Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV DCRTV Mailbag - March 13 to March 21, 2009 Latest messages listed first..... \/ March 21 Messages \/ Again I ask, does anyone really read posts before becoming Angry Typing Guy and knocking out a flame? As I said earlier today, ACH: "And for the record, being an Obama skeptic does not mean I was a mind-numbed Bush lover, so please save save your anti-Bush, knee-jerk mailbag responses for Silvie. :-)" I stipulate that Obama talked about the economy on Leno...none of my comments had anything to do with the content of his "ratings gift" aside from the widely covered joke misfire...a forgivable offense. And of course he beat McCain in debates, as McCain is hardly the orator nor did he have the benefit of 3 or so years at Harvard Law. But when did this become a comparison on Obama versus McCain? Thanks for also diving into vacation score keeping (again, WHAT RELAVENCE???)...Bush took a lot of vacation, true. And a lot has also been written about how the mainstream media tended to conveniently count vacation a bit differently for GWB than they did for ol' Clinton. Kinda like the homeless...the media only finds them when a Republican is president. Funny...we're in an actual major recession now, but few/no homeless stories. Maybe Bernie Goldberg was right. Can we get back to a media focus, please? Bob in Forest Hill (3/21/09) I not going to get into the discussion of the passes all the folks in the mailbag give the President. You all are going to love him no matter what he does. But I rolled on the floor laughing when the Prime Minister of Great Britain gave the President several beautiful and relevant gifts and Obama offered him a couple of DVD's. What did they do, run down to the Going Out of Business Sale at Circuit City and grab something? It doesn't end there, they didn't even bother to get the right regional versions. This is like have Carter and Clinton back all mixed together. You all can have him. I just hope there is enough America left after he gets done redistributing all the wealth. You all remind me of the lobster in the warming pot. Whoops, waters boling. You on the dinner table. And the press covers none of it. Porter Jervis (3/21/09) "Does Art Andrews make up traffic information for WAMU? I have noticed he has some favorite spots where slowdowns are likely." As someone who remembers Art Andrews from his days as the prime news voice at WPEN in Philadelphia (a fine standards station during its heyday, if not quite a WNEW), I'd only begin worrying if he starts making references to the Blue Route. Oh, and when will WTOP realize that "commentary and analysis" comes from ALL sides, not "both sides"? Political perspective is not, and never has been, solely a left-right thing, whether or not some of the most simplistic-minded folk around here want to admit it. Finally, thanks, Johnny Holliday, for another fine season broadcasting Terps men's basketball (maybe the women can carry things into April). Take a break and get ready for "Nats Extra" on MASN. -- Vincent in Triangle (3/21/09) Re: 'This weekend 97.7 The Rocket flipped to Magic 97.7' Assume Somar changes formats every year or two to take advantage of a lower price for the new service (just like the loss-leaders for DirecTV, Verizon Wireless, etc.). Those cheap b*^%$*ds wouldn't even respond to a request to carry the Nationals, leaving SoMD to listen to the Orioles on Red Zebra 92.7. Geeze, when SoMD was serviced by daytimers WPTX (500w) and WKIK (1000w), you could hear both the Senators and Orioles during the day, and at night when a certain part-time board op wouldn't shut 1370 down until the game ended. Right, Eldred? (3/21/09) BOB IN FOREST HILL: In your first missive regarding President Obama's unscripted appearance on the Tonight Show, where he made several explanations of how AIG affects all of of us and how he and his team plan to help America recover from the disaster left behind by Bush and Co. you wrote . . . "He is really pretty bad without a script . . . an increasing list of poor decisions." I'm surprised. Every survey and poll showed that he won all three of those unscripted televised debates against the more experienced John McCain (who has been on Leno 11 times to Obama's two). Seems to most of us, he did pretty well in his first unscripted press conference a few weeks ago (he's doing another on Tuesday in primetime--you might want to watch). Then in your second time up at bat, you typed: "Obama was basically dignified, despite his crap joke, all the ums and ahs, and his poor timing." Wouldn't you just save a lot of broadband width, by saying that there is little this President can say or do that you will ever approve of without a "despite" or a "but" and go and hide in your cave for a few years? (Fun fact of the day: By late March of 2001 GWB was off on his first multi-week vacation, winging his way to Texas, the first of 421 vacation days spent in either Crawford or Camp David). ACH (3/21/09) Rush Limbaugh -- love him or hate him, he is an effective radio personality. Right now, with the Republicans disorganized, it's easy to assume that the party is down forever. Thus, the attacks on Limbaugh are tactics by the Democrats to "keep up the skeer", as Nathan Bedford Forest would say - keep the relative political insignificance of the Republicans in the public eye. Nevertheless, political parties rise and fall, depending on the circumstances. If the Democrats do not make the nation safer and richer, they will be voted out, beginning with the 2010 congressional elections. ---- Let's think of WMAL's programming as providing an essential service to a substantial minority in the D.C. area, the Republicans. I don't think they are taking the right approach. I would prefer to see more news, more active local presence, and even the return of music to the station. I think that as is done in many Philly area stations, WMAL should be on WRQX's HD-3 signal. However, I don't see Citadel doing it, so the station will, like the Republicans, decline, until leaders with vision come who will revive both institutions. == GAB in the Airless Cubicle (For now) (3/21/09) Good lord...does anyone actually read posts before responding? I am not claiming that sitting Predidents have not done non-news television and - as I clearly said in my first post - I don't have a problem with it as long as it is basically dignified. Obama's was basically dignified, despite his crap joke, all the ums and ahhs and his poor timing. My post was responding to a claim that Nixon and Ford did TV while in office. The Nixon claim was false and the Ford one flimsy. And yes, I do see a difference between a couple of 10 second pre-recorded, scripted cameos versus the varitable orgy of build-up to Obama's ratings "thank you" to NBC. But, again, I don't have a problem with it. It's his risk to take to look the fool. And I'm not "belittling" SNL's first year ratings. The fact is that they were not stellar. What's controversial about that? Leno, on the other hand, has led his timeslot since Hugh Grant came on back in the 1990s and Obama gave him his best ratings in 4 years. As for Ford on SNL, while I don't have Season 1 DVDs to definitively check, I believe the blogger (!!!!) source you cited is just dead wrong. The skit between Nessen and "President Ford" has Chevy Chase playing Ford. See the transcript with still photos showign Nessen and Chase in the skit here: snltranscripts.jt.org... This site is a definitive site for SNL transcripts. The episode summary (backed up by the PHOTOS) states: "Skit: Ford/Nessen; Summary: Ron Nessen talks President Gerald Ford (Chevy Chase) into allowing him to host "Saturday Night Live" this week; Recurring Characters: President Gerald Ford." The CHARACTER is being played by Chase. Your blogger misunderstood that and quoted incorrectly. Here's the show summary: snltranscripts.jt.org... So, while I can't visually confirm by watching the DVD, I have gone pretty damn close to the source (transcript and still photos). Enough said on this. Bob in Forest Hill (3/21/09) This weekend 97.7 The Rocket flipped to Magic 97.7, a God awful Top 40/CHR/Mix/American Idol meets Hot 99.5 satellite fed format. It is a good thing that I didn’t cancel my subscription to Sirius XM since local radio is now as lame as it ever was here in Southern Maryland. It’s now Ryan Seacrest time at WMDM. Even the dogs don’t like this new format as it is as bad as the equally mediocre Star 98.3. At least we still have Awesome Frank Dawson and Country 102.9. “The road goes on forever and the party never ends…”Dean in Hollywood, MD (3/21/09) Old Queen Mike O'Meara had some good advice to offer Barney Frank about his mic technique this week. I want to hear a statesman, not Elmer Fudd making a dirty phone call. It amazes me that a dreamboat like Steven Gobey would fall for him. I tremble (in fear) when I think about his "other" mic technique. And am I late to the party? I just this week noticed that Mayor Fenty has a speech impediment. On another note, Friday's WaPo Metro section's Metropolist featured a Nazi sympather, a foot-fetishist, a radiation victim, and a c-tease. Splendid. -- ThePenIsMightier (3/21/09) Bob of Forest Hill wrote: "But, I'd note, that it was the first season of SNL so no one was watching AND Ford's cameo consisted of the opening "Live from New York" and a clip during the news saying "I'm Gearld Ford and you're not," a play off of Chevy Chase's tag line. Both were pre-recorded." Two things: No one was watching? That explains why it was renewed, I guess. I and my loser friends were all watching. And you are aware that the Tonight show is prerecorded and edited, right? --- ThePenIsMightier (3/21/09) Syndication One News-Talk Network's talk show host Al Sharpton visits Radio One's headquarters in Lanham, Md. to celebrate Vice Presidetn of Corporate Sales Tony Washington, with the Washington Nationals mascot that looks a bit like Mr. Washington.. Kirk Tanter (3/21/09) Note to ACH re: GWB appearing on "Deal or No Deal" (with a vet who had done three tours in Iraq, as I just read). Okaaaaay....I was responding to specific comments about Nixon and Ford relative to the Obama Leno Show. What does GWB have to do with the price of eggs? As I said, I have no problem with any appearance which is basically dignified. Didn't see GWB's appearance... And Dave, this attachment to Obama of the "Reaganesque" label is limited solely to people who are pathological Obama admirers. The comparison ranges from deeply strained to hilarious for those of us who remain skeptical. And for the record, being an Obama skeptic does not mean I was a mind-numbed Bush lover, so please save save your anti-Bush, knee-jerk mailbag responses for Silvie. :-) Bob in Forest Hill (3/21/09) So the Prez appeared on the Tonight Show... so what? Where would you rather he appear? A crack den? The physics lab at Baldwinsville High School? On stage in Die Fledermaus? It's a popular TV show and that's it, you humorless doinks. If you want to be seen by the people, you go where the people are. And they're not watching Home Shopping, okay? (3/21/09) Bob in Forest Hill, given your point on the need for people to do thorough research, I find it odd that you failed to mention the three and a half minute sketch Gerald Ford did with Nessen in the Oval Office parodying Chevy Chase's parody of Ford. deadpresidentsdaily.com... That constitutes considerably more then two ten second cameos you mentioned, I think. Also, belittling the ratings of SNL season one or arguing that the appearance was "taped" as opposed to "live" seem like dismissive stretches to avoid facing the fact that sitting presidents have appeared on comedy shows (by the way, I think Leno's program would be better classified as a variety show, but that's beside the point.) Dave, to quote the Limb-ites, "Dittos"...You hit the nail on the head. In the absence of scandal, there are some on the fringe right who seem beyond desperate to manufacture scandal. You need look no further than comments here, a scant two months into the Obama administration, parroting the outlandish call for impeachment as a quick remedy to quench their perceived wrong of loss of conservative control of not one but two branches of government. President Obama has officially been on the job for two months today. While it is certainly appropriate to express concern over policies you don't care for, no matter how much you disagree with the President's approach, for the sake of our Country, please at least show the patience and courtesy to give Obama a fair chance to govern BEFORE you rally the peasants to bust out the pitchforks and torches. After all, Obama was fairly elected by a clear majority of Americans, and currently enjoys a significant approval rating. But that's just my opinion. - Jeff in Bowie (3/21/09) It was nice to hear Steve Knight on CBS Radio at the Noon hour. His newscast delivery is top rate -- excellent "set of pipes" without the exaggerated vomit-voice style of pewking along that WTOP uses in its Ledo Pizza ads. I bet they sell a lot of pies with that kind of setup. (3/21/09) Note to Bob in Forest Hill: George W.Bush appeared on the models with suitcases show, Deal or No Deal, in 2008 and delivered the apt punchline, '"I'm glad to be somewhere with high ratings." ACH (3/21/09) Dave, regarding appearances by "sitting Presidents" on entertainment shows, it might pay to remind your mailbaggers to do a modicum of reasach at some point in their lives prior to sputing off. Nixon appeared on Laugh-In for all of a few seconds in September, 1968 when he was RUNNING for President, not yet elected. And it was a 5 second recitation of the shows "Sock it to me!" tag line. Gerry Ford did, in fact, make a cameo on SNL (unannounced, mind you) while in office in April, 1976, when his Press Secretary, Ron Nessen, was hosting. Ron was a former NBC newser (through 1974, from what I read). In that case, having a current Press Secretary host was bizarre in and of itself (perhaps the first in what would become bazillions of bad politically-based decisions made by NBC?). But, I'd note, that it was the first season of SNL so no one was watching AND Ford's cameo consisted of the opening "Live from New York" and a clip during the news saying "I'm Gearld Ford and you're not," a play off of Chevy Chase's tag line. Both were pre-recorded. 10 seconds of air time. At any rate, with just a little research, we've now shown one of the two claimed appearances by a "sitting President" to be absolutely false, and the other to be a pre-recorded cameo consiting of two show taglines. I'll grant that Ford was still in office, but comparing his pre-recorded, two line, unannounced appearance on a then low-rated late night show to the Obama pageantry is ridiculous. That said, I really don't see a problem with a President appearing in a non-news context generally so long as it's basically dignified. But the timing of Obama's stunt, the off-color bowling joke (doesn't offend me, but I can see how it would others) and the fact that he is really pretty bad without a script made it just another in an increasing list of poor decisions on his part. Bob in Forest Hill (3/21/09) Dave's response: I watched O's Leno appearance and it was fine, despite the "Special Olympics" crack. Look, Repubs like Rush are running scared. We have a young Dem as prez who's darn good doing media appearances. Kinda Reaganesque. And if he does manage to pull us out of our economic mess, kinda Rooseveltish, too. That's a "political sea changer" and they know it..... When White Male Republicans were in power, it was called diversity and giving the minority a voice to have blacks, females and Democrats heavily represented in the editorial pages. Now that we have a black President and the Democrats control the Executive and Legislative branches of government, with an admittedly socialist agenda, it IS diversity, it is a balance, to have what the letter to the editor called "the selection of the March 15 writers: Eleven white guys, one white woman. At least six are more than 60 years old. Four are elected Republicans, but none are elected Democrats" It is preciscely because " the Senate, the House and the White House plus a majority of the governorships are controlled by Democrats..." as the letter continued that we need the sort of editorials by white guys, a white woman and Republicans. Like it or not, the fact is that white male Republicans are now the minority voice that must be heard in the interest of diversity. And we will be heard. Once again that letter proves the hypocrisy of the liberal elite and its followers. (3/21/09) "What is up at WTNT with their playing Mancow and the Wall Street Journal show simultaneously this morning?" WTEM does the same thing every Saturday morning with Costas on the Radio and ESPN Radio. They play them simultaneously. Does anyone monitor what goes out to the listeners? It's a joke, happens every week. (3/21/09) Dave's response: WTNT is the last station to broadcast in AM Stereo. Mancow on the left channel, WSJ on the right. On non-stereo AM receivers, you get both at once..... "... Perhaps Chris needed the extra time, yesterday; you know, to get a facial, manicure, pedicure, exfoliations, and hairstyling, for his date with Mark Levin last night." Shame! Heresy, heresy! Everyone knows that Chris wouldn't date anyone other than his #1 stalker Silvie. Please don't send Silvie to the bottle with these unfounded rumors. (3/21/09) Thought this was interesting, what would happen to all these events if WJFK did flip? They seem to have events scheduled up till October!? Counting their chickens before they hatch? www.backyardgrillrestaurant.com (3/21/09) Dave's response: I am now thinking that CBS will keep JFK as its only "guy talk" station. The suits probably don't think DC is much of a sports radio town, as judged by the anemic ratings of WTEM. This was the same conclusion by Bonneville a few years back, which decided not to put a sports talker on 104.1/103.9, or in place of WaPo Radio when it failed. JFK's current format can work. Stuff I've suggested: Don't run drivetime show reruns on non-holiday workdays (do a show with three Junks if one's on vacation, or have BO or D sub for Mike), get some sort of decent evening show, and work on making the weekends listenable. Even if that means playing some sort of guy-oriented active/alt rock instead of infomercial talk/Fox Sports Radio. And then start doing some cross-promotion with other CBS stations, including via the new heritage rock WHFS 94.7, and ad campaigns to promote the Junks (how about a poster with all four in Speedos, sell 'em as sex symbols) and Mike O'Meara (wearing a JC Hayward wig - "Your MO'M's on WJFK")..... A couple of things to note. One, the whole Michael Sorce on Facebook and twitter. Guess what, he's been on Facebook and on Myspace for months. It's not a real leap to find out how to search for him. So, good going guy who posted his personal Facebook. Guessing he didn't accept your request. Second, as for WJFK flipping, Chad just announced they are hosting Mike's Show next Friday when Mike goes on vacation. In addition to doing his show. So it looks like all the 4/1 rumors were incorrect. Allen (3/21/09) Dave's response: Another one of my suggestions. Having Big O or Dukes sub for Mike. Hey CK, where's my consultants' fee? You can send it via PayPal. Just don't do it when you're driving. Ha ha ha..... What is up at WTNT with their playing Mancow and the Wall Street Journal show simultaneously this morning? Then it was either dead air or static for most of the Laura Ingraham Show and into Ed Schultz's program. I don't know the folks at WTNT are asleep at the switch or flipping switches and going out for coffee, but this is an ongoing problem there, and they'll 'ose what audience they have if it continues. (3/21/09) I sent the following to Farid at Citidel, as Mr. Suleman has not responded, so I will submit for you perusal..... Farid, certainly working with Mel during the heyday of Infinity you had to learn something about the baby boomer demo. We are the folks that made the “Man Talk” format work and we are your prime demo for your stations today. The folks that made Limbaugh huge in the 80’s and 90’s are now dead, geezing or chewing their apple sauce in an old folks home. If you want to save your