Is Mr. Grant long for the radio world? I didn't catch him this weekend, but in recent weeks he does seem to be rambling and frankly his voice seems very frail and at a much lower level than the rest of the broadcast. Does anyone know if he comes into the studio each week for the show? I fear it may be time for a great radio host to hang it up. 20 Years ago Bob was the best, but now it is sad to hear him.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Bob Grant
- Thread starter OC3
- Start date
How could it not be mentioned anywhere?
Yes, Bob Grant can spew his bigotry and hatred as well as any of them but he was among the first so I guess...legend? In his own mind, anyway.
Maybe the reason he got dumped is because people don't find that kind of radio entertaining any more. Or because the old men who listen to this kind of hatecasting are finally getting too old for the advertising demo. In any case it's good to see this kind of content fade into irrelevance, it's a real blight on the radio industry.
Maybe the reason he got dumped is because people don't find that kind of radio entertaining any more. Or because the old men who listen to this kind of hatecasting are finally getting too old for the advertising demo. In any case it's good to see this kind of content fade into irrelevance, it's a real blight on the radio industry.
Theater of My Mind said:
You can't always equate conservatism with racism. Mike Savage is just as and even more conservative than Grant.
The two nice Jewish Boys who are heard on WMCA Wednesdays 10-11PM make Rush Limbaugh look like a moderate.
Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy
"Blah blah blah... hatecasting... blah blah spew hate.... blah blah old men. I don't agree with it therefore it shouldn't be on the air"
You sound like just as much of a broken record as WABC does now. Did you ever listen to him back in the day or did you form your opinion on what the newspapers wrote about him. Reminds me of the people that think Howard Stern was just boobs and farts, because that's what they were told he was.
In his prime, Bob was entertaining, as was the station he was on. Back then, WABC had liberals, conservatives and in-betweens on the air all day.
Why is the format dying? Because there's nobody new and compelling on the horizon. Bob was compelling first, conservative second. Now it doesn't matter if you're compelling or not, it's just "are you a good witch, or a bad witch?"
As for the "new" crop, if Andy Dean is the best talk radio has to offer, then it's done.
You sound like just as much of a broken record as WABC does now. Did you ever listen to him back in the day or did you form your opinion on what the newspapers wrote about him. Reminds me of the people that think Howard Stern was just boobs and farts, because that's what they were told he was.
In his prime, Bob was entertaining, as was the station he was on. Back then, WABC had liberals, conservatives and in-betweens on the air all day.
Why is the format dying? Because there's nobody new and compelling on the horizon. Bob was compelling first, conservative second. Now it doesn't matter if you're compelling or not, it's just "are you a good witch, or a bad witch?"
As for the "new" crop, if Andy Dean is the best talk radio has to offer, then it's done.
Yes I heard him. He was never entertaining. Well I guess some people call it entertainment but that's really just a reflection of themselves and thankfully they're becoming more of a minority. Slowly but surely the fabric of this country, and thus the audience for this sort of thing, is changing.
That's actually true to a point, I don't think anyone with a clear conscience should be providing a platform for the kind of hate speech that Bob Grant engaged in. Of course it's a free country so Bob Grant and his bigoted ilk have the right to their speech thanks to the first amendment. But WABC also had the right not to air it. Sadly their decision to drop him wasn't because they've developed any standards, but strictly because of lousy ratings and revenue. Meanwhile, advertisers have the freedom not to buy it as we've seen lately. And of course the audience is free not to listen which is what happened to Bob, and continues to happen with this kind of negative programming.
Exactly. People are sick of it and nobody seems to have anything new to bring to the table. Especially on the conservative side where the programming heads just want to keep pounding the same note with their one-sided hosts and inflammatory style. For the record I don't find it entertaining when done by the left either, although that's not their style so much. Never mind the political stripe, it's the negativity and constant attacks ad nauseum that have run their course.
WNTIRadio said:
That's actually true to a point, I don't think anyone with a clear conscience should be providing a platform for the kind of hate speech that Bob Grant engaged in. Of course it's a free country so Bob Grant and his bigoted ilk have the right to their speech thanks to the first amendment. But WABC also had the right not to air it. Sadly their decision to drop him wasn't because they've developed any standards, but strictly because of lousy ratings and revenue. Meanwhile, advertisers have the freedom not to buy it as we've seen lately. And of course the audience is free not to listen which is what happened to Bob, and continues to happen with this kind of negative programming.
