Loco del Calor

I've been listening to the David lee Roth show now and then, and I was listening yesterday when he revealed all the nonsense he's hearing from WFNY station manager Tom Chiusano and programming VP Mark Chernoff. It's some pretty ridiculous stuff, but a nice glimpse into the inner workings of why radio sucks so mightily.

Among management's directives are that Roth not take phone calls from foreigners or people in other countries (who are listening online). Chiusano has told Roth that if women call in, it's OK, but to try not to “engage” them. The bosses keep reminding him that he does a show for middle-aged white guys, and between-the-lines their rules seem to say: dumb it down.

The Roth show is no Lou Dobbs Tonight, but I've been enjoying it because DLR brings up interesting topics and opens the phones for some smart discussion. He's well-informed and the show can get pretty informative. It's been a great place to hear a sharp dialogue. Obviously, there's no place on NY morning radio for this! To know exactly what his bosses want (if not an outright H Stern copy), all you've got to do is listen to the promos for the other shows that air on WFNY throughout the day. All the rest of their shows boil down to the same basic format:
Two announcers; one guy with a regular name and one with a nickname. Maybe something like “Tony and the Weasel” or “Joe and Dizzy Man.” There are sound effects -- horns, farts, porn moans -- whatever; 'cause these guys are wild, baby! In the promos, they always play a short clip of “What you missed yesterday on the Sal and Butterbean Show!” In the clip, we listeners catch the nicknamed guy in mid-sentence...

Butterbean: ...so, I mean, come on, really. Really. No listen listen listen! That's why I allllllllways say -- the only good cheerleader is a dead cheerleader! Am I right?! Unless... you know... her pom poms are on the floor next to my bed! Ha HA!!

<cue zany sound effect>

Sal: Wha-ho! Come ON!

That's the kind of brainless, socially retarded shit they WANT on their station. David Lee Roth is not a radio guy, but he's learning as he goes. He's entertaining, self-effacing, honest, and the open dialogue on the show (plus those cool music beds) is more than worth your listening time every morning.

Read more here.

[posted with ecto]

On iTunes right now: “The Unheard Music” from the album Live At The Whiskey A Go-Go On The Fabulous Sunset Strip by X

Comments

[walein]

Man, Butterbean is so right! SOOOOO right!