast buys cable systems. It very rarely sells them. Also, the current carriage dispute regarding “Versus” between Comcast and DirecTV combined with the recent fracas between Comcast and the NFL Network bodes ill for an easy FTC ride. Funny thing is, the only place the deal might get a semi-friendly ear may be at the FCC. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a plea made to the FCC that “if this deal is disapproved, some (or maybe even all) of the NBC DTV stations will go off the air because of debt and decreased merchantability due to lost reception area in the DTV conversion, which has made them distressed assets”, thus requesting a waiver of the rule banning a broadcaster from owning a CATV which carries its station(s). However, as a condition of approval, I wouldn’t be surprised if the FCC required co-owned network availability in perpetuity to competitors. Again, that could be a deal-killer as TW, Cablevision, etc., want that “You will sell your programming to competitors” rule to go away. Something else to consider: There’s still enough chumminess in the CATV business that Comcast would walk away if that rule lost its sunset even because of a possible deal. There’s also a lot of crap that Comcast would either close or sell if the deal goes through. Theme parks and music are the first things that come to my aging mind. The upshot here is that NBCU needs Comcast (or another willing buyer with equally deep pockets) as much as Saturn needed Penske Automotive Group for mere survival. And, we’ll soon see the result of Penske walking away from that one. While GE is strong and getting stronger, NBC is losing money and proving of late to be an embarrassing part of the company. Especially in the forthcoming bidding for the single-source Federal contract for medical records management. –Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/3/09)

Ya know, im surprised noone has referred to 105.9 as "The Itch". if you listen closely to the on-air promos, It sounds like their actually saying '105.9 The Itch"... (10/3/09)

Ref: "Dominique DiCaprio has been selected as Miss Howard TV ! Who gives a tit? OOOoooops ! (10/3/09)

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\/ October 2 Messages \/

"Dominique DiCaprio has been selected as Miss Howard TV for the month of October" --Seriously....Who gives a shit? (10/2/09)

Just a few notes from watching the six o'clock Baltimore TV news on Friday night.. ABC 2's anchor Kelly Swoope, not very good. Channel 13...when did Union Memorial move to downtown Baltimore, and you told me last week Oceanaire was closed. I ate there last night! Channel 11, no personality at all, dull, dull and dull. Where is David Z? (10/2/09)

Dave's response: He's on Planet Z with the B-52s.....

I did mean that The Simpsons hasn't aired back to back in a few years on WTTG. I am aware that The Simpsons air back to back in other markets. My goof in writing that up. -Tybois (10/2/09)

Chris Matthews on Jay Leno last night... (10/2/09)

Dominique DiCaprio has been selected as Miss Howard TV for the month of October on Howard Stern’s Howard TV On Demand channel. Dominique was catapulted to the #3 hottest search in Google trends last week after she appeared in studio on the Howard Stern Show. Her on-air appearance was upbeat and fun, with a parade of Stern show staffers lining up to weigh in on whether her voluptuous breasts were real. The verdict: Yes! She also received several marriage proposals from callers, and compared dance moves with Howard. The Philadelphia-born Dominique is a swimsuit model and also works as a dance teacher of ballet, tap and jazz at Dance-a-Delphia. “I love to entertain. I’m my happiest on stage” says DiCaprio. Dominique’s studio interview can be seen exclusively on Howard TV On Demand. She can be seen all month hosting the preview show and introducing Howard TV On Demand’s programming. Dominique is profiled with photos, a Q&A and a video clip at www.howard.tv... Howard TV On Demand is a subscription video on demand channel available on all major cable systems in the United States and Canada... (10/2/09)

Is Wendy Williams a transexual? That Letterman thing does sound a bit oogie. Was he doing staff after his son was born? Is there a sexual harrassment suit coming? How about Barbara Gaines? I'm confused Angie Goff is filling in quite a bit for Ms. Roane on the morning news reader front but now starting a show bidness sort of page? I kind of thought Jessica Doyle, was she formally with USA Today?, was going to be the new morning anchor if Andrea Roane leaves. Is Jeremy Hubbard, the anchor on ABC World News Now, overnights starting at 3 a.m. terribly ill? He seems to be wasting away to nothing. although a number of months ago he said he felt fat, seemed normal to me, but this is getting to be a bit serious. (10/2/09)

From a previous message "....Silvie, having "The Simpsons" air twice a night is something that hasn't happened in several years..." Tybois is incorrect actually. WXIN-TV FOX 59 In Indianapolis shows a full hour of The Simpsons at 6pm Monday thru Friday as does Denver's KDVR FOX 31 which does the same at 8pm EST. KDVR for many years was one channel that was actually available on Dish in West Virginia, I should know I watched KDVR when I lived in Keyser !! If Tybois meant "WTTG", he should had mentioned "WTTG" or does Tybois think WTTG is the only FOX station in America? (10/2/09)

Silvie, having "The Simpsons" air twice a night is something that hasn't happened in several years. Why would you want to trade in two episodes for just one at an earlier time? Also, if you want "Family Guy", you need to tune into WDCW (Channel 50) at 11 and 11:30pm, TBS on certain nights and [adult swim] weeknights. Want American Dad? [adult swim] is your answer. -Tybois (10/2/09)

Re: WWXT The WWXT application contained two fatal errors. One wonders if they knew it and were hoping to get lucky, or if they were unaware of the errors. Everyone makes mistakes but the errors were basic and would not have been made by most applicants. (10/2/09)

1) FOX5's Maureen Umeh's report on the Mont.Co. beating of a high school girl by other girls was just shown on Shep Smith's show "Studio B" on FNC (at 3pm). 2) To FOX5: Please big back "The Simpsons" at 7pm weekdays!! Please Please Please!! (or at least please consider reruns of "American Dad" or "Family Guy") -Silvie- (10/2/09)

The Tom Gavin Show....Where "No one is listening" isn't a slogan....it's a way of life (10/2/09)

So what's the big deal? What's so wrong with a man having consensual sex with his co-workers? Signed, Bill Clinton (10/2/09)

20 years ago this December, I had surgery to remove a tumor from my pituitary gland. It was benign, though the surgery permanently damaged my pituitary and hypothalamus. Stay strong, Jack Rolle. And to the Holliday family, I'm sending you all positive thoughts for all the days ahead! Scott Marinoff (grew up in Alexandria) now in San Diego. (10/2/09)

