Nik Carter's Style Poor Choice for Afternoons at WRXP

[wrsurocks]

Nik Carter doing afternoon drive on WRXP is a poor choice. Nothing against the guy, as I don't know him personally, but when he was on that one day it was really bad. RXP doesn't have that fratboy, sarcastic vibe. It sounds so out of place.

Paul Cavalconte was such an obvious choice, and slotted in perfectly. How could they choose someone with such a bad presentation?

Just another screwup by whatever powers that be...

...here's hoping for WNEW's return as a AAA considering CBS has no male FM stations now.

 

[DToTheJ]

...here's hoping for WNEW's return as a AAA considering CBS has no male FM stations now.

But it's a mere pipedream for as long as CBS sits on the WNEW calls...

 

[buffalotom]

Oh no... hiring a jock for a failing station from a failing station makes all the sense in the world. the circle of loserdom is complete.

 

[wrsurocks]

...here's hoping for WNEW's return as a AAA considering CBS has no male FM stations now.

But it's a mere pipedream for as long as CBS sits on the WNEW calls...

I'm not going to sit here and start rumors, but there are a lot of factors in a potential return that could make that a very real possibility.

 

[DToTheJ]

I'm not going to sit here and start rumors, but there are a lot of factors in a potential return that could make that a very real possibility.

Yes, we know...

 

[buffalotom]

Here's the major factor in that pipedream. NOW has to shoot through the roof in the ratings. None of this middle of the road 'ok' ratings. Major contender ratings.

IF that happens, then I could see CBS getting rid of FRESH, which does 'ok.' But not bloody likely. And not anytime soon.

 

[Insideradio]

Nik Carter doing afternoon drive on WRXP is a poor choice. Nothing against the guy, as I don't know him personally, but when he was on that one day it was really bad. RXP doesn't have that fratboy, sarcastic vibe. It sounds so out of place.

Paul Cavalconte was such an obvious choice, and slotted in perfectly. How could they choose someone with such a bad presentation?

Just another screwup by whatever powers that be...

...here's hoping for WNEW's return as a AAA considering CBS has no male FM stations now.

So... he doesn't fit the sound of the station? Good! Station is boring as hell. At least they added a little personality. Rxp tries to be too cool for the room and it's NOT working. Nik will at least sound as if he's one of us...

 

[wrsurocks]

Nik Carter doing afternoon drive on WRXP is a poor choice. Nothing against the guy, as I don't know him personally, but when he was on that one day it was really bad. RXP doesn't have that fratboy, sarcastic vibe. It sounds so out of place.

Paul Cavalconte was such an obvious choice, and slotted in perfectly. How could they choose someone with such a bad presentation?

Just another screwup by whatever powers that be...

...here's hoping for WNEW's return as a AAA considering CBS has no male FM stations now.

So... he doesn't fit the sound of the station? Good! Station is boring as hell. At least they added a little personality. Rxp tries to be too cool for the room and it's NOT working. Nik will at least sound as if he's one of us...

Well, if K-Rock's style was your thing, it was your thing. Can't argue that. This is a different format, and Nik is not going to fit the current airstaff.

You go around cracking sarcastic jokes that aren't funny about music? Somehow I think you're selling yourself short.

RXP's DJs bring some real intellectual dialogue to the airwaves about the music, and do great segues. That's the only thing I think is working perfectly on the station and didn't need any adjustments.

Obviously the station has some identity problems as far as some of the arena rock tracks are concerned and the imaging package really sleepy and sucks (they paid money for that?), but what does Nik Carter bring to the table? He didn't have one intelligent mic break the whole afternoon last Thursday. It was all making fun of the music in a way that was not funny. Booker wasn't funny either, or Schwenker. There is no talent in that, and its not really entertaining for this format.

You would have to remove all the DJs, including Pinfield, for Nik to fit in. He acts like he doesn't give a crap about the music on the air - tell me that fits with Pinfield. Or Steve Craig.

Really, Pinfield's raspy voice would be better in another daypart, but that's my opinion...

Such a shame. Obviously the listeners aren't thrilled with parts of the music selection, and now they have one less reason to tune in.

