Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV DCRTV Mailbag - August 11 to August 22, 2009 Latest messages listed first..... \/ August 22 Messages \/ Comcast Sports Net advertises Redskins Football in High Definition. Yeah? The Steelers game looks like a wide-screen watercolor painting. Channel 4, in 4:3 aspect was in much higher def. Not fuzzy like Comcast. (8/22/09) (More on WMOD-FM) Bob Benson did a Sunday night jazz show. I remember it from 1970/71. And, the late John Christopher did news in morning drive weekdays, on both 'MOD and early in the run of 98-MZQ. Also, wasn't there a brief squabble with WMAL's FM station supposedly losing listeners - due to confusion - because WMZQ's callsign also had a Q? (8/22/09) To Tom Gauger: Tom, WMOD was truly one of the great radio stations. The only problem at the time was that I was living in Harford County and had to turn the antenna on my Montgomery Ward Airline radio every which way to receive it. However, it was worth all the effort. Thanks for sharing. Blessings. "Sister" Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (8/22/09) Gotta’ add my two cents worth about the old WMOD thread. I used to listen to it on the way home… it was an awesome rocker, almost as tight as WABC. Great personalities and a terrific music rotation. The jocks sounded as though they were really having fun… the way radio used to be. Tom Gauger (8/22/09) Regarding FIOS wiring inside the home. There is nothing especially robust nor somewhat proprietary about the coax and connectors being used. The coax is quad-sheilded RG-6, which is required often enough (such as in the vicinity of airports and harbors) that all the cable companies use it as general purpose. If a home is pre-wired, it should be used. The connectors are compression connectors. Invented to save time and incidence of failure and the need to reterminate during install or cause a service call. The average consumer can buy the tool and the connectors. You can use crimp F connectors suitable for RG-6/Quad as well. Those are available at hardware stores. (8/22/09) Thanks for the C-Span clip but that's not what I originally saw. And this debate isn't about that teenager in the White House and his healthcare wishes...it's about people in the media who twist the facts! (8/22/09) I've got two Zunes. I'll check out the new HD Radio versions, but I don't think I'll be parting with any money for awhile to get one. "Ugly"? Totally irrelevant, as I keep the unit in my pocket or briefcase when using it. I chose it because it has an FM tuner - something lacking in the iPod - and because it was a tremendous value compared to the iPod, the difference measured in dozens of dollars. I also know when to turn the damn thing off and have a life: I don't want to wake up when I'm seventy and wonder where the time went while I was watching video clips of college kids throwing up. (8/22/09) Ha ha... 3:18PM Saturday: the cable TV Military Channel ran a Billy Mays commercial for that car-scratch treatment compound, whateverthehell its called. Evidently, it's not just old soldiers that never die. (8/22/09) To the poster who said, "bring back WMOD", it reminded me of the WMOD's hey-days in the 70's! Pat "Murphy in the Morning" on mornings. Mike Fitzgerald mid-days, Jeff Leonard afternoons and Paul Bicknell did evenings. What an awesome station that was. You could hear it from West Virginia to Delaware and Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Best talent that has ever been on DC radio, killer signal and a mix of oldies that has never been matched. As I recall, Dave MacNamee was Program Director and Pat Murphy told me, when I met him at a remote broadcast, that they had worked together in Hawaii when they were both U.S. Marines in the 60's. DC has never had a station like WMOD and such talented on air folks since. I miss WMOD too! Bob Smith - Woodbridge (8/22/09) (did anyone else catch the WTOP sports report that included a plug for Comcast Sports Net right in the news copy? .....you can see the game in HD on Comcast SportsNet.... Really? Ad copy right in the middle of the news? Tacky!) It's not ad copy. It's a cross promotion. No money changes hands. Comcast similarly promotes games on WFED and also promotes WTOP at other times. (8/22/09) WCTN is back on Internet Sat morning 10:30AM www.950wctn.com... John T. Henneman (8/22/09) Never mind that trashy tock on 98.7. No one does it right anyway. BRING BACK WMOD 98.7 (8/22/09) Dave Wrote"That's the first thing I'd think of. If I see a nuclear flash, I'll tune my radio to PGC." The first place I would turn to is Weal's Sean Sanity or Mark Levin; they would tell me why its all the liberals' fault, make crap up about why it happened, tell me Bema said something he didn't say, Condemn Bema for saying it, make crap up about illegal aliens being required to be the first in line at the hospitals, and cram down my throat how conservatives wouldn't set us up in an unnecessary war. All this before that important interview with the great American, Dick Morris, so he can tell us it was the illegal aliens who did it to get rid of white males. (8/22/09) Dave: About your movie-listing rant, the AP has covered the Post problem with AMC theaters and says that Regal is also discontinuing its print ads in several major cities. So far they've received just one complaint, and AMC says it has seen no impact on theater admissions. Christian www.editorandpublisher.com (8/22/09) Best Buy will also have new iPODS & TVs in a couple weeks, along with probably some new video games. Since when is MICROSOFT ZUNE HD of local media news interest? Did Bill Gates write you a check or something Dave Hughes? Does anyone even know anyone who owns those ugly ZUNES? HAha! (8/22/09) /\ August 22 Messages /\ \/ August 21 Messages \/ Re: "Hope the DCRTV brain trust can help me..." "That said, if you have a splitter that goes through 1.2GHz or so, you can make your own consumer-grade coaxial cable assemblies and they'll work fine" "The cable is going to be 75? coax either RG-11 or RG-6. RG-11 would be heavier with less loss but for short runs in the house RG-6 would work fine" Thanks so much to anonymous, Bob in Fairfax and Dave. Your help is greatly appreciated and I got my setup working just fine. Support DCRTV (8/21/09) (re Dave's response) "That's the first thing I'd think of. If I see a nuclear flash, I'll tune my radio to PGC. Ha ha ha....." Well, you'd also probably need something to look at, while waiting for the big flash. Why not one of these vintage mock Civil Defense posters? I actually remember these in downtown Alexandria 'psychedelic shops' , back in late 60s/very early 70s! (8/21/09) People responsible for WZBA in the tank: Tie for #1: GM Jeff "what ever you want, Bill" Laird & "retired " main dude Bill Lynett. #2: got fired in less than a year from DC-101 PD , "But I'll take this job, part time, because I'm worth much more than your offer, and it's only a matter of time before I'm offered a full time gig in a much larger market" hasn't happened, Cruze. The combo of these 3 (just a guess), blew out 2 market established classic rock guys, for a $250,000 show that had ALREADY FAILED in this city. Better yet, B&T, owned by CC, was canned from a CC STATION the first time. Harvey, the new PD, is probably shopping for an industrial sized bong, with automatic re-fill, right about now. (8/21/09) did anyone else catch the WTOP sports report that included a plug for Comcast Sports Net right in the news copy? It was something about Redskins-Steelers.. second exhibition game of the year.. yada yada.. Clinton Portis wants to play the whole game.. yada yada.. and oh by the way you can see the game in HD on Comcast SportsNet, the region's leader in local sports coverage. Really? Ad copy right in the middle of the news? Tacky! (8/21/09) DC Cable will re-run my January 2008 interview with Robert Novak tonight at 8 pm on TV-16. - Carol Joynt (8/21/09) I don't have FIOS but the NIC takes the fiber signal and converts it to a RF signal that your TV can decode either NTSC, ATSC or Clear QAM. Since you said it runs directly to your TV without a cable box it is probably NTSC or Clear QAM. If your TV is an old analog set it is NTSC. You didn't say but I would think the cable is connected to your TV's antenna connector. The cable is going to be 75? coax either RG-11 or RG-6. RG-11 would be heavier with less loss but for short runs in the house RG-6 would work fine. Make sure it is a good quality double shielded cable and put the connectors on with the proper crimp tool to avoid signal loss or leakage. Okay Dave I just earned you some money. Bob Fairfax (8/21/09) The coaxial cable that Verizon uses after the fiber optic box to deliver television signal is a robust, somewhat custom-made version of RG-6. They also use really nice, somewhat proprietary compression "F" connectors that they install. The reason they're nice is that the inner and outer sleeves compress the braid and foil in a circular fashion, instead of the hexagonal old-style crimp connectors which cause more of an impedance bump, chance for interference from nearby CB radios, and signal loss at the set top converter box. The coax (same stuff regardless of white or black outer cover) is slightly larger in diameter than the stuff you buy at Belmont TV, or wherever, and standard "F" connectors won't jam onto it properly. That said, if you have a splitter that goes through 1.2GHz or so, you can make your own consumer-grade coaxial cable assemblies and they'll work fine. The "F" connector still screws properly onto the splitter which is fed by Verizon's output box near the fiber optic distribution box. Now send Dave a check. (8/21/09) Dave's response: I already got the PayPal donation. Thanks..... Seen today in a DC parking garage... (8/21/09) Dave's response: That's the first thing I'd think of. If I see a nuclear flash, I'll tune my radio to PGC. Ha ha ha..... Hope the DCRTV brain trust can help me. I have FIOS at my house for phone, inet and TV. From the NIC outside the service runs throughout the house via fat white coax. I'm trying to identify a compatible cable. What I have is marked BW3914091 9900963 F6771SVV (ETL) CATV 18 AWG. Done much searching on the web and found that this is an elusive answer. There is partial info that it is Vextra cable p/n 9900963 which is a non specific number. That it might be CCS or SC with unclear information what this is although it has to do with ferrous or copper conductor. My TV cable runs right from the NIC to the TV, past my own DVR with no connection. I am retired from the feds where I worked on sensors and cabling systems for DOD research, so that is my experience. I was hoping that this wire might be compatible with something like an RG-6, etc. If not it would be good to know that too. If anyone can give me an answer I will renew my subscription to DCRTV Plus. Thanks! (8/21/09) From WTOP-TV Washington in 1976, promos for reporters Mike Buchanan and Pat Collins, plus entertainment critic Davey Marlin-Jones. Pat's words still ring true today. (8/21/09) re:"iTunes app store for 98 Rock" This will come in handy for 15 minutes each weekday during the 12 Noon Hairball. Nevermind, I have Hair Nation and The Boneyard on Sirius/XM. (8/21/09) Re: "If I was Pepco, and some of WMAL's other local sponsors, I'd call up my ad rep at old 630 and, at the very least, get a refund on spots aired during Rush's Nazi rants. Do I really want my ads associated with talk like that?" Surely you recommend the same action by advertisers on MSNBC. The other day outside Pres. Obama's "town hall" on health care "reform" they had a nice tight close-up of the back of a man with an AR-15 rifle strapped to his back and a pistol at his hip. The program hostess proceeded to inquire about the racial overtones of this, since there's "a person of color in the presidency and white people showing up with guns strapped to their waists." While there may have been white people with guns at the scene, the man in question, with the rifle and pistol, was in fact an African-American. So how is this racist? So again, I'm certain you'd agree that MSNBC's advertisers should demand a refund for spots that aired right before or after this deceitful "reporting." (8/21/09) Am listening to Robb on 1630 KCJJ's Stream. He is a really good DJ. (8/21/09) Who is the sultry-sounding woman in the Cadillac commercials, the one who talks about turning a car on and if the car returns the favor? (8/21/09) RE: [And as far as the Health Care debate, my source isn't Fox News, it's President O'Bama himself who has talked about his desire for a single payer system and how "Grandma may not need that surgery, WE can give her a pill" I heard him say that on C-SPAN!!] How ironic is it to have this statement come from someone who just wrote an O'Reilly-defending diatribe on the trouble with people taking small quote snippets completely out of context and intentionally twisting the intent of the speaker. Here is the president making those remarks IN context: www.cspan.org... Gee...in context, it sounds quite different than your selectively edited interpretation! (8/21/09) Fire up the ol' DVR this weekend because C-SPAN TV is airing Washington Times‘ ‘Inside the Beltway’ columnist and author John McCaslin being interviewed by NORML founder and legal counsel Keith Stroup.blog.norml.org (8/21/09) No WCTN webstream or on air? Doing ok with Kingsradio1033.net(kzpo) and Kingsrockla. Like 950 on Saturday afternoons. Cancelled my XM sub last September. Any news on WKHZ? Herb in Arnold (8/21/09) First on TVNewser: Tipsters inside Fox News tell us Glenn Beck's vacation this week from his Fox News show was not planned. We hear Beck was told to take this week off to let some of the heat surrounding him die down. www.mediabistro.com (8/21/09) In case you missed it, CBS’ webcast interviewed Washingtonian’s new editor-in-chief, Garrett Graff, for its series “Unplugged Under 40.” We checked out the office diggs and talked about his plans for the magazine. Tune in, if only to check out the always fashionable Graff’s colorful tie. www.cbsnews.com (8/21/09) Once MASN gets what it wants in North Carolina maybe it'll do something about it not being carried in Shenandoah County, VA, less than 2 hours from DC and only a little more than that from Charm City. Geesh, you'd think they'd be a little interested in that.... Charles in Winchester (8/21/09) Regarding the MASN / Time Warner battle in NC..... Time Warner stuck it to MASN good by adding the YES / Yankees network instead as well as the MLB network to their digital cable tiers, and they technically OWN a part of the MLB network! Talk about conflict of interest here, geez. I don't want to say there is a conspiracy here, but Orioles games were always on Home Team Sports in NC, so what valid claim does Time Warner have to keep BOTH the Washington Nationals & Baltimore Orioles off of their cable systems? Time Warner's actions are so egregious, I almost think there should be punitive damages in a civil suit. And why hasn't the FCC settled this yet after 3 seasons? Is there some agenda here by Time Warner to turn northern North Carolina into a Braves market or a Yankees market? I dunno, but, Time Warner is HQ'd in NYC. Go figure. Oh, YANKEES SUCK! (I almost forgot to mention that, hehe) But, I'm actually hoping that the Yankees just clean up in the playoffs, sweep every team, and win the World Series. Why? Because, it will finally change the MLB owners' opinion and convince them that NFL style revenue sharing is the only way to have fair competition between large and small markets. By spending more money than anyone else, the Yankees are not guaranteed to win the World Series, but they're certainly guaranteed to be competing for it every season. It's just ridiculous that their payroll is 3-4 times some of the small market teams. So, YES NETWORK, rejoice this season, I hope the Yanks win. It might just be the end of an era after this one though I hope. And that's a good thing. (8/21/09) Howard Stern Show sidekick Artie Lange and the infamous Ronnie “The Limo Driver” Mund took the stage at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, to host a wild talent search with bikini clad contestants. The result is Artie’s Party: A Search for The Next Miss Howard TV, a new original show premiering today on Howard Stern’s Howard TV On Demand service. Howard TV and the Hard Rock created this unique bikini contest to find the next Miss Howard TV. They combed Las Vegas for the most beautiful and qualified women to compete on stage at the Hard Rock’s world famous pool. Contestants then modeled in front of a raucous crowd filled with other sexy women and were interviewed by Lange and Mund. In between Lange’s one liners and the screams of hecklers and supporters in the audience, the rambunctious contestants were put through a talent contest (one woman demonstrated her extreme ass-shaking skill) and a trivia contest where the audience heard one of the most shocking answers to “who is the Vice President of the U.S.?” The beautiful contestants hailed from across the country, from California to Detriot; from Albuquerque to Atlantic City. It made for one crazy pool party and a show not to be missed. According to Howard TV On Demand executive producer, Doug Z. Goodstein, "Las Vegas has always been an exciting city for us to produce great shows and specials. What better place to host our return but the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino? The Hard Rock pool had the perfect vibe to host our search for a new Miss Howard TV. The contestants were bold and the audience got into the spirit of our search to find our hottest girl ever!” The special will be available on the service until Sept. 8, 2009. (8/21/09) Hello Dave, From the Top, as heard on Classical WETA 90.9 FM, will feature nine-year-old flutist Emma Resmini of Fairfax Station, VA on Sunday, September 13 at 6:00 p.m. Emma began studying flute at the age of three and made her solo debut at the age of seven with the George Mason University Symphony Orchestra. During the broadcast, Emma performs Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino, accompanied on the piano by the show’s host, Christopher O’Riley. Photos of Emma can be found at From the Top’s Flickr site: www.flicker.com... (8/21/09) What does "Thanksgiving dinner at my house" have to do with anything? And those are really nice poll results about Fox news. Please cite the source. I don't consider EVERYONE who disagrees with me as a "Shitstain" or "whore"...Just those with no credibility who run around telling everyone else what is or isn't acceptable. Mr. Stewart spends his time taking people out of context in an attempt to get a few laughs and millions of American's cite him as their ONLY source of news. These same people couldn't tell you the name of their representative in Congress. Chris Core who spends more time on the air doing endorsements than anything else IN MY OPINION isn't qualified to tell anyone what they should or should not discuss! And in addition to viewing Bill O'Reilly last night, I also caught Rachael Maddow who seems to be trapped in some wierd time machine because her topic, as usual, was about the Bush administration and of course her guest, as usual, was someone who agr ees with her. I'd like someone to tell me the last time Rachael Maddow or Keith Olbermann had a guest with an opposing point of view? It doesn't happen. And as far as the Health Care debate, my source isn't Fox News, it's President O'Bama himself who has talked about his desire for a single payer system and how "Grandma may not need that surgery, WE can give her a pill" I heard him say that on C-SPAN!! We already have a "government option" called Medicare and it's nearly bankrupt! NO THANKS!! (8/21/09) Susan Paige, top of the 11 o'clock hour, just repeated the news about Rehm's fall and said Rehm's recovery is expected to take "weeks." Christian (8/21/09) Checked out the website for KCJJ www.1630kcjj.com and found an ad featuring a picture of Robb Spewak involved in a threesome. (8/21/09) Susan Page, filling in today for Daine Rehm, just told listeners that Rehm caught her heel yesterday while crossing the street, fell down and cracked her pelvis. She wished her -- as do we all -- a speedy recovery. Christian (8/21/09) Just heard Robbay on KCJJ. The Robb Spewak Show is just something he enjoys doing with the large amount of free time he has and is not a replacement gig for TMOS... The gang is still looking for the right local DC home... (8/21/09) Great News!! There is an app available from the iTunes app store for 98 Rock Baltimore. It's very simple and includes 98 Rock's regular over the air stream, Classic 98 Rock, and Indie 98 Rock. Best of all it's free. It is available for both the iPod Touch and iPhone. It is mega awesome. Have a great weekend. (8/21/09) The Washington Post officially moved LoudounExtra.com to its home site of WashingtonPost.com. The site is heavy on ads and short on news. www.washingtonpost.com (8/21/09) Just saw a promo for FOX5 where they're going on and on about how great they are and at the end they say FOX5 "gets it"..Gets WHAT??..Gets on my nerves is what I get from them a lot of times. (8/21/09) Wow! Chris Core got something right. Howie (8/21/09) RE: [O'Reilly showed the full clips on his show that displayed how that obnoxious, no talent turd who hosts the Daily Show took EVERYTHING out of context.] Wow! I am amused by your clear opinion that anyone who disagrees with your views must therefore be a "whore" or a "shitstain". Thanksgiving dinner at your house must be a hoot! What cleanser is best to get turkey gravy off the ceiling anyways? Riddle me this: In one poll, 72% of self-identified FOX News viewers believe the health-care plan will give coverage to illegal immigrants, 69% think that it will use taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions, and 75% believe that it will create mandatory "death panels" to make decisions about when to cut off care for the elderly. These are ALL points which clearly do not exist in any form in the current health care legislation proposals. In fact, quite to the opposite, there are sections of the current proposals that clearly disallow any of these actions. www.factcheck.org... With this in mind, please enlighten us... If FOX is such a "credible" news source, then why do FOX news viewers continue to get their "facts" so wrong on the healthcare issue? What is it about FOX news that leads such a large percentage of their viewing audience into believing in such clear falsehoods and blatant misinformation? (8/21/09) RE: "It should frighten people with a brain that millions claim to get their only news everyday from that shit stain!" - What's even worse is that they buy his books and pay money to subscribe to his newsletter. I guess the only thing worse is the one that comes on after him, Hannity. (8/21/09) RE: [ " one must alway remember that a huge percentage of the attendance figures for the Baltimore Orioles are Yankee and Red Sox fans. " ]...... Yet the Nationals played the Red Sox plus the Phillies & Mets! Why do Nats defenders make up contradictory excuses that offer no valid reason for the Orioles to have better attendance than the Nats? And everybody forgets the DC market is nearly twice the size of the Baltimore market, whether you compare population, radio, or TV. (8/21/09) RE: [When it's possible to get internet streams cheaply and easily delivered to cars and other mobile platforms, the whole terrestrial "radio" business will be radically changed.] it is here, Dave. I currently dock my iPhone in the car and receive my programming streamed over 3G from Pandora, Stitcher and Slacker Apps. I only listen to terrestrial radio about 5-10 % of my drive time anymore, and unlimited web access costs me $30 a month. The setup even operates as a hands free. Been doing it for over a year, and rarely have any dropout challenges. You can even use an app for XM access with an account. - Jeff in Bowie (8/21/09) was curious - what 4 admin people left CC DC last week? I don't think I saw the names mentioned. (8/21/09) /\ August 21 Messages /\ \/ August 20 Messages \/ First of all, why the hell should I care what that endorsement whore Chris Core thinks? I've never known him as anything but a sell out who would endorse a dung heap to load his pockets. I certainly don't need a morality speech from someone like that. Secondly, Bill O'Reilly showed the full clips on his show that displayed how that obnoxious, no talent turd who hosts the Daily Show took EVERYTHING out of context. It should frighten people with a brain that millions claim to get their only news everyday from that shit stain! (8/20/09) On the Kcjj Ustream page ROBB SPEWAK visits with Steve and Tommy in the morning at 9 eastern/8 central and talks about his new KCJJ show. He is doing a weekly show for KCJJ. It will not interfere with him returning to the Mike O'Meara show when it finds a new home. His show will also be streamed at www.ustream.tv. It is scheduled to start this Friday. (8/20/09) Since the demise of Don and Mike, this site has jumped the shark.... Sorry Dave...hang in there, something interesting will happen in radio again, what, I don't know. Terestial radio is a dead medium, just like newspapers. Satellite is the future. (8/20/09) Dave's response: No, internet radio is the future. When it's possible to get internet streams cheaply and easily delivered to cars and other mobile platforms, the whole terrestrial "radio" business will be radically changed. Just as the "newspaper" biz is being radically changed right now..... LDM is much lesson wooden here than her traffic fill-ins (but I'm not, yowza). Btw, it's not an attack site, so ignore the warning, it's fine... media.myfoxdc.com (8/20/09) Personally, I believe The Daily Show's piece last night concerning the whole "Obama Health Care = Nazis" right wing screech summed up the absolute absurdity of this foolish analogy succinctly. After showing the clip of Barney Frank answering the LaRouche supporter with the line "What planet do you live on?" Jon Stewart commented "Well, apparently she's from a planet where a half Black man and a Homosexual Jew can be members of the Nazi Party!" PRICELESS! - Jeff in (I genuinely hope the "sane-stream" media continues to expose these rightie whack-a-doodles for exactly what they are) Bowie (8/20/09) (regarding Dave's response) "It's "open" as long as your post makes a media reference." Dave, you ARE