I haven't listened to WRKO since Howie returned, my self-imposed contribution to Entercom's declining business and stock price. But I've been reading that listeners don't think Howie is anywhere near as good now as he was before. The word 'neutered' comes up frequently. So, is he behaving this way purposely? Is he trying to get axed? Perhaps he is turning the tables on Entercom by forcing them to honor and enforce a contract that they perhaps now wish they didn't. By virtue of having a contract, Howie can pretty much glide through with his neutered show and still collect a paycheck, right? If hardball is what Entercom wanted to play with Howie, then I guess Howie is playing it right back. The 'obligation' to honor a contract rested with Howie, so now Howie is turning the tables. It would appear to be that way.
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Is Howie trying to get fired?
- Thread starter ChrisNH
- Start date
Heard during yesterday's show:
Caller: "I'll bet you're happy to be back (at 'RKO)"
Howie: "No comment."
I don't know if he sounds neutered--in some ways sounds just like before, but whether he's
happy...Of course we had to go through Howie withdrawal for a couple months so maybe
we/I are content enough to have him back that maybe we don't notice if he's
"phoning it in". Still worth listening to but that's just my opinion, I could be wrong (as Dennis
Miller would say)
Caller: "I'll bet you're happy to be back (at 'RKO)"
Howie: "No comment."
I don't know if he sounds neutered--in some ways sounds just like before, but whether he's
happy...Of course we had to go through Howie withdrawal for a couple months so maybe
we/I are content enough to have him back that maybe we don't notice if he's
"phoning it in". Still worth listening to but that's just my opinion, I could be wrong (as Dennis
Miller would say)
D
Dark Knight
Guest
I'm sure he's not too happy, but I also think he's too much of a pro to mail in a poor performance. I don't think he wants to hurt his own brand, or his bargaining power in 4.75 years when his next contract is up. Despite the combination of hubris and bad advice, I still think he's too smart for that.
I believe that the whole neutered, phoning it in, going through the motions theory eminates from the usual folks who want to hate everything Entercom. I suspect that if we had a recording from Howie two years ago and Howie last week it would be difficult to tell the difference. Of course that may also be a sign that Howie needs to liven things up a little anyway...
I believe that the whole neutered, phoning it in, going through the motions theory eminates from the usual folks who want to hate everything Entercom. I suspect that if we had a recording from Howie two years ago and Howie last week it would be difficult to tell the difference. Of course that may also be a sign that Howie needs to liven things up a little anyway...
i know ill get flamed for this...
but it must be said...
howie is very overrated.
the best he ever is is 'okay'. the rest of the time he is just another angry white male rush wannabe.
the only people more overrated in boston than howie are d&c. but what do i know? they are getting the big bucks.
but it must be said...
howie is very overrated.
the best he ever is is 'okay'. the rest of the time he is just another angry white male rush wannabe.
the only people more overrated in boston than howie are d&c. but what do i know? they are getting the big bucks.
I find him funny and agree with him on most issues. Good voice to listen to.
B
BZFM
Guest
There's a universe of difference between fatboy and D&C. Howie at least puts a ton of prep time into his show, all the morning guys do is read you the morning paper every day.
Yesterday during his remote from the Radisson in Manch. NH, at one point he had Hannity on (no,
didn't mention WTTT)--and Hannity referred to the "great radio drama" that was Howie's
legal battle to try to get on FM. There were some inside jokes about Howie's situation.
("You guys were the only station to ever get rid of my show," said Sean. Not necessarily true...)
At one
point, he gave a plug to his former colleague Michele McPhee, who would be doing her first
show at the station where he intended to go. Also at one point he said hi to "Grace" as she
walked by...I assume that was WTKK PD Grace Blazer...
...and as McPhee started her show she said hi to Howie--"oh look, there's Howie Carr"--on Radio Row.
didn't mention WTTT)--and Hannity referred to the "great radio drama" that was Howie's
legal battle to try to get on FM. There were some inside jokes about Howie's situation.
("You guys were the only station to ever get rid of my show," said Sean. Not necessarily true...)
At one
point, he gave a plug to his former colleague Michele McPhee, who would be doing her first
show at the station where he intended to go. Also at one point he said hi to "Grace" as she
walked by...I assume that was WTKK PD Grace Blazer...
