"Indian" Bit on WIP Morning Show... Here We Go Again

[DToTheJ]

Angelo Cataldi just played a bit from show contributor Joe Conklin, doing a "re-enactment" of the WIP host getting a refill at a gas station. Conklin did the voices of both Cataldi and the attendant, who has a very thick Indian accent. For the most part, it was harmless, but I find a little concern in two things: one of the last lines in the bit, where "Cataldi" (Conklin) told the attendant to "take that decimal point off your forehead"; and after the bit was played, right before break, one of the guys in-studio - either Morganti or Mitch Williams - saying, and I quote: "If you give something like that to Joe Conklin, it's all connect-the-dots."

While I personally was not offended since I wasn't directly targeted, I can totally understand why someone would be. My point is, does WIP have any business airing such bits like this, on the heels of their sister station, WYSP, firing Kidd Chris after the airing (and re-airings) of a piece intended for comedic purpose but with underlying racial overtone (although, in all fairness, such overtone was very conspicuous in the Kidd Chris bit)? Are Cataldi & Co. trying to get fired? After what went down - right down the hall, mind you - you'd think they would know better.

 

[MortinTCrip]

. My point is, does WIP have any business airing such bits like this, on the heels of their sister station, WYSP, firing Kidd Chris after the airing (and re-airings) of a piece intended for comedic purpose but with underlying racial overtone (although, in all fairness, such overtone was very conspicuous in the Kidd Chris bit)? Are Cataldi & Co. trying to get fired? After what went down - right down the hall, mind you - you'd think they would know better.

They get ratings....BIG difference!

 

[Jul]

While I personally was not offended since I wasn't directly targeted, I can totally understand why someone would be. My point is, does WIP have any business airing such bits like this, on the heels of their sister station, WYSP, firing Kidd Chris after the airing (and re-airings) of a piece intended for comedic purpose but with underlying racial overtone (although, in all fairness, such overtone was very conspicuous in the Kidd Chris bit)? Are Cataldi & Co. trying to get fired? After what went down - right down the hall, mind you - you'd think they would know better.

I would immediately contact CBS radio, WIP and even the FCC about this. Radio should not be used to offend people. Radio is there to entertain you.

 

[WTUX]

If something that minor offends you, you need thicker skin. Some radio listeners need to get over themselves and lighten up.

 

[DG02816]

Agreeing with WTUX here..Does being sensitive to issues and other things mean you also need molecule-thin skin? I thnk not...

 

[murcuryvapor]

If something that minor offends you, you need thicker skin. Some radio listeners need to get over themselves and lighten up.

Depends on where you stand. They were practically using an epithet there.

Anyone have an mp3 of this for a better context?

 

[Kyle D]

I did not hear this mornings bit, but knowing Joe and the rest of the Morning Team, this is a whole lot about nothing.

Joe Conklin is THE FUNNIEST person in Philadelphia radio today. WIP doesn't use him enough, in my opinion.

If Cataldi and Co. get in trouble for this, I guess The Simpsons will have to get rid of Apu? 'Political correctness' has gone way to far. Chill out Diamond Joe...

 

[Onyx]

besides, it's OK to make fun of Indians; we never enslaved them. ever seen the simpsons? i don't see how conklin's bit is any different.

 

[DToTheJ]

I did not hear this mornings bit, but knowing Joe and the rest of the Morning Team, this is a whole lot about nothing.

If Cataldi and Co. get in trouble for this, I guess The Simpsons will have to get rid of Apu? 'Political correctness' has gone way to far. Chill out Diamond Joe...

Again, if you read my original statement, I did write that it was a "harmless" bit, and that I personally was not offended; nor am I trying to throw the gang under the Greyhound. I only questioned the timing in which the bit was done (A.K.C.) regarding those two sentences I mentioned, that's all.

 

[murcuryvapor]

I did not hear this mornings bit, but knowing Joe and the rest of the Morning Team, this is a whole lot about nothing.

Joe Conklin is THE FUNNIEST person in Philadelphia radio today. WIP doesn't use him enough, in my opinion.

