Who are the worst talk radio hosts in Boston?

[Neanderpaul]

Howie's gig is only there because there is no competition in this market. He indeed has a great gig,
he has become stale. The market place that exists allows for stale talk show hosts to remain.
Clearly, when someone gets fired from these plum gigs it speaks volumes about their inability to tow the company line. John Depetro an excellent case in point. Jeff Katz as well.

Someone can be fired for not towing the company line?

Howard Stern and Charles Laquidara played to their own tune initially. Go back to my post and see the reference to time that I put in it.

And therein lies the problem with your assessment. Radio isn't what you think it is, or even what is was. It's a different world. One which you're unaware of. And therefore, you cannot possibly know what the business plan is.

If you study Charles' career you'd have a better understanding. He left WBCN to become an actor, they made him an offer he couldn't refuse. It was only when Oedipus took over to start working on getting the pay scale down that Charles had to watch his p's and q's. My business associate, the late Gene Sylvester, was working as a producer for Charles so I have more knowledge than most in regards to that. Gene noted how Oedipus said "Ken Shelton is irrelevant" as he tweaked the jocks to make them nervous about their contract negotiations. That's not taking care of talent and it doesn't foster good radio. You get robots like Todd Feinberg and Michael Graham instead of talents.

How long have Charles and Ken been gone? Again, I point to your lack of knowledge with regard to the current state of radio, and the parameters under which talk radio is done. You're comparing apples and oranges, with outdated apples and oranges. It's not an attack on you. it's a clear statement of the fact that you just don't know. Not your fault.

Again, Paul, I respectfully say that your working for Entercom does have to factor in, just like Dan Shaughnessy should always say "The Globe is owned by The NY Times which co-owns The Red Sox".

With the same respect, It's just not true. I've been taken to task by companies for my opinions before. This just isn't the case. You can disagree all you want. I speak only for myself. I could choose to hide under a screen name, but I believe if you're strong enough to opine, you should be strong enough to stand by those opinions. That's not a slag on anyone else in this forum. It's just how I was brought up. I never expect anyone to believe as I do. And my opinion on this subject is just that. One man's opinion. No more, or less valid than any other's.

Anyone putting their name here without working for the major stations has a ton of credibility - because they - as the listener - get to complain that the product is not worthy of airtime.

Complain yes. But they are nothing more than expressed opinions. Some would call them uninformed, and irrelevant due to lack of knowledge of the business as it is conducted in 2007

Remember, many of us have tuned Finneran and Graham out. We listen enough to critique but why waste time on bad radio? The verdict is in on those two and Fineberg, however ya spell his name.

A confusing concept.

 

[Varulven]

You can read many of my radio essays in multiple publications.

It takes research, Paul. Writing is a lot harder than getting behind the mic. But writing tends to have more staying power. Thank you for reading my posts and for being interested in this subject matter I brought to the board.

Keep in mind, many on-air personalities have very thin skins. They have a natural objection to anyone who has information and feel by "swift boating" they can lessen the impact of the criticism.

Their protesting too much proves them wrong - and that is often reflected when audiences tune them out and we no longer hear them on the airwaves.

Thankfully, people have liked my opinion over the past 30 plus years enough that they keep asking for it. Just found some articles I wrote that were published in 1971 in the recent move of my business stuff after a flood.
Found many articles I forgot I had written! Will make for a good book some day.

But would you really want to read "The Best of Michael Graham?" I think not, thus, I rest my case.

 

[Neanderpaul]

Take It Outside in 3...2...

 

[Eli Polonsky]

Because Charles, and Howard never did anything that wasn't prescribed and planned.

How 'bout back in 1970 when Charles was "dosed" and had to do a show with the microphone "melting" before his eyes? By all accounts, that really happened, and had not been originally planned!

Those were the days...

 

[NHRonin]

Howie's gig is only there because there is no competition in this market. He indeed has a great gig,
he has become stale. The marketplace that exists allows for stale talk show hosts to remain.
Clearly, when someone gets fired from these plum gigs it speaks volumes about their inability to tow the company line. John Depetro an excellent case in point. Jeff Katz as well.

