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REAL dangerous thinking: “Listeners tune-in to hear compelling hosts.”
- Thread starter Holland Cooke
- Start date
Be CAREFUL. Be very, very CAREFUL...
NEVER write that here.
Praising-a-consultant will get you shunned quicker than being-Amish-with-an-iPhone!
But seriously...
Want to see how a station can REALLY connect with listeners...and use the Internet to cement that relationship?
See -- and hear -- www.wmvy.com
When you look at the world map listeners have stuck-pins-in, bear-in-mind that this station is in a remote location that people only visit for a couple months a year.
MikefromDelaware said:
NEVER write that here.
Praising-a-consultant will get you shunned quicker than being-Amish-with-an-iPhone!
But seriously...
Want to see how a station can REALLY connect with listeners...and use the Internet to cement that relationship?
See -- and hear -- www.wmvy.com
When you look at the world map listeners have stuck-pins-in, bear-in-mind that this station is in a remote location that people only visit for a couple months a year.
Thanks for the heads up on Martha Vineyards non-comm folk/jazz station. A great looking web site. What else I found interesting is they offer you a couple of choices to listen online, broadband and dialup. I have dial up and many sites do not work well with it and yes I'm too cheap to spend 40-75 dollars a month for high speed internet (I pay 14.95 for an excellent dial up service that is very reliable). What is great about WMVY's online listening is their dial up works great. Usually, I get a few seconds of audio, then about 30 seconds or more of silence and then another few seconds of sound, etc, making it unlistenable. So WMVY apparently values both the high tech savvy computer geek and the Luddite type like me. They just added a new out of state online listener to their ranks. Maybe, at a later date, I'll even use some of the money I saved by not having the high speed internet service to make a donation to their station.
At the risk of being tarred and feathered, good point Holland.
At the risk of being tarred and feathered, good point Holland.
Holland,
The most successful talk programmers in the country would completely disagree with your analysis of callers vs. hosts and who should be the main attraction.
You have no real talk track record to back your opinion up, so why so strident? You can quote research all you want, but in practical application, it's BS.
You need very interesting and passionate hosts to engage listeners and draw them to your dial position. Callers are nothing more than a tool to use. Any host who depends on callers as the primary draw, is not an entertainer, but an operator---and will be paid accordingly.
Whether it's six months, 1 year or 2 years from now, this will still be the case.
You're betting no one will come back to you 6 months from now and say "Gee Holland, you were full of ^$^&. Your prediction of increased caller relevance never panned out".
A host needs to be intelligent and passionate and a great storyteller and funny and insightful----not merely a conduit for callers to get on the radio version of cable access.
If the phones are out, Holland's boy will read the phonebook on air. My guy will keep people interested and entertained---hopefully with them not even noticing or caring that the phones are out.
The most successful talk programmers in the country would completely disagree with your analysis of callers vs. hosts and who should be the main attraction.
You have no real talk track record to back your opinion up, so why so strident? You can quote research all you want, but in practical application, it's BS.
You need very interesting and passionate hosts to engage listeners and draw them to your dial position. Callers are nothing more than a tool to use. Any host who depends on callers as the primary draw, is not an entertainer, but an operator---and will be paid accordingly.
Whether it's six months, 1 year or 2 years from now, this will still be the case.
You're betting no one will come back to you 6 months from now and say "Gee Holland, you were full of ^$^&. Your prediction of increased caller relevance never panned out".
A host needs to be intelligent and passionate and a great storyteller and funny and insightful----not merely a conduit for callers to get on the radio version of cable access.
If the phones are out, Holland's boy will read the phonebook on air. My guy will keep people interested and entertained---hopefully with them not even noticing or caring that the phones are out.
If a radio-info.com post fell in the forest...
If that's the case, you'd think they would've shown up here by now...
But as to your underlying point...
CORRECT!
Thus what-I-wrote in the-very-first-post which began this thread...STILL the top thread on the News/Talk board, thanks to YOU, "the callers."
YES-I-AM saying that, status quo, Talk Radio's numbing, self-centered, sameness is largely missing an obvious opportunity.
My entire point is contra to the Conventional Wisdom which has resulted in declining shares.
It is mathematically observable that sound-alike radio is boring people.
And I say so BEFORE what's-sure-to-be a scintillating two-day conference on audience measurement at Arbitron HQ in Maryland.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNU3l4GapXw)
Notes to follow.
