Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV DCRTV Mailbag - September 14 to September 19, 2008 Latest messages listed first..... \/ September 19 Messages \/ YES! Donovan McNabb is a journeyman. If you REALLY want to make it a race issue, let's compare his record with the great Doug Williams'. DW stepped up and took the Skins to the Super Bowl under the toughest of conditions. With a great, healthy line, McNabb has won... WHAT? Oh... the voice said "Rush is RIGHT!" About "lefty-fascists," yes, Bill... fascism is rooted in hyper-nationalistic socialism. Did you miss the twenties through the fifties? Do you think that Communists were not practicing a form of fascism in Eastern Europe? Get back on the short bus, you two! mb (9/19/08) Hey Elliot....i hope you are never driving down a snowy street somewhere--when suddenly your car veers off the road ---and you awaken hobbled in a strange bed to see "steve dahl's # 1 fan" hovering above you with a sledgehammer-- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...okay MR MAN??????????? (9/19/08) If WMAL has an aircheck from this election cycle oh it must be a real winner full of bash Obama/Rev Wright .....The more I think of this the worst it gets.Does WMAL have an HD channel maybe they sent that in.Who were the judges the KKK. John T. Henneman (9/19/08) Dear "where's the beef": I am a Limbaugh listener and I am a supporter/listener. I don't agree with him 100% but I do find him entertaining and, for the most part, right (no pun intended). You're right, I don't want Obama in the White House for the next 4 years. It has NOTHING to do with his skin color. It has to do with his views and that I see confiscatory taxes coming from him. I am no big McCain supporter but I think he's the lesser of 2 evils. I don't see how his college transcripts from 40+ years ago really matter now. I also think his thinking this country and the people in it are great is a GOOD thing. How dare he think that we are great people and try to instill optimism in us instead of just blaming us for all the world's problems. That's the same reason I like Limbaugh; occasionally he will go off on tangents about what successful people do to achieve and excel. It's not partisan, but he talks about the fundamentals of success; goals, positive attitude, determination, perseverance, things that most likely make your skin crawl. That's why he is #1; he has a positive message that resonates. (9/19/08) Dave's response: Let's face it. Limbaugh is a partisan pitbull. He was that way in '96 with Clinton, in '00 with Gore, and in '04 with Kerry. Limbaugh didn't just respectfully disagree with those three Dems, he hated everything about them. The problem is that, this year, with a black man heading the Dems' ticket, Limbaugh's typical act comes across to some as racist. It's one thing to disagree with Obama, but to dislike everything about him, they feel, must mean Limbaugh is a racist. On the contrary. That's just typical Rush, and has nothing to do with race. But, you've got to admit, Rush's game is getting kinda "old." And if Obama wins, it'll mean that Rush has pretty much "jumped the shark"..... Elliot Seagal from DC101 is an ASSHOLE!!! On the air he said I could come down to the studio for the Nelson brothers interview. When I went down there it was obvious that I was not welcome. When I showed up I said to the Producer that he said I could come in. He denied saying that, then said are you from the Street team? I said yes and he told me to sit on the couch. Elliot walked past and looked at me and I introduced myself and mentioned the Nelson thing. He just stared, then I mentioned Steve Dahl and he said "oh yeah, I remember you." But, I was basically ignored by the staff. On a positive note, it was cool to see Nelson interviewed and sing songs in studio. The guys said hi and were much nicer to me than the radio staff!!! I guess I'm so used to Steve Dahl and the Junkies being so nice to me I didn't realize that radio guys could be jerks. I bet it will be a long time before Elliot tells someone on air that they can come down to the studio!! I think the radio PD's and GM's reading this should mention to their on air staff that they should be polite to someone who is INVITED down to the studio. Word of of mouth is a powerful marketing tool and I have nothing nice to say about Elliot or his staff! Just because radio guys are paid to be jerks on the air doesn't mean they have to be jerks off air too. From Steve Dahl's #1 fan... (9/19/08) Yes, Rush Limbaugh is racist. So, too, sadly, are his most fervent supporters. Most of them have no grasp of U.S.History, and don't really seem to care about that. Genuine truth disturbs them, so Limbaugh's version - and Hannity's - makes them feel good about themselves. The current conservative agenda bears no resemblance to Barry Goldwater's, and is so far out of the mainstream it's remarkable - and very scary - that so many people subscribe to it. The idea of a black man in the White House doing anything more than serving dinner offends them. It's so sad that so many would rather have someone not particularly intelligent in charge. McCain's - and Palin's - academic achievements are rather pathetic. McCain was a legacy at the academy - they made sure he didn't flunk out. In almost all of his campaign appearances he only talks about what a great country this is, and how great the American people are, but offers nothing of genuine substance. It will be interesting to see how many questions at the debates he gives any direct answers to, instead of leaning on that "I'm proud of the sevrice I've given my country, yada yada yada." Where's the beef, pal? (9/19/08) Reality check time. The award for MAL has nothing to do with whether the station is providing 24/7 local programming, or even highly rated programming. It has everything to do with a couple of factors - the package (including an aircheck) that the station submitted for the contest committee to consider, and how it compared to the ones submitted by other stations that decided to enter the competition; and the panel of stations that was put together the judge the entries. (9/19/08) WMAL is the worst Major Market Station of the Year, except for all the others. KOF (9/19/08) I'm hoping that after too many interviews with guys that have potato chips in the shape of Jesus or whatever other mindless drivel BA comes up with, MOM will at least have the common decency to strangle her on air. Paul (9/19/08) Dial-turnin' moment on the MOMS (Mike O'Meara Show) today right at the open -- they're going to let everybody spew political views as a bit. Whoa, that should . . . well, suck, really. But it'll kill a segment or two on the way to happy hour, I guess. And that does seem like the goal of the MOMS sometimes -- it's Lazy Man Radio, for sure. Sincerely, TMU (9/19/08) Dave's response: Maybe they could fire Buzz Burbank and play Paul Harvey "news" clips, instead. Ha ha ha. Oh, and how about that O'Meara/BA turbulence..... I understand that Andy and Grandy won by a wisker over Harden and Weaver in the NAB balloting. David in Hyattsville (9/19/08) This morning's debut of Vinny Cerrato's show on ESPN980 was actually more interesting than I expected, with George Michael resurrecting some of the old radio shtick from his DJ days and guest appearances by Sonny Jurgensen, the NFL Network's Adam Schefter and ESPN's Chris Berman and Mel Kiper, Jr. At one point, King George made a comment that seemed to suggest the program will only air on Fridays after next Monday's broadcast. Instead of bitching about other programming on their station, Andy Pollin and Steve Czaban should concern themselves with improving their own show - perhaps make it a bit more family friendly and less mean spirited. A good start would be for Pollin to actually greet his listeners instead of coldly starting the program with "This is Sports Reporters". During his weekly appearance the other day, John Feinstein complained about Al Galdi not providing a complete rundown of baseball scores on the station's morning updates. Czaban replied that "we're not a scoreboard service", but he couldn't be more wrong. The first place people in their cars who don't have satellite radio are likely to go for scores is the local sports talk station, and 980 has an obligation to provide them (at least, those impacting the pennant races). Some important day games were never even mentioned in Liz Drabek's afternoon updates yesterday, yet Alex Rodriguez's divorce getting finalized was reported on at least one of them today. I must have missed the memo, but when exactly did gossip column type stuff become standard fare for the '20 minute ticker' on sports talk radio? Mike, Fairfax (9/19/08) Thanks Marty (Chickaboomer) for the great videos of Mr. Duckworth and Grandy & Andy at the NAB. -Silvie- (9/19/08) Rant on. Amen Amen WMAL Station of the YEAR. wmal doesn't qualify for Station of the Hour. Its mainly synicated Programming. Do you just buy these awards these days???! What an insult to all the Major Market stations that do 24/7 local programming! John T. Henneman (9/19/08) WMAL Wins! "And thanks so all our wonderful talent -- to John Matthews, and Scott Wykoff, and Chris Core, and, um, Michelle Bash, and, oh, Chilli Amar and Chip Franklin -- and, of course, our morning show producer, Aaron Spelling." (9/19/08) Get Weasel on the phone: Beatle engineer Geoff Emerick is re-recording the entire Sgt Pepper album with all new contemporary musicians on original 40-year-old recording equipment -- www.aes.org (9/19/08) Has the NAB no sense of shame? WMAL's Marconi Award as "Major Market Station of the Year" is just more proof that the radio industry is dead. WMAL today is a travesty - not even living up to the standards and programming that a small market station would have routinely met 20 years ago. It's nothing more than a retransmission site for syndicated right-wing blowhards with a couple of local wannabe's thrown in. Harden & Weaver, it's not. The days when everyone listed to WMAL are long-gone, and it's not even close to being a major factor in a market where WTOP stole its niche as the "station everyone turns to" ages ago. (9/19/08) Dave's response: It is a total joke that the NAB sees WMAL to be worthy as "Station Of The Year." Earlier this year it gutted its news department and canned longtime News Director John Matthews, dispatched one of the best and fairest talkers on the radio anywhere, Chris Core, and doesn't even have a live and local afternoon drive show. And old 630 plugs into a satellite for something like 15 to 16 hours every weekday, more on the weekends. And I haven't even mentioned the lack of diversity of opinion the station airs. If WMAL is "Station Of The Year," the American radio business is in a very sorry state. The only thing the NAB did by giving WMAL this "honor" is to take a big swipe at its own credibility..... So the talented one is gone. Sorry Joe in Pasadena. Wait for it. Wait. Wait See that light flashing. Wait for it. Remember Mark, I do want fries with my order. (9/19/08) Donovan McNabb a Journeyman ? All teams should be so lucky ! After Rush was fired for his on air remarks about McNabb, all McNabb has done is prove him wrong over and over again. As for Rush, he is an entertainer, and is preaching to usual choir of bobbin heads . This has been said in this forum for 1000 times. We don't go to Rush for calm, well reasoned discussions or debate on issues of race in politics, or in society at large. Nor would do we expect the same from Keith Olbermann. The inevitable and continuing rants about these two, and others of their ilk is exactly what they want, it shows that on some level people are still listening or taking their influence seriously. There are plenty of voices and locations where one can hear rational discussion on the topics of the day. Right wing radio hosts and Info-tainment TV commentators reading from a script of one-liners are not among them. (9/19/08) Doh! That's what Rush Limbaugh does every day on his show - he takes comments out of context and then skewers lefties, libs, and Dems, including an "effete" black man running for president. Yeah, Rush quotes them accurately, but he leaves out THE CONTEXT! Then, when the tables are turned, and someone does the same thing to Rush, he screams bloody murder. And bloviating journalistic suck-ups like Howie Kurtz (who obviously don't listen to Rush's show) ride to his defense! Amazing. (9/19/08) Shamrock is definitely gone at WHFS. All references to him have been removed from the station’s web page, including the main picture of him with Kirk & Mark. It’s a shame because he was the most talented of the three. I used to enjoy when either Kirk or Mark (especially blowhard Mark) was on vacation. A much more interesting show. Hopefully Kirk & Mark will soon be cut loose as well. (probably not til Feb. 1 when their contracts are up for renewal) (9/19/08) The situation at WUSA is about to get very interesting. Lane Michaelsen is a good guy. But let's put this in the proper context. Lane is moving directly from a job as one of the key news VP's at Gannett corporate to Broadcast House. This is kinda like the state taking over a failing school system or a state-appointed trustee taking over a failing bank. It's definately not a vote of confidence in current management. And with Channel 9 now under direct corporate control, what happens if the station still doesn't improve ratings and revenue?? Gannett leadership will have no one to blame but themselves. (9/19/08) Did