David Brooks in the NY Times: "But this is not merely a story of weakness. It is a story of resilience. For no matter how often their hollowness is exposed, the jocks still reweave the myth of their own power. They still ride the airwaves claiming to speak for millions. They still confuse listeners with voters. And they are aided in this endeavor by their enablers. They are enabled by cynical Democrats, who love to claim that Rush Limbaugh controls the G.O.P. They are enabled by lazy pundits who find it easier to argue with showmen than with people whose opinions are based on knowledge. They are enabled by the slightly educated snobs who believe that Glenn Beck really is the voice of Middle America. So the myth returns. Just months after the election and the humiliation, everyone is again convinced that Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and the rest possess real power. And the saddest thing is that even Republican politicians come to believe it. They mistake media for reality. They pre-emptively surrender to armies that don’t exist." (10/2/09)

This was up on the Washington Post's website at noon. The two whole sentences of breaking news were credited to two, count 'em, reporters. What, did Robin write one sentence and Amy the other? - "Chicago and Tokyo were eliminated after the first round of voting on contenders to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, leaving Rio de Janiero and Madrid to contend for the bid. Chicago was hoping to become the first U.S. city to host the Summer Games since Atlanta in 1996 and the first to host any Olympics since Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Games in 2002. - Robin Givhan and Amy Shipley" (10/2/09)

Wonderful story in todays Washington Post in the sport's seciton about Johnny Holliday's 11 year old Grandson Jack Rolle and his battle with Cancer. You might want to add that link..Great Photo as well. washingtonpost.com (10/2/09)

So last night was the Caps opening night. They won. The print edition of the Post says that the caps are 1-1 and that no teams in the entire Western Conference played last night. Good paper. (10/2/09)

I noticed on the front page of the Wash Post sports section that there was a picture of Ovechkin celebrating a goal, but in the background were 2 fans wearing NY Rangers gear. And the game was in Boston. Confused fans, or perhaps they used an old file pic? Well, at least the results made my edition of the paper.DG (10/2/09)

Hey all, The video project for Get Out Of Our House has been launched. We did what we were asked, create a motivating video. All work by Read Street Sound and Video, writing, narration, video. Check it out!!!! goooh.com (10/2/09)

I'm sure few people were watching because of the Capitals opener, but Thursday's Nationals game had to use the Braves' visual feed (and graphics) because of power problems at the MASN truck outside Turner Field. Thanks to Fox SportSouth for consenting to let MASN use it, and kudos to Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble for successfully doing plenty of improvising; it couldn't have been easy. -- Vincent in Triangle (10/2/09)

Count Gore De Vol did NOT participate in the "Funniest Celeb" contest, as it is being reported by Politico. He had planned to but had to cancel. However, tonight he will be seen on the big screen up north in Cleveland and down south in Pensacola in the feature length documentary of his career and legacy: EVERY OTHER DAY IS HALLOWEEN (he will be in attendance at the Ohio screening). More local DC and Baltimore area screenings this fall are planned, including an encore at the AFI Silver Theatre on Monday, November 2 (tickets are only $5.00!) (10/2/09)

I got my email this morning asking me to take out an ad in the Radio Hall of Fame program to congratulate Ed Walker for his election to the hall. Since I'm too cheap for that...WAY TO GO, ED! Howie (10/2/09)

The recession must be over. Baltimore's CH11 adds a second morning weather person. WHAT? (10/2/09)

I'm not even going to comment in a political way on this other than to say if this is not a perfect example of "the pot calling the kettle black", I don't know what is! AOL asks "Is NBC Dead?" Maybe they'll both scratch and claw their way out of their respective graves to save each other? Too Funny! LMAO insidetv.aol.com (10/2/09)

Dave, Sorry if this is a double. I'm working on a bunk laptop, but Noggin is now called Nick Jr. I guess this frees up some time on Nickelodian for more SpongeBob. KeninGlenBurnie (10/2/09)

The recession has hit broadcaster emplyees pretty hard, this includes WYPR. Last week they cut three employees in Baltimore, as well canceling they only local program on their Ocean City repeater, WYPO 106.9. They purchased the station last year, flipping the Active Rock station to a non-comm. The local program, Discussing Delmarva aired interviews about the area and had been on thei since May of 2008. (10/2/09)

A quick check of FCC records for several other states shows a large number of Special Temporary Authority requests and extensions, particularly for many AM stations either dark or running on low power, being dismissed by the FCC this past week. Does this mark the first significant change in FCC policy of the Obama administration? If so, its a good move. It's time to get rid of the dead wood & static on the AM band. Also, this along with the recent apparent Loudoun zoning approval for WAGE 1190 might be even more good news for WAGE since I don't think any of those AM 1190s along the east coast that were planning signal upgrades ever did any of them and some are dark or affected by this apparent STA policy change. WAGE, however has more time since they're not a station that's been dark or operating at lower power for years and years, so they shouldn't be affected by all these STA dismissals anytime soon. Looking at the large number of STA dismissals in various states, if I were Birach Broadcasting, I'd be a bit worried right now. AM 700 might be gone for good soon. (10/2/09)

Just a few comments. Johnny Holiday and Tom Davis are the most resilient broadcasters I know. Johnny has the Nats and Terps, Tom has the Orioles and Ravens. Each day, these guys get up and present a GREAT product to Washington and Baltimore. Tom's Baseball Show with Phil Wood and Dave Johnson is seen all over the world via MASN and the networks. Johnny's Nat's Broadcast and the Terps Broadcast are heard around the world via the network and Sirrus/XM. Two broadcast that don't SUCK even though their team may lose. Go Rockies! (10/2/09)

Here’s a story about Letterman revealing an extortion attempt on tonight’s (Thursday's) show - www.variety.com (10/2/09)

/\ October 2 Messages /\

\/ October 1 Messages \/

I'm listening to the Caps' game on WJFK, and it sounds like they're running a chorus effect on everything (spots, game, all of it). What's that about? (10/1/09)