media! You IS media! You BE media! Media-R-You! (8/20/09) Dave's response: Ha ha ha! (regarding a previous post) "Dave, so is the Obama and Bush = Hitler thread open or closed?". I hope it's open long enough for me to say: Hitler is the best thing to come along for the Reactionary Right in years. (8/20/09) Dave's response: It's "open" as long as your post makes a media reference..... Barbara Ciara video: the guy is probably a scumbag but, for the most part, she got what she deserved. Let me play "Handel on the Law" for a minute. A camera got trashed and he'd be on the hook for that. As for the rest, if I'm the judge, the "assault" charges she filed would be dropped SO fast. She got in his way and in his face repeatedly with the microphone. She was in the way of the woman trying to close the SUV door; she stood there blocking her closing the door. Then to get on TV and go "BOO HOO poor me...look at what happened to me" is ridiculous. (8/20/09) From longtime Don and Mike and Mike O'Meara affiliate KCJJ in Iowa City on their Facebook: "You loved him on Don and Mike and the Mike O'Meara show..Now he's irresistable on his own..Robb Spewak previews his new show on KCJJ with Steve and Tommy.. Friday morning at 8 central. Only on 1630 and www.1630kcjj.com..click on KCJJ RAW." (or www.ustream.tv)... (8/20/09) Dave, so is the Obama and Bush = Hitler thread open or closed? Just trying to respect your wishes.... And Howie, I literally did two searches...there was so much...I plucked off just a few. The previous poster's point is disproven...references to Bush as Hitler were quite common over a very long period of time from individuals, individuals reported via news services, and commentators. I could argue that Rush's comments were less worse that Chris Matthews, but I won't: both sets of comments deserve utter contempt and complete disregard. Bob in Forest Hill (8/20/09) Dave's response: You mentioned Chris Matthews, so your post is "media-related" and therefore "Mailbagable"..... Hey Dave-- Yeah, what he said... "Farhi: Papers Should Re-Focus On Print "- www.herald-mail.com... Oh, and invest in a windscreen (know what one is?) --Mr. Natural (8/20/09) Dave's response: What we call a car's "windshield," the Brits call a "windscreen." You know - "trunk" or "boot," "truck" or "lorrie," "sedan" or "saloon"...... Sad to see Robert Novak pass away....I used to love watching him on Crossfire with James Carville, Paul Begala, and Tucker Carlson. It's a shame that his career at CNN ended with him saying "Bull S---" on the air...That may have been one of the first signs that he was sick. I might not have always agreed with his policies, but he was a noble man and a good Republican. There should be more like him. He never supported the way in Iraq either... (8/20/09) Rush is not only being disingenuous ("...Obama is not Hitler, and Pelosi's not Joseph Goebbels. But this health care plan, and the entire Obama agenda has -- I mean, it's frighteningly close to the national socialism policies of Nazi Germany..."), he also doesn't have a clue what he's talking about -- or, more likely, he is intentionally misleading his listeners. There is absolutely no resemblance between the Obama health care bill and the policies of Nazi Germany. None. Ask any student of history. To imply that changing the way we pay for health care is in some way similar to plans for euthenizing "undesirables," as Hitler did, is bizarre in the extreme. Obama may be a lot of things, but he's not the lying piece of garbage that Rush Limbaugh is. I used to put up with Rush fans talking him up to be some kind of responsible authority figure, but I'll never make that mistake again. He is revving the loonies up to dangerous levels with crap HE'S JUST MAKING UP. He's dangerous, he's irresponsible and, I'm sure, he will accept NONE of the responsibility when one of the whackos does something horrific in his name. And while I'm on the topic, the guy in the Mailbag who declared that Obama is like Hitler because both used their own image in campaign materials is as stupid as it gets. (8/20/09) (Dave asked; "But what followed the "but"? Ha ha ha.....") "So here is the entire quote; I have explained this -- I have explained this in great detail. I'm going to do it again. The reason that you say that we shouldn't be using Hitler and this Nazi stuff is because everybody associates genocide with Hitler. And you're afraid that people are gonna think that we're associating or trying to say that Obama is identical to Hitler in that way. And I have made it plain, Obama is not Hitler, and Pelosi's not Joseph Goebbels. But this health care plan, and the entire Obama agenda has -- I mean, it's frighteningly close to the national socialism policies of Nazi Germany. Far closer are the Democrats and Obama and their policies to national socialism in Germany than anything we on the right believe." Rush Limbaugh August 19, 2009..... So, having government regulate health care is akin to (genocide aside) starting a war with almost all you neighbors, rounding up the undesirables, blockading neighborhoods to starve them out, and taking over the media? (8/20/09) Dave, one of the few remaining newspapers in Loudoun addresses the loss of its sister publications: www.loudouni.com. Seems to me a few more of these rags may still have their necks on the chopping block. (8/20/09) If this is true: “I heard today from someone who works there, that all Times Shamrock stations (WZBA-FM in Baltimore, 100.7 the Bay in our market) is REQUIRING 4 furlough days of all employees.” …then the person who’s bright idea it was to put “Bob & Tom” on WZBA should be placed on permanent furlough. It looks like the employees there are being punished for the managements mind boggling mistake. According to the latest PPM’s in Baltimore that my friend ‘in the know’ sent me, “Bob & Tom” literally don’t have any listeners in any demographic. Furlough them, not the WZBA employees (if that’s even true, and I sure hope that it’s not). The numbers for “Mix” were fairly unexpected (at that level) I’m told. Huge increases there. (8/20/09) Two points. It is really fun seeing the lefties on television fume about Obama getting the same treatment that many of those same lefties gave Bush for eight years. What goes around comes around, lefties. As for baseball attendance figures, one must alway remember that a huge percentage of the attendance figures for the Baltimore Orioles are Yankee and Red Sox fans. (8/20/09) Dave, you wrote: "That's what I heard yesterday on WMAL. By the way, with [Rush's] Obama=Hitler comments yesterday..." Were you referring to the part where Rush said on WMAL yesterday, and I quote exactly, "Obama is not Hitler"? --- ThePenIsMightier (8/20/09) Dave's response: But what followed the "but"? Ha ha ha..... (The stations in Frederck did not count in the 8-station limit for DC. So 820AM and 103.9FM do not count in the total.) Actually Clear Channel was/is forced to divest their Frederick stations due to their restructuring, as they aren't Grandfathered under the "cap" anymore. They have their Frederick properties in the "Aloha Trust" - and are awaiting a buyer at their (likely) inflated price. (8/20/09) Bob in Forest Hill: The links you posted do not bear out your contention of equivalence between the activities of liberal organizations and statements from the mainstream media during the Bush Administration and the attempts by those on the right to delegitimize, and possible endanger the life of, the current President. THE WND links, and I admit that World Net Daily would never convince me of anything even if it did say what you contend, actually support the fact that these were not sanctioned ads from Moveon; that they were posted directly by private individuals participating in a contest. Moveon disavowed them and removed them from the site. No one on the right ever disavows any outrageous thing that their zealots say or do concerning this President. The Chris Matthews quote (the only part of this that makes the post DCRTV worthy) doesn't say Bush=Hitler, it says that because we started the war in Iraq we couldn't use the rhetoric of the past to describe the war as we could when Hitler and the Japanese were clearly the aggressors. Not the same at all. The easiest way you can tell the difference in the temperature of the protests is that when Bush was President, people were detained for wearing t-shirts that might hurt his feelings. Now people strap on their guns to go to Obama's townhalls. And yet, unbelievably, we're arguing that people are having their freedoms restricted now? Howie (8/20/09) Dave's response: OK, folks. I think we've heard from both political sides, now. Let's keep the posts related to media-related stuff. The Obama health care media debate is an OK topic in the Mailbag if you focus on how if affects local media outlets, like WMAL. Purely political rants won't get posted. The Heritage Foundation can call off its team of "serial e-mailers." Sorry..... ...and what did YOUR bedroom look like in the 1970s? www.rocketroberts.com (8/20/09) Mailbag Corrections: Of the 6 last place MLB division teams, the Baltimore Orioles have the highest attendance of last place teams at #20! However, the Nationals are currently beating the Cleveland Indians in attendance at #26. Of course Washington is a significantly larger market than all but 1 of those last place teams and has the newest nicest stadium. Oakland technically is a larger market & has worse attendance, but a crappy stadium & crappy team. Make what you want of that. (8/20/09) I don't listen to Limbaugh so I didn't know PEPCO advertised on MAL or Limbaugh in particular. FYI, based upon your post, I have e-mailed and hard copied this to PEPCO. The following e-mail addresses are in Media Relations, except for the last one which I have created assuming that Rigby's e-mail address follows the same format. Thanks again. rshainey@pepcoholdings.com; radobkin@pepco.com; canderson@pepcoholdings.com; djarvis@pepcoholdings.com; jrigby@pepcoholdings.com (8/20/09) Wow, I can’t believe the comparisons between the Hitler administration and Obama’s. For instance Obama’s acceptance speech with its Roman columns and rows of sycophants raising their hands above their heads to make an “O”, that’s not anything like Hitler’s rise to power! Then there’s his promise to recreate America, his endless sloganeering, and use of symbols like the Obama logo and healthcare logo, again, I don’t understand the comparison. His science czar is a certified eugenist who has praised the works of another eugenist who believed that disabled people should be sterilized, again, I don’t get the comparison! Oh yeah, and the socialization of healthcare and the marginalization of the elderly once they’ve lived past their usefulness. Hitler would have never asked people to rat out their friends, neighbors or coworkers who disagreed with his healthcare policies via a White House sponsored e-mail address. Hitler would have never socialized the auto companies…Volkswagen (The People’s Car). Let’s not forget comparing Israel’s response to Palestinian rockets attacks to the holocaust and the fact that Obama sat in the pews of a radical anti-semite for 20 years. Yeah, comparing Obama to Hitler’s Socialist policies is crazy talk. (8/20/09) Dave's response: The latest Obama=Hitler crap is particularly maddening because Obama is a mixed-race man and that's what fueled Hitler's racial "purity" campaign, which resulted in the deaths of multiple millions. Obama is the complete and total opposite of what Hitler stood for..... To the anonymous poster saying "No host on MSNBC or Air America has ever threatened the life of a sitting president, Vice President, or Speaker of the House. Moveon.org has never sponsored any add comparing Bush to Hitler.....Air America, MSNBC, or Moveon.org were not the sponsors." Two easy minutes of research reveals that you are so deeply wrong. MoveOn-sponsored Bush=Hitler ads here: www.wnd.com. And MoveOn Bush=Hitler emails here: www.wnd.com. And MSNBC's Chris Matthews on Bush, Stalin and Hitler here: finkelblog.com. Here's an ARCHIVE of Bush=Hitler comparisons, already huge even though it hasn't been updated since 2005: www.semiskimmed.com. My god, have you not been alive for the last 10 years? Bush = Hitler was rampant and accepted by the mainstream media and all her defenders. It was wrong then and wrong now. That said, the crap Obama is getting is NOTHING compared to the vitriol slung at Bush from every corner. Bob in Forest Hill (8/20/09) Dave's response: OK, I get it. Lotsa of shitty things are said on both sides of the political fence everyday. Look, I cover local media. And if I hear a locally-aired radio guy comparing the president - any US president of either party - to Adolph Hitler, I'm gonna rant about it. That's what I heard yesterday on WMAL. By the way, with his Obama=Hitler comments yesterday, doesn't that make Rush just as "sleazy" as the other guys you mention? Hmmm..... Two “reports” out today that warrant DCRTV’s attention: Obama to go on right-leaning radio show www.washingtonpost.com... Right to left for Obama www.politico.com... The AP story claims the following: “President Barack Obama hits the airwaves Thursday with a right-leaning radio talk show host. Obama and Philadelphia-based Michael Smerconish will broadcast from the White House. While Smerconish is generally considered conservative, he endorsed Obama last year and supports abortion rights.” The Politico story (actually, blurb) claims the following: “Making the pitch: Obama has a slow morning before he goes on conservative host Michael Smerconish's radio show.” Now describing Smerconish as “right leaning” is like describing Keith Olbermann or his brother Rachael Maddow as “moderate leaning”: it’s ridiculous. There are no “right leaning” radio hosts or those “generally considered conservative”: a “conservative” talk radio host (e.g. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or Mark Levin all call themselves “conservative”) is not “right leaning” or “generally considered conservative”, they are by definition, mostly self defined, well, conservative. Smerconish cannot possibly be considered (by whom, neither article states who is doing the considering) “conservative” from jump street if they “support abortion rights” or “endorsed Obama”, ESPECIALLY if they are regular PMSNBC guests, as Smerconish has been. Period. This is a carefully orchestrated ruse by the Obambians to portray Obambi as willing to take it to “the enemy” and therefore, open minded if not brave. It’s pure BS. Now if Obambi REALLY wants to be on a REALLY conservative talk radio program, may I suggest he offer to go head-to-head for the full three hours of The Mark Levin Show, who would readily make mince meat of this charlatan before the bottom of the hour break. I am certain Levin would (actually, he has) offer if not welcome such an opportunity and I am just as certain that hell will freeze over before this happens. (8/20/09) Dave's response: I did do a Front Page blurb yesterday on Smerconish's interview with Obama..... Dave, please set the record straight - What's the deal with Jim Vance? One minute I read he is recovering from surgery and won't be on TV, then I see him on TV. Then I read he is not on TV. He was on TV last night with Eun Yang...So is he back or not!? LOL (8/20/09) Dave's response: I've set it as straight as I can - without a formal statement from NBC4..... Is this a MAN PURSE Tony Perkins is rockin'? tinyurl.com (8/20/09) (I have been thinking about the persistent rumor that Bonneville could acquire the former ABC Radio stations from Citadel, and trying to put the math together. If it's the entire station group that's sold off, that would leave Bonneville with their current properties - the WTOP 103.5/107.7/103.9 trimulcast, the WFED 1500/820 simulcast and WZAA/1050, which is leased out to Air America - plus the 630/105.9/107.3 cluster from Citadel. If 103.9 and 820 are included in the Bonneville cluster, that would leave them over the station limit, no?) No. Look at what Clear Channel owned before it sold the three AM's to Danny Snyder. The stations in Frederck did not count in the 8-station limit for DC. So 820AM and 103.9FM do not count in the total. So in theory Bonneville could own the three ABC/Disney/Citdel stations without having to divest. (8/20/09) ("someone needs to remind Kevin Sheehan he's not at a bar or stadium and he needs to clean-up his mouth. His partner called-in while on vacation to talk about the recent Nat's signing and Kevin was upset Thom was in a bad cell area...and during the conversation, Kevin says for "Christ Sake.") For "Christ Sake" is language that needs to be cleaned-up? I am a 15 year listener of WTEM and now to The Fan and I think Sheehan's mouth is one of the few worth listening to. As others on this site have said before, there is a lack of sports talk talent in this market on both radio and tv. His show is smart and entertaining. I like the addition of Lovero but they should have left Sheehan and Walker together. The talent pool in this market is shallow but WTEM's Czaban, Walker, Sheehan, and The Fan's Junkies do an adequate job. (8/20/09) Despite what Rush, Sean, Mark Levin, and Glenn Beck say, no host on MSNBC, or Air America, has ever compared either Bush to Hitler. No host on MSNBC or Air America has ever threatened the life of a sitting president, Vice President, or Speaker of the House. Moveon.org has never sponsored any add comparing Bush to Hitler. Of course there are lots of "colorful" and "creative" individuals out there that do stuff on their own, but Air America, MSNBC, or Moveon.org were not the sponsors. Republicans need to realize, if the go on national television juxtaposed, with someone from the other side of the aisle, THEY SHOULD NOT USE FABRICATED REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS. Elizabeth Dole ended up losing her Senates seat and NRSC chairmanship when she took a cheap shot on Meet the Press, and Dick Armey last Sunday blew it big time. www.youtube.com (8/20/09) And who showed up to watch that "expansion Senators" in that brand new RFK stadium? umm, the same number of people who came to watch the previous Senators team... NO ONE! Case closed. (8/20/09) Leave it to David Zurawik and The Baltimore Sun to attempt to spin the death of an influential political commentator & journalist who helped found CNN into a left-wing nutjob political rant. Oh let me check, who's in bankruptcy and possibly going out of business again? Nope, not CNN, but the leftist bankrupt rag, The Baltimore Sun! I sure hope I live long enough to comment on David Zurawik's obit. Actually no, I don't really hope that, I just realized I have character. I'll just make fun of him when he gets laid off next year! HAha! (8/20/09) Could someone explain to me WHY the FCC allows this crap to happen? www.radio-locator.com... Not the FM station, I'm referring to the 25 translators covering a 3 state radius! Liberty University is now competing with The Hope Christian Church of Marlton, NJ to conquer the mid-atlantic FM dial! No one should own that many translators in multiple states in my opinion. In fact with the demise of WAGE and other small AM stations, it would be better public policy to make these translators LPFMs, doing something quite strange, ummm, like SERVING THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY! DUH! That's a novel idea. Of course it'll never happen. God and Jerry Falwell & The Hope Christian Church and lots of lobbyists & lawyers will make sure it never happens. What a frikkin mess our FCC is to allow this crap to happen. Oh, notice, Dave Hughes, one of them prevents many people from receiving Baltimore's alternative WTMD 89.7. If there was local programming of interest to the local community, I don't think people would complain about the added FM interference, but this translator mess is just insane and there's no programming of any local interest on any of these frequencies. This is the kind of mess you get when you have lawyers and lobbyists running the FCC and right wing nutjobs running the FCC. (8/20/09) Re: "The fact of the matter is DC hasn't won a major sports championship since 1991." If that's your metric, Cleveland hasn't seen a major sports championship since 1964. By the way, I'm pretty sure that even with a crummy team this year, the Indians are still outselling the Nationals. But as many have pointed out, there's much more of a solid baseball continuum in Cleveland - though it took Jacobs Field and the teams of the 1990's to break many years of single-digit-thousands attendance each game. All the Nats have to do, since they have the shiny new ballpark, is win! Even just get into the playoffs regularly...remember, the Indians never won a title even in the World Series years of the 1990's. (8/20/09) Who keeps re-setting Ron Reagan Jr.'s "15 minutes of fame" clock? Did he lose the lead in "Swan Lake" to Rahm Emmanuel or something? -Silvie- (8/20/09) I have been a TV reporter in Baltimore for 7 1/2 years. I have brown eyes and brown hair. I have never talked, or been called by TV Critic David Z. But after reading his blog yesterday praising Sandra Shaw, I realize I have no shot in succeeding in this business. (8/20/09) With all the debate about about baseball, remember, this market (Baltimore and Washington) is so far behind New York and Boston. The MASN TV guys are like retards sipping groul from wooden bowls compared to their New York and Boston counterparts. Thanks God I have a radio! (8/20/09) I do not agree with Rush and his comments on Hitler. But when the left talk show host and other people compared George Bush to Hitler you never said a word or called for sponsers to pull the ads on there radio shows It seems to be alittle double standerd to me. (8/20/09) Dave's response: I never heard any local radio hosts compare either Bush to Hitler. Maybe I missed something. Got any names? Dave, why is Philly's Michael Smerconish chatting with Obama news for DCRTV? So what if he's carried on a sad little AMer. And Obama is constantly in all media, so an interview as payback to an endorser, big deal. Odd that you would post that (though I give you kudos for not referring to him as "righty talker" presumably because he is off your shit list since he endorsed Obama). Odder still that you would cover this, but not make a mention of the new kid editor at the Washingtonian, which is actually a DC media story. But I guess it's less interesting because it's non-political. Bob in Forest Hill (8/20/09) Re; The Senators moved not once but TWICE, and out of a BRAND NEW STADIUM too! What other American city has ever topped that record?"/////Wrong. Calvin Griffith moved the Senators to Minneapolis in 1961 which was the last year that baseball was played in Griffith Stadium. That team never played in the new D.C. Stadium. Bob Short then moved the expansion Senators to Texas in 1971 and RFK Stadium was then ten years old. Hardly "brand new stadiums". (8/20/09) I heard today from someone who works there, that all Times Shamrock stations (WZBA-FM in Baltimore, 100.7 the Bay in our market) is REQUIRING 4 furlough days of all employees. (8/20/09) David Zurawik's comments in the Baltimore Sun about the recently departed Robert Novak were right on target. All of the glowing tributes popping up on various cable channels about Novak's life are so hypocritical. Plain and simple, Robert Novak was a nasty human being who showed no respect to anyone else in his world. (8/20/09) /\ August 20 Messages /\ \/ August 19 Messages \/ Heading out to the Prince William County Fair tomorrow, wonder if I'll see the former partner handling the bearded lady exhibit? And his old bar is now reopened as Center Street Grill I believe is the name. Yeah, WCTN is back on the air! And speaking of CHWO, a change is gonna come I fear. all the talk shows during the day. A change in the type of music played. Less popular music from 50's and 60's for Big Band, yes even during the week not just Sunday night. And the old time radio shows in the 10 o'clock hour every night. Zoomer radio seems to be going for the 80 year old demo versus the 60 year old demo these days. I want more Geddy Lee. Take off for the Great White North (8/19/09) Talking about baseball attendance figures in the friggin' 1960's and trying to relate that to the 21 st century is really pretty lame. Baseball may or may not become big in DC. A lot depends on whether the team gets to be any good. But what will not have any effect one way or another is how the Senators drew in friggin 1967. Talk about ludicrous. (8/19/09) By the way, if you follow Phil Woods rationale for why DC really isn't a bad baseball town, you'd have to ask yourself, Why are Miami and Tampa such BAD baseball towns then? Both have had World Series wins and good teams, yet both consistently bad attendance over a period of many years. So you can't just make the assumption that because DC hasn't had a winning team in many decades that automatically it will be a good baseball town if it does get a winner. And my final point on this (because people tend to like to argue this to a ridiculous extent and its off-topic), is that the last time the Senators did have a winning season, attendance was still not good, but of course as previously stated, that was quite a long time ago. So will a sports talk station in DC like WJFK that talks baseball survive? Will Nats attendance go through the roof if the team starts winning? Who knows? The jury is still out on this. Even the great Phil Wood can't come up with any stats to prove either. (8/19/09) Phil Wood has never debunked anything about DC's historic poor support of baseball. The Senators moved not once but TWICE, and out of a BRAND NEW STADIUM too! What other American city has ever topped that record? Plenty of U.S. cities have had bad MLB teams for long periods of time and still supported them. DC is just not one of them and never has been. Historically, DC still ranks as the all-time worst MLB attendance by practically any measure (well, compared to teams still in existence). I have a great deal of respect for Phil Wood and his baseball knowledge, but unfortunately The Baseball Almanac does not lie, the attendance stats are there. Do I think the Nats will be DC's 3rd team to fail or move? Absolutely not, but you can't change history. DC is just not much of a baseball town and never has been. Could that change in the future? Sure, but it hasn't really changed yet. (8/19/09) Washingtonians may be interested to hear that Sandy Weaver will soon be back on the radio. Of course, Sandy worked at Q107, WAVA and WMZQ while in DC. The Moby in the Morning (former country morning host in ATL) syndicated show will be adding 10AM-7PM to its network. Sandy will handle 10AM-3PM live. She will also continue with her Voicework on Demand service. In my opinion, Sandy is a great talent. Roddy Freeman (8/19/09) I got a pleasant surprise the other day whilst (nice old word, no?) surfing my Montgomery County, Maryland Comcast cable channels... I now have access to the NFL Network's regular and HD offerings and I haven't paid for the $10 or so "sports package". Did the two entities come to an agreement during their recent contract negotiations or is this some sort of enticement to sign up for the add-on package? I am really enjoying it but can't see myself spending the extra money for it. (8/19/09) Dave's response: As part of a deal struck earlier this year, Comcast has moved the NFL Network from the digital sports tier to its basic digital tier..... Regarding the Novak interview by Carol- well done Carol. For those of us in the Wash area who watched and read Novak over many years, your interview with Novak was compelling and covered the issues of his later life. I thought Novak was a small, somewhat angry, mean-spirited little man, but your interview drew out a different side exposing honest introspective doubts about being a treasonist informer regarding Plame. Glad you posted the interview Carol. RIP (8/19/09) Ron Reagan ran some audio on his radio show last week of Rush and Laura Ingram playing his father's, Ronald Reagan, record on why we shouldn’t have Medicare. Ronald Reagan back then called "Medicare" “socialized medicine.” The interesting thing is talk show host Ron Reagan played Rush and Laura’s comments. Rush said “it is like listening to the wisdom of my own father,” and “this is man who knew what is great about America, and what would he say now?