mb just refer to ACH as a "lefty-fascist"? A little poli-sci 101 wouldn't hurt some of these posters (and callers to right-wing radio). --Bill (9/19/08) Here's an interesting concept. Instead of whining about WMAL and Rush "I'm the first to admit I'm an entertainer in it for the big bucks" Limbaugh, why don' you all, oh I don't know, maybe CHANGE THE FREAKIN' CHANNEL ? There's Pacifica, there's NPR, there's Air America, there's MSNBC, there's the major networks. The Real Live Lesbian News Hour is begging for higher listener numbers. Or is it just easier to keep pushing for the crypto-nazi "Equal Time" rule that was declared unconstitutional back in 1988? I know, freedom of choice makes your teeny tiny brains hurt. It was the same thing when I used to take visiting Eastern Bloc apparatchiks to stores in West Berlin during the '80's; they couldn't handle the freedom and variety of choices, they used to call it "obscene". I swear to whatever God y'all worship, someday somebody is going to ask me when fascism came to the United States, and I'm going to tell them that it came on the wings of a promise of change from an empty suit. The Brown Shirt tactics of the Left that have been confined to academia for so long have now broken out into general political discourse. Proud of yourselves, Asshats? Keep it up, and you're going to reap a more terrible storm than you can possibly imagine. I don't want government telling me what I can do or not do in the bedroom, what I or my kid can or cannot wear or what I can listen to, or read, or watch. I don't care if that government's headed by the next coming of Ronald Reagan or the poseur Barack Hussein. The First Amendment wording is as simple as Justice Hugo Black said it was over 60 years ago "'NO LAW INFRINGING' MEANS NO LAW, PERIOD". Geghis Cohen, who you can't say didn't warn you. (9/19/08) Dear Dave: in addition to the award for WMAL as "Radio Station of the Year," you failed to list the other award winners. They were: the H.M.S. Titanic for "cruise ship of the year," Herbert Hoover for "economic leadership of the year," the Washington Nationals for "major league team of the year" and Britney Spears in the "chastity, clean living and good example for our youth" category. Have I made my point? Sincerely, "Mr. Hedge Fund." (9/19/08) Dave's response: All I can assume is that Chris Berry must have some incriminating pix of some NAB suits..... Let me expand on my Rush Limbaugh remarks. First, Limbaugh is an obese, drug-addicted, thrice-divorced, childless racist who rattles around alone in a Palm Beach mansion and admits he has no friends. In other words, as a human being, he's a total failure. Donovan McNabb, on the other hand, is still married to his college sweetheart, has children, and gives back by visiting the troops and serving on multiple charitable boards. As for his lack of football prowess as claimed by an uninformed poster, he still owns 3 all time records at Syracuse University and five in the Big East. He's led the Eagles to four division championships over eight years and one Super Bowl appearance. His quarterback rating of 85 is the highest in the NFL among active quarterbacks who have played more than five years; he is the least intercepted NFL quarterback ever (one in every 48 attempts), and also holds the record for most consecutive pass completions, (23). I could go on, but back to Rush. Here is someone who makes racially tinged remarks daily like playing his "Barack the magic negro" jingle, calling Nelson Mandela a communist and Jesse Jackson a "chocolate-chip" and saying that the only reason the Democrats want to stop the genocide in Darfur is because the people there are black and they want to pander to their black base. To Limbaugh, Obama is a "half-rican" or any other name his writers can come up with. Limbaugh has said the NAACP should "buy a liquor store to practice robberies." He told an African-American caller to "get the bone out of your nose and call me back." And on and on. I reiterate. Limbaugh is a racist and a sorry excuse for a human being. ACH (9/19/08) "Why is the identity of the person behind "Broadcast Radio One" a secret? Dave's response: That's a secret....." It's a secret because that person currently works for another broadcast outlet and their starting a business like this is a clear conflict of interest. (9/19/08) With the market economy in severe distress and money too tight to mention (wasn't that a Simply Red song?), it would be plausible for CBS to swap the Baltimore stations for one/ones located in top 15 or desirable potential growth markets (Charlotte, NC for instance) that are owned by a potential suitor or suitors. For example, CBS and Entercom each own stations in San Francisco, Boston and Seattle - three of the top 15 markets. Plus, it has been Entercom that has picked up all of the stations in markets that CBS has exited (Memphis, Rochester, Austin and Cincinnati - even though they traded Cincy to Bonneville for the San Fran sticks). (9/19/09) Not surprised that Vinny Cerrato is being placed on Snyder radio. If you listen closely to that station, they need Vinny to balance out the surprising negativity of most of the WTEM 980 programming. We were led to believe by Post's LaConfora, Shapiro, et al that a Snyder owned radio station would be another marketing and promotional arm for the team. It's been anything but. Pollin and Czaban have been there usual critical and antagonistic selves, Brian Mitchell challenged Clinton Portis to a fight, Sheehan as he was with Riggins admits that he's a fan but doesn't hesitate to criticize harshly, Riggins is no shill, Doc waves the alma mater pennant but calls it like it is even when things are bad. I've been pleasantly pleased with the objectivity. I'm afraid Snyder listened to his station and realized he needed someone to throw a few kisses his way, hence Vinny. (9/19/08) Reading the news item where WCBM is doing better than WBAL among the Baltimore AM talkers reminded me of something I remember hearing on WCBM a number of years back. I could be wrong but I am pretty sure I heard Frank Luber mentioning one morning that WCBM will start airing ads ( or maybe it was a whole program ) sponsed by Exodist International, the so-called religious group who had made claims in that past where they can turn someone who is gay into straight. I have seen some of those Exodist print ads in the past and some of those were, lets say interesting like the one that featured two middle aged men who were "former gay lovers but are now best friends" and how that instead of going on gay websites looking for sex now when they visit those same sites, they are getting guys to come over to their place for "coffee and conversation". If this is what their print ads say I can only imagine what their radio ads on WCBM would had been like had they aired ( if such ads did aired, I don't remember ). Also I have heard over the years that Exodist ( which has strong ties to Focus on the Family BTW ) has in the past been in the habit of "outing" people, in hopes those poor souls would turn to them to "get straight". Had they done this on WCBM ( or any radio station for that matter ) I would imagine that could be a legal nightmare since I still think in this day and age someone can still sue if they are accused of being gay in a public arena. (9/19/08) Sorry, but just because you think a QB gets too much press because he's black (hmmm, the name Obama comes to mind, wonder why?) or don't think he's any good does NOT MAKE YOU A RACIST. While I think Rush is a self-important blathering idiot, I still think he was somewhat correct on McNabb, although obviously politically incorrect, but I suspect he did that on purpose anyways for publicity. But face it, if McNabb were playing for the Ravens, he'd get his ass handed to him every game probably. Let's see McNabb handle the Ravens horrible O-line & pressure. I think not. (9/19/08) I thought my ears were playing tricks on me, but I've heard WTNT 570AM refer to itself as "McCain 570" a lot lately. (9/19/08) Dave's response: Yeah, we've reported that righty talker WTNT is now calling itself "McCain 570" and lefty talker WWRC is now "Obama 1260." Both stations are now operated by Redskins owner Dan Snyder's Red Zebra broadcasting arm..... WRONG, ACH! YOU are the racist! You, and your lefty-fascist friends can't handle a legitimate statement about race and the press. It turns out Rush Limbaugh was RIGHT. Donovan McNabb is a second-string quarterback, at best. He is an okay journeyman who has not won a division, conference or national championship. And the reason for the press' love affair with McNabb was, and is to this day, his race! Sorry, pinkie... the Swastika's on YOUR armband because you start name-calling a talk show host for... TALKING! Sing it with me, kids... "ACH is a RACIST!" mb (9/19/08) Lane Michaelson is truly a joke. He came to WUSA a few years ago, and told the staff how good of photographer he was/is. He was so full of himself, and was too blind with ego to see people were laughing at him. He is a lifetime Gannett brown-noser, who has just ended his career. He will get blown out of WUSA within 2 years, and Gannett will kick him to the curb. They've done that to many Gannett lifers who came to the station either as news director or general manager. WUSA and Gannett have proven to be one of the most idiotic local tv news operations in the country. Lane Michaelson is a continuation of that---at least temporarily. (9/19/08) Whoa, what was up with Laura Evans and her lack of makeup on the 10 o'clock News tonight (Thursday)? I would have to switch teams and catch for Brian Bolter in a "Who Would You Do" based on their looks tonight. (9/19/08) I've noticed that in the last few days, The Baltimore Sun at BaltimoreSun.com has been deleting negative comments on all stories regarding the Warren Buffet bailout of 1 of Baltimore's last Fortune 500 companies, Constellation Energy/BGE, as huge fears of massive layoffs have hit one of Baltimore largest companies and caused people in Baltimore to post some, well not so nice comments, specifically against The Baltimore Sun and the current governor & legislature (ENDORSED & propped up by The Sun sort of like Pravda used to do in the USSR)! But, hey, The Sun's business writer, Jay Hancock, isn't losing his job yet right? Well, at least not YET! According to a BaltimoreSun.com article, neither is Gov. Martin O'Malley worried as The Sun reports he was out partying this past week and rocking and playing music with his band, O'Malley's March in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, while Rome was burning. (The Sun deleted that comment also even though it WAS in a Baltimore Sun article this SAME WEEK!) What does The Baltimore SUN have to hide? The fact that Jay Hancock is a tool and an idiot when it comes to business or Maryland politics? That Maryland's State legislature blocked not 1 but TWO mergers regarding this company that could have averted this mess and instead basically sued the company out of business? That tons of jobs are going to be lost as a result of the state of Maryland's bungling of this situation costing Maryland one of its LAST 2 Fortune 500 companies? I know people who are going to SERIOUSLY LOSE JOBS as a result of this mess. And The Baltimore Sun doesn't care to hear it? Jay Hancock feels threatened enough to delete comments on BaltimoreSun.com? How LITTLE a man you are Jay Hancock that you would go so far to make BaltimoreSun.com look like a joke and insult your readers, some of whom are about to LOSE jobs?!? A Baltimore SUN writer, parent of TRIBUNE, INC, of ALL PEOPLE, should KNOW BETTER! SHAME ON YOU JAY HANCOCK of The Baltimore Sun! With all reverence to Keith Olbermann, Jay Hancock, YOU ARE THIS DAY'S WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD! :-( (9/19/08) /\ September 19 Messages /\ \/ September 18 Messages \/ Rush Limbaugh is a racist. Always has been. In October of 2003 he got fired from ESPN for claiming--on air--that Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles wasn't a very good football player and only got a lot of press coverage because he was a BLACK quarterback. I would note that Mr. McNabb is still the leader of the Eagles, still playing well, and getting plenty of press thank you, but not because he's a man of color. ACH (9/18/08) Someone asked :"Would someone please direct me to the part of the United States Constitution that gives the Federal Government ..." Cant you read? Its right after the part where every woman has a right to an abortion. Porter Jervis (9/18/08) Dave, I really don't appreciate the Roger Ailes "cosmetic standards" remark you made. Sincerely, Greta Van Susteren (9/18/08) RE: "Dave's response: Dave Labrozzi managing a Taco Bell in Towson. I can dream, can't I?"