Did Les Nessman begin the decline of local radio news?

[FloridaBear1776]

The disappearance of local radio newsrooms has been blamed on consolidation, deregulation, the growth of FM, what about this theory?

When a TV sitcom turned the local radio newsman was turned into an object of derision (the Silver Sow, the tape on the floor, the possessiveness over what was indeed small potatoes, the apparently sexless extended bachelorhood) and service elements were ridiculed (farm reports), did it begin a tailspin in the perception of local radio newspeople that made it easier to dump news altogether and/or trim budgets?

 

[gr8oldies]

No. It really was a matter of the FCC no longer requiring music stations to force-feed news programming to listeners who did not want it.

 

[legend_city]

Les Nessman was a pro compared to the local TV fembots.

But, everyone loved Bailey anyway.

 

[Pat2]

"More music, and Les Nessman"

 

[ThatManDan]

Agreed!

Bailey(Jan Smithers)IS a babe!

http://www.clothmonkey.com/smithers.htm
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by ThatManDan on 02/22/06 08:53 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[Les]

> When a TV sitcom turned the local radio newsman was turned
> into an object of derision (the Silver Sow, the tape on the
> floor, the possessiveness over what was indeed small
> potatoes, the apparently sexless extended bachelorhood) and
> service elements were ridiculed (farm reports), did it begin
> a tailspin in the perception of local radio newspeople that
> made it easier to dump news altogether and/or trim budgets?

Chicken or egg?

Actually, if you closely examine the characters of WKRP, you will find that they were arch-typical of people in radio at that time. Not that every station had one of each "type" but almost every station had at least one. Thing is, each one represented an exaggeration of the character. Les Nessman (no relation) could be found in many local stations; rarely in big cities. These were guys who wrote for their high school newspaper and may have taken a few journalism courses. They saw their work as 'duty' and took it very seriously. Easy to lampoon; they brung it on theyselves!

If you look at the remaining small-market, local success stations, you'll find that Les Nessman is alive and well. It's just that there are more Herb Tarleks in the world than Nessmen. As to "The Big Guy", how many of us can honestly say we never worked for someone who might have been his prototype?

I can name at least three but won't because at least one is still alive.
<P ID="signature">______________
Artificial intelligence is NO match for natural stupidity!</P>

 

[Mark_Giardina]

Hey if you’re going to pick on poor Les, then let’s not forget what Ted Baxter did for TV anchors.

Be honest now and tell me how many people you have either worked with, or seen on TV that reminds you of good old Ted? I remember a few and I can say with all honesty that at least Ted Baxter was funny. The few anchors/reporters I’ve known actually think they are good on the air.

As for the TV Fembots, as you call them, can you imagine where some of them would be without hair dryers, makeup, push-up bras, and of course let’s not forget those leather jackets they wear under those hot studio lights.

But on a serious note the decline in local radio news can be traced back to deregulation when the FCC no longer required stations carry a certain number of hours worth of news and public affairs. For those of us who worked in radio news that spelled the beginning of the end. Literally thousands of radio news people lost their jobs over the years. Those who could give a damn about news, I guess it doesn’t really matter now does it. Yet I wonder how many announcers have found themselves in Line C at the unemployment office thanks to voice tracking and automation?

<P ID="signature">______________
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted and I won't be laid a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them".</P>