stations (and job) perhaps you should hire someone that has had (or at least sounds like has had) sex in this century or perhaps in the 90’s. Case and point lets examine WMAL: Gopher, does anyone really think, other than by purchase, he has gotten any since the Love Boat went off the air? Has Andy Parks even seen his unit since 1968? Would any woman you know risk “Just for Men” poisoning from banging Chris Plante? Rush, I really don’t want to trash, but, haven’t we all heard what Oxycontin does to the hydraulics? I am fairly certain Sean Hannity has had sex, probably even recently, he’s just scared to sound like it as it would offend his Base audience. Mark Levin, bald, bearded and one day younger than me, damn that just reeks sexy. Curtis Silva, I probably need to watch myself on this one (I have become attached to my knees), seriously a suit and a beret. How gauche, God, could he get laid in a whore house with a hand full of hundreds. Finally lets address the one that probably gets laid often, Austin Hill, how he fits in on a conservative talker looking like a power bottom (not that there is anything wrong with that) is beyond me. Yours in Christ, Gator (3/21/09) Dave's response: You actually know Mark Levin's birthdate? That's just a little bit creepy..... Just a thought (and maybe a worthless one): Do you think the 5PM and 11PM slots at Channel 7 are now reserved for Doreen Gentzler? (3/21/09) Dave's response: Hmmm..... Bankruptcy Court OKs Sale Of Worldspace To Samara-held Company?... How the hell did he pull this off? www.bizjournals.com (3/21/09) /\ March 21 Messages /\ \/ March 20 Messages \/ "The Mailbag Troll that keeps going on about Don Geronimo really needs to get a life..." Curious, I'm at "Troll" but the majority of your post, is well, my post. I don't/won't answer to you. If you want a debate, debate. Otherwise, go to your IPOD. daindianpanjabidjwhoworked@jfk (3/20/09) RE: [Better check the appearances while in office of any of our presidents. CITIZEN] Sure. Try this YouTube of Nixon on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In: www.youtube.com "Sock it to ME?", or how about Ford opening SNL with "Live from New York, It's Saturday Night!" Both were sitting presidents at the time. Speaking of embarrassing (and somewhat creepy) moments, few things beat John McCain's SNL appearance www.youtube.com . To tell you the truth, watching Bush clown up a tribal dance performance in Africa was far more embarrassing then anything Obama could have said on Leno. We know you hate Obama, but Jebus! Give it a break! (3/20/09) XYZ Are tv stations under a legal obligation to maintain an over the air digital prescence? If so can they maintain a minimal power strength and still fulfill the obligation?......Guess old DCRTV has not visited the toothless fairfax Borders recently. After a recent venture to the Bailey's Crossroads Border's I'd say that store is definitely most well stocked of the Border's in Fairfax County. Why they even keep all the newpapers accessible out front. Methinks the decision at Fairfax was a store manager's decision. And now read in latest issue of Rolling Stone mag has blurb that Border's is thinking of cutting CD's down 70%. Geez louisie whats the point. Of course, wouldn't be surprised one day to hear the Border's is also shutting down likely so many these days. Is the switch in formats at WJFK an April Fool's joke? Will Tyra Banks and the late Shirley Hemphill be doing the time slot now held by the Mike O'Meara. I kind of figured that the Geronimo/O'Meara relationship was a bit Lewis and Martinesque... How come this Senior Living monthly paper Beacon can have oodles of copies at CVS stores in the area but the City Paper has cut back distribution drastically? Things must be going well at DCRTV? You now have a correspondent? (3/20/09) Dave's response: Heck, I was in the Borders in toothless Fairfax just this morning. Didn't buy anything (as usual). They've definitely cut way back on their stock of DVDs, too. As for JFK, if I was a death row inmate I'd sure want Michael Hughes as my lawyer. All four stations are heading for the crapper, and he keeps managing to get "stays of executions" from Dan Mason. I do like Mike O'Meara and would be sorry if he was no longer on the air. I do think that 106.7 is "fixable." Not so sure about 94.7 and 99.1..... Timing in life is everything and Geronimo's latest Twitter and now Facebook debut could not have come at a worse professional and personal time in further confirming the rumors of what a self-serving and overall bad guy he is. O'Meara's opening today that you could cut with an uneasy thick knife, only serves to pose more questions than answers. Geronimo's new scary picture aside, had his intentions been sincere then he would have layed low until his CBS non-compete was over - then re-emerge in whatever radio format he chose. To do so now remains bad timing and also disrespectful to the guys at MOM show. (3/20/09) Dave's response: Mike's little monologue at the start of today's show couldn't have been more perfect..... All you girls are getting some good mileage out of the Limbaugh ratings story, but you keep leaving out that your sweety botox speaker is even lower. And as you radio guys should know, those aren't the ratings that pay his salary, or he'd be running for the Senate or something like that looser Franken. But why let the facts get in the way of good fun. I have it on good authority that the poll that was taken only called people in area codes 212, 646 and 415. Some of the questions were: Thinking about how much you hate Rush Limbaugh, would you say 1: its a lot, 2: a whole bunch or 3: more than can be quantified? Another was: If you could hate anyone more than Rush Limbaugh, who would it be. I heard one or two said George Bush, the rest could not come up with anyone. Love, Porter Jervis (3/20/09) Let me be sure I understand this. Obama was 'stunned' by AIG? Had this been Reagan, the press would have asked 'what didnt he know and when didnt he know it?" Had this been Bush, the press would have yelled "Cheney Conspiracy" and demanded hearings. So why is Obama's incompetence and lack of accountability and control of his cabinet getting a pass? You may recall that Enron happened at about the same point in Bush's term, and was certainly not handled with the graciousness of unquestioned applaud by the media as given to Obama. Enough with the tax evasions and evasions of the truth, Obama is incompetent, he apologizes and overlooks dishonesty amoung his staff at much as Bush. Frankly, when judged against the score card of Republican defects, it is clear that this is far worse and its time to Impeach Obama. Enough of the folk hero bullcrap and appearing on Leno, the emporer has no clothes and should be stripped of his title. The media continues to fawn over his deusions. (3/20/09) First, Twitter, now this. www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Sorce (3/20/09) “His sycophant stalker,” Ouch! And for more on the story, Chris Plante was not admitted to the hospital because his birth certificate used for identification was titled “Record of Live Birth.” This title caused hospital triage personnel to engage in hours of debate over the document’s authenticity. On a serious note, does anyone else find it odd that both Mark Levin and Chris Plante were “off” the same day? Perhaps Chris needed the extra time, yesterday; you know, to get a facial, manicure, pedicure, exfoliations, and hairstyling, for his date with Mark Levin last night. voices.washingtonpost.com (3/20/09) 4 P.M. UPDATE: Doctors release Plante, pronounce him "Brain Dead, But Talking", commenting that his condition is definitely unrelated to his morning fainting episode, and likely pre-dates their recent diagnosis by at least two decades. Knowledgeable sources say the affliction "Brain Dead, But Talking" is a rare neurological condition where the cognitive areas of the brain spontaneously shut down, leaving the brain itself essentially "flat line" and exhibiting no discernable electrical activity, yet somehow the patient is able to carry on as if nothing is wrong. According to Wikipedia, "Brain Dead, But Talking" syndrome sufferers can be unusually elegant and artful speakers, yet the views they express are often in the form of nonsensical rants and paranoid delusions. WMAL announced that Plante is expected to resume his normal schedule, returning to the air on Monday. (3/20/09) CITIZEN HERE ONCE AGAIN: Seeing the President of United States, even for 11 minutes on a comedy show was, is and always will be an embarrassment. His appearance and the Obama-folly, that ensued was a total unequivocal farse for all of “we the people”. If anyone liberal, conservative, whatever your claiming to be, felt that was a good thing you are OUT OF YOUR MIND. Our current president has been on vacation for the last 60 days basking in the light of the cameras and speaking with a forked tongue to all of his followers and non-followers. Now, let’s get back to the media…OUT OF POLITICS. Oh, and who cares if Donnie G is getting married..he too, deserved a little happiness don’t you think? CITIZEN (3/20/09) Dave in Sterling. Better check the appearances while in office of any of our presidents. CITIZEN (3/20/09) Mike O'Meara was punched at a Manassas bar on St. Paddys Day evening by a bartender. No coverage of this yet???? (3/20/09) Dave's response: Can anyone confirm? BREAKING NEWS: WMAL morning host Chris Plante was expected back on the air today, however, sometime around 8:30 a.m., fellow 'MAL employees heard a prolonged and mournful wailing scream eminating from the break room that sounded like a frightened child, followed by a sharp thud. Rushing to the 'MAL employee lounge, Fred Grandy and Andy Parks discovered Mr. Plante laying unresponsive on the breakroom floor. A television in the lounge, tuned at the time to FOXnews of course, was broadcasting this morning's recorded presidential message to the citizens of Iran. Doctors believe Plante likely lost all consciousness somewhere around the moment Obama began speaking in Farsi. Mr. Plante was rushed to an undisclosed location for medical and psychiatric evaluation while substitute host Austin Hill was released from the Jennifer St. cellar to cover his shift. Following a routine CatScan this m orning, doctors are relieved to report that while his cranium is unusually empty, they found no burst blood vessels in Mr. Plante's head. He is currently sedated and uncommunicative, curled up in the fetal position and rocking back and forth in the corner of a padded room. Felling their telepathic bond break, his sycophant stalker Silvie immediately rushed to his side to comfort him. Further reports pending as information becomes available. (3/20/09) Dave, I've had it. You have got to stop allowing the posting of all this POLITICAL bickering and bitching in this mailbag. I am so goddamned sick of these childish political arguments --- under the guise of being connected with radio or TV. Stop it. This is a site for local RADIO and TV news and gossip. Not Political bullshit and juvenile name-calling. Practice what you preach, please? JA (3/20/09) "NOTE TO SILVI: Here's a few more things President Obama has done in the first two months. First: put in motion an order to [think about] close[ing] Guantanamo within a year; Two: passed a law that allows women who weren't getting equal pay on the job to sue their employer [wasn't that already possible? I'm sure it's happened]; [T]hree[:] ordered, with the approval of his generals, a plan that will bring most of them home by next year and all of them back in the U.S. by 2011 [By all means, let's bring the generals home]. Four: ordered more troops into Afghanistan, where the terrorists really live [Shirley you mean Pakistan? That's where all the really cool terrorists live, except they winter with the Roger Moores in Gstaad]. Five: Signed into law expanded stem cell research [not expanded research, but turned on federal funding for use of embryonic stem cells]. Six: rescinded the anti-birth control laws that Bush used to spread abstinence programs in 3rd world programs. Six [again]: put through the largest (260 billion bucks) tax cut [put through? What does that even mean? I put through a prune pit this morning at breakfast, but I haven't seen any results yet. Same with the "tax cut"] in history which is part of a massive stimulus program that will repair much of America's infrastructure in the next two years. Lots, lots more but this is why the morbidly obese, drug and nicotine addicted [like our white President], thrice married (no kids, thank God), and your hero) Rush Limbaugh whines and moans every day. [Well, you got one thing right; Rush really needs to drop the weight, again.] With Rush Limbaugh's approval rating announced today at 19 percent and Obama's still in the sixties who do you think America wants to hear from? [Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, and Simon Cowell, dumbass] ACH --- ThePenIsMightier (3/20/09) …Dave: it’s good and fair of you to post my DCRTV mailbag response. I look forward to further responses, but even more important, answers to my question. (3/20/09) Big mistake on Sports front page in today's post. They reversed the scores on Chatanooga/Connecticut game. Time to tape your bracket back together... (3/20/09) I thought Chris Plante was the dumbest guy on WMAL until this morning when that creep Austin Hill pushed the line that Congress is now engaging in discrimination by taking away the bonuses of the female and gay AIG execs - of course with nuthin' to support it. Nice straws there, Hill. Care to actually research that turd or are you simply shooting your mouth off recklessly? WMAL is really scraping the bottom now with this garbage... keep it up and WMAL won't be able to even scrape any more. (3/20/09) Okie Dokie: I’ll bite. “Obambi? Really? Do you even understand how juvenile such childish taunts make you sound? People who expect their message to be perceived as coming from an adult should at least try to act a little more like an adult.” Please, Bush haters – from the Late Great Molly Ivins, who referred to President Bush as “Shrub” in her book and columns to too numerous to count people who have called him a “war criminal” – have taken liberty with their descriptions, movie depictions (check out Will Ferrel’s HBO special that has him all but having lraping Condi), and other “childish taunts”. Enough said. As for: “Inquiring Minds, yes, we followed you and no, no one has to be lying based on what you posted. Simple. Howie”. Typical Saul Alinsky, “community organizer” rhetoric. Mock the subject, change the subject and then run. Just answer the question, Howie: “Obama tells Leno he was stunned by AIG bonuses” vs. “I did not want to make any changes to my original Senate-passed amendment” to the stimulus bill, “but I did so at the request of administration officials, who gave us no indication that this was in any way related to AIG,” Dodd said. So WHO is telling the truth? (3/20/09) Does Art Andrews make up traffic information for WAMU? I have noticed he has some favorite spots where slowdowns are likely. Trouble is, they aren't ALWAYS slow. Inbound NY Ave,. this morning, was clear and ABOVE the speed limit from the Anacostia all the way past the speed trap at the Korean migrant workers hotel (ex-Days Inn). Old Art was telling me "remains slow." (3/20/09) Obambi? Really? Do you even understand how juvenile such childish taunts make you sound? People who expect their message to be perceived as coming from an adult should at least try to act a little more like an adult. (3/20/09) Dave's response: Now now, let's steer things back to the local media biz..... "The Mailbag Troll that keeps going on about Don Geronimo really needs to get a life. I guess his phone number must have ended up published in the City Paper since he seems to know so much about this. I can't believe the hypocritical attitude of this guy. So what if Don exacted some revenge on some loser that had nothing better to do than call in and try to offend, piss him off, or hack the WJFK hotline. The "phone-number-in-the-City Paper" thing is hilarious." Actually I thought is was the Washington Blade and it was an ad for a bottom searching a top. Paulie G. (3/20/09) Inquiring Minds, yes, we followed you and no, no one has to be lying based on what you posted. Simple. Howie (3/20/09) The Mailbag Troll that keeps going on about Don Geronimo really needs to get a life. I guess his phone number must have ended up published in the City Paper since he seems to know so much about this. I can't believe the hypocritical attitude of this guy. So what if Don exacted some revenge on some loser that had nothing better to do than call in and try to offend, piss him off, or hack the WJFK hotline. The "phone-number-in-the-City Paper" thing is hilarious. It is a perfect example of why I was a fan of the D&M show. Don didn't take crap from people; he would insult and hang up on stupid callers, and it was very entertaining radio. Not every DJ needs to be friendly and happy and buddies with everyone. Nowadays it seems like shows try so hard to appeal to every possible listener that they are just watered-down garbage and not at all entertaining (with the exception of the current WJFK short-timers). I already listen to a lot of podcasts, but if WJFK flips, I'm leaving the radio for good and going 100% podcast. And I'm very thankful that iTunes doesn't have a stupid PPM. (3/20/09) While DCRTV’s mailbag does seem to get off topic and its editor has asked mailbaggers not to do so, President Obambi did appear tonight on the Jay Leno show, which did air on WRC, so perhaps it is a legitimate topic for the mailbag. Are you with me so far? Okay: President Obambi addressed the AIG issue on The Tonight Show, as reported in this story. news.yahoo.com “Obama tells Leno he was stunned by AIG bonuses”... According to this story, President Obambi was “stunned” by the AIG bonuses: “President Barack Obama has told Jay Leno he was stunned when he learned of the bonuses that bailed-out insurance giant AIG was paying its employees.” Are you still with me so far? Good. Now at the same time, there is the following story from Bloomberg: www.bloomberg.com “Dodd Blames Obama Administration for Bonus Amendment”... Now according to this story, Senator Chris Dodd said the following: “I did not want to make any changes to my original Senate-passed amendment” to the stimulus bill, “but I did so at the request of administration officials, who gave us no indication that this was in any way related to AIG,” Dodd said in a statement released last night. “Let me be clear -- I was completely unaware of these AIG bonuses until I learned of them last week.” He didn’t name the administration officials who made the request. This story also reported that an Obambi administration “official spoke on the condition of anonymity” and conveyed the following: “An administration official said last night that representatives of President Barack Obama didn’t insist on the change, though they did contend that the language in Dodd’s amendment could be legally challenged because it would apply retroactively to bonus agreements. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity.” So DCRTVers: somebody is not telling the truth. Whom are we to believe: President Obambi or Senator Dodd? Inquiring minds want to know! (3/20/09) I agree with everything you said, except for lies and bullshit. They should be on in a week? After they Get set up with the audio and all? will this be a brand new frequency, Carnack? Will it be pre- CBS HFS, or the terrible shell of an alternative station they becamse after 1995? Where and from whom did you hear about the " tons of cool live tracks"? Who will be programming the ressurected WHFS, David Einstein, Tom Calderone, or the same Schmuck that consults WTGB, now? Let's hear more, fortune teller The text of this fantasy: "HFS should be back up and running here in DC very very soon. I guess after they get everything set up with the audio and all that CBS will flip the switch. Keep checking, maybe a week or so. I personally think they should put HFS back on 99.1 like everybody else. It's logical. But hearing it on 94.7-2 wouldn't be bad. I have an HD radio and plus it will be streaming online so anyone can listen. I can't wait to hear HFS in DC again. I heard they have tons of cool live tracks. We'll see." (3/20/09) It's nice to know that Rush Limbaugh's favorability rating is now at 19 percent. I love this country!!! James from Centreville (3/20/09) I can't wait for Plante, (or the sub in Arizona), Parks, Hammity, Flush, or that curmudgeonly guy that is in his "underground bunker," heard locally on WMAL, to address the issue of all those Republican members of Congress voting today for the largest marginal tax increase (35%-90+%) in U.S. history. Republican should be against any tax increase, shouldn't they? Go for it WMAL! (3/20/09) That Yahoo subbing for the guy in his underground coffin (I mean bunker) on WMAL tonight said that "Johnson's Great Society" lead to Nixon stability, Carter's failed policies lead to Reagan, and Clinton lead to "Clinton II-Obama." I guess the conservative talk show hosts are already erasing George W. Bush from their reference points. Is this omission deliberate propaganda? (3/20/09) /\ March 20 Messages /\ \/ March 19 Messages \/ Something is better than nothing. If WCTN has to run some half hour info-programs in order to keep the transmitter and lights on so be it.Hell back in 1962 WWIN AM ran an hour of religious programming and the Rosary for Peace in order to run top 40 the rest of the Broadcast day. PS I believe you could sell the station to stores along 123/Maple Ave in Vienna.Give them a discount if they play CTN in their stores.John T. Henneman (3/19/09) The short answer is yes, WMAL switched to the Weather Channel as of Thursday morning. (3/19/09) That newspaper story says it was WJLA's hired helicopter bothering the guy and his cat. A while ago there was an FAA advisory out against laser targeting of aircraft. It's probably also good to avoid aiming at what could be a military aircraft, especially common around here. Their weapons LIKE to see laser beams -- helps pinpoint the target. (3/19/09) RE: "OK..what is exactly going on in Martinsburg, West Virginia with Prettyman Broadcasting?" Not sure. But there is some kid doing the morning show on Lite 97.5. He might be OK if he ever makes it to puberty. Pretty bad when the "star" of the station is Delilah 7PM-12. Sad actually for a 50,000 watt FM station. (3/19/09) "what happened to Mike O'Meara show? thanks" Wow, what an open-ended question. What DID happen to it? Was it ever really there? I know you meant for today but so much more could be made of that question as it is posed. Also, I bet any amount of money no one from that show was invited to Don's wedding, except MAYBE Robb since Don is his kids godfather. (3/19/09) Dave's response: Looks like the nuptuals will take place in NYC, not Vegas..... Glad to see that WUSA is responding to its viewers by getting the VCU game on 9.2. Charles in Winchester (3/19/09) NOTE TO SILVI: Here's a few more things President Obama has done in the first two months. First: put in motion an order to close Guantanamo within a year; Two: passed a law that allows women who weren't getting equal pay on the job to sue their employer; three ordered, with the approval of his generals, a plan that will bring most of them home by next year and all of them back in the U.S. by 2011. Four: ordered more troops into Afghanistan, where the terrorists really live. Five: Signed into law expanded stem cell research. Six: rescinded the anti-birth control laws that Bush used to spread abstinence programs in 3rd world programs. Six: put through the largest (260 billion bucks) tax cut in history which is part of a massive stimulus program that will repair much of America's infrastructure in the next two years. Lots, lots more but this is why the morbidly obese, drug and nicotine addicted, thrice married (no kids, thank God), and your hero) Rush Limbaugh whines and moans every day. With Rush Limbaugh's approval rating announced today at 19 percent and Obama's still in the sixties who do you think America wants to hear from? ACH (3/19/09) (regarding an item on the News Page) Rush Limbaugh's "favorable" rating stands at just 19 percent?!? Holy shit! That's even less than the 22 percent "favorable" rating that idiot Dubya left office with! www.cbsnews.com (3/19/09) Dear Dave, Please advise Lindsay Czarniak that THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE [MY] HOME. m (3/19/09) Dave's response: It's amazing how many guys have "Dorothy fantasies"..... HI Dave, Before the emails start pouring in from Virginia Tech (NIT) or VCU ,American University fans or anyone else, please note that none of the people in that fight song video are SPORTS reporters. They are staying officially neutral. Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio (3/19/09) RE: [With all of the issues facing our great country the last thing we need is an appearance on any comedy show. I mean really, if we as a country were doing well, had no issues of stress and had control of our financial well being I guess I’d say “oh well”. But this is way out of bounds. CITIZEN] Gee, CITIZEN! What an amazing uprising of "peasants with pitchforks" we seem to have going on here today! So many of you repeating the same message too! Amazing, that is, had I not been listening to conservative talk radio for the last two days. Sorry, but it appears that your attempt at "grass-roots" activism has a faint whif of "ass"-tro-turf to it. - Jeff in (I'm not buying it) Bowie (3/19/09) Attention MPT and WETA: Enough with the Celtic Women, Victor Borge and Suze Orman talking. AND enough with the 20 minute pledge drive interruptions. If you really want people to pledge support, it's not that hard. Show more American Masters. More Nature. Show some Monty Phython. Some Doctor Who. Have these shows on in the daytime too. Common sense would dictate that with more variety you would appeal to more viewers. WETA was on the right track and showing some of their better programming during the day but it vanished. And enough with the glass blowing and Doo Wop specials over and over. Paul (3/19/09) Dave's response: And how about some variety on MPT's "Afternoon Tea" Britcom block. We're seen about the 165th complete re-cycling of "KUA" and "ATGB." Aren't there some other cool UK comedies that haven't been re-run so much? Maybe some "Lovejoy" or "Rumpole" or "Waiting For God" or "Good Neighbors" or "To The Major Born" or "Mulberry" or "Yes Minister" or "One Foot In The Grave" or "Hetty Wainthropp"..... WUSA will now show the VCU game on 9.2 tonight. (Comcast 203, Cox 805, FIOS 461). That is according to their website. (3/19/09) @ Kinky and CITIZEN. I agree about the president on TV. Nothing good can come of it. Remember when Bush brought his fascist-y and repressive-y “compassionate conservative” act to Letterman? Remember when W proved that he’s a “man of the people” by surreptitiously cleaning his specs on the hem of Dave’s assistant’s skirt? Ah, fun times. --Johnny Libertarian (3/19/09) At WTOP today: (3/19/09) I'm convinced the Mike O'Meara folks are gone through the weekend to attend Don's wedding to Janet, where ever it is happening. So don't expect them to be live tomorrow either. (3/19/09) Lindsay Czarniak dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz...Om nom nom nom... (3/19/09) Silvie is absolutely right...President Obama is not governing in any way like George W. Bush did, and for that I say Thank God! (For the requisite media reference on this site, I love MSNBC, especially Keith Olbermann). -- Bobbie (3/19/09) Putting HFS on 94.7 HD2 would be 2 reasons for me to finally give HFS up as dead to me. WTGB is beyond my reciever range thanks to 94.7 WDSD. HD radio doesn't seem to be getting the attention or advertising support it needs and if something doesn't change it will be a dead medium. (3/19/09) Let's all us Bush lovers nitpick every single thing Obama does. He wears the wrong socks. He pronounces everything wrong. His ideas are uneducated drivel. He supports the wrong class of people.He has only the minority in mind. He is secretly helping the druglords smuggle nukes and fanatics and opium and mail order geisha girls thru Tijuana into the U.S. He likes the wrong music. We all know that of our own figurehead hadn't gotten his guidestrings tangled we would live in a world where the deserving would continue to reap our just profits from those who deserve to serve us. Why can't the rabble just be content with a place to live for awhile and an occasional loss of electric,heat or food? They should be happy to be useful!! Obama is delusional in that he believes anyone born with no pedigree or trust fund should dare to demand what they work for. They work for us priviledged after all. That should have been enough. (3/19/09) "CITIZEN," can we assume you have the same complaint ("The president of the United States on the Jay Leno show. I don’t know about you, but to me it’s totally embarrassing. The position of the presidency is supposed to be revered. This move by Obama is just OUT OF IT.") about George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon--former presidents who all appeared on entertainment programs while in office? When did it become "totally embarrassing" for presidents to appear on television? And, while we're at it, who ever said the presidency "is supposed to be revered"? They're elected officials, not religious figures. Dave in Sterling (3/19/09) Wow, Dave. You sure got a boatload of silly neo-con BS in the Mailbag today. (3/19/09) I'm changing my name to Oz, can you send Lindsay my way? (3/19/09) Hard to believe conservatives who spent eight years defending a semi-retarded dolt who took more vacation time than any president in American history (by a wide margin) but get their panties wedged tight because Obama spends 11 minutes on national television. And they wonder why nobody believes anything they say anymore? Puh-leaze. (3/19/09) what happened to Mike O'Meara show? thanks (3/19/09) Dave's response: Today it's being replaced by the Maryland NCAA game..... Excellent point "CITIZEN". I am beyond embarrassed! seeing Obama out there 'fiddling' as 'Rome' burns... Its also pathetic and shameful how NBC Universal (NBC"News", MSNBC, NBC-tv, etc.) has become the unofficial PROPAGANDA Office for Obama (and his "Hope-y"&"Change-y" neo-socialism) ~"kinky-neo-con" (3/19/09) The president of the United States on the Jay Leno show. I don’t know about you, but to me it’s totally embarrassing. The position of the presidency is supposed to be revered. This move by Obama is just OUT OF IT. With all of the issues facing our great country the last thing we need is an appearance on any comedy show. I mean really, if we as a country were doing well, had no issues of stress and had control of our financial well being I guess I’d say “oh well”. But this is way out of bounds. CITIZEN (3/19/09) Not sure if you heard this on the show this morning but the Junkies are doing alternating vacations over the next month, with one of them out at a time for a week each, leaving three in studio at all times so there won't be any best-of's. EB is the first one taking a vacation starting next week. Sounds like a CK idea to me. -Jason (3/19/09) Dave's response: Ah, haven't I suggested a few times that in this new PPM era it's important that JFK have live drivetime shows as much as possible? And that a good way to do that would be to have one Junk take vacation time while the other three man the radio fort. I've also suggested that Big O or Dukes sub for Mike O'Meara when he's away, instead of running a "best of"..... Obama’s presidency to date: Flying around on Air Force One (check), partying at the White House (check), discussing the need for college football playoffs (check), filling out his NCAA college hoops bracket (check), reading scripts off his teleprompter written by his puppeteers (check), appearing on Jay Leno's show (check). Good thing there aren’t any serious things to worry about. -Silvie- (3/19/09) Say what you want about Glenn Beck, but he is slaying in the cable ratings... FOXNEWS BECK 2,331,000... MSNBC MADDOW 1,041,000... MSNBC OLBERMANN 928,000... (3/19/09) Dave's response: Gee, I wonder how many millions are watching "Everybody Loves Raymond" reruns on TBS at 5 PM. Probably more than 2.3 million nationwide. Yeah, Beck gets ratings. But his show ain't "news"..... re: "Dave's response: Fox News honcho Roger Ailes is a complete nutjob for giving Glenn Beck a place on his "news" channel. Yeah, former Baltimore B104er Beck is entertaining, alright, but he belongs on Comedy Central....." Nutjob? That's subjective. But, he must me one heck of a programmer. Have you seen Beck's ratings? He's actually closing in on O'Reilly's mega numbers. (3/19/09) Dave's response: Again, put it into perspective. Two or three million is great in the smallish cable news universe, which tends to skew elderly. Those "mega" demo numbers on a broadcast net would send your show to the cancellation bin..... Does the fact that when Dave says someone "goes to Oz" I picture the HBO prison unit and not that place over the rainbow mean that I'm mentally unstable? Just wondering. Howie (3/19/09) Dave's response: Or to Australia..... "Yeah, former Baltimore B104er Beck is entertaining, alright, but he belongs on Comedy Central....." Why not? Jon Stewart is considered a respected source of news. Paulie G (3/19/09) Keith Olbermann is not necessarily a nutjob, but he is legally blind. Probably from jagging off so much. Glenn Beck is at least entertaining. And lets face it, how many people are so open about formerly being drunk potheads? Not many.. (3/19/09) RE:[So far, I do kind of get the impression that (The President) likes playing celebrity in the media more than he does playing president. I mean, Jay Leno? That's embarrassing.] Damn straight. Who does he think he is getting all "uppity" and talking directly to the American people like that anyways? This has to stop! If we let this continue, he might invite a dozen conservative radio broadcasters to lunch at the White House, , or heaven forbid, the next thing you know he'll be doing exclusive interviews with SEAN HANNITY! Hell....he if we let him get away with going on Leno, he might even go as far as inviting conservitive radio talkers to set up a tent on the East Lawn so that the Vice President and high administration officials can drop by and pimp themselves out to yakkers the likes of Sean Hannity, Hugh Hewett and G Gordon Liddy! The SHAME! What? You mean it isn't 2007? Oops...My bad! (3/19/09) 947 HD2 - Where the STATIC matters (3/19/09) Dave's response: Hey, advertisers don't give a rat's ass about 94.7's HD2, so why should CBS Radio? You happen to notice at least portions (I saw the 8:00a-8:30a segment) of the Today Show on Channel 4 were not HD-wide-screen this morning? Kind of annoying for those of us who've gotten used to high-quality video. Wonder if that annoying locally inserted crawl running at the bottom of the screen is to blame. (3/19/09) Dave's response: Channel 50 used to always run "Two And A Half Men" in HD. But sometimes it's in standard def. Very annoying..... The Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association is offering a $2500 scholarship for students majoring in Broadcast Journalism. The scholarship is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors attending colleges in DC, Maryland and Delaware. Details can be found at capba.org... Deadline is May 15, 2009. (3/19/09) Oh, I don't know. So far, I do kind of get the impression that Obama likes playing celebrity in the media more than he does playing president. I mean, Jay Leno? That's embarrassing. Perhaps McCain's analogy to Paris Hilton wasn't too far off. (3/19/09) Say what you want about Keith Olberman, but nobody is as mentally unstable as Glenn Beck: www.youtube.com (3/19/09) Dave's response: Fox News honcho Roger Ailes is a complete nutjob for giving Glenn Beck a place on his "news" channel. Yeah, former Baltimore B104er Beck is entertaining, alright, but he belongs on Comedy Central..... RE: [Does anyone else get the feeling that Keith Olbermann is mentally unstable? Just wondering. And when is Obama going to get out of campaign mode and actually become president?] You are kidding, right? To answer your silly question, regardless of what you are being told every single day on WMAL, the president has been out of campaign mode since November 2nd, and working to stabalize the nation after the prior administration left it teetering on the brink of financial ruin. A better set of qestions might be; Does anyone else get the feeling that the majority of the hosts on the WMAL daily lineup are mentally unstable, and when will 'MAL listeners get their collective heads out of their collective asses? Just wondering! (3/19/09) In today’s edition of the Washington Post, Fairfax County insert…. Michael Sorce sold his property in Great Falls for $1.2M… (3/19/09) Does anyone else get the feeling that Keith Olbermann is mentally unstable? Just wondering. And when is Obama going to get out of campaign mode and actually become president? (3/19/09) Dave - Read the John Kelly column completely and you'll find that it was a chopper belonging to WJLA.. In fact, they did a story about the encounter on one of their newscasts last week. (3/19/09) HFS should be back up and running here in DC very very soon. I guess after they get everything set up with the audio and all that CBS will flip the switch. Keep checking, maybe a week or so. I personally think they should put HFS back on 99.1 like everybody else. It's logical. But hearing it on 94.7-2 wouldn't be bad. I have an HD radio and plus it will be streaming online so anyone can listen. I can't wait to hear HFS in DC again. I heard they have tons of cool live tracks. We'll see. (3/19/09) Tuesday the MO'M show had their St Paddys day event then were not on the air yesterday. Today there is a MD game on WJFK at 2 so I guess no MOM show then either. How much do you want to bet that the MOM show is on another one of their epic 2 week vacations. Seriously, while O&D talk about fake calling in sick and workers who are hanging on by their fingernails not going to work when their job is at risk. Isn't that the same situation as the MOM show? Amidst all of the station flipping rumors, knowing they need numbers on a daily basis now, how can they take extended vactions? Just a guess of course, but it IS that time of year. (3/19/09) (Speaking of odd decisions in morning drive (ie, Imus + music in DC), 950 AM has been interrupting its morning drive music mix for several mornings now with a long-form infomercial for a vitamin B12 supplement.) We can have the occasional half hour infomercials with the nostalgic music to pay the bills, or go back to all Korean again and not have this music on the air. Pick your pleasure. We're doing the best we can in this economic environment. If you can help the sales effort, please apply within at www.950wctn.com. Oh, and thanks for listening. It's good to know that someone is actually noticing the B12 infomercials :o) (3/19/09) So the Senator Theater is going to show classic and cult films now. Did Kiefaber finally wake up to reality? How could a single-screen theater in an inconvenient location with bad parking, very few choices for a meal before or after the movie, and no other nearby attractions hope to compete with suburban theaters with equally large screens and far superior seating? But then, it's been a long time since Kiefaber showed any sense in the necessities of keeping the theater viable. (Is that broken down diner that he bought in commemoration of the movie "Diner" still rotting on York Road? If he would have actually made it functional instead of just watching it rust, it would have immensely helped make going to the Senator a worthwhile excursion.) The concrete slabs in front of the theater should have been a clue long ago--they commemorate the past, the Senator is a relic of the past, and nobody else is showing great movies from the past. Instead of being the 50th theater in the area to show "Watchmen", being the only theater in the area to show widescreen classics, or even such things as a Laurel and Hardy festival (to name just two screen legends whose best films are not even available on DVD in this country) just might work--if the hole he's been blindly digging over the past couple of decades isn't already too deep. ~~CA in BC (3/19/09) Speaking of odd