How come Handel on the Law is only live on KFI?

[livingfruitvirus]

This is a nationally syndicated show, but what I don't understand is why KFI gets a completely live show, and every other station around the country who carries Handel on the Law has to wait a whole week to carry the show. Even if the affiliate station plays it at the same time KFI plays it, it's STILL a week-old show. It shows when people from around the country call the show live, but don't hear themselves until next week. Why can't they just have the show play live nationally? Affiliates who play it on delay later or on Sunday can continue playing the delay.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

This is a nationally syndicated show, but what I don't understand is why KFI gets a completely live show, and every other station around the country who carries Handel on the Law has to wait a whole week to carry the show. Even if the affiliate station plays it at the same time KFI plays it, it's STILL a week-old show. It shows when people from around the country call the show live, but don't hear themselves until next week. Why can't they just have the show play live nationally? Affiliates who play it on delay later or on Sunday can continue playing the delay.

I don't think all of it is "Live" on Saturday morning as Bill takes many of the calls earlier in the week after 9 am when his regular show is off the air. He reminds those interested that he'd be taking calls for the Law show.

 

[ajhenderson]

Premiere distributes the show a week later presumably so they can make the show sound local to KFI, since, while it's a good show and one of my favorites, isn't exactly on any huge stations except WSB and apparently isn't worth making KFI Weekends sound "less local" for it. Handel said Leo Laporte's new Premiere show would continue to have the same sound, but it's very clear that there isn't the big effort as with Bill's show. Bottom line: it's not the affiliates that want/choose the delay (I even wonder if a couple of the affiliates don't know).

Keep in mind callers aren't the focus of any talk show. No one cares about them, and they aren't solicited so they can "hear themselves on the radio". Local and national music shows record calls and play them back hours, days, and even months into the future. Besides, I'll bet the 99+% of people who never call in for marginal legal advice wouldn't even think that Bill wasn't in the studio for his 3 syndicated hours nor his 2 local hours. Perhaps the occassional caller from Kentucky tips them off, but otherwise... no. A very nice job KFI does convincing listeners he's actually there.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

Premiere distributes the show a week later presumably so they can make the show sound local to KFI, since, while it's a good show and one of my favorites, isn't exactly on any huge stations except WSB and apparently isn't worth making KFI Weekends sound "less local" for it. Handel said Leo Laporte's new Premiere show would continue to have the same sound, but it's very clear that there isn't the big effort as with Bill's show. Bottom line: it's not the affiliates that want/choose the delay (I even wonder if a couple of the affiliates don't know).

Odd you mention WSB, since it's on 6 PM to 9 PM there.

However, the difference with him and Leo's show is Leo is still live across America on those broadcasts. Another example is Mike McConnell out of WLW in Cincinatti, whose mid-day show is syndicated. Mike continues to do live local reads for upcoming programming on WLW, but the feed sent out nationally cuts in and out of the show properly to avoid those live reads, and usually adds music in or a sweeper. Like Mike will say "The number is 800-843-2441 grab a line. [Premiere Radio: cut to sweeper/tone] Later today on the Big One we've got..." So it's feasible, but I don't see why KFI doesn't do it.

Keep in mind callers aren't the focus of any talk show. No one cares about them, and they aren't solicited so they can "hear themselves on the radio". Local and national music shows record calls and play them back hours, days, and even months into the future. Besides, I'll bet the 99+% of people who never call in for marginal legal advice wouldn't even think that Bill wasn't in the studio for his 3 syndicated hours nor his 2 local hours. Perhaps the occassional caller from Kentucky tips them off, but otherwise... no. A very nice job KFI does convincing listeners he's actually there.

What are you talking about? Not the focus? The whole reason I listen to this show is to hear Bill give bad advice to callers. I know music shows record callers and then stow them away (a practice I'm not very fond of), but talk radio is expected to have more of a live intimacy with the callers. I don't know how many times I've heard some dopey talk radio caller either turn up the radio when he/she stops talking, or say "I'll hang up and listen."

 

[ajhenderson]

Yes, it is possible, and I'd think KFI could figure it out if anyone.

As to my point on callers, I think you misunderstood what I was saying... callers do drive advice shows like HOTL, but my point was that no one cares about the caller's interests, as in their ability to easily call in, etc. Yes, I love listening to them, but that's just the issue - they're props designed to look (mostly) like idiots (or like people who "have no case"). There are plenty more where they came from.

 

[searadiofreak]

Don't know about the live aspects of this show, but I must say, this show is one of the best out there. Entertaining, self-deprecating, and educational all at once. It's must-listen radio in my less-than-major market. Sure beats re-runs of Hannity or Rush! Hope it continues to syndicate 'cause I'm a fan!

 

[CrankyYankee]

IMHO, unlike programs like Rush, Sean, Alan or the like, "Handel On The Law" dispenses information(and entertainment) that is not time sensitive. When a caller says "Bill, I lost my suit at the cleaners, I wanna sue 'em", the answer/response is not going to change from one week to the next. HOTL has to be one of the most overlooked programs in syndication. Even if you have a distaste for lawyers in general, Handel does not fail to inform as well as entertain.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

Yes, it is possible, and I'd think KFI could figure it out if anyone.

As to my point on callers, I think you misunderstood what I was saying... callers do drive advice shows like HOTL, but my point was that no one cares about the caller's interests, as in their ability to easily call in, etc. Yes, I love listening to them, but that's just the issue - they're props designed to look (mostly) like idiots (or like people who "have no case"). There are plenty more where they came from.

Okay. What I thought you meant is that no one listening cared about hearing the callers. Although, I do notice that probably 75% of the callers on HOTL are KFI callers (and about 50% of all the callers on the show are almost at death's door). Whenever someone does call from outside California, Bill usually mentions it on air.

IMHO, unlike programs like Rush, Sean, Alan or the like, "Handel On The Law" dispenses information(and entertainment) that is not time sensitive. When a caller says "Bill, I lost my suit at the cleaners, I wanna sue 'em", the answer/response is not going to change from one week to the next. HOTL has to be one of the most overlooked programs in syndication. Even if you have a distaste for lawyers in general, Handel does not fail to inform as well as entertain.

The show is on over 100 stations, including cities like San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, and on XM Radio. I don't think it's THAT overlooked.