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Spencer Graves Fired?
- Thread starter QzarDE
- Start date
I don't listen to WSTW, but remember hearing Spencer Graves on WDEL's Saturday morning talk show. He's not bad, he was pretty entertaining on that show.
Having said that, did he really set off fireworks inside WDEL/WSTW? I went to Spencer's facebook page and yes that apparently is what he did. Some of the 78 posters, mostly miss him, but some did say that it is illegal to set off fireworks in Delaware. Not to mention the potential to set fire to the station that has millions of dollars worth of equipment, also the safety of others in that building who could have been injured or possibly killed.
WSTW's management can't just ignore that. If for no other reason than Spencer broke the law on WDEL/WSTW property and broadcasted it to the world on one of Delaware's strongest FM signals so that 1000's of folks heard him do it. What I don't get is, wouldn't sound effects of fireworks have worked for what he was trying to do on his show? What was he thinking??
I did check the WSTW website and Spence's photo and name, etc, are still there. So maybe the Delmarva Broadcasting jury is still out as to what his punishment will be, other than he's off the air for a few days.
However, I believe that most employers (radio or otherwise) would terminate such an person who was foolish enough to set off fireworks on company property and worse yet, INSIDE their building. If someone had gotten hurt or if a fire had burnt the building down, etc, costing WSTW/WDEL and Delmarva Broadcasting possibly millions of dollars, not just in rebuilding, but law suits if anyone was hurt. Also both stations would be off the air costing possibly millions of dollars of lost spot revenue, plus the stations' losing their listeners as folks might get used to other AM/FM stations respectively and not come back to 1150 or 93.7 when they finally were returned to the airwaves.
No, If he really did this, it is very serious and calling it a prank won't cut it for most employers. So Spencer Graves might be finished at WSTW and WDEL. Sometimes you make a mistake that really costs you. Spencer is talented, so even if he's done at WSTW, he'll land on his feet in some other city on a similar type FM station, probably in a smaller market that would love to get someone of his talent on their airwaves. He'll probably have to take a step backward going to a smaller station in a smaller market, but that's only a temporary setback. It is what it is. Hopefully he's learned something in all this.
Having said that, did he really set off fireworks inside WDEL/WSTW? I went to Spencer's facebook page and yes that apparently is what he did. Some of the 78 posters, mostly miss him, but some did say that it is illegal to set off fireworks in Delaware. Not to mention the potential to set fire to the station that has millions of dollars worth of equipment, also the safety of others in that building who could have been injured or possibly killed.
WSTW's management can't just ignore that. If for no other reason than Spencer broke the law on WDEL/WSTW property and broadcasted it to the world on one of Delaware's strongest FM signals so that 1000's of folks heard him do it. What I don't get is, wouldn't sound effects of fireworks have worked for what he was trying to do on his show? What was he thinking??
I did check the WSTW website and Spence's photo and name, etc, are still there. So maybe the Delmarva Broadcasting jury is still out as to what his punishment will be, other than he's off the air for a few days.
However, I believe that most employers (radio or otherwise) would terminate such an person who was foolish enough to set off fireworks on company property and worse yet, INSIDE their building. If someone had gotten hurt or if a fire had burnt the building down, etc, costing WSTW/WDEL and Delmarva Broadcasting possibly millions of dollars, not just in rebuilding, but law suits if anyone was hurt. Also both stations would be off the air costing possibly millions of dollars of lost spot revenue, plus the stations' losing their listeners as folks might get used to other AM/FM stations respectively and not come back to 1150 or 93.7 when they finally were returned to the airwaves.
No, If he really did this, it is very serious and calling it a prank won't cut it for most employers. So Spencer Graves might be finished at WSTW and WDEL. Sometimes you make a mistake that really costs you. Spencer is talented, so even if he's done at WSTW, he'll land on his feet in some other city on a similar type FM station, probably in a smaller market that would love to get someone of his talent on their airwaves. He'll probably have to take a step backward going to a smaller station in a smaller market, but that's only a temporary setback. It is what it is. Hopefully he's learned something in all this.