decisions in morning drive (ie, Imus + music in DC), 950 AM has been interrupting its morning drive music mix for several mornings now with a long-form infomercial for a vitamin B12 supplement. Of course, computerized playback of Nostalgia music with no other elements is hardly a "morning drive" show. (3/19/09) Dave's response: Yeah, it appears that the automated nostalgic music is merely a "filler" for unsold time on the brokered station. What did you expect from 950? WQEW? Ha ha ha..... Who's the quality control gate-keeper at WTOP these days? I'm hearing reports that have four and five clearly audible edits in them. And it seems like WTOP has gone the route of reading wire copy and trying to jazz it up with hokey music. I heard one today about about windows, and the music was Melissa Ethridge singing "come to my window..." There isn't much "there there" anymore in their newscasts. (3/19/09) I heard a Weather Channel person on WMAL this morning. Did the station drop AccuWeather? (3/19/09) Dear Dave: To Charles in Winchester, believe me I can understand your frustration with WUSA and their use of both channels to televise the Duke-Binghamton game rather than offer one for the VCU-UCLA matchup. They could do so if they wanted to, but I guess the management feels otherwise. And it's programming decisions like that which made me a DirecTV customer because it offers the March Madness package of every game, every region. Compare WUSA to WRAL in Raleigh, who are using their digital signal to transmit alternate games, giving the viewer a choice of what to watch. For example, they are carrying on their primary channel today's game between North Carolina and Radford while their digital channel is carrying the game between Maryland and California (both games start within minutes of each other). What's more, if you are a subscriber to the digital tier of Time/Warner Cable in the Triangle area, there are four channels (a-la DirecTV's March Madness package) devoted to NCAA basketball tournament games. Obviously, the technology is there to afford the sports fan a choice of viewing. Seems like the obstacle is whether the powers-that-be really want to do so. In my home state that I know so well, college basketball is a big deal, the stations and cable companies know it, which is why the choices are there. College basketball is big here as well, especially considering all the DC-area fans who are alumni of local schools as well as of the perennial contenders from the college basketball powers. But I guess the local programmers and cable companies don't have the sense to know and recognize that or, for that matter, recognize anything important in the sports world at all that doesn't include the word "Redskins" in it. On another note, here is a link (loudounextra.washingtonpost.com) to an article in today's Loudoun Extra on Arthur W. Arundel and his stepping down as chairman of the Great Meadow Foundation Board. The article notes that he also runs the Times Community Newspapers, but did not mention that he was once the owner of WAVA radio, where he instituted the "all-news, all-the-time" format in the mid-1960's...and before WTOP. I know. My Dad was a newscaster there (and later the news director). Great site Dave! GO HEELS! (Ty Lawson, keep icing that big toe...Tar Heel nation needs you!) Sincerely, Joe Kasell (3/19/09) Last night, Laura Ingraham responded to the "Obama attack dogs" for blowing her fight with the daughter of John McCain out of proportion. Incidentally, it came one day after Olbermann featured it on "Countdown"... Video, including the Olbermann setup leading to Ingraham's response: www.youtube.com... D.J. (3/19/09) yes--that was the WAMU tower the plane hit. i was going to school there at the time. it was a twin--a baron, i think--that hit the tower in bad weather. wasn't on campus when it happened but i do remember the broadcast center being down for several days while they figured out whether the tower would still stand (which it did). (3/19/09) I hope WGAL-TV 8 run some clips from "Percy Platypus" (basically, their version of "Ranger Hal"). (3/19/09) Dave's response: I rememeber as a kid in the 1960s living in the Jersey suburbs of Philly, my dad put a rotor antenna on our roof. And I was now able to watch NYC TV, in addition to the Philly locals. And if I turned the antenna to the west, I could sometimes get the Baltimore stations and Lancaster's WGAL. I seem to remember that they had a noon news show called "Noontime On 8." Didn't watch 8 too much, though..... I was listening to the final Saturday hour of "Monitor" on NBC Radio and the segment opened with NBC News on the Hour with David Rush. One of the stories had to do with a small private plane that had hit a radio tower at American University. This would have been Saturday, January 25, 1975. Would the radio tower in question have been WAMU's? Here's the audio link monitorbeacon.net... By the way, if you've never checked out the Monitor Tribute Pages, here's the link www.monitorbeacon.net... Lots of great history and vintage audio! (3/19/09) Here in Boston, HD channels are getting pretty exciting. Classic Rock WZLX's WZLX HD 2 has had Blues formatted Radio Mojo for about a year, Rock WBCN is resurrecting the original Boston's Rock Revolution with Freeform 104 on WBCN HD2, and has moved Indie 104 over to WBCN HD3. Based on what's happening here, and in New York with wnew.com on WWFS HD2, Maybe there is hope yet for WHFS rising up like a Phoenix on one of the CBS HD channels in Washington, or maybe not if the DC rock-blocking continues. (3/19/09) Dave's response: I have no idea why CBS Radio/DC hasn't yet resurrected the heritage rock radio goldmine of WHFS. Perhaps the suits over there are too busy running their DC radio cluster into a ditch. And, DC continues to be a crappy rock radio town. Behold the continued generic blandness of DC101..... OK CBS it's time to FISH or CUT BAIT!!!!!!!! New webpages do NOT affect MUSIC. MUSIC selections that remain unchanged do NOT affect RATINGS. RATINGS do NOT affect how a loyal station listener feels about thier favorite station. BUT you persist in making STUPID decisions as if the entire populace were toddlers with attention deficit disorder and tone deafness. It's as if every suit in the company is waiting for the OTHER guy to make a mistake which leads to NOTHING BUT MISTAKES. Open up your library for 94.7 for chrissake you have 2 decades of strictly classic rock material plus another 3 with music that follows in its footsteps. Pioneer stations did a better job of covering it in the late 60's than you have 40 years after its been proven popular. I don't know what to tell you about 95.5 but with a music genre thats everywhere you look how can you screw THAT one up?!? And LAST but absofuckinglutely NOT least BRING BACK 99.1 WHFS and just DROP the fucking LEASH!!!! Let some people who have a talent for finding good music DO THIER JOBS! YOURS is crunching numbers!!! WTF do you know about MUSIC?!?? Obviously NOTHING!! As I recall the REAL whfs played MANY kinds of music,NOT just ONE and CERTAINLY not the damned HITS. B sides,acoustic shows,in studio appearances....the sort of thing that PROMOTES MUSIC....ya gettin' a fuzzy picture yet?!?? DJ's with thier own mix of songs, songs on a theme for the course of a jocks show, skits,interaction with local listeners...etc etc. DAMNIT how'd you end up where you are???? Go crunch numbers at a bank. The students at WKHS run a better station than all of YOU fit together like organic Lego's!!!!!!!! PS: As for the roaring silence on the subject of WLZL's ratings,which are in the same cesspool as PGC TGB and JFK, I thought I'd mention that the Mexican crews who once grinned at us as they danced to El Zol are NOW listening to WPOC of all things( HUH...yeah....) which isn't even CBS! Could you possibly be thinking that LZL is being listened to via streaming in MEXICO where most illegals have GONE NOW??? Helps your PPMs not a bit. Wake the hell up. PPS I've been actively tuning the radio dial since ohh about 1976 and in all that time I found one,thats ONE,station that didn't make me want to turn it after 2 songs. That started in '83 and lasted until just about the time The Sports Junkies replaced the Morning Crash. There's an opportunity here and you're missing it. Goddaaaaaaaamn you aaaaaaalllllllll to hellllllllllllllllllllll (3/19/09) My condolences to the Marzano family in Whitehall, Pa. I met T.J., in the Mid-90's in Ocean City, He got me, back, in the game at the Coast and Froggy, in the Westward Ho, and I always, appreciated that. Both of us being from Eastern pa, we loved football, fager's island, The paddock, and of course scandals, the 45th st, version, T.J., had control of all the remotes, in the mid 90's in O.C., and dominated the mid-days, but as we all know his production skills, were utterly amazing, ahead of the competition, and when he told me, he was getting a radio gig in Baltimore, He knew he had to even jump up his game and we all know T.J., was up to that challenge. Like previous poster said, he didn't mind having anybody crash on his couch or floor, in Ocean city or Baltimore, always, knowing that his best friend, his dog Tanner, would be licking your face, and chilling out with you. Definitely taken away from all us way too soon, T.J., will be known as one of the stand up and hard working guys in the radio business. He will be missed. Tony C (3/19/09) Donni, by driving over 90 miles an hour on a secondary road, you hurt your credibility. As a husband and a father, I don't drive that fast. You, of all people, should be sensitive to speeding. Yes, unfortunately, your ticket WAS NEWS. That being said, I was a huge fan, listened every day when you did drive time, and only called in once back in the early 90's. Please, for others' safety, slow down. (3/19/09) Anyone know why some of the Imus show on 105.9 FM in DC area is not the same as what airs live on WABC in New York? WABC has an interview on and 105.9 FM has a different interview or we in DC miss an interview entirely because they have to play the same tunes we always hear. As Warner would say, "Come on Washington, get with the program!" (3/19/09) Dave's response: We reported that because Imus's ratings are so poor on WJZW, that, a few weeks ago, Citadel starting mixing in oldies tunes with edited Imus talk segments..... /\ March 19 Messages /\ \/ March 18 Messages \/ Don Geronimo spotted at McCarron airport. I think he was uttering "damn, forgot my pre-nup!." (3/18/09) So if the garbage television station that WUSA has turned into can show a different game on 9.2 Friday afternoon, why aren’t they offering a similar option Thursday night when their moron management has decided to show Duke and Binghamton. In this part of Virginia, WUSA and WJZ are it. I understand WJZ showing the Morgan State game, that make sense. But for WUSA to bump off the VCU game for Duke and Binghamton, and give us no other options but watching on a computer or in a bar, is an outrage. Two years ago, we missed the second round game between VCU and Pitt because the NCAA scheduled it the same time as Georgetown’s second-rounder. I knew which game WUSA would show, and while I was unhappy, it was pretty plain which way they needed to go. This time, there’s no local team playing up against a school in a city within 100 miles of D.C., which has a great rivalry with George Mason, and has thousands of local alumni. This is crap. Charles in Winchester (3/18/09) hey Bob in B-more ...if u do not like espn radio - try the enetertaining opposite in am drive steve czaban on Fox Sports 1370am ! ...Yes they do pay the bills, without intrusive commerical interuption. Then Rob Long brings it Strong! mark in columbia (3/18/09) Congratulations to WGAL Television in Harrisburg, PA. Tonight, Wednesday March 18th, they are celebrating their 60th year on the air with a really remarkable special program. I’m watching a beautifully produced retro of their history. Sadly, I fear that it’s something that Washington TV stations would never take the time to take stock of their own legacy. A DVD is apparently available. Tom Gauger, visiting in nearby Shermans Dale, PA. (3/18/09) "The Enzyte website is still up, but there can be a hundred reasons for that. Does anyone know if that miserable product is back on the market?" Apparently so. I was in Indianapolis this weekend (for mother-in-law's passing) and had nothing to do at times while waiting but watch cable TV. Enzyte was all over the daytime programs. I'm glad I don't have cable at home. -- As for the HD sets, I purchased a Boston HD two years ago for my birthday. I wanted to get Viva La Voce from Bonneville on HD. Unfortunately, shortly after I installed the set, Bonneville started to shed WGMS. All is not lost, however. I use it as the speakers for my computer and I enjoy the sound while I tune in BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM in Australia. It's not that WETA is bad, but these broadcasters have programs on demand. GAB in the Airless Cubicle (We'll miss you, Louise; you believed in me when my own mother didn't) (3/18/09) TJ Roberts brought life to CBS Radio by blending his talent with incredible passion and energy. He raised the bar of his profession and taught me that it is possible to find a something to do in life that you can truly love. I will always thank him for leading by example. Chris (3/18/09) "(Don's family)...may have participated, but that was not the life they chose". We are going to have to completely disagree with on you that. For years when Don called Frieda on air I never recall her not picking up the phone immediately. She and Bart were integral parts of Don's bits. Frieda posted personal material on the old D&M website. The fact that they weren't in studio doesn't mean they didn't know about the bits and were expected to participate. It **was** a family affair. What I'm saying is that is someone has an opinion about that time it's OK, fair game, and I'm not in favor of arbitrary censorship. Donnie G.'s recent public posing/twittering are signs that: 1. He desperately craves attention; 2. He knows beyond a doubt that the SS Mike O'Meara show has hit the rocks, and has failed without the "Great One" - so he just is back, twittering, reminding the faithful that he's out there, ready to entertain us. A sad clown indeed. (3/18/09) It appears WJZ & WUSA are carrying different NCAA games and unfortunately no one around Baltimore will be able to get the DUKE game, and instead will get Morgan State. Oh well, I guess WJZ really had no choice and looks like I'll be hitting a bar tomorrow night since I'd much rather see an ACC game. (3/18/09) Too bad about you Duke fans....but Morgan is a local team that is in the NCAA for the first time. Why go to a noisy bar and watch the game, when you can watch all NCAA tournament games online. Burt in Denton (3/18/09) Dave - do you think the Mike O'Meara show is in "Best of" mode because they are going to the wedding between Don and Janet this weekend? Don mentioned on Twitter he was leaving for his "wedding weekend" and I would think Mike, Rob and Buzz were invited. And do you think the wedding is in Vegas, since that would make Mike extremely happy to be near the casinos? Just a thought. (3/18/09) Dave's response: Hmmm. Could be. I wonder if Michael Hughes was invited..... "Dave, why do you edit messages on this board? If a poster has something to say about Geronimo (including Freida and Bart) let us see what they have to say." I believe it's called decency. Don's family were willing participants in the show, because they were, and still are, a very large part of his life. They have no barring in this forum, as they did not sit behind that microphone everyday and entertain you. They may have participated, but that was not the life they chose. Don, on the other had, chooses to live a life semi-located in the public eye, so have at him. About decency, I know many of you believe Don did his job with no decency at all, and thats your opinion (not mine). Just because he operated on that level doesn't mean Dave has to. I believe his censorship was justified. (3/18/09) Is it a bad sign for me or Mike O'Meara that it took me 45 minutes to figure out his show was in "Best Of" today? Are his days numbered on WJFK? (3/18/09) Dave's response: I kinda figured it was a rerun when he said the pope was in town..... A bad week for the arts in Baltimore in general..... The Baltimore Opera Company folded and Baltimore's historic Lyric Opera house doesn't even have an opera company anymore. The 70 year old one of a kind Senator theater closed. And the same owner owns another arts theater, The Rotunda theater, so that will probably be closing shortly as well. The Senator and The Lyric Opera House are one of a kind places. I'm not even an opera fan, but even I went to see just one and was just amazed. I saw many movies at the Senator going back to my childhood to just not long ago when The Senator held the U.S. Premiere of the James Bond movie Casino Royale, quite a glitzy event. Seeing just ANY movie there just seemed special though. How many movie theaters are left that actually STILL have a STAGE from vaudeville show days where someone can actually stand up on stage and introduce the movie and talk about its production beforehand? What a terrible loss. I hope the city or state or charitable organizations step in before its too late to save some of these great institutions before the wrecking ball hits. The Senator is Baltimore's last remaining theater like this (except for the Hippodrome, but that's been modified/expanded for Broadway shows now and is not a movie house). Mayor O'Malley personally tossed the wrecking ball at Baltimore's Grand Theater, the only other remaining great theater house in the area (one of his administration's WORST mistakes ever as mayor), where I believe several John Waters movies and others premiered for the first time. Just a sad time for the arts in Baltimore and across the nation. :-( (3/18/09) Okay, let THIS be the last word on "what-song-does-Viva-La-Vida-sound-like". It sounds like a song from 35 years ago, OK??? www.youtube.com (3/18/09) The news this morning about TJ was shocking. I met TJ when I started working at 102.7 XYV in '98. Between shifts there and at WMZQ he would let me crash on his floor so I wouldn't have to sleep in a production studio instead of driving back to the Eastern shore. I was very grateful. When I was not working on Saturday nights we would head to Bohagers, it was always good time followed by subs at Jerry's. Lots of great memories cruising around Baltimore in his black Jeep Grand Cherokee. I am sorry I lost touch with him after I left 102.7. He was a great person and a fantastic talent. My thoughts are with his friends and family and Tanner (if he is still around), who will surely miss him a lot. Mark Anthony aka Mark Marker (3/18/09) Not D.C.