AND HERE'S A SPECIAL OFFER: On Thursday night, I'm having dinner with Arbitron President Steve Morris.
RSVP any questions you'd like me to ask him.
Back on-point...
Snapshot of the status quo:
1. nearly everyone (who hasn't been fired YET) who is still programming Talk radio is doing-the-same-old-same-old "push" programming; WHILE...
2. tech-enabled consumers:
a.) instead, choose to do what-YOU-are-doing-RIGHT-HERE:
i. "pull" information/entertainment of personal interest, and
ii. interact with each other about it; AND
b.) have-so-vividly-demonstrated their ennui for business-as-usual GENERALLY (not just on November 4).
Apologies if I've not been making this point as-clearly-as-I-thought-I-had.
And there's no need to be angry because-I'm-observing-what-I'm-observing.
Please know that I have NO allusions about how-threatening-it-is to question Conventional Wisdom.
I wear the Teflon-coated consultant blue blazer every day.
Seldom do I enter a reception area under an arch of colorful helium-filled balloons, and a cheery "WELCOME CONSULTANT" sign.
(Although the guys in Winston-Salem do something almost-as-cute.)
And you say so ANONYMOUSLY?
Unlike hobbyists here, I actually make a living having-this-conversation.
Tempting-as-it-is to mimic the David Spade sneer "What's in YOUR wallet?" I won't.
Heck, if you're a plumber, your house or boat may be lots bigger than mine!
Swapping insults isn't the best use of this space, but it makes my point, about the value of interactivity.
If there were no Reply feature, what-I-wrote pages ago would be long-gone by now, eh?
HC
www.HollandCooke.com
401-330-6868
cm454 said:
If that's the case, you'd think they would've shown up here by now...
But as to your underlying point...
CORRECT!
Thus what-I-wrote in the-very-first-post which began this thread...STILL the top thread on the News/Talk board, thanks to YOU, "the callers."
YES-I-AM saying that, status quo, Talk Radio's numbing, self-centered, sameness is largely missing an obvious opportunity.
My entire point is contra to the Conventional Wisdom which has resulted in declining shares.
It is mathematically observable that sound-alike radio is boring people.
And I say so BEFORE what's-sure-to-be a scintillating two-day conference on audience measurement at Arbitron HQ in Maryland.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNU3l4GapXw)
Notes to follow.
AND HERE'S A SPECIAL OFFER: On Thursday night, I'm having dinner with Arbitron President Steve Morris.
RSVP any questions you'd like me to ask him.
Back on-point...
Snapshot of the status quo:
1. nearly everyone (who hasn't been fired YET) who is still programming Talk radio is doing-the-same-old-same-old "push" programming; WHILE...
2. tech-enabled consumers:
a.) instead, choose to do what-YOU-are-doing-RIGHT-HERE:
i. "pull" information/entertainment of personal interest, and
ii. interact with each other about it; AND
b.) have-so-vividly-demonstrated their ennui for business-as-usual GENERALLY (not just on November 4).
Apologies if I've not been making this point as-clearly-as-I-thought-I-had.
And there's no need to be angry because-I'm-observing-what-I'm-observing.
Please know that I have NO allusions about how-threatening-it-is to question Conventional Wisdom.
I wear the Teflon-coated consultant blue blazer every day.
Seldom do I enter a reception area under an arch of colorful helium-filled balloons, and a cheery "WELCOME CONSULTANT" sign.
(Although the guys in Winston-Salem do something almost-as-cute.)
cm454 said:
And you say so ANONYMOUSLY?
Unlike hobbyists here, I actually make a living having-this-conversation.
Tempting-as-it-is to mimic the David Spade sneer "What's in YOUR wallet?" I won't.
Heck, if you're a plumber, your house or boat may be lots bigger than mine!
Swapping insults isn't the best use of this space, but it makes my point, about the value of interactivity.
If there were no Reply feature, what-I-wrote pages ago would be long-gone by now, eh?
HC
www.HollandCooke.com
401-330-6868
"And while I've got you..."
HIGHLY-recommended reading: http://thebook.hear2.com/
Even if you don't read the whole book, download the free Introduction and Sample Chapter.
cm454 said:
HIGHLY-recommended reading: http://thebook.hear2.com/
Even if you don't read the whole book, download the free Introduction and Sample Chapter.
B
bigtalkradiofan
Guest
Holland Cooke said:
This is a recipe for disaster! Sorry HC.