J
jhguthlac
Guest
If he really did it, it is a good publicity stunt. But it also shows his IQ level. Not the kind of dunce I would ever take a chance on.
I have heard him on WDEL and frankly, I would not have hired him for anything. On the AM side, he proved he had no concept of what his audience was into.
I have heard him on WDEL and frankly, I would not have hired him for anything. On the AM side, he proved he had no concept of what his audience was into.
jhguthlac: you make a good point. I found Spencer entertaining, because frankly I don't listen to the WDEL Saturday morning junk-swap show and just happened to scan by and his antics caught my ear. So his monkey shines there made the junk-swap show more interesting for me; but you're correct, that's probably not what his real audience wanted. I only listened a few times as I prefer Car Talk on NPR.
Actually. when you think about it, that was sort of stupid on his part so he deserves to get the time off, maybe for good. You just don't do that kind of stuff regardless.
J
jhguthlac
Guest
This has gotten me thinking about my initiation at WSER. I was doing the afternoon shift. To "offically" welcome me, the PD threw a firecracker into the studio. It was fake of course, an orange tube with a lit stick match in one end. And he was smart enough to make sure the mike was off, because he knew what I, a 15-year old, would say! And he was right. That was the exact word (the Bible uses the word "dung" - I did not) I said. But he never figured that before I said the word, I would throw the mike open! I had the record potted up so high, no one heard me!
1) Either he is real dumb, as suggested above.
2) Or he is real smart -- creating a "theater of the mind" explanation for a scheduled absence (vacation).
I sure hope it's the latter.
2) Or he is real smart -- creating a "theater of the mind" explanation for a scheduled absence (vacation).
I sure hope it's the latter.
A
amfm.com
Guest
Can you say "promo stunt" (and before a holiday day off at that...)?
(And yes, radio is indeed theater of the mind)
(And yes, radio is indeed theater of the mind)
It apparently is a stunt of some sort. Did he actually set off a firework inside the building? It's radio. How would anyone really know. You heard one terrific boom !!! FM stereo, a pre recordeed sound effect of a fire work going off with reverb, some echo to simulate a hallway in a building, etc, etc, and wa-la you've created the illusion of Spencer setting off a fire cracker in the studios of WSTW.
My guess is, not. He's not fired, he didn't actually set off a firework in the building there at 2727 Shipley Rd. He's probably on vacation or off for personal reasons (medical issues, etc) as his name is still listed on the WSTW website with photo, etc. Unless WSTW/Delmarva does things differently that WILM/Clear Channel Delaware where when they let someone go, your name, photo are gone immediately from their web site. Its been almost a week and no change at the WSTW website.
So I'm assuming someone here actually tunes into 93.7 and will let us all know next week that ole Spencer is back on the air at WSTW and was successful in creating a lot of buzz around town and possibly boosted the ratings of his and Nancy's morning show. Some summer time escapism.
My guess is, not. He's not fired, he didn't actually set off a firework in the building there at 2727 Shipley Rd. He's probably on vacation or off for personal reasons (medical issues, etc) as his name is still listed on the WSTW website with photo, etc. Unless WSTW/Delmarva does things differently that WILM/Clear Channel Delaware where when they let someone go, your name, photo are gone immediately from their web site. Its been almost a week and no change at the WSTW website.
So I'm assuming someone here actually tunes into 93.7 and will let us all know next week that ole Spencer is back on the air at WSTW and was successful in creating a lot of buzz around town and possibly boosted the ratings of his and Nancy's morning show. Some summer time escapism.
Oh my GAWD, really???
What's next, is Spencer going to throw a cherry bomb in the girls bathroom during the sock hop?
What a rebel!!! Theater of the mind, indeed...if only you relics had a mind. It's 2012. Pull up your Depends and take that nostalgia crap somewhere else.
Spencer is a tool, doing antiquated tool radio, on an antiquated tool radio station.