-related, but some sad news for Baltimore-area film lovers: washingtontimes.com... I made it to the Senator just once from my Northern Virginia perch, to see "Lawrence of Arabia." It was magnificent, of course. Christian (3/18/09) I think what that previous e-mailer meant to say was "Mike OMeara, Mike Elston, Robb Spewak, untalented guys" Murph (3/18/09) TJ Roberts was a class act. I had the opportunity to work with him at CBS Baltimore in my capacity as an AE, NSM and LSM and I can honestly say that he was one of the most passionate people in radio when it can to the product that he produced. Whether it was a Parody song for KMS, a bumper for MIX 106 or staying to track the Saturday night “MIX SHOW” with his buddy Lou Koko you got 100% every time. As he was being wheeled into surgery, he was making up a song about his doctor for God’s sake. As a friend he couldn’t be beat! I talked to him about a project that I wanted to have done for my daughter, an aspiring singer. He rearranged his schedule and met me at the station to record her singing for a CD that we used as holiday gifts for family. His last status update on Face Book says it all…. Through everything he was going through….he was Thanking US!!! Rest in Peace TJ. Doug Reaves (Former CBS Baltimore Employee) (3/18/09) How sad, but ironic. TJ Roberts good guy. Mike Sorce, bad guy! Mike OMeara, Mike Elston, Robb Spewak, good guys. Mike Sorce, bad guy and even worse TWIT timing. (3/18/09) It appears WJZ & WUSA are carrying different NCAA games and unfortunately no one around Baltimore will be able to get the DUKE game, and instead will get Morgan State. Oh well, I guess WJZ really had no choice and looks like I'll be hitting a bar tomorrow night since I'd much rather see an ACC game. (3/18/09) Dave, why do you edit messages on this board? If a poster has something to say about Geronimo (including Freida and Bart) let us see what they have to say. When it suited Mike Sorce, he'd reveal any and everything about his personal life on air. Are you worried something will offend your hero? Shit, he savaged you personally and this website on a daily basis on his show. He was relentless in his on-air savaging of Jim Farley at WTOP and Jack Diamond among many, many others. He was much more of a bully than a choirboy. Maybe that was part of his genius, but it the last three or four years of the D&M show, Don was sounding like someone who was becoming more than a little un-hinged. It may have been before your time, but in the mid to late 90's, if you called the D&M show and really offended/challenged or otherwise pissed off Donnie G., he would post a classified ad in the "City Paper" on your anonymous behalf, soliciting exotic personal services with your phone #. This was no secret, Don would use this ploy to threatened callers who hacked the WJFK "hot line" numbers or callers who would call over and over saying things that irritated the Great One. "An angry man with a mircrophone". Truer words were never spoken - whether **you** Dave, like it or not. (3/18/09) Congressman Dan Burton (R-Indiana) has called upon President Obama and Senator Christopher Dodd to return campaign donations they willing received from the AIG Coporation in their previous political campaigns. Speaking with Talk Show Host Austin Hill on Washington, DC's 630 WMAL Radio, Burton, who called-in to Hill's show, commented on demands from his congressional colleauges that AIG Executives return bonus money paid to them by their employer, and the efforts underway in Congress to legislatively single-out the 73 executives for a possible 80% or 100% taxation of those bonuses.... Click to listen to the audio Here: www.autinhill.net (3/18/09) Dave, President Obama is a busy man however he did find some time to fill out his March Madness brackets. A first for a sitting President. www.dcexaminer.com... When President Barack Obama was elected to office he promised there would be transparency in all areas of government. But who knew that he also meant his choices in the area of sports. We already know that Obama was not shy when he chose the Steelers to beat the Cards in the Super Bowl but now he has entered uncharted territory for Presidents. He is filling out a bracket on ESPN.com On SportsCenter today at noon the President put his sports credibility on the line when he completed his bracket which is now up on ESPN.com. The President filled his bracket in with Senior Basketball writer ESPN.com Andy Katz looking on at the White House. (The segment was taped yesterday.) So who did “The Commander in Swish as friend of the column Dick Vitale” likes to call the President pick for his Final Four? Well he likes Louisville, North Carolina, Memphis and Pittsburgh to meet in Detroit. In the National Final he has UNC beating Louisville. (3/18/09) " O'Meara might hook back up with Geronimo on XM/Sirius after Geronimo is free from the shackles of CBS." Ummm, you might want to take a look at the XM/Siri lineup. They've got plenty of talkers (Howie, OnA, Monsters, Lex and Terry, Ron and Fez, etc., etc., etc.) Donnie G. isn't going to get $1 million +/year to revive the D&M show when at it's height it was less well known than any of the current top tier XM talkers. (3/18/09) I have noticed that for some time with both ESPN 1300 and 105.7. too many interruptions, commercials. I can't speak for the Ed Norris show on 105.7, because i rarely listen to it. But the rest of the time on 105.7, it is one interruption after another, whether it is mid-day or afternoon drive time. It has become so annoying that I have probably stopped listening to radio except for WBAL during morning drive time and sometimes WTOP. Most of the time in the car now is spent listening to music or audio books via the mp3 player. Burt in Denton (3/18/09) I dont know where to start about TJ I worked with him at the Coast in Ocean City. One of my fondest memories is when LJ Smith took my jacket away and TJ and a female jock who shall remain nameless because she posts here broke into his office and got my coat back. I lived at TJs Bay side condo for a while after Jason Kidd (Then Jammin Jason Wright) had moved on to YCR. TJ was a world class guy who even though he wined a bit was always always always concerned with the happiness and well being of everyone around him. TJ got this boxer tanner which is the reason we have our boxer moehammed. I'll miss you man... Kyle Shannon Sandler (3/18/09) I was saddened to hear of the passing of T.J. Roberts. I worked with him at CBS Radio for a couple years and he was one of the “Good Guys” that worked there. No matter how hectic his day was or whatever he had going on he always was able to say hello and see how you were doing. T.J. was a great talent and had a great sense of humor and I always enjoyed talking with him. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Computer Dave (3/18/09) T.J. Roberts' web site www.tjroberts.com (3/18/09) Twitter seems to be an ideal method for Donnie G to re-connect with his most loyal fan base for several reasons. It's one-way, so he doesn't have to be rude to the people he's trying to reach by denying them personal access; it's occasional, so he can Twit anytime he chooses, day or night, or not at all; it's immediate, so that what he writes can be read instantly and without censorship; it's widespread, so fans nationwide can connect, and; it's free, so he's not getting paid to do it and violate his apparent non-compete. Donnie G is using New Media to his advantage, and more power to him. I miss you, dude. Now if some radio suit would kindly place a call to Marshall Sears at WCLG and get him into this market! –Jamesonian (JLJ) (3/18/09) (“Hey Dave: I think they should change their nickname to baltimore’s advertising radio….I don’t know if they have an incompetent knucklehead running the board or if this is their programming but here has been what has been transpiring on many mornings. I tried emailing head honchos but imagine that…nothing in return... 7:00 a.m. – Sportcenter followed by 5 minutes of Mike & Mike... 7:07 – the commercial onslaught begins for 8 minutes... 7:15 – traffic then more commercials... 7:18 – they actually get back to Mike & Mike in progress for 2 minutes... 7:20 – 1 minute commercial... 7:21 – Espn Sportcenter... 7:23 – four minutes more of commercials with Tom Davis’ all unimportant Baltimore Sport Center :30 second update.... Enough to make me almost want to buy satellite radio…”) Same deal on FM (105.7)………this morning ESPN AM until 5:47am (supposed to cut to Ed Norris at 5:30), finally abruptly cuts (in mid-sentence of a sports update) to Norris who talks with Maynard about how bad they feel this morning for about 1 minute, they go to commercial, which lasts at least 5 minutes, come back and Norris tells us “We have a lot of stuff to talk about this morning” for the 323rd consecutive day, THEN goes back to commercial less then a minute after coming back on air…………and I mercifully arrive at work at 6AM without anything at all being talked about. Geez, I hate to say it but KMS was better than this crap. CBS is a total joke! Bob in B-more (3/18/09) Back in the days of Froggy 99.9 in the old building in Ocean City, I met the young T.J. Roberts. We had more than one station housed in the little building, and the personality of T. J. could not be contained in it. He was full of fire, ideas, charm, helpfulness and one of the cutest boys I've ever seen. It hurts to hear this news...I had just reached out to him on Facebook and was hoping to get re-connected. Let this be a lesson for us all. Don't wait. For all of those in the business who knew him better than I did, my heart is with you. And with his family. Hold onto your precious memories! I know that I will. Those days of radio were special, and T. J. was a major reason why. Trish Hennessey (3/18/09) T.J. Roberts was a world class human being, an extraordinary jock, voice and imaging talent and an amazing friend. I will miss him tremendously. God Bless you T.J. Thank you for your contributions to the soundtrack of my life. *lovelovelove* Kym McKay (3/18/09) Gee Gregg, I've noticed the same thing, and I e-mailed them on Monday. And, Imagine that, I received no reply either. How does CBS Radio "management" in both Baltimore and DC keep their jobs? Is no one at corporate paying any attention whatsoever? I'm with you as far as Tom Davis. Nothing ever significant in the update, and as I said in my e-mail, he's been in the market for 30+ years. He doesn't need to start each and every segment SCREAMING "THIS IS TOM DAVIS..." Tom...chill...we all know who you are. And while on Sports Talk, I see from the front page that Casey Willett is talking to 1370. Like I said last week, I don't know why you DC folks are so excited with the prospect of WJFK going Sports Talk. All they are going to do is recycled the same people. Or maybe worse (since it is CBS) they can find the next Anita Marks for your market. Doug in Bel Air (3/18/09) talking to allan horlick about which games wusa is showing this week, and why washingtonpost.com (3/18/09) TJ Roberts, a world class person, talent, voice over artist and production guru passed away this morning (3/18/09) You've likely heard this: TJ Roberts, former CBSer voice guy, passed away list night from what looks like a blood clot. (3/18/09) Don twittered this morning: dcrtvdouche has "reported": a speeding ticket,my haus selling (with price changes),and my twit acct. News? No, but HE stays obsessed. Why? (3/18/09) Dave's response: A) the ticket was for doing 20+ MPH over the speed limit, which made it newsworthy; B) the house sale of the local celeb was reported in both the DC Post and DC Times, not just on DCRTV; and C) our recent front page newsblurb has boosted Don's Twitter followers from 100-ish to over 500 (as of last count). If you don't crave the attention, Don, why Twitter in the first place? Even off the air for a year-ish, Don remains a DC radio legend and worthy of coverage, IMHO..... RE: [I'm not going to get into a "whizzing contest" with hysterical Jeff from Bowie over The Washington Times. It's not necessary, because he proves what I said when he admits "I don't read it anymore." My guess is he hasn't read it in many years, because if he had, he would know that it has evolved considerably in content, tone and even appearance from even a few years ago. I've noticed this, because unlike Jeff, I read it.] Seeing as the majority of us "Uber-leftie-liberal-ideologue-histerical-wizzers" are never one to shrink from a chalenge, I went to the WaTimes webpage to find what THEY rank as their "Top Ten" hits for today on recently published items. According to the website, the WaTimes top ten for today are:1.) EDITORIAL: Guns on a plane. 2.) State law gives Palin no choice but pro-choice. 3.) Democrats mull end run for Obama. 4.) HANSON: Maxing out a crisis card. 5.) EXCLUSIVE: Israel's national security aide barred from U.S. 6.) BREITBART: 'My Real Time With Bill Maher'. 7.) EDITORIAL: Obama and the Iranian bomb. 8.) HUCKABEE: Put conservatism into practice. 9.) GAFFNEY: Embracing of Shariah? 10.) Obama-i tes wait for jobs, and sit tight. -- Dammit. You are right. Ab solutely no hard-right conservitive bias in reporting to be found there. I stand corrected, and humble myself in awe at your brilliance. I hate to admit it, but the WaTimes is clearly just as "Fair and Balanced" as Fox News, so, as us liberals are well known to do, I'm waving the white flag of surrender and departing the field of battle. - Jeff in (Hysterically wizzing) Bowie (3/18/09) For poster looking for Steve Densmore (from Radio World web site): Ibiquity Digital Corporation hired Steve Densmore as broadcast engineering technology manager, based in Columbia, Md. Densmore was radio operations manager at ABC Radio for 32 years. Densmore will interact with Ibiquity broadcasting partners and development teams to help commercial transitions of HD Radio broadcast products and features. (3/18/09) RE: "I am sad that experience is no longer valued and so many people who understood what it meant to be a journalist have now left the building, either by choice or because they were forced out. I fear what lies ahead..." Bravo to this poster for his/her candor, and I wish you all the best as you cope with an increasingly difficult situation. I left the news business a few years ago, work for myself now, call my own shots, answer to no one and haven't looked back. Others can do it too. As I have mentioned before on DCRTV, a downturn is a great time to take a chance on something new...hunkering down can actually be the worst strategy of all. "Control your fate before the suit down the hall does" (3/18/09) Joe Sanchez and newsreader in the same sentence… there is definitely something amiss in WVA. (3/18/09) Does anyone here know how to contact Steve Densmore? Formerly of ABC, Steve was the point man three years ago for the buildout of the new White House Press Briefing room. Where did he land after ABC stupidly let him go? (3/18/09) Yesterday, Big O and Dukes mentioned that it would be fine with them if they had to play classic rock in order to keep their jobs in radio. My prediction is that they will be the morning show on 94.7. They will be competing for ratings against the Sports Junkies (the Junkies will revert back to their original name once JFK flips formats next month). O'Meara's show in its current incarnation is toast. His ratings are not nearly good enough to justify such a big salary, especially in this economy. O'Meara might hook back up with Geronimo on XM/Sirius after Geronimo is free from the shackles of CBS. The dynamic duo will probably have lots to discuss at the wedding this weekend. (3/18/09) Dave's response: BO&D would be great on 94.7. But 94.7 has to broaden its playlist. Too much hard, earachey stuff like AC/DC and Journey. As bad as BIG is, it's actually creaming TGB in the PPMs. CBS has done sooooooo many things wrong with the Arrow/Globe, it might simply be easier to blow up the station and start fresh with something new..... Hi Dave, I hope this e-mail finds you well. I sure enjoy reading DCRTV. You do a great job. I sometimes wonder what your fascination is with Don Geronimo (SP). I moved to the DC area almost 10 years ago and have sampled the "Don and Mike Show" many times. I found Don to be, well, not very talented. He just seemed like an angry man with a microphone in front of him. Mike and some of the others carried the show. Now that he's no longer on WJFK, or a major market station, he seems like an angry man without a microphone. Don may have been talented sometime ago but I've never seen it. I know this is one persons opinion but Don has no problem spewing his opinions on everyone and everything else. Well, this is mine. Don belongs in a small market where he can hone his skills and get some much needed psychiatric care. Jim Clarke (3/18/09) Dave's response: I do think that Don Twittering his upcoming wedding is a little strange. Shouldn't that be a private time between you, your close friends/family, and your special someone. I hope that Don doesn't reach for the cell phone to Twitter in the midst of honeymoon passion..... Hey Dave: I think they should change their nickname to baltimore’s advertising radio….I don’t know if they have an incompetent knucklehead running the board or if this is their programming but here has been what has been transpiring on many mornings. I tried emailing head honchos but imagine that…nothing in return... 7:00 a.m. – Sportcenter followed by 5 minutes of Mike & Mike... 7:07 – the commercial onslaught begins for 8 minutes... 7:15 – traffic then more commercials... 7:18 – they actually get back to Mike & Mike in progress for 2 minutes... 7:20 – 1 minute commercial... 7:21 – Espn Sportcenter... 7:23 – four minutes more of commercials with Tom Davis’ all unimportant Baltimore Sport Center :30 second update.... Enough to make me almost want to buy satellite radio…..Hope all is well - Gregg (3/18/09) Dave, your site is great but your cookie setup has to be the worst! My browser here at my job apparently keeps cacheing a previously loaded version of your page. After deleting everything related to the site on my end - cookies, files, you name it - I still load old versions of the page! dcrtv.org loads the March 16 update, and dcrtv.com? March 13! Is there anything you can do on your end to help maintain the "newness" of the site's front page? I never have this problem with all of the other websites that I visit, so I wonder if there is something on your end that can alleviate this problem. Looking forward to reading your Don G rant... I guess I'm gonna have to do it when I get home! (3/18/09) Dave's response: DCRTV doesn't use cookies. It's AOL. They cache the site on their own servers (to make it faster to load) and then fail to update their cache. So you get old versions of the site's pages. Ditch them. They suck. Until then, try accessing DCRTV via our dcrtv.net or dcrtv.org addresses. Try hitting the reload/refresh button on your browser. In your browser's set-up menu, check the option that says something like "check for new content each time you visit a site"..... jump the shark; a term to describe a moment when Don Geronimo the Sad Clown who was once great has reached a point with his new Twitter page where it will now decline in quality, popularity, class and respect... Somebody has to say this because we are ALL thinking it - that nauseating sick feeling in the pit of our stomachs... You just couldn't do it Don could you? Lay low and let in these remaining days, the MOM show die a respectful radio death. You cut O'Meara off at the knees when you left and now your doing it again with your new Twitter page - bad timing and classless!... Tell us your "yours in Christ" comment is a joke? You haven't gone all Kurt Warner on our ass, have you? We know, we know, God has a plan for your life here on out. Please! Lastly, you ask, "why do we care?" For millions of us, we don't - ANYMORE!