Noticed today that Red Zebra's FCC application to change WWXT 92.7's city of license closer to DC has been dismissed by the FCC. So much for another of DannyBoy's hair-brained schemes. Another epic fail. Also noticed that the FCC dismissed the Special Temporary Authority status of 2 Delmarva stations I've often mentioned of abusing the STA policy. Both WAMS 1600 in Delaware (which has probably not had a permanent transmitter site or operated at its licensed 5000 watts for over 10 years) and the recent Ocean City area translator given out on FM 105.1 both had their STA status dismissed. That gives WXXY Broadcasting 2 options, actually BUILD transmitting facilities for these stations within 1 year's time or sell the stations. Hopefully, the FCC will take similar action against the AM 1260 in Newark, DE, another 10 year abuser of the STA policy. Wanna bet both are sold soon though? The problem with how the FCC enforces this policy on stations that don't have a permanent transmission site is that a sale starts the STA process all over again. This is a something that the FCC needs to put an end to. It's ridiculous to let multiple companies warehouse FCC licenses & frequency space for no public good for over 10 years when these stations are really not serving the public interest at all. It's a clear violation of FCC policy that the FCC never enforces. Licenses for stations like these and those of Birach Broadcasting, stations that have not even broadcast for quite some time need to have their FCC licenses yanked, especially AM stations. It'll clean up the AM dial and get rid of the weak links. None of these companies will ever or probably even ever intended to build out the facilities they promised the FCC they would. So if you have an FCC license and are choosing not to use it, the FCC should do the right thing and just yank it. I hope these recent dismissals are a sign that the FCC is finally going to get tough on companies that have been abusing the public's airwaves and violating their FCC licenses. (10/1/09)

(Dave's response: Judging whether a post is "tasteless" is sometimes very difficult. If something seems to be a "good-natured jest," I will let it run. Also, if the "target" doesn't seem to mind such jests, I'll also let it run. Radio and TV people often realize that if people are talking about them, good or bad, that's a good thing. However, if the person the post is about complains to me, or I get multiple complaints about it, I will review it and I'll almost always take it down.....) Thanks Dave. You are 1000 times better than the Washington Post regarding posts and you do it yourself. (10/1/09)

So has FOX5 totally done away with their message board/blog pages?..Recently went to the website and couldn't find them. Wonder if I just overlooked them somwewhere on the site. (10/1/09)

I have been away from Baltimore-Washington-Eastern Shore area for a long time. Sorry to hear how bad radio has become there. If you want to listen to a great station, Check out KGSR-FM in Austin on the web. I travel in the west a lot and KGSR/Austin is the only reason I turn off the XM. Check it out. // John the tone deaf engineer (10/1/09)

Regarding Caps coverage: Loverero and Sheehan did a segment on the Caps today with some calls. Better than nothing although Sheehan clearly knows nothing about hockey. He should shut up and let Loverero handle those segments. (10/1/09)

Did something happen to the Sports Reporters on 980 while I was gone for 3 days this week? I usually listen online and when I first checked around 5:45pm on Thursday it sounded like a sports handicapping show which morphed into about 10 minutes of commercials before the Scott Gottleib show on ESPN Radio kicked off at the top of the hour. Nothing in the mailbag or on the main page to indicate there is a problem. What's up? (10/1/09)

How does someone get in to voice overs? Barney (10/1/09)

WH Slams Back At Beck - you know you're over the target when you start receiving flak. (10/1/09)

If WJFK is going to be a sports station, it wouldn't help if they could spell the names of their guests. I'm a Capitals fan and I saw on a Caps message board that The Sports Junkies did an interview with Mike Knuble. But, they spelled his name Canuble. Today, they talked to the Caps play by play guy Joe Beninati from CSN. They spelled it like this on their podcast page: "10/1 Seg. 7- Caps play-by-play Joe Benanadi 00:18:02 The Sports Junkies"... Maybe I am expecting too much. But that is horrible. (10/1/09)

ok Seriously, that's the best the White House can do in trying to "get" Glenn beck? A little misspeak about the Olympics? Well I guess they showed him! oh that is too funny! (10/1/09)

I wish I would have emailed you all sooner, but I just wanted to ask you all if you had any complaints from people around Baltimore about Direct TV's frustrating decision to black out the Redskins LIons game last week. I live in Odenton in Anne Arundel County and last Sunday I went to turn on the Skins game and was told that it was nowhere to be found. I knew that WBFF45 could not show the game because the Ravens played at home and were on Channel 9 so I checked the Sunday NFL Ticket but the game was still blacked out. I called up to Direct TV and was told that the game was blacked out due to Detroit not selling out the game. I knew this was crap and told them that could not be possible because why would the NFL black out the game in Baltimore if the game was in Detroit? She said that since I lived within 72 miles of Fed Ex Field, I was in the black out zone. I asked to speak to someone who might know the policy and she sent me to the supervisor who just kept on saying the exact same thing. Very Frustrating. After telling her what I thought of her reasoning, she sent me to someone else who got on and gave me a credit and said that Direct TV was in error and the game would be on in 10 minutes. This was at 2:15 and the game never came on. Finally at 3:15, I started to call around to all the bars and of course, none of them had it on either because like me, they all had Sunday NFL ticket and were blacked out. I ended up driving to Bowie to watch the miserable 4th quarter and then sent an email to them asking for clarification on what was going on. Two days later I get an email back from Direct TV saying that Local Fox Affiliate (WBFF) bought the rights to the game and decided not to show it. I knew this wasn't the case either because why would WBFF buy the rights to something it could not show? I confirmed this after speaking with the station Manager at WBFF and he assured me that Direct TV was simply passing the buck. Its been almost a week and I still have yet to get any clarification what happened. There are a lot of bars that cater to Redskins fans in the Baltimore area that were blacked out of their game. All I want is the real reason why the game was blacked out. Thank you, Tim.... Here is a copy of the letter from Direct TV:

Thanks for writing in to us. I’m sorry that you were unable to watch the Redskins vs. Lions game on Sunday. This game was blacked our due to a local affiliate purchasing the rights and not making it available on the SUNDAY TICKET. If the game is blacked out on your local broadcast station, it will also be blacked out in your area on NFL SUNDAY TICKET™. Each stadium's local blackout area is defined by the broadcast signal of the local affiliate carrying the game, not by the mileage surrounding the stadium. Also, sports blackouts and game availability are controlled by the leagues, sports associations, and networks that purchase the rights to broadcast individual games. To protect their rights, we must enforce the blackouts and availability mandated by them. Visit directv.com/blackouts for answers to the most frequently asked questions about sports blackouts. You may also visit your local Fox station’s website to understand why more Redskins games are not being covered. They have a complete listing as to why more games can not be carried. If you still need further assistance, please call us at (800) 531-5000 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to us. Sincerely, Rebecca H. (10/1/09)

