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Life Cycle of the Rick and Bubba Show

bobbybeth

bobbybeth

I don't get a chance to listen to R&B very much anymore. I'm just curious as to where you think this show is in their life cycle - are they on the increase or on the decline? Does anybody know how their ratings are holding in Birmingham? I did see that WZZK is #3 in the market, but I would be curious as to how their show is doing.

I used to be a big fan, but I'm now out of state and don't hear them much anymore. When I do get a chance to listen, it seems like they've lost some of the fun elements of the show and have become much more political. Any buzz about what's going on with the guys?
 
That's a good question. I'm sort of like you. Listened a long time ago but now out of state, and what I get to hear now is a vastly different sounding show.

In the mornings, I don't want to hear political stuff or overly preachy religious stuff. Just make me laff and laff. Removing those political and religious elements from their show, however, would really limit the material they can do, so I can see why they do them. (And I'm not saying politics and religion are bad for mornings; indeed, I always thought St Louis' old "Steve and DC" show got the mix about right.)

If I want early morning politics there's NPR and talk stations. And religion is pretty accessible in morning drive as well. So that just leaves "be funny, dang it." Rick & Bubbles are on a few stations here in Mississippi and I hear snippets from time to time and it just doesn't hook me like it did back in the Q 104 days, when listening through the static was half the fun. Back then, they put on a show like they didn't need to impress anyone. Now, it sounds like they're trying to be too big for their britches.

But again, I only get to hear snippets so my take could be way off. R&B fans are a loyal bunch and I don't wanna piss them completely off. ;) There needs to be at least a couple of family friendly morning shows in each market. Again, personally, I prefer what they'd refer to as "yuck mouthed" morning shows because I'm an adult with no kids and I don't want life or language sugarcoated, but more than anything I want to be entertained and maybe a little informed, and they don't seem to be doing much of either. The last bit I heard, Rick was retelling his old story of working at the car wash and having to "run a z" on the cash register, which I probably heard back in 1997.

As for their life cycle, as long as the ratings in Birmingham are good, they'll have a place on the air in the market. Of course, I thought that of John Boy and Billy (ugh) too, and that show is off. If there's no room at the inn for an out of market show, surely the high dollar local show is expendable, too. (Yes, I recognize there are two different companies behind these stations, but still.)
 
They've always under-performed in my opinion. They alienate too many listeners with their religious spin on everything. The self-deprecating humor about "hey we're just a couple of fat guys" is so played.
 
Zach is right about them not being as funny as they were in the Q-104 days. I think success has spoiled them and given them a sense of entitlement to do whatever they want to do...not what made them rich and semi-famous to begin with. I haven't listened to them in years, and don't have any intention of listening to them any time soon, either.

On a side note...Y-94.5's ratings collapsed after Rick and Bubba moved to 'ZZK. At the same time, 'ZZK's ratings spiked after they got Rick and Bubba, and the "mano a mano" war between 'ZZK and the Bull ended. Does anyone know how the ratings compare between 'ZZK and the Bull outside of morning drive?
 
With their heavy political and religious talk, does anyone find it odd that Rick and Bubba are actually on a couple of CHR stations like Y 102 Montgomery and 94.1 ZBQ Tuscaloosa? For some reason, it just doesn't sound like a good fit for top 40 radio.
 
jsu5381m said:
With their heavy political and religious talk, does anyone find it odd that Rick and Bubba are actually on a couple of CHR stations like Y 102 Montgomery and 94.1 ZBQ Tuscaloosa? For some reason, it just doesn't sound like a good fit for top 40 radio.
Click to expand...

The advertisers like them. Why else would they still be on the air?
 
I started listening again some weeks back to see if anything has changed since the last time I've listened. Other than some new interns, a brand new website design, and a different person running their website, it's the same show as it has been in the past few years. However, I tune out as soon as I realize one of their shows is going to be religion heavy that day.

One small issue I have had lately with the show is the boy scouts song that they insist on playing over and over whenever "Bruiser" the intern is on the mic. In my opinion, that boy scouts song just reeks of '90s boy band garbage.
 
I'm not really a fan of "Rick and Bubba" (or the other morning shows), but my wife usually listens to them. I've noticed, as well, that the show has become increasingly focused on their faith and politics. I don't agree with that myself. I know that might surprise some of you who know I'm a Christian that I would disagree with their preoccupation with religion, but here's my take on it. Obviously, as a christian, I don't believe there is a problem with Rick and Bubba discussing their faith and politics on the show. After all, it's something they (and we) as Christians feel strongly about. However, I believe that the radio show should be just that...a radio show. If the subject of politics and/or religion is brought up every now and then, I don't take issue with it. I believe the gospel is to be shared with others, but not every "waking moment of the day". There are certain times that Christians feel as though they should share the gospel with others, but when a radio show's content becomes an ongoing, everyday discussion about religion and politics, it becomes excessive; people become exasperated with it all and turn away. Here's an example of that fact, not dealing with religion or politics but along these same lines: I have a high school classmate I just added on my friend's list on facebook not too long ago. His work is in roof sales, and just about every post he's ever made on facebook is about selling his services. Again, nothing wrong with an occasional "plug" now and then for what you're selling, but after you see those kinds of posts over and over and nothing else, it just becomes too much. He finally did post something the other day which was more of a personal nature, and I replied that I would like to see more of those kinds of posts and less of the selling. Everything in moderation... :) As far as politics go, less of that would be better, also. We have 3 (or 4) talk outlets here, whichever way you want to count them, so let them take care of the politics for the most part.