 

[BigBoy41]

Krocks DJs were the worst ever. one of the reasons I stopped listening. Was anyone listening to that station after Howard left? ....not a good fit. I was hoping the station would sound more like Njs HTG than Krock with both of those stations now gone. this just puts the stamp more in the Krock column . too bad. but if krock wasn't hitting home runs, why would he jump into another slot? I liked Paul much better quite frankly.

 

[mistermicrophone]

Well, if K-Rock's style was your thing, it was your thing. Can't argue that. This is a different format, and Nik is not going to fit the current airstaff.

You go around cracking sarcastic jokes that aren't funny about music? Somehow I think you're selling yourself short.

RXP's DJs bring some real intellectual dialogue to the airwaves about the music, and do great segues. That's the only thing I think is working perfectly on the station and didn't need any adjustments.

Obviously the station has some identity problems as far as some of the arena rock tracks are concerned and the imaging package really sleepy and sucks (they paid money for that?), but what does Nik Carter bring to the table? He didn't have one intelligent mic break the whole afternoon last Thursday. It was all making fun of the music in a way that was not funny. Booker wasn't funny either, or Schwenker. There is no talent in that, and its not really entertaining for this format.

You would have to remove all the DJs, including Pinfield, for Nik to fit in. He acts like he doesn't give a crap about the music on the air - tell me that fits with Pinfield. Or Steve Craig.

Really, Pinfield's raspy voice would be better in another daypart, but that's my opinion...

Such a shame. Obviously the listeners aren't thrilled with parts of the music selection, and now they have one less reason to tune in.

ahhh...know-it-all college students!

 

[wrsurocks]

Well, if K-Rock's style was your thing, it was your thing. Can't argue that. This is a different format, and Nik is not going to fit the current airstaff.

You go around cracking sarcastic jokes that aren't funny about music? Somehow I think you're selling yourself short.

RXP's DJs bring some real intellectual dialogue to the airwaves about the music, and do great segues. That's the only thing I think is working perfectly on the station and didn't need any adjustments.

Obviously the station has some identity problems as far as some of the arena rock tracks are concerned and the imaging package really sleepy and sucks (they paid money for that?), but what does Nik Carter bring to the table? He didn't have one intelligent mic break the whole afternoon last Thursday. It was all making fun of the music in a way that was not funny. Booker wasn't funny either, or Schwenker. There is no talent in that, and its not really entertaining for this format.

You would have to remove all the DJs, including Pinfield, for Nik to fit in. He acts like he doesn't give a crap about the music on the air - tell me that fits with Pinfield. Or Steve Craig.

Really, Pinfield's raspy voice would be better in another daypart, but that's my opinion...

Such a shame. Obviously the listeners aren't thrilled with parts of the music selection, and now they have one less reason to tune in.

ahhh...know-it-all college students!

Ah, rudeness on a faceless message board. Par for the course.

Aside from that, I have worked for quite a bit more than college radio at my young age - as many of our alumni who continue to stay on with our station have done. If you really care to know email me at [email protected]. Don't assume.

 

[wrsurocks]

Again, nothing against the DJs themselves - I don't know them personally. All of the 92.3 DJs could have been great people in-person. I hope Nik can drop the shtick real fast, because it sounds awful.

This format has been aiming for the yuppie crowd, and the DJs talk to them. Just dump the AC/DC and their ilk, streamline the playlist, and bring in some upbeat imaging.

Could use some more marketing too.

No one has all the answers. But I think Nik's style is just plain wrong for the format. Go to WYSP in Philly for that.

 

[RTibbs]

I guess Sean Demery wasn't available.

 

[Brooklyndon]

I've had the good fortune to listen to Nik Carter since about 97, and if there is one thing I have picked up, its that he seemed to crack on Nu-Metal and, later, classic rock a whole lot more than he did new wave and alternative. So he should be a good fit at WRXP.

In my mind (surely shaped by his self promotion over the radio), he is an encyclopedic knowledge of new wave and alternative from 82-99. Seems like he'd be a great fit with WRXP's target.