What's next, is Spencer going to throw a cherry bomb in the girls bathroom during the sock hop?
What a rebel!!! Theater of the mind, indeed...if only you relics had a mind. It's 2012. Pull up your Depends and take that nostalgia crap somewhere else.
Spencer is a tool, doing antiquated tool radio, on an antiquated tool radio station.
Delawhere, suck on your pacifier while I reply to your "witty comments". Why attack all of us here? You think that only YOUR young uninformed opinion is worthy to be posted here? That anyone older doesn't have a clue or a right to be heard? How arrogant of you.
That's one difference between young and older folks. Many of the young think they know it all and that they see all things clearly, even though there's only a couple of chapters written in their book of knowledge. Many younger folks tend to be more arrogant with a lack of humility that tends to come with age.
Those of us who are now "older" or more mature have been around the block a time or two. As a result we have far more chapters in our book of knowledge, because we've experienced more. We've had plenty of experiences both good and bad so we realize that we don't know it all, and due to that have gained the humility where we'll express our thoughts, but also realize we can learn from others. Each person brings their unique experience of life (in this case radio) to the table for whatever we're discussing here.
So you missed an opportunity to have offered some intelligent thought here that might have taught all of us "geezers" something new about radio or life, etc. Well maybe next time.
Oh by the way, most folks who listen to the radio do have mental pictures of what the DJ's, news anchors, talk show hosts, etc, look like. Just like when someone is reading a book or listening to an audio book. Both listener and reader picture how things being described look like in their "mind's eye". THAT is the theatre of the mind (they usually are shocked when they finally do see a photo of the radio personality or see the person in person as they never look as they pictured in their mind).
That's one difference between young and older folks. Many of the young think they know it all and that they see all things clearly, even though there's only a couple of chapters written in their book of knowledge. Many younger folks tend to be more arrogant with a lack of humility that tends to come with age.
Those of us who are now "older" or more mature have been around the block a time or two. As a result we have far more chapters in our book of knowledge, because we've experienced more. We've had plenty of experiences both good and bad so we realize that we don't know it all, and due to that have gained the humility where we'll express our thoughts, but also realize we can learn from others. Each person brings their unique experience of life (in this case radio) to the table for whatever we're discussing here.
So you missed an opportunity to have offered some intelligent thought here that might have taught all of us "geezers" something new about radio or life, etc. Well maybe next time.
Oh by the way, most folks who listen to the radio do have mental pictures of what the DJ's, news anchors, talk show hosts, etc, look like. Just like when someone is reading a book or listening to an audio book. Both listener and reader picture how things being described look like in their "mind's eye". THAT is the theatre of the mind (they usually are shocked when they finally do see a photo of the radio personality or see the person in person as they never look as they pictured in their mind).
Hey Mike, Got to say, I agree with Delawhere on this one. This is 2012. The internet tells you what the people on the radio look like and honestly. If you set a firecracker off at your work, would you still work there? Didn't think so. This was a stupid stunt to lead into some vacation time.
The real question, when is the last time spent over 10 minutes listening to Delmarva's Mother Ship without flipping? I tried and can't make it past 2 songs.
The real question, when is the last time spent over 10 minutes listening to Delmarva's Mother Ship without flipping? I tried and can't make it past 2 songs.
Radio 19720, I don't have a problem with Delawhere's opinion, but his bashing all of us for expressing our opinions.
I made your point back in my first post on this topic. Yes, totally, if someone set off a real cherry bomb or whatever inside their place of employment, they'd be history. Did he really set one off inside WSTW? I doubt it. It is radio, sound effects create the image and his mouth does the rest, along with, apparently, his facebook account.
However, I tend to forget that most of the younger folks listen to radio, not via the radio, but online via their I-phones, Blackberry's and I-pods which does offer photos of the personalities, if they click on the right place on the web site. I see your point. So the theatre of the mind isn't as big a factor today as it was back in our day.
