The Sorry State of Boston Talk Radio

[Pippi]

I drive from the south shore to Boston several times a week and am about to throw myself out of my moving car because of the awful state of talk radio. I can't believe these boring people on-air are the best the program directors can find.

I stuck with Michelle McPhee's horrific accent long enough to hear her topic today: How will you pay your oil bill this winter?

Could it get any more tedious?

Egan and Braude I like but Margery's voice sounds like a spoonful of peanut butter is wedged to the roof of her mouth. Then her laugh sounds like Flipper and I get annoyed and have to change the station.

Finneran? I won't even sample.

The hyper-articulating (nine-tee six nine) and scarily right-winged Jay Severin grosses me out with his noisy saliva clicking as he speaks. I hate him.

I might have to install a satellite system.

 

[jane grant]

Pippi welcome to the board. You are preaching to the choir somewhat here.
Just be advised some executives and/or their shills may bash your position because they are oh so thin-skinned.

All due respect to Margery Eagen but you don't hire a person with a speech deficiency to pitch for The Boston Red Sox, so putting a person with that handicap on the air when - clearly - Margery could write for a living - is beyond P.C. It is Greater Media aligning itself with a boring yellow journalism organization.

Michelle's accent is not nearly as bad as her grating broken-glass-on-the-chalkboard sound. Static has a better chance of getting good ratings.

The fact the Enterscam and Great Big Boring Media are fighting over the likes of
Carr speaks volumes about the pathetic state of radio. Good post. Just get ready to get slammed. Or maybe my accurate reflection of Boston radio will take the heat off you. Watch them flock to it like gulls to bread.

 

[ChrisNH]

He might be a real swell guy and his kids and family surely must love him dearly, but the worst-sounding talk-show host is WRKOs Moe Lauzier. He does the 6-9am Saturday show there (thankfully), and his bio on the web site credits him with 23 years at the station. I don't know if I'd describe his as a 'lisp' or something else, but his voice is right up there with broken glass on a chalkboard.

 

[Smoke]

I drive from the south shore to Boston several times a week and am about to throw myself out of my moving car because of the awful state of talk radio.

Let's have a higher level of discussion than this please.

 

[Casablanca]

Pippi as you may already read the corporate lackeys of Entercom and Greater Media will go for the throats of anyone who dares to have a critical word to say about their cash cows...and I don't me "cows" in the derogatory sense that Jay Severin [nee James Severino] uses that word to go after his obsession Hillary Clinton.

Let us know it satellite radio is worth the investment.

 

[rapking]

Boston Radio dial, smell like the alley next to The Pine Street Inn .

 

[Mickey37]

Let's have a higher level of discussion than this please.

Not to sound redundant, but Smoke is right yet again.

That being said, welcome to the board, Pippi, all opinions are welcome and encouraged.

 

[Casablanca]

As you will see over time this board is often populated by dumba#%^ timesales people who have the moral fiber of ...well they have no moral fiber. As long as they can prostitute themselves in the market to make a buck any crap goes...and there is plenty of crap on Boston radio as you have noted. Plus, most of the radio executives come out of sales and so you see or hear what you get. .... drek.

 

[doberd]

Pippi,

This is what happens when "HOWIE" takes some time off. You folks really do miss him.
Please, do not "throw yourself out of your moving car", he will be back.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

As you will see over time this board is often populated by dumba#%^ timesales people who have the moral fiber of ...well they have no moral fiber. As long as they can prostitute themselves in the market to make a buck any crap goes...and there is plenty of crap on Boston radio as you have noted. Plus, most of the radio executives come out of sales and so you see or hear what you get. .... drek.

You will also see over time that this board is often populated by the long-ago-fired-from-the-radio-business-and-still-have-that-chip-on-their-shoulder types, the wannabees and the black-helicopter conspiracy types...none of whom have any clue at all what they're talking about when it comes to how the radio business operates. But of course, if you ask them, they all know everything there is to know about radio, and those who actually work in radio have it all wrong.

You will also note the presence of a clinical disorder known as Entercom Derangement Syndrome, characterized by the aforementioned fired producers, wannabees and conspiracy theorists taking whatever pot shots they can at Entercom and its owned stations, calling Entercom's management people childish names and repeatedly predicting their professional demise again and again and again and again and again and again and...and repeatedly demonstrating an intellectual level about on par with a five-year-old in a sandbox.

 

[Casablanca]

Pippi,
You will also see that this board is populated by payroll hacks and apologists for the handful of corporate entities that employ them. Excuse them, for they no not what they do.

As you will see over time this board is often populated by dumba#%^ timesales people who have the moral fiber of ...well they have no moral fiber. As long as they can prostitute themselves in the market to make a buck any crap goes...and there is plenty of crap on Boston radio as you have noted. Plus, most of the radio executives come out of sales and so you see or hear what you get. .... drek.

