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KLEIN ARTICLE ON DEBELLA

S

Slant

Intersting blurb from Klein's column today on the Debella show producer arrest. I have one question, when is Debella going to stop being a jerk to the people he works with? A friend who works at WMGK says Debella is still acting like he did at WMMR. Although the gigantic ego remains, he no longer has the ratings. Here's a message to Thud if he reads this board....YOU ARE BETTER OFF!

From Mike Klein at the Inquire...

Cross that bridge

John DeBella's morning-show producer at WMGK-FM (102.9) is out, and it's not clear whether he quit or was pushed.

Pushed is the operative word here.

As part of an on-air stunt Nov. 14, Sam Hagopian, known as Thud, kicked a life-size stuffed effigy of Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens through the streets of Center City.

Hagopian and faux T.O. ended up at the Ben Franklin Bridge.

DeBella wanted Hagopian to push the thing off the bridge. Hagopian, no dummy about the law, resisted. But DeBella pressed on.

Hagopian then pulled a fast one on listeners. While holding the doll, he intimated that he had indeed pushed it over - as bridge police closed in and busted him for disturbing the peace.

Station insiders said DeBella was not pleased that Hagopian had fibbed. DeBella did not return calls last week.

Hagopian, 24, of Oreland, who started as a DeBella intern while a Temple University student in May 2003, said Friday that "it was time for me to move on."

Greater Media, which owns the classic-rock station, offered him part-time work as a technical producer for Jay Lamont's All About Real Estate on sister station WPEN-AM (950).

Greater Media also agreed to pay a $100 fine (plus $30 court costs). Hagopian, who said he was job-hunting, pleaded not guilty at a hearing Monday.

"We don't think he actually disturbed the peace," said WMGK's program director, who goes by Cruze. He said Hagopian had grown weary of his man-on-the-street role on the show.

All vestiges of Thud, including the T.O. prank, are gone from DeBella's Web site. And the T.O. doll - done for the season, as well - sits in WPEN's studios.

Cruze said DeBella would name a new producer after Dec. 7's DeBella DeBall, a free event in its 24th year
 
DeBella DePits

Slant...

Thud is what most stations call a "danger boy", i.e., a lunk-headed tool of the morning show (usually) who does stupid tricks that border on the bizarre.

I've seen a "danger boy" in Philly on the street on Valentine's Day, dressed in a diaper while wearing Cupid wings and bow and arrow.

You'll also remember the OTHER infamous "danger boy" stunt of a few years ago that had the poor schlub attempting to pay for breakfast at an IHOP with an IOU. ( I think that was the premise.)

Mr. DeBella will find some other mental midget who (a) needs a job, (b) is willing to make an ass of himself and (c) has zero self-respect.

And, those in radio continue to wonder why the general public has the view of our industry they do.

jdebellabus.jpg
 
Re: DeBella DePits

> I've seen a "danger boy" in Philly on the street on
> Valentine's Day, dressed in a diaper while wearing Cupid
> wings and bow and arrow.
>
That was an intern for Rick Stacy's show who eventually went on to become Pork Barsky's producer. It actually did pretty good pub for MIX... although really nothing could help them.
 
A Klassie Guy

Although many people hate to admit it, John is a class act, the guy generates chrisma, he has been doing his schtick for ages, with various Rock oriented formats and owners. He was MMR in the 80's and has more talent than Pierre can ever hope to achieve. If if were not for John, Pierre would never of been. Cocky and Pompous, not anymore than other new-be, trying to make it jocks in the Philly market. Its hard to comprehend, but I still think his best work was afternoons at YSP, in the mid 90's.
 
Re: A Klassie Guy

> Although many people hate to admit it, John is a class act,
> the guy generates chrisma, he has been doing his schtick for
> ages, with various Rock oriented formats and owners. He was
> MMR in the 80's and has more talent than Pierre can ever
> hope to achieve. If if were not for John, Pierre would
> never of been. Cocky and Pompous, not anymore than other
> new-be, trying to make it jocks in the Philly market. Its
> hard to comprehend, but I still think his best work was
> afternoons at YSP, in the mid 90's.
>
Not commenting on the "off-air" persona, but the comment about his afternoon stint at WYSP reminded me of his time at 1210...he put on a heck of an interesting talk show, very different from the "with us or against us" political fare that seems to dominate the airwaves. I was sorry to see him give up that show.
 
