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Why is there so much BS in radio?

T

Tookiebird

Guest
Have you ever wondered why there is so much BS in radio? You know, The Ego, The Games, The Political BS, The Turnover, The lack of respect for each other, The Mean Spiritness, The Backstabbing, just a general lack of decency.

Has it always been this way? Has it gotten worse in the last 10 years?

Anybody?
 
Tookiebird said:
Have you ever wondered why there is so much BS in radio? You know, The Ego, The Games, The Political BS, The Turnover, The lack of respect for each other, The Mean Spiritness, The Backstabbing, just a general lack of decency.

Has it always been this way? Has it gotten worse in the last 10 years?

Anybody?
Click to expand...

I think it's probably about the same in all industries - not just radio. I actually see as much if not more ego, political BS and backstabbing on the sales side at most stations.

The difference is there isn't a gossip board like this one for accountants so you aren't as aware of it.

My sister is a manager at Wal-Mart. The stuff that goes on there makes radio look very civil by comparison.
 
Tookiebird said:
Have you ever wondered why there is so much BS in radio? You know, The Ego, The Games, The Political BS, The Turnover, The lack of respect for each other, The Mean Spiritness, The Backstabbing, just a general lack of decency.

Has it always been this way? Has it gotten worse in the last 10 years?

Anybody?
Click to expand...

It probably gets worse as the pool of jobs decreases. As former jock, I can tell you that radio has always attracted those of us who were looking for something easier and more fun than the typical job "at the plant." Frankly, radio has always had a bigger share of misfits and inflated egos than most industries. Add to that management which often tolerates unbelievably bad behavior from "talent" as long as they draw big enough ratings. Radio was once described as the "lowest echelon of show business" (I think that the guys who MC karaoke shows have since taken that title) and for the most part is not the real world: yeah every office has its politics and BS, but show biz (even radio) has a BS level far above the norm (and I say that having worked for politicians, a BS world itself).
 
ElCheapo said:
Tookiebird said:
Have you ever wondered why there is so much BS in radio? You know, The Ego, The Games, The Political BS, The Turnover, The lack of respect for each other, The Mean Spiritness, The Backstabbing, just a general lack of decency.

Has it always been this way? Has it gotten worse in the last 10 years?

Anybody?
Click to expand...

I think it's probably about the same in all industries - not just radio. I actually see as much if not more ego, political BS and backstabbing on the sales side at most stations.

The difference is there isn't a gossip board like this one for accountants so you aren't as aware of it.

My sister is a manager at Wal-Mart. The stuff that goes on there makes radio look very civil by comparison.
[/quote

I didn't ask where, i ask WHY?
Click to expand...
 
[/quote]

Radio was once described as the "lowest echelon of show business" (I think that the guys who MC karaoke shows have since taken that title) and for the most part is not the real world: yeah every office has its politics and BS, but show biz (even radio) has a BS level far above the norm (and I say that having worked for politicians, a BS world itself).
[/quote]

that's funny because I happen to MC karaoke shows. The only difference is that I can tell drunk ass misfits to f**k off on the mic.
 
All an On-Air personality has to do is hang up on them. No confrontation, and its back to working on the next break.
 
I would have to say, that out of all the gig's I have had, while moving up the ladder (now at the #1 station in Australia's #2 market), this one is by far the best. There is very little ego, and everyone get's along, most of the time.

I can remember leaving my previous gig and the PD putting the fear of god into me about what goes around here. Everything he said was disproven inside 2 weeks, and in fact I found that my previous gig was a hell of a lot harder than the one I am in.

I was talking to a mate who got out of the game to go and get a real job, and he was stuned at some of the stuff that went on with my current employer. He asked me if I wanted to go and work for any of the opposition stations, and my response was no because the culture created by the company I work for was so great and there was room to move within it, that there was no need to look for another job.

I contrast this with our sister station in Australia's #1 market, and I wouldn't even go there either. I guess I have my dream gig at the moment.
 
it's not just in radio. a lot of this is what our world has become

i've been in radio over 20 yrs. and heard the same exact thing when i broke into the biz

nothing new here. find the right people to work for, work your butt off and be a positive force
 
BS Degree

Let's see, you have an industry where ego is a prerequisite, and obnoxious morons are valued IF they get big ratings. Throw into the mix vast differences in pay scales from one daypart to the next, and a healthy dose of insecurity fostered by management that tries to limit the leverage a jock has by restricting their ability to perform and connect with an audience. Throw in sales people under serious pressure to perform, or be replaced by the next group of recently-graduated sales fodder.

And you wonder why some radio stations become a nest of vipers? As my old pappy used to tell me, "The fish rots from the head down."

PS - Not all radio stations are like this, but too many are. Sometimes, stations in the same group, and even in the same building, are treated unbelievably differently. One is a great place to work, and the other is a nightmare.
 
Re: BS Degree

SirRoxalot said:
Let's see, you have an industry where ego is a prerequisite, and obnoxious morons are valued IF they get big ratings. Throw into the mix vast differences in pay scales from one daypart to the next, and a healthy dose of insecurity fostered by management that tries to limit the leverage a jock has by restricting their ability to perform and connect with an audience. Throw in sales people under serious pressure to perform, or be replaced by the next group of recently-graduated sales fodder.

And you wonder why some radio stations become a nest of vipers? As my old pappy used to tell me, "The fish rots from the head down."

PS - Not all radio stations are like this, but too many are. Sometimes, stations in the same group, and even in the same building, are treated unbelievably differently. One is a great place to work, and the other is a nightmare.
Click to expand...

hey thanks for the uplifting and optimistic overview
 
radiofriend1 said:
it's not just in radio. a lot of this is what our world has become

i've been in radio over 20 yrs. and heard the same exact thing when i broke into the biz

nothing new here. find the right people to work for, work your butt off and be a positive force
Click to expand...

I've tried it. I know some others who have tried it. You still get screwed.

Tell us, where is this oasis of decency and integrity in radio you found?

More likely, after some time in radio people either: (1) Get out. (2) Sell out and become part of the problem themselves. Or (3) Cop out and spend so much time in BS they don't notice it any more and BS starts to seem normal. Sort of like, when you fly into LA you see a disgusting yellow clump of smog filling the LA basin. Once you get off the plane and into the smog, you don't notice it.
 
man i am glad U and sirroxalot don't work 4 me-U wouldn't last long with those sunny attitudes

:-\
 
radiofriend1 said:
man i am glad U and sirroxalot don't work 4 me-U wouldn't last long with those sunny attitudes

:-\
Click to expand...

Note that I said that not ALL radio stations are like that. Perhaps you're one of the enlightened managers/owners who isn't afraid to allow talent to perform and create relationships with listeners, and rewards hard work and loyalty with decent pay, benefits, and appreciation.

Generally, my attitude is pretty sunny, and I believe that you are responsible for your own situation. If you don't like the way a place is run, GET OUT. Work for someone who you respect, and who respects you. If that means packing up the U-Haul and getting out of Dodge, so be it. Everyone will be happier, and you'll be more successful if you go to where you're appreciated.
 
radiofriend1 said:
find the right people to work for, work your butt off and be a positive force
Click to expand...

This is so true. I have days where I bitch and moan about people in sales who earn a hell of a lot more than me, have been there longer than me, but they still don't have a clue. I talk about it with one of my workmates, and we laugh it off, knowing that while they make the money, we are the one's with the power. At the end of the day we love what we do. Read what my signiture says... because it's true.
 
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