Most N/T stations have a male-dominated listenership.
Men like nothing better than to sit around and listen to talk about "feelings" and "venting."
Note - Sarcasm, tongue firmly planted in cheek.
cm454 said:
Agreed, track record is everything.
Let's hear some concrete examples of where this is working currently.
HC - If you truly believe this, put your money where your mouth is - take out a loan, buy a station and program it as you recommend and trounce the competition in your market.
Similar to how the Jack FM & LibTalk formats were tried out during the early 2000's.
Most N/T stations will let the innovators and early adopters test it out.
If these station's profit and ratings go up - we'll see more early adopters giving it a try.
If not, then we won't.
RE "If not, then we won't."
OK, so KEEP the Reply button HERE (like everywhere-else-on-the-Internet, use-of-which-is-mushrooming while radio TSL erodes).
But try to AVOID using the Reply button in radio programming.
'Guess that-settles-that.
OK, so KEEP the Reply button HERE (like everywhere-else-on-the-Internet, use-of-which-is-mushrooming while radio TSL erodes).
But try to AVOID using the Reply button in radio programming.
'Guess that-settles-that.
bigtalkradiofan said:
When you invoke "Libtalk", it appears you are reducing the format to one of ideology---which is a HUGE mistake. Let's not confuse the issues.
The dividing line needs to be: Hosts who are entertaining and can DRAW an audience using their communication skills, vs. those who depend on beating that one-note drum for a party agenda.
More Limbaugh clones are NOT the answer to the future of talkradio---nor are radio stations who make callers the "star".
"If you're just joining us..."
For-anyone-Joining-In-Progress: This conversation will be easier-to-follow if you start-at-the-beginning, rather than with-the-latest-post-and-work-backward.
Any consultant will tell you that being-taken-literally is a RARE treat.
But, in this case the Internet analogy seems to be a distraction.
Think emulate, not "convert."
In addition to that 5-item list in my second-to-the-last-post-on-page 2 of this thread, see "How Talk Radio Imitates Lunch" on page 4 of http://getonthenet.com/radio-info.pdf
For-anyone-Joining-In-Progress: This conversation will be easier-to-follow if you start-at-the-beginning, rather than with-the-latest-post-and-work-backward.
gr8oldies said:
Any consultant will tell you that being-taken-literally is a RARE treat.
But, in this case the Internet analogy seems to be a distraction.
Think emulate, not "convert."
In addition to that 5-item list in my second-to-the-last-post-on-page 2 of this thread, see "How Talk Radio Imitates Lunch" on page 4 of http://getonthenet.com/radio-info.pdf
GREAT example...
See also the-very-last-item on page 7 of that download, the topic of what-became-a-VERY-caller-driven hour of WBEN (AM), Buffalo, consistently its market's #1 station P12+.
TRUE STORY: This hour was SO riveting that I MISSED MY FLIGHT, after sitting in the rental car with-the-key-on-Accessories ONE-minute-too-long, before hitting a gawdawful bottleneck at Security.
HOW compelling was this demonstration-of-what-I've-been-trying-to-describe-here?
It cost me an extra hotel night.
I missed the last flight that would've gotten me all-the-way-from Buffalo-to-Providence.
'Ended up eating a night @ BWI Airport.
That hour was THAT good.
See also the-very-last-item on page 7 of that download, the topic of what-became-a-VERY-caller-driven hour of WBEN (AM), Buffalo, consistently its market's #1 station P12+.
TRUE STORY: This hour was SO riveting that I MISSED MY FLIGHT, after sitting in the rental car with-the-key-on-Accessories ONE-minute-too-long, before hitting a gawdawful bottleneck at Security.
HOW compelling was this demonstration-of-what-I've-been-trying-to-describe-here?
It cost me an extra hotel night.
I missed the last flight that would've gotten me all-the-way-from Buffalo-to-Providence.
'Ended up eating a night @ BWI Airport.
That hour was THAT good.