I must confess I don't get the obsession with facebook. I do use it to see photos of family and friends, but see no other real value for it as email is easier to use to send messages. The font is also larger than on FB. It would never occur to me to use FB to create an issue or stunt as apparently Spenser did. I guess that's a generational thing as millions if not billions of the younger folks are using it (I'm assuming around the world) that it now has its own stock traded in the stock market. You know what they say, cool marches on and I missed the parade.
Now as to your question about the last time I spent more than 10 minutes listening to WSTW without flipping? They were still being called WDEL-FM, so back before the call letter change was the last time I spent more than 10 minutes listening to 93.7. I've scanned by, but never really have cared for WSTW's music or WJBR's either for that matter. So I don't listen to either other than to stop by while scanning and then moving on.
However, in both WSTW's and WBJR's defense, I'm 61, their advertisers don't want, care, or even desire that I listen so it makes good business sense to target those folks younger like Delawhere. So when I want music, I generally do not go to the radio other than for Classical Music on WRTI's Wilmington repeater at 107.7 and to WVUD 91.3 for their Classical Music, and sometimes to WSOX 96.1 York PA for their Greatest Hits.
More often, I go online and can find all sorts of music that I, as a baby boomer really like (Classic Country, Oldies from 50's to early pre-disco 70's without the excessive amount (for my ear) of Motown/Soul that WOGL plays, etc). I pretty much only listen to "old school radio" for spoken word programming: News/Talk format: WDEL and WHYY-FM; Sports/Talk format: WIP-FM, WPEN-FM, and WWTX 1290 the ticket. I will check out 610 WIP also, when in September they start airing CBS Sports Radio (see Philly thread for details on that).
I get your point. For those of you who had been avid listeners, to WSTW, it apparently lost a lot of why you tuned in. The 12+ numbers seem to bear you out. I remember when it was a battle for #1 between WJBR and WSTW. Now WJBR and WDAS-FM seem to battle for that top slot with WXCY with country music is in third place with WSTW tied with WUSL for fourth place. They still are a major player in the market, albeit a smaller one than in past years, obviously they've lost something that made them one of the two top Wilmington stations.
I made your point back in my first post on this topic. Yes, totally, if someone set off a real cherry bomb or whatever inside their place of employment, they'd be history. Did he really set one off inside WSTW? I doubt it. It is radio, sound effects create the image and his mouth does the rest, along with, apparently, his facebook account.
However, I tend to forget that most of the younger folks listen to radio, not via the radio, but online via their I-phones, Blackberry's and I-pods which does offer photos of the personalities, if they click on the right place on the web site. I see your point. So the theatre of the mind isn't as big a factor today as it was back in our day.
I must confess I don't get the obsession with facebook. I do use it to see photos of family and friends, but see no other real value for it as email is easier to use to send messages. The font is also larger than on FB. It would never occur to me to use FB to create an issue or stunt as apparently Spenser did. I guess that's a generational thing as millions if not billions of the younger folks are using it (I'm assuming around the world) that it now has its own stock traded in the stock market. You know what they say, cool marches on and I missed the parade.
Now as to your question about the last time I spent more than 10 minutes listening to WSTW without flipping? They were still being called WDEL-FM, so back before the call letter change was the last time I spent more than 10 minutes listening to 93.7. I've scanned by, but never really have cared for WSTW's music or WJBR's either for that matter. So I don't listen to either other than to stop by while scanning and then moving on.
However, in both WSTW's and WBJR's defense, I'm 61, their advertisers don't want, care, or even desire that I listen so it makes good business sense to target those folks younger like Delawhere. So when I want music, I generally do not go to the radio other than for Classical Music on WRTI's Wilmington repeater at 107.7 and to WVUD 91.3 for their Classical Music, and sometimes to WSOX 96.1 York PA for their Greatest Hits.
More often, I go online and can find all sorts of music that I, as a baby boomer really like (Classic Country, Oldies from 50's to early pre-disco 70's without the excessive amount (for my ear) of Motown/Soul that WOGL plays, etc). I pretty much only listen to "old school radio" for spoken word programming: News/Talk format: WDEL and WHYY-FM; Sports/Talk format: WIP-FM, WPEN-FM, and WWTX 1290 the ticket. I will check out 610 WIP also, when in September they start airing CBS Sports Radio (see Philly thread for details on that).