Howard Stern and Charles Laquidara played to their own tune initially. Go back to my post and see the reference to time that I put in it. If you study Charles' career you'd have a better understanding. He left WBCN to become an actor, they made him an offer he couldn't refuse. It was only when Oedipus took over to start working on getting the pay scale down that Charles had to watch his p's and q's. My business associate, the late Gene Sylvester, was working as a producer for Charles so I have more knowledge than most in regards to that. Gene noted how Oedipus said "Ken Shelton is irrelevant" as he tweaked the jocks to make them nervous about their contract negotiations. That's not taking care of talent and it doesn't foster good radio. You get robots like Todd Feinberg and Michael Graham instead of talents.

Again, Paul, I respectfully say that your working for Entercom does have to factor in, just like Dan Shaughnessy should always say "The Globe is owned by The NY Times which co-owns The Red Sox".

Anyone putting their name here without working for the major stations has a ton of credibility - because they - as the listener - get to complain that the product is not worthy of airtime.

Remember, many of us have tuned Finneran and Graham out. We listen enough to critique but why waste time on bad radio? The verdict is in on those two and Fineberg, however ya spell his name.

http://www.toddtalk.com/
The Todd Feinburg Show

I'd give my left you know what to have the Big Mattress to listen to on the way to work every morning. There is nothing in the current market that even approaches the level of brilliance today....not to mention the support of local bands.

 

[SonicOverload]

But would you really want to read "The Best of Michael Graham?" I think not, thus, I rest my case.

or "The Savage Nation," which I just saw on a $1 remainder table at Barnes and Noble.

 

[BoscoGoldBear]

I'm happy Kansas likes Paul Marshall's style

Varulven, not to be a geographical nit-pick, but Missouri makes up more of K.C. than Kansas does, both in size of each K.C. (there are two neighboring Kansas Cities) and in the overall metro area. And - it should be pointed out - Kansas City is Missouri's largest city, while the Kansas City in Kansas is in the middle of Kansas' pack (well behind Wichita).

Hey, better that it comes from me than from Paul! I gotta stick up for my fellow Southie guy!

 

[Neanderpaul]

I'm happy Kansas likes Paul Marshall's style

Varulven, not to be a geographical nit-pick, but Missouri makes up more of K.C. than Kansas does, both in size of each K.C. (there are two neighboring Kansas Cities) and in the overall metro area. And - it should be pointed out - Kansas City is Missouri's largest city, while the Kansas City in Kansas is in the middle of Kansas' pack (well behind Wichita).

Hey, better that it comes from me than from Paul! I gotta stick up for my fellow Southie guy!

Thanks. Appreciate it. It's cool. I'm not at all ashamed of where I am. I'm prouder than ever. Quite frankly, the quality of life is much finer here than in Boston. Less traffic. Cost of living's lower. Dollar goes further. People are nicer. The overall population's a little smaller, but cume is higher so we do better. We just sold out 40,000 people for our Summer Radio show, which doesn't happen in other markets. I'm betting only KISS 108's multi-day KISS concert can compete with in Boston. We're #1 in every daypart outside of nights across the board (P 12+, P 18-34, P 25-54, P 18-49). Those numbers were more than improbable to achieve in Boston, and #1 bonus' spend just as nice anywhere in America. Plus, I'm back in programming (and yeah..winning awards) as opposed to doing 4 and out the door. I've been getting national spots on the syndicated show Hard Drive with my friend Lou Brutus, who's been kind enough to invite me to contribute to his show. It's a great place to be. The alleged critic will continue to take shots in a misguided attempt to make it look as if I failed in Boston. Not true. The numbers were just about what they are now. Sometimes better, sometimes not. To use a sports analogy, I was simply not the right player for the style of offense WAAF had in mind, and WBCN was unable to step up within the timeline I needed to move my life forward. Contrary to his multiple assertions, I left both places of employment on good terms. I remain on friendly terms with both Ron Valeri & Dave Wellington, and wish them both success in their endeavors. My life is better away from Boston, and I'm thankful for the change. Had I stayed, I'd more than likely have lost all that is important to me...my wife. We were extremely unhappy there. The gig was a mistake, but the end result is more than I could ever have wished for. Leaving Boston saved my marriage, and no gig is worth that. When it's all said and done...this is a job. They can be had anywhere.