I'm usually not one to jump into the fray...and more power to folks who can squeeze out a few extra bucks from their employer. But Scott Simon is WAY off base and WAY over the top in his assessment of what "others" make on the commercial side of the business--even in union shops in major markets, even at the network level. Just check out the 2009 RTNDA/Hofstra annual survey on salaries. Here's the picture: average reporter's salary: $23,700; max reporter's salary: $115,000; average anchor salary: $36,600; max reporter's salary: $110,000. There may be the rare personal services contract that exceeds those amounts...but they are rare, indeed. Radio folks are doing what they can these days just to hang on to what they've got. (10/1/09)

From FishbowlDC: Northwestern's Medill Alumni Club of DC hosted a panel last night on "Backpack Journalism: Keeping Up with a Changing Profession." WUSA channel 9's Audrey Barnes and Brittany Morehouse spoke about reporting, shooting, and editing video stories themselves. Medill News Service's Mary Coffman moderated.

(above pic) Medill News Service's Mary Coffman, WUSA's Brittany Morehouse, WBOY's Courtney Dunn, AP's Matt Ford and WUSA's Audrey Barnes. Photo by Kenneth Edward Piner. (10/1/09)

Dave: Once again, Mike/Fairfax makes some excellent point regarding the lack of Capitals' coverage on the area sportstalk stations. However, can I remind everyone that's it's a waste of time to expect anything from WTEM since Czaban and Ted Leonsis were at war over poor and tasteless coverage, have we all forgotten about that? Let's face-it, if you want Caps coverage, you'll need to tune into WJFK or Comcast and those are your options. Stop expecting good journalistic practices along with any hockey talk from ESPN980. Talking about bad coverage, WTEM can't even cover the Redskins!!! It's now up-to Al Galdi to provide us with that in-depth, hard-hitting and exclusive postgame in-sight you can't find from other stations? In radio markets where stations are serious about sportstalk, their "A-Team" announcers work six days a week which include during their bread and butter events, such as NFL football. Just like it's parent team {Redskins}, management has lost it's locker room and may be it's time to clean house and start over at ESPN980. (10/1/09)

I want to add my voice to that of another poster and state that the attacks on Kim Martucci are a bit much. Questioning the journalism of an on on air personality is fine but personal insults are a bit much. i do not make the rules around here. That is up to Dave. I will say though that while we have freedom of speech in this country we have no guarantee of using any particular web site as a place to express it. It is up to Dave whether he wants to allow it here but my opinion is that this stoff is over the line. BTW I don't watch WUSA much. I quit viewing the morning news once it became clear that they were sticking to the ridiculous screen format and the noon show is just not convenient for me. I am nota Martucci fan I just think that we are headed in the wrong direction with this stuff. (10/1/09)

Dave's response: Judging whether a post is "tasteless" is sometimes very difficult. If something seems to be a "good-natured jest," I will let it run. Also, if the "target" doesn't seem to mind such jests, I'll also let it run. Radio and TV people often realize that if people are talking about them, good or bad, that's a good thing. However, if the person the post is about complains to me, or I get multiple complaints about it, I will review it and I'll almost always take it down.....

Caps Busted on Vs. via Directv-- For those of you with DTV and want to watch, NHL Center Ice will be free for most of the month of Oct. www.directv.com (10/1/09)

I've been listening to NY's RXP online today and i have to say this is one of the coolest fucking rock stations I've ever heard. Why can't DC have such a cool station like RXP????? (10/1/09)

Dave's response: Exactly as I ranted last week. Almost every time I punch up DC's 105.9 while driving, I yell "yuck" and go somewhere else.....

The NHL season begins tonight with the Capitals' opener at Boston airing on the Versus cable network and 106.7 The Fan (the team's flagship station WFED being contractually obligated to carry the Nationals game). Of course ESPN 980 has shown little interest in providing meaningful Caps coverage despite their rise to prominence over the past two years, and with Al Koken no longer working there the prospects are even bleaker this time around. The only time I've heard any mention of the team on Sports Reporters over the past few months was a discussion that lasted less than three minutes and featured the following brilliant hockey insight from Andy Pollin - "the experts are saying the Caps will be really good this year". When they jumped out to an early lead in their series with Pittsburgh last spring, I recall Pollin sounding borderline giddy as he declared himself "fully on board" with the playoff run - apparently his sudden case of hockey fever got cured in very short order. Steve Czaban did say something about being more revved up about the Capitals than the Wizards (a team they've already devoted at least three caller segments to despite the fact that the NBA's regular season doesn't even start for another month) right now, but that won't mean much as long as he's unwilling or unable to to convince Pollin to change the show's longstanding policy toward hockey. Sports Fix has been even worse although Thom Loverro apparently wrote in replies to e-mailers that he'll push for more Caps talk on the program. Good luck with that - I think Doc Walker tried the same thing last year but Kevin Sheehan just wasn't interested, being much too preoccupied with the Redskins and later college hoops. Forget Kornheiser - he can't even stay focused on sports in general for more than ten minutes straight and actually opened today's show by remarking that the Caps really don't matter that much around here despite the fact that they're the best team in town (what rock has he been hiding under lately?). Both Capitals goaltending legend Olaf Kolzig (who just announced his retirement) and current player Brooks Laich have been recent guests on John Thompson's program, but it's just not the same without Koken as there's no way either the coach or Walker can provide anything approaching his level of knowledge on the sport. The one bona fide hockey guy on the staff is Scott Linn (who hosted a two hour remote from the Caps Convention last Saturday), but unfortuntately he doesn't have regular hosting duties on the station. The big difference from past years is that there's now a new player on the local sports radio scene and 980 could finally start paying a price for the way it treats the Capitals. WJFK stands to attract a lot of disaffected fans if hosts like Mike Wise, Holden Kushner and even LaVar Arrington (who apparently grew up in a hockey town and is an avid fan) follow through on promises to pay meaningful attention to the team this season. Should those turn out to be empty promises and 106.7 ends up being no better than 980, there's always Sirius XM's Home Ice channel (not locally focused yet still talks more Caps than WTEM does) and of course CSN's Washington Post Live on the TV side. Mike, Fairfax (10/1/09)