If Cataldi and Co. get in trouble for this, I guess The Simpsons will have to get rid of Apu? 'Political correctness' has gone way to far. Chill out Diamond Joe...

besides, it's OK to make fun of Indians; we never enslaved them. ever seen the simpsons? i don't see how conklin's bit is any different.

Maybe they have to connect the words 'dot' with 'head' to make it really clear to you.

Apu is not offensive because there is a reverence delivered along with a stereotype.

Maybe harmless-but it sounds like an idiot bit. I would really like to hear it.

 

[murcuryvapor]

besides, it's OK to make fun of Indians; we never enslaved them.

So, who did people of your lineage enslave?

My grandparents came through Ellis Is. in the 1900s. None on me.

 

[carnyfeet]

besides, it's OK to make fun of Indians; we never enslaved them.

is this a fakepost? it has to be fake.

 

[murcuryvapor]

besides, it's OK to make fun of Indians; we never enslaved them.

is this a fakepost? it has to be fake.

you try to encourage the use of "</sarcasm>" , but some twits don't get it.

Or maybe he's serious.

 

[PhillyWatch]

'Political correctness' has gone way to far.

Some radio listeners need to get over themselves and lighten up.

'Political correctness' has gone way to far.

Some radio listeners need to get over themselves and lighten up.

'Political correctness' has gone way to far.

Some radio listeners need to get over themselves and lighten up.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Listening to Radio 101. Now, on your fancy AM/FM (or perhaps even that space-age new fangled HD model!) radio, you'll notice that ALONG with the on/off toggle and volume control mechanism, there is another knob/button that actually CHANGES the programming that you are receiving! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? If you come across programming that you do not care for, all you simply need to do is USE THAT KNOB to tune to another frequency!

HOW NOVEL OF AN IDEA!

 

[thebaron]

Seriously folks if you don't the station's programing whether it's Kidd Chris, Preston & Steve, Steve Harvey, change the channel and stop trying enforce your ideals or morals on everyone else. Just becaue someone does not care for a certain program/show does not mean that those who might like it can lsiten.

Move to the next channel, or pop in a cd, tape, or 8 track....

My 2 cent point of view is that it is all covered under Free Speach regardless of the content. And this includes all content, how can that be regulated as everyone has different tastes. Some find certain topic to be distastful, while other have no issue. Just like Ice Cream, Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors because one just doesn't fit all.

 

[murcuryvapor]

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Listening to Radio 101. Now, on your fancy AM/FM (or perhaps even that space-age new fangled HD model!) radio, you'll notice that ALONG with the on/off toggle and volume control mechanism, there is another knob/button that actually CHANGES the programming that you are receiving! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? If you come across programming that you do not care for, all you simply need to do is USE THAT KNOB to tune to another frequency!

HOW NOVEL OF AN IDEA!

Seriously folks if you don't the station's programing whether it's Kidd Chris, Preston & Steve, Steve Harvey, change the channel and stop trying enforce your ideals or morals on everyone else. Just becaue someone does not care for a certain program/show does not mean that those who might like it can lsiten.

Move to the next channel, or pop in a cd, tape, or 8 track....

My 2 cent point of view is that it is all covered under Free Speach (sic) regardless of the content. And this includes all content, how can that be regulated as everyone has different tastes. Some find certain topic to be distastful (sic), while other have no issue. Just like Ice Cream, Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors because one just doesn't fit all.

Good Afternoon everyone, and welcome to Cliche LOL. In order to fulfill class requirements, you must be at-ready with a knee-jerk response regarding the topic of censorship. You must find all offensive concepts sacrosanct. Encouraging people to 'just turn the dial if you don't like it, and 'shaadup' ' is key, as it would end any sort of dialog, and stop the waste of precious crap radio listening time.

Yes, yes, yes...we've heard the old saw of change the station. Well, sorry, this is out of the circle of 'just listening' and is open for critical comment. Obviously, someone thought enough of this bit to make it a bit of an issue for some reason, and as long as we're members, we are all free to comment. AFAIC, this bit sounds retarded (oh, did I offend someone?) and simplistic, and not very funny. "Connect the dots'. Yeah, that's a riot. A**h*les. IMHO.