... What makes that even more funny is that Labrozzi flees the CBS Baltimore Correctional Complex and drives up 83 into Pennsylvania to get home every night. Talk about your "RUN FOR THE BORDER" - {rimshot/cymbal crash}!!! (9/18/08) Heard Czaban and Pollin's dialogue trashing Cerrato's new show or, more precisely, the idea that he has the time to spare to do such a show when he is supposed to be the Redskins GM. Good for them. They are certainly pushing the envelope in terms of testing whether they will be allowed to criticize Danny Boy and company on Danny Boy's station. (9/18/08) Congratulations Lane on accepting the job that has placed you at the end of your career path with Gannett. Funny how you are from the era of Rob “Weenie” Mennie and Bob Sullivan, yet YOU find yourself at WUSA? We all know your mentors were not fond of JC Hayward. How long will it take for you to remove her and put your own unique stamp on a truly shitty product? Also, don’t wear the sneakers to work, it makes it look like you have issues with your age. (9/18/08) Just got an email “blast” from WJFK. Although the station is sounding pretty solid these days, and O’Meara’s show IS kicking ass, the station is STILL run by amateurs. The email promoting station contests included the following statement: “By yours now before the sale opens to the general public tomorrow at noon.” Not sure which is worse, the station’s hiring someone who can’t spell the word “buy,” or the station’s failure to catch such an obvious mistake. Amateur Hour at WJFK continues… Toledo Cliff (9/18/08) ("Dave's response: You know, rather than selling its Baltimore stations, CBS should just fire everyone in the Baltimore office and run everything from DC.") Um yeah...'cause that worked SO well for CC-Baltimore. How's that third place for WPOC grabbing ya, Hartley and Co.? At least Labrozzi is IN Baltimore... (9/18/08) saw you linked to lacanfora's item....on the sports reporters this afternoon, they devoted the first segment to the news.....not too happy.... Andy Pollin: "On a Monday from 10 to 12, Vinny is liable to be talking to Bob from Bowie or Steve from Silver Spring or Frank from Falls Church, and might not know that Ryan Grant is available and needed at the running back position"..... Steve Czaban: "Oh what are the chances that somebody calls with a trade offer between 10 and noon, that would NEVER happen. He’s got voice mail, he’ll just pick it up after the show"..... Andy Pollin: "At the end of the year, if the Redskins don’t win the Super Bowl, it is 100 percent completely fair to say that part of the reason they didn’t win it was because the general manager—I’m sorry, the vice president of football operations—was spending four hours a week on the air flapping his gums instead of seeking out talent to help the team to win games." DC Sports Bog (9/18/08) RE: [ " Dave's response: You know, rather than selling its Baltimore stations, CBS should just fire everyone in the Baltimore office and run everything from DC. " ]............. OUCH! I don't suggest visiting Baltimore anytime soon Dave. hehe. Ok, now back to roasting Bob & Tom on the spit! :-) (9/18/08) Dave's response: Dave Labrozzi managing a Taco Bell in Towson. I can dream, can't I? Red dress, red purse, red shoes--yes, that was definitely the chickaboomer herself, Marty Davis of www.chickaboomer.com at the NAB Radio Show. (9/18/08) Where is Eun Yang? She has been gone for a while now and if she had a baby wouldn't she be back by now? Channel 4 needs to do something to improve its afternoon casts. If Eun is not do back, so maybe go out into another market and bring in a competent newscaster. Vance is getting to old like Gordon Peterson and Doreen just is not very good anymore. Maybe promote Rieger to the 6:00 pm broadcasts? Channel 4, you need to do something soon, and the sooner the better, or you will lose viewers. Also enough of George Michael. You brought in Lindsay Czarniak to run the sports office, so let her do it. (9/18/08) Yep, looks like Shamrock is gone from WHFS. His photo has been replaced on the website, and all mention of him in the blog section has been removed. Here's to hoping that he finds greener pastures in another market, or maybe in the DC/Baltimore one on another show. He a super talented guy, and has been lugging around 2 has-beens for over a year now, trying to keep a smile on the whole time. I bet he won't miss the prep-service purchased bits and songs, or any more of the"10 ten reasons..." lists. If ANYONE is listening at CBS Baltimore, please just give us back the Junkies, please. Hell, just simulcast WJFK all day, and run Norris from 7pm forward. (9/18/08) Dave's response: You know, rather than selling its Baltimore stations, CBS should just fire everyone in the Baltimore office and run everything from DC. Take 105.7 and relay talker 106.7 on it. Take 102.7's Jack oldies and run them on 94.7, too. Put 95.5 PGC's rhythmic contemporary sound on 106.5. And 1580's inspirational talk on 1300. That would leave adult contemporary 101.9 as CBS's only Baltimore-only signal, which, of course, would be run from Lanham. Dan Mason, are you listening? Somebody brought up a good point. Haven't we had enough of OJ? I did see earlier today on CNN.com continuing coverage of his trial.I also saw on CNN Headline News and Fox News, OJ stories taking up precious time when we as a society should be worrying about the terrible financial crisis. OJ is a wanna be has been who has no intrinsic value even to the toilet paper he uses. GO AWAY OJ!!!!!! (9/18/08) “All of DC's rock radio stations sound sucky lately” “Lately”? Seriously, DC hasn’t had a decent-sounding rock station since the late 80s when DC101 was in its heyday. This town has managed to be the hands-down worst music radio market in America for 20+ years. No wonder satellite radio penetration is so high in this market. (9/18/08) Heard Kirk & Mark this morning.....no Shamrock. - If it's true that he's gone you can file this in the CBS has given up on K&M file. (9/18/08) Has anyone in 'DCRTV Land' ever been able to explains why the 'news-readers' on FOX"News" are nothing more than wanna-be MAXIM/FHM/soft-core Porn Stars...? Its ANNOYING! trying to find "real news" and seeing these 'girls'... (they make me look-up my favorite porn sites, and I 'forget about' real news happening -LOL) THANX (9/18/08) Dave's response: It's Roger Ailes' world over there. It takes a certain type of female to live up to his cosmetic standards..... "We’re in the middle of a huge economic crisis, there’s a presidential campaign going on, and what is “Headline News” showing at 12:30 today? Live coverage of the OJ Simpson robbery trial. Headline News used to be a decent network, but ever since they’ve dumped the all-news format for stupid crap like Nancy Grace, Showbiz Tonight, etc., they’ve completely gone down the toilet." I couldn't agree more. I stopped watching HLN after 5pm on weekdays. When Lynne Russell left and Andrea Thompson was hired, it started going downhill. BTW Ms. Russell would have been a better choice than Katie Couric for the CBS evening news. (9/18/08) WOW! 'troy' Is One 'uppity' 'stuck-up' 'liberal'... WHO DOES NOT TAKE 3 MINUTE CALLS FROM LISTENERS WHO DO NOT LIKE/DESPISE HIS UPPITY-LIBERAL-ARROGANT 'COMMENTS' ABOUT POLITICS 2008! uggh, I only HOPE the WORST for 'troy', that prick 'brian wilson' & the rest of 1057 Baltimore... WHAT A WASTE OF 'whfs' CALL SIGN ~kinky-neo-con (9/18/08) Why is the identity of the person behind "Broadcast Radio One" a secret? (9/18/08) Dave's response: That's a secret..... Dear Dave, May I suggest to all your readers that they buy as much Sirius/XM stock as they can afford, now, while the price is low. Word is that once they get on their feet again, and they will, stock prices may double or triple within the next year. And that's a GOOD thing. Sincerely, Martha Stewart (9/18/08) Dave's response: I'll do it if Mel Karmazin gets a facelift first..... Would someone please direct me to the part of the United States Constitution that gives the Federal Government the right to determine what is "fair" or what should or shouldn't be broadcast to the people of the United States? The FCC itself is unconstitutional, but the "Fairness Doctrine" even more so. Giving Congress the authority to determine what is on the airwaves is no different than having State Radio like in China or the Soviet Union. Welcome to the USSA (The United Socialist States of America). (9/18/08) Dave's response: The Junkies admitted this morning that they're no longer allowed to say the word "penis" on the airwaves. What is this country coming to? We’re in the middle of a huge economic crisis, there’s a presidential campaign going on, and what is “Headline News” showing at 12:30 today? Live coverage of the OJ Simpson robbery trial. Headline News used to be a decent network, but ever since they’ve dumped the all-news format for stupid crap like Nancy Grace, Showbiz Tonight, etc., they’ve completely gone down the toilet. Also, I’m surprised no one’s said anything about Albritton canning Joe Witte and Dave Willingham. I wasn’t a huge fan of Witte, but I think Dave Willingham did a good job with traffic on Newschannel 8. They definitely had the most comprehensive traffic reports of any of the stations in the area with Dave plus Metro’s reporters. Other than WUSA with Angie Goff, Newschannel 8 was the only station to employ their own dedicated traffic reporter. He may not have been a “pretty face” but he definitely did a good job with traffic and knew his stuff. I hope he lands on his feet soon. (9/18/08) It's 12:42pm, Thursday, September 18th, and a fire alarm - complete with a recored message - is going off in the studio of the "G. Gordon Liddy Show." No one seems to know how to shut it off. (9/18/08) Once again you have conveniently ignored the main quotes from a great conservative and chose instead to take out of context and complete mis-represent what Rush said today. First the news quote that came from today’s show so far is the response to the race-baiting lying Obama campaign. Rush called Obama a “disgrace and a race baiter” so where’s that quote? Where’s Rush’s explanation of exactly what he’s talking about. Instead we get from you another taken completely out of context and without any explanation at all of a quote from Rush to put him in a mis-representation of everything his point was making. He was playing quotes from some sports person, a football player, I think, of what HE the football player said, saying “God D--- America, I’m black the Nat. Anthem doesn’t mean a thing to me.” Meanwhile he has reaped untold millions from his horrible days living in this great country. You, of course, have chose to ignore entirely this fools comments and instead only print a brief out of context side line Rush muttered while responding to this fool’s comment. But this is what I expect of a typical lying lib. Mis-representations, never explaining the whole context of any quote they use, only printing the select word or 2 that would make it seem to be something negative when it was really something quite positive. You’re as despicable as CNN, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, ABC, CNBC, Wash. Post, NY Times, on and on the list is endless of leftwing lying media outlets. Of course, the lib media just is not represented enough, right? (9/18/08) Dave's response: Look, isn't that kinda what Rush frequently does - takes a line or two from a someone, completely out of context (a la the "God D--- America" quote), and then implies that the sentiment is representative of an entire group of people? Ed, read with great interest your thoughts on WBAL/WMAL/AM radio in general. Couldn't agree with you more. The quality of programming has gotten so jaded that only those over 50 seem to enjoy????? Both should have transitioned to FM a decade ago. As we well know the execs that are in charge lost touch with what the industry is all about. (OLD SCHOOL) Progressive thinkers have left the business in droves. The creative aspect of the industry and the ability for AM programmers specifically the above mentioned have their hands tied by not only "cookie counters" but by the diminishing AM audience. I'm for a takeover...LOL. Get some of the terrific and still cutting edge "geezers" which we are so fondly called to come in and re-educate the current crop of young "geezers". As has been mentioned numerous times some of us still have it. PLB:0) (9/18/08) Kornheiser again on Monday night football. Come on Tony. The ego is wwwwwaaaaayyyyyy out of control. If another announcer made that stupid comment, they would have been fired. What is ESPN's reason for keeping him? At least Wilbon does his job without trying to be funny, Kornheiser. Watching Holly Morris do the news on Fox 5 at 11:00am is funnier than listening and watching you blabber junk out of you mouth on Monday nights. (9/18/08) (regarding a previous post) "Chip Franklin, former mid-day host at WBAL, now anchors the #1 morning show in San Diego." That's not saying much, really. For a town this size, San Diego is a real shithole, in terms of radio. It doesn't take a whole lot to stand out, given the dismal radio landscape here! And, who is "Danny Knight"? Is he one of Chip's relatives? I'm wondering, because that is also Chip's actual surname. (9/18/08) Now raise your hands....who would rather listen to Vinny Cerrato/George Michael/Larry Michael instead of Colin Cowherd? ...I thought so. Regards Biff (9/18/08) Nowhere in the FCC public notice linked below was a plea for environmentalists to comment on WAGE's application. What WAS there was a public notice that the FCC had concluded its review of the environmental impact statement that was filed as part of WAGE's application and the 30-day public comment window to that EI had begun. In other words, the normal process is being followed. No news. Regards, Dave Loudin (9/18/08) As a rock/AAA fan, who has nothing to listen to on DC radio, PPMs launching locally might not be the story. After all, with no decent rock stations, there's only a potential downside (The Globe and BIG showing better ratings!) Maybe a more hopeful question is, when are PPMs launching in places like Chicago, Seattle, LA, and Minneapolis, which have far better rock on the radio? Maybe if XRT in Chicago - basically like the old Glove, excecpt way more currents, and more adventerous - shows an uptick and The Globe doesn't, that might tell the suits something? Any idea, Dave? (9/18/08) Dave's response: I don't know. All of DC's rock radio stations sound sucky lately - DC101, BIG, and the Glob. When I'm in the car, I'm often tuned into Baltimore - 98 Rock or WTMD's 105.5 signal. Hey, why doesn't CB$ just "Jackify" the Glob, like Balto's 102.7 - no on-air personalities or staff. Just automated classic rock tunes. Hell, the ratings would go up and the costs to run 94.7 would go down. They're paying a PD to do what? Sheesh..... I'm amazed at the about of smoke being blown in the Mailbag lately about Dan Snyder's silly little 'network.' I swear there are more letters than listeners. I know I had my fill of 24/7 Redskins chat about 45 minutes after it swamped 94.3FM. By the way....you've got to wonder about Mailbaggers like Paul who go ballistic about "the absurdity and plain silliness" they see in radio and TV, calling Holly Morris "a fucking moron" and telling everyone to "get a fucking life!"