The Baltimore Sun's David Zurawik is not only a left-wing nutjob, but also a very thin-skinned one as well. I posted a comment to his blog about WMAR 2's recent news cuts pointing out all of his inaccuracies in his report, but he chose to DELETE my comments because they made him look bad and look like a complete idiot that he is. Zurawik's main assertion in his blog about WMAR 2 was that WMAR 2 is basically the model of the future of Local TV news and I in my response to that basically factually took him to the woodshed on that assertion and he didn't like it one bit. The fact is, WMAR 2 is a local TV news anomaly. Virtually no other Top 30 market TV news operation running the Big 3 networks is doing what WMAR 2 is doing. I challenged David Zurawik to name another Top 30 Big 3 network station that had no sports reporter/anchor or 2nd 11pm anchor and had no plans to ever have either again. Since Zurawik was unable to find such another station and even such markets as lowly Salisbury have BOTH, he deleted my post because I basically humiliated his stupid ass. Anyone who knows anything about the history of WMAR channel 2 knows the station has been a troubled news operation for over 30 YEARS! Sure, lots of stations are cutting personnel in this troubled time, but ONLY WMAR 2 is basically giving up the fight and packing it in in a bunker mentality. Hell, WMAR 2 can't even compete with WBFF FOX45 for christ sakes! I don't even like O'Reilly or Olbermann, but I'm glad as hell they both ratted this idiot out. It's pretty damn clear to me that David Zurawik is simply just trying to blog himself into a "golden parachute" from the sinking ship that is The Baltimore Sun. Pathetic....................... Oh, and one more thing, if this is true... "Anne Applebaum, author of the Polanski piece, is married to the Polish Foreign Minister and neglected to disclose that.", The Washington Post is a newspaper no longer even credible of being read. How could a Post editor allow a Polish sympathizer of a CONVICTED CHILD RAPIST to write such a story in The Washington Post? It's just unbelievable really. Unless there's like some Post retraction or apology, I don't think I'll ever read the newspaper again. It calls into question pretty much the entire ideology and focus of the newspaper and all of its journalistic credibility. It's really a sad day when all of the once great newspapers are in bankruptcy or close to it and writing this kind of crap, NBC News is in financial trouble, and basically FOX News is doing the investigative reporting that CBS's 60 Minutes used to do. I still cannot believe 60 Minutes premiered with a Bernie Maddoff story! This guy is like last years news! WAKE UP JOURNALISTS, START COVERING WHAT'S RELEVANT NOW! Why the hell else are FOX New's ratings continuing to go up? Geez, you would think these media companies would learn, but I guess not. The most interesting thing about Comcast possibly buying NBC-Universal is that Comcast is a rather conservative family run company. I seriously doubt Olbermann would survive under a Comcast-owned MSNBC. Should be interesting though, hehe. (10/1/09)

White House economic adviser Austan Goolsbee took home the top prize in the 16th annual "DC's Funniest Celebrity" contest on Wednesday evening. - rumor has it the winning joke involved asserting that new government programs and massive government spending combined with increased taxes on the rich and middle class will help the economy recover. (10/1/09)

Now I'm even more interested in what Buzz was mentioning on Twitter. The second part of the statement ( the "responsible for screwing the most loyal audience in radio history" part) is removed. (10/1/09)

Just saw 'Joe the Plumber's' video at the Improv. I didn't think comedy was supposed to be bitterly painful to watch. Good grief! (10/1/09)

caps pr guy has been tweaking the networks about their preseason coverage on twitter, so i asked them about it voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog (10/1/09)

Saw this in the Loudoun Post Extra edition: Potomac Radio, 44771 Loudoun Water Way. Special exception to allow AM radio station towers to be built within the Floodplain Overlay District on 340.66 acres zoned PD-IP (planned development-industrial park). (10/1/09)

Hey Dave, What's Buzz Burbank talking about on Twitter. Or rather who? "I'd just never heard of a sales mgr intentionally tanking sales to force the owner to change its product before. So, in my view, he's the person most responsible for screwing the most loyal audience in radio history." (10/1/09)

The Washington Post has once again proved their ignorance. In an article by some moron named “Dave Sheinin” about the Twins/Tigers game he makes so many false statements and opinionated comments that the whole story seems completely phoned in. No checking of facts, no caring about the story he is writing – just a mess. But the most glaring problem is his horrible comment in the print edition about since Detroit had 7,000 empty seats at the game (out of over 45,000) that THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT BASEBALL! This on the same week where Sports Illustrated did a cover article on the Tigers and how they have single-handedly kept the city of Detroit optimistic this year. Amazing. And here’s the worst problem in my mind – I read the comment about the 7,000 empty seats in the Post at my breakfast table this morning. In the online version you find on the Post’s site the comment is not there. Some Post editor have second thoughts about putting those comments in the web version visible in Detroit? Censorship? The Post has turned into a complete joke. BaseballFan. (10/1/09)

Article on Johnny Holliday in the UMD newspaper; www.diamondbackonline.com (10/1/09)

"Joe The Plumber" does comedy at last night's DC funniest celeb contest at the DC Improv. (10/1/09)

What is Scott Simon smoking? $300,000 would be a dream for nearly all commercial broadcasters. Simplyhired.com says the average income for a "radio personality" is $42,000. (10/1/09)

Dave's response: I think Scott is putting himself up there with "superstar radio personalities" like Mike O'Meara, Tony Kornheiser, Elliot Segal, Kane, and Fred Grandy.....

Chris Matthews takes himself far too seriously....EVERYONE on MSNBC takes themselves too seriously...Maddow, Olberman? I mean cmon. Fox can be the same way at times - but most of them do it with a smile on their face which seems to piss off everyone - which is cool by me. (10/1/09)

GET READY FOR THE STUDIO SKATE PARTY THIS SATURDAY.... AT THE OLD SKATELAND IN SALISBURY (MITCHELL'S MARSHELL ARTS) 3-6pm...bring the kids ONLY $1.04 TO ENTER WHICH INCLUDES SKATE RENTAL IF NEEDED AND ALL MONEY GOES TOWARDS DESERVING DELMARVA KIDS TO HAVE A BETTER CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR...JOIN THE STUDIO STAFF...DJ TAVONNE MIXIN' IT UP BACK TO BACK (10/1/09)

Scott Simon thinks "Most everybody in commercial broadcasting earns a lot more" than his $300K. Please, Scott, PLEASE, tell me where all the jobs are that pay even half that much. I guess that after all these years I've been in the business -- at the local and network levels -- I must be dumber than a bag of hair not to have found one of those $300K-plus jobs. Do us all a favor, Scott, and keep your mouth shut until you know what you're talking about. It's an insult to your fellow broadcasters. (10/1/09)