I am not calling for removing anyone or censoring their air, but if a company does it, you can redress with them put them back on the air as any group does to take them off. Doesn't work? Oh well. Must be another factor. And by the way, they really don't own their jobs. There is no 'free speech' really under contract.

Now, Mr. Baron-might I suggest a dictionary or thesaurus to go along with your 'Free (S)Peach Baskin Robbins Ice Cream'?

 

[cyber]

TV is not immune to offensive behavior. Check out the first item:..Oh the horror of it all!

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/20080529_Sideshow__Dunkin__Donuts_dumps_ad.html

 

[PhillyWatch]

AFAIC, this bit sounds retarded (oh, did I offend someone?) and simplistic, and not very funny.

YOU find it retarded and unfunny, someone ELSE finds it offensive, someone ELSE finds it humorous... who makes the call on who is right? and why? One person's opinion does not represent the opinion of the whole, yet the one who cries the loudest gets their way, accomplishing nothing. How's THAT for opening dialog?

Open question: If a DJ does a race-based skit and you're not listening and don't hear it, do you get offended? If you don't LIKE mean radio, WHY LISTEN TO IT? I don't understand the killjoy tightass mentality of those scanning the dial just for something to create an uproar over. This is the reason people are flocking to the internet and ipods along with other forms of personal entertainment- things not run by massive companies who will pull plugs after a threat from someone worried about "feelings".

I'm not saying that all broadcasting should be brutal race jokes, but if you're gonna have programming for minivan moms and political hipsters, let me have my angry guy talk station. Please?

 

[murcuryvapor]

AFAIC, this bit sounds retarded (oh, did I offend someone?) and simplistic, and not very funny.

YOU find it retarded and unfunny, someone ELSE finds it offensive, someone ELSE finds it humorous... who makes the call on who is right? and why? One person's opinion does not represent the opinion of the whole, yet the one who cries the loudest gets their way, accomplishing nothing. How's THAT for opening dialog?

Normally, the dismissal of a show is preceded by a dialog, like in Imus' case. Or is a clever way to cancel a contract, as in Kidd Chris' case.

This IS a dialog of sorts.

Open question: If a DJ does a race-based skit and you're not listening and don't hear it, do you get offended? If you don't LIKE mean radio, WHY LISTEN TO IT? I don't understand the killjoy tightass mentality of those scanning the dial just for something to create an uproar over. This is the reason people are flocking to the internet and ipods along with other forms of personal entertainment- things not run by massive companies who will pull plugs after a threat from someone worried about "feelings".

I'm not saying that all broadcasting should be brutal race jokes, but if you're gonna have programming for minivan moms and political hipsters, let me have my angry guy (read: WHITE) talk station. Please?

I'm not complaining to anyone that makes a difference. I'm making an observation and producing an opinion.

If I HEAR ABOUT something, I am going to comment, intended ear or no.

I like a lot of comedy. IMHO, this sucked. If you like the jokes contained within this programming, enjoy yourself.

If you identify with the 'angry (white) guy' programming, you may want to look inside a bit. Just a thought.

By the way, if you think I identify with 'hipster' or 'soccer mom' programming, read my posts elsewhere.

I'm not a killjoy or a tightass. But give me something that doesn't insult my intelligence.

 

[carnyfeet]

CBS did what they wanted to with Kidd Chris, and they are going to do what they want to do with Angelo Cataldi and Joe Conklin. Freedom of Speech, insofar as the First Amendment or the FCC is concerned, does not play into it.

This is not a censorship issue as it relates to the government suppressing your right to say what you want. This is a publicly held company enforcing a standard.

The Bill of Rights says I can call my co-workers whatever slur comes to mind without fear of retribution. My employer says I cannot, unless I wish to be fired. This is a very similar situation - so stop making it about censorship, as though Chris, Cataldi and Conklin were all saying something revolutionary and the man was trying to shut them up. That's not it, and you know that's not it.