NJ101.5 Keeps Making The Same Mistake

[fred flintstone]

Last time we checked in NJ101.5 Star Search contest, somebody was trying to get the job by voting for themselves - again and again.With nobody noticing, it seems the geniuses at Millennium have picked a stand-up comedienne with no radio experience (a strategy which has been working so well for Air America Radio) and a former Miss America contestant (because looking good in a bathing suit is so important for radio).Apparently NJ101.5 didn't learn anything from the Michelle Jerson fiasco.Next opening goes to David Lee Roth.

One Funny Mother...NEW JERSEY 101.5 CONGRATULATES DENA BLIZZARD…THE WINNER OF “JERSEY’S DREAM JOB” AND THE NEW HOST OF “UNDER THE BOARDWALK”….MONDAY THRU THURSDAY EVENINGS FROM 7PM TO 11PM!Dena first garnered attention in 1995 as Miss New Jersey in the Miss America Pageant, where she proudly ranked in the "Top 50". Since then she has worked as a television host, corporate spokesperson, mother, and comedienne.Dena has also hosted programs on Women’s Health and Pregnancy for the March of Dimes.On the lighter side, Dena's greatest joy is stand-up comedy. Her comedic take on marriage, motherhood and Miss America has garnered her the title "One Funny Mother."Dena happily juggles the struggles of motherhood raising three young children while pursuing her comedy career. She and her husband reside in New Jersey …..and yes, people say she looks like Sandra Bullock and Eva Longoria. Both of which makes Dena very happy.

 

[Starscream]

Are you just trying to troll? If so, you're doing a really bad job.First, she won the contest, hence "Dream Job".Secondly, she's a standup comedian, which actually DOES give her some chops for radio. Because it's about talking and timing.You don't need to grow up in radio to be good on the air. Ron Bennington, Anthony Cumia, etc. come to mind. It's about being a PERFORMER, which Dena is.I love how you destroy Dena without even mentioning her on-air product, which, in my opinion, is a step up from Mary Walter.Why don't you give me some examples which makes Dena so horrible on the air, and what makes her comparable to Jerson?Or are you just going to pine for Mary?

 

[Starscream]

One more thing...Do you notice how DLR was on the air for a few days and everyone crucified the on-air product?I haven't seen one complaint about Dena, and she's been on the air for 2 months now. Obviously, the listeners like her, as their votes contributed to her getting the gig - management likes her - so what's your problem?

 

[fred flintstone]

She's a standup comedian, which actually DOES give her some chops for radio. Because it's about talking and timing.You don't need to grow up in radio to be good on the air. Ron Bennington, Anthony Cumia, etc. come to mind. It's about being a PERFORMER, which Dena is.

Sorry, never heard of those two.But I have heard of Mark Maron, Al Franken and Janeane Garofolo. Being a stand-up comedian gives you chops for comedy clubs. You don't need to "grow up" in radio but you do need experience in radio and a specific talk for radio. All types of performance art are not the same. Next you will tell me that stand-up comedians can do Shakespeare as well as a classically trained actor with a few years of rep company experience. Hey, that's performance, too. This is just another example of a radio station going for name recognition over experience and ability. Or maybe NJ101.5's program director is named Johnson because that's what he makes hiring decisions with. Listeners like her? Have you seen the spring Arbitron book in a crystal ball? It's way to early to say that.Maybe in a few months she will be DJing at birthday parties like Jerson.

 

[Starscream]

You're still avoiding the question... what specifically about her ON-AIR PERFORMANCE makes her so bad? Your arguments have done nothing but bash Dena, the station, and the PD, and you namecheck Michelle Jerson. Why? Why are you pushing this agenda?You haven't heard of "Anthony Cumia"? Considering he's one of the guys WHO TOOK OVER FOR ROTH, it kinda shows the intelligence I'm dealing with.I said that "listeners like her" because a component of the Dream Job contest was the listening public voting for people competing. And you say Dena Blizzard has name recognition? How? I can't even name the CURRENT Miss America, let alone people who were in the contest over 10 years ago. Jeff Norris, who was also competing in the Dream Job contest, I think had a little more name recognition than Dena. All you've done is bash Dena for her looks and her lack of experience, but I haven't heard one statement about what is so terrible about her on-air performance.Why don't you start THERE, and then maybe we can have a conversation.

 

[fred flintstone]

If are referring to half of Opie and Anthony: Never listened. Don't care to. Never listened to Miss New Jersey either. Don't intend to. Most of these people who waltz into radio and try to start at the top without any experience fall flat on their very pretty faces. And they deserve to. I respect people who take the trouble to learn their craft and pay their dues. Like Howard. Like Rush. Like Randi. Not those who expect success handed to them.Maybe when enough of these "names" and "faces" wash out, program directors will finally figure out that experience and a commitment to radio as a career do matter.

 

[Starscream]

If are referring to half of Opie and Anthony: Never listened. Don't care to. Never listened to Miss New Jersey either. Don't intend to. Most of these people who waltz into radio and try to start at the top without any experience fall flat on their very pretty faces. And they deserve to. I respect people who take the trouble to learn their craft and pay their dues. Like Howard. Like Rush. Like Randi. Not those who expect success handed to them.Maybe when enough of these "names" and "faces" wash out, program directors will finally figure out that experience and a commitment to radio as a career do matter.

So let me get this straight... just so I can have this crystal-f'n-clear.You decide to start a thread bashing a personality - comparing her to someone who failed spectacularly on 101.5 - without never listening to her show - solely because she's Miss New Jersey and "she hasn't paid her dues."Is that right? (Edited for personal attack)Maybe - just maybe - if you had listened to her show, your opinion may be relevant, but as I see it, you're nothing but a bitter radio geek who wistfully longs for the days of editing with straight razors and dial-style pots.

 

[fred flintstone]

Dear People Person,Thank you for a polite and courteous reply.No, I prefer Adobe Audition. I have edited tape with razor blades. Sorry, straight razors were never employed for tape editing. Barbers still use them for shaving, however.People with experience in radio learn not to make jokes about the deaths of public figures, do stunts involving sex in a church or disrupt the work of other broadcasters on the air. You show a complete lack of respect for radio and for radio "performers" because you apparently believe one can come in without training, practice and experience and "do radio."Stand up comedians spend years learning their craft, working small clubs and other small time venues. They don't start off in Las Vegas, on HBO Specials or on the Tonight Show. But apparently you consider radio a lesser art and think anyone can just walk in and do it. Maybe you think you could just walk in and do it.