....and then claim that their statements are "silly, harmless and meaningless." Talk about copping out. On the other hand, I guess I was like that when I was 14 too. Dave in Sterling (9/18/08) For a few years, I've been trying to tell WBAL and WMAL that they wouldn't have a free ride. When you have been doing the same thing on a dying medium for a long time with no attempt to evolve (oh, sorry I know those two stations don't believe in evolution) - - your numbers will continue to erode. I could see that 98 Rock was on a similar path. This is not new, but WBAL should have moved to FM a few years ago, and moved their Sports programming to 1090. 98 Rock has become old and irrelevant. For the past decade, management hasn't had a clue. The death of Lopez was the end of their mystique. It should be clear that AM will not support ratings on ANY format. Trying to make AM work is futile. no one younger than John McCain listens to AM. All big money formats have to be on FM. I know that their numbers may go up and down on these monthly reports, but the TREND is down, and will continue to drop. Hard to imagine a 50,000 watt AM powerhouse with a 1.0 share, but it has happened all over the country and even though Baltimore has been a pretty good AM market, some FM competition would speed up the death of AM in Baltimore. Imagine if WCBM were on FM (with a few changes). What is left for AM? Niche formats with low budgets. Don't expect an AM station to hire great radio vets, as was suggested a few days ago. Some of the Greats of DC and Baltimore radio would love to do that, but they would also deserve to be paid. I'd love to see an FM with a good signal in DC, and one in Baltimore, simulcast an adult format with some of the real pros. Sell in combination to the combined market. There were a lot of great jocks who were in the right format at the right time - - not the guys I want. It should be the survivors who were successful in whatever format they worked. Sorry for the long post, but it really upsets me that radio sucks, and so many owners and managers don't have any idea how to fix it. Ed Graham (9/18/08) Baltimore, and especially it's mornings have taken a very interesting turn in the past year. Where as before, I was only listening to 98 in the morning, we've now got a few solid choices, fighting for smaller and smaller pieces of the pie. With Elliott, Bob and Tom, and HOPEFULLY the Junkies soon (once CBS jettisons the worthless KMS on HFS), it's going to give me some options beside 98 to listen to. Not that I don't still like the WIYY morning show, it's just been a "one item on the menu" town for so long, and now we've got some variety. WIYY needs to get a bandage on those numbers too, because it looks like they're losing listeners at a steady, if not alarming, pace. And it will only get worse with all this fresh blood in the market. I still can't understand how Franklin got to be number one in his new market either... (9/18/08) I think fucking Paul has a fucking point. Don't let his fucking criticism get under your fucking skin. He's just having a fucking good time! Personal fucking attacks and obnoxious fucking language are not anything to take so fucking seriously! (9/18/08) Re: Vinny Cerrato on the TTDSRN (the Teeny-Tiny Danny Snyder Radio Network): What's next? Will Danny Radio employ a Spanish-language real-time translator to impart Vinny's "wisdom" on WXTR/730? Heh. (9/18/08) Ok Dave, you can have my take on the Baltimore rock station ratings since I am just an average (well, above average, but average no less) listener that jumps across the dial and only lands on one station in the morning for what he considers the better morning show, 98 Rock's Mickey, Amillia and Spiegel. One things for sure: WCHH Channel 104.3 has a long way to go before they reach the status of being a good successor to the once great 99.1 WHFS and a true competitor to the almighty 98 Rock. For one thing, the playlist is just all over the place. Too much like 98 Rock to be an "alternative", and there's more people that want "indie" and "true alternative" rock that arn't getting served properly on either station's regular FM broadcast (I still say Indie 97.9 is the best station around here, but I still don't have an HD receiver in my car, and neither does 99.9% of america). And Dave, I know you can't get the signal in VA, but if you listen to Channel 104.3's DJ's, you get some of the dullest radio in recent memory (beside maybe what's being played on DC's The Globe and WBIG). OK, they don't interject with anything but rock's factoid's and trivia, and we need more of that, but there's no personality. None. Are these people from Baltimore? Dosn't sound like it. It sounds like radio with major boundaries and hand shackles, something 98 Rock hides well. Half talk, half alt rock 105.7 WHFS's Johnny Riggs has more personality in his left testicle than Channel 104.3's entire staff including their program director, someone else you can tell just has their hands tied and is being lead by the skin of their upper lip. I don't mean to sound mad and irrate, but what I see , er, hear is a total lost opportunity. God, it could be fixed, and the audience could be swayed from DC101 and 98 Rock, but they need a reason, and right now Channel 104.3 is just more of the same, a move that killed WHFS twice. If 104.3's ratings don't at least perform what Smooth Jazz's levels were, Clear Channel will try something else (and who could blame them). I still find myself landing on WRNR every now and again, and they're probably the most adventurous rock station here, besides the HD subchannels. Ditto goes for The Bay 100.7 (ditto that I tune it in every now and again). Oh, their choice of morning show sucks too. Chris Emry is a Baltimore staple. I tried listening to the new duo from Cleveland, Cinncinatti or Connecticut or where ever the hell they're from and they suck donkey ass. Sports talk in Baltimore without specific local sports talk stinks, and that's what I heard alot of there with them guys. When it's all said and done though, Baltimore has a good deal of stations to choose from, and if we need more choices than we have the choice of Satellite radio and ipods to fill in the blanks. KeninGlenBurnie (9/18/08) Boy, the Vinny Cerrato Good Time Hour on the TTDSRN (the Teeny-Tiny Danny Snyder Radio Network) should be just fabulous. I mean, doesn't the nominal GM of the Redskins have anything better to do during business hours besides justifying his existence (and his decisions) on the owner's radio network? I guess a complete inability to feel embarrassment is liberating, in a way -- and Danny AND Vinny appear to have that inability -- in spades. Will Vinny have a band? The Titanic did . . . Sincerely, TMU (9/18/08) That face shot of Sirius XM head Mel K : it's him taking a dump. Ughghghghgh. KeninGlenBurnie (9/18/08) Broadcast Radio One is run by [deleted]. Don't know what he has planned, but with ads for his service and ads for sales and traffic people, they sound big. With Metro cutting some of their custom traffic reports for outlying areas around the country, the time to try something like this is now. Good luck to him. I'm for anyone hiring instead of firing these days. (9/18/08) Former WMZQ GM Charlie Ochs announces he is leaving the CBS Radio Tampa GM position he has held for the last 8 years. Ochs will remain in his position until a replacement is found. (9/18/08) One thing I like about Big O and Dukes is the way they take on "grownup" topics in addition to sports and snack foods, etc. But their discussion of recent financial issues showed a woeful lack of reading the business section of the WaPo. The boys were flailing, if they would just read more than the sports section, they wouldn't have to struggle with basic knowledge. Us l'il fellas expect more from the boys. Gary the Banana, on the other hand, knows this stuff backward and forward; why they didn't have him on for a phoner is beyond me. --- Chad's Dad's Purple Velvet Bag (9/18/08) WHOM DO I NEED TO WRITE/EMAIL @ MSNBC TO WISH 'KEITH-O' & 'COUNTDOWN' A RAPID TRIP TO HELL WHERE KEITH & MOST OF THE ARROGANT, OUT-OF-TOUCH, LIBERAL, LEFTY PRICKS @ MSNBC BELONGS TO BE. (9/18/08) Wow - The big news in the Baltimore book is that 100.7 The Bay smoked 98 Rock! Unfortunately the next trend likely won't be so kind to "100.7 The Bay" due to the bad morning show move, but right now - that's huge for them! Congrats! (9/18/08) Anyone know why the FCC is soliciting environmental groups in an open public letter to oppose to the WAGE 50,000 watt construction permit application? fjallfoss.fcc.gov... Seems a very odd public stance by the FCC. From what I can see so far, there does not appear to be a technical reason for lack of FCC approval of this project, yet the FCC keeps holding the plan up, I suspect possibly due to rich and influential NIMBYs masquerading in their new-found environmentalist religion. I did not see such action take place back when WCBM 680 or WVIE 1370 did their 50k upgrades a few years back. Very suspicious government intervention in this proposal. And you wonder why DC's AM band is in such bad shape. What company would want to sink this much money into a signal upgrade knowing that the FCC is going to fight the proposal on specious grounds from Day 1? Obviously, I'm not "in the know" on this proposal, so if anyone else has more info or has a better explanation for the holdup, I'd like to know. (9/18/08) Well, so much for Baltimore being dumb stereotypes. People in both Washington & Baltimore thought Chip Franklin was a rambling ill-informed dim bulb and failed stand-up comedian who was rarely funny on-air or worth listening to. But apparently, San Diego is dumber than Baltimore by a long shot! CONGRATS SAN DIEGO on winning The DUMB & DUMBER PRIZE! YAY! {balloons released} LOL (9/18/08) /\ September 18 Messages /\ \/ September 17 Messages \/ Job cuts here, job cuts there. I don’t think all you media types get it. I always read the complaints on DCRTV from people who work at Channel 9, the Washington Post and so on about how “ratings or circulation stinks,” and “if we had more money we could do this and do that.” In reality, would it really make a difference if your company had more dollars? Or for that matter more anchors, writers or photographers? No. I am bewildered how so many in Washington are so completely oblivious and naive to general economics. It is like a diet pill that will give you a ripped body with no exercise. In other words, it does not make “cents.” Time and time again, media companies have poured countless dollars in travel expenses to conventions, special events and so on. Does it give them a competitive edge when the day is done and the accounting books are settled? No. Folks, although you may not feel or see what is going on outside the Beltway, our country is in total economic disaster. The biggest and what was thought some of the strongest companies are going under. Do you think your station or paper is immune? Leaner times are ahead my friends. The job cuts we have read about over the past week or so are just the beginning. Trust me. (9/17/08) Wasn't that Chickaboomer wearing the red outfit in the front row of today's NAB Radio Show keynote address? (9/17/08) DCRTV Dave asked: "...Cut, fired, canned, resigned, dismissed, terminated, booted, released, bounced. They're all pretty harsh words. Got a suggestion for something nicer?" I’ve always liked the British phrase “made redundant”. (9/17/08) Is WBIG and The Glob being programmed by the same dullard? And it does seem WTEM is allowing criticism of the Dreadskins but the station seems to be turning into Dreadskin talk all the bleeding time. (9/17/08) Dave's response: Yeah, I don't get it. Clear Channel's classic hits WBIG and CBS's classic rock WTGB are each trying to out-dull each other. Unbelievable..... Chip Franklin, former mid-day host at WBAL, now anchors the #1 morning show in San Diego. (#1 Males 18+, #3 Women 18+). Franklin brought along his producer from BAL, Don Ayers, and after just one year on the air, he has taken KOGO to #1 (12+) in the seventh largest city in the United States. He will also appear mornings on the NBC television affiliate with a video version of his award-winning "Arrested Intelligence." Danny Knight, San Diego News Talk (9/17/08) Pulease. Whatever WTEM pays Portis to appear on the Thompson show, I guarantee that it is peanuts compared to what he makes from the Redskins and whatever endorsements he does. I give the guy credit for going after Mitchell, who comes across as the sports talk version of a punk street thug. (9/17/08) Cant say which retailer i work for but a lot more respondents are mentioning WINC-FM than Key 103 in our surveying both in store and outcall (9/17/08) ''So...our friend "Paul" has gone from criticizing the appearance of women on the air (what a gentleman!!) to dropping F-bombs in the mailbag. What a charming person he must be'' Christ, dude. Get a Fucking life! I come here to point out some of the absurdity and plain silliness I see in DC radio and TV. THAT'S part of the joy of coming here. THAT'S part of the FUN. Am I critical? Damn right I am. Why? Because it's silly, harmless and meaningless. You, on the other hand, have some mighty thin skin, my friend. So go back to slurping gin from your O'Reilly cup and PLEASE allow me to continue talking about what a fucking moron Holly Morris is! And stop taking everything written here so literally. Very Charming [and cute] Paul (9/17/08) So...our friend "Paul" has gone from criticizing the appearance of women on the air (what a gentleman!!) to dropping F-bombs in the mailbag. What a charming person he must be. (9/17/08) Gainesville, Fla. (DMA 162), is finally getting its own NBC affiliate — a station that will be one-third of a triopoly managed by New Age Media, the Wilkes-Barre, Pa.