There was a recent CNN interview about talk radio which pulled no punches. The subject matter was put in the form of a question: "Why is talk radio so loud, conservative and hateful?" There's only one person I know who can calmly and intelligently answer that question - Mike Harrison, an old (in experience only, Michael) radio guy who founded Talkers Magazine, the talk show bible, in 1990. Knowing Mike throughout the years, I've heard him try to explain the many different and varied talk radio formats there are. It's always a clear, concise, common-sense view of the format yet the interviewer rarely accepts it. In this case, Rick Sanchez seemed to get it. Mike explained why talk tends to lean conservative. Again the explanation was easy to understand, conservatives always have the same agenda while liberals are "all over the place". Mike also explained that while the majority of people don't listen to these shows, you can still make money with a 5 share of the audience. Conservative sells. You can see that interview by clicking here...
Another view of the state of talk radio was offered by Johnny Angel Wendell, a talk show host at KTLK AM 1150 in Los Angeles. Wendell says what's really wrong with talk radio isn't the imbalance between right and left - it's local vs. national, live vs. syndicated. Wendell claims that outside of morning and afternoon drive time, you're listening to one national show after another: Rush Limbaugh (Jeff Christie for me at KQV), Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Dr. Laura. Wendell argues that they might be broadcasting on local frequencies but they're not discussing local events...
I get Wendell's point, a worthy one on behalf of local talent and views but I just don't think it matters anymore whether a show is local or not. The Limbaugh's, Hannity's and Beck's of talk radio have become heroes for the disenfranchised and they're so easy for listeners to live vicariously through. That's not a political view but a statement of fact...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1876] Play Ball: Boston beats Philadelphia 6-5 in the first official National League game. The Boston Red Caps become the Braves and the Philadelphia A's will be expelled after the '76 season...
2.1930] And he held on to the ball: Gabby Harnett of the Cubs breaks the altitude record for a catch when he grabs a baseball dropped from the Goodyear blimp 800 feet over Los Angeles. Excavation of his body takes several days but when found, the ball was still in his glove - and nobody got hurt...
3.1963] Back to work: The Typographers Union ends its strike that closed 9 New York City newspapers for 114 days. The strike began in December of 1962. One of the reasons we only have 3 viable newspapers (Times, News & Post) left...
4.1972] Strike One: Major leaguers walk out at the end of spring training and begin the first general player's strike in sports history. They return April 13...
5.1976] A ripe Apple: Apple Computer is formed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak...
6.1980] Transit strike: New York City's Transit Workers Union 100 begins a strike lasting 11 days...
7.1984] Marvin murdered: Marvin Gaye is shot to death by his father in Los Angeles one day before his 45th birthday...
8.1991] O-K: After making the Final Four 5 times under coach Mike Krzysweski since 1986, Duke finally wins its first NCAA crown with a 72-65 win over Kansas... 9.1996] 'Happy Trails': Homeplate umpire John McSherry dies from a massive heart attack during a game. McSherry was 52. Here's John at an umpire school...
10.2003] Saving Private Lynch: American troops enter a hospital in Iraq and rescue Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, held prisoner since her unit was ambushed 9 days earlier...
Music Memories:
•1976] Released on this date: "Margaritaville" - Jimmy Buffett...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Susan Boyle (49), Gil Scott-Heron (61), Jimmy Cliff (62), Rusty Staub (66), Phil (Tokens) Margo (68), Rudolph Isley (71), Ali MacGraw (72), Debbie Reynolds (78), Jane Powell (81) and Brendan Byrne (86)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until Easter, 3 days until Opening Day (Red Sox & Yankees at Fenway), 4 days until NCAA Championship Game, 30 days until the Kentucky Derby, 39 days until Mother's Day and 60 days until Memorial Day...