(3/18/09) Dave's response: Comments about Don are OK, but the above contained a batch of stuff about Freda and Bart, which I snipped. Enough, already..... I would have to agree with the poster from 3/15 who said that some of the postings about WUSA 9 have been a bit childish and mean-spirited. As someone who works inside the "9 News Now Information Center," I can tell you that everyone is getting through these tough times as best they can under the circumstances. And it's no fun wondering when the other shoe's going to drop. But yes, we toil on because these are tough times and a pay-check is better than no job at all. But despite most employees best efforts to maintain their professionalism and give it their all, the fact remains that the quality of what's being produced and aired has simply gone down as a whole. I say that with no malice. It's just a fact. How can it not when people with less than 2 years experience are now on the air alongside photographers who are being forced to go on air and do something they don't want to do but are willing to try to save their jobs? The same goes for reporters who will soon be one man banding even though they have no desire to shoot or edit. And now, as part of 9 News University, reporters, producers and photographers are being forced to teach their colleagues how to do their jobs. How do you teach someone the skills that you've spent years or decades honing, in a 2 hour class? My personal thought is that not everyone is meant to be on air or shoot or produce. If you force everyone to do everything, no one will be good at anything. And if it's not evident already, I believe that even viewers will be able to see that the quality of channel 9's reporting is on the decline. I'm not bitter. I recognize that we have to be willing to change if we are to survive. But I am sad that experience is no longer valued and so many people who understood what it meant to be a journalist have now left the building, either by choice or because they were forced out. I fear what lies ahead... (3/18/09) I'm not going to get into a "whizzing contest" with hysterical Jeff from Bowie over The Washington Times. It's not necessary, because he proves what I said when he admits "I don't read it anymore." My guess is he hasn't read it in many years, because if he had, he would know that it has evolved considerably in content, tone and even appearance from even a few years ago. I've noticed this, because unlike Jeff, I read it. (3/18/09) 7 Voice Betsy Ames Dies: She truly was the best damn voice in the business. (3/18/09) There is now a "house band" for automated, voice-tracked, unattended heartless and soulless FM music stations: www.youtube.com (3/18/09) /\ March 18 Messages /\ \/ March 17 Messages \/ Re: "If WETA-FM is #10, why the hell is there no WGMS-FM in Washington?" Dave answered this when addressing another letter: Commercial radio ain't programmed for us listeners. Actually, we classical fans are better off now than we were in the last years of WGMS: Then WETA was nothing but talk and WGMS was mostly short pieces with jarring commercials. Sure, it's nothing like the halcyon days when Washington had three classical stations at once (anyone remember WGTS being all-classical? they were pretty good), but like I said, better than it has been. ~~CA in BC (3/17/09) Dave's response: You almost get the impression that the listeners don't matter anymore. Hell, if CBS can sell a bunch of idiot advertisers on JFK, El Zol, or the Globe, does it really matter if anyone's listening? Apparently not. It doesn't matter if anyone's really listening, just what the fuckin' PPMs "show"..... Interesting spin on 94.7: saleskit.classicrock947.com - Maybe they aren't doing as bad as we think..... (3/17/09) Dave's response: I think that's a big part of the problem. CBS programs 94.7 for advertisers first, with listeners second or third in priority..... RE: [As someone who has read the Washington Times since moving to No. Va. in 1993, it's pretty clear that Jeff in Bowie has no idea what he is talking about, and I will wager that he has not actually read the Times in years, if ever.] Do I read the WaTimes? I have in the past, but you are right - I don't read it any more. I grew up. Face it, pal...NOBODY in D.C. actually reads the WaTimes except you, Chris Plante and occasionally Silvie. Here's the stinging fact you need to digest: The WaTimes currently has less than one seventh of the circulation of of the WaPo. Why? Because it intentionally caters predominantly to the (how did you put it? Let me quote) "Uber-leftie-liberal-ideologue-hating" fringe-right republican base, and it does so unabashedly. While the majority of daily print media readers in Washington and the surrounding jurisdictions would rate WaPo reporting as "Slightly Left of Center to moderate", you will be hard pressed to find anyone politically aligned to the left of Pat Buchanan or John Gibson who would dare push the meme that the WaTimes is anywhere NEAR "Right of Center". Regardless of your willingness to admit it or not, the WaTimes has a distinct far-right bias in the vast majority of its political reporting, and it has been well-documented that the WaTimes is required to print a higher volume of retractions on its reporting than most major market newspapers. It is not the "counterbalance" to the WaPost that those like you wish to believe it is - it is an organ of the fringe-right wing of the republican party, and it wears that distinction like a badge of honor. Please, at least have the stones to admit that's why people like you love it so much. - Jeff in (Uber-leftie-liberal-ideologue infested) Bowie (3/17/09) well, it's a good thing CBS dropped WHFS in DC and the alt rock format for WLZL isn't it. I think 18th is worse that HFS used to pull. If not, exactly the same. (3/17/09) Dave's response: WLZL is on a signal that doesn't target the DC area's Hispanic population. A waste of energy..... In this month's Northern Virginia magazine they have an extensive article about Lindsey Czarniak. In the article they talk about how she is as a person and they use a quote from one of the Junkies about how she is one of the guys...no quotes from or mentions of her and the Mike O'Meara Show. Isn't she on his show weekly or so? (3/17/09) The question begs.... If WETA-FM is #10, why the hell is there no WGMS-FM in Washington and how could there not be money made by resurrecting the format? Meanwhile, WLZL is #18, WJFK #22, just ahead of WPFW, and WFED at #30 and advertisers are still buying ads on these stations that VIRTUALLY NO ONE LISTENS TO??? Just makes no sense to me to me. Didn't the old WHFS 99.1 have better #s than even some of these stations? And that's with the station being run into the ground by bad CBS management too! HAha! Too funny. How some of these suits keep their jobs continually amazes me. (3/17/09) I have always believed that prayers are answered if you have the patience to wait. When I was younger, I got started part time in radio at age 17, making the long trek from Essex to "Baltimore Jr. College" as it was called then, from which the WBJC calls originated. Radio was fun during the 70's and 80's, though I pretty much did it just on weekends for something to do. Now that I am retired from my Army service, and here in SW Va, I have recently accepted afternoons at WZBB-FM, where I have been since 2006 voicetracking overnights and handling weekends. WZBB is one of a few locally owned stations, a real classy operation for a small market. All the staff has at least 10 years. Dan Taylor, who will be moving south with his fiancé has been with them for 12 years. (Amazing what love will do to a guy!) Dan knew the music well, and certainly did a great job over the years. I have to thank many who have mentored me in Baltimore over the years, especially Johnny Dark and Clark West, two top notch veterans of the radio business. My new position will start Monday, March 30th. By the way, my wife Joyce lost her job the same time I start mine, so she will be back with her family here in the "sticks". We're tweaking the studio for her now... Tom Conroy (3/17/09) Wonder how Fred Grandy feels today. A couple of weeks ago the WMAL morning host announced that he called his stockbroker and sold every stock he owned. The Dow was just above 6500 at the time. Two weeks later it's five points below 7400. While I feel for Fred (really) it's a sure buy sign when a radio guy announces he's sold everything. When Howard Stern moved to Sirius and the stock jumped, that was my get out sign. When AOL merged with Time Warner that was when the stock hit its high. Lesson for all: sell when everyone says buy and buy when the majority are selling. ACH (3/17/09) Read below from radio-info's daily news letter. This is the same stunt they pulled with Empire Broadcasting System with Nassau's option to purchase WRNR FM at the conclusion of a 3 year LMA. According to papers filed with the FCC, Nassau Holdings had extended their LMA in Reading because of their inability to close the deal due to lack of funding (DISLOCATIONS IN THE CREDIT MARKETS). They lost up to $600,000 in LMA fees, and reportedly an additional $5 million in earnest money on the Reading deal. I wonder if they will try to spin (and sue) this the same way they spun the WRNR deal..... "Nassau-run “Frank 107.5” in Reading, PA reverts to Christian programming on April 1. So classic hits “Frank” gets religion, as Nassau’s several-times-extended LMA-to-buy with WDAC Inc. expires. “Frank” is WFKB, Boyertown, PA, and it replaced contemporary Christian WBYN-FM several years ago. The Nassau-WDAC deal struck in August 20005 was for an eventual purchase price of $22 million, and an LMA fee of $100,000 the first year, rising to $300,000 in the third year. Owner WDAC continues to operate its very successful Christian teaching WDAC (94.5) in the Lancaster, PA market." (3/17/09) OK..what is exactly going on in Martinsburg, West Virginia with Prettyman Broadcasting? Stacy Drake and Jay Young both have seemed to had disappeared. The entire staff at WICL "Cool 95.9" blown out.. gone. The remaining staff at WLTF "missing" from www.Lite975.com ( WLTF's website ) and now Joe Sanchez is heard doing the news on WEPM-AM. Odd !!!! (3/17/09) All this rumor-rama at JFK makes me wonder about the reliability of all these so-called reliable sources. One day it is sports talk, the next day contemporary hits. Having said all that, you know what would be perfect for JFK? A "free-flowing" local sports format, where the focus is sports but hosts aren't confined to talking nothing but sports all the time, a la ESPN Radio. The Junks could still talk marriage, kids, porn and sex. Tony K could come at 10 AM with "Old Guy Radio," American Idol talk, etc. How about Lindsay Z (I can't spell it) for two hours at Noon? Then Riggo with other local personalities in the afternoon? That would be a great lineup appealing to a broad cross section of ages and sports and current events interested-people in the DC area who, like me, won't listen to Danny Radio. Plus with Lindsay, you potentially could have a TV tie in. Will it happen? Probably not. (3/17/09) Dave's response: If it's a good idea, CBS Radio probably won't do it..... geronimo marries this weekend... from his twitter: "Yes, I am getting married this weekend, same galpal, I still watch 24, I am appalled at the current state of radio. Yes, I'm happy!" (3/17/09) For those who can't place the voice (of 7's Betsy Ames), you may want to add this link. She really did a ton of stuff during her long career! www.betsyames.com (3/17/09) Hey Dave: Just heard that Don Geronomi's been thinking about writing a book. Since you seem to have a way of contacting him, can you let him know I'd be happy to ghost write it? I was a fan from 1997 (when I arrived in DC) until the end. He can check out my blog at www.cliffkurt.wordpress.com to see my writing style. Thanks! Cliff (3/17/09) Dave's response: I'm pretty sure that Don checks the Mailbag on a regular basis (like seven or eight times a day) and will contact you if he's interested..... (When Paul Harvey died, I visited the WMAL website and saw that there was a tribute program....) If you go to the site... www.newsbusters.org, there are mp3s for the Paul Harvey tribute as well as it mentions something about tributes also on WGN radio in Chicago. Burt in Denton (3/17/09) Dave's response: If you're using Windows, you can go to the wgnradio.com link in the post below and right click on it and select the "Save Target As" option. That'll save it as an audio file on your computer's hard drive..... Not to put too fine a point on it, but I believe it is "furlough". (Shawn in DC) (3/17/09) How funny is it that on The Junkies right before 10AM this monring just as "BDK" was getting grilled over his NCAA picks an emergency warning drill for "Virginia Tornado Preparedness Day" cut him off, with some hick telling people to hide in a bathroom if no basement is available. Poor BDK!!! Too funny!!! (3/17/09) To the person looking for the Gil Gross Paul Harvey Tribute here is the link. MP3 audio of the 37-minute I played it for my Introduction to Broadcasting class and everyone was riveted. wgnradio.com (3/17/09) well at least Bill H(M)ess looks like the same toad (ie: hideki irabu?) who ran WTEM INTO the ground - nice clown pic w/ Montel , BILL, LOL!! (3/17/09) As someone who has read the Washington Times since moving to No. Va. in 1993, it's pretty clear that Jeff in Bowie has no idea what he is talking about, and I will wager that he has not actually read the Times in years, if ever. (I have also read the Washington Post since 1993, because it's interesting to compare and contrast what each considers "news" on any given day, and how they treat it (emphasis, what page it's on, etc.) The Times is no more conservative than the Post is liberal; I read them both every day, so I know. Uber-leftie Jeff is like most critics of Rush Limbaugh, who have never listened to him or for a few minutes at most, and who "know" what they think they "know" about him based on second-, third- and fourth-hand accounts from other liberal ideologues. Proof that Jeff knows not whereof he speaks is that the Weekly World News ceased publication in August 2007. — Joseph C. (3/17/09) Once again, freedom of speech wins: movies.yahoo.com... Parody is still protected. So all you warped production nuts, fire up your vocal eliminators and have at it! God Bless America! (3/17/09) When Paul Harvey died, I visited the WMAL website and saw that there was a tribute program. I believe it ran about an hour and that it was locally produced, though I'm not exactly sure about that. Anyway, when I tried to listen to the streaming content, it didn't play too well - I suspect due to the large numbers of people all trying to listen at the same time. So, I thought I would wait a week or so, and try listening again. Now I can't find any link to hear this Paul Harvey tribute. I have already recorded the week-long series of morning and midday tribute segments that were done by Gil Gross. What I'm trying to find is the Paul Harvey tribute that first appeared on the WMAL website, on the Monday after he passed away. Does anyone have a link to this program? A "streaming version" would be alright, but I'd prefer a link so I can actually download the tribute (if such a link even exists anymore). (3/17/09) FYI Dave, the Salisbury mayor ain't no saint, and the guy who calls her out for her crazy bullshit on his blog isn't either, but the AP story makes it seem like the mayor is somehow the hero. She isn't. In comparison, what you do with DCRTV is straight newsy dope with the occasional rant, while the "malicious" blog in question is more mean-spirited muckraking, name-calling and general bitching/moaning about things that twist his panties. (3/17/09) /\ March 17 Messages /\ \/ March 16 Messages \/ Is WUSA or WJZ multicasting any NCAA tourney games? I live in Baltimore and can pick up all the digital signals from both affiliates so I really wanna know ASAP THANKS! (3/16/09) Monique's show is supposedly to end on Weds, however, I turned on Mon'nique's show around 5:00 and for about 1/2 hour, there was nothing but music. (3/16/09) Dave's response: We're told that MMJ has already yanked Mo'Nique off the website, so it may have pulled the show a few days before the official end..... At last another broadcaster reviews DTV boxes! www.wchstv.com... It's worth a look if you're still trying to decide which one to buy... -Unsigned Corporate Suit (3/16/09) It just LOOKS like someone took the best of Donnie and assumed him...But i see your confirmation...but are u 100% sure!!!??? (3/16/09) Dave's response: Yeah, it is indeed him..... Re..."STILL HERE AND DOING A GREAT JOB AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IS JEFF LAWSON OVER AT VEC-13 W.... cap..blah..cap..blah..." //// You can't be serious, even the most egregious DCRTV mailbag dullards don't post 400+ word rants in capital letters. (3/16/09) Hey Buzz Burbank, Your barely repackaged day old FARK aritcles that you are passing off as 'news' are glaring. If you are going to let FARK do your work, you should at least steal today's articles. I think the meme you yourself would quote is,"you're not doing it right". -cap't. trips in Sterling- (3/16/09) Dave...the Twitter account looks FAKE. Come on, dude... And I mean the Don Twitter account...lol (3/16/09) Dave's response: I have confirmed it. It's really him..... Mo'nique's show will air it's last day on Wednesday on Magic 102.3. (3/16/09) Dave's response: We did report that in a Sunday newsblurb on the Front Page..... I'm not complaining - GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KOF (3/16/09) MY SUGGESTION TO THE POSTER WHO WENT THROUGH ALL KINDS OF DRIVEL ABOUT THE NORFOLK TV MARKET: THE CAPS KEY IS NOT YOUR FRIEND, AND SOME CLASSES IN BASIC SPELLING AND GRAMMAR MIGHT NOT HURT EITHER. (3/16/09) STILL HERE AND DOING A GREAT JOB AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IS JEFF LAWSON OVER AT VEC-13 WHO STARTED OUT WAY BACK WHEN AT TTG-5 IN WASHINGTON, WITH A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, BARTON ECKERT, WHO HAS BEEN WITH WTOP RADIO FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. YEARS AGO TONY SYLVESTER WAS OVER AT AVY-10 FOR A SHORT TIME AND LEFT BECAUSE OF A SALARY DISPUTE. I THINK HE LATER ESTABLISHED HIS OWN RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS. BRUCE RADER FROM WHEATON, MARYLAND IS STILL HERE AS THE SPORTS DIRECTOR OVER AT AVY-10 AND IS STILL CUTE AS EVER. I HOPE HE REMEMBERS BEBE BAILEY FROM THE WHEATON GAZETTE. BRIAN SINKOFF OUT OF SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND IS NOW OVER AT TKR-3. I WELL REMEMBER THE OLD WTAR RADIO STATION...... I WOULD WAKE UP MORNINGS LISTENING TO EDDIE TRAVIS DOING THE NEWS WITH BILL DIEHL ON SPORTS WITH THE GREEN-GIFFORD PROMOS. WHY DOESEN'T TKR-3 GIVE BARBARA CIARA THE BOOT, SHE DOES NOTHING BUT KICK GOOD JOURNALIST OFF AIR, AND SOMETIMES OUT OF A JOB, LIKE BRIAN FARRELL AND REGINA MOBLEY. A FEW WEEKS AGO I TALKED TO MY FRIEND, W. W. HEADLINE. IN THE SIXTIES MR HEADLINE WAS THE CBS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, AND I TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT MS CIARA. IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE THREE TELEVISION STATIONS IN THIS AREA TO BE UNION. THE JOURNALIST SHOULD BE PAID UNION SCALE. THEY WOULD HAVE EXCELLENT BENEFITS AND PAY. THEY SHOULD BELONG TO. THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTIST afl/cio ( AFTRA ) A NEW BOOK AND PLAY WILL BE IN BOOKSTORES WITHIN A FEW MONTH'S AND THE TITLE IS, "ON THE BANKS OF THE CUNT RIVER" BY A GIFTED AUTHOR. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. KEN WHEATON AFTRA AND NLGJA (3/16/09) Not saying that WTOP should treat VCU as “local.” However, there are only two NCAA teams from the state that probably has the largest percentage of WTOP listeners, and one of them plays right after American on the same floor. It takes 4 seconds to say, “Virginia Commonwealth takes on UCLA in the game following American and Villanova.” If that’s too much time, it takes two seconds to say, “Also VCU plays UCLA.” (3/16/09) I'm a freelance health writer with 40 years of experience and I'm offering you a column with health information for seniors. It's called, The Healthy Geezer. You could call it The Healthy Senior if you want to. It's also available in Spanish as El viejito saludable. You can read more about this at www.healthygeezer.com (3/16/09) Dave's response: I think you meant to send this to Mike O'Meara. You can reach him at wjfk.com. I think the station's still around. You never know..... Not exactly local, but another Newspaper in trouble. Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper goes Web-only ap.org... The paper is owned by Hearst, which owns WBAL and WIYY (3/16/09) Hope all is well! For "DCRTV," thought you might be interested in a photo from Air America's cocktail party Friday night in LA, thrown at the Marriott Marina Del Ray hotel in conjunction with the Radio & Records Talk Radio Seminar. Attached please find a photo I thought would be of interest: From L-R, Montel Williams ( whose program entitled "Montel Across America" debuts on April 6 on Air America) and Bill Hess (Air America SVP of Programming). Photo is courtesy of Air America (Elisa Haber, photographer). (3/16/09) There is no reason for WTOP to treat Virginia Commonwealth University as local. VCU itself is just targeting greater Richmond, airing its radio broadcasts only on an FM station there. No D.C. area radio affiliate exists for VCU, I'm not sure if any local station has even been approached to air the Rams. By contrast, Virginia Tech promotes its games across the state of Virginia and through the D.C. area via ESPN980 and sister stations. On a side note, local radio for American's opening tourney game could be an issue as there's a conflict Thursday night with the Capitals on WFED. The usual solution would be AM 1050 but that station has little nighttime strength. Additionally, Bonneville can't webstream NCAA tourney games due to national exclusivity restrictions so that option's out too. If Bonneville still bothers with a local AU game broadcast, few people may be able to hear it. Everett W. (3/16/09) I love WTOP, but... The largest university in the commonwealth of Virginia (it's NOT George Mason, by the way) is in the NCAAs again, and is a sexy pick for a first-round upset, and it gets nary a mention this afternoon while they make sure to note every half hour that Virginia Tech is in the Not In Tournament. I'd dare say there's a lot of VCU students in WTOP's footprint (especially if they claim that it runs down to Richmond and out to the Shenandoah). Plus thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of alumni in Northern Virginia. Grrrrrrrrr. Charles ('87 MAC) in Winchester (3/16/09) Congratulations Shawn Yancy on your "24" appearance! It should be noted Brian Bolters' right foot is also making a cameo appearance. Just look for his extra long second toe! It will be polished "Pretty Girl Pink" by Revlon. (3/16/09) WTTG/5 anchor Shawn Yancy will be on "24" tonight in a news reader role similar to Brian Bolter's appearances. Everett W. (3/16/09) The ailing economy is hitting Roanoke area television stations. WDBJ trimmed its work force 10 percent in 2008, including seven employees who took buyouts in December and an eighth who accepted the offer this year. WSLS has laid off 11 employees this winter as it has reduced staff 14 percent to about 80 total. Lynchburg-based WSET cut seven employees, or about 6 percent of its total, at the end of January. The station now has about 100 workers. More at the www.roanoke.com (3/16/09) Northern Virginia Magazine announced the best of 2009. WJFK was picked as the #1 stations... Junkies as #1 morning show... and The Fukerton (Chad Dukes personal blog) as the #1 blog (3/16/09) Dave's response: JFK must have slipped NVM writer Buzz McClain (who profiled the Junks last year) a big fat check. Ha ha ha..... Wonder what is going on at Washington Post Live on Comcast Sportsnet. DC Sports Bog is reporting that Russ Thaler is out as host and that Ivan Carter, who is currently the Post's Wizards beat guy, is in. The blog doesn't say why the change is being made. Carter has appeared on the show a lot as a guest but he's as stiff as a board, has no discernable broadcast experience and really is not very good. Thaler, on the other hand, is a seasoned pro and I always thought did a very good job. It looks like Washington Post Live is now going to become amateur hour. (3/16/09) Dave, it's great to see you did a story this morning about Don Imus and didn't bash him. Nice, considering his newfound cancer. You do have a heart! (3/16/09) I watched the weekend shows at WUSA Channel 9, they are now a shell of a broadcast without Jennifer Ryan. What were they thinking about letting her out the door! Time to watch cable now. Too bad. (3/16/09) I heard from a reliable source at CBS that BigOandDukes are moving to mornings when 94.7 flips in a few months. (3/16/09) Excellent, Dave. I've been ranting to the Post for the past several years, particularly on their decision to ditch the financial tables at the end of the month. Watching the Post self destruct is a great lesson on how to run a newspaper into the ground. Keeping on ranting, Dave. I appreciate them. We think alike. And while they are at it, according to their mentality, they should also ditch the comic pages and the Sunday magazine. (3/16/09) Mo'nique - She's been scrubbed from the Majik1023.com website. (3/16/09) RE: [(Washington Times) Executive Editor John Solomon sees no "blurring of the lines" with the paper's news coverage, saying that only Times editorials and columns will be included. "Obviously our opinion pages are center-right, so this will be a center-right site packaged for people who enjoy that type of opinion,"] Center-right? The opinions expressed in the WaTimes are only "Center-right" in the minds of the FAR-right. The hardline political right in America has been resoundingly handed their ass in two consecutive election cycles, and public opinion on their policies continues to rapidly decline, yet they continue to express the false notion that America is somehow a "center-right" nation. What is it going to take for the far righties to start accepting that their opinions for the direction of the world no longer jibe with the opinions of the majority of the Nation? Global armageddon? Total world market meltdown? Why do far-righties insist on praying for the second coming of "Saint Ronald of Simi Valley" when the fractured reasoning behind his beatification only exists in their bleached, biased and distorted recollections of the eighties? Face it: When it comes to balance in reporting, The WaTimes is one tin foil sheet away from becoming a right-wing knockoff of "The Weekly World News", sans the entertaining pics of the vampire-boy and Elvis. - Jeff in Bowie (3/16/09) I don't think Doc Walker and Kevin Sheehan hate each other but that's just my opnion. The John Thompson show should have been gone a couple of years.He will only talk about what he wants to talk about I remember in 04 after Todd Bertuzzi of the Canucks hit Steven Moore of the Avalanche the night before in a hockey game. He started his show by saying his show was only going to be about the NCAA Tournament since it was going to start the next day . I was disappointed because I wanted to hear about what Al Koken had to say about the incident and true to his word he didn't even asked Al what he thought about the hit Betruzzi gave Moore during the updates. I think they should give Liz Dribeck her own show in his time slot I think it would be better then his show .I have always liked the Sports Reporters so there is no need to replace them. (3/16/09) Exactly right with both of your rants about the Washington Post, especially regarding the Style section. Telling us to go to their free web site to see content when we have paid them for the newspaper makes us feel like suckers. Why are we paying for this newspaper anyway? Are we just stuck in the morning routines we started 20 years ago? They must figure that there's little they can do to drive us diehards away from buying the newsprint edition. Oh, wait, I forgot. We do get PostPoints, don't we? (3/16/09) Watching some forgettable cable TV show on Sunday, I saw an ad come on for "Enzyte", that male enhancement pill (featuring "Smilin' Bob") that landed the company's founder and his mom in prison for fraud a few months ago. I want to believe the spot was run erroneously, as it had a holiday theme to it (Smilin' Bob was dressed as Santa), and because I was certain Enzyte was pulled from market because the product is about as useful as a propane-powered toothbrush. The Enzyte website is still up, but there can be a hundred reasons for that. Does anyone know if that miserable product is back on the market? (3/16/09) Two things, no make that 3: 1) I've got to ask you about the Penismighter 2) I feel for the people at WUSA, but I have not watched the morning news since they want to the graphics overkill. 3) The Post-Leaflet will be a one-section paper at the rate things are going by 2010. (3/16/09) /\ March 16 Messages /\ \/ March 15 Messages \/ In the Sunday 'Los Angeles Times', there's an article that looks at how the recession is affecting conservative talk radio here in the Golden State. Not only is listenership down, but several hosts have lost their jobs due to economy-related air staff cuts. While this article isn't about DC-area radio, I wonder if a similar downward trend in conservative radio listenership is happening there too? By the way, former Baltimore-DC radio talker, Chip Franklin (now in the morning drive slot at KOGO in San Diego), isn't mentioned at all. His numbers must be awfully low, since the article mentions that his morning drive competition at San Diego's KFMB, Rick Roberts, is the only local conservative talk host who has more than 100,000 listeners. Here's the link to the article: www.latimes.com (3/15/09) so what happens to the Mike O'meara show...if WJFK flips formats?...will he still be heard in the other markets hes in or is he finished like Tom Leykis was? John in Sacramento ca (3/15/09) Two Things... First, for PenIsMightier, I went to that wevsite and it's a glory unto the power of the freedoms of speech and expression long may it live!. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. Second, it looks like the Roanoke morket is taking some hits, too... See www.wtopnews.com for the bad news -Unsigned Corporate Suit (3/15/09) Was reading the sports section in the print edition of the Post today and came across an interesting ad placement. Inserted under the first few paragraphs of an article entitled "Wizards Look for Ways to Stay Positive" is an ad for a gentleman's club which features an adult film super star..Wonder whose call it was to place that particular ad there?..HMMM... (3/15/09) OK, at the risk of exposing my age, let me say that I am a newspaper junkie! As a carrier for the old Evening Star, I remember waiting 2 hours past the normal drop off time for my papers to arrive on 11/22/63. I asked for and received 100 extra copies when the delivery truck arrived and sold them in 10 minutes. Whenever I traveled, either for business or pleasure, the first thing I did was get a local paper. Alas, the electronic age is making newsprint obsolete. Instead of having to wait until the next day for a sports story, I can get it DURING THE GAME on my phone. A stock quote? I can’t remember when I last searched through the Post’s NYSE listings for a stock price that would be nearly 24 hours old. I foresee newsprint completely disappearing in the next decade or 2. Will I miss it? YES! Will I survive without it? DEFINITELY! Just don’t take away my Blackberry!!! (3/15/09) RE: your post rant. Your beef is the biz section. Mine is the car section. I found it at the back of the Sunday biz section today. I can remember being a kid 30 years ago and looking at page after page of cars for sale - either privately or via dealers. Now, it makes up barely 2-3 pages. I can remember my brother looking for a specialty car and finding it in Alexandria - and 10 others to choose from back in 1978. The newspaper world has gone from must read to quaint throw back in no time flat, relatively speaking. There is nothing in the newspaper that you can not find elsewhere easier and faster on the web and usually for free. Its a troubled biz model. What really kills me are the "journalism pundants" who say papers like the NY Times and the Wash Post are important to society and journalism in general. Maybe they were once before oh say, 1978, but it just doesn't matter to the great unwashed any more. Its very much akin to the nightly network news. I liked the headline I saw on Drudge today...journalism is evolving, not dying. For better or worse, it not Murrow's world anymore. (3/15/09) Hey Dave, didn't Shales already take a buyout from the Post? I think he's still working for them on a per-piece basis? Charles in Winchester (3/15/09) Unsigned Corporate Suet wrote: "CSPAN Congress obscenity profanity blah blah parental control blah blah." If you don't want your children to see sausage being made that's your business. Of course you're missing a golden educational opportunity: "See that man, kids, he's the one whose boyfriend was running a male escort service out of Chevy Chase Elementary School." "See that man? You are never to accept a text message from him." And you're denying them the Easter egg hunt that is Washington Journal, where it's not unusual to hear "fuck" or "shit" go out over the air, not to mention "Mike O'Meara's Taint." I really don't understand the vitriol, Mr. Suet -- E-Rock speaks so highly of you on whackbag.com --- ThePenIsMightier (3/15/09) WPFW's Luck of the Duck duck race... WTF? www.wpfw.org... www.duckrace.com (3/15/09) To the AXXHole who asked: "How can anyone maintain self-respect working at WUSA9 ?" The "holier than though" attitude expressed by this poster, and some others, who make blanket pronunciations about all of the people working at WUSA 9 is astounding in its ignorance and childishness. Currently, we are living through an economy that's in the toilet and an industry that has seen layoffs, furloughs and cutbacks and with no end in sight.- Some of us may be disappointed over some of the things happening at our station or some of the mistakes made by our colleagues. Give me one station where that is NOT the case. Nevertheless, ALL OF US @ 9 have spouses and children to feed and support, mortgage payments to make in order to keep a roof over our heads and we are all aspire to retiring without having to eat ALPO. Therefore, as responsible adults and professionals we SUCK IT UP. We get up every day and go to work and try to do the best job we can under sometimes very difficult circumstances. At the end of the day, if I am able to accomplish my job as a journalist to the best of my abilities regardless of how others may be doing theirs, not only can I keep my self-respect but I can look at myself in the mirror and know that when times were tough I didn't act like a spoiled ignorant child but like a responsible and professional adult. I am very proud to toil alongside others at WUSA 9 who do the same thing everyday. Journalists are supposed to check their facts and lean over backwards to be impartial, yet I am amazed by how easily many posters in this mailbag resort to innuendo and widespread character assasination without as much as a second thought to accuracy, fairness or even common sense and decency. (3/15/09) Dave - Check out the audio at www.wpgc.com (Obama saying change is coming)- also the website is down with only the splash page remaining (3/15/09) So the Post is diluting its inferior business section even more. I'm not surprised. If it weren't for Kaplan, the WashPost Company would be teetering quite close to bankruptcy. As a Post shareholder, I suggested to Donald Graham three years ago that he break the company up, and spin off Kaplan - which makes oodles of money - as a separate stock. He said "No, I don't think that's a good idea and I don't think Warren Buffett would want that." Since then WPO has lost 57% of its value, far worse than the broader market (S&P 500, down about 43% over the same period). I wonder if that's what Buffett wanted? (3/15/09) Dave: I guess some of the ESPN980 listeners aren't very intelligent. Unfortunately, the reason why Pollin and Czaban were temporarily off-the-air was because of the Big East and ACC Conference Tournaments. No, we all didn't get our wish that Snyder finally cleaned house and fired them. I looked through some of this week's postings and thought I needed to remind the loyal sportstalk listeners of a few things. First, John Thompson is actually one of the best things at ESPN980...problem is, there's not one person who has any smarts about how to "produce" him. Obviously, Bruce and Dennis don't know how to handle high- end talent. Al and Brian Mitchell are too busy sucking-up to Big John so there's no direction to his shows. Lets face-it, nothing's going to change until some of the talent contracts expire. But when they do, Mr. Snyder, please clean house and add some "professional" talent rather than have an Al Galdi, who enjoys exercising his morning voice to the point where you just hit the OFF knob on the alarm clock. Finally, will someone give a white flag to either Kevin or Doc? or tell them the bad blood needs to end. I can't be the only listener who thinks their show is like listening to nails on a chalkboard!!! This is why ESPN980 is currently ranked 19th-21st in the PPM's. Someone's not doing their job. (3/15/09) A bunch of broadcast and sports dinosaurs pay tribute tonight to Washington’s 80-year-old Andy Ockershausen tonight at 9 on Comcast Sports Network. On hand: Frank Harden, Tom Gauger, Bill Trumbull, Bill Mayhugh, Chris Core, Chick Hernandez, John Riggins, Doc Walker, Mark Moseley, Wendy Rieger, Paul Berry, Bobby Mitchell, Catherine Meloy, Tim Brant, Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff and Frank Herzog. Your host for the evening is the legendary Charlie Brotman. (3/15/09) Dave's response: Damn, I'll have to DVR it. It's up against "Big Love"..... Destiny is working overtime today in the Post. The Obit pages today have listings for a "Farmer", a "Barn(e)s" and a "Lamb". It's a stretch, but there is also a "Salmon" (as in salmon farm,dig?) Spooky... (3/15/09) I was listening the WTOP this morning and thought I heard a voice I recognized. I remember a DJ (YDB I think)on DC101 in the early 1980s, around the Howard Stern era. Is this the same guy. His voice sounded familiar but his delivery was different. He seemed to over-pronounce everything with a very deliberate halting stlye. Does anyone know if this is the same person?........ Jake (3/15/09) Dave's response: Former DC101er "Young Dave" Brown, who's not so "young" anymore, has been doing weekend anchoring on all-news "WT-Opie" (as he says it) for several years now...... Anon DCRTV poster: “DC101 - Did anyone else catch the string of profanity that went on the air yesterday around lunchtime? Live concert feed from their event that never got dumped/” IMHO, following a “classical liberal arts undergraduate education” ages ago, almost every session of Congress telecast via cable or satellite via C-SPANiel (because it’s a ‘dog’) or broadcast by WCSP-FM (Folks, to this old-timer, there’s a difference between what is broadcast over the airwaves that belong to the public (and not the government) vs. telecast via cable) have been either an obscenity or profanity unto the Constitution of the United States. But, neither WCSP-FM nor C-SPANiel will likely ever see either a fine or even a rebuke because they are the “darlings” of the “political and governmental establishments“ which likely would’ve made this nation’s forefathers retch in disgust. As my children will attest, I’ve always “locked-out” the C-SPANiel channels under “Parental Control”. –Unsigned Corporate Suit (3/15/09) It's a good idea for Chris Plante to get a sex change operation because he already sounds like a woman as it is. (3/15/09) Hey Dave, Enjoyed your feature on Johnny Holliday in Press Box. But you left out one major item in running down what Johnny does. He is the terrific host of Nats Extra pre and post game shows for the Washington Nationals on MASN. Because The Press Box is a Baltimore publication you may have overlooked that fact. Check it out once the season gets underway, it's a great show. (3/15/09) Dave's response: I'm pretty sure that I did include that in the original copy..... Dave: This might be interesting to you / your readers - former governor Bob Ehrlich wrote a piece for PressBox on the effect of poor behavior by pro athletes on children. Take a look: pressboxonline.com (3/15/09) /\ March 15 Messages /\ \/ March 14 Messages \/ twitter.com/chaddukes "is checking the weather in Seattle for some reason...." (3/14/09) Sources at WUSA9-TV say the new MMJs are having a lot of trouble adapting at Channel 9. On Friday, March 13th, Kristen Fisher shot and aired a package about identity theft. The package aired during the 5pm newscast. In the piece, Fisher shot and aired a woman's name (including her maiden name), address, and social. The same package was also posted online. Managers quickly removed it, but in this day in age, the damage could already be done. Another MMJ, reporting on a sensitive story, interviewed a woman who did not want to be identified, and she showed a wide shot of the woman walking down the street (certainly it was identifiable). The MMJ was lectured. Seems like the one man band transformation is not as easy as maybe expected. (3/14/09) For the person who wrote "The only guy on WTEM who comes close to doing that is Czaban" must not be listening. Czaban is awful! He thinks he's funny. He's not. Maybe he thinks his laugh is funny and that's what he is laughing about. His laugh is not funny. It is quite befuddling to think the Fox company has this guy on and then more strange that stations air this guy. Most times when I tune in, and it's not very often, he is talking about something other than sports. Do you know why? Because he does not know much about sports. It does not take rocket science to figure this out. (3/14/09) Re HD Radios Continued. - It is the primarily the Accuran's guts, not the antenna that keeps 1600 out. It