-based TV station group. MPS Media has secured the NBC affiliation for its new full-power, digital-only station, WNBW (ch. 9). "WNBW" are the former call letters of WRC-TV in Washington, DC, the NBC O&O in the nation's capital. (9/17/08) Gilbert's third operation and now how are the Wizards going to be competitive? Can you say lottery? The Wizards paid out of the wahzoo for this guy but for what. An injured guard milking a $111 million payroll. Oh well maybe Charlotte and the Atlanta teams will finish better than the Wizards this year. Ernie, what were you thinking when you paid him all that money? (9/17/08) (No. Direct your complaints to WRC, which airs the Universal Sports channel. We've been reporting that they've been having audio problems on the new "4.3" digital channel.....) Here's a better idea: Ditch the subchannel and put the bandwidth back on the main digitial channel where it belongs. (9/17/08) I listened to the Brian Mitchell/Ports interview which was pretty much a Clinton Portis tyrade. I felt like I was listening to two kids fussing with Daddy Thompson stepping in to be the referee. And if Portis had shut up for a minute to listen, maybe Brian Mitchell could've gotten his point across. On one hand, Portis said that everytime he turns on the t.v/radio, Mitchell is saying something negative. But then he said that maybe he doesn't listen all the time and may just turn it on when Mitchell is saying something negative. He said that he hears what other people say Mitchell says about him and then says he doesn't listen to what people say. John Thompson sounded like he wanted to slap both of them. (9/17/08) Mitchell and Portis should both sit down and drink a nice, cool glass of Shut The Fuck Up. Mitchell doesn't have a clue as to what the Redskins or Portis do on a daily basis and Portis should worry more about why his team is just below average and not what some dumb ass says about him on the radio. Paul (9/17/08) After his umpteenth appearance on Lou Dobbs' CNN show last night, 630 WMAL's morning guy Chris Plante will be appearing tonight on the Fox News Channel's America's Election HQ show at 5 p.m. ET to discuss the political and election stories of the day. Best to all from your lovely DCRTV Latina, -Silvie- (9/17/08) Dave's response: I hear that Plante will be stopping by his bank first, to deposit his check from the GOP..... Dave, Here's a link to Mickey's new late night talk show "Closing Time with Mickey Cucchiella". I believe it's playing on Comcast On-Demand. Thought you might want to post it. www.closingtimetv.com... Sam (9/17/08) did you see today's USA Today article on NBC's "Heroes"? David Lawrence (the guy who did mornings at WRQX before Jack Diamond, and was also on WMZQ, and a bunch of other DC stations before he started a national talk show) is an actor now and will be recurring as one of the "villians" on this season of Heroes. I don't know if it's in the actual newspaper edition or not. I saw the story online (in the Life section at usatoday.com) and David's photo and interview there are in the link that appears after the second paragraph in the main story (9/17/08) hi, I've enjoyed watching the Olympic Encore (channel 207), only yesterday there was no sound. I've contacted Comcast but nothing's happened. Are you responsible for this channel??? Ona (9/17/08) Dave's response: No. Direct your complaints to WRC, which airs the Universal Sports channel. We've been reporting that they've been having audio problems on the new "4.3" digital channel..... that ad on your front page may be a story - Broadcast Radio One? A new local traffic service? I was not aware......news to me. (9/17/08) One of the Washington Post's Sports blogs is covering yesterday's blunt interviews on 980 AM. voices.washingtonpost.com.... Also, the use of Yiddish in interviews with Jim Zorn on the Sports Reporters: voices.washingtonpost.com... If this is a sign of what 980 will be like under Dan Snyder, then it's a good one, confounding all expectations. (9/17/08) Yesterday morning, on Praise 104's "The Yolanda Adams Morning Show," the station went to a commercial break at 7:50, as do most stations. The station then played one ad, just one, before returning to the morning show. And the ad was a PSA! Is Radio One having trouble selling commercial time on the morning show? It's number 14 in today's Arbitrends, which ain't bad for a young station. Christian (9/17/08) Dave's response: WPRS should get creative like WMAL and sell the unsold time to funeral homes and cemeteries..... In all likelihood, Clinton Portis gets compensated very well for appearing weekly on John Thompson's show - so he was biting the hand that feeds him by going after Brian Mitchell yesterday. A few weeks ago, there was a similar dustup between Andy Pollin and Redskins head coach Jim Zorn on Sports Reporters (although without all the shouting). Perhaps these players and coaches expected to be treated with kid gloves on a station owned by Dan Snyder and are having trouble dealing with harsh criticism from the likes of Mitchell. On the other hand, the fact that Portis went ballistic suddenly and without provocation almost makes you wonder if the whole thing was staged by ESPN980 to create some buzz. Speaking of Reporters, I noticed there was no mention of Tony Kornheiser's 'Spanish' remark on yesterday's show. That's interesting because Pollin and Steve Czaban will generally milk a sports media controversy for all it's worth, pulling few if any punches even when it involves a legendary national broadcaster. But I guess Mr. Tony can do no wrong in Pollin's view and is thus exempt from even the mildest form of criticism on his show. Come to think of it, Pollin sometimes engages in questionable ethnic stereotyping himself with his "we Jews can't even screw in a lightbulb" type shtick (yesterday he remarked that Jewish people don't fish off docks because "we can't bait a hook"). While Jackie Mason may still be able to build a comedy routine around that and get some laughs, Pollin's clearly no Jackie Mason. He's been pulling this garbage since WTEM first went on the air 16 years ago, but I think it's high time for him to put the kibosh on it for good. Aside from the fact that the premise itself isn't accurate, Pollin should realize that we're living in very sensitive times with parents more concerned than ever about protecting their kids from teasing, taunting and other types of bullying at school and elsewhere. Does he think anti-semitism's a thing of the past? - it reared its ugly head on this very board the other day. While they say it's okay to make fun of your own kind, there are definitely situations where even that's not appropriate and an afternoon drive sports talk show on the public airwaves may be one of them. Mike, Fairfax (9/17/08) This week on "The Post Politics Program with Ed O'Keefe and Emily Freifeld" ... James Ledbetter of TheBigMoney.com helps explain our current economic troubles, and tells us Wall Street has little confidence in either Barack Obama or John McCain. Washingtonpost.com's Travis Fox speaks with The Post's Bart Gellman about his new book, "Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency." Norman J. Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute -- a self-described card-carrying Washington insider -- tells Ed why Obama and McCain will need Washington insiders in their administration, even if they're running as outsiders. "The Post Politics Program with Ed O'Keefe and Emily Freifeld" airs Thursdays and weekends on POTUS '08, XM Satellite Radio Channel 130. Don't have XM? Listen to the show anytime at PostPolitics.com. Ed O'Keefe (9/17/08) Due to the ever changing political arena the Maggie Pascal interview with Paul L. Bicknell has been moved to this coming Sunday (September 21) at 6:00PM. It's a lively, funny and interesting conversation. Unfortunately, it's pre-taped so no phone calls. Such a shame. Bicknell will be a guest again soon from Greetings and Readings, again with Ms. Pascal. The interview Sunday covers his broadcast career, advertising career and also has a lot of politics in it. Jay H. (9/17/08) Separated at birth? CNN's Susan Lisovicz & Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. (9/17/08) OK--I don't understand this. There is much fretting and wringing of hands because the DT signals in Wilmington don't reach everywhere the analog signals did. The Broadcasting and Cable article cites the case of WECT. But if you look at the coverage maps at the FCC web site, you see that the digital coverage area for WECT was always predicted to be much smaller than the analog area. So, what's the surprise? ~~CA in BC (9/17/08) (QUOTE) "The shit don't fuckin' work... It's a fuckin' horror show." (END QUOTE) Oh, if only all analysis and commentary were this plain and economical in its wording. Imagine TV editorials and the Washington Post Op-Ed page being this straightforward and honest. There would be no misinterpreting of meaning and no dancing around at apology time. I'm all for proper decorum and etiquette when posting to a site such as DCRTV, but believe me when I say stuff like this needs to be said now and again. (9/17/08) I think you're missing a another big part of this story. I live in Montgomery County and have Comcast. Just got a small digital HD TV for the bedroom, and I connect the coax directly to it--no cable box. Very often, the digital and HD channels of the broadcast stations--4, 5, 9--go out, and I receive a black screen. Comcast gets these signals just like anyone else would--antennas picking up digital broadcasts. I will bet many people will get new sets, hook them up to their Comcast coax, and be SEVERELY disappointed. (9/17/08) Dave's response: If you're watching the local TVers' digital signals directly via Comcast cable (box or no box), you should be getting excellent reception. It sounds like there's a lowish signal level on the cable outlet in your bedroom. You might want to get Comcast to check it out..... Tim Watts Gives Up PD Duties At Magic 95.9 - That is very interesting. Magic 95.9 doesn't have much in local programming. The Tom Joyner Morning Show is on from 6 to 10 am (a syndicated show), then Tim Watts is on from 10 to 3. Following Tim is Michael Baisden (a syndicated show), and Lo-Lo from 7 to midnight. After midnight Magic is automated. On the weekends there may be 3 or 4 shows with local announcers, and the remainder of the time is automated. One can only guess why Tim gave up his PD duties when much of the programming is automated or syndicated. (9/17/08) Well then, apparently "Cruze" is a mouth breather. I can understand if it was some kind of corperate decision to bring Bob & Tom to The Bay because of some kind of barter deal, but for a local PD to actually think that's a good idea is just, well, retarded. Who is this clown and why is he still employed at The Bay?!?!? Scott (9/17/08) Regarding Brian Mitchell and Clinton Portis, its linked on espn980.com as the podcast of the week. nick8.surfernetwork.com (9/17/08) The Portis-Mitchell slugfest on the Thompson show is available on the WTEM website. Portis is right. One can disagree with some of the things he does or says without dissing him the way Mitchell does. Mitchell's whole attitude is thuggish and, while Portis leaves some things to be desired, he is at least a full time player. Unlike Mitchell, who was a career return guy. I'm glad Portis took Mitchell to task. (9/17/08) (snip) nothing will happen to ole korny...hes a jew...on another note...allison seymore on fox 5---wow! what an effing bozo....