I found it funny that this came up. I just came across an article on DeBella from Philadelphia Weekly about DeBella's return to radio from 2002. Its amazing for me to hear about his personality, because it seems everyone who has worked for him either absolutely adores him or absolutely despises him. There is never any feeling in the middle of the spectrum. Just what is it about him that is so polarizing? If he were such an enormous jerk I would think no one would care for him at all. If he were totally soft-hearted he would have everyone's respect.

So what's the deal?
 
Re: A Klassie Guy

> but I still think his best work was
> afternoons at YSP, in the mid 90's.

Did John work with anyone at WYSP or was he alone?
 
Re: DeBella DePits

> Slant...
>
> Thud is what most stations call a "danger boy", i.e., a
> lunk-headed tool of the morning show (usually) who does
> stupid tricks that border on the bizarre.
>
> I've seen a "danger boy" in Philly on the street on
> Valentine's Day, dressed in a diaper while wearing Cupid
> wings and bow and arrow.
>
> You'll also remember the OTHER infamous "danger boy" stunt
> of a few years ago that had the poor schlub attempting to
> pay for breakfast at an IHOP with an IOU. ( I think that was
> the premise.)
>
> Mr. DeBella will find some other mental midget who (a) needs
> a job, (b) is willing to make an ass of himself and (c) has
> zero self-respect.
>
> And, those in radio continue to wonder why the general
> public has the view of our industry they do.
>

You do realize that Kris LoPresto, who you lauded major acclaim on for his run at Air America, was a so-called "Danger Boy" for Ron and Fez when they did late nights on WNEW? That he earned his moniker "Dead Air" because he was getting certain favors from a female fan and allowed the station to go off the air?

Being a side-kick, "danger boy", associate producer, what have you, is just being a rung on the ladder to pay your dues and make your way up?

Just sayin'.
 
Re: A Klassie Guy

He jocked alone, he followed Cerph then Mel Taylor after Cerph was canned. His shift was from 3 to 7, Grease followed. It was a real transition for YSP sliding into Active Rock from Classic Rock, John was a big part of the transition. Many don't remember but they were talk, from 6am to 11am and from 7pm until 2am when Allen came on. The Active Rock format became so popular, they were forced to play music on Grease's transcribed shift and dropped Ferrell on the Bench. They became music intense after Stern and the rest is history. I think they figured John was too old for the demo and music they were featuring, so he was let go after more than 5 years at YSP. When we all found out MGK was looking for a morning person, we all signed this petition and constantly e-mailed the PD at MGK to make John the choice. John was among a few well-known jocks going for the position, but with all us pulling for him and his reputation he was the unanimous choice hands down.
 
Re: DeBella DePits

> You do realize that Kris LoPresto, who you lauded major
> acclaim on for his run at Air America, was a so-called
> "Danger Boy" for Ron and Fez when they did late nights on
> WNEW? That he earned his moniker "Dead Air" because he was
> getting certain favors from a female fan and allowed the
> station to go off the air?
>

Sorry to pop your condom, but, laying a groupie is far removed from being a "danger boy" who does dumb things in public at the behest of the Morning Maniacs. And, dude! You went back several months to quote me on a Morning Show producer comment? You have entirely too much time on your hands if you are scouring my past posts. Get a real job. :)

> Being a side-kick, "danger boy", associate producer, what
> have you, is just being a rung on the ladder to pay your
> dues and make your way up?
>

Most people I know got in this business by hanging out at the station, being a gofer for the PD, being an intern, helping hand out bumper-stickers at remotes and generally being a pest...so much so that they actually gave you a shot at weekends when you were in high-school or college.