Congrats to Johnny Holliday on this accomplishment! Sean only touched on Johnny's professional past... How about a Crusin' LP (1964 on WHK, Cleveland) not to mention his organizing the WWDC "Radio Oneders" basketball team and hitting the hardwood himself to taise money for charity? (He did the same thing at WHK, IIRC) Johnny is a true talent and a treasure for this community and industry. -Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/1/09)

How long do you think it will be before Michael Hughes kills off WRNR? I think his purpose in life is to put his corporate mojo on every rock station he programs. (10/1/09)

Hey Dave, How bout a shout out to the long time voice of the Maryland Terrapins and Washington DC broadcasting legend Johnny Holliday. This Friday night Johnny will be inducted into the University's Hall of Fame. Nice things do happen to nice people and it's long overdue. Covering the Terp's, the Nat's, doing commercials, Theatre, emceeing benefits, no one does it better. Congratulation's Mr Holliday!!! Sean, Bethesda (10/1/09)

Comcast buying NBC? This one will be interesting as it wasn't that many years ago rumors were flying about Comcast supposedly buying ABC/Disney. If it happened, Comcast/NBC would likely sell the O&O broadcasters as I believe all of them serve areas where Comcast has CATV's. And, I can't imagine Comcast selling cable systems unless they are non-upgraded fixer-uppers -like the old TCI crap they inherited when Comcast merged the old AT&T cable. Finally, a dinosaur like over-the-air TV isn't in Comcast's corporate DNA. It's also been rumored lately that Comcast wants to buy Time-Warner Cable. When you have money to burn, the rumors fly! -Unsigned Corporate Suit (10/1/09)

/\ October 1 Messages /\

\/ September 30 Messages \/

Scott Simon: "Most everybody in commercial broadcasting earns a lot more." Yeah, sez you, buddy. A considerable number of them make about 1/10th what you do. (9/30/09)

What is the deal with Chris Matthews and his fixation on the pronuciation of "Cheney"? He seems to be the only person in the world who cares if it's pronounced "Cheeney" or "Chainey." He makes an issue of it on "Hardball" everytime the name comes up. Matthews is wacky in many ways, but this is obsessive. Chris Matthews takes himself far too seriously. -- Bobbie (9/30/09)

Dave's response: I agree. He even went on a diatribe yesterday about how Dick and his daughter pronounce their common last names differently.....

When will Imus be back on in the district? do you know. (9/30/09)

Dave's response: Yes! On the Fox Business Network starting Monday.....

By the way something, Anne Applebaum, author of the Polanski piece, is married to the Polish Foreign Minister and neglected to disclose that. Don't know what to say about Whoopi Goldberg. "Rape-rape?" Ah, the old "it wasn't 'rape-rape' " defense. I expect better from Guinan from STTNG. --- ThePenIsMightier (but no means no and 13 means hell no) (9/30/09)

(In defense of Dave (and honesty) not even the kangaroo court CBS set up to look into the Rather situation claimed that he knowingly used forged documents in order to influence the election. He thought he had the story and stubbornly stuck by it even when it became apparent that he had been duped. Only right wing hacks claim that Rather was an active part of the conspiracy.) the CBS panel said "no bias" to help rather keep some dignity. rather, and especially his producer mary mapes, had been looking into this story for *years* and couldn't get anything concrete. even before the story aired, rather and his people had asked many experts to look at the papers, and they all said they were fake and not to run them. the best they could do was questionable (at best) documents given to them by a democratic hack (bill burkett) in exchange for getting him in touch with the kerry campaign. dan rather knew he had a flimsy story to begin with, bet all of his credibility on it, and lost big time. now he's trying to blame others for the results of his own actions. (9/30/09)

WTOP’s Dave McConnell kept referring to the swine flu as the “H1-nine-1 Flu.” This was during the 4 o’clock cycle. At the end of the report, Hillary Howard corrected him on the air after he gave his signature out saying “Actually it’s called the H1N1 flu. But you knew that.” I looked it up. The CDC’s official name for the virus is “H1N1/09;” the /09 referring to July 2009 when the bug was officially named. Any idea whether Dave bitch slapped her when he got back? (9/30/09)

"The person who uses the moniker [people really seem to like typing a certain word, don't they].... That's the only reason I can come up with to explain ... inane, offensive drivel. In his first post on Monday, we find this gem: "'Ah yes, the traditional Jewish festival of salted fish ... The cool thing is, they ask forgiveness for things they're going to do in the coming year.'" Simply a commentary on a previous poster's inability to spell "Kippur" even though it had been in all the papers, and a factual statement about the religious practice. Admittedly I could have said "may do." "Then, in his second post yesterday, he graces us with: "'Ah, Michael Hughes. Another warm wine enema fancier bites the proverbial dust.'" And I stand by this reference to the locally broadcast and nationally syndicated [expletive deleted] and Mike Show, on which Michael Hughes was occasionally featured as a warm wine enema fancier. Try to keep up. That's called an homage. Goodness gracious. Then, from the Heavens to Betsy file, "I’d like to chime in on the post about [that word again]mightier. He’s an a—hole. From his posts one can tell he fancies himself as an intellectual. He’s a boar. Many moons ago I got into his face about his “holier than thou” attitude, his retorts were childish, high end use of the English language but saying nothing of worth. [that word again]-stick it where the sun don’t shine. WOW" Not my thing, Babe, but have at it. At least I can spell "boor." Fitting you should sign as "WOW" on a Wednesday. Whip out your man-tees. Now let's get back to local media. How 'bout that Diane Rehm, huh? Hootchie mama!!! As Misha Berrrrrzinski says "I'm a big girl; I can take it" --- ItReallyIsMightier (9/30/09)

(I'm one of the few people listening to a morning radio show -- ranked 28th, as you note -- based on a newspaper. "The Washington Times" radio show is pretty good, although, of course, duplicative of what I read in the paper each morning. I expect some of that but wish there was more original, "fresh" reporting that broke during the show.) Ha! Surprised the people who syndicate that show didn't check first with the folks at WTOP about their experience doing Washington Post Radio. They could have told them that getting up "early" for newspaper reporters is 10 or 11am. (9/30/09)