You will also see over time that this board is often populated by the long-ago-fired-from-the-radio-business-and-still-have-that-chip-on-their-shoulder types, the wannabees and the black-helicopter conspiracy types...none of whom have any clue at all what they're talking about when it comes to how the radio business operates. But of course, if you ask them, they all know everything there is to know about radio, and those who actually work in radio have it all wrong.

You will also note the presence of a clinical disorder known as Entercom Derangement Syndrome, characterized by the aforementioned fired producers, wannabees and conspiracy theorists taking whatever pot shots they can at Entercom and its owned stations, calling Entercom's management people childish names and repeatedly predicting their professional demise again and again and again and again and again and again and...and repeatedly demonstrating an intellectual level about on par with a five-year-old in a sandbox.

 

[TSBench]

You will also see over time that this board is often populated

Hey DTABOH, don't fret about 'Pippi'. He/she is as close as you can be to some of our most reality-challenged correspondents, in fact, closer than close. Who's doing the casting here? You'd think that sooner or later "they" would come up with someone to play "the smart one" to complement 'the dumb one" and "the dumb girl one.", in our little on-line passion play, but I guess it was too much of a stretch.

Gawd, there are so many beards popping up around here you'd think you were at a reunion of Civil War generals.

Regards,
TSB

 

[Casablanca]

TS, What was General Grant like? Understand you used to go drinking with him after the War Between The States, The Recent Unpleasantness, The Civil War.

You will also see over time that this board is often populated

Hey DTABOH, don't fret about 'Pippi'. He/she is as close as you can be to some of our most reality-challenged correspondents, in fact, closer than close. Who's doing the casting here? You'd think that sooner or later "they" would come up with someone to play "the smart one" to complement 'the dumb one" and "the dumb girl one.", in our little on-line passion play, but I guess it was too much of a stretch.

Gawd, there are so many beards popping up around here you'd think you were at a reunion of Civil War generals.

Regards,
TSB

 

[Mickey37]

As you will see over time this board is often populated by dumba#%^ timesales people who have the moral fiber of ...well they have no moral fiber. As long as they can prostitute themselves in the market to make a buck any crap goes...and there is plenty of crap on Boston radio as you have noted.

That's the free enterprise system, brother.

I think we can all agree this board leans to the negative, sometimes overly so. It's a shame, considering most of us share the passion for the industry, whatever our views of the world may be. We argue over details, like most dysfunctional families.

 

[AllForADeuce]

I might have to install a satellite system.

Pippi, I do agree with most of your posts and being an XM subscriber, there are some nice talk radio options on satellite IMO.

I do find it sad that we have to prepare a new poster for the slaughter just for going to a public board and posting an opinion.

That said, I do have to let her know not to be disrupted by the negative comments to her negative assessment. I know from experience that some people only regard your opinion as valid if you work within the industry. I might not agree 100% with your railing, but can feel your frustration and that is what some derailers will not grasp. Don't let anyone on the board belittle your opinions. Some insiders forget that just because they make a show doesn't mean we have to like it and as a poster mentioned earlier, they can be quite thin skinned to complaints. Our complaints signify that there is something wrong with the product and some will refuse to look at or acknowledge flaws in the system. Some don't consider the listener's opinion as valid and that, by jove, is one reason they're reading messages at their non-radio jobs. Keep your chin up and your opinions coming!!

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Pippi,
You will also see that this board is populated by payroll hacks and apologists for the handful of corporate entities that employ them. Excuse them, for they no not what they do.

IOW, those who actually work in radio and actually know what they're talking about have suddenly become "payroll hacks" and "apologists for the handful of corporate entities that employ them." Nice try, from the one poster on this board who is the living embodiment of the disgrunted ex-employee.

I know from experience that some people only regard your opinion as valid if you work within the industry. I might not agree 100% with your railing, but can feel your frustration and that is what some derailers will not grasp. Don't let anyone on the board belittle your opinions.

Opinions resemble a certain bodily orifice. Everybody has one. However, opinions tend to be valid only when based on fact, as opposed to what passes for facts all too often on this board. The tendency in this place, however, is to ignore the facts in favor of "my pet theory" or "I know I'm right because the Republicans are in power" or "it's all politics" or "you're a shill for big business" or, best of them all, "it's obvious" or...well, you get the picture. The same people, day in and day out, post their opinions and predictions, based on exactly nothing, and then get all bent out of shape when those who have a modicum of a clue correct them, thus destroying their carefully constructed straw men, or when those predictions don't come true (and BTW, posting the same prediction 37 times when it didn't come true the first time doesn't insure that it will come true any of the other 36 times either). That's the modus operandi around here. Too little learning, too little fact-checking, too little listening/reading, too few questions asked...but far too much know-it-all-ism.

Those of us who actually work in radio don't profess to have all the answers either...but we generally have access to those who do have the answers. The wannabees, OTOH, have all the answers. Not.

You'd think that sooner or later "they" would come up with someone to play "the smart one" to complement 'the dumb one" and "the dumb girl one.", in our little on-line passion play, but I guess it was too much of a stretch.