(end snip) Hey, NOW I'm offended, dammit! -Bozo the Clown, Mt Sinai Memorial Park, L.A., Calif. (9/17/08) In case some of you did not hear about last night's Big O and Dukes event here is a link that tells the story quite well. www.washingtontimes.com... Colt Brennan , Jason Taylor, Marcus Washington and Stephon Heyer all showed up because of the guys at the show! Pretty crazy event. (9/17/08) From an anonymous poster: "...the oil baron's 4 year old climbs atop dad's knee. "And you my youngest, what is your wish?", inquires dad. "I'd like a Mickey Mouse outfit", answers the little boy. His father, impressed, picks up the telephone and orders the purchase of ClearChannel..." I beg to differ with you. Didn't you mean to type Citadel instead? After all, they did buy much of a Mickey Mouse radio outfit, didn't they? (Excepting ESPN Radio, which they were smart to keep!) -Unsigned Corporate Suit (9/17/08) /\ September 17 Messages /\ \/ September 16 Messages \/ Did anyone catch the entire interview between Brian Mitchell and Clinton Portis this afternoon? The Sports Reporters played about twenty seconds of it about 6:45 and it included Portis inviting Mitchell to "kiss my ass" and other invective. I was wondering what else was said. (9/16/08) The Chickaboomer in deep conversation with legendary public radio host Bob Edwards! They both have something in common---They both worked at the Mutual Broadcasting System. This photo taken at the MBS/NBC Radio news reunion this past Saturday Sean Hall - As seen at the Mutual/NBC Radio News reunion this past Saturday Jim Bohannon, as MC at the MBS/NBC Radio News Reunion - Note the strike placards behind him, and the old cornerstone plaque that was on the DC building, before Muche moved to Virginia And this is Jill Nado! Who is currently working at Bloomberg and the VOA, and was at Mutual/NBC Radio in the 90s and also worked for Uncle Mel at Unistar. And,then there's that guy Edwards--again. He read a chapter of his soon to be published memoirs... what else, the Mutual Chapter! - Rita Rich (9/16/08) DCRTV Dave asked: "...Cut, fired, canned, resigned, dismissed, terminated, booted, released, bounced. They're all pretty harsh words. Got a suggestion for something nicer?" When I was working north of the border (except south if you're in Detroit), the slang phrases often included "tinned"... (9/16/08) "Don't get mad at me for not trashing it." Shame on you Dave! Fact is, you should not have published it as it is YOUR site. YOU are contributing to the problem by forwarding such statements to a wide audience. Shame! Shame! Shame! (9/16/08) Dave's response: Oh, I get it. Just pretend the nasty stuff doesn't exist and it'll go away..... BOO HISS BOO HISS CNN & WOLF BLITZER, a new low in YELLOW JOURNALISM: McCain spokesperson says none of the candidates could run or be CEO of a major corporation & CNN promotes it all day as only SARAH PALIN can't run a major corporation so how can she be VP because they know anything Palin attracts viewers! Anyone with half a brain understands the comment. Some people at CNN need to take an extra shower today to wash that nasty yellow stain off. BOO HISS BOO HISS!!! WOW, Oh well, more ratings for FOX News & another bump in the McCain poll #s, keep up the good work! LOL (9/16/08) Re: "Unlike the Post, when I'm informed of corrections, I immediately make them." Very cool. Speaking of the Post, when do they, or any other newspaper for that matter, intend to acknowledge the digital TV channels that are on the air? I count at least 13 digital broadcast channels that have actual programs (not weather) that don't get listed in the TV mags. ~~CA in BC (9/16/08) Great news folks! Up here in the Borough of Hanover in the beautiful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I just discovered that our COMCAST has given us the Big Ten Network. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (9/16/08) Dave's response: Yeah, Comcast added that down here about a month ago on 257, plus weekend overflow channels in the low 800s. See what DCRTV Dave gets here..... Hey Dave--good day in the Mailbag today! some laughs, some "what the f*ck's?" (there are always a few of those scattered in for good measure) and some good points! On Kornheiser,,,,he needs to be dumped from MNF...ya know ESPN should have probably just left their old Sunday night crew intact...at least Paul McGuire is actually funny at times..unlike a certain balding orange dude! Tony works well on PTI because there is a running clock in the corner and he can yell and pontificate and bloviate and you know it will be over in a minute or so (at least for that topic)..and he and Wilbon seem to have genuine chemistry...this current MNF lineup is really struggline...Turico is monotonous and obvious...Jaws is almost a good color guy if he could just inject some more personality into his love affair with FUNDAMENTALS :)) and Kornheiser just doesn't add anything interesting or compelling or even funny , which the powers that be at MNF keep searching for in their relentless pursuit of trying to recapture that three man booth magic of old. (9/16/08) Is that a joke that Mike O'Meara's engaged?..Wasn't he seeing some young thang?..Is she now of legal age?? (9/16/08) I personally cannot stand to listen to a morning show that brags about Peyton Manning all morning long. Sure, he's 1 of the NFL's best all-time QBs, but if you're from Baltimore, you can't have any respect for that man anymore. When Johnny Unitas died, Manning wanted to wear replica Johnny U black high-top cleats during the Colts next game as a tribute. Maybe his heart was in the right place for the thought, but when the league office informed Manning there'd be like a $10,000 fine for nonstandard uniform clothing violation, Manning said, "OH NO AUNTIE EM, that's too much money!" (even though he has ungodly millions and millions!) So, Manning didn't do the tribute to save himself a measly $10k, chump change for a chump. What a great standup guy, NOT! PREDICTION: WZBA 100.7 PD fired soon, clock ticks... (9/16/08) Mike o Meara just got engaged! (9/16/08) Dave's response: Shit, I thought he was already married..... McCain's not your guy, but this is soooooo over the top - www.nypost.com: " "Controversial celebrity photographer Jill Greenberg, a self-professed "hard-core Dem," deliberately took a series of unflattering shots of Republican nominee John McCain for the current cover of The Atlantic - and then bragged about it on a blog." (9/16/08) I agree 100% with TMU: Kornheiser was great on the radio -- especially in his first year or so -- but he is an absolute disaster on Monday Night Football. I never dreamed he could be so terrible. Dave in Sterling (9/16/08) And since you've got me on a roll, lemme ask you this: What the hell exactly is Federal News Radio? Does anybody in their right mind really believe that the bloated bureaucracy can find enough to talk about for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without driving every listener bat-shit and mind-numbingly crazy? Even with sports pre-emption, can you imagine "Ledo Pizza and the GSA Present The New Swingline Stapler Models for Fiscal Year 2009" on the overnight shift without that vision ending in gunfire and bloodshed born of hopeless despair? Jesus Christ, I thought it was bad when WNEW-FM and WMMR used to play Judy Collins and Whaling Songs on the Sunday overnight when I was a callow youth in my collegiate salad days. Listen to that for a couple hours after reading The Sorrows of Young Werther and you wanted to throw yourself under the nearest bus. I can't imagine this existing too much longer as anything other than a couple of niche hours on a Saturday or Sunday, and that right soon. Shortly to come: Can you say Brokered Radio? Genghis Cohen, promising to shut up now... (9/16/08) Dave's response: Brokered radio? Fuck that! How about Vegas Radio on 1500 with Johnny Dark, Bob Duckman, Paul Bicknell, and Ed Walker playing cool nostalgic classics like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, and Dean Martin. And Buddy Rizer as PD and morning show host..... I speak as a huge fan of Tony K, the radio personality -- the guy who can blather on about Maggie the dog, American Idol, his favorite snacks, or Long Island geography. Love the guy; love the show; when (if) he comes back, his station will be a preset in my car. Now, that being said, what the HECK is he doing on MNF besides cashing enormous checks? Jaws and Tirico -- that would be a booth, complete, needing no extra people. Is there some federal law that the MNF booth has to have three rear ends in it? Mr. Tony is great -- but he's awful on MNF, and I look forward to the day he LEAVES MNF, and comes back to the radio. Sincerely, TMU (9/16/08) What's going to happen on 100.7 The Bay in a few weeks after The Colts play The Ravens? Are Bob & Tom going to slam Baltimore & The Ravens all morning long ? Might just must be 100.7's PD's last day at work and/or the day an angry mob forms outside the studio throwing rocks! BRILLIANT programming idea. NOT! HAha! (9/16/08) I previously posted here about Verizon requiring everyone to have a converter box in each & every room of their house w/ a TV and was ridiculed by some fool who tried to argue "What's the big deal having 6 converter boxes and 6 more remotes in the house?" I'm sometimes convinced there are Comcast, Verizon, & FCC plants posting here because those comments were so utterly foolish! I do not know why the FCC does not force cable companies & Verizon to offer a basic channel package equivalent to their analog offerings right now on the QAM band. Every new HDTV set is basically DIGITAL-cable ready. This would make the most sense, so I guess that's why the FCC is not mandating it! HAha! It's only the cable companies and VERIZON that are going out of their way to make HDTV sets NOT COMPATIBLE! I suspect some of these reasons are DMCA issues. The motion picture studios do not want unprotected digital video of their content on the QAM band because it can more easily be copied, whereas Comcast can encrypt and scramble and at least have some control over content usage through the restrictions on their DVR recording software (another consumer hassle). My guess is the entire reason is to prevent the illegal burning of DVDs from HDTV, but there could be other issues I'm missing here. Anyone want to chime in? (And PUHLEASE, not the I love 6 converters & remotes guy! GEESH!) Oh, another sleazy thing Comcast did recently was, they've been replacing the removed analog channels with say 20-1 or 56-1, only its NOT ION or CMT, the programming they removed. I guess they figure people won't notice. And still their TV GUIDE CHANNEL is wrong for 3-6 months now, depending on the channel. I think ION has been gone since last fall possibly, yet it STILL shows on COMCAST's TV GUIDE Channel! And if I see those lying TOTALLY FALSE cable commercials claiming everything is going to stay the same if you stay wth CABLE TV once more, I think I'm gonna throw a rock at my TV! That advertisement, funded by the cable industry and/or possibly your tax dollars, is so blatantly false, I'm surprised there hasn't been a lawsuit yet! All in all though, this whole FEB '09 mess is already turning out to be one complete fiasco and hassle for consumers. And it's only going to get worse in the coming months. BLAME THE FCC, the media conglomerates the FCC is in bed with, AND YOUR TECH STUPID CONGRESS for allowing this mess to happen. Once again the consumer loses. :-( (9/16/08) Before your next WaPo rant, here are some corrections for your Station List: {810 - WYRE - Spanish music/talk - Annapolis MD}--Dropped Spanish a long time ago; it simulcasts WKHZ Ocean City, which you list as "contemporary hits"--fairly accurate, but it's heavy on the 80s hits... {1370 - WVIE - talk - Baltimore MD} -- Sports Talk... {1590 - WFBR - ethnic - Glen Burnie MD} -- Much like WCTN did, WFBR has adopted a music format to fill the gaps between brokered programming. "Motown oldies" would best describe it, although there are a very few non-Motown tracks. "Soul oldies"?... Also, {56 - WNVC - MHz - Fairfax VA} and {57 - WNVC/DT - MHz - Fairfax VA} are history. WNVC-TV won't be back; WNVC-DT will return on 24 when WUTB gets out of the way.... I applaud you for listing the actual channel numbers for the DT signals. This info is not commonly published. ~~CA in BC (9/16/08) Dave's response: Unlike the Post, when I'm informed of corrections, I immediately make them. It doesn't take me a couple of months to do it. Check out the list now. Oh, I also flipped 94.7 back to "classic rock," 730 to "Spanish sports talk," 107.7 to "news," and 1500 and 820 to "Federal news talk"..... now that MASN decided to go full time with a MASN HD channel... do you know of anyone who would want to purchase the domain name www.masnhd.com or www.masn2.com - my company owns both of these names (I only bought them a few months ago) and I spoke to MASN about purchasing them from me... they declined and decided to purchase masnhd.tv. I have had hits from people looking for the masnhd site since when you initially type in a domain name you do a .com and not a .tv... Mike Bloom, Production Plus Direct Marketing (P2DM), Olney, 301-774-6344 (9/16/08) The NFL was “pushing” Hispanic heritage month because it is Hispanic heritage month. The NFL is serious about marketing to the fastest growing segment of our population and that makes perfect sense. In addition, the game was held in Texas where a major part of that population resides today. A big part of the Monday Night telecast has always revolved around major events around the country and it is important to recognize all segments of our community. Our community as a whole needs to be educated on all of our cultures, so that we can live, and work together. The fact that Tony Kornheiser chose last night to slur the Hispanic community, clearly illustrates the need for such education. (9/16/08) Oh please. Everybody knows that the best dry cleaners are the Chinese, followed by the Koreans. That remark by Tony towards Spanish-speaking people means nothing, just a funny remark. Take it from me, your 'unofficial' DCRTV Latina. Nothing to see here, move along now.... -Silvie- (9/16/08) Dave's response: Almost everyone who works at my bank is from India..... I'm obviously missing all of the broohaha about Tony Kornheiser's comment. If I'm not mistaken, the comment was made after a punt return by a non-Hispanic player. And it was more of a humorous attempt at Spanish translation..And if it wasn't directed at a Hispanic player, and correct me if it was, then how was it offensive? (9/16/08) The Kornheiser blunder is blowing up in the blogosphere. Ya gotta wonder if this will be used as an excuse to shove Korny overboard. (9/16/08) Of course The Cure is right; IT"S ALL DEM JEWS FAULT!! DEM JOOS! DEM JOOS!! DEM JOOOOOOOSSSS!!! Just like Louie Farrakhan and Pat Buchanan told him. We really shouldn't be so hard on him, though; he lost a relative in the Holocaust. Poor bastard fell out of a guard tower. Bump-a-da-Boom! Thank you ladies and gents, I'll be here all week. Please don't forget to try the veal...