I remember talk radio BEFORE the "Limbaugh Revolution". The topics weren't as politically driven, general topics of interest from local issues to national ones minus the political ranting and bashing of the opposing party. The hosts, I remember enjoying back then in Philly Jack MacKinney's Night Talk on WCAU, also Domenic Quinn who came along later on WWDB ( he may have also been on WCAU before going to DB, I just don't remember). Wilmington had Joe Mossbrook (sp) on WDEL. Good shows that kept your interest, because the host knew his material and if he had guests had good ones, and the callers generally made intelligent comments, asked good questions, etc (sure there were always some "stupid callers", but they seemed to be the exception rather than the rule). I don't remember all the political bashing and being right wing or left wing. The callers were a welcome part of the show by the host, not an interruption to their 3 hour sermon, whoops I mean monologue. These shows were issues or topic oriented. I couldn't tell you which political party MacKinney, Quinn or Mossbrook favored, yet they were opinionated and had all kinds of callers. Today, it's pretty hard to NOT know which party the host favors.
Sure Rush may have saved AM radio, but let's be honest, he is a "preacher" for the Republican party and the conservative cause. Sit back and actually listen to his speaking style. It's just like a preacher preaching a sermon, but instead of preaching about salvation from Jesus Christ, he's preaching salvation from the Republican party. The left wing talkers do the same thing, except they're preaching about salvation from the Democrat party. My point is, even as a Christian, I don't listen to preachers all day long every day on my radio, yet there are some folks who will listen to Beck, Rush, Hannity back to back every day at work. That's a lot of right wing preaching. Yet those same folks would pull the plug out if a liberal "preacher's" show came on. The left wing isn't any different. They'd listen to Air America all day long, but would foam at the mouth and pull the plug if Limbaugh's voice came on their radio.
This sort of "format" may make money for their respective networks, but it sure doesn't serve the best interests of our nation. This one sided talk format, right or left, has in many ways divided our nation and helped to keep us from working together for the better good of all. Frankly, I'd sure prefer hearing Jack Mac Kinney's Night Talk any day to Hannity's ranting. My guess is, someone will eventually find a way to modernize Jack's type of show and start the next "Talk Radio Revolution". Sounds like Holland may be one of the cheerleaders for this change. Let's face it, eventually, even in radio, tastes change and then radio will change with it as it always has done. So Limbaugh may be "king of the mountain" now, but eventually something new will come along that makes money and elRushbo will be dumped into the heap of radio history.
Sure Rush may have saved AM radio, but let's be honest, he is a "preacher" for the Republican party and the conservative cause. Sit back and actually listen to his speaking style. It's just like a preacher preaching a sermon, but instead of preaching about salvation from Jesus Christ, he's preaching salvation from the Republican party. The left wing talkers do the same thing, except they're preaching about salvation from the Democrat party. My point is, even as a Christian, I don't listen to preachers all day long every day on my radio, yet there are some folks who will listen to Beck, Rush, Hannity back to back every day at work. That's a lot of right wing preaching. Yet those same folks would pull the plug out if a liberal "preacher's" show came on. The left wing isn't any different. They'd listen to Air America all day long, but would foam at the mouth and pull the plug if Limbaugh's voice came on their radio.
This sort of "format" may make money for their respective networks, but it sure doesn't serve the best interests of our nation. This one sided talk format, right or left, has in many ways divided our nation and helped to keep us from working together for the better good of all. Frankly, I'd sure prefer hearing Jack Mac Kinney's Night Talk any day to Hannity's ranting. My guess is, someone will eventually find a way to modernize Jack's type of show and start the next "Talk Radio Revolution". Sounds like Holland may be one of the cheerleaders for this change. Let's face it, eventually, even in radio, tastes change and then radio will change with it as it always has done. So Limbaugh may be "king of the mountain" now, but eventually something new will come along that makes money and elRushbo will be dumped into the heap of radio history.
B
bigtalkradiofan
Guest
cm454 said:
cm454,
You took that sentence completely out of context - you weren't even close to using it correctly.
You are the one who is confusing issues and trying to make a political point.
I am the one talking about radio, pure and simple. Let's keep the subject on radio, so the thread doesn't get sent to the "Off-Topic" section.
In my prior post, I talked about the "diffusion of innovation" in radio. I recommended HC cite concrete examples where his "caller-centered" format is working; and I said that he should put his money where his mouth is, buy a station, be an innovator and program the station as he recommends that others do to their stations, and gave the example of how stations have recently tried to innovate with new programming such as was tried with the Jack FM music format and the LibTalk (Air America / Jones-Dial Global) format in the early- to mid-2000's.
When you put that sentence back in context (see below) - you'll see that I talked about none of the things you mentioned in your post:
* Did I reduce the format to ideology? Answer - No.
* Did I suggest hosts didn't need to be entertaining? Answer - No.