came with an external loop antenna. My Bose has a directional antenna but even when 1600 is nulled, it still comes through. (3/14/09) I think it is about time to cancel my subscription to the Washington Post-Leaflet. You are 100% on target with your rant. Katherine Graham is spinning in her grave. (3/14/09) Re HD radios: Are you able to hear 1580 AM through 1600 because of the receiver guts, or because it has a highly directional antenna? I've got a C Crane "Twin Coil" antenna tied to a 35-year-old Panasonic hi-fi home receiver (with an uncommonly good AM stage). That baby peaks and notches like no one's biz, and I can pick a distant AM out of a nighttime pileup with very satisfactory results. www.ccrane.com (3/14/09) Hello, I found the tv and radio news on your site quite informative. I did notice that the page listing all of the TV channels has not been updated since 2008. Could you update the list to include the known digital channels along with sub channels and frequencies. Thank you, Judy (3/14/09) Dave's response: I'm thinking of waiting until the digital TV deadline in June, and then revising our TV listings. Everything's kind of "up in the air" at the moment, with most stations still in analog and only some digital-only. Until then, check out the local digital TV mess at www.avsforum.com..... Regarding WJFK: "All the guys had nice things to say about the talent on the station, even Don (Geronimo), but that the station was flipping to either Now or Amp 106.7 on April 1st." So, what does this mean to The Junkies (back to Toys-Be-Us for Cakes!), Big O & Dukes (Four hours a day is not enough?), and most of all, Mike O'Mear's family of clowns? Rob just bought a house so he can knock around his wife in a Nazi outfit in private. Beth Ann's mother needs her as well her daughter, but she can always return to the Carolinas. Joe will have to become a plummer, Katie, poor Katie, will be stripping Saturdays at Good Guys. And the poor Hughes (both David and Michael) will have noting to be catty about anymore. Oh well: there's always Chris Plante, Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin! (3/14/09) Dave, Regarding HD radios. My Accuran HD radio from Radio Shack is by far the best AM radio I have. I live less than a mile from WLXE's (1600) towers in Rockville and it is the only radio that can pick up WHFS 1580 without all kinds of bleedover. It is also very good on weak and distant stations as well. It is far better than my Bose and GE Super Radio. Dick (3/14/09) I listen to DRM "here" in Centreville feeding my shortwave radio's analog output to my PC audio card's line input. The lack of sunspot activity really sucks for DX'ing now but I'm able to get something now and then. Shortwave DRM sounds almost like FM. The software to decode DRM is free. Yes, it is just for AM and shortwave now but there will be an FM version soon as this digital radio standard gets adopted all over the world. I have had good luck with iBiquity's FM (when the station actually broadcasts something) but I have never been able to receive a distant AM HD signal even though the HD radio sees the digital carrier. iBiquity's royalty structure has certainly been a motivator to get a standard out quickly, but it may not be the best standard. (3/14/09) Ref; "Did espn980 take Czaban and Poulon off the air?" If you would have listened earlier in the week you would have heard them say that the program would not run on Thursday and Friday because of basketball coverage. (3/14/09) DC101 - Did anyone else catch the string of profanity that went on the air yesterday around lunchtime? Live concert feed from their event that never got dumped. I smell a hefty fine. (3/14/09) I keep wondering why Doreen Gensler from channel 4 has been off so much lately. You might get your keen investigators on the case. Thanks, Ron Anderson, Rockville, MD (3/14/09) RE: "Dave's response: ... If you actually paid for an HD Radio, get out a marker and write "FOOL" on your forehead."... While I understand you probably said this because many people rushed out to buy HD radios thinking it would be the next big thing in radio (and I think you are right in this assessment), don't forget that a few HD radios are superb analog radios too. I purchasd the Sony XDR-F1HD radio last year, and it is one of the best-performing radios I have ever used in regards to analog reception. I've picked up many e-skip signals on the Sony radio that other analog tuners could never pick up due to bleedthrough and (ironically) interference from adjancent HD radio signals. So, not all is lost with having this radio if/when HD radio broadcasting ends. I'll still have a great radio to DX with that I would buy again today if I had to, even though I'd not be buying it for its HD radio capabilities! DLP in Woodbridge (3/14/09) Did espn980 take Czaban and Poulon off the air? They are airing ESPN national show right now. No answer at on the studio line. Dan in Annapolis (3/14/09) "here"? and where is that? Where are you listening to DRM? Because it was not in the USA. DRM is free? Really, Since when? The web site quite clearly notes that DRM will grant a licensce to manufacturers. Funny how the licensce granting page is under construction,,,as it has been for years,,,because its not free and they dont want to give any idea of the cost. And there are two good reasons why it is not in use in the USA. First, the channel spacing would need to change from 9kHz to 10kHz. Would you like to try explaining to every AM station in the country the why and the cost of such a change? That is pattern, antenna, antenna array, phasor, transmitter. Every station. Very few would be added. Second. DRM is a digital only system. That means, to turn on the DRM you turn off the analog, immediately. There is no phasing in of DRM as there is with Ibiquity. Explain that to every AM, the listeners who are forced to buy new radios (again, no analog compatability) and the advertisers who immediately loose their listeners and outlet until new radios are purchased. DRM has developed a hybrid mode in an attempt to sell the system to the USA. However, the 9kHz channel spacing reduces the analog audio bandwidth to 4.5kHz, with the recovered digital bandwidth being 18kHz, where are .5kHz and 2kHz respectively less and worse than the Ibiquity system at 5kHz and 20kHz. Ibiquity also allows 8kHz analog. DRM claims to be developing a 10kHz spacing mode with 5kHz audio, but I have not seen any doco on its successful use. IN FACT, DRM admits to make it work at 5kHz and wider spacing they essentially have to reinvent Ibiquity's method. While the system now 'allows' for FM operation, the standardization of the method only began in 2007. The laboratory and field testing have not yet begun. Why has it taken DRM 10 years longer to embrace FM than it did Ibiquity. Maybe because DRM+ has issues of compatability with analog FM. Don't hold your breath either for it to begin because the folks in Europe have been burned once by supposedly superior technology,,,aka Eureka 147, which does not work. What works is Ibiquity and Europe is looking at it. Is it any wonder that Ibiquity has been able to sign up partners in Europe and South America. Canada has all but totally scrapped Eureka and has approved Ibiquity. DRM is a Utopian Socialists dream that wont work in any economic reality. Of the various 'receivers' shown, only two pick up RF. Most are desgined for PC connection and high speed networks. One item clearly notes on its website 'product not available'. Most of the items are designed for reception below 30MHz, so if and when there is DRM+..you get to buy another product. Most of the products are $180-1,000 USD, which means the starting price is 2X the cheapest USA box. At this point, DRM is a digital only, AM only product that is not realistic for the US marketplace. (3/14/09) /\ March 14 Messages /\ \/ March 13 Messages \/ "If you actually paid for an HD Radio, get out a marker and write "FOOL" on your forehead....." Fortunately, iBiquity was giving out $50 rebates when I bought mine so the final cost was $47 for the HD Radio+MP3 CD player. I guess I got the HD part for free. Didn't want to pay the royalty to iBiquity for their bad version of the free and open source Digital Radio Mondiale (www.drm.org), which works pretty well on shortwave here and on regular radio in the rest of the world. Perhaps the new administration can make the FCC "change" and approve DRM for use here. (3/13/09) link no longer available... brianbolter.tumblr.com... that sucks! thanks, mac (3/13/09) Come on "Scoop Dave," what's the deal with Doreen not being on Channel 4 anymore? You can break a story about Baltimore radio that no one gives a hoot about yet nothing on why the number 1 female anchor in the DC market has been off the air more than on it the past couple of months? Bob from College Park (3/13/09) Dave: The only logical surgical procedure for WMAL's Chris Plante would be a hemorrhoid transplant... (3/13/09) "As of April 1 NPR is cancelling all newspaper subscriptions." They can't cancel the NY Times. That's where all their story ideas come from. (3/13/09) "Gotta Love 947 HD2 - No commercials, No music - just static" Yeah, going home that night after I wrote the first note about their HD2 there was nothing there. But there's no static since it's digital, just nothing. This Friday afternoon it's back, though. If an analog FM broadcast blank carrier for days, would the FCC get involved? Does a blank HD channel count? Otherwise, why should WGTB care if no one listens since there are no commercials? (3/13/09) Dave's response: HD Radio is dying because of the utter contempt and disinterest from the owners/programmers of commercial radio stations. If you actually paid for an HD Radio, get out a marker and write "FOOL" on your forehead..... Dave, see below from the Exec. Director of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) of which DC is Chapter 37. EAB.... "Subject: [SBE] Faulty converter boxes - I had a call today from a member, Keith Stuhlmann, DOE at WINK-TV in Ft. Myers, Fla. about the deluge of calls his station took the first few weeks after they cut off their analog signal on February 17. Their digital assigned channel is 9, and it seems that many of the Fanai manufactured converter boxes under the Magnavox and Philips brands have faulty VHF tuners. Keith asks if other stations have had the same problem. The boxes were sold by Wal-Mart (possibly others). In their local area, Wal-mart appears now to have put RCA branded converter boxes on the shelves and discontinued selling the Magnavox converters." (3/13/09) With all this WJFK format flip talk is no one noticing that the speculated date is April 1st also known as April Fools DAy, No one would actually make a big change that day (3/13/09) To "Paul"-- stop being such a curmudgeon. It seems like you were probably the nerd back in grade school who couldn't get the pretty girl so now all you do is pick on them to get back. Why don't you focus more on yourself rather than others. (3/13/09) O and A started off their show today with Jim Norton saying that WJFK is flipping formats on April 1. All the guys had nice things to say about the talent on the station, even Don, but that the station was flipping to either Now or Amp 106.7 on April 1. (3/13/09) Dave's response: Not sports talk? Hmmm..... Hey Dave, It has been a long time since I have seen News 4 Anchors, Jim Vance and Doreen Gentzler working the news together. What’s up with that? One of them is always away, and Wendy Reiger or someone else has been filling in? Mac (3/13/09) "NPR Honored Again...investigating the drug money that flows along America's highways from NPR News correspondent John Burnett." John Burnett is THE source for drug money? Dave, that's quite an accusation! NPR correspondents may not be well paid but I don't think they resort to nefarious schemes for more income! Methinks the money flows from sources other than Burnett. (3/13/09) Dave's response: I pretty much lifted that copy from the NPR press release. Ha ha ha..... Seriously, Like Jon Stewart or not, his interview / carving of James Cramer was brilliant. I really wish these financial “news” networks would put half the energy into reporting the truth that they put into fighting a Comedy Network show. Elkridge Steve (3/13/09) If WJFK is going all-sports with Riggins, they must know that he needs help. His rambling stories about getting drunk were long and unfunny. Sheehan and Brawn kept that show from bombing completely. He needs them or someone else who can provide thoughts in languages that people understand. (3/13/09) Foot fetish? Who cares? At one point, the guy had highlights. Now that is even more of a sin for a “straight” man. But, with all the time he spends on the golf course in Ocean City, "class" is basically "no class." (3/13/09) In case Johnny from Hanover hasn't seen the article, WHVR is celebrating 60 years on the air as a 'real' station. www.eveningsun.com (3/13/09) "Why can’t [ESPN980's Sports Reporters] just take random calls and talk about whichever sports topic is brought up (as shows on the NY and Philly stations do)? Is it that difficult to transition from a Redskins call to a Nats call?". Unfortunately, that's the case for those particular hosts - nobody will ever confuse Andy Pollin or Steve Czaban with Phil Wood or Tom Boswell when it comes to baseball knowledge. The only time there's decent Nats discussion on that show is when Times columnist Thom Loverro is the guest. The problem with taking random calls is that it requires a host to not be lazy - he or she would have to stay up to speed with a number of sports and teams on a daily basis in order to field callers' questions on them. Instead, WTEM's philosophy has been to narrow the focus to a handful of 'high interest' topics - mainly the Redskins but also Terps mens hoops, Wizards (when they're winning) and national megastars like Kobe and Tiger. With that approach, there's no need to bother boning up on 'niche' sports like hockey, soccer or women's hoops. Has Red Zebra parted company with John Riggins since the Skins season ended? - I noticed that he wasn't part of their special programming in connection with the Haynesworth signing two weeks ago. With WJFK-FM already airing Fox Sports Radio programming on weekends and overnights, perhaps that station will try to lure Czaban (who hosts morning drive on FSR) away from Dan Snyder's payroll once it flips to the all sports format. How about Riggins and Czaban in afternoon drive and competing directly with Pollin's show? Mike, Fairfax (3/13/09) That picture made me laugh out loud at work. Brian Bolter has a good sense of humor. Hilarious! Sam (3/13/09) "Is there any hope that Donny G might consider doing a podcast?" What makes you think he's not doing one? Those in the know, know. The drunk accountant boob-flashing, tongue-boat to tuna town, Teri Hatcher worshipping bm eaters at radiogods4em certainly don't. Back in the day they called it the feed, and if you weren't sucking d in a circular fashion you were shut out and shut down. Turnabout b Fairplay. Je voudrais un tournevis, ya feel me? 'Nuff said. -- Zombiewoof (3/13/09) "I really like 94.7-HD2 and there's no commercials. Hope they keep it." Gotta Love 947 HD2 - No commercials, No music - just static (3/13/09) Hi Dave, In regards to your reader who writes: "Wow. So John Stewart comes out and admits that he is just a snake oil salesman. Interested in selling his show. And THIS is someone the Democrats seriously considered as a candidate for President? Well, they got that in any event didn't they. Unbelievable." His name is spelled Jon Stewart. I assume this gentleman wouldn't appreciate it if I were to write something about Jon McCain... Thanks, love the site. Chris (3/13/09) Dave's response: I love Jon Stewart, too. But he's NOT a journalist. He's a comedian. So, how come all these "TV news" sites like the increasingly dippy TVNewser cover Stewart and his antics? It's sad to see how TV news journalism has deteriorated into a gaggle of "carnival barkers" with "malignant egomania." A la O'Reilly, Matthews, Olbermann, Beck, Rivera, etc. OK, Mr. Murrow, you may now roll over in your grave (yet again)...... (Re: 9 Newser Double-Dipping In PR? It's true, and a good number of people in the newsroom know who this double-dipper is....It has definitely put a few people into opposite camps.) How could it put people in opposite camps?!? If even ONE person in the Channel 9 newsroom thinks this is acceptable, then the place is even more dysfunctional and unethical than it appears here in the Mailbag! What a disgrace! How could anybody maintain self-respect and continue working there? (3/13/09) 'I'm sure O&Aers are connected to top CBSers in NYC.....". Sorry Dave, I wouldn't bite this OnA tainted piece of bait. Gregg (Opie) Hughes was literally screaming about the stupidity of Twitter on the piece of Wednesday's show I heard, and OnA of course, feel they have been done dirty by CBS (they fail to mention ratings failures in major markets, but that's never their fault). Something's going to occur @ JFK, let's wait 'til April 2... (3/13/09) Dave, Is Red Zeabra trying to self destruct? I usually start the day at 5:00 a.m. with Grandy and Andy. It around 5:20 a.m., when the commerica free segment is over, I switch to WTNT to catch Wall Street in the Morning. The past three mornings all there was was carrier, no audio. I then went to WWRC as they offer the same program. All was well Wednesday and Thursday, solid signal into Rockville. This morning am 1260 was hard to pull out of the background noise. Dick (3/13/09) Wow. So John Stewart comes out and admits that he is just a snake oil salesman. Interested in selling his show. And THIS is someone the Democrats seriously considered as a candidate for President? Well, they got that in any event didn't they. Unbelievable. (3/13/09) Dave's response: How about Jon Stewart and Rush Limbaugh wrasslin'? The winner takes it all. Stewart has youth, beauty, and brains, but Rush has sheer massive girth. I'll give it to Rush..... WTTG FOX 5's Brian Bolter responds to slanderous foot fetish allegation in the DCRTV mailbag... "There’s been an allegation by an anonymous flame thrower on a will remain unnamed blog that I have some sort of ‘foot fetish.’ For the record. I have no idea what you’re talking about. brianbolter.tumnlr.com" hehe :-) (3/13/09) Dave's response: Ha ha ha, indeed..... Dave: Saw your posting re: Denise Dory & WMAR-TV....her bio has been removed from the station's news web-site. NOT a good sign. Just FYI.... Best, John (3/13/09) (Pull quote) Is it a new trend that fired DJ's are now podcasting their own shows? (end) Only if they were wily enough to legally arrange ownership of said show. But that's what modern jocks do now. Back in the day, 'under-employed' DJs either opened an ad agency, got into radio consulting or became wedding reception jocks. Back in Hartford CT, out-of-work jocks took jobs in the insurance industry, but typically within three years orbited back into radio. I like the idea of podcasting a jock/music show, but one of these days the RIAA, ASCAP et al will start socking it to those jocks for all the little "incidental" music getting played. The ranks will thin out when those jocks cannot afford music licensing and the strong will survive...as usual. (3/13/09) Yeah c'mon CBS you big fat corporate bastards and Bitches! Bring back WHFS, in a calmer, more intelligent, more eclectic musical form than the later one with the following bullshit liner... "Washington and Baltimore's number one alteeerrnatiiive rooock Niiiiiiiiiinetyyyyyy Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiine Ooooooooone hfs hfs hfs" (3/13/09) Seriously, what's the story with Doreen almost never being on the past month or so? - Bob from College Park (3/13/09) Isn't the 9News @ 7pm suppose to be the feel good news? I caught it at about 7:04pm and watch them show nothing but tragic news stories about 18 families loosing their homes in an apt fire, they showed a report about punk ass teens from a high school PG County video taping fights and then uploading to youtube. And there was two other reports about murder. What gives, I though that 1/2 hour was suppose to be a different newscast? (3/13/09) /\ March 13 Messages /\ Jump to the Mailbag Archive Index.....