-he would say stand by your principles and don’t give them an inch.” Laura said, “I can see President Regan looking down on the Democrats and just shaking his head in disbelief.” Ron Reagan gave a commentary on their commentary, saying Ronald Reagan was “My father” and not “Rush’s father -get that straight, Rush.” He continued, Rush and Laura never knew his father, and the lessons his father told Ron about never interrupting, civility, and being a “gracious listener” were never considered by both Rush and Laura because they “didn’t know my father.” Now, I know Ron and his father had a rocky relationship (this aint the Brady Bunch, when dad gets remarried it causes a lot of tension), but then Ron hit the nail on the head when he asked other talk radio hosts to stop making stuff up about his father, Ronald Reagan. Do you get it WMAL, & WTNT, a request by Ronald Reagan’s son to stop making up crap about Ronald Reagan to serve you divisive political purpose. I am sure Mr. Ron Reagan would put this into writing if he was asked too. So, WMAL, please respect members of the Reagan family, and stop using the name Ronald Reagan to support your crap. Thank you. If you want to learn truths about the great Ronald Reagan, at 6:00 PM weekdays, turn from 630 AM to 1050 AM. You will then get a better understanding of who Ronald Reagan really was, and you will probably appreciate Ronald Reagan even more. (8/19/09) you're using an old NFL logo for your NFL stories; you should consider using the current logo (8/19/09) Maury (Who's the Daddy?) Povich anchors this news update from WTTG Washington in 1985, followed by a reporters promo for the 10 O'Clock News including a very young Brian Williams. (8/19/09) "[DC's been] a bad MLB market for, geez, what, 100 YEARS now?". Once again, the unfair rap about Washington being a lousy baseball town rears its ugly head - conveniently ignoring the fact that there wasn't even a team here for 34 of those years. When baseball finally did return, we got a transplanted Montreal franchise which had become so dysfunctional that the league itself had to assume its operation and management. Not only that, but the first three seasons were played in a creaky old stadium lacking some of the basic amenities and the team was barely promoted until the Lerners took over ownership nearly two years after the relocation was first announced. The circumstance of two separate Senators franchises leaving town over a ten year period has often been cited as evidence of a chronic inability to support baseball, but Phil Wood has debunked that argument numerous times on the radio. The attendance figures were respectable by the standards of the times but DC was victimized by one owner who seemed to have a problem with the African American population and another who used a sweetheart deal in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to bail himself out of self-inflicted financial difficulties. The last winning baseball season in Washington was 40 years ago, the last postseason appearance 76 years ago and the last World Series title 85 years ago. Contrast that with what fans in New York, Boston, Baltimore, St. Louis, LA or even Philly and Detroit have experienced and it's not hard to see why the last place Nats aren't getting blockbuster turnouts or TV ratings just yet. But it's encouraging to hear 106.7 The Fan paying increased attention to the team of late (in particular, the expanded coverage of the Strasburg signing earlier this week) - perhaps a reaction to all the criticism the station received about too much Redskins talk during its first few weeks of programming after the format switch. Mike, Fairfax (8/19/09) I have been thinking about the persistent rumor that Bonneville could acquire the former ABC Radio stations from Citadel, and trying to put the math together. If it's the entire station group that's sold off, that would leave Bonneville with their current properties - the WTOP 103.5/107.7/103.9 trimulcast, the WFED 1500/820 simulcast and WZAA/1050, which is leased out to Air America - plus the 630/105.9/107.3 cluster from Citadel. If 103.9 and 820 are included in the Bonneville cluster, that would leave them over the station limit, no? And even if those two stations aren't, it would still be a cluster with 103.5, 105.9, 107.3, and 107.7 on the FM dial, and 630, 1050 and 1500 on the AM dial. Now, considering if the deal was consummated, and given Bonneville's track record of migrating talk or news formats to FM... wouldn't WMAL then be considered as a prime target for a move to FM, with Bonneville claiming WMAL's intellectual property if they had to divest of the 630 signal? (I would presume that WZAA would also be officially sold over to Air America as well.) That alone would give Bonneville both the dominant all-news source with WTOP, with a possibly rejuvenated talk source on the FM dial with WMAL-FM. So much so that WFED and WRQX could chug along with their current formats... if its' placed on 105.9 - in favor of a WMAL move - and/or on any of the other WTOP relays. (This would take into account that 105.9's oldies stint would be automatically numbered with the sale.) ** By the way, CHWO/740 Toronto changed its' call letters to CFZM last year when ownership changed. They do have a talk show listed on their website... but its' a daily 11a-1p consumer advice show. Any new late night talk shows are not posted on CFZM's website ( am740.ca ) ... yet. But CHWO did try that with brokered advice shows after 12mid quite a few years ago... and that quietly died after less than a year. (8/19/09) "I thought WBAL's Sandra Shaw did a great job on the Regis & Kelly Show today. Sandra seemed relaxed,..." I have to disagree, I thouight Sandra looked good, but came across kinda ditzy, almost constantly giggling through the 1st 20 minutes, probably due to being nervous... (8/19/09) Hey, radio production freaks! Put an eight-track recorder down yer pants! www.synthtopia.com (8/19/09) I guess you didn't have a problem with all of the times George Bush was referred to as a Nazi. The URL is a photo montage of Bush being portrayed as a Nazi; yet I never saw any posts that were critical of George Bush being portrayed as such. All I did was just a simple search on Bush Nazi. www.bing.com... ari (8/19/09) Dave's response: It was wrong to compare Bush to Nazis just as it's wrong to compare Obama to Nazis...... Another reason the Caps are doing well is that going to the games is FUN. I went to a Redskins game last year and it was not fun. The fan base seems to think they have the right to yell obscenities around kids, throw up in the aisles, trash the place, just because they breath. I took my son to the DC United/Real Madrid game last weekend. We washed our hands in the bathroom and noticed the water was hot, when it was 95 degrees outside. I told my wife later it was probably because water was $5 a bottle and Danny Boy didn’t want us filling our empty bottles up in the bathroom. I don’t KNOW that’s why the water was hot, but it sure fits the money-grubbing pattern. Caps fans are not saints but at least the experience is fit to take a family to, and once you’re in the door they don’t rape your wallet at every turn. (8/19/09) Watch Sandra Shaw talk to Mindy Basara about the Regis experience! www.wbaltv.com... (8/19/09) [I have a sneaking feeling that just about everyone listening to that show listened to BO&D and followed Chad there. And given that the format won’t let Chad be Chad, I wonder how many will stay with it.] Just my perspective: I'm a diehard skins fan, a sports fan in general, and a long-time devotee of BO&D (99.1->B'mer->AZ->WJFK). I listened to the whole first week of Arrington (with Chad DUUUUUKES) purely to support Chad. I really had to work to listen to it. I've tried a few times each week since and have turned the show off within 10 minutes each time, not because I wasn't entertained (I wasn't), but because listening to Arrington was disjointed and painful for me...and the content was stale and repetitive. I told myself from the start of this that I'd give it another shot at the one month mark to see if it improved, but from what I've caught in my random sampling the last few weeks, I'm pretty sure I'm about to go back through my BO&D archives to start re-listening to their old shows. I'm starting with "Live from the Bunker!" Even 5 year old repeat content is better to me than what I'm hearing on The Fan right now. -Grant in Laurel (8/19/09) The reason the Caps are doing well at the gate and in the ratings is not that all of their games are "big events." Unless you really want to argue that a home game on a Tuesday night in mid-February against a lowly team like, say, Florida, is a big event. Good luck with that one. The reason the Caps are doing well at the gate and the ratings is that they are winning and are a legitimate championship contender. People want to associate with winners. That's no different from any other city. (8/19/09) "Even when they were bad, the Celtics sold tickets. The St. Louis Cardinals always do well in attendance and ratings. Heck, even Cleveland sticks with the Indians and the Browns." Way to pick two of the more revered organizations in their respective sports for comparison. As for Cleveland, the Indians attendance the last ten years has been on par with the Nationals and well below the American League average for years. And the Browns? You mean the same team that moved to Baltimore 15 years ago and came back as an expansion team five years later? OK. The fact of the matter is DC hasn't won a major sports championship since 1991. There's been a bunch of apathy ever since. If the DC teams had a somewhat regular rotation of competing for titles in their sports over the last 20 years, things would be vastly different today. As it stands, there's been nothing to get excited about and there's nothing today to get excited about outside of the Capitals. (8/19/09) Let's get real here. Pretty much every town has a dominant team that is supported through thick and thin. And other teams whose attendance and fan interest is more dependent on their success. For St. Louis, the dominant team is the Cardinals. But the Rams don't do all that well, the Blues didn't draw when they sucked (worst attendance in the NHL a couple of seasons ago) and they don't have a basketball team. In Boston, the dominant team is the Red Sox. But the Bruins and Celtics took hits when they sucked and the Pats were largely ignored until they started winning Lombardi's. In New York, it is the Yankees that rule the roost. But teams like the Rangers, Islanders and Knicks saw declines in attendance when they sucked even with the massive size of that market. Even the Mets have seen wide variations in attendance based on their fortunes. Philly has the Eagles ruling everything. The Phillies are second sisters that have seen wide variances in attendance depending upon their record. And the 76ers attendance has plummeted in recent years. Check the numbers. All that disproves the nonsense that somehow DC is a different or lesser sports town. Here, the Redskins are the big gorilla (notwithstanding being horribly mismanaged under Snyder). The other teams do well when they win and take a hit when they are bad. No different than other cities. (Although drawing conclusions about DC as a baseball town is so premature is is laughable, check back with me in 20 years). And, really, that is the way it should be. Nothing like the old bottom line to motivate team owners to improve the team. As for DC supporting two sportstalk stations, that all depends upon how one defines support. WTEM has existed for years and years with overall ratings in the bottom of the top 20 but very good ratings in their target male demographic. WJFK could well do the same. If they do well with their demographic, advertisers will be happy and they will make money. (8/19/09) I thought WBAL's Sandra Shaw did a great job on the Regis & Kelly Show today. Sandra seemed relaxed, very personable and mixed well with Regis and the show's format. She looked damn good too. (8/19/09) Dave, re: your news item on the Examiner and the Metro spokesperson's very unprofessional response. I know you've added the Examiner to your list of allegedly conservative media that you try to find reason to bash as often as possible. In this case, the point of the article is that 1) ridership has fallen year over year (and they provide numbers sourced from Metro), and 2) that ridership has fallen off since June 22 (no numbers quoted). They also quote a Metro spokeperson who said ""We don't know at this point if it's the incident or the economy, with people taking fewer vacations." This basically confirms that Metro has similar suspicions. If the interpretation of post-June 22nd numbers is factually in error, then the Metro SpokesProfessional needs to correct them Instead, she says they pulled them out of their ass. It's just political and PR posturing from a government entity (Metro) under fire for poor management and safety practices. Weak. Why are you covering this stuff? Seems only to try to make the Examiner look bad. Bob in Forest Hill (8/19/09) Well now, I can honestly say that never in a million years did I ever think that Adolf Hitler could make me piss my pants laughing. Thanks! :-) (8/19/09) I don’t have access to the ratings, but I’d love to know how the Lavar and Dukes show compares to the Big O and Dukes show ratings-wise. I have a sneaking feeling that just about everyone listening to that show listened to BO&D and followed Chad there. And given that the format won’t let Chad be Chad, I wonder how many will stay with it. (8/19/09) Former NYC/Philly Modern Alternative Rocker WDRE is up for sale!! Lets hope CBS keeps it's pudgy little 4 thumbed hands off of it!!! Someone should be smart enough to bring back the station that Dares To Be Different. Have a niiice daayyy (8/19/09) Responding to a letter from yesterday: There is no "CHWO" anymore. It's CZFM now. The conspiracy show only took away the last hour of Big Band Sunday Night; it's still on from 7 to 11 pm, and supposedly George Jonescu is happy to get home an hour earlier. Yes, folks, a non-voice-tracked live DJ from north of the border. I share the fear that the station will go to all-talk; they've been disappointing listeners with the addition of talk shows in other day parts. BBSN is the last reason I have to look forward to turning on my radio, AM or FM. But "talk" is all radio owners seem to know anymore; even the music industry itself is trying to push radio away from playing music. ~~~ On a slightly different subject, does anyone else remember the note posted here (July 20) from the "KHZ network" about them flipping 4 to 6 stations to a new format on August 15? What happened to that? ~~CA in BC (8/19/09) Gwen Ifell was the "expert" on Millionaire last night with Mr. Dolluh (not dollar) Regis Philbin. Gwen was called on to answer the question who did president Richard Nixon submit his letter of resignation to. Gwen said the speaker of the house. No "expert" here. The correct answer was Secertary of State Henry Kissinger. (8/19/09) Dave: Interesting results regarding the latest PPM's. Not a shocking fact that ESPN980 hasn't moved for years and that WJFK has slipped a bit. I was forced to listen to ESPN980 yesterday and this is why you can tell management isn't listening or cares. First, I don't have the cleanest language but I would NEVER use vulgar phrases If was hosting a sportstalk program. However, someone needs to remind Kevin Sheehan he's not at a bar or stadium and he needs to clean-up his mouth. His partner called-in while on vacation to talk about the recent Nat's signing and Kevin was upset Thom was in a bad cell area...and during the conversation, Kevin says for "Christ Sake." I've tried to listen to that show and Kevin just doesn't get it!!! The bigger crime here is you can tell there's no one from management steering the ship. That's why ESPN980 hasn't moved in the ratings. Second, yes, WJFK isn't much better...at least they have some names for show hosts and Mike Wise was a great hire. I'll say this again, at a time where the Redskins could be imploding and we're sick and tired of hearing Larry Michael's propaganda programming, it would be great to hear some fresh people on our sportstalk stations....on a regular basis. Too bad no one has the brains to come-up with new ideas, very sad. (8/19/09) Dave's response: First, it was just the first week of PPM numbers. Very preliminary. But, second, I thought the numbers for the Arrington/Dukes show would be relatively high that first week due to sampling by the old "guy talk" audience. Both Arrington and Dukes are pretty good, on paper, but the show lacks "chemistry." Maybe bringing Oscar Santana back with Chad or putting someone like Lindsay Czarniak on the show. I'm sure we'll see some tweaking as more PPM numbers come in. As for Wise, the old Washington Post Radio "experiment" taught us one thing - just because you're a great Post writer doesn't mean you'll be good as a radio host..... Makes sense that the Regis show should pick WBAL television's Sandra Shaw for a fill-in slot. She and Sarah Caldwell are high-energy, easy to look at, good writers and solid delivery. On the other hand, WTF with Nikole Killion, an apparently sleepy Washington reporter for WBAL. She closes her eyes so much like she's not getting enough sleep. (8/19/09) “The Caps played to 98% capacity last year and I believe have said they are sold out entirely this season. Not to mention big increases in television and radio ratings. Are those 40 or so Caps home games each "big events"?” Your example makes the point. Now that they have the 2 time MVP who is always on Sports Center and it’s cool and a big event in DC to “Rock the Red” . 4 seasons ago, you couldn’t give tickets away. If you look at just about every DC team (except the Redskins), they finish in the bottom half of in their sport in attendance and in television viewing until something big happens. Gilbert goes on a hot streak, Ovie starts scoring highlight goals, the Nats move here and give DC baseball for the first time in 25 years, Maryland makes a bowl game, and people show up and tune in. Once that dies down, attendance and ratings plummet. In real sports towns that doesn’t happen. Even when they were bad, the Celtics sold tickets. The St. Louis Cardinals always do well in attendance and ratings. Heck, even Cleveland sticks with the Indians and the Browns. As the former Wonkette editor said, “DC is Hollywood for ugly people.” And the Redskins are DC’s Lakers – the place for the movers and shakers to be see and be seen. Other than that, no one cares enough to watch on TV, go to games in person, and certainly not enough to support one, let alone two, sports radio stations. CBS is hoping that a cheap formula that has worked in places like Baltimore and Boston will work in DC, but it won’t. In 6 months, when the Junkies ratings are the same but every other day part is down compared to where it was under the old format, you’ll realize I’m right. (8/19/09) Not sure what this means, but at some point in the past few days the "a hint..." post on Chad Dukes' personal webpage (that got all their fans excited because it simply contained a link to the Last of the Mohicans theme that was used to open BO&D) has been removed without comment. *sighs* - Grant in Laurel (8/19/09) Dave's response: There are rumors that CBS might put an HD2 on 106.7's signal that would carry some of the old "guy talk" shows. But CBS suits deny that's in the works..... Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins & three sports radio stations in the D.C. area finds out that he now has competition - and he can't buy his way out of this situation. Let's go into Danny Boy's office and see what happens next ... (8/19/09) Am I the only one who heard an extraordinary interview today on Mike Wise's show? /// Yes... (8/19/09) Is this (facebook.com/dcrtv) account for the general magottry that follow DCRTV religiously, like yours truly? Dashboard DXers rule! (8/19/09) Dave's response: Absolutely! Generally, I'm using Facebook to post more of my personal, "daily life" musings, while I'm using twitter.com/dcrtv to post radio/TV-related observations and DCRTV "news bulletins"..... /\ August 19 Messages /\ \/ August 18 Messages \/ RE: [ " Fact is, DC is no different from most other big cities, including the so called "sports towns." Winning teams draw fans and stimulate interest. Losing teams have problems doing both. " ]........ I totally disagree. Washington, DC is hardly similar to most other Top 20 markets, either sports or otherwise. Yes, the Caps have gained a following finally, but its been a bad MLB market for, geez, what, 100 YEARS now? As for radio, Washington, DC is an anomaly too. Only ONE other Top 20 market has an NPR station in the Top 5 in ratings. Drum roll please... San Francisco! And DC's NPR station has higher ratings. Does that make DC the wackjob liberal capital? Maybe not. A quick check also shows that NO other Top 20 market has both a non-com religious station AND an NPR station in the Top 10 in ratings but DC has BOTH, not to mention a classical station in the Top 15. And WGMS used to have a Top 10 rating! You won't find this in any other Top 20 market. So wackjob, yes, liberal, maybe not as much as people think. Add to that, DC has the lowest AM ratings of any Top 20 market. And DC has some of the lowest sports talk ratings of any Top 20 market. So NO, Washington, DC is hardly like very many other markets by any stretch of the imagination, at least not ones of similar size. 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore was an instant success. 