…..Genghis Cohen, who knows where The Cure lives (Courtesy of the World Wide Jewish Conspiracy), and will be over there right quick to penny your doors and key the punk ass car your mommy bought to make you forget about the scary Jews hiding under your bed... (9/16/08) Would someone please tell Meester Kornheiser that he still hasn't paid me for the last two times I cleaned his suits. Signed, Pedro, his Dry Cleaner. (9/16/08) I just read on another site that Sirius stock was selling at 80 cents a share and another site reports that it is 70 cents. Is this time to buy? JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (9/16/08) Apparently the Bob & Tom show was an idea from Cruze, the new PD for The Bay. (9/16/08) I don’t understand ESPN’s commitment to Kornheiser on the Monday Night Football gig. He was certainly the worst part of last year’s crew and somehow manages to be even worse this year. Last night was one of the most exciting NFL games played in years and TK managed to water it down with his dreary delivery and poorly-timed quips. I like him with Wilbon on Pardon the Interruption, but he’s single-handedly turned Monday Night Football into “Mundane Night Football”. This is a gots-to-go situation to quote the man himself. Bill, Sterling VA (9/16/08) Of course Tony Kornheiser was made to apologize last night during MNF. It was sickening the way the NFL was pushing a pro Mexican view down or throat last night. Give me the game NFL and ESPN and leave your pro immigration views to the news channels. (9/16/08) “NBC4 is back to their old bullshit. The last two mornings they have a reporter standing in darkness or semi-darkness at an expensive Bethesda/Chevy Chase gas station in front of the price sign.” Don’t despair. In a few months we’ll have a good snowstorm. Then they can go back to reporting from salt domes or on the street with a ruler showing us there actually is measurable snow. In the mean time, maybe Geraldo or another jackass standing in surging hurricane tides will get washed out to sea. We got close this last time. God that would be great! (9/16/08) TOTHE CURE: straight and to the point. You're a pig, you have the attitude that gets you nowhere! You're an anti-everything wart hog. Your sick opinions are your lifestyle. I would bet you've never accomplished anything that made anyone you come in contact proud to say they know you. Post with your name, real name and someone would hunt you down. PLB:0( (9/16/08) Dave's response: Jeez. Hunt you down? And then what? Force them to listen to the Globe 24/7 at high volume? That would be a fitting punishment..... Kornheiser offered a full apology on the air. It was not a pathetic “I’m sorry if I offended anybody”. He knew to man up. (9/16/08) Hi Dave, I watched most of the MNF game and turned the sound down in the 2nd half. Korny, besides making a really lame joke, is really unlistenable. He adds nothing to the broadcast and awkardly injects himslef whenever he senses more than 3 seconds of dead air time. Hey Tony, how 'bout you just STFU and let the guys who know something talk. (9/16/08) I have to agree with Biff. I can't watch any Washington stations up here in Pennsylvania but I do watch a Baltimore newscast every evening and a Harrisburg newscast following that one. I seems to me that the stations really love to show us the gas prices every day. They seem to really enjoy interviewing people pumping gas. I sit here and watch wondering what I would say if being interviewed on camera. I think I would have to laugh and say, "I love it, I wish it was ten dollars a gallon". It seemed the same when everybody was on camera during the last several huricanes. They just couldn't wait for the worst to happen. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (9/16/08) Last night around 9:15 all of the channels on my cable tv went out, as well as internet service. I really wanted to watch the entire MNF game. Why can't RCN (formerly starpower) keep their service consistent? Every day the internet goes out at least once or twice for brief periods, and now they can't keep their cable tv service operable during prime time. I wonder what happened? The weather was fine. (9/16/08) Good grief. Kornheiser (who I really don't care about one way or another) makes a joke that's more about his inability to understand Spanish than anything else, and the people who make being a victim their lifelong goal come crawling out of the woodwork. Everybody needs to grow a set. There's nothing to apologize for, and nothing to cry and whine about. . . . As for "canned" being too harsh a word, business is harsh. It doesn't matter what kind of "contributions" you've made. When the bean counters decide your number on the spreadsheet doesn't add up the way their projections said it should, you're canned. Dumped. Booted. History. Remember: if your name isn't on the bottom of the checks, you're working a temp job. That's reality. ~~CA in BC (9/16/08) Dave, why the marketing push to have Albie Dee as the morning personality on 94.7? Is he one of your "insider reliable sources"? LOL! Albie is a decent DJ (WPGC, XM, etc) but I just don't "feel" him fitting well into the Rock format. Nothing against the guy, he just doesn't work for me on this particular format. As for 94.7's World Class Rock format, I never truly understood the concept, direction, big picture or vision. If you are going to mix Classic Rock with newer music - why in the hell would you choose newer artists like Colby Callais, Sarah Bareilles or K.D. Tunstall??? If I want to listen to those, I'll tune into AC stations (NOT). You cannot transition from Floyd's Wish You Were Here to Callais' Bubbly. (Oops, I think I just threw up into my mouth a bit.) I agree with you that Weasel has to be moved off mornings. He is far too frentic in the morning. 94.7 needs a really solid morning show. Hopefully, with the arrival of Marci Wiser changes will come. I've been impressed with her in the middays so far (sure beats Schelby - not that it would be hard to beat Schebly). Time will tell. Ray (9/16/08) Regarding the Kornheiser slur on Monday Night Football last night…Haven’t people been fired for a lot less? You can’t use the excuse that you were trying to be funny, because those days are over, and Tony knows that to be true. There are not any editors on “live” television. Ask Kelly Tilgman at the Golf Channel how her “unintentional” slur at African Americans worked out for her this year…Tony will either be suspended, or receive a formal reprimand from the Network. (9/16/08) (Cut, fired, canned, resigned, dismissed, terminated, booted, released, bounced. Got a suggestion for something nicer?) How about: "let go", "ended relationship with", "drove out", or my personal favorite "abdicate"? Ray (9/16/08) Dave's response: My favorite - "gone from"..... nothing will happen to ole korny...hes a jew...they can say anything about anyone and get away with it. they control tv, hollywood, wall street and in about 20 years, congress.....and thats a shame...on another note...allison seymore on fox 5---wow! what an effing bozo....wonder why SHE keeps her job and bobby sellers gets canned? they are peas in a pod...mistake laden, mumble mouthed, arrogant, unfunny and really bad dressers....THE CURE (9/16/08) Dave's response: Don't get mad at me for not trashing it. Yeah, the above post is pretty tasteless. But it indicates that some people really think that way. It's important for us to realize that..... Well...gas prices are rising..you know what that means....NBC4 is back to their old bullshit. The last two mornings they have a reporter standing in darkness or semi-darkness at an expensive Bethesda/Chevy Chase gas station in front of the price sign. The reporter sings the blues, then we are treated to file footage of customers pumping gas, high-priced gas stations not even in this area, oil wells pumping etc. Then of course we need interviews with customers singing the blues. What makes you think we want to see this stuff over and over again, NBC4? I was in Pittsburgh during the last price rise and the station merely shows a graphic of the current prices without the additional crap. Regards Biff (9/16/08) I'll be hosting "The Time Machine", a 50's and 60's oldies show, tonight from 8 PM to 11 PM ET on www.topshelfoldies.com. I invite you to tune in, and to join your fellow afficianados in the chat room. Top Shelf Oldies features different deejays every evening, with rare recordings, live interviews, and requests. Archived shows are rebroadcast every Tuesday on www.wgay.fm. -Ken "Carpenter" Sleeman (9/16/08) It's bad enough that Bob & Tom are as about as funny as testicular cancer, but add to that the fact that they are in Indy and are cheering for Indy sports on a Baltimore station (?) and that's just shameful for "The Bay". Whoever thought that putting a syndicated lamo gabfest on The Bay should find themselves unemployed and unemployable by any other radio station. I don't care about Indy or the Colts as a fairly recent transplant, but it really is a no brainer. It's like they are trying to fail with that aweful show. I gave B&T a few days to grow on me, and nope, not gonna happen. I haven't listened to that station since last week and I suspect that a lot of others tuned away and forgot to tune back just like me. Actually I'm looking for a new station to listen to in the AMs and have been checking out a different station each morning. So far it's looking good for WRNR who's morning show is actually quite good now. Scott (9/16/08) Haber re-signed last year. He's not going anywhere. He works his ass off and writes circles around everyone in town. He wins the freaking Emmy every year (not that that means anything) and he makes the stable of vanilla sportscasters at the other stations look -- well, vanilla. He's got some haters from his days at Fox, but he's been a good citizen at 9. They like him with good reason. (9/16/08) “Canned” is such a harsh word, especially when you are dealing with quality people losing family sustaining jobs. Times are tough, but just because a person is no longer employed by a station does not mean they were necessarily “canned.” People leave for a plethora of reasons. This is your site, so you can say what you wish, but at least give them the benefit of the doubt and a little bit of dignity or recognition of what they have contributed to the Washington, DC market. (9/16/08) Dave's response: Cut, fired, canned, resigned, dismissed, terminated, booted, released, bounced. They're all pretty harsh words. Got a suggestion for something nicer? Lots of complaints every few months recently when Comcast removes another channel from analog and forcing subscribers to purchase a digital receiver for each TV to receive the channel. Where’s the complaints about Verizon FIOS dropping ALL analog channels in July forcing subscribers to have a digital receiver for each TV to receive ANY channel? (9/16/08) How nice of Korny to insult an entire race of people on MNF. How sad that it was a GREAT game-except for him being there. I hope he gets fired for that remark. He should get together with fellow Major Asshole, Chris Matthews and they could sit around and make fun of latinos, women, blacks and others. What an moron! Paul (9/16/08) You would think, that someone claiming to have an IQ into "triple digits" would be smart enough to sign their name and take credit for being an "above average monkey". Someone who would make such a claim would want to be known for his prowess over other monkeys. Sadly, this pitiful, pathetic monkey gave away, his very low IQ by forgetting to sign his name. HOW DUMB A MONKEY CAN YOU BE? Single digit IQ monkeys should not write in to DCRTV and Dave, you really need to protect them from themselves and making total fools of themselves. It does not reflect kindly on other ape-human monkey boys. You have to feel sorry for the ape-humans, who try to deceive other monkeys, by making false claims like this imposter. When I am President, we'll put ape-human, lip-drooling, monkey-boys like this to sleep, so they don't bother the other monkeys on DCRTV or anyplace either. VOTE COMMANDER BUNNY 2008 (9/16/08) /\ September 16 Messages /\ \/ September 15 Messages \/ I don't know a lick of Spanish but I have to believe listening to the Monday Night game on ESPN Deportes is better than listening to Kornheiser in my native language. Tony needs to stick with PTI and maybe a radio show. (9/15/08) A rich oil baron has 3 sons and wants to grant them all