As far as his sarcasm, I think he's pretty inane, with a well honed sense of absurdity. But, when they let him talk, there is a bit of unpredictability that brings a good edge; Perhaps my favorite Nik Carter quip was, in reference improving race relation in Boston, at a time when Depeche Mode was his favorite band, "First call you f*****, AND THEN they call you n*****." Hilarious. The guy takes equal shots at everyone, himself included. More importantly, he knows how to fill 22 seconds between a song and a spot without boring everyone to death and promting them to change the channel.

 

[mistermicrophone]

Well, if K-Rock's style was your thing, it was your thing. Can't argue that. This is a different format, and Nik is not going to fit the current airstaff.

You go around cracking sarcastic jokes that aren't funny about music? Somehow I think you're selling yourself short.

RXP's DJs bring some real intellectual dialogue to the airwaves about the music, and do great segues. That's the only thing I think is working perfectly on the station and didn't need any adjustments.

Obviously the station has some identity problems as far as some of the arena rock tracks are concerned and the imaging package really sleepy and sucks (they paid money for that?), but what does Nik Carter bring to the table? He didn't have one intelligent mic break the whole afternoon last Thursday. It was all making fun of the music in a way that was not funny. Booker wasn't funny either, or Schwenker. There is no talent in that, and its not really entertaining for this format.

You would have to remove all the DJs, including Pinfield, for Nik to fit in. He acts like he doesn't give a crap about the music on the air - tell me that fits with Pinfield. Or Steve Craig.

Really, Pinfield's raspy voice would be better in another daypart, but that's my opinion...

Such a shame. Obviously the listeners aren't thrilled with parts of the music selection, and now they have one less reason to tune in.

ahhh...know-it-all college students!

Ah, rudeness on a faceless message board. Par for the course.

Aside from that, I have worked for quite a bit more than college radio at my young age - as many of our alumni who continue to stay on with our station have done. If you really care to know email me at [email protected]. Don't assume.

NOT rudeness...SARCASM, there's a difference. Since you don't enjoy Nik's on the air, it's obvious you don't enjoy mine. Ok, so some alumni stay on the college station...you have worked at more than college radio...whatever.

Most of the professionals on this board, myself included, don't rip, attack or bad mouth those working in this industry. Questioning someone's talent - someone whose resume I am willing to bet is more impressive than your's - is NOT done by those who have "been there". You speak in certain terms about the talent and performance of Pinfield, Carter, Booker, etc, and the programming of WRXP...so...I have to ask, why aren't YOU the PD there?? Why aren't YOU doing PM Drive?

The only assumption I am making is that you are NOT currently on in NYC...because you wouldn't be that critical of those who are on the air, on this board. Even if you were there in the past, you'd be HAAPPY for someone like Nik getting a job in the current, rock-bottom state of the industry.

 

[mjb1124]

Please... I see plenty of harsh criticism of major on-air talent from people who claim to be radio experts. (Maybe not as much on this board as on that other one, but I digress.) And on the other end, just because somebody isn't a seasoned pro doesn't mean they're not entitled to an opinion. Dan (wrsurocks) is speaking from a listener's perspective, and the listeners are ultimately what keeps radio going. Nik Carter's style worked on K-Rock, but I agree that he is a total fish out of water on RXP, and it's a shame because I too thought Cavalconte was a shoe-in.

 

[MarkW]

You speak in certain terms about the talent and performance of Pinfield, Carter, Booker, etc, and the programming of WRXP...so...I have to ask, why aren't YOU the PD there?? Why aren't YOU doing PM Drive?

Hi Leslie! (j/k)

The bottom line is RXP is a poorly-programmed station for the market. The passing of K-Rock will do little to move the ratings needle at RXP. Much of K-Rock's listenership was attributable to Opie & Anthony. Also, if you compare the playlists of the two stations -- contrary to what Matt Pinhead has to say -- there is not a ton of similarity between RXP and any of K-Rock's various formatical permutations.