* Did I suggest the need for more Limbaugh clones? Answer - No.
As you'll see below, I talked about "innovation in radio" - and was not trying to make some political point like you were.
bigtalkradiofan said:
B
bigtalkradiofan
Guest
bigtalkradiofan said:
Holland Cooke said:
As I go back and re-read through how this thread evolved...
I can't help but think this thread is evolving exactly as my re-formulation of HC's idea would predict (if you do a search and replace - replacing "listeners" with "posters"):
Level #1 - “(Posters) tune-in to hear compelling hosts.” - As a well-known and unabashed radio consultant, HC is an industry opinion-leader who comes on here with his latest recommendations for station programmers.
Unlike HC's model would predict, us posters all took the time read what HC had to say on the topic and we digested it.
Level #2 - But then after hearing what HC has to say the a topic - then "(posters) wanted to discuss on the forum/internet message boards" about what the compelling hosts had to say - did they agree, where was the host right or wrong, what they would have said, what did they fail to mention, etc, etc, etc.
Seems to me like the evolution of this thread, conflicts with HC's own model, and provides yet another example of how crucial the entertainer or opinion-leader is to this process.
Re: GREAT example...
The subject being discussed on that show (rape) is one that tends to draw out "riveting" stories. I don't believe that is a good example for that reason. Most subjects will not elicit such interesting responses. Also, what I have heard of WBEN/Buffalo, they are live and local from dawn through late evening (with the exception of Limbaugh), but with very strong personalities around the clock. Not exactly a "caller-driven" programming day.
Again, your attempt to de-emphasize the host is ridiculous. The host is the engine. The quality of the show is in direct relationship to that host's abilities.
Holland Cooke said:
The subject being discussed on that show (rape) is one that tends to draw out "riveting" stories. I don't believe that is a good example for that reason. Most subjects will not elicit such interesting responses. Also, what I have heard of WBEN/Buffalo, they are live and local from dawn through late evening (with the exception of Limbaugh), but with very strong personalities around the clock. Not exactly a "caller-driven" programming day.
Again, your attempt to de-emphasize the host is ridiculous. The host is the engine. The quality of the show is in direct relationship to that host's abilities.
"We're Number ONE!"
Disqualifying-the-example-requested?
I'm shocked, shocked.
But hey, thanks-for-at-least-reading-it.
I suspect you mean "we posters."
And it IS you who are keeping this thread on-TOP-of the News/Talk board.
I was thinking of having some of those big foam index-finger-things made.
Those we're-number-one things you see kids fit-over-their-hands and wave at games?
'Problem is: How would I get 'em to you?
So, instead, using-the-power-of-radio...imagine...
Cue harp swirl.
Cue Gary Glitter, "Rock & Roll, Part II."
HC on arena PA, ambient background:
"YOU! YOU! YOU-THE-POSTERS...NOT ME...MADE THIS THREAD NUMBER ONE!"
"YOU'RE SPENDING MORE TIME ON JUST-THIS-THREAD THAN ALL-THE-TIME-YOU'VE-EVER-SPENT-ON RUSH LIMBAUGH'S SITE, RIGHT???"
SFX: crowd roars.
Cue harp swirl.
When we hit post #700, let's all do the human wave.
Meantime, you'll have to get us there while I duck-out for a while.
'Running for a flight.
Later this week, notes from Arbitron's Consultant Fly-In.
And my offer still stands:
YOUR questions for Arbitron President Steve Morris.
I'll ask him over dinner on Thursday.
Email 'em to [email protected]
HC
www.HollandCooke.com
www.AndYouCanQuoteMe.com
cm454 said:
Disqualifying-the-example-requested?
I'm shocked, shocked.
But hey, thanks-for-at-least-reading-it.
bigtalkradiofan said:
I suspect you mean "we posters."
And it IS you who are keeping this thread on-TOP-of the News/Talk board.
I was thinking of having some of those big foam index-finger-things made.
Those we're-number-one things you see kids fit-over-their-hands and wave at games?
'Problem is: How would I get 'em to you?
So, instead, using-the-power-of-radio...imagine...
Cue harp swirl.
Cue Gary Glitter, "Rock & Roll, Part II."
HC on arena PA, ambient background:
"YOU! YOU! YOU-THE-POSTERS...NOT ME...MADE THIS THREAD NUMBER ONE!"