106.7 The Fan, its too early to tell, but not looking good so far. WTEM's network of stations has the SKINS and barely breaks the Top 20 in ratings! And you're going to claim DC is a typical sports town or typical in general??? That's a real stretch of an argument. I could go into the transient population statistics compared to other cities, but there's no sense in going into all that. (8/18/09) Anybody else have blank channels on thier cable tonight? WBAL 11 & WJZ 13 main channels are dead on Harford Comcast, but the main channels are working. Also--looks like the old Susquehanna stations, WARM, WSOX and WSBA in York took a storm hit. All three have carrier current and no audio since just before 7. (8/18/09) More changes to Clear Channel Philadelphia. National Sales Manager Anthony Fuscaldo named General Sales Manager of WRFF, WISX, WIOQ. Two of the current GSMs fired, one demoted. (8/18/09) Perhaps if the good people would listen to WHAT Mr. Arrington on 106.7 The Fan is saying rather than HOW he says it, they would be able to gain much more insight into the reality of how the sports business works rather than listening to big-headed know-it-alls that have never worked in the professional sports business but have dominated the local airwaves for far too long. (8/18/09) Uh-oh tuned into CHWO Sunday night for some nice tunage of yesteryear and hear some whacky talk show called The Conspriacy Theory show. Avery poor imitation of Coast To Coast, which I don't think much of neither. Looks like the new owner of CHWO is getting ready to go all talk I bet. Might'n I suggest he can then cut the power or change the signal direction. Speaking of the demise of popular music from 40's-60's WCTN seems to be off the air. Back in July for a couple a weeks the signal strength seemed to be much stronger for I could pick it up in my miserable abode in toothless fairfax with the power of WMAL of long ago after dark. But since July the signal strength has gotten weaker even during the day and the last few days a lot of blips going on during the broadcasts. As if the hamster were on it's last go around. And thus today it is gone. The email don't work for some time and no one seems to answer the phone. Hell I for one would contribute to the cause. How can all these AM Spanish stations stay on the air? With Mr. Berstein off on vacation again will this bring back La Martucci? when's that tube top day she and Angie were planning befiore the end of summer? Well off to the nail salon causeall the ladies are jealous of my fingernails. don and Mike Don and Mike Don and Mike. I guess it's a case of you don't know whatca got till it's gone. 1067 Duh Fan is truly medicore radio but I gueess it'll be around at least a year or so and even then "guy talk" is dead forever, long live "guy talk"... (8/18/09) Is there something such as articulation lessons for someone with a radio program? That clearly should come first, if necessary, before somebody even goes on the air. Mr. Arrington at times demonstrates so much difficulty in expressing himself on his show (and it is his show, officially) that you have to wonder if he was hired sound unseen, so to speak, in a radio capacity. He's a first-rate dullard. Dukes must be working himself to an ulcer. What's the next possible format switch? TMZ? (8/18/09) I love when mailbaggers cite ratings in demos for stations with completely different target demos. Citing 18-34 numbers for urban, top 40, and alt rock stations and then trying to compare it to numbers for a sports station is absurd. WJFK/The Fan targets Men 25-54. The Junkies ranked 3rd in that demo, which is a huge demo. Nearly twice the share of Elliot. Also beat Elliot in Persons 25-54, which is the biggest demo. Beat him in July in both demos too. (8/18/09) Am I the only one who heard an extraordinary interview today on Mike Wise's show? He was interviewing a sports reporter from WFAN in New York who had interviewed Scott Boras earlier in the day. After five minutes Wise jokingly called the guy "a lackey for Scott Boras". Awkward pause. Silence. The guy from New York said, "what did you say"? Interview continued but definitely more strained and finally the New York guy said, "what is your name again". Answer, "Mike Wise". Reply, "Ok I don't know you and you don't say things like that unless I am your friend, I've got to go now". Wise's co-host (sounding really annoyed", "now you have done it again, first Rob Diblle won't come on here, and now (New York guy)". I am getting to like Wise's show (can't stand Lavar Arrington) but he really needs a coach or some kind of advice before he alienates the whole sports world. (8/18/09) Rush has already appeared on Family Guy. There was an episode that was a Star Wars reenactment with the FG cast as the characters. Rush was on the car, I mean landspeeder radio. Quite funny actually. He has a good sense of humor, as does Seth MacFarlane. (8/18/09) Dave's response: Rush gets "immortalized" doing "Family Guy." In 25 years, no one will remember who Rush was, but he'll still "live" as a cartoon character on a "classic" TV show from way back in 2009. Kinda cool, actually..... The comment that DC is a big even town and not a sports town is a bit too trite. The Caps played to 98% capacity last year and I believe have said they are sold out entirely this season. Not to mention big increases in television and radio ratings. Are those 40 or so Caps home games each "big events"? Don't think so. Fact is, DC is no different from most other big cities, including the so called "sports towns." Winning teams draw fans and stimulate interest. Losing teams have problems doing both. (8/18/09) 1) rest In Peace, Robert Novak. I first saw him on TV back in the mid-80's when he was a panelist on "The McLaughlin Group". I was in college back then ( and that was a long time ago! 2) I heard Mark Steyn (subbing for Rush Limbaugh today) say that Rush flew to L.A. last night and will stay there for a day or two to work on a part for this season's "Family Guy". Does Rush know that FG creator Seth MacFarlane is an 'ultra-lib'? This should be lots of fun... can't wait for the episode in question to air later this season. -Silvie- (8/18/09) I wonder if there are statistics that show how many Limbaugh listeners also tune-in to the various other reactionary right radio hosts? The best estimate of Rush's audience I've heard, is some 20 million, over the course of a week. I'd think that the crossover number is pretty high, so just how many (or few) people out there in Radioland are there, who are rousing the rabble for their Teabagging get togethers, Birther rallies and now, Town Hall screaming sessions. Now, with Health Care Reform on the line will Congress really bend to the vocalizations of such a small band of hooligans? Yeah, probably. That's just crazy! (8/18/09) Dave, This is eery, but watch this clip from my interview with Novak. He talks about "dropping dead" and his "obituary." Interesting. it has to do with the Plame affair. Carol (8/28/09) I was only able to get some of the 18-34 demographic numbers for this week. AM Drive: 1 WGTS, 2 DC101, 3 HOT 99.5, 4 WHUR, 5 WTOP... WJFK: Sports Junkies 16th, Mike Wise 15th, Lavar Arrington 19th (8/18/09) Hey Dave, it has been a while since I stopped by to say "Hey" to you and all the fellow Mailbaggers on DCRTV. Steve Mann, thank you so much for your kind acknowledgement. Working with you, Bob Mathers and the staff at WAMD was a real joy. Your dedication and love of radio at such a young age was so evident. Bob and I always joked that one day we would be working for you. Bob emphasized personality, love of the genre (oldies) and most of all a strong community presence. Captain Jim McMahon held the same programming philosophy and I will always be grateful to the Captain for giving me that much needed chance in the business. What a shame it had to end! I can easily see Bob making a successful run here in the Maryland area with an Oldies format. Let me place the handsome Mr. Ed Graham in the mix too. To Gary Helton: Gary, I remember your final broadcast on WITH. It could not have been more authentic and heartfelt. David Tate, thank you so much for the WLPL memories. I remember you from the days of Stereo 92. Blessings to all. "Sister" Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (8/18/09) I do not believe any of the folks at WGTS will be doing any bragging. I do think they will be mighty happy. Johnnyuin Hanover,Pa. (8/18/09) (From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) DIRECTOR OF SALES - A four station, family-owned radio group in Fredericksburg, VA has a terrific sales management career opportunity. Our top performing radio stations come with all the research tools and resources to succeed. We are looking for a sales leader that can train, lead, and motivate our sales/marketing team. The ideal candidate must understand and institute a strong yield management system and be excellent at generating local direct business and establishing and maintaining strong client relationships. We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Please forward success stories, résumé, and sales management philosophy to: The Star Radio Group, Attention: Human Resources, 616 Amelia Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Email: jobs@freelancestar.com. An Equal Opportunity Employer. (8/18/09) So WJFK’s ratings dropped going to all sports. Of course they did! DC is NOT a sports town. DC is a big event town. It is a town full of status conscious, see-and-be-seen people, not sports fans. The Redskins are a big event because there are only eight games, it’s the NFL, and because it (used to be) hard to get tickets. Going to Redskins games was once a sign of success and connections in this town. “I got Redskins tickets this weekend – I know someone” was what people talked about after a game. There was an air of exclusivity. The rest of the teams? Wizards, Caps, DC United, Nats, Georgetown B-Ball, Maryland sports, even Orioles games? When it is a big event (like when the team is winning/in the playoffs, on national TV, or a big team from another city), DC sports “fans” are interested. Any other time? Not so much. Sports radio does or will work in other markets with passionate/rabid sports fans. NY, Philly, Boston, probably even Cleveland or Baltimore. People can talk all they want about the merits of WTEM vs. WJFK and their respective signals or lack thereof, and whether DC is an AM or FM town. But reality is when it comes to DC, no one really cares until everyone cares. And then you have to show you cared before everyone and more than anyone. WTOP should just spin off an all traffic station. All the self-important people in this town who can’t believe they actually may have to sit in traffic or that all the “other idiots” on the road are inconveniencing them on their way home to their McMansions would make it number one with a bullet! (8/18/09) Dave's response: It's only the first week of the ratings. The Junks are doing OK. If the afternoon drive show doesn't show some "traction" by mid-September, it may be time to do some tweaking. But right now, way too early too tell..... In 2008 WAMU sold more than $8,000,000 in business sponsorships to around 400 businesses including Adventist Health Care, Chevy Chase Bank, Comcast, Honda, Microsoft, PF Changs, Trader Joes, and United Airlines. Being 4th in the PPMs will only help them sell more. It is all in WAMU's annual report beginning on page 60. wamu.org (8/18/09) After being scooped by a Loudoun County Competitor, The LoudounExtra.com announces it "will cease to exist in its current form". loudounextra.washingtonpost.com (8/18/09) What do non-commercial WAMU and WGTS do with their third and fourth place ratings? No ads to sell. Is it just bragging rights? (8/18/09) The obit on Robert Novak in the Chicago Sun-Times was by Lynn Sweet, Washington Bureau chief. When Sweet writes that Novak "died at home here early Tuesday morning", she is stating that he died at his D.C. digs, (not in Chicago). (8/18/09) Robert Novak's wife: “He was someone who loved being a journalist, loved journalism and loved his country and loved his family." Too bad he never showed that love and respect for those people that he came in contact with. (8/18/09) From FishbowlDC: That's Rob Thomas above- Mix 107.3's Tommy McFly hosted a concert and Q&A with the musician yesterday at Gibson Guitar Shop in Chinatown. (8/18/09) To GAB in the Airless Cubicle: The behavior you allege for Arbitron diary-keepers suggests that many of them were not only lazy but also clueless. I don't understand how or why someone would recall hearing about a DJ feud or stunt and confuse this with actually listening to the program. If someone's memory really worked like that, what use would he or she be to Arbitron? And if large numbers of people had that type of memory, wouldn't that make the diary system useless? To me, putting jocks in the public eye through stunts or feuds seems more like a marketing strategy to attract listeners. I would agree that feuds are inherently phony, almost a WWE approach to radio, but I'm not convinced that they're unethical. (8/18/09) Compelling stuff on Examiner.com about WAGE. I believe local AM service can actually survive except there are too many issues - both technical and regulatory - that would keep it from happening. First is the constant fog of RF pollution (what hams call "QRM" - man-made interference), consisting of computer noise, cellphones, CFL bulbs, motors, bad receivers, power lines, you name it. Second is the restriction that keeps someone from launching an AM'er at less than 1 kW, and the cessation of new stations coming on the expanded band. A 500 W to 1 kW non-D station at 1630 AM could be feasible in Loudoun County, but it absolutely requires everything to be local. FYI, a significant reason why WLNG in New York succeeds is that it is on FM. The station started out on AM, but moved to FM. The better audio quality + the legeacy aspect is why that station succeeds. (8/18/09) Radio One Baltimore, which includes 92Q, Magic 95.9, Spirit 1400 and WOLB 1010, proudly presents The 18th Annual Stone Soul Picnic. The event will take place on Saturday, August 22nd from noon to 8pm at the Druid Hill Park, located in Baltimore, Maryland. The Stone Soul Picnic is an all day event, celebrating African-American culture, music, and families. Last year more than 150,000 people attended this event. The Stone Soul Picnic includes over seven hours of main stage performances including national and local talent, games, guest speakers and more. The Stone Soul Picnic also features cultural foods, children’s activities, product sampling, carnival rides, and a host of other activities and entertainment that will attract thousands to this free event. This year’s entertainment will include: Howard Hewett, Mario Ginuwine, Chico DeBarge, Jeff Majors , Melanie Fiona, Urban Mystic, Shadina... And more to be announced! Parking will cost $5, with all proceeds going to the Baltimore City Department of Parks and Recreation. Please, no pets or grilling. We are anticipating another successful event this year. Keep listening for more and additional performers. For more information on the 18th Annual Stone Soul Picnic call 410-907-0322. (8/18/09) With the demise of Loudoun County based WAGE-AM, Examiner blogger Tom Buckley asks if local AM broadcasting is dead? Buckley says "a template of sorts for AM's comeback exists on Long Island in New York at WLNG. The station has entertaining hosts, a strong news department, and a history of community service." www.examiner.com (8/18/09) Dave's response: And a DCRTV mention. Cool, baby, cool! MSNBC acquires EveryBlock to explore hyperlocal journalism as rumors swirl that the Washington Post's hyper-local experiment, LoudounExtra.com, will go dark before Labor Day. www.chroniclejournal.com (8/18/09) "Don Imus might move his radio show's video simulcast to the Fox Business Network." The audio stream from his web page is so popular that it's been down for over a week and no one there has seen fit to fix it. You get the same 30 second clip before it goes goes up. (8/18/09) Ok, I've got to give 106.7 credit for their live coverage tonight of the Strasburg negotiations. I heard it there first when he did sign, and they had a call with the guy from Baseball America minutes after he broke the story. All before showing up on espn.com, etc. And 980 was airing their standard overnight coverage. - Justin in McLean (8/18/09) /\ August 18 Messages /\ \/ August 17 Messages \/ Re; "I heard MASN on the radio yesterday touting the Jordan Zimmermann-Ryan Braun matchup when the Brewers come to town. Does MASN not know that Zimmermann is out 12-18 months with Tommy John surgery, or are they to cheap and classless to pull the add and substitute another? Shawn in DC." The ad is about RYAN Zimmerman and Ryan Braun. Both named Ryan and both position players. It has nothing to do with Jordan Z. who has been on the disabled list since the middle of July. (8/17/09) How did Don and Mike (or many other jocks and PDs) game the Arbitron ratings? Arbitron diaries were rarely written out in real time, and often listeners didn't remember callsigns of a station. Thus, when someone was reconstructing their listening diary, they wrote down not what they actually listened to, but what they recalled. Stations would often stunt to put their jocks in the public eye; Don and Mike did it through the feud. They feuded with their station management. They tried to pick a feud with Frank Ahrens of the Washington Post. Thus, they received a bonus from the diary reconstructors. Have you noticed many stations have lowered their radio promotions of specific programs since PPM came in? -- GAB in the Airless Cubicle (8/17/09) The Junkies have been reeled in, to focus more on sports than extraneous commentary on pop culture and their personal lives, which is fine. Their transition has been pretty seamless, we will see if it helps or hurts ratings. As for he rest of the WJFK new line-up, Mike Wise is only slightly more peppy than if Steven Wright were hosting a radio show. He and his partner, firm up every cliche and nail every stereotype with the redskin-centric schizophrenic babble, that almost borders on parody. "....it's only the preseason, this stuff doesn't matter..." then they go on to dissect every time a guy adjusts his jock strap, and it's cosmic significance to games yet unplayed. Later they remind themselves again that it's only practice and it doesn't matter.... rinse and repeat. The season can't start quickly enough, at least then there might be something of substance to talk about, real results and performances. The empty, and vacuous lives of those who call to join in on the endless speculation and comment on the inane babble, is truly amazing. You can be a sports fan, and not feel compelled to listen or participate in sports dumb-downed to this level. As for the poor lad, Dukes...he has been forced to morph into a subdued sycophant and yes-man, for a guy who has a lot to say, but doesn't often know how to say it. His tongue must have more bite marks than Marv Albert's back. At WJFK they seem to hang special significance on the fact that they can criticize Dan Snyder. Which might mean something if they didn't spend 24/7 pimping his product. Truly, radio only listenable in short bursts. WJFK still lingers on my pre-sets, but one or two minutes salvos is all I can stand before I think there is something else more important I should be doing with my life...anything. Too each his own, but I will be curious to see if this format is going to offer any great ratings improvement over the last format, no matter how it's measured. I guess we will find out if DC is willing to support two Sports talkers, but in the meantime...it's..ponderous, fucking, ponderous. (8/17/09) According to the Arbitron website, Baltimore is in PPM pre-currency (sort of like a ratings dress rehearsal) in July and August. The first month of currency (the real thing) for the PPM in Baltimore in September, which means the first PPM ratings for Charm City will arrive in early-October. See it for yourself at arbitron.com (8/17/09) Ref: Scott & Anita on 105.7 & MASN don't like each other much - What are you talking about? when they stand side by side at the urinals they never raise their voices at one another, They are really starting to suck she is a know it all and he is mr. perfect. or so they think. Thank God football season is almost here. (8/17/09) (There is no relationship between the former WMJS 92.7 that still exists today and the less mature LPFM. You should have caught that spinnnned posting.) Marty Madden is involved with the the FM LP station...this poster does not have his/her facts straight. (8/17/09) (regarding Readers Digest) Shortly after 9/11, someone offered a sure fire way to find Osama bin Laden -- put the Readers Digest Sweepstakes people on the job. Those mailings would always find you, no matter where you moved to. (8/17/09) I used to read my parents' and grandparents' Readers Digests as well, and many years later I realized how ironclad conservative the publication was. I remember numerous pieces slamming big government and feminism. Its condensation of a USSR defector's biography focused less on repression and more on the Soviet system's bureaucratic idiocies. (8/17/09) Dave's response: Yeah, the RD always touted righty politics, but in a very moderate, "polite" sorta way..... I heard MASN on the radio yesterday touting the Jordan Zimmermann-Ryan Braun matchup when the Brewers come to town. Does MASN not know that Zimmermann is out 12-18 months with Tommy John surgery, or are they to cheap and classless to pull the add and substitute another? Shawn in DC. (8/17/09) Not local, but another major media entity is biting the dust: Reader's Digest to file for Chapter 11 according to The Baltimore Sun. Is that the pot reporting the kettle is black or what? LOL (8/17/09) Dave's response: One of my most-treasured childhood memories is going to my grandmother's home and finding a candy dish full of wrapped mints next to a very neat stack of Reader's Digests. Then checking out the bookcase in the den, which was full of Reader's Digest "condensed novels." Something like three or four shortened works of literature per hardback book. And those were next to the Reader's Digest guide to common physical ailments, the Reader's Digest world atlas, and a Reader's Digest dictionary, etc. My dear granny, who passed away in 2001 at age 92, had to have been one of the Reader's Digest's best customers..... Jim Williams at www.washingtonexaminer.com: Today is one of the most important days in the history of the Washington Nationals. Before the stroke of midnight the team must sign first round draft choice pitcher Stephen Strasburg. It is big local story that has become a national story. Locally sports talk radio stations ESPN 980AM and The Fan 106.7FM have been talking about what signing Strasburg means to the Nationals future. The stud pitcher has been offered a record deal that could be in excess of $20 million dollars. Will he become a National or not? One thing we do know is that it will be a last minute deal coming just before midnight. The only local station that will be talking Strasburg and taking calls locally. Give credit to 106.7FM The Fan for being the only local station to cover the story till it ends. Pete Medhurst, Joe Miller and Grant Paulsen will focus their 106.7FM The Fan program on the Strasburg – Nationals signing. They will extend the program two additional hours to cover the midnight deadline. With the Nationals having the day off WTOP 103.5FM will handle the coverage from the Nationals radio standpoint. They will offer updates in their 15 and 45 sportscast s. But they will break-in to the news at anytime to report what has happened as soon it happens. ESPN Radio and Sirius – XM Home Plate have coverage all the way up till the deadline passes at midnight. Nationally MLB Tonight Roundtripper at 10p.m. on the MLB Network will cover the story as will ESPNEWS. (8/17/09) Am I the only person who's noticed that not only do Scott & Anita on 105.7 The Fan & MASN not like each other much (I think they're even running sort of an ad promoting their disagreements)? But, I noticed today that they dislike each other so much that they don't even listen to what each other is saying at any given time half the time! At least TWICE within 15 minutes today, Scott Garceau said something and Anita Marks immediately asked him a question he'd just answered seconds earlier, and the same thing happened in reverse just a few minutes later. Anita said something and Scott Garceau immediately asked her the same question she JUST answered seconds before! Too funny! (8/17/09) Question: Any word on Baltimore radio PPMs? (8/17/09) During the sports segment near the end of Friday's 6:00 Channel 4 news, a weather crawler appeared at the top of the screen for about a minute saying "WARNING: Sleet Advisory" along with a map highlighting several scattered counties in the D.C. area. Sup widdat? Another dumbed-down tech glitch, or a "Think Snow" fanatic at the controls? KOF (8/17/09) Dave, I know you like to kick the Style section from time to time. Today, The New Republic joins you: blogs.tnr.com... Christian (8/17/09) Dave please help: I am so confused as to just what area radio station(s) will carry the Redskins games (including the remaining pre-season games)? Please advise: thanks! (8/17/09) Dave's response: ESPN 980, WTEM, which is available at 980 AM, 92.7 FM, and 94.3 FM..... Dumb question - how would Don and Mike or any other radio show "game" the Arbitron diary system? I'm not in the business myself, and it would seem to me that if one could trick Arbitron listeners into recording false or misleading diary entries, that many more stations would be using those tricks. What am I missing? (8/17/09) Yes, Don and Mike were greater than Mother Teresa. www.slate.com... Yes, also greater than any church pastor. Don't know who this "Stephen Hawkings" is, but they were arguably greater than the famed physicist Stephen Hawking. Now, on the question of were Don and Mike greater than Ron and Fez, there is room for debate (pinches thumb and forefinger together) --- ThePenIsMightier (8/17/09) Random thoughts while listening to the radio. 