The gospel is supposed to draw people to God, but when it becomes a "I'm going to shove this in your face" kind of situation whether you want to hear it or not, it's no longer done for the right reasons. Of course, those folks who hear Rick and Bubba talk about their faith and aren't interested can always turn the radio off or flip stations. However, If Rick and Bubba push their faith too much, it can send people in the other direction, and they might not ever be willing to listen to the gospel again. I really feel they should focus more on the show and less on religion/politics, as it's good for those who are listeners and are not Christians to see Rick and Bubba and other christians as REAL: infallible people just as they are who are just trying to get through life. Christians aren't held in the best of light...sometimes fairly, sometimes not. When most of the show becomes a "sermon", though, the human element is left behind and all people hear is preaching. First and foremost, Rick and Bubba should be focusing on letting the listeners know who they are and that they care about them, which, in turn, is why they share their faith with them.

Getting back on topic here...eventually Rick and Bubba will end its "life cycle" just as any program does. I don't see it happening anytime soon, though, unless they keep on this same tangent (new morning show format) which may do more damage than good in the long run. WZZK seems to be pretty healthy with Rick and Bubba being in place, and as Charles mentioned, it's obvious the show has a following after seeing the aftermath which occurred at WYSF.
 
passtheword said:
I'm not really a fan of "Rick and Bubba" (or the other morning shows), but my wife usually listens to them. I've noticed, as well, that the show has become increasingly focused on their faith and politics. I don't agree with that myself. I know that might surprise some of you who know I'm a Christian that I would disagree with their preoccupation with religion, but here's my take on it. Obviously, as a christian, I don't believe there is a problem with Rick and Bubba discussing their faith and politics on the show. After all, it's something they (and we) as Christians feel strongly about. However, I believe that the radio show should be just that...a radio show. If the subject of politics and/or religion is brought up every now and then, I don't take issue with it. I believe the gospel is to be shared with others, but not every "waking moment of the day". There are certain times that Christians feel as though they should share the gospel with others, but when a radio show's content becomes an ongoing, everyday discussion about religion and politics, it becomes excessive; people become exasperated with it all and turn away. Here's an example of that fact, not dealing with religion or politics but along these same lines: I have a high school classmate I just added on my friend's list on facebook not too long ago. His work is in roof sales, and just about every post he's ever made on facebook is about selling his services. Again, nothing wrong with an occasional "plug" now and then for what you're selling, but after you see those kinds of posts over and over and nothing else, it just becomes too much. He finally did post something the other day which was more of a personal nature, and I replied that I would like to see more of those kinds of posts and less of the selling. Everything in moderation... :) As far as politics go, less of that would be better, also. We have 3 (or 4) talk outlets here, whichever way you want to count them, so let them take care of the politics for the most part.

The gospel is supposed to draw people to God, but when it becomes a "I'm going to shove this in your face" kind of situation whether you want to hear it or not, it's no longer done for the right reasons. Of course, those folks who hear Rick and Bubba talk about their faith and aren't interested can always turn the radio off or flip stations. However, If Rick and Bubba push their faith too much, it can send people in the other direction, and they might not ever be willing to listen to the gospel again. I really feel they should focus more on the show and less on religion/politics, as it's good for those who are listeners and are not Christians to see Rick and Bubba and other christians as REAL: infallible people just as they are who are just trying to get through life. Christians aren't held in the best of light...sometimes fairly, sometimes not. When most of the show becomes a "sermon", though, the human element is left behind and all people hear is preaching. First and foremost, Rick and Bubba should be focusing on letting the listeners know who they are and that they care about them, which, in turn, is why they share their faith with them.

Getting back on topic here...eventually Rick and Bubba will end its "life cycle" just as any program does. I don't see it happening anytime soon, though, unless they keep on this same tangent (new morning show format) which may do more damage than good in the long run. WZZK seems to be pretty healthy with Rick and Bubba being in place, and as Charles mentioned, it's obvious the show has a following after seeing the aftermath which occurred at WYSF.
Click to expand...

Tried correcting this on my last post, but the time had expired. I meant to say Christians are "fallible" people, not infallible.
Just making sure you were paying attention... ;)
 
jsu5381m said:
With their heavy political and religious talk, does anyone find it odd that Rick and Bubba are actually on a couple of CHR stations like Y 102 Montgomery and 94.1 ZBQ Tuscaloosa? For some reason, it just doesn't sound like a good fit for top 40 radio.
Click to expand...

I felt the same way about their fit on WYSF. ;)
 
When people listen to Rick & Bubba outside of Alabama, what do you think the first impression most people have about them and the state in general?
I would venture to say, they are not the perfect ambassadors for Alabama.
And I remember them BEFORE they took the cash and went to WYSF.
They were much funnier back then, I have to agree with some of the comments posted here.
As far as they life cycle, as long as Cox management thinks they are contributing to the bottom line of their cluster, they will stay in place and more people will go to their Ipods, MP3 and Iphone, Blackberry, etc.
But they have been a consistent act for 12 years now.
 
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