"YOU'RE SPENDING MORE TIME ON JUST-THIS-THREAD THAN ALL-THE-TIME-YOU'VE-EVER-SPENT-ON RUSH LIMBAUGH'S SITE, RIGHT???"
SFX: crowd roars.
Cue harp swirl.
When we hit post #700, let's all do the human wave.
Meantime, you'll have to get us there while I duck-out for a while.
'Running for a flight.
Later this week, notes from Arbitron's Consultant Fly-In.
And my offer still stands:
YOUR questions for Arbitron President Steve Morris.
I'll ask him over dinner on Thursday.
Email 'em to [email protected]
HC
www.HollandCooke.com
www.AndYouCanQuoteMe.com
Re: "We're Number ONE!"
Holland, you are one funny SOB, I'll give you that.
Of course if you were a talk host, you'd best shut-up and just put the next caller on the air---since THEY are really the STAR---not the hump who tries to hold everybody's attention on the occasion the callers are in the can.
Holland, you are one funny SOB, I'll give you that.
Of course if you were a talk host, you'd best shut-up and just put the next caller on the air---since THEY are really the STAR---not the hump who tries to hold everybody's attention on the occasion the callers are in the can.
cm454, thanks for saying what I was thinking: without Holland Cooke's aggressive and provocative posts (both the opening shots and the follow-ups, sometimes more than one in a row to "prime the pump") I think we would have had our say and moved on... yet he keeps coming back and saying, "here me now and believe me later..."
While I will agree successful hosts will bring on more callers (witness open line Friday on Rush's show), I can't believe just opening the lines and playing traffic cop is the secret to ratings success. C-Span does this all the time, but I don't hear about their "startling ratings jump."
The best talk show host certainly would present the most entertaining callers and let them do their thing; this has been true in music radio in years' past as well as talk radio. I immediately switch away from Michael Savage when he takes a call for this very reason, even though I find him extremely entertaining otherwise: I know he will trample every single listener, every single time, whether he agrees with them or not... ANNOYING.
There is an advantage to all the postings on Radio-Info: it's easy to read past un-interesting posts. It's really hard to listen past un-interesting callers. You HAVE to listen in real time.
So, the lesson? YES, get callers involved in any way you can. A local morning show here constantly takes (& reads on the air) text messages throughout the morning even though their format doesn't usually allow for listeners on-air. Get a screener that recognizes someone who can add something to the conversation (not just make the host look good) and keep the "me too!"s off the air.
BUT, in front of it all, have a host that can stimulate the conversation, and that can bring out in the callers the most entertaining dialog.
If it's just "swap meet," only without anything for sale, I'm not interested.
P.S. - The show that has ME riveted on NPR is "This American Life." I sat in my car in my driveway with the engine idling last night to see if the guy was going to be successful in shooting and killing the chicken since it was wearing the magic amulet.
SERIOUSLY!
Don't believe me? http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=369
P.P.S. - Holland, your video joke made me chuckle. ;D
While I will agree successful hosts will bring on more callers (witness open line Friday on Rush's show), I can't believe just opening the lines and playing traffic cop is the secret to ratings success. C-Span does this all the time, but I don't hear about their "startling ratings jump."
The best talk show host certainly would present the most entertaining callers and let them do their thing; this has been true in music radio in years' past as well as talk radio. I immediately switch away from Michael Savage when he takes a call for this very reason, even though I find him extremely entertaining otherwise: I know he will trample every single listener, every single time, whether he agrees with them or not... ANNOYING.
There is an advantage to all the postings on Radio-Info: it's easy to read past un-interesting posts. It's really hard to listen past un-interesting callers. You HAVE to listen in real time.
So, the lesson? YES, get callers involved in any way you can. A local morning show here constantly takes (& reads on the air) text messages throughout the morning even though their format doesn't usually allow for listeners on-air. Get a screener that recognizes someone who can add something to the conversation (not just make the host look good) and keep the "me too!"s off the air.
BUT, in front of it all, have a host that can stimulate the conversation, and that can bring out in the callers the most entertaining dialog.
If it's just "swap meet," only without anything for sale, I'm not interested.
P.S. - The show that has ME riveted on NPR is "This American Life." I sat in my car in my driveway with the engine idling last night to see if the guy was going to be successful in shooting and killing the chicken since it was wearing the magic amulet.
SERIOUSLY!
Don't believe me? http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=369
P.P.S. - Holland, your video joke made me chuckle. ;D
- Status