1. Is Charlestown Racing and Slots the biggest advertiser on area stations? I hear their ads across formats and frequencies up and down the AM/FM band. 2. Does WGTS know that that the music playing under one its disclaimer about how "You might notice a difference about our station. Our music is family friendly, unlike the music on those other station" is from a Van Halen song? 3. I'm not a testosterone-heavy male, but I AM a man. I can no longer tolerate listening to any station at work other than WBIG, which, frankly, is a station that represents the worst of rock radio. But I wave the white flag of surrender. The worst of rock radio is better than the female-demo driven ballads and pop ditties that play on the numerous AC, Country, Christian outlets. The only other guy-oriented stations are talk stations, and I can only take so much talk. 4. The number of public service ads I hear lately on various talk shows, and even music shows, is alarming. Maybe the radio ad market really has bottomed out. Did you know that you, too, could be a foster parent? It's true. 5. Why does the Washington Times morning show include an ad break for a company that tells me to type "LAURA" into the box on its Web site when signing up for service? Her show comes on *next*! Christian (8/17/09) Why are people STILL talking about D&M and the PPM ratings 16 months after the show ended? How many people reading and commenting on this mailbag know how much reveune the show brought in in a time prior to the current recession? One? Two? Probably nobody. Let it go, they are off the radio. Find some other personalities to obsess about. (8/17/09) OK that follow up is right about WMJS being on another frequency. But they still use the WMJS call letters on that frequency. I was only stating about the station's demise from 92.7 ( currently owned by Dan Snyder/Red Zebra). Not sure why that poster got all bent out of shape over it, maybe he/she has some kind of ownership stake. This is the last comment I will make about that station. Burt in Denton (8/17/09) "You would like to think Don and Mike were lesser than they were, because you, yourself are far lesser than they were." -- Oh, were Don and Mike greater than Stephen Hawkings, or Mother Teresa? Are they greater than a firefighter, or an emergency room nurse, or a church pastor? Radio personalities don't have greatness automatically attached to them. They have to earn it. Don and Mike were good, but it was clear that they cost too much for the anemic ratings they pulled in. -- GAB in the Airless Cubicle (8/17/09) So, the BIG woodstock weekend is what motivated WBIG to finally play some Jimi Hendrix and the Dead. these are artists that need to be in their actual playlist, their are some of the biggest artists in the classic hits/classic rock format. (8/17/09) Dave, You need to put an editor's correction under that item about WMJS-FM The post asserts that the the station went away and resurfaced as a low power!! That would be ILLEGAL. The frequency 92.7MHz has remained in service at its licensced class and power. The transmitter site is a fairly well constructed affair with a Harris solid state transmitter and an ERI antenna (IIRC) in the Sunderland area. The main studio is in Upper Marlboro. The call letters have been WWXT for close to four years. The station is part of Red Zebra. There is no Mary Madden employed at the station. OTOH...there is an WMJS-LP liscensed to that area. It is on another channel. There is no relationship between the former WMJS 92.7 that still exists today and the less mature LPFM. You should have caught that spinnnned posting. (8/17/09) /\ August 17 Messages /\ \/ August 16 Messages \/ For the life of me I cannot understand why WTOP's Rahul Bali could go to the Montgomery County fair and talk about how there were lots of giggling children, amusement rides and farm animals and not have ONE bit of nat sound of either giggling children, amusement rides or farm animals. In the story I heard there were just some straight cuts of a boring adults talking about the fair. I think this is the same guy who went to the Military Show at Andrews AFB in May and didn't have any sound of jet engines or helicopters. It's radio, son. How about some story telling. (8/16/09) RE: [ " I'd say that DC is almost totally an FM-oriented market. Not "sort of" " ]...... This is true, I definitely understated a fact, but historically it's only because there are so few decent AM signals or anything worth listening to on AM around Washington and the market has completely outgrown most of the AM signals in size. Also, there have been few technical improvements to most of DC's AM stations, with the possible exception of WMET (but their nighttime signal is pathetic). Look at what WCBM has done in Baltimore when it upgraded to 50,000 watts. Meanwhile in DC, Bonneville basically put a fork in a CLASS A AM! What other market would that happen in? DC is a seriously strange market. How many markets have an NPR station in the Top 3 ??? LOL (8/16/09) Reading the story about the demise of WAGE 1200. brings to mind another station that featured local news and other content was the old 92.7, WMJS. Sometime later the station resurfaced as a low power FM station to serve the Prince Frederick area, in which Mary Madden is still involved with. Fortunately we still have a few stations here on the eastern shore that even while not necessarily owned by local people, still serve the area well such as WCEI on the mid shore, and the Great Scott stations 95.3 and 93.5 among others. Burt in Denton (8/16/09) I'm not even a fan of Danny Snyder at all, but I feel a need to respond to this myth that WJFK 106.7 has such a better signal then WTEM 980s network of stations and therefor has a marketing advantage. And let me say, I seriously do NOT want to take Snyder's side on anything. This pic ( SEE PIC ), with the help of Photoshop, shows an overlay of all the DC sports talk signals. The yellow lines are WJFK, but you can pretty much toss them since 106.7 gets so much 1st adjacent channel interference form the northeast & northwest from short-spaced FM signals that those signal plots are basically a joke. So concentrate on the black signal for WJFK, it's more accurate for the local signal coverage plot. The Danny Snyder network of stations are the red & purple lines, the red being local coverage. However the purple plots for 94.3 & 92.7 are much more receivable than the 2nd yellow signal plot for WJFK. I think this proves the point that WJFK does NOT have much of a signal advantage at all. As you can clearly see, both sports stations have signal problems in certain areas and you could argue that WTEM's triplecast actually has BETTER OVERALL COVERAGE than WJFK, and certainly in land area. I see no clear advantage at all for WJFK except that DC is sort of more of an FM market. And Snyder has stations in Richmond and Norfolk too doesn't he? OH, and that's WTEM 980's NIGHT TIME signal. Daytime, 50,000 watt WTEM 980 seriously kicks ass from Baltimore to Fredericksburg! (8/16/09) Dave's response: You say: "DC is sort of more of an FM market." Ah, there is only one AMer that ranks consistently among the top 20 stations in the DC market - WMAL, which is currently in 16th place. WTEM drops in and out of the top 20. I'd say that DC is almost totally an FM-oriented market. Not "sort of"..... "Artful" transition to the local (delayed) feed of the network program "Meet the Press" on WRC-DT this morning. Dead air for two minutes. A local promo inserted to give the appearance of "no problem here," early terminated with MTP in progress. Better, I guess, than current practice of running several program sources simultaneously on automated AMers. Still, not up to professional standards. (8/16/09) The PPM is no more accurate than the sample that controls it. Even Arbitron admits it is too small. Let's not proclaim it any more representative than the diary as yet. You would like to think Don and Mike were lesser than they were, because you, yourself are far lesser than they were. (8/16/09) Dave's response: I think any bathroom scale would show that..... Eugene Delgaudio is OUTTA TOUCH! When that outfit bought WAGE years back they intentially DROPPED all relivant local programming...some of it it 'long time' in the county...they reprogrammed the 'new WAGE' with a HUGE assortment of junque CHEAP programs...lost listeners....then they go dark on 1200 to move to 1190 with a 'regional' 50kw signal to cover a larger area with the same blanket of crap! LOCAL -REGIONAL programming works...if its done right and the station is PART of the communtiy it serves. When WMAL stopped doing that a few years back..they too lost touch with reality! WOR IS NEW YORK...WABC IS the Metro Tri-State area...WINS/WCBS IS NEWS in New York..as WFAN IS Sports....LOCAL radio works...WAGE giving up on Loudoun County is a HUGE mistake! Check the demos...richest county in the region! Let's bail on that! Smart move Delgaudio! (8/16/09) The Washington Post finally gets around to reporting the shut down of radio station WAGE 1200AM www.washingtonpost.com... It is the Extras section (8/16/09) Dave: Thanks to TiVo, I just finished watching the Redskins/Ravens game and that was one of the worst telecasts I've ever seen!!!! I taped Channel 4 and Comcast and there was clearly a standard def. issue with the Channel 4 feed. When doing a high-def. event, I understand you have to shoot a bit wide but that was a ridiculous production. The normal "game" angle looked like it was the team's all-22 shot..meaning, it shows both offense and defense. Furthermore, after reading the CityPaper article, I have one thing to say, I miss George and Sonny along with Jeff Bostic doing the games!!!!! Bostic was great because you never saw him during the regular season, yet he always stayed in-touch with the team and kept-up with what was going-on. Kelli and Lindsay were useless on the sidelines and there was zero connection between Patrick and Theismann...it was quite evident that they were both there for a paycheck. This is where I missed George and Sonny. Yes, at times they rambled about various topics but other times they gave you some great backgrounds and video segments that Comcast would never show. You always felt like you were watching a network looking game. Thursday was CN8 quality at its best. I know we're going down to 1-2 preseason games in the next two years but Snyder should have done a better job presenting this year's team for the first time this season. Gee, when George left, he really took away that professional looking touch to Redskins' coverage. (8/16/09) ("Yes, As Howard Stern's non-performance at Sirius has proved for satellite, the shock jock bonus was always a myth... Maybe radio will transition back to quality content.") Dave, is it possible for you to get your mailbag people to fill out some kind of intelligence test before their messages are posted? Could you also do a drug test so that we can be sure the mailbaggers aren't totally disconnected from reality? Thank you. John (8/16/09) /\ August 16 Messages /\ \/ August 15 Messages \/ Re;" just watched WUSA 9 at 11 pm. fill in anchor worse than the one's that usually pretend to anchor. She acted like she was a junior high school kid." I have one better. On Thursday evening whoever the bimbo anchor was on channel 9 said to the two sports reporters at Baltimore's stadium, "how are things DOWN in Baltimore"?. (8/15/09) Yes, As Howard Stern's non-performance at Sirius has proved for satellite, and the PPM is proving for terrestrial radio, the shock jock bonus was always a myth. It showed up in the old method ratings, but the ratings were being generated by 14 yr. old boys filling in the dairy while sitting in their underwear listening to the radio when the parents did not pay attn. Those 12+ ratings did not translate into advertiser dollars and thus did not translate into radio sucess. The reality is that very few listen to shock jocks. So long Mel, Howard, D&M and the rest of the jerk off crowd. Maybe radio will transition back to quality content. (8/15/09) Does anybody know: did WNST not encode for the PPM’s? (8/15/09) Is Donnie Simpson considering hiring a porn star? Not appropriate as his top 5 contestant for his co-host competition. Given his background? radiofacts.com (8/15/09) Don and Mike gamed the Arbitron ratings for years. When PPM came in, the truth came out; Don and Mike had passionate fans, but not enough of them. They cost too much for a station that was at best 14th or 15th place with them on. I can't believe the bitterness and anger at Dave for something he didn't do. D&M always tried to get their listeners angry at someone else for negative publicity; they kept trying to make Frank Aherns at the Post their designated villain. Now they're doing the same to Dave. All these comments sound like bitter ex-husbands dealing with alimony payments.-- GAB in the Airless Cubicle (8/15/09) just watched WUSA 9 at 11 pm. fill in anchor worse than the one's that usually pretend to anchor. She acted like she was a junior high school kid. So bad, so ripe. it's no wonder WUSA sucks so bad. Just put an infomercial on rather than something so bad you just gotta keep watching. Lane, don't let the door hit your ego ass. (8/15/09) Per your rant Dave, Lindsay would have a hard time getting ready for her early sportscast if she was doing afternoon drive for a local sports talker. The Fan already has a hottie in its line-up.. Check out Julie Parker, who co-hosts along with Alex Parker, both from WJLA, on “Parker & Parker” 1-4 Saturdays on 106.7 FM. She’s also the host of “Wizards Magazine” on WJLA. (8/15/09) Dave's response: You mean, 4 couldn't change Lindsay's sked to accommodate an afternoon drive radio show? Even for all that extra publicity 4's sports department would get? Hmmm..... Peter Angelos killed several big concert ideas at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, at least 2 that I know of, and Bruce Springsteen was, I think, one of them. Angelos was even sued by Van Halen for canceling a show at Camden Yards and it was settled out of court. Angelos always did what Angelos does best, he got bogged down in legal details and wanted to be sure he'd be paid tons of money if there were any problems just like most cheapass piece of shit sleazy personal injury lawyers would do. Having dealt with his law firm once, I can attest to this. And as you would expect, every band canceled knowing they would most certainly get sued by Angelos or Angelos canceled the show unless he was guaranteed compensatory damages. The sad part is that the Maryland Stadium Authority, as part of its mission, is supposed to promote the use of both Camden Yards Stadiums for concerts and other uses to help pay back the citizens of Maryland for the initial cost of building them, however both team owners have the final say and share in the profits of any possible show or event. Yeah, it's sorta a crooked deal and both stadiums are rarely used outside of baseball or football as a result. Only The Ravens have made much of any attempt to schedule other events, the recent international soccer event being the biggest ever held. Oh, and as far as I know, only Pope John Paul II has performed at Oriole Park. Thank God he didn't trash the place. Peter Angelos might have ended up owning The Vatican! :-) (8/15/09) To: Shan Sharif...1240 ESPN Radio Thanks for the post about having Billick on your show yesterday. I listened to a good part of it..only wish I could have been down at the Portside in person to take it all in. Your show is a refreshing change from some of the sports programs in DC and Baltimore where the hosts seem to be full of themselves..especially Bruce Cumningham and Anita Marks. Keep up the good work, I plan to tune in much more often. Ed in Denton (8/15/09) Maybe people didn't read what I typed. When I said Springsteen has never headlined in Baltimore, I meant, umm, Springsteen has never headlined a show in Baltimore even though he wrote a song that mentions the city. Towson, Owings Mills both are places outside of Baltimore. Trust me, this debate is going on at Baltimoresun.com and other places as we speak because the show is a huge surprise if true. So, yes it's true, Bruce has technically only been in Baltimore city a couple times and never headlined a show here. The same could be said for that guy who wrote the song "Walking in Memphis". I don't think he'd ever been to Memphis either! (8/15/09) Dave..deny it all you want..but you, like all totally obsessed radiophiles, revel in the demise of those whose talents surpass yours or your achievements. Re-read your posts. You question the personal lives of O'Meara and Sorce, while acknowledging their talent. You don't know what they're really like..so you sling crap at them to appear closer than you are. Have fun writing about the boredom that is radio in DC. (8/15/09) Dave's response: So, they were (past tense) getting paid big bucks to "sling crap" over the airwaves at everyone, but we poor listeners weren't allowed to sling it back? Until this website came along. DCRTV - power to the people! You can call me "Democracy Dave"..... Listen Dave, i know the chances of this happening are lower than Bush's approval rating, but why won't CC drop country off WMZQ and install an active rock format? i mean, we already have enough country stations around the area, prime examples being WFLS and WFRE, but doesn't WFRE cover most of the DC Metro?? it would be nice to hear bands by the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest via the DC airwaves...Rock radio 98.7 WMZQ, i guess it would be way to good to be true. we would have too many angry people out there if there were no more WMZQ fests.... -Travis (8/15/09) Dave's response: Hey, as someone who doesn't listen to country music, that would work for me..... /\ August 15 Messages /\ \/ August 14 Messages \/ Besides seeing Springsteen at Towson State he also played twice at Painters Mills Music Center in Owings Mills MD, also in Baltimore County. (8/14/09) "Springsteen has never headlined a show in Baltimore ever." Depends on what the definition of Baltimore is. While he did not headline, he played the 1 song at the Hotel Carlyle in Baltimore in 1989 with Nils Lofgren. And perhaps not Baltimore city, but definitely Baltimore County, Bruce and the E Street Band headlined Towson State University on March 13, 1977. A number of years ago on one of the stadium tours, a real attempt was made to put him in Orioles Park at Camden Yards, but the deal fell apart over a fence being built around the field and who would pay for it. Mark in Annandale (8/14/09) Im happy to say that I got out of CC when I did but even happier to hear that the hard working, underpaid and underappreciated sales assistants at the D.C. cluster finally got out and moved on with their lives. For years now, that managment team has pushed out or straight up fired so much talent that it was nearly impossible to work for them. Not to mention the fact that the sales staff was so underpaid for the work that they were expected to do. To the poster that wonders whats different about radio at CCDC now and jokes that its always been a "low morale" industry, while I agree in some ways, in many others, radio was a great industry to work in. Fun, monetarily rewarding and some of the best managers in this biz but now, its simply the combination of horrible leadership, underappreciacion and lack of pay that pushes people to their limits. It is a complete joke. Every day that I look at DCRTV and find that another manager, rep, traffic employee or someone in production has been "let go" I am happy for them. It may be a horrible economy and jobs may be hard to come by but my only hope for them is that they will come to realize what a blessing in disguise it really is. Managment there has ZERO talent and absolutely no insight whatsoever. Anyone with half a brain cant sit by and watch such incompetent managers lead like that while they get paid so little. Happy for all you sales assistants that took the plunge. Even happier that you did it together and sent the message that you did. Unfortunately, I dont think that message will ever get through to management but to everyone else that's left or been fired, it does to us and Im sure Im not the only one to congratulate you. To those of you still left at 1801 I have one thing to say............Join us on the other side! (8/14/09) Was that the late great David Carridine I just heard doing the voiceover for a United Way commercial on WHFS-AM at 5:50 this afternoon? (8/14/09) Dave- I may be in the minority here but I think JFK's afternoon sports talk is a nice change up from TEM. I love TEM, but when Sheehan, Coach Thompson, Andy and Czabe get on their high horses (as they often do) its a nice change of pace to hear something different. The only problem I see is that back to back 4 hour shows seems a bit long. Maybe they need something in the middle to break it up a little. (8/14/09) Sadly Fox Sports Radio has changed its late night schedule. Tony Bruno has returned from exile to do the 10 pm to 1am shift and JT the brick load has moved to overnights 1am to 6am. JT is one of them shouters who don't really have much to say so prevalent in todays sporks talk world. anotherwards , the Fox Sports Soup that had segments from The Steve Czaban morning progrum and The Dan Patrick show is no longer on, bummer won't be listening to 1067 Duh Fan overnights no more. Regarding 1067 Duh Fan I find the afternoon shift ponderous and stopped listening after the first week. I favor this line up ,Steve Czaban in the morns, then Dan Patrick, then mike wise, even though I can't stand the pollyanna apologist but Duh Fan ain't going to drop him with all those WaPo ads now on Duh Fan and then the Spork's Junkies in the afternoon. Give the lamearses time to read and listen to more sports prep instead of being the boring tards they are in the mornings, of course that's my opinion...i'm a loser rick, now why don't you shoot me. (8/14/09) (snip) I've discovered a simple joy from my childhood: The Greaseman! (end) Heh heh... back in the 80s when you were really getting down, how many of you thought for even a moment that The Greaseman would someday become a nostalgia act from your younger days? (8/14/09) Am told WJFK dropped the F-bomb at 5:15 (8/14/09) I'm wondering why Fred Grandy hasn't been on WMAL's "Big Hour" from 9am to 10am the last 2 days. Might his contract say that he is to be on the air only 4 hours a day? (8/14/09) I wish you babies would stop whining about who carries HD and who doesn't. Geez .... my wife just bought me a new HD-TV and I can't tell the difference. What's the big deal? All looks the same to me. Sincerely, Stevie Wonder (8/14/09) Any word on when the Baltimore PPM's are released?? (8/14/09) Dave's response: I believe the first preliminary PPM numbers for Charm City are out later today, in fact. Stay tuned..... The clip is of a fasion model tripping on the runway. George Michael, Jim Vance & Susan Kidd have fun with it. (8/14/09) Dave said: "WMAL seriously needs a locally-based afternoon drive show." Ah yes, how I long for the times in years past when Chris Plante & Jerry Klein used to bark at each other on Sunday afternoons! Seriously, sometimes I drive around on Sundays and subsonsciously still place the dial on 630 thinking that they're still on. If they come back in one way or another on an afternoon drive show, my life will be complete... -Silvie- (8/14/09) With the sudden lack of compelling shock jocks in our backwater DC market, I've discovered a simple joy from my childhood: The Greaseman! Say what you will, but Nino is pulling down a paycheck down in Jacksonville but available to the rest of us via podcast. Yes, his schtick is old, and, yes, he as predictable as ever, but Johnny Avocado still makes me laugh from time to time. I haven't heard that Redneck song for 20 years, yet here he is still belting it out all these years later. Re-invent – Shme-invent! Our one-time Doo Dad Daddy is now our Doo Dad Granddaddy but he's still lots of fun... well, OK, maybe 'lots' overstates it a bit, but for native DC'ers like me his current show is a welcome blast from the past and well worth a free download or two. Check him out at iTunes. God help me, I have.... –Jamesonian (8/14/09) (From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) ABC7/WJLA-TV Sales Department - Effective: 8/14/2009 - POSITION SUMMARY: WJLA-TV and NewsChannel8, subsidiaries of Allbritton Communications Company, are seeking motivated and talented Account Managers for our Web advertising team in our Sales department. You will be generating revenue through selling advertising on the highly viewed WJLA-TV & NewsChannel8 Web sites. These opportunities will showcase your superb media sales abilities. QUALIFICATIONS: The successful Web Account Manager will have the ability to assist traditional television buyers in realizing the value added in a TV/WEB advertising campaign. If you believe you are ready for the new era of media sales, have capabilities to make dynamic presentations to corporate advertisers, ad agencies and various other media buyers, energetic, organized and can work at "web speed", 3 years of media sales experience with preferably 1 year Internet sales, bachelors degree in a related field, experience may substitute for educational requirement, then click your resume over to us! Send Resumes with cover letters to: ABC7/WJLA-TV Attn: Human Resources/Web AE, 1100 Wilson Blvd. 6th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209. Fax to: 703-236-9536 or Email: hr@wjla.com. EEOC. (8/14/09) Damn Dave, I didn't realize until today that the reason DC radio suck's is all your fault. Seriously the Eastern Shore's of MD and VA, Baltimore and Richmond radio stations put anything in the DC area to shame. I don't even bother to listen around here anymore, except WTOP to get traffic info when driving, then back to XM until I get in another market's range. BC (8/14/09) Ironic that Comcast advertises The Redskins games in HD on DCRTV, yet people are complaining here about not getting the game in HD? HAHA! What's wrong with this picture? I'm pretty sure The Iggles and Ravens were both in HD for everyone, both cable and on WPVI 6 & WBAL 11 respectively. IT'S ONLY REDSKINS FANS WHO GOT CHEATED FROM SEEING THE GAME IN HD by COMCAST's EXCLUSIVE COMCAST SPORTSNET FEED! And Comcast has the nerve to advertise that as a good thing? Too funny! They must think Skins fans are complete suckers and idiots. Don't send your complaints to WRC NBC 4, it's definitely NOT their fault and has nothing to do with NBC4's news not being in HD. Send cards and letters and emails to COMCAST. They are the ONLY ONES to BLAME Skins fans! (8/14/09) The Fan is a poor echo of a sportstalk station, and WJFK is a much less entertaining station than it was before the flip. Of the three flagship shows on the old WJFK, the Junkies had grown stale and were the one show that might have benefited from being forced to alter their focus a bit. Yet they appear to be the exact same show, content-wise as they were prior to the flip. They are somewhat out of place on a real "sports" station, and still desperately in need of a more mature makeover. Their shtick is old and coming from people pushing (or now over) 40 years old, sounds sad. The Mike Wise show is directionless and slow. It is no real improvement from what WTEM offers middays. Lavar and Chad sounds like a trainwreak. Chad Dukes sounds bored and miserable (he used to sound miserable/angry alot on BO&D but in that context it was often radio gold). Lavar is simply dull, he appears to be trying hard to do well, and is projecting a less of an ex-jock "HEY LISTEN TO MEEEE!" image than I would have expected. But he simply has little enlightening things to say. The Sports Reporters, with Steve Czaben leading the way, runs circles around Lavar/Chad in terms of being thought-provoking, engaging, and entertaining. In the end they are simply sports stations, which is great if you are a total sports fanatic and that's all you want out of radio. But I, like most formerly loyal listeners to WJFK, don't spend much time on the station anymore. Perhaps they are picking up a fresh pool of sportstalk fanatics, but that pool is now splitting time between two stations. I'll tune into the Fan when the Wizards are playing, but otherwise, as others have said, its off the pre-sets now. I miss Mike O'Meara and the crew, I miss Oscar and Drab bringing the best out of Chad. (8/14/09) Dave does a bang-up job covering local radio. My critique over the years has been that the front-page news, and more so the Mailbag items (which Dave doesn't write; his readers do) were way too often about WJFK. To see Dave blasted for having a role in "taking down" the station is absurd and disappointing. Dave has a source that runs that station. He's mentioned the source before. Clearly, he reports what he hears, and the source knows this and provides hints about the future of his stations. Dave labels his opinionated stuff "rants" but also takes liberties to editorialize in other posts, or in Mailbag responses. That's the way it is on this site. It's his site, and he runs it well. To blame him for the sorry state of D.C. radio is way off base. Christian (8/14/09) Dave's response: If only I had the power to "take down" stations, the DC radio would be a helluva lot better than it is today..... From your RANT: " Looks like new sports