Someone wrote about the Congressional Quarterly guy "I wouldn't have fired him for writing the memo to management. But I sure would have fired him for sending it to the entire newsroom (where the leak was guaranteed)." Whoever (Mills? Battaglia? Who cares. Douches.) made the decision to fire him is in the running with Gene Weingarten for Douche of the Century. Nutting showed leadership and loyalty to people below him. Michael Savage, broadcast locally on WTNT AM570, has been invited to participate in a debate at the Oxford Union on the topic of political correctness. He thinks it's a trap but doesn't realize that they are deliberately serving up a softball to help him out in his struggle against his British travel ban. His current understanding apppears to be that he's been invited to give a speech; apparently the word "debate" has slipped out of his head. He's still a brilliant broadcaster, though apparently quite insane. I would so do him; it'd be a toss-up between him and Tina Fey (imagine that sandwich). And to the poster who wants Anne Applebaum fired, Polanski's not a pedophile, he's an ephebophile, if anything. "I wish I could write an op-ed piece for The esteemed Washington Post. God knows I'd have something more legal, moral & honest to say than this woman's complete immoral, illegal, & dishonest drivel!" The fact is, you can. The "a" key is on the left, and apostrophe and quotes are on the right. Have at it. And Sean Taylor's mother needs to get a jizzob, sell the hizzouse and the Bizzenz, and put on some gotdam clizzothes! The power of Krauthammer compels you. --- ThePenIsMightier (9/30/09)

“Unfortunately for all you Redskins fans out there, it only highlights scoring drives, so there won’t be much coverage of your team” ---- GREAT POST, very funny… and TRUE (9/30/09)

To "Court Dismisses...": In defense of Dave (and honesty) not even the kangaroo court CBS set up to look into the Rather situation claimed that he knowingly used forged documents in order to influence the election. He thought he had the story and stubbornly stuck by it even when it became apparent that he had been duped. Only right wing hacks claim that Rather was an active part of the conspiracy. Rather is losing in court because giving him assignments was apparently not something CBS had to do in order to fulfill the contract. They only needed to pay him, which they did. Howie (9/30/09)

If REAL actors played the Simpsons ... how cool would this be? funtuna.blogspot.com (9/30/09)

From Michael Calderone at the Politico: Mediaite's Steve Krakauer points out a good clip from last night's "O'Reilly Factor" where regular Bernie Goldberg -- who usually bashes the other networks and major papers -- took some shots at Fox's coverage of the tea parties. Bill O'Reilly, to his credit, didn't back away from Goldberg, who claimed that some of the network's commentators "don't cover rallies and tea parties, they cheerlead for rallies and tea parties." O'Reilly argued the commentators are entitled to have an opinion, but should still get the facts right. A few weeks ago, Fox claimed in an advertisement that competing networks missed the 9/12 protest in Washington, when in fact, they were there covering it. Later, it was revealed that a Fox producer had been rallying protesters during a live shot. (9/30/09)

Court Dismisses Rather Suit - way to whitewash the story dave. maybe after you're done with dcrtv, you can go work for the new york times. you completely forgot to mention the reason rather was pushed out of cbs in the first place. something to do with knowingly using forged documents to try to tilt the 2004 election, and then doubling down and sticking to the story when anyone with a room temperature IQ knew they were fakes, and then doubling down again by using the "fake but accurate" argument. (9/30/09)

In Harford County the NFL Red Zone has been part of Comcast’s basic digital package since the start of the season. For football nuts out there it is a must watch. When the Ravens were playing a 4:15 game two weeks ago, I turned it on at 1pm and ended up watching it for 3 hours rather than watching the games offered at 1pm. Unfortunately for all you Redskins fans out there, it only highlights scoring drives, so there won’t be much coverage of your team. (9/30/09)

O.K..When is channel 5 going to come clean with what's up with Steve Chenevey?..He's out AGAIN this morning with Tony Perkins "filling in".. (9/30/09)

(Kevin Martin To DC Law Firm - Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Marin joins Washington law firm Patton Boggs as co-chairman of the firm's telecommunications policy practice.....) When he was at the FCC maybe in his spare time he was picking out his window office : ) Mark (9/30/09)

Dave, as usual, I'm one of the few people listening to a morning radio show -- ranked 28th, as you note -- based on a newspaper. "The Washington Times" radio show is pretty good, although, of course, duplicative of what I read in the paper each morning. I expect some of that but wish there was more original, "fresh" reporting that broke during the show. Caveat: I don't listen to more than a half hour or so each morning, so maybe I'm missing something more to the show. But one thing I don't understand: The anchors repeatedly reference how they're coming to us just 15 feet from a newsroom with 180 reporters, or whatever the exact numbers are, and then proceed to have the Washington Times' beat reporters *phone in* for their interviews! What are they, all asleep at home after meeting late copy deadlines? Are they in the newsroom but unable to walk those 15 feet to the studio? Just wondering. Christian (9/30/09)

Chloe Sevigny in "The Brown Bunny" ... rrr-rROW-rrr!.. (9/30/09)

"Nutting, a senior editor, has been with CQ for 27 years. Nutting says he was deemed "insubordinate" by management for penning the email" - I wouldn't have fired him for writing the memo to management. But I sure would have fired him for sending it to the entire newsroom (where the leak was guaranteed). (9/30/09)

"The only stations which actually get a ratings boost out of their morning show, WHUR, Hot 99.5, and WMMJ..." Not true. WTOP gets a big boost from the morning team of Mike and Bruce (and Dave and Lisa and Doug). (9/30/09)

Those ratings are a pretty scathing indictment of DC area commercial radio, and morning radio especially! There are TWO non-commercial stations in the top 10! Completely insane! The only stations which actually get a ratings boost out of their morning show, WHUR, Hot 99.5, and WMMJ, are all oriented to different sub-sets of the African-American community, and all are actually pretty good all-around radio stations, with or without their morning shows. Shows how badly everyone is missing the boat! (9/30/09)

As previously reported on DCRTV; From today's Baltimore Sun: weblogs.baltimoresun.com (9/30/09)

Dave's response: We did link to Zurawik's piece on the Front Page earlier this week.....

