My take is that if a person has something of their own to say—that is, they show they can think for themselves and not read from the DNC or RNC talking points—and can present their ideas in an energetic, coherent way, it makes for better talk radio than someone with the best “pipes” in the world spouting the same clichés over and over. On that front, I find Dr. Mazz interesting—and he and Smirconish provide some moderation to the lineup. They seem to think about each issue on its own merits, and whether I agree or disagree with them on a given topic, that earns my respect. As does letting callers who disagree have their say without ridicule, or even outright hostility. I also almost always pick local over syndicated for talk radio, as I enjoy the local spin on national stories and the forays into purely local topics. But hey, to each their own.
When it comes to WPHT vs, WCAU, it’s interesting to speculate about what would have happened without the intervening WOGL/WGMP phase….i.e., had they just segued into a more syndication-heavy talker. Maybe things would be different today—none of us really know. What most of us understand, though, that Julius steadfastly refuses to, is that 2007 is wholly different from 1987 or 1997 in many regards. What worked then from a business standpoint is irrelevant—it’s a different climate, different business reality.