talker WJFK, 106.7 The Fan, could have an afternoon drive disaster on its hands. For some strange reason, JFK's audience has always been very vocal here on DCRTV." Why, if the station as a whole had a very vocal crowd, do you then think it is the afternoon show that is the disaster? the Junks are the same so if anyone was to comment about them before we would have to assume they would now. The mid-day show is atrocious with a host that seems on the verge of sleep the whole day and who actually said ON THE AIR that he was surprised doing a radio show was so hard because he thought it would be easy to talk all day. And you decide that it is the afternoon show that will bring the sports talker to it's knees? How about no one is listening to the whole station after the Junkies get off the air? Why would we listen all day in a one-sport town? Let the whole experiment die and bring back Big O and Dukes for some entertaining radio. (8/14/09) FROM THE RANT: "The problem that TEM has is signal, signal, signal! All three suck. Two FM rimshots and a grunky old AMer, with crummy night coverage. Until WTEM can find an inside-the-Beltway FMer, it'll be at a disadvantage in its war with JFK." ------ Again, I say that WJFK has a worse signal than WTEM in large parts of Maryland, including College Park. I expect these stations to remain mired in 18th-20th place as they spend seemingly endless hours of coverage on the mediocre Redskins and their exhibition season. I can't believe I actually missed Mike and Mike today! Is it like this in other cities these days? I don't recall such an obsession with one team in the 1980s when I lived in the S.F. Bay Area and the 49ers and Raiders won the Super Bowl 6 times in 10 years. (8/14/09) Johnny Dark: I wanted to thank you for sharing that very cool story about meeting Les Paul. Every fan that jammed to Cerphe's Saturday Night Rock Block Partys on the old WCXR and for every fan of every Beatles, Stones, etc. song [even the ones that tested your patience] owe a HUGE thanks to Mr. Paul and what he gave to Rock and Roll. God bless you, Les and thank you! Paul (8/14/09) "I'm eager to listen to an unbiased all-sports station, and LaVar sounds like a fun guy to hang with, but I couldn't listen to him for more than 5 minutes before changing the station. He's a radio amateur and sounds like one. Cliche and cliche, inanity followed with more inanity. Totally unlistenable. He drags the whole show down with him. I haven't been back." Agree completely. Chad does his best to keep things moving, but LaVar does not have enough radio experience to make the show compelling. Maybe bring Drab into the studio more often, and increase the time between commercial breaks. ~slaw (8/14/09) Dave's response: How about Big O, Dukes, and Lavar? Hmmm..... Regarding Maynard on the Ed Norris Show: Maynard is managing Ray Lewis' Full Moon Bar-B-Que with Ray's half brother Keon Lattimore ( ex Terps player) cooking the ribs back in the kitchen. Maynard was quoted as saying "I love radio, but I love them ribs even more". Look for an announcement soon from Ed and stop by for some ribs when you get a chance. (8/14/09) For as long as DCRTV existed, it has suckled at the teet of WJFK, enjoying the attention and controversy it attracted to spill over on the site. And while it may be unfair to lay the blame here or say you were actually responsible in the demise of MOMS and the format change for 106.7, there is an undeniable perception from the majority of the visitors (who are mostly casual readers) that DCRTV was a cheerleader - especially considering that every post is moderated before hand, and there-for every cheap shot that these shows, in their various incarnations had, was cleared by you, and secondly the occasional passive aggressive editorizing, including the frequent use of unflattering pictures to make a dumb point - that radio people are fat? Yeah - shocking. Anyway, much as it appeared that you (at one time) wanted WHFS to go away and got what you wanted (and now want it back), now it should not be surprised that the same can be perceived with the awful switch at WJFK. It's playing both sides like in pro wrestling. In any event, I am not listening to that staiton anymore - for the first time in 17 years, it is off all presets, and I don't miss it. As a result, I find I care a lot less about a local media that is too much dominated by corporate nincompoops too care, and I've been coming here a lot less as a result. My passions have switched, and this website has become too predictable in what news it covers, what stands you make in the "Rants", and what letters we will find in the "mailbag." If DCRTV spent a third of the time they use obsessing about ratings, the Redskins, or fretting that the Washington Post didn't give them a proper "scoop," and instead sought out pockets of creativity that do exist in the region, whether it be on college campuses or on low wat stations, or emerging from the underground (which was something you toyed with at one time, with that Craig Coleman guy), but even that was , I might get more excited. The bottom line is a true local radio show was snuffed out - people encouraged it on here unfiltered - its replacement sucks - the replacement station sucks - I don't give a shit about either, and it looks like I'm not alone - and aside from the 5 minutes to blurt this out, don't really care to see the same bullshit on here. Dave, nut up and own this - DCRTV had a (small) part in bringing down one of the first true guy talk "superstations." Congrats - that's something to be proud about. (8/14/09) Dave's response: Don? More "blame the messenger" shit. How about reading my 7/31/08 Rant, where I called JFK the best talker in the DC radio market..... 1) Today I was reminded of just how cool & awesome WMAL's Bryan Nehman is. At 8:45, Grandy & Andy had a gentleman by the name of Jason Reed (Washington Post sports reporter) on, discussing the Ravens-Redskins game of last night and Michael Vick playing for the Eagles, and Bryan was just spitting out the questions one-by-one - Boom! Boom! Boom! - without hesitation and knowing exactly what he was talking about. The conversation was even interesting to me, a suburban mom with no interest whatsoever in the NFL. Fans of the show do tend to forget that Bryan is a very good sportscaster/reporter. 2) Mika Brzezinski of the Joe Scarborough Show was offered $10G today (for charity) by the owner of Scores to do some pole dancing/striptease, even though the owner told her that the dancing would not be taped. Don't Do It, Mika! There's always a cell phone camera lurking somewhere! Happy Weekend, -Silvie- (8/14/09) Dave's response: WMAL's a pretty good locally-based talker from 5 AM to 10 AM. Shame it isn't that way 24/7, or at least most of the time. At the very least, WMAL seriously needs a locally-based afternoon drive show. And a move to 105.9..... I for one think the afternoon show on JFK is the worst. I like the Junkies and Mike Wise but the afternoon drive I now put in a CD Bob (8/14/09) Mr. Dave - Your front page article about JFK's afternoon is really "out there". Just because you're not hearing any response MUST mean that it's going to get bad ratings. There were constant bitching in the Mailbag about the shitty show MO'M was doing and he still got "okay" ratings. So if you hear "no word" must mean it's going to get bad ratings. What if people aren't bitching because they like it? Also, I've noticed no one mentioned the damn good ratings JFK received in the month of July. MO'M was on vacation 2 weeks during that book. BOAD and the Junkies were also on vacation a week for that book. And it still did damn good. (8/14/09) Dave's response: Who knows? I could be wrong. It's happened once or twice before. I think. Look, even if JFK's afternoon ratings temporarily tank, the show's costing CBS a lot less than before..... Dave, you cheered on the demise of WJFK, the station that drove most of your traffic. The sports radio audience that is listening to the new WJFK isn't going to be any more likely to rabidly post in your mailbag than the audience for WTEM has been. And that has nothing to do with ratings. WASH is a good indication of that. It's not like the DCRTV mailbag has ever reflected the Arbitron ratings in any way. (8/14/09) Dave's response: I did not "cheer on" the demise of WJFK. I broke the news late last year that there were strong intentions at CBS to flip the format, and then I followed through with all the news and rumor incarnations since then. I have long maintained that a well-programmed and good-signalled FMer with a sports talk format could do well in the DC market. It's still up for debate as to whether JFK is either. One thing is for certain - JFK will get tweaked as the PPM numbers start pouring in for the new format..... I believe if Doreen doesn't return, it won't be for contractual reasons. As has been said before, she has taken the summer off for personal reasons. As for Vance, considering it appears that he's been absent for medical reasons, I would think that would be his reason for not returning, not contractual issues. (8/14/09) "PM Drive Disaster For JFK?" So we are now into the second month of the JFK rebranding. The problem I find in this version of local "meatball" sports radio is that it lacks perspective. How many segments do we need to discuss "who's on the hot seat" Is it Zorn, Campbell, Cerrato? WHO CARES! Yes, it's uncensored and unbiased, but we now know what Lavar's biases are, defending the likes of Crabbtree (picked 10th in the draft but expects to be paid as a top 3 pick), Stallworth (who chugged Vodka and killed a guy) or Vick. So predictable. As much as I hate to admit it, I find WTEM has more information and better guests than JFK. The airwaves are already getting stale in Fairfax and having another 8-8 season for the football team they are squarely focusing all their attention to will not help ratings. JFK is spending way too much time talking about nothing. Is this what the suits envisioned? It's over-saturated. I'd like to see a better mix of local and regional/national coverage, and more balance overall. It could be the difference between 2 hour shows at TEM and 4 hour shows at JFK. Unless it's after October and the local football team is actually competing for something, it's unjustified all the "coverage" that is bestowed on one team. (8/14/09) The steaming of WCTN has stopped. Off air still there. Charlie Wilson / Springfield (8/14/09) JFK's afternoon drive is terrible. I was a fan of D&M, MOMS, and BO&D so maybe you think I am biased but I am not. The new afternoon show is terrible. I used to listen via the web and had trouble getting it to play properly online since the switch? I finally got tired of launching the player, nothing for 4 hours, and then it finally plays the junks at 1PM instead of what is live on the radio. I started listening to "Sports Talk" on other stations around the country. I have come to a conclusion why some shows are syndicated and some shows are only heard on local stations. Syndicated shows are entertaining and the content is interesting to a broad group of listeners. Local shows fall into two categories. 1) Their content is only interesting to the local audience. 2) They suck but are hoping to attract an audience with a big local name celebrity without broadcasting skills The afternoon drive time show is category 2. It is unlistenable. Chad is doing his best but the show is like overhearing someone speak on a cell phone. You are only getting half of a conversation and after a few minutes of being forced to listen to it, you find yourself angry about being forced to hear it. Unlike the cell phone scenario, you can just change the station and that is what everyone is doing. I would have preferred the old staff try to do a sports show with their lack of sports knowledge and grow the knowledge. They had radio skills. Now the shows excel in sports knowledge but the chemistry and radio skills are like listening to nails on a chalkboard. I now listen to Sirius in the car and nationally syndicated sports shows via the internet at work. As a 44 year old male, I fall into the demographics I think they desire. They lost me. Rawthang (8/14/09) You might be right about the 'JFK afternoon show, if my experience is any guide. I'm eager to listen to an unbiased all-sports station, and LaVar sounds like a fun guy to hang with, but I couldn't listen to him for more than 5 minutes before changing the station. He's a radio amateur and sounds like one. Cliche and cliche, inanity followed with more inanity. Totally unlistenable. He drags the whole show down with him. I haven't been back. The guy who's on after them (I don't know his name) was someone I enjoyed hearing and I plan to catch his show again when I can. Is it me or is DC afternoon drive time lacking anyone with gravitas? Isn't it just ripe for something major, professional and commanding to come in and sweep it up? – Jamesonian (8/14/09) I first met Les Paul and Mary Ford while working at my first radio gig in 1954. Without a doubt, two of the nicest people I've ever met. After their on-air interview, Mary got a tour of the station, Les sat down and had coffee with Sal Fulchino, our chief engineer. After they left, I asked Sal if he enjoyed his time with Les. He said "Most of what he was talking about was way over my head.".....I finally got to be on stage with Les and Mary at the DC Auto Show in 1959. Without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite gigs. Les was brilliant but just as down home as anyone I've ever met. I lost one of my idols yesterday. I'm sure many feel the same way.....Johnny Dark (8/14/09) Um, Dave, I think you might be spending too much time swimming in Lake "Me." You think your mailbag is a direct correlation to ratings or commercial success (remember, in this day and age the two are different)? I imagine you going around saying "I love me some me!" like Terrell Owens. The reason JFK's listeners have been so active over the past year is because you have spent every day spreading new rumors about the station. And by the way, I challenge you to find anyone who knows anything about Joe Theisman other than the fact that he was once a quarterback. He is a great football guy, but he isn't engaging for other reasons. And isn't everyone saying JFK's problem is they don't talk enough sports? Make up your mind; either JFK's format of "sports-plus" is good or it isn't. I think you just have such a homo-erotic attraction to Donny G that you want to see JFK fail (even though Donny G left on his own). (8/14/09) Dave's response: I will admit that I have never ever ever ever ever had even the slightest sexual attraction to either Don and/or Mike. They're both quite fat and rather revolting physically and emotionally. That's not to say that they're not quite talented when it comes to the radio biz..... I agree with the comment about 4's picture quality of last night's game, horrible to say the least. I just watched for a minute there. But CSN HD on Directv looked good to me. No complaint's there. BC (8/14/09) 1160 WMET was locked into its brokered programming yesterday, so they couldn't do any kind of tribute to Les Paul until the Music of Your Life (MOYL) kicked in later on. But I don't understand why 950 WCTN couldn't cut a few liners and reset their automation to do a Les Paul tune 1x or 2x/hour. Every MOYL station in the world pulled out the stops when Sinatra and Sammy Davis died. And while WCTN isn't a MOYL affiliate, they are the default station in DC that should be keeping an eye on old-line singers and musicians. Very disappointing performance. (8/14/09) Dave's response: I'm starting to see WMET showing up in the weekly PPMs. You know, WMET's got a great daytime signal. If it launched a full-blown nostalgic/big band format and promoted it a bit, I bet it could get some real ratings. Maybe even beat talker WTNT for the third-most listened to Anglo AMer in the DC market..... What's the deal with WRC/4? Only local station not broadcasting local news in HD, last night's Redskin's game not broadcast in HD? You would think NBC would throw some money their way for the upgrade. Or will they wait for the new's to slip to last place in the rating's to make the move? Are we sure Vance and Gentzler will return? NBC seem's to be holding out every last penny they can get away with. BC (8/14/09) Dave's response: While WRC-TV cannot produce its own HD programming because it's owned by the cheap NBC, the Redskins game was in HD last night. It seems that it was a marketing decision by Comcast SportsNet to "reserve" the HD version of the game for itself. If it was provided to WRC in HD, 4 certainly could have aired it in HD..... This is local but not too much media related but interesting... weblogs.baltimoresun.com... Yes, Bruce Springsteen, who wrote about having a wife and kids in Baltimore in the hit song "Hungry Heart" is actually, for the very first time, going to headline a show in Baltimore. Strangely, he's never ever done this before! Supposedly, he opened for Chicago in 1973 at The Baltimore Civic Center (which is still Baltimore's only arena and the last standing in current use of any major Top 25 city), but Springsteen has never headlined a show in Baltimore ever. (8/14/09) Anybody else noticing the poor picture quality either in HD or normal broadcast...or is just me out in the sticks? I started the evening at the inlaws with DirecTV...channel 4 looked like an old timey sat feed during the olympics from some foreign country. All the action looked like there was vasoline smeared on the lense and the action is sluggish - like the players are shuffling their feet...Got home, on comcast cable, the network affiliates in Low-D were all the same way - NBC4, WSLS out of Roanoke and WVIR out of Charlottesville. Flipped over to the CSN HD and while the picture is HD clear - the action jerks along like video on a computer with a poor video card - lots of jerking motions? (8/14/09) Maynard on the Ed Norris Show - Is something up there? He was mysteriously late on Tues w/ no explanation, from the sound of it, even to his mates on the show. Had a sub since, saying he's got the day off, but there's also been throw away comments that kinda make it sound like he's not coming back. I heard a rumor that his Facebook account was disabled. (8/14/09) "It's a shame and very frustrating that the big radio corporations won't put lefty talkers on stations with strong signals." then turn on any of the major networks, most of the cable networks, NPR, dozens of prominent blogs, or open a major newspaper and you'll find lefty opinion. obama knows it's not hard to find. (8/14/09) I didn't know if this was of any importance to you but I figured I would send it anyway: "Super Bowl winning coach and Fox NFL analyst Brian Bilick will be co-hosting New School with Shan Shariff live today from Cambridge, MD on Delmarva's ESPN Radio 1240. The show will air 4-7pm from Portside Seafood Restaurant (201 Trenton Street) in Cambridge, MD. Fans are encouraged to come out for food, drinks and all the pigskin talk they can handle. Thank you, Shan Shariff, Delmarva's ESPN Radio 1240 (8/14/09) /\ August 14 Messages /\ \/ August 13 Messages \/ Les Paul demonstrates his magic black box - The Les Paulverizer, in this YouTube video from the late 1980s www.youtube.com (8/13/09) Poor Snyderville, no one in the Washington market who doesn't have a Digital Cable box or Dish or DirecTV will get to see the Deadskins in 1080i HD during pre-season! Waaaaaah. Although if you have access to WBAL TV or live near Baltimore, they are running the game in HD, but obviously w/ Bmore-slanted coverage, hehe. Of course the little man Dannyboy gets much more TV rights money for himself than the Ravens do, go figure. Maybe he's spending all that extra money to keep Johnny Rockets and Six Flags from going out of business instead of investing in HD? I bet everyone up in Philly is getting to see the IGGLES in HD. Oh, Don't forget to send your cards and letters to Comcast, Philadelphia, PA. Hello salt, meet wound, HAHA! (8/13/09) (WBAL radio's) John Patti did a nice feature with Les Paul the end of 2008. It's worthy of a link. wbal.com (8/13/09) Les Paul was a genius, a guitar monster and truly, a legend in his own time. His partner and wife, Mary Ford, had more voices than achoir of angels (and just as sweet), and Les had more magic fingers than a coin-operated motel bed. His contributions to pop music and recording techniques laid a solid and lasting foundation for every rock and pop artist ever since. RIP, Wizard of Waukesha (8/13/09) Wonder if Marion Barry knows that if he mentions Chris Core's name the next time he buys cocaine, he'll save 15% off the purchase price. (8/13/09) A Funky Commercial Highlighing The Station's News Team. 1976 WJLA... (8/13/09) Re: "WOR's #@!&*% HD hash"..... the www.wgnradio.com link will get you a clean live broadcast if you have DSL or better,,,,,? on dialup. (8/13/09) Psst: Shakeyerboobs. Make of that what you will. Meanwhile, Mancow does a pretty good show at 10pm on WTNT. How anyone could listen to it in the morning, though, is beyond me. Remember Big O & Dukes? That was a good show. I liked the Mike O'Meara Show too. Are the Junkies still on? I sure miss Dr. Drew. --- ThePenIsMightier (8/13/09) Did you hear Eric Bickell of the Junkies reference your Mailbag this morning? He called in (being on vacation this week) and read one of the posts from yesterday about the Junkies awful interview with the Sea Captain from Whale Watchers. It was the post from Aug 12 that called the Junkies “totally sheltered, pampered, rich, suburban, numbnut, adolescent sun dress silly boys”. He thought it was hilarious, and said he saw it in “one of those website Mailbags”. (8/13/09) Dave's response: Kewl..... NO HD on channel 4 It's two zero zero nine, if they can't show it in HD they shouldn't be awarded the rights. Local 4 is becoming a joke, this and the crap ass website with the pediatric reporters. (8/13/09) After watching the HBO documentary "The Nine Lives Of Marion Barry" last night, I couldn't help but wonder why anyone devoted 78 minutes to attempting to prove that DC's "Mayor For Life" is little more that a substance abusing, womanizing, corrupt scumbag. Didn't everyone already know that except for his brain dead constituents who have been in terminal denial for years, and continue to re-elect him to public office? (8/13/09) Dave's response: The post below will be of special interest to you! WDCW-TV will air the conclusion of the two part "Weekend News with Chris Core"� exclusive interview with the former mayor of Washington DC Marion Barry. Part 2 will broadcast on Saturday, August 15 at 6:30PM (repeat Sunday, August 16 at 10AM). During part two of this DC50 interview with Core, Marion Barry discusses his childhood and the struggles he faced growing up poor in the segregated south. He also gives his view of challenges in the Ward 8 community and the successes he's been able to achieve for the Ward 8 residents. Chris Core also sits down with WTOP political analyst Mark Plotkin and talks about Barry's political achievements in winning 10 out of the 11 elections he ran. Plotkin also gives his opinion on whether or not Barry was targeted in the infamous Vista Hotel drug bust. (8/13/09) I didn’t realize Mark Turcotte was director of sales at Centennial, but I want to congratulate him on his promotion to market manager. I’ve known Mark for years from his radio time here in Atlanta, and he’s one of the good guys. Roddy Freeman (8/13/09) Al McGilvray is right. Although C Francis Jenkins had targeted the night of Monday, July 2, 1928 for the first "broadcast of movies by radio" over station W3XK on Connecticut Avenue, the actual debut presentation was delayed by 96 hours until Friday, July 6th. The evidence can be found at DCMemories.com... (8/13/09) America's first TV station was W2XB in Schenectady NY (now WRGB). It was on the air in January 1928. (8/13/09) Re: "Tune into the Steve and Johnnie show on WGN 720 @ midnight for what will probably be a fitting tribute to Les Paul by a couple who were friends with him." I hope I can even pick it up thru WOR's #@!&*% HD hash!! KOF (8/13/09) A Child Editor for Washingtonian www.portfolio.com (8/13/09) Damn Dave, Brian Bolter censorship? Yet you let all this other political argument and personal attack crap go on endlessly? The Bolter pic wasn't even embarrassing. Now, I'll admit, the Gay BDSM bondage boots pic Bolter wore to the President Obama Inaugural, yes, that would be embarrassing and the caption of course would be completely out of context. LOL But the question begs, did Brian Bolter or FOX 5 officially complain to DCRTV? (8/13/09) (It's a shame and very frustrating that the big radio corporations won't put lefty talkers on stations with strong signals. ~slaw) You are delusional if you think political bias is at work here. Big radio companies will put on content that gets good ratings: liberal, conservative, libertarian or vegetarian. Liberal hosts have been makiing progress around the country, but still draw ratings way behind many conservativbe hosts. It's about ratings performance, not big corporate conspiracy. The only bias big radio companies have is a bias towards making more money. (8/13/09) The Examiner's article re: W3XK has two factual errors. Number 1 - W3XK's inaugural broadcast was several days after it's original on-air date of July 2nd. Number 2 - the studio was at 1519 (not 1619) Conn. Ave., NW, in DuPont Crcle. The space is now occupied by the Gallery 10 art gallery. Al McGilvray (8/13/09) (As for Jim Vance absent from the newscasts, maybe he did try to come back too after his surgery..In any case, hope it's nothing serious..) Jim flew first class to Alaska Monday with some buddies on a fishing vacation. (8/13/09) For Les Paul Fans: Know this is out of market, but tune into the Steve and Johnnie show on WGN 720 @ midnight for what will probably be a fitting tribute to Les Paul by a couple who were friends with him. www.wgnradio.com (8/13/09) The Junkies beat Eliot for the first time ever in Adults 25-54!! Very strong book for the Junkies in morning drive. They held their #3 ranking in M25-54 (#2 not counting WAMU) and ticked up 5.9 to 6.3. They beat Elliot on DC101 by more than a full share (5.1) and 2 ranks, and beat WTEM 6.3 to 3.6, and 8 ranks. They were up 4.0 to 4.2 and up 9th to 8th (tied) in A25-54. DC101 had a 4.1 (10th). This is the FIRST TIME in PPM that the Junkies have beaten Elliot in Adults 25-54.... Also beat WTEM by more than 2 full shares, and 10 rankings. (8/13/09) I'm trying to listen to the Ed Schultz show on 570 am and it is difficult to get a good signal from the building I work in near Dupont Circle. I googled for the station's website www.wtntam570.com and the site does not even open up. Anyone know if they changed their url? Meanwhile, Rush comes in crystal clear on 630 am. It's a shame and very frustrating that the big radio corporations won't put lefty talkers on stations with strong signals. ~slaw (8/13/09) Holy shit Dave!! In one breath yesterday, you respond to one person telling them to sort out the good with the bad in the mailbag, then you can my post. I beg for forgiveness!!! Silly me, responding to someone about "puppie's/puppy's as female anatomy offended some of the fine upstanding citizens who read the mailbag.. Fine editorial standards!! It's a mailbag/comment section and alot tamer than some of the other shit I've read on here. BC (8/13/09) Dave's response: In almost all cases, if someone, especially the subject of the post, complains to me that it's tasteless, I will pull it. That has always been my policy..... To Paul from another Paul. You sir, are a boar, an obnoxious boar. Take your thoughts and send them where the sun don’t shine. You are an embarrassment to men. Paul (8/13/09) On the death of Les Paul - Jim Atkins (Chet's brother) once told this story to one of the guitar magazines: Les had a bootleg AM radio station in the basement of his apartment building outside of NYC back in the '40s: "The Booger Brothers Broadcasting Network" which aired live jazz late into the night, played by him and his musician buddies. He got shut down when some officials told him his "little" transmitter was putting out enough power to blow out one of the approach vectors to LaGuardia airport. He also received a near-fatal electric shock in his studio during this time. Both events sealed the fate of The Booger Brothers. Gonna miss you, Les. Thanks for the laffs and the great tunes. - Alan Peterson (8/13/09) CBS-DOES broadcast shit.