UCS blows it again. Jerry Lyman wasn't GM at WGMS when RKO General planned to flip WRKO-AM to Top 40. The GM at that time was Bud Forquer. Jerry did get the GM chair until several months after RKO General accepted the FCC's offer of a waiver of the existing non-duplication rules, and aborted the format change. (9/30/09)

Re: "I notice Comcast in Arlington is now showing News4 in 16:9. I wonder if HD will be next? Hope so since my eyes hate the stretched image." I noticed last night that WRC's graphics and studio shots seem to be too clear to be standard definition...it looks almost HD. WRC's studio shots and graphics are much clearer on my TV than WTTG's news in HD, but neither are as clear as WUSA's. You can really tell the difference when WRC shows some SD news stories because the picture quality drops considerably and the video looks like regular SD. I'm beginning to think HD is on the way for WRC, because they are now superimposing their legal ID over network programming in HD quality, and they have a 'coming up on News 4 @ 11' type of graphic appearing sometimes during network shows that has an HD WRC logo. Plus, their logo bug during Ellen and other HD syndicated shows, from what I could tell, is now in HD. Maybe Comcast in Prince William County just has a good feed from WRC! DLP in Woodbridge (9/30/09)

Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum should be FIRED like YESTERDAY for defending a CONVICTED PEDOPHILE, Roman Polanski, in this Post column entitled "The Outrageous Arrest of Roman Polanski"! washingtonpost.com... She & her Washington Post column are so beyond offensive to anyone with any sense of moral character, regard for the law, or common decency that it's a complete disturbing embarrassment to The Washington Post and to journalistic integrity in general. Who is this crazy woman and why is she still getting a paycheck today from The Washington Post? Geez, FOX NEWS is going to have a field day with this crazy woman and throw The Washington Post under the bus like there's no tomorrow for WEEKS on end as this extradition drags out! The level of reality distortion in these Roman Polanski defenses is beyond the absurd. It's like a freak-show argument, sex with kids, sex with animals, yeah it's all good, we're a free society under the new socialism, it happened years ago, so its ok! HAHA! Here's another link and protest to The Washington Post from a Catholic priest... newsweek.washingtonpost.com... I can't wait for "theatrically unhinged" Glenn Beck to pounce on this one. Well, no, actually I don't watch his show, but with this nutjob story I'm sure he'll drag The Post through the gutter for weeks on end. What ever happened to reporting the, ummm, NEWS? Ya know like real facts and not complete nutjob opinions like this crazy woman's? Seriously, how does this nutjob pedophile sympathizing woman keep a freaking job? I wish I could write an op-ed piece for The esteemed Washington Post. God knows I'd have something more legal, moral & honest to say than this woman's complete immoral, illegal, & dishonest drivel! PLEASE POST, FIRE THIS WOMAN ASAP. (9/30/09)

OMG!!!! CHIP FRANKLIN ON WMAL IN THE MORNING AND TOMMY GRIFFITHS ON THE FM ROCKER!!! NOW THAT'S AWESOME!!!! GINNNY and DAVID YOU'RE PSYCHED? I'M PSYCHED!!! THE DUDEMAN'S PSYCHED,TOO!!HE'S OLDER DOODEE LIKE THE CHIPPER BUT COOL! OMG , TG, TOMMY GRIFFITHS ON AND THE CHIPPER BACK IN DC!!! WE 'D LISTEN TO THEM BOTH, EVEN IF THEY WERE ON THE SAMETIME!!! WE'RE PSYCHED THINKING ABOUT IT !!! IT COULD HAPPEN??!! THAT'S AWESOME!!! DO THEY PLAY AIR GUITAR, TOO? THEY'D MAKE RADIO IN DC HOT!!! THE CHIPPER, CHIP FRANKLIN AND TG, TOMMY GRIFFITHS, AWESOME, AWESTRUCK IN WASHINGTON, NORTHERN VA AND MARYLAND. Shay (9/30/09)

I don't know if this is appropriate for the mail bag but please read this article: www.rbr.com... Who are they kidding? Clear Channel's new initiatives are going in the opposite direction. Fewer people, more automation, not less. Entire groups of stations with only a sales department. The last thing on anyone's mind is innovation and localism. I don't know where the creative people are that left radio. They aren't in television. The other day, I was in a car that didn't have satellite. Dialing around the bands, I found the same programming on several stations and little else, other than music and commercials. Music is the same commodity that can be found everywhere. The commercials are just obnoxious. I used to love radio. Now it is so meaningless, disconnected from the listeners and, the worst sin of all, boring. The guy from Peak Broadcasting said, "It’s time for radio to make stations we are proud of." They have six stations in Boise and four in Frezno. Could it be that from the smallest acorn, the mightiest oak will grow? Nah...not a chance. John (9/30/09)

(RE: Did Mr. Kinard have a secret sh8t eating grin as Michael Hughes left the building? Still think Kinard was brought in to kill the Guy Talk format for the CBS Suits who have hard for the Sports Talk.) That doesn't make any sense, considering Hughes was the one who promoted CK to Program Director. And they didn't need CK or Michael Hughes to kill the guy talk format. They did it to both KLSX in LA and WJFK in DC, the only 2 long running, successful guy talk stations, with or without the PD's blessings. (9/30/09)

Re: Channel 2's money woes... Wouldn't it be smart to AXE the weekday 9am newscast? They can easily replace that with "The Bonnie Hunt Show", which currently airs during the night at 1:35am. They can get more ad revenue if the show is aired during the day, rather than being aired during the night. Also, "Bonnie Hunt" could be a good lead-in for "Rachel Ray" and "The View", and be good counter-programming against the male-oriented "Maury" on 13 and the third hour of "Today" on 11. (9/30/09)

Dear DCRTV: Do you know what has happened to Steve Villanueva, weekend meteorologist for NBC4? I haven't seen him in weeks and notice he's not on the staff list. I didn't see anything on your website about him. Thanks very much! Robin Reeder (9/30/09)

Dave's response: He's back up in NYC with his wife, who's employed there.....

Has anyone heard of or listened to Graffiti Radio? Its 93.7 WSTW HD-2 in Wilmington,DE. I've been listening online at GraffitiRadio.com and its got that great homegrown sound of the late,great REAL whfs . Tracks WAY off the beaten path!! Its rumored that WXCY will be carrying it on its HD-2 channel sometime this year. Wow! True Alternative from the 2 stations I used to hate. I realize this is a bit north of DC but at least I'm not bitching about the station a bit south of my radio reception possibilities. YAYYY I think its run by a bunch of FREAKS!! (9/30/09)

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