I get your point. For those of you who had been avid listeners, to WSTW, it apparently lost a lot of why you tuned in. The 12+ numbers seem to bear you out. I remember when it was a battle for #1 between WJBR and WSTW. Now WJBR and WDAS-FM seem to battle for that top slot with WXCY with country music is in third place with WSTW tied with WUSL for fourth place. They still are a major player in the market, albeit a smaller one than in past years, obviously they've lost something that made them one of the two top Wilmington stations.
J
jhguthlac
Guest
I think Delawhere is actually Spencer. Sounds like his IQ level.
M
mrpizza
Guest
Just saw Spencer yesterday at a WSTW event. He's also apparently replaced Joe Alan as the official spokesman for Concord Pet. I can't really comment about the fireworks thing because this is the first I've heard of it. What I can say is that he's still there and in fact I called in this morning and talked to him and Nancy Johnson. I would say there's reasonable doubt about it having been real fireworks. Radio and TV stations have all the state-of-the-art computers capable of replicating any sound effects you want. My conclusion is that this is hearsay because he most certainly would have been canned otherwise. Pete Booker, Chris Carl, and I'm sure Allan Loudell would have seen to that.
My understanding is Allan isn't in management at all at WDEL as he was at WILM. So my guess is, the only area where he gets any real say is in his twice a day newscasts and the Loudell commentary, which probably works just fine for him as he's all about the news and world events/issues.
Chris Carl is the PD (I believe that's his title) at WDEL and Pete Booker is President of Delmarva Broadcasting. Yes, these men would have some definite say, Chris over what happens at WDEL, not WSTW, and Pete over all the Delmarva stations.
Speaking if which, we were down at the beach on Friday, had a great time, and did tune into Cat Country 105.9 while in the car. Sounded good, enjoyed listening to it.
Chris Carl is the PD (I believe that's his title) at WDEL and Pete Booker is President of Delmarva Broadcasting. Yes, these men would have some definite say, Chris over what happens at WDEL, not WSTW, and Pete over all the Delmarva stations.
Speaking if which, we were down at the beach on Friday, had a great time, and did tune into Cat Country 105.9 while in the car. Sounded good, enjoyed listening to it.
I agree Mike. Loudell is a "mere WDELemployee" and it must have been quite an adjustment for him to get used to that. What I don't understand is that he apparently arrives at the station at about 6am, staying all day, through to the end of the afternoon news block. Why would anybody want to do that?
Allan, of course should answer this, but as I did work with Allan for 5 of my 7 years at WILM, I'll offer what I know. Allan loves what he does. He eats, sleeps, drinks radio, news, and world issues.
From what I understand, Allan prepares and airs his Loudell Report each morning for the AM newsblock with Peter and Melanie. He's busy in the AM lining up interviews, etc, for his noon newsblock. Same with his afternoon newsblock, he spends the earlier afternoon lining up those interviews. Allan also has a blog at WDEL.com where he writes some commentary about some of the bigger issues going on and sometimes the lesser issues with links from various media reports. He monitors the blog and chimes in with his comments every now and then. If you want to better learn what makes Allan Loudell tick, visit his blog:
http://www.wdel.com/blog/section.php?sectionid=3
From what I understand, Allan prepares and airs his Loudell Report each morning for the AM newsblock with Peter and Melanie. He's busy in the AM lining up interviews, etc, for his noon newsblock. Same with his afternoon newsblock, he spends the earlier afternoon lining up those interviews. Allan also has a blog at WDEL.com where he writes some commentary about some of the bigger issues going on and sometimes the lesser issues with links from various media reports. He monitors the blog and chimes in with his comments every now and then. If you want to better learn what makes Allan Loudell tick, visit his blog:
http://www.wdel.com/blog/section.php?sectionid=3
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