—you win, CBS-“Can Broadcast SHIT”. I admire your astute observation! WOW! (8/13/09) CBS. No it's "Can't Broadcast Sh*t" (8/13/09) Dave's response: You must mean "Can't Broadcast WORTH Shit"..... Poster re: 950…..changes coming…shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! (8/13/09) WJFK is awful. Thank god they kept the Junkies intact so I have them to listen to, but the rest of the day isn't worth my time. How many times in a day (and week) can we hear about Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell and whether or not they will have a career NEXT year (let us get thru this one first!!), talking about Michael Vick and the places he may go and whether or not he should be allowed to play, and how awful Danny Snyder is as an owner. We are obviously a one sport town and there isn't enough to talk about for the sports format. I feel bad for Chad, he is a great radio talent and he is trying to make it work with Lavar but it just isn't cutting it. Mike Wise's best show was earlier this week when someone filled in for him. How long do we think they will keep this format before switching to yet another? (8/13/09) This Week's FOX 5 Brian Bolter Pic of The Week is "Bolter Drunk in New Orleans!" YAY! (I wonder if that was the same French Quarter bar FOX's Sheppard Smith was holed up in during Katrina, oops bad unintentional pun, hehe) .... (8/13/09) Dave's response: No more Bolter pics. Enough, already..... Why do all the guys in those pics from David Tate look like they would fit in perfectly in the Dupont Circle area? (8/13/09) Dave's response: You must be making a reference to the NAB, which is just south of the Circle. Sheesh..... (“Maynard on the Ed Norris Show - Is something up there? He was mysteriously late on Tues w/ no explanation, from the sound of it, even to his mates on the show.“) Maybe the suits at CBS found another bitch boy. He was a self-righteous, talentless hack anyway. Good riddance if he is gone for good. Bob in B-more (8/13/09) (Drug abuse references about a local TV personality? Snip snip snip.....) I would say it is fair for discussion as he all but brags about it: fredericksburg.com... www.washingtonpost.com... www.wusa9.com... (8/13/09) Hi Dave, Here's an item from TV Newscheck that I think is funny, the second graph states he co-created and EXECUTED the company's journalists, kinda what he did to Channel 9, seasoned journalists have been replaced with perky twitterers..... "Lane Michaelsen is joining local NBC O&O WTVJ Miami (DMA 16) as its vice president news and content. Lane fills the role left vacant when Yvette Miley was promoted to MSNBC in New York earlier this year. Michaelsen joins the station from his position as vice president of the information center at Gannett's WUSA Washington. While at WUSA, and during his tenure with Gannett Broadcasting, he had oversight of multiple stations' news operations, co-created and executed the company's journalists in the United States and England, and implemented change in the focus of all news platforms. Michaelsen began his career as a photojournalist and has won over 90 awards for excellence from the National Press Photographers Association. In addition, he has received 12 Emmy Awards, seven Edward R. Murrow Awards, Associated Press Awards from multiple states and was named Gannett Corporate Staffer of the Year in 2006. He has spent time teaching seminars for the Poynter Institute on leadership, photography, reporting, producing and teamwork. Michaelsen is a graduate of Marycrest College in Iowa." (8/13/09) America's First TV Station right here in DC www.examiner.com. (8/13/09) Dave's response: Please click on the above link and make Tom Buckley rich. He's gets paid something like one-millionth of a cent from examiner.com for every "click" he gets..... WAAAH! I'm ''boorish''. THAT word is going in my vocabulary. The reality is that (a certain local TV traffic woman) is a (deleted) trying to (deleted) up her image and it's cheap and tacky looking even by Fox standards. Is it just me or am I correct in thinking any person who went to Best Buy thinking a HUGE TV is 9.99 is a fucking moron? Paul (8/13/09) Dave's response: Trashed three posts from yesterday, including one from "Paul," due to complaints that they were sexist. Stop it, ya' hear me! Re: Radio reporters: what digital recorders are you taking out in the field these days that you would recommend for interviews?" Look at this photo slideshow wamu.org from a series recently on WAMU about visiting Metro accessible parks. A few of the photos show host David Furst with his setup, which looks surprisingly simple, compared with the quality it produces for his program Metro Connection. Send him an email at the station. Robert, Arlington (8/13/09) Dave, I saw your comemnt that we could use the zoom feature to reduce the clutter ona the WUSA show. First of all that only reduces some of the clutter. it does not eliminate it. And second believe it or not some folks still have SD sets and even at 27 or 35 inches they have a hard tiem seeing what is going on. the clutter on WUSA's early morning show consumes at least 40% of the usable screen. interstingly enough before the change to this screen they had actaully tried to take advantage of the HD screen in many ways but now all this is lost. So sorry i for one think that using the Zoom feature is not really an adequate remedy. (8/13/09) Dave's response: I agree that the "zoom" feature is not perfect, but it's better than nothing for "screen clutter overload"..... Are loyal DCRTV fans allowed to still allowed make comments in the Mailbag section? After some of the crybaby comments of late (particularly about poor Kim The Ridiculous Dye Job Lurch), we have reason to wonder. Okay, so here it goes: Regarding the Junks who are exactly what the Mailbagger described them as (have you ever heard such vacuous show’s hosts bitch & moan about their own lives since the douche bag they replaced, Howard Stern?), the real point of their dismal interview of the idiot “Sea Sheppard Captain” was that they never questioned why he is any different committing crimes (such as throwing bombs on ships) at sea for a “cause” he believes in than say, a “pro-lifer” committing crimes against women seeking abortions? I mean: what’s the difference between one zealot and the other? None. At least the French know how to deal with these “Greenpeace” type creeps (just “Wiki “as the lazy & lame Jason Bishop and others on the show are only capable of doing “Greenpeace and French police” and you will see what I mean). Because all three that morning, as their “Producer” said, are such lazy fatsos, they never bothered. Lurch Bishop is right: they should stick to their new moniker: sports, which they barely know... Enough said. (8/13/09) Dave's response: Drug abuse references about a local TV personality? Snip snip snip..... After a great amount of thought I’ve figured it out…..CBS- “Can’t Broadcast Successfully”…..LMAO-WOW (8/13/09) Had dinner with a radio friend last night and he told me about 950 AM. I thought it was a not hear-able Christian format but he said that the filler music for when they can't sell ads or infomercials is pretty good standards mix. Now, I'm 57 and love rock&roll but this is a nice mix of a calmer period of my life. The reception is iffy in the DC area but they do stream and I'm now listening at work using WunderRadio app for iphone. I like the liners. 60 minutes guaranteed every hour. (8/13/09) As for Jim Vance absent from the newscasts, maybe he did try to come back too after his surgery..In any case, hope it's nothing serious.. (8/13/09) Tom Snyder - Thanks for the inside peek at the machinations that drove the CC sales force to resignation. But I admit to still being flummoxed -- much of what you said reads on a philosophical level: "damning the best interest of the listener and the people that remain", and "tearing apart much of what they built based on confidence, creativity and a basic belief in talented, dedicated people". I have never left a job because I perceived the station wasn't doing everything it could for the listener, nor because they fired someone I thought was talented. I really do accept everything you are saying is true Tom, but I just can't understand what is happening on a *personal* human-to-human level that is discouraging so many. Are accounts being 'stolen' from hard working AEs and being handed off to out-of-market corporate dunderheads? Are commissions being chopped or is pay being withheld? Are AEs paying for their own gas and computers or being charged rent for the very desks they are manning? If I were to ask a recently-departed employee specifically why they left, I doubt they'd say "they tore apart too much of what they built." What is really going on over there? (8/13/09) Nice to see those photos of David Tate. I remember his great work from Crimmins Lane "back-in-the-day." Tyrone (8/13/09) Maynard on the Ed Norris Show - Is something up there? He was mysteriously late on Tues w/ no explanation, from the sound of it, even to his mates on the show. Had a sub since, saying he's got the day off, but there's also been throw away comments that kinda make it sound like he's not coming back. (8/13/09) Dear Dave: Your mailbag readers who blog about 1970s Top 40 radio in DC/Baltimore might get a kick out of this: Tonight, I got the chance to reunite with two of my favorite fellow broadcasters from back-in-the day, when we worked together at WLPL-FM, Baltimore, MD in 1978-1980. We met this evening at Houston's Restaurant near my home in Dallas. They are: 1. Rob Sidney, who was just 15 years old when he joined WLPL. Today, Rob is the PD of the number one station in Miami, WLYF-FM. Rob came to Dallas to get some jingles cut at TM Productions. 2. Ralph Rhoades (aka "JJ Marshall") one of the best PM Drive jocks in Top 40 radio at the time. He came to us from WTLB, Utica and he was just awesome on WLPL afternoons. It was a real pleasure to visit with these great broadasters again after 30 years to reminisce about WLPL and Baltimore, how difficult the conditions where there, sometimes, all the great other young men and women we worked with and, of course, how our main competitor, 98 Rock, made our lives a living hell each day (thanks to that evil genius, but otherwise delightful, 98 Rock PD, Denise Oliver). In the 1970s, WLPL's programming inspiration came from UBC VP/Programming Bill Parris, who was awarded as Billboard Magazine's most influential Top 40 PD for his work at WLPL, and Rob and Ralph were two of the guys who helped Mr. Parris carry-on to make WLPL such a well-respected pop music station during that era. Anyway, a great time was had by all. If you know these guys, the photos show how they look today, now that they've finally grown-up. Best regards, david tate (8/13/09) Having gone through the bypass operation in our household recently, I can understand Detour Dave being a little out of it after surgery. But, it's all up hill from here. In a few short weeks, you'll be enjoying the Ravens on the tube or maybe in person. Enjoy and our best for a speedy recovery. (8/13/09) Fox5 News until 10am, sounds like they're going to get rid of dead weight and ditz from 9am. (8/13/09) (I've been in this game for a coupla decades now, and as bad as things got everywhere I've been, I have never seen such a defection.) As it is told - It began to deteriorate about three and a half years ago once the original management team departed. It was they - specifically Bennett Zeir, Jeff Wyatt and Jim Zagami - who kept the place focused, motivated and essentially "protected" from the CC behemoth for the 5 years or so after CC absorbed AM/FM. Once those three got a sense of what was coming they built another opportunity and regretfully resigned (or at least Wyatt and Zier did - they founded Red Zebra - oops.). What was coming was a massive overhaul that began with tearing apart much of what they built based on confidence, creativity and a basic belief in talented, dedicated people. Then, it picked up speed and things have gone from bad to worse after the overpayment on stations to build CC and the subsequent deterioration of values since 2007. And from "worse to worser" with the Bain Capital purchase which has really forced corporate to double down on the "cut our way to profit" while damning the best interest of the listener and the people that remain. Not unlike most of big corporate radio as it's all unfolded maybe, but this can be noted - like "Less is More", CC was "first" in this too. I've been outa there for two years now. It's a shame. It was a good family as much as a business can be. "There, i've said it." - Tom Snyder (8/13/09) /\ August 13 Messages /\ \/ August 12 Messages \/ What exactly (or at least generally) is happening behind the scenes at CC Sales that would cause such a mass departure? Forced to work for zero pay? 80-hour weeks? Coffee made from puppy tinkle? I've been in this game for a coupla decades now, and as bad as things got everywhere I've been, I have never seen such a defection. "Morale sucks!" ... well, yeah, it's radio. When doesn't morale suck? So really, what is going on? Anybody? (8/12/09) Looking at the most recent PPM's from last week, i notice that DC101 took a huge dive down. Surprise, surprise! Every damn time i turn that station on it's either New Divide by Linkin Park, or The Pretender by Foo Fighters. Actually, i checked in to DC101 this afternoon somewhere around 2:30 to 3, and it is The Pretender, and checking in right now at 8:05, its The Fucking Pretender AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! ive talked to many of my friends who listen or used to listen to DC101, and they all have switched to 98 Rock because of the awfully unlistenable tight playlist at DC101, but WIYY doesnt come in so well in the Manassas area unless you have a very good stereo in your car. MAYBE it would be a smart move by CB$ to kill Fresh FM and bring back HFS (on 94.7 or 99.1), which probably would motivate Cheap Channel to take DC101 and turn it back into a real rock station, keep Elliot (the only thing i do listen to on DC101 anyway), and add the 80s hair bands, and mix in more heavy classic rock into the rotation so us rock fans dont need to keep struggling to pull in WIYY. Heres another idea, CB$, take El Zol off of 99.1, move it to 106..7, and then take the fan from 106.7 to 94.7, and slap the WJFK calls on that sucker, and get the hell rid of the slop known as Fresh FM. And as i before said, resurect HFS on 99.1. Anyway, i also noticed the news item about Bonneville being interested in WJZW and WRQX. As much as i like the True Oldies format on 105.9, we either need to get locals on that station, or just change the format entirely. If CC wont do anything to DC101, why shouldn't Bonneville launch an active rocker there? (that is if the sale happens). If not that, maybe a Jack-FM format (resurrect George on 105.9??). Anyways, if local radio continues to be the way it is currently, i will be either listening to my iPod or 106.9 The Eagle. Peace... (8/12/09) Amazing Junkies interview with Sea Sheperd Captain Paul Watson this morning. These totally sheltered, pampered, rich, suburban, numbnut, adolescent sun dress silly boys squatted on the interview. 'Your Boy' Cakes was the worst who again exposed himself as a moronic lazy assed embarrassment (by the way 'in the box' is generally translated as 'dumb assed'). Who cares about show preparation. This interview demonstrated the sad arrogant birdbrained adolescence these overpaid clowns laugh up daily. A few weeks past, O and D interviewed this same guest and it was compelling and interesting. Different story with these squat pants little boys. (8/12/09) What's up with Jim Vance missing in action?..Came back for a minute and then just disappeared.. (8/12/09) Dave's response: DCRTV did report back in June that Jim had surgery for a medical condition. WRC has been tight-lipped on the matter..... (regarding Dave’s response) “ You can always use the picture "zoom" function on your digital TV or cable box to visually remove some of the "clutter" from the edges of the screen”. Believe it or not, there actually was a similar feature on some of Zenith's Chromacolor and later System 3 lines of sets from the late 70s. It allowed for the image being displayed on the TV screen to be zoomed into, by overscanning the raster of the CRT so that the middle of the image would be displayed. (8/12/09) Sigh.. I see "Paul" is at it again, making disparaging comments about women's appearance. So boorish and non-gentlemanly. He must be a real joy to know. Paul, do us all a favor, keep your opinions to yourself. (8/12/09) From WDVM Washington, the third phase of the One and Only campaign, two image promos with the tagline You Make Us the One. A very unique plexiglass logo for time when everyone else was using the metal look... (8/12/09) You can only crap on any support staff for so long before they decide to call it a day. I’d say many of the fine sales assistants at CC/DC contributed more than their fair share of blood, sweat and tears to the cause. Too bad traffic doesn’t gather their belongings and leave en masse as well. Unfortunately, management would just have the Baltimore traffic dept. pick up the slack.,,without a raise and without so much as a “thank you”…kinda like they did when traffic managers were consolidated at the AM’s. So let me be the one to tip my hat to ALL traffic and continuity directors at CC—thanks for the many years of hard work and dedication. (8/12/09) Re: Fox5 Expanding AM News To 10, Dropping 11 AM 'Cast ..WHY do we need five hours straight of news everyday from them?..Who will be their audience?..Haven't most people seen the news between FOX5's current news hours of 4:55 and 9:00 am ? (8/12/09) Just heard Bob Ryan talk about it raining on the Easter shore and that we in D.C. can expect showers later..Well Bob, it's raining in my neighborhood in N.W. DC..Why isn't that showing up on your Storm Center radar map?..Same thing happened a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday morning when Steve Villanueva said it was just cloudy and humid in D.C. and it was pouring down in my neighborhood.. (8/12/09) Who are the two clowns that are on WJFK after 7pm? I am never in the car at that hour but yesterday I worked late and was treated to these two guys attempting to drum up phone calls about Jordan Zimmermann's season ending surgery. They claimed that the Nationals "rushed" him to the majors too soon and he pitched too many innings. In fact he had only pitched 91 innings before his injury. Then they named three young Natioanls pitchers, also supposedly hurt and on the disabled list, when in fact the three are in the minor leagues and not injured. Its great that they were talking baseball but for God's sake at least know an ounce of what you are talking about. (8/12/09) Joe Ardinger's facebook status " is gonna go get some boxes!" Could this mean the M.O.M. Show has found a new home? Or is the elderly phone screener simply looking for a place to live? Hardy Har Har... Jim, Fairfax (8/12/09) I saw a comment about the "new" news director at WUSA going back to full screen for the morning news. as faras i know Lane Michaelsen is still there and he takes credit for the layout. I personally hate it and so does everyone who has posted in the WUSA forum (except for two employees). So while I would LOVE to hear thy are dropping it I don't see much hope. (8/12/09) Dave's response: You can always use the picture "zoom" function on your digital TV or cable box to visually remove some of the "clutter" from the edges of the screen..... This week's mass exodus of the sales assistants no longer capable of justifying their poor and disrespectful treatment by management may well be accelerated with a forthcoming crumbling of the traffic/continuity departments, along with more sales people! Hartley Adkins (aka "Heartless" at the stations) will have his hands full upon returning from vacation Monday. Still undecided will be Adkins' possible replacement by the Philly/Pittsburgh Clear Channel market manager as the cash-lean company desperately tries to stay afloat. (8/12/09) About 6 years ago I was working beside this guy at a station In the Shenandoah Valley who at the same time was also a student at the Columbia School of Broadcasting. The things the school were teaching him back in 2003, the curriculum really was the same as it was when I had went to that school and this was back during the days when WAVA still cranked out the hits.To the school it really was all about radio !!! Actually his book/tapes were the same as I had. Remembering his comments about Columbia, I have the feeling some of those in charge of the school aren't really any more different than many radio station owners and GMs, those who won't "change with the times". I hate to use the term "living in the past" but yes..thats the feeling I get. Somewhat reminds me of an interview I had seen on TV a few weeks back of some bigshot for Pepsi-Cola talking about how soda pop is going through tough times right now. However he was also going on about how he isn't really concerned about that because today's young people "in a few years" will give up drinking those so-called energy drinks like Red Bull and "re-discover" and "re-join" the Pepsi Generation. Unfortunately Pepsi didn't bring up those recent polls that were done showing that many of those under 30 who not only do NOT drink soda pop at all but many of them would like to see some sort of law that will force soda pop to be taken off the market such as what is currently being done with many cigarette brands such as Marlboro Lights for example ( doesn't their ban go into effect next month?). Yeah sounds like the kids will be coming back to Pepsi doesn't it? Anyway hopefully the Columbia School of Broadcasting has changed direction as far as their curriculum is concerned. But it they still have that "1988 attitude" when it comes to broadcasting, well the CSB is as outdated as old bread. Sad actually. (8/12/09) Radio reporters: what digital recorders are you taking out in the field these days that you would recommend for interviews? I'm looking for something that is affordable but still gives fine audio quality. And is there a lav mic you'd recommend to plug into it (wired, not wireless--I'm on a budget!)? Thanks! (8/12/09) Attached is the mp3 of the (WBCN) flip. I have scoped the songs (two of them) but anywhere they left a break, I left the break. There are a few long pauses of dead air, those are not my doing rather the doing of the station. The file is about five minutes, they played two songs after the final DJ goodbye (by Bradley Jay) and have a nice montage at the end, then it goes to static where you hear the WBMX legal ID. Enjoy! Keith (8/12/09) Dave's response: Thanks Keith. I'd love to put it up, but due to copyright issues, I'm wary of including something on DCRTV's server that is CBS's "audio property." I'd be happy to link to it elsewhere..... Re Procter And Gamble in pulling advertisements from Beck's Fox News Channel show -- that's the same Procter And Gamble that advertised, w/o any apologies on terrorist hizbulluh's al manar. At least now you know what they find offensive and what they don't [and who they see as their real enemies]. PS Procter And Gamble is nothing if not consistent: they also refuse to advertise on Dr Laura Schlessinger's show. (8/12/09) Dave, I've been reading the posts about the blood bath in the sales department over at the Evil Clear Channel. Things have to really be bad in that place for this kind of thing to happen. I've been in this business for 44 years and never heard of something like this happening anywhere in a major market. I would like to encourage all of the fine sales folks that have already left or are thinking of leaving over at 1801 Rockville Pike to please give me a call or drop me an email. I have some great opportunities for sales people in spot sales and I'm also looking for someone who can sell syndicated programming to stations. I'll also consider partners for my business. Thanks. Bill Elliott, President/CEO, 3DSJ.com. 305-230-6834 or billelliott@3DSJ.com. (8/12/09) Inside Radio is running an ad for a new Sales Dir for CC/Washington and Baltimore. One dude, nine stations. Ugh... (8/12/09) Am I the only one having problems with WTOP’s online audio stream the last couple of days? (other stations work fine on my Itunes) Just an FYI. (8/12/09) The Employment Cost Index (ECI) news release examining Changing Compensation Costs in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area: June 2009 is now available on our Web site at www.bls.gov. Total compensation costs for private industry workers increased 1.9 percent in the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va. metropolitan area for the year ended in June 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Sheila Watkins, the Bureau’s regional commissioner, noted that one year ago, Washington-Baltimore experienced an annual gain of 2.7 percent in total compensation costs. Locally, wages and salaries, the largest component of total compensation costs, advanced at a 2.5-percent pace for the 12-month period ended June 2009. Nationwide, total compensation costs rose 1.5 percent and wages and salaries, 1.6 percent over the same period. (See above link for full version of the news release.) Information on the Employment Cost Index (ECI) Program and other Bureau data are available... BLS data is also available at the state and sub-state levels... (8/12/09) "Where 'dja get the gun, John? Guess Who " Don't You Want To Rain Dance? I'm still sittin' with my next door neighbor saying... 