Leaving Sacramento to come "home" was a huge mistake. I regret ever taking the WAAF job in the first place. But, I'd rather have fought and gone out on my shield than stand on the sidelines, never having taken any shots during my career. Without risk, there can be no reward. I miss all of my friends. But, all transmitters are the same. Kinda.

Boston was a risk. Kansas City has been nothing but rewarding.

I know this is quite off-topic, and apologize to the mods for posting it. I figured you left Varulven's references toward my current location, so felt this would be in-bounds. As it's been included by him as a reference point, I feel I should have the opportunity to correct misinformation pertaining to me.

Thanks for allowing it.

 

[Varulven]

Boston is one of the greatest places in the world. Mitt Romney slams Boston as he now aspires to lead a country, but the bottom line is, Mitt didn't care about our city. The problem with the talk radio hosts is that they do not have the love for this city that many of us have. DePetro is one case in point, I'll let Paul Marshall's words speak for him. Remember, if the audience doesn't like the personality it is not the fault of the audience.

I love the city of Boston and its music. Being able to chronicle the work of the great people that built our community - from Willie "Loco" Alexander to disc jockey Harvey Wharfield to Jonathan Richman and Didi Stewart, etc. etc. etc. is what I do in print which is what people liked about radio in Boston - to be able to hear a Charlie Farren song, or hear Peter Wolf on the radio.

Peter Wolf in the mornings on WRKO would be magic - he is hip, eternally hip, and funny. That's a no brainer, but Julie, Jason and now Grace would rather put...Mike Barnicle...Tom Finneran... please.

Paul Marshall doesn't mention that I have often applauded he does well in Kansas City - his swipe of "alleged critic" is sour grapes. Ask people in Tokyo, Berlin, London, New Zealand a rock and roll question, they usually are aware of the major critics, this humble writer included. Bobby Hebb came back from Berlin and Tokyo and told me many of his fans were asking about me. I am pleased that the writing is of value to people (and can't even read the Japanese version of the interview that was published over there a couple of years back). But here we go putting our resumes out there because Paul has brought the topic a bit adrift.

The topic is about "talk radio hosts" - Waaf's John O was one, and that was the original discussion.
I say this with no malice, people didn't know Paul Marshall when he was on the air in Boston - he didn't register. There are many personalities who can only do one thing - other personalities - take Wharfield - can do talk radio as well as music radio. Harvey just doesn't like the way the business is today and you can't blame him. WBZ would do well to hire Harvey Wharfield to take the place of Paul Sullivan.

 

[Neanderpaul]

I don't believe anyone ever badmouthed Boston. I love my home.

What was said is... the quality of life is much finer. This data is easily accessible were you to do a comparitive analysis.

But that's neither here, nor there.

Let's actually talk about talk hosts. I though Scotto was out of his element. His style was incongruent with what WRKO wanted to achieve in that slot. Todd Feinburg was well-prepared, but IMHO too vanilla for Boston. Boston likes attitude. Osterlind had attitude, and that was his eventual undoing. Howie...love him, or hate him...is exactly what you look for in a talk host. He can infuriate, and ingratiate all in one show. Michael Savage is a bully. Plain and simple. Yelling and monologue gets old quickly.

And as far as WTKK goes? I've never listened to Michael Graham. I like Barnicle. Snide sarcasm is what I grew up on in Southie. So, it appeals to the local in me. Not familiar enough with Eagan & Braude to have any opinion. Severin seems like a generic national talk show host. Nothing makes me feel passionate about listening. Reminds me of the stuff I'd hear at the barber shop in Dorchester. O'Reilly can be good when he's not being smug. But again, that's his schtick, and it works well for him. Has for a long time in many different forums. I onlt hear Laura Ingraham once when she filled in in middays while driving through St. Louis. Thought it was funny at times, and whiny at others. But, there's obviously a market for her nationally. And we can use good female talent to inspire others to try this game. I've never heard John & Jeff...only know that their rap is good. Everyone speaks highly of them And in this business, trying to get anyone to say a positive word regarding a peer is almost unheard of.