WNTIRadio said:
Exactly. People are sick of it and nobody seems to have anything new to bring to the table. Especially on the conservative side where the programming heads just want to keep pounding the same note with their one-sided hosts and inflammatory style. For the record I don't find it entertaining when done by the left either, although that's not their style so much. Never mind the political stripe, it's the negativity and constant attacks ad nauseum that have run their course.
Have you seen MSNBC's ratings lately? Bob Grant is 84 years old. That's why his show is going off the air.
Air-America didn't exactly light the world on fire. And I don't know which portion you were listening to, but the left were just as divisive and biting in their attacks as the conservatives. Do you remember all of the things said about Bush? Dumb. Idiot. Evil. Both. He was out to spy on all of us... oh wait, that's happening now too, but it's okay for the left because Obama is doing it.
There are two sides to this same coin. I don't mind if someone says the attacks from the conservatives are brutal, but don't think the left are a bunch of goody two shoes in this.
Let's be real here.
And Grant WAS entertaining when he would get into it with callers. Just because it's funny to hear a cranky old man argue with people on the phone isn't a reflection that I'm the same person (or anyone else who listens). Just because someone watches boxing does that mean they want to go and beat the crap out of everyone they meet?
WNTIRadio said:
Very well said!
But even in the "good old days" there were only a few Bob Grants or Howard Sterns on the air at any given time. The rest of them were wannabes, just like Andy Dean, who is where he is today because management mistakenly thinks his adolescent voice will appeal to the young people who'll never hear him because they don't listen to the radio.
Management consistently identifies the wrong attributes that make an individual host successful (Stern's boob-talk is a good example) and then try to replicate it.
Meanwhile there are a few excellent talk show hosts around the country -- they just aren't heard in New York. Jerry Doyle is a good example -- a great listen. John & Ken is another (they're on the prosecution's side in the Zimmerman case, BTW) but they're only heard for two hours during TV prime time in NYC. LA gets them for the entire afternoon drive slot on KFI. These shows are unique because the hosts know how to entertain and they think for themselves. BTW, Bob Grant has consistently been pro choice and pro gun control but only regular listeners know that.
I just wish Bob didn't sound like an old man who's hearing is gone and who isn't always sure what he's talking about. Just like the ball player who waits too long to retire or the singer who keeps trying long after his voice is gone, I wish the last memory we had of Bob was when he was at the top of his game giving hell to callers and attacking the news of the day with a vengeance. That's the Bob Grant that should be enshrined in the NY Radio Hall of Fame!! My vote...leave on the infomercial and let Bob enjoy his golden years.
WNTIRadio said:
Imus should have hung up the headphones years ago as he is well past his prime. At one time Imus was one of the greats and was actually entertaining. Now he is just boring. We added him on mornings in Daytona Beach a few years ago, and he did nothing for the station. He just sounded tired and burned out. It happens to the best of us.
When it's clear that Dad can no longer drive it's up to a family member to take away the keys. It's a tough decision and picking the exact moment is tough too.
Radio has a history of keeping people on the air far too long. Bernard Meltzer (WOR) is another example. During the final months of his show his producer, Bernadette, carried the entire show with Meltzer, when he was able to be there, contributing very little. With listeners (who are creatures of habit) and advertisers in place, I guess there's no particular incentive to pull the plug.
Bob Grant's July 7 podcast is a sad, rambling example of what a talk show host sounds like when he's past his prime. Imus isn't far behind. Bruce Williams is still doing a "show" on the internet where there's nobody to stop him. He was great in his prime. Old age isn't pretty.
Radio has a history of keeping people on the air far too long. Bernard Meltzer (WOR) is another example. During the final months of his show his producer, Bernadette, carried the entire show with Meltzer, when he was able to be there, contributing very little. With listeners (who are creatures of habit) and advertisers in place, I guess there's no particular incentive to pull the plug.
Bob Grant's July 7 podcast is a sad, rambling example of what a talk show host sounds like when he's past his prime. Imus isn't far behind. Bruce Williams is still doing a "show" on the internet where there's nobody to stop him. He was great in his prime. Old age isn't pretty.
I think 2006 is when he should have ended his radio career. I was surprised that the NYRMB posters wanted him to return when it was known that he would be hosting a nightly WABC show.
How much could he have been paid to do his Sunday show?
There was an announcement that Grant's show will return next week.
- Status