Most people I know in the biz have more self-respect than to drop trou in public just so some smarmy schmuck like DeBella can get ratings. However...there will always be some impressionable kid who will do the unthinkable for a t-shirt, a CD or two and the occasional concert ticket...all to prove to his buds that he is "cool." Lame and pathetic.

> Just sayin'.
>

I hear ya, but, I must disagree.
 
Re: A Klassie Guy

>
> Although many people hate to admit it, John is a class act,
>

You'll excuse me as I pick myself up off the floor, laughing hilariously at your comment.

IMHO, you put two too many letters in the descriptor "class act"; take away the letters "c" and "l" and you'll have it just about right.

DeBella? DePits.
 
Re: DeBella DePits

> However...there will always be some
> impressionable kid who will do the unthinkable for a
> t-shirt, a CD or two and the occasional concert ticket...all
> to prove to his buds that he is "cool." Lame and pathetic.
>
Lest we forget the listeners, too...like the waitress at a remote who handed over her bra (sadly, she got it off without removing her shirt, but I digress) to get the t-shirt I was already wearing.
 
Re: DeBella DePits

> Lest we forget the listeners, too...like the waitress at a
> remote who handed over her bra (sadly, she got it off
> without removing her shirt, but I digress) to get the
> t-shirt I was already wearing.
>

Homer...

Your point is well-taken; some listeners also will drop trou (or, bra) for freebies from the station.

You know what we call the people who call and win all the time, don't you? All jocks know the phrases "contest pigs" or "prize sluts". :)
 
Re: DeBella DePits

>
> Homer...
>
> Your point is well-taken; some listeners also will drop trou
> (or, bra) for freebies from the station.
>
> You know what we call the people who call and win all the
> time, don't you? All jocks know the phrases "contest pigs"
> or "prize sluts". :)

Well, it's not like being a prize (BLEEP) is a bad thing, right? :)

Seriously, many jobs and industries carry more allure and supposed glamour than they deserve, and it's oh-so-easy to ignore that it's really not all that magical. Don't get me wrong, passion for what you do/enjoy is a great thing, but there's a line somewhere between passion and obsession.
 
Re: DeBella DePits

> Sorry to pop your condom, but, laying a groupie is far
> removed from being a "danger boy" who does dumb things in
> public at the behest of the Morning Maniacs.

I take it, then, you've never listened to Ron and Fez... they make producer abuse an artform.

It wasn't Kris laying a groupie is what made him a stuntguy... it was that act which led to his moniker when he was a stuntguy for Ron and Fez. And they were merciless with him.

And, dude! You
> went back several months to quote me on a Morning Show
> producer comment? You have entirely too much time on your
> hands if you are scouring my past posts. Get a real job. :)

Actually, I have a photographic memory and I remember that I had spoken to you in the past about Kris. Which makes this all more funny.

>
> Most people I know got in this business by hanging out at
> the station, being a gofer for the PD, being an intern,
> helping hand out bumper-stickers at remotes and generally
> being a pest...so much so that they actually gave you a shot
> at weekends when you were in high-school or college.

Did you even read Klein's article? Thud was an intern 2 years ago and worked his way up to being a producer for Debella's show. That's EXACTLY what you just described. He's paying his dues, first as an intern, then working as a gofer for the PD (or in this case, the morning talent) and eventually, getting an on-air role.

Most interns get on the air by being abused. It happens ALL THE TIME in personality driven radio.

> Most people I know in the biz have more self-respect than to
> drop trou in public just so some smarmy schmuck like DeBella
> can get ratings. However...there will always be some
> impressionable kid who will do the unthinkable for a
> t-shirt, a CD or two and the occasional concert ticket...all
> to prove to his buds that he is "cool." Lame and pathetic.

HE WAS A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE WHO LIED TO HIS BOSS AND GOT FIRED FOR IT! Lame and pathetic yes, but you're missing the point because of your hatred for Debella!

He lied, got caught, Debella washed his hands of him, and the company offered him a board-op gig on a sister station, which he passed on.
 
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