...and as McPhee started her show she said hi to Howie--"oh look, there's Howie Carr"--on Radio Row.
Jessica Heslam stopped by Radio Row.
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/n...2008/01/07/candidates-shuffle-down-radio-row/
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/n...2008/01/07/candidates-shuffle-down-radio-row/
V
VoxPox
Guest
Michelle then proceeded to have an abysmal show, misquoting John McCain and saying Hillary was crying without actually seeing the video clip. Three hours will turn out to be a bit much for Ms. McPhee.
Howie was slamming WRKO at the start of his show today (and having a bit of fun with it); mike broken
(at "the mothership"), lights out in studio, signal stinks after sunset, and they had a small booth to broadcast from in N.H. while "other stations" get auditoriums...
(at "the mothership"), lights out in studio, signal stinks after sunset, and they had a small booth to broadcast from in N.H. while "other stations" get auditoriums...
DavidZ said:
Howie makes good points about the equipment and the accomodations at the NH primary. Check out Scott Allen Miller's blog for photos (and you get to see a picture of Howie with his WTKK buton on). Scroll down on the blog to the 2nd story from the top. Link below.
http://www.iamscotto.blogspot.com/
Dark Knight said:
Well, publicly wearing the competing station's lapel pin while appearing at a remote would normally rate some sort of disciplinary action, but Howie obviously knows that there will be none--probably not even a private rap on the knuckles. I think both he and Entercom know exactly what he is doing and that he most likely has at least tacit approval from WRKO management to do it. His friction with management will now become an important part of his shtick and it will pay off handsomely. People will always wonder if and when Howie will cross that mythical undefined line and will say or do something that angers management to the point of firing him. That will help to boost his ratings. Nobody will want to miss the fleeting moment when Howie "does himself in" in front of a live mic. I would not be surprised if, just to heighten the value of the gimmick, WRKO "suspends" him (probably with pay--but we'll never know) for a day or a week every now and then. He will use the gimmick to further enhance his value to WRKO while probably deriving a certain amount of satisfaction from needling the people he purports to "hate" but who are paying him so handsomely. Moreover, the gimmick will allow him to "phone in" his shows and yet achieve ever-higher ratings. He may be an SOB (obviously, I think he is), but he's no fool!
i know it is all about money, but i really dont understand why the two sides couldnt have worked something out.
what is the point in keeping someone there who doesnt want to be there? it doesnt seem like anything good can come of it.
but i think i speak for others when i say, howie carr scuttlebutt is.....entertaining!
what is the point in keeping someone there who doesnt want to be there? it doesnt seem like anything good can come of it.
but i think i speak for others when i say, howie carr scuttlebutt is.....entertaining!
D
Dark Knight
Guest
Good points Dan, it does create some drama and the show has been lacking for some fresh elements, so maybe it works.
Hopefully it challenges Howie to take his humor to new levels. I remember how funny Stern was in the old days (moreso than the immediate run up to Sirius) when he used to bitch regularly about management.
Hopefully it challenges Howie to take his humor to new levels. I remember how funny Stern was in the old days (moreso than the immediate run up to Sirius) when he used to bitch regularly about management.
Dark Knight said:
Bitching about management plays well to lots of listeners who can relate. It's easy for the average talk listener to transfer such complaints to his/her own workplace. And, because there is some basis in truth (at least the surface stuff that listeners can see or hear), it connects. The analogy to the earlier days of Stern is a good one. That was back when he was at his best; before he got to be Mr. Hollywood.
Face it, most of us enjoy hearing complaints about "the man" - even from a guy who's getting paid $800+ large!
Agreed. He was complaining btw about the signal getting lost in certain places after sundown--and this
time of year, make that before sundown, too: I'm in Beverly and while the signal IS coming in, I'm
distracted by music from another 680 in the background (no doubt WINR Binghamton, music of your
life. "Young love, first love...")
time of year, make that before sundown, too: I'm in Beverly and while the signal IS coming in, I'm
distracted by music from another 680 in the background (no doubt WINR Binghamton, music of your
life. "Young love, first love...")
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