 

[raccoonradio]

>>Michael Savage is a bully.

He's turning into a nutcase. Tuned in for a couple minutes out of curiosity and he still insists he was
'censored' by C-SPAN...and then went into some conspiracy theory talk. Maybe he's not a wackjob;
may just be an act.
He seems to be going after "Morlock" (Rupert Murdoch) and "the Leprechaun" (O'Reilly)

 

[raccoonradio]

from Savage's site: "See the Speech too Hot for Left Wing C-Span!"

So TALKERS gives MS an award; he fails to show up for the speech and submits a
speech on video; C-SPAN (no political agenda that I know of) refuses to air his
'speech' and he accuses them of censorship. It's all a plot, a big conspiracy, folks!

 

[BoscoGoldBear]

Boston is one of the greatest places in the world. Mitt Romney slams Boston as he now aspires to lead a country, but the bottom line is, Mitt didn't care about our city.

As much of a social conservative that I am, I do agree with you 1000% there. Hell, he didn't even care about our state - something that Howie Carr (to keep this as close to the topic as possible) has talked about on his show.

 

[guidoponzini]

Finneran is nothing more than a hack politician hired by a hack pd......and anything but a broadcaster, which he has never claimed to be!

On the other hand, Todd Feinburg truly believes he is a nationally syndicatable talk show host who sincerely believes he knows everything there is to know about any and every topic, and who is deeply in love with the sound of his own voice..........so, when you air the end product you very simply get the worst talk radio host in Boston.

Congratulations to both Todd and WRKO

 

[theAguy]

1. Talkers Magazine is a rag. Hasn't every talk host made their heavy 100 list at one time.

2. I think Howie Carr is a hypocrite, a bully and his Herald Column is stale. He does have a few affiliates in New England but failed at national syndication. Both ABC Radio and SuperRadio tried to sell him. But, because he is the only game in town I still tune him in.

3. I liked Barnicale. I am going out this weekend to buy a satelite radio so I can listen to Stern again.

4. The Big Mattress was a great morning show as was the Boston Sunday review on BCN.

 

[fieldmarshallcinque]

Does anyone in their right mind think that any local Boston host could ever jump to either New York or LA at this point?

 

[Varulven]

fieldmarshallcinque sayeth:

"Does anyone in their right mind think that any local Boston host could ever jump to either New York or LA at this point?"

Varulven responds: You mean like Opie and Anthony did?

 

[fieldmarshallcinque]

O/A began at WBAB and were part of Stern's show in NYC and one of them was a Stern sidekick.

They're New Yorkers. They polished their act in the boonies and returned.

Once again, no one in Boston on the radio today would ever be seriously considered in NYC or LA.

 

[Neanderpaul]

O/A began at WBAB and were part of Stern's show in NYC and one of them was a Stern sidekick.

They're New Yorkers. They polished their act in the boonies and returned.

Once again, no one in Boston on the radio today would ever be seriously considered in NYC or LA.

Neither Opie, nor Anthony were ever Stern sidekicks. Opie was doing nights at WBAB in LI...which to New Yorkers is the boonies. Anthony was an HVAC tech who submitted parody songs to Opie's night show. Anthony did appear on Stern's show as a contestant in the Jackie Martling sound-a-like contest as a goof. But, the first teaming of O&A as a show was at WAAF in Boston. I know. I was there.

If you're going to walk into someone's house and talk smack, it's a good idea to have your facts straight.

There's better radio being done in Madison, Wisconsin than on some stations in New York and L.A. Market size is based not upon the quality of broadcasting being done there.

Another size queen rears their bitter face.

 

[fieldmarshallcinque]

You're nitpicking, Paul. You know they got their start in New York. That they "took their act on the road" is meaningless.