Anything that remotely resesmbles provable facts is always too much of a stretch here. This could be a great place for radio fans to actually learn about radio, if it weren't for the assorted dyspeptics whose talents seem to be limited to high comedy, an on-the-nose impression of Don Rickles or "is this libelous enough for everyone?"

 

[jane grant]

Dumber says "IOW, those who actually work in radio"...is that what you call it these days, "radio"?

"Yes, Sir - No, Sir - how do you like your coffee, Sir" - Howie's a fine one to talk about kissing the backside because he has to do that now. It isn't "radio", it's - as clearly pointed out by many know-it-alls on this board - "a business."

Those working in radio today get paid Dunkin' Donuts wages without the more creative atmosphere they might find at Dunkin Donuts. Y'know, they can get on a microphone there and say "Order #1" and actually come up with that line without being told what to say!

"Dumber" than a Box Of Chocolate Frosted Coffee Rolls is more like it if you work in radio in 2007.

 

[jane grant]

Mickey 37, please note all the insults hurled at we who have an opinion. Radio today censors independent thought. If you are in radio and the problem persists, I respectfully submit that you could be part of the problem.

Show us where the creativity is in radio? WBCN? MIKE FM? WAAF?

Show us where the entertainment value is?

Why are people IPodding it and putting CDs in their cars - why are the choices on a satellite system or two that makes you pay for what we expect for free?

These are questions that any liberal or conservative can agree with. The only ones who can't agree with my position are those who make money inhibiting free speech and entertainment on the radio.

Pretty sad. Now if people can fairly address my response to Mickey by proving where on the free public airwaves one can find creativity, entertainment, fun, information - by all means - we want to know.

Otherwise, the internet will give us choice. The choice that radio should be giving us.

Edward J. Markey just sent me a letter. It is amazing how the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has destroyed everything. In Mr. Markey's letter was another letter from the FCC telling me to take the issue to court.

As if we didn't already know that.

Some of us actually put our money where our free speech is supposed to be. Other people can only attack people from the sidelines.

 

[Mickey37]

Mickey 37, please note all the insults hurled at we who have an opinion. Radio today censors independent thought. If you are in radio and the problem persists, I respectfully submit that you could be part of the problem.

I respectfully submit that those who say radio is censoring what they call "independent thought" aren't hearing things they agree with. There are ways for you to get your voice heard on the air, because nothing anyone (myself included) types on these boards makes a whit of difference, any more than writing a letter to the editor or calling a talk show does.

 

[Finn]

Mickey 37, please note all the insults hurled at we who have an opinion. Radio today censors independent thought. If you are in radio and the problem persists, I respectfully submit that you could be part of the problem.

I respectfully submit that those who say radio is censoring what they call "independent thought" aren't hearing things they agree with. There are ways for you to get your voice heard on the air, because nothing anyone (myself included) types on these boards makes a whit of difference, any more than writing a letter to the editor or calling a talk show does.

I don't think I'd call it censoring, but the current model of companies/station/transmitters does limit the number of formats (after all, it is a business. Don't forget that!!!). The internet and satellite is changing that, but we are still limited by the delivery systems - most people still have AM/FM in their cars, most do not have satellite, nobody has live streaming (in the car).

Once Google and the phone manufacturers figure out how to get live audio streams to handheld devices and work out the ad revenue model, many are predicting that the business model will change from a few formats serving the majority of people to many, many, many, many formats, each of which serve a small number of people, the total of which serve many, perhaps more than under the current model. I have to say, I'd rather be working for Google radio than Clear Channel right now. In one of the NAB emails I received recently, there was an article about the problem with current management of these companies - they aren't addressing these issues because they just want another 5-6 years until they retire.

I've love to hear from the self-proclaimed experts on the radio industry on this board about their predictions for what radio is going to look like in five and ten years from now.

Will transmitters become irrelevant? I know people thought television would replace radio and didn't, but I think it's a different issue - there was, is, and always will be a place for audio-only storytelling. What we're talking about here is the delivery method. Content delivered on handheld devices, in the car, via entertainment systems on the web at home....

The college students I come into contact with, even those interested in music and talk, do not have radios at home. It's all internet and ipods. And, it isn't really because of the content. It's partly because they hate ads. But mostly, it's just because they prefer the new delivery systems.

I, for one, am optimistic. First, because I think we'll see much more variety in programming. Jane and I will both have liberal talk radio to listen to, but we'll probably listen to different shows. You guys will still have Severin, Savage, Carr, etc. (Well, I guess only Casablanca admits to listening to Severin.) Second, because I am not paid by CC, Entercom, Greater Media, I have no stake in their success. I say, bring on the new technology - for me it can't happen fast enough! I can't wait.

So, whaddaya think dumber, dark knight, etc? I am particularly interested in hearing from people who are currently paid by these media companies that even some at the NAB think are missing the ball on this one. You think CC and Entercom will still be relevant in five years?