1971 single from the Guess Who! (8/12/09) Dave's response: You're not a Glamour (Canadian spelling) Boy, are ya'? Is unlabeled "re-enactment" video always obvious? For the typical viewer, where's the line and when is it dishonest. NOVA has been a well-respected news magazine program for many years, on a par with "60 Minutes." I was disappointed in their use of unmarked re-creations, and in their use of that aviation analyst who seemed fake because his answers sounded rehearsed. It felt that it was more about him than the question asked. (8/12/09) Perhaps the "new" news director at WUSA can go back to using a full screen during the morning newscasts. The current layout is unwatchable. (8/12/09) Re: "As true experienced lovers of radio too, our mailbag comments, like today's suggestion that Sorce attempt to buy his way back on the national radio stage faster is intended as insightful and sincere." What's this "royal we" crap? Unless the mouse in your pocket is helping you to post your DCRTV Mailbag comments. And what's with the constant use of Don's legal last name to refer to him in his radio career? Do you think it gives you some sort of power over him? Get over it, man. Don has made no secret of his legal name for roughly 20 years. It's not exactly cutting edge to call him "Sorce"! You're just a freakin' listener. ONE listener. (8/12/09) Re: "What’s up at WMAL? The Bill Cunningham Show was missing this past Sunday night, one week after his interview with Michelle Malkin detailing Mrs. Obama’s Chicago employment/salary issues." I just love how typical talk radio listeners play the "THEY SILENCED HIM BECAUSE HE WAS ON A FORBIDDEN TOPIC" card. What, did the President pick up the phone and exert his massive power over WMAL by forcing them to dump one syndicated right-wing show vs. another? (8/12/09) Dave interesting you also were watching that NOVA show last night on the 1977 KLM/Pan AM crash. It was a good narrative, and despite John Nance being a fraud, the survivor interviews were good. What do you think of all the re-enactment video? Not a bit of it was marked as bogus, and it was mixed with real photos and real footage. How long before local TV news starts doing that too when they can't (or won't) go shoot some video. (8/12/09) Dave's response: You're right. A lot of those shows use unlabeled "re-enactment" video. For example, "Locked Up Abroad" always uses someone who looks like the subject for their obviously re-enacted scenes..... A forward-thinking broadcasting school can survive and even thrive today if they minimized - but not eliminated - the radio curriculum and placed emphasis on video production and on-camera performance, computer graphics creation and how to properly write for news vs. advertising vs. documentary style. For the radio side of things, devote a few intensive lessons to audio production, storytelling and interviewing skills, streaming audio and legal matters in the Internet Age, and totally lose the one-week lessons on how to segue from a CD to a minidisc. If the Connecticut AND Columbia schools expect to survive, they have to adjust to the realities of the marketplace; especially since a student can learn more about broadcast production and practices (and save up to $9,000) by taking a year's worth of classes at a Public Access facility, or part-time classes at Montgomery College. A school that conducts the same business as when AM radio was king is destined for doom. (8/12/09) Dave's response: What's changing is simply the method of delivery - using old-fashioned analog radio to reach people. But the skills of "technical show production" that CSB teaches will still be needed in this new era of podcasts and internet delivery..... Truthfully, Mr. Hughes, I'm at the point where having two or three posts a day as opposed to gratuitous mailbag crap is exactly what I want. It's your site and you can do what you want with it but the sexist and other assorted garbage erodes at your site's credibility every time it is posted. There are fair criticisms that can and should be made here about Kim Martucci and everyone else in the local media. The nonsense isn't necessary. Everett W. (8/12/09) Dave's response: I believe in freedom of speech. My philosophy as "Mailbag moderator" is to generally post most of what I get and let "you" decide what's worth reading and what's not. I do trash stuff that definitely goes "over the line." But comparing Ms. Martucci to "Lurch" is kind of silly and stupid, not terribly hurtful. Not like those psychotic comparisons of our multi-racial president to Hitler like you hear on WMAL and Rupert Murdoch's Fox News. Now THAT'S tasteless..... Recycling news content as a new way to cut costs? Hardly. PBS has been doing it for years. Look how many times a show, which is usually numerous episodes, repeats within a week, a month, a year. The excuse used to be that shows were repeated for the school year and each year there are new kids in whatever grade. Yeah, whatever. The reality is that to compete with the 'new' media of on-line content, news programs do need to repeat content so as to make it available for the user at their convenience. It does cut costs but it also offers better customer service. And then there is syndication, or what are aka as 're-runs'. (8/12/09) Dave's response: Just last night, PBS's "Nova" on that 1977 dual jumbo jet air crash on Tenerife was recycled from a "Seconds From Disaster" that I'd seen on the National Geographic Channel..... Hearing Frank Ski on WPGC brings back a lot of memories of when I was in college in Baltimore in the early nineties and he was on the old V103 up there in the mornings. He used to DJ a lot of the fraternity parties on the weekends. He and Donnie Simpson are a dying breed of radio DJ's that are local and bring more personality than schtick to their shows as opposed to the syndicated shows of Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey. Though the syndicated shows are entertaining, as Tony Kornheiser always says the reason he loves doing local radio is that he could talk about something that happened in Northwest DC, Rockville or Alexandria and the people listening could relate to it. For the person wondering what Chris Knoche's day job is...I believe he is a financial planner when he's not on the radio. He's mentioned it a couple times when he's been on the Sports Reporters. (8/12/09) 1) I agree that the Kim Martucci crack is asinine and stupid. Please remove that crap, Dave! 2) To the WMAL question -- it appears that Bill Cunningham has been replaced by John Batchelor on Sunday nights, and Tammy Bruce is gone from Saturday evenings, focusing entirely on her weekday daily 3-hour show. 3) A man named Anthony Sloan from DC is making big bucks in the new "Millionaire" show with Regis Philbin. He'll continue Wed. @ 8 pm on Ch. 7 - I think he's up to $4G's right now. -Silvie- (8/12/09) Dave's response: If I removed all the "crap" from the Mailbag, there'd only be two or three posts a day. Is that what you want? Wow! I didn't expect to evoke responses to my posting of WITH. I thank Gary Helton for the one of the responses. I also heard Gary's last show on WITH, and had forgotten that he cried on his last show. I also thank Bob Mathers for his repsonse as well. I really enjoyed listening to these great announcers along with Jack Edwards, Niles Seaburg, Joe Evelius and others who brought back the 50's and 60's memories on WITH in the late 90's. I'm a 70's child, and enjoyed the music that came out during that time. However, even back then I enjoyed listening to early rock and roll, which I still enjoy listening to now. I do enjoy current music, and would like to see a decent CHR station in Baltimore as was WXYV was in the early part of this decade. I'll always have a place in my heart for the good oldies, and I hope that Gary Helton and the other announcers he mentioned will be able to buy a station that will play those great memories. Ed Jones, Bel Air MD (8/12/09) I want to chime in on the credentials that Bob Mathers has to run a real Oldies operation in Baltimore. Bob Mathers first hired me way back in the day (go ahead, laugh), which I was in high school. I didn't even have a drivers license at the time, so I had to hitch rides from parents and family to do my airshift. I was quickly labeled "boy wonder." at WAMD. He believed in me...so I took that opportunity to work in his shadow, soak up everything that he showed me. From that point, I did every day part---even getting the call one day to cover for Captain Jim in the Morning! WOW! Big shoes for a 17 year old! Bob turned WAMD into a real, local station. At the launch of the format, WAMD was manned 24/7. We had BIM interns in for the overnight, and had classic Baltimore talent like Rockin' Ron Hunt, JB Brown, Joyce Conroy, Joe Evelieus (sorry I the spelling is wrong); and countless others...that I may have missed in naming, but never forgotten! That station was rocking and rolling..with 5 minute stop sets at times! We were doing remotes, record hops at the old BIG M drive in. I have the chance to meet Buddy Deane at one of those hops. Now, that was real radio! Not bad for a little 500 watt directional AMer in the middle of a cornfield in Harford County! The station was getting attention....and it deserved it! As a few years passed, I was offered the opportunity to come back and run the place, my first management position under First Broadcasting. Now, the station was automated and was a shell of its former self. But I used what Bob taught me to turn that place around, maximizing our voice track talent, feeding them content each hour to make them sound fresh. We even did contests and remotes, all while being tracked. Call it a PD taking control of the station--which is all too rare these days. For the two years that I had the helm at WAMD, we brought back the flame that Bob had lit in the late 90s. Now, it is a shame to see that flame gone. I would love to see Bob come back to the area and take a wasted signal, like WBMD, WBGR, WJFK-AM or any other in the market and work his magic again! Cudos Bob.... Steve Mann/formerly Boy Wonder (now that the voice has matured---haha! (8/12/09) Looking at the front page of DCRTV and read where the Columbia School of Broadcasting is building new studios in Vienna. I dont get it !! Nothing personal against the students and staff of CSB but what really is the purpose of the Columbia School of Broadcasting in today's world othern than to take ones money? To train future jocks and newscasters? Ok, and again nothing personal but really what are the odds of any of the current crop of students at CSB actually breaking into the radio & TV biz? Perhaps the same amount as one hitting Powerball. Hello..cutbacks !!! There are stations in a number of major markets now that only have one ( two if they are lucky ) live jocks. Small markets? Good luck finding a job there too with stations aring 12 hours of Delilah, massive amounts of Ryan Seacrest and other types of syndication. As far as newscasters goes, ah there have been some major cutbacks across the country in that department too.. Promotions? Dittos and the same applies to master control operators too. So exactly what is the purpose of having a school to train people for a job in a dying business? With that being said, I am a bit curious at exactly what the Columbia School of Broadcasting tells their students now about the current state of broadcasting? That all these cutbacks and layoffs in the broadcasting business one hears/reads about on such sites like DCRTV is only "temporary" and that all the radio stations will be back to full staff 24/7 really soon? Does the Columbia School of Broadcasting believe that the "kids" will save radio? Radio may be losing listeners now but..they will come back as the "kids" will re-discover radio and throw away their Ipods? Does the CSB really believe this? Well to that I say..when pigs fly !!! Too bad the Columbia School of Broadcasting doesn't have a conversation with rapper Pitbull and actor Seth Rogen. Both of whom are very popular among the under 30 crowd..and neither watches TV nor listen to the radio and neither is hardly alone there. Many many people under 30 "don't do TV and radio". Maybe Seth Rogan and Pitbull could talk Columbia into doing something different..say the Columbia School of Bartending. Chances are the students there would make more money and have a far better chance at finding a job (8/12/09) Obama now being drawn into the Arbitron/PPM crisis, thanks to a letter written to him by some minority broadcasters who want his "immediate" intervention. Yikes. What's next? Will the Pope get involved? The Portable PAPAL Meter? www.alltheexcess.com! (8/12/09) I saw a report on Channel 4's 5:00 news tonight (Tuesday) about a new technique for diagnosing possible stroke victims that they ran on Saturday night and again on Sunday morning. Is recycling canned reports over several days the new way to cut costs? (8/12/09) /\ August 12 Messages /\ \/ August 11 Messages \/ Frank Ski has been hosting the morning show for Donnie Simpson on WPGC. (8/11/09) What’s up at WMAL? The Bill Cunningham Show was missing this past Sunday night, one week after his interview with Michelle Malkin detailing Mrs. Obama’s Chicago employment/salary issues. And The Tammy Bruce Show was AWOL during its usual Saturday evening slot. Signed, DCRTV Fan (8/11/09) WITH... Jack Edwards... Bob Mathers... Gary Helton.... Yip Yip Yip? Yip Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy? Boing Boing Boing Boing Boing Boing Boing Boing!!! (8/11/09) Well in this day and age of worthless D.C. radio It was a pleasure to catch STASH on 98ROCK a little after 5pm chatting it up with another class act "detour Dave Sandler" from his hospital room. Best of luck to Dave and hope for a speedy recovery.Too bad all the dumbshit PD's in D.C. can't get their heads out of their asses and give us a true rock station like charm city has.....Mark/B-town.. (8/11/09) Thanks to Ed Jones, Ed Graham and John T. Henneman for the nice comments about me. To Gary Helton, I read Mr. Jones' comments and he actually is correct regarding his statement about my final show on WITH (January 31, 1997), only because it is not to be confused with THE final show overall which Gary Helton broadcast to bring the curtain down on WITH. That was Monday, June 30, 1997. By that time I was GSM for Jim McMahan up at WAMD in Aberdeen. That was a strange day for everyone as at the same time Gary was signing off the air (somebody had to man the fort), the rest of the WITH staff was at the Foxridge Restaurant at Loch Raven & Taylor hosting a 'Goodbye to WITH' party. We drew 300 people in the place on a Monday afternoon as Jack Edwards played oldies and more than a few tears were shed. Who programmed the music on WITH? It was actually the station's 55th Radio Reunion Weekend on March 30-31, 1996 which set the wheels in motion for the return of 50's and 60's music to AM 1230. Weeks after the promotion I kept pressuring owner Mark McNeil to the point that he finally allowed WITH to return to its musical heritage. Jack Edwards played the first classic oldies song on WITH in almost 30 years on May 15, 1996 ('Stupid Cupid' by Connie Francis). Jack brought in music from his vast collection, carted it up, and assisted Niles with what to play...seeing that Niles Seaberg's expertise to that point was largely in Beautiful Music (WLIF) and Adult Standards. However, the lion's share of the credit for WITH's amazing and successful renaissance goes to none other than Ed Graham. Ed came on as GM in '96 and in short order instituted new format clocks, tightened up the music, produced great sounding spots, and hired Moon Man, J.B. Brown, and Sam Beasley to On-Air and Sales slots on the station. Gary and I were indeed blessed to be part of a one-of-a-kind experience. Thanks for remembering Ed Jones, and indeed many of us feel a WITH Tribute Page is long overdue. - Bob Mathers (8/11/09) Detour Dave Sandler on Facebook - Dave is set for bypass at 12 today. His prayers and well wishes from everyone means alot to the whole family. Thanks, we will keep you posted. (8/11/09) "Where 'dja get the gun, John? Guess Who " Don't You Want To Rain Dance? (8/11/09) “Freedom of speech allows you to brand yourself a bigot. It also allows us to understand the depth of your stupidity.” (Redacted): response: Hey, freedom of speech isn't always pretty..... (8/11/09) Where 'dja get the gun, John? Guess Who (8/11/09) Dave's response: Albert Flasher? To the person who wrote: "Somehow: I don’t see you on Martin Luther King Avenue cry babying about ALL OF THOSE GUNS your Obama loving natives have." Freedom of speech allows you to brand yourself a bigot. It also allows us to understand the depth of your stupidity. Ed Graham (8/11/09) (“At 5:08AM on WMAL Fred Grandy made fun sarcasm that someone brought a gun to a Congressional forum.”) Ohhhh: John a “gun”, how frightening to a person like you! Hey John/Dave: would that person Fred mentioned be one of the four COPS WITH GUNS who intimidated American Citizens at a so-called “town hall at that dinosaur Cardin’s “town hall” meeting? Worry about the government with guns, not, as the U.S. Constitution clearly states, The People who really have the right to dummy. Somehow: I don’t see you on Martin Luther King Avenue cry babying about ALL OF THOSE GUNS your Obama loving natives have. (8/11/09) I"M sorry I can not support you with help money wise, I would but site is too much of a HOMER site,,not a deadskin fan and you all act like this bunch is going to contend with some of the really good teams in the league,,,DREAM ON MY FRIENDS... Joe in Warrenton va (8/11/09) Informative and interesting discussion with Frederick Thomas, founder and CEO of MHZ Networks on WAMU's Kojo show today. It covered content, their ten channels and technical issues and the fact that now their programming is nationally distributed. Listen on the web wamu.org or this evening at 7:00PM on WAMU HD-3. (8/11/09) ("It is insulting and in poor taste.") Isn't most of the useless crap in mailbag as of late in poor taste? (8/11/09) Dave's response: Hey, freedom of speech isn't aways pretty..... Regarding Bill Burton. The staff of Bay Weekly has posted a tribute to their departed colleague on YouTube. It's Bill's farewell in his own words and a photo montage of his life. (8/11/09) Five minutes of dead air on PGC at 12:25. Came back in middle of commercials. (8/11/09) "Detour Dave" Sandler, the longtime traffic reporter for WBAL Radio is undergoing cardiac surgery this afternoon. He chatted with Dave Durian about it on this morning's show. (8/11/09) Answer to post: Reggie Rouse briefly was Program Director of WPGC the ratings were fine then(#2 or #3) until Skip Dillard(ratings were still good) and now Rob Scorpio took over the programming the station ran itself under the dairies. Rob Scorpio is a good PD he is the one who is doing the daily running of WPGC`s programming not Reggie Rouse(vp of CBS urban radio division) PGC was fine until the PPM`s came in effect. I do not think that even Jay Stevens as good as a programmer as he is would have been able to stop the ratings slide. (8/11/09) I think we shoud all try to find a local or national newsperson and post a pic ofthem in a non-news setting. How many times have they jumped in and injected themselves into a private situation or camped on some persons lawn for days with news trucks. Here is an innocent one of Stone Phillps from NBC in a kilt-- (8/11/09) Does the poster making a crack at Kim Martucci really deserve to have his drivel posted? It is insulting and in poor taste. (8/11/09) (Dave's response: Nobody watches Fox Business Network now. Nobody will watch Fox Business Network with Imus on it. Yawn.) This would be an upgrade to the six people who watch Imus currently on RFD-TV. FBN does many shows in HD. You can finish this thought. (8/11/09) Ed Jones remembers the last days at Oldies 1230 WITH fairly accurately, except it was me, not Bob Mathers, who turned on the waterworks at the end of my last shift in June 1997. I was doing 3-6pm then. Bob can correct me if I'm wrong here, but by this point he was no longer on air but doing sales work exclusively. I got very emotional in the final moments, just as I did a few years earlier at the end of my last shift on WLIF in '92. I've been known to cry at the national anthem before sporting events. It was a dream come true to work for WITH, and I hated it coming to an end (thanks a lot, Salem). And it was Niles Seaberg who was PD at WITH, with plenty of input from Jack Edwards and Bob. Here's an idea. We'll get me, Mathers, Jeff Beauchamp, Ed Graham, Paul Bicknell and Johnny Dark to buy 1580 in Columbia, PA, outside of Lancaster, put it back on the air, program real oldies, high school sports, community events, etc., and put up some FM translators between Harrisburg and Baltimore. And we'll give the station new calls. How about WITH? Gary Helton, WHFC-FM, Bel Air. (8/11/09) Your post about Steve Villaneuva leaving NBC4 to be with his wife in NY brought up something that I have wondered about for a long time...what did he do in between weekend news shows? Did he have a regular Monday-Friday job outside of being a weather man? Was he 'on call' in case someone could not come in during the week? What about the other folks who backup Bob Ryan? The same questions come to mind regarding Hakim Dermish, but my guess is that he is a field producer during the week. Does Chris Knoche (Maryland basketball analyst) have a regular job when he is not on the Sports Reporters or covering a Terps game? (8/11/09) At 5:08AM on WMAL Fred Grandy made fun sarcasm that someone brought a gun to a Congressional forum. John T. Henneman (8/11/09) WUSA’s Kim “Lurch” Martucci got “married” (“That’s a man baby”) to a guy who must look like a midget compared to her and she & the other yenta’s on channel 9 can’t stop cackling about it: please, please, make it stop! She just called the clouds “those mashed potato looking things”. (8/11/09) To the poster-" His station and his morning show still are top rated in Atlanta in the ppms may PGC can take some notes from Reggie Rouse and WVEE." Umm Reggie Rouse has been in control of WPGC since Jay Stevens leaving back in 2007.And since then, the station has continued to fail under Reggie's watch. (8/11/09) I've just read Bob Mathers post about the demise of Oldies 700. As much as I love hearing oldies from the 50's and 60's on the radio, sadly there is no market for this type of radio anymore. Ideally, I would love to hear a station programmed by Bob Mathers in the Baltimore market as he has with WITH and WAMD. On this station, I would love to hear Johnny Dark, Ken Merson, Davie Jones (who I listened to on Oldies 100), Dave Arlington, Joe Evelius, Kevin Fennessey, Tim Watts (who I listened to on WCAO, WXYV, Hot Hits 106 and listen to Magic 95.9), Jack Edwards and other Baltimore radio legends. However, I know this is a dream and will probably never happen. I mentioned in a previous post about hearing Johnny Dark doing his last show on WCAO. I'll mention that I listened to Bob Mathers do his last show on WITH back in the late 90's when they were playing 50's and early 60's rock and roll. That too was an emotional show where Mr. Mathers cried when his shift was over. It was after WITH switched to a Christian format, the former WITH had published a newsletter that came out monthly to keep the memories alive with old WITH surveys on the back. With that being said, I would like to see a tribute page for WITH. I never heard WITH as a top 40 station as I did WCAO, because by the time I moved to Baltimore, WITH was playing Big Band music, which my late dad like to listen to. If someone out there in DCRTV land could launch a WITH tribute page, that would be fantastic Ed Jones, Bel Air MD (8/11/09) UPDATE on WAGE 1200 / WBIS 1190...... WBIS did file for another STA extension, meaning WBIS is staying on the air while WAGE is not. I find that quite odd considering WBIS is only a daytimer running on low power. If they didn't have programming for WAGE, why not just simulcast whatever WBIS is running. Something suspicious here. I think the WAGE 50,000 watt plan is on hold indefinitely if not cancelled. I can't think of any other reason why they'd let WAGE go dark and let WBIS (the station they planned on taking dark in the first place) stay on the air. Just makes no sense to me. (8/11/09) From NewMajority.com - Conservative talk radio has never been more angry and extreme than today. You might think that’s a response to the Obama presidency. But even more, conservative talkers are responding to a collapse in advertising revenues. According to Scott Fybush, the proprietor of North East Radio Watch, talk radio has lost 30-40% of its ad revenues over the past two years. Further, in an interview with a talk radio trade publication, Talkers Magazine, late last year, Talk Radio Networks CEO Mark Masters said: “2008 will be known as the year that weak syndicated programs began dying off in droves,” adding that “it has only just begun.” Works for me! www.newmajority.com (8/11/09) /\ August 11 Messages /\ Jump to the Mailbag Archive Index.....