RXP is a very weak-sauced "rock" station. It is geared toward the granola and Starbucks crowds. The fact RXP is making overtures to the ex-K-Rock audience is quite comical to begin with, since I'm guessing the lifestyles of the two stations' audiences are quite different.

Hiring Nik Carter makes sense only if RXP / Emmis grow some brain cells and decide to shift the music in more of a decidedly modern rock direction.

 

[hubcity]

Hiring Nik Carter makes sense only if RXP / Emmis grow some brain cells and decide to shift the music in more of a decidedly modern rock direction.

Modern, or active? 'Cause Pinfield lurched *heavily* into the Modern Rock realm last Friday for about an hour (9am-10am)...

Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing
The Stone Roses - Fools Gold
U2 - The Fly
Blur - Song 2
Dramarama - Anything Anything
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
MGMT - Time To Pretend
Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again
Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
The Von Bondies - Come On Come On
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot
The Killers - Mr. Brightside
White Lies - To Lose My Life
New Order - Blue Monday

Hope they do *that* a bit more often...

 

[mjb1124]

^That playlist is very representative of what I'd like RXP to sound like. How about going in that direction permanently?

 

[wrsurocks]

Well, if K-Rock's style was your thing, it was your thing. Can't argue that. This is a different format, and Nik is not going to fit the current airstaff.

You go around cracking sarcastic jokes that aren't funny about music? Somehow I think you're selling yourself short.

RXP's DJs bring some real intellectual dialogue to the airwaves about the music, and do great segues. That's the only thing I think is working perfectly on the station and didn't need any adjustments.

Obviously the station has some identity problems as far as some of the arena rock tracks are concerned and the imaging package really sleepy and sucks (they paid money for that?), but what does Nik Carter bring to the table? He didn't have one intelligent mic break the whole afternoon last Thursday. It was all making fun of the music in a way that was not funny. Booker wasn't funny either, or Schwenker. There is no talent in that, and its not really entertaining for this format.

You would have to remove all the DJs, including Pinfield, for Nik to fit in. He acts like he doesn't give a crap about the music on the air - tell me that fits with Pinfield. Or Steve Craig.

Really, Pinfield's raspy voice would be better in another daypart, but that's my opinion...

Such a shame. Obviously the listeners aren't thrilled with parts of the music selection, and now they have one less reason to tune in.

ahhh...know-it-all college students!

Ah, rudeness on a faceless message board. Par for the course.

Aside from that, I have worked for quite a bit more than college radio at my young age - as many of our alumni who continue to stay on with our station have done. If you really care to know email me at [email protected]. Don't assume.

NOT rudeness...SARCASM, there's a difference. Since you don't enjoy Nik's on the air, it's obvious you don't enjoy mine. Ok, so some alumni stay on the college station...you have worked at more than college radio...whatever.

Most of the professionals on this board, myself included, don't rip, attack or bad mouth those working in this industry. Questioning someone's talent - someone whose resume I am willing to bet is more impressive than your's - is NOT done by those who have "been there". You speak in certain terms about the talent and performance of Pinfield, Carter, Booker, etc, and the programming of WRXP...so...I have to ask, why aren't YOU the PD there?? Why aren't YOU doing PM Drive?

The only assumption I am making is that you are NOT currently on in NYC...because you wouldn't be that critical of those who are on the air, on this board. Even if you were there in the past, you'd be HAAPPY for someone like Nik getting a job in the current, rock-bottom state of the industry.

The premise of this board is to provide a forum to discuss radio. Clearly, I said I preferred the current DJ setup so it is not me grinding any ax or not being happy for others. Personally, radio is a part-time side career and I have a lot of respect for those that can stomach a full-time career of this. I also went out and said specifically I don't know the guy as a person, unlike most people on these boards (not you, but many others) who just bash for the hell of it.

It's a style. I don't like the style and I don't think it fits with the other DJs and the concept. He fits on a WYSP. That's a valid opinion that is fair without making it an attack. And yes, I am not PD and I didn't say I have all the answers. Who knows who made this decision, really.

If you were just having fun being sarcastic with me, whatever - no harm done. But when using text communication, it is hard to convey that as it is not a rich communication form.