gifts. His oldest son, recently graduated college, comes to visit and dad asks what he would most like. The son says he wants to engineer automobiles. Dad picks up the telephone and within a few minutes the oldest son owns Mercedes-Benz. Son number two is just graduating high school and enters the room and is asked what he most wants. "A good education", he replies. In a stroke his father orders the purchase of Harvard. Then the oil baron's 4 year old climbs atop dad's knee. "And you my youngest, what is your wish?", inquires dad. "I'd like a Mickey Mouse outfit", answers the little boy. His father, impressed, picks up the telephone and orders the purchase of ClearChannel. (9/15/08) Let's hope the ch-ch-changes keep going at WUSA Ch. 9 and that self-absorbed closet-nail-biter Haber gets shown the door as well. Any idea when his contract is up? (9/15/08) Bob and Tom on WZBA were gushing about wins by The Indy Colts & Washington Redskins and invoking such names as the "great" Peyton Manning and Joe Theisman, just what Baltimore wants to hear. Brilliant!! lmao! (9/15/08) Given that cable is slowly moving toward digital-only service, I thought it was time to start buying equipment that could receive cable's digital QAM channels. I connected an LG RC797T DVD recorder to my Comcast cable line in Howard County and let it seek channels. It found close to 100 digital channels. A lot of them had nothing on them (no audio or video). A lot of them showed "scrambled", indicating the presence of a signal that the tuner was not allowed to decode. Most of what could be seen were the off-air channels (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 22, 24, 26, 32, 45, 54) and their digital sub-channels. Those appeared multiple times in both HD and SD formats. The only cable-only channels to appear were one of the music-only channels (Adult Top 40), C-SPAN 2, and Gospel Music Channel. Plus, during the Olympics, two NBC Sports channels were present. No "regular" cable channels could be seen, leading me to believe that Comcast really wants revenue by requiring you to rent a digital converter box if you want to watch channels such as A&E, Sci-Fi, Discovery, MTV, AMC, etc. Years ago, the FCC mandated that a subscriber could provide his own analog cable box but that doesn't seem to be the case with digital. Also, the LG RC797T can receive off-air ATSC digital signals. I connected it to a bow-tie antenna and it received broadcasts much better than two different types of $40-coupon-eligible converter boxes. I bought it on eBay for $25, cheaper than converter boxes. (9/15/08) "WYPR has got to clean up and synch up its two signals on 88.1...." A person driving toward Olney would pick up both the Frederick and Baltimore transmitters in areas where their signal strengths are approximately equal. It is those two analog signals that are not in sync. It has nothing to do with HD. (9/15/08) "...'COMMANDER BUNNY'..." wants to appeal to those "...with IQ's into double digits (10 or more)...." Given what and how he writes, that seems appropriate. Those of us with IQs in triple digits have his permission to ignore him. (9/15/08) R.I.P Richard Wright. We'll never see Pink Floyd together again now. It was bad enough when Syd died. But they'll never be another Rick Wright. And they'll never be another Pink Floyd. Pitiful. Sad. (9/15/08) I think I read somewhere that Leslie Cook was married to some guy who was the chief of staff of Mike Brown (or Brownie as Bush called him) at FEMA. Well, with Brownie leaving, I wonder if Leslie Cook's husband lost his job and was relocated or chose to move to Texas..Oh well..Everyday it appears that someone's either leaving or being fired on our local news stations. (9/15/08) To add insult to injury Dave, Comcast is also deleting the AMC, CMT, ION, and possibly other channels for those with HDTV sets, i.e., NOT replacing the signals with QAM digital SD signals like they very well easily could, so if you have a brand new READY FOR '09 HDTV set and hate paying extra for Comcast Digital Cable or don't want 6 cable boxes and 6 extra remotes in your house, guess what? YOU LOSE TOO! Funny thing is, I actually get duplicate analog/digital cable channels on my HDTV of some channels (and I'm not talking about the locals) and oddly enough BOTH in SD, NEITHER in HD, so obviously its not a spectrum or channel space issue. The FCC seriously needs to put a stop to this mess of a situation before it gets completely out of hand in Feb '09. So far, the FCC has been asleep at the switch on many fronts. (9/15/08) With WFED taking over the big frequencies and changing their format Bill O'Reilly seems to have been left out of the shuffle. I tried all over the dial today and couldn't pick him up even from out of town. How long before he finds his way back onto a DC station? (9/15/08) Dave's response: I'm told that WTNT will be announcing some more schedule additions in the near future. Maybe O'Reilly..... Commander Bunny...YOU GET IT! You're so right..these hide behind the bush cynical no talent sarcastic "posters" they DON'T GET IT. For us..the GEEZERS this is a place to play! Murph, Ed Graham Tom Gauger...Johnny Dark, we all lived in the era where radio was fun and the fact is we haven't lost our edge for humor and we are able to say what we KNOW. It really gets some folks angry and we DON'T CARE! You can depend on my vote...Granny,er, Bobb..ummm ANG aha...PLB:0) (9/15/08) Dave, there should be a new slogan for WTGB...Classic Rock 94.7 WTGB.....we are what was the Arrow at the end of their run but with different staff and call letters. It's well deserved name and let's all be thankful that the WHFS letters did NOT end up on 94.7 because it would be considered to be a insult now! Dan (9/15/08) Dave's response: Heck, the Arrow was a better station compared with how the Globe is now. I like Weasel, but Mark/Art/Allie and even Stevens/Medley did better morning shows. 94.7 needs to put Albie Dee in mornings - "The 94.7 Big Fat Morning Show" - and move skinny Weasel to evenings to do a "deep tracks" classic rock show. Which is what he's good at..... AMC (American Movie Classics) is being removed from many ANALOG Comcast systems along with ION and CMT to slowly nudge people to higher priced digital cable. The FCC should step in and stop this process or at least force Comcast to be honest & upfront with customers, but so far, the FCC has bungled all things about the HD switch, so what else would you expect? Comcast's TV Guide Channel continues to list channels that have been removed 3-4 MONTHS AGO! THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL! And all the while COMCAST is advertising that NOTHING will CHANGE for you if you have CABLE in Feb '09. Sure it won't, that's why the AHOLES are removing the analog channels NOW! With the phony Comcast broadband internet ads stating false high speeds (when in fact Comcast is admittedly blocking much high speed traffic & been paper tiger hand-slapped by the FCC with no consequences), the level of FALSE ADVERTISING from Comcast is really becoming both astounding and unprecedented. And you're not going to see ANY reports about this on ANY local media as Comcast spends a small fortune in advertising. The dirty little secret is that not one local TV station could afford to lose that advertising account, that's for damn sure! (9/15/08) All I can say about WTOP is "Christy King rocks!" And "I can relate to Bob Marbourg." And "They bill a lot!" (9/15/08) AMC, channel 67 in Montgomery on Comcast, shows up when I use my cable box, but not directly through my 10 year old cable ready TVs.....I noticed it a few days ago also. If I had the patience to wait on hold for 1/2 an hour, I'd call and inquire. (9/15/08) Dave's response: It looks like Comcast has dropped the analog signal of AMC from channel 67. But your cable box picks up the digital signal when you tune it to 67..... Another Jim Zorn press conference on ESPN980, another conference where you could not hear one fucking question that was asked. A company is paying good money to sponsor this drivel? It also sounded like they abruptly cut it off at 1PM. What happened? They got too far behind on ads? Oh, and you can download the whole press conference on the station's website..more like..you can download half of the conference. Regards Biff (9/15/08) I for one can't get enough of the posts about the GEEZER'S of DC Radio and TV. PLB, Pat Murphy, Ed Graham, Johnny Dark, Sean Hall, Tom Gauger, Ed Rodriguez etc., etc., etc! At least, there was a time, when DC had some genuine talent in it, and acted like it was a top 10 radio market. What is amazing, is that these guys are still more entertaining than the current crop of LOSERS! Some of these guys haven't been on DC radio for 30-years, yet, amazingly, still are remembered, talked about and still entertain! Their posts are funnier than anything done on DC airwaves today! Let me remind you monkeys that I am running for President of the United States and if you'd like to show your support you can get one of my bumper stickers or t-shirts by going to EBAY, typing in "COMMANDER BUNNY" in the search engine which will bring up a menu of fine monkey products you can buy, to show your support. Only monkeys (ape-humans) (that would be you dummy) with IQ's into double digits (10 or more) will be allowed to purchase a t-shirt or bumper sticker. With just a few weeks left, and you can't possibly be voting for Demomonkeys and Republimonkeys, can you? VOTE COMMANDER BUNNY IN NOVEMBER, its time to send the monkeys back to the zoo! As your President I will resurrect these funny monkeys, these RADIO GODS of the 60's-70's-80's and return them to their once mighty command of the DC airwaves! Your monkey (ape-human) candidates aren't promising anything even close to such revolution, are they? It's time to put a Rabbit in charge. Clearly the monkeys have had over 250-years and what do they have to show for it? VOTE COMMANDER BUNNY! (9/15/08) Not local media (except for the Michael Phelps connection), but was that not THE WORST UNFUNNY SNL season premiere ever? Sure Tina Few does a good Palin appearance wise, but except for that, the rest of show, even the remaining Palin jokes & Weekend Update were terribly unfunny. Phelps was a stiff, painful to watch. You could almost hear people in the audience groaning at times and the show was full of, ummm "smattering of applauses"! Oh, not surprisingly, The Baltimore Sun gave the show a good review! www.baltimoresun.com... But beware: reading the comments on the SUN story could peel the paint off your walls! LOL (9/15/08) Today on her show Stephanie Miller said her show was beign heard once again in D.C. on WWRC-AM, effective today. - D.J. (9/15/08) Best Buy purchases Napster, Bank of America purchases Merrill Lynch, all we need is for Disney to purchase Coca-Cola and Skynet can go online. Where's Sarah Connor when you need her? G.K. in Timonium (9/15/08) I just got a call and checked out DCRTV to find very sarcastic referral to Maggie Pascal and myself. First of all I don't appreciate the accusation of happy grass and your sarcasm directed at Maggie in the same sentence. Secondly, I appreciate the fact that you seem to really get a rise out of pot shotting and not signing. It's always the same (hide in the bushes sarcasm.) I can't for the life of me understand the resentment you carry. I'm easy to find so anytime you'd like pick up the phone and let's have at it. PLB/Granny/Bobb/ and others too numerous to mention :0) (9/15/08) Pat, backatcha. Happy Grass? Just what does that mean? The meaness on this site is at times beyond comprehension. Maggie is a very strong personality, great drive, bright and friendly. And, she is a good interviewer. PLB is what he is and that's OK with PLB and lots of friends. Evidently it's not OK with you buddy. Just what gets your panties in a wad???? Pat (9/15/08) RE: "she’s a really good interviewer."....that was PLB talking about Maggie Pascal. PLB, what kind of happy grass are you smoking, buddy? (9/15/08) Bob Howard a post from PLB's past!!! WWBD. "What Would BOBB Do?" Pre-emting a live show 15 minutes before air time with no warning! Now that is a BOBB Pettit move. The engineer was steamed, Maggie Pascal was cool and I'm sure PLB was along for the ride, catch the show on Sunday the 27th at 7:00PM. All the PLB haters will be so frustrated cause they can't call in. Pat (9/15/08) ("world class newspaper Hell the only reason they know it's not on WBIG is your website. ") This person makes a very good point Dave. Why should you do the Post's work for them? It would actually be better in the long run not to report the Post's mistakes and let them continue to look like the morons they really are. The hope would be that more people will cancel their subscriptions and donate the money to you. (9/15/08) To BBOB: Please excuse PBL today, he is suffering from Empathy Deficit Disorder. Bob Howard (9/15/08) I wish WRC tv would replace Barbara Harrison in the morning. She stumbles on her words a lot when she reads the teleprompter and makes many mistakes. She may be a nice lady in real life, but WRC needs to put someone next to Joe Krebs that is competent. Put Barbara back in the field and out of the anchor chair. She is really bringing the morning news show down. (9/15/08) Ya gotta love WTOP, because they are such a silly bunch of clowns when it comes to real news. This morning they hyped 'the biggest Wall Street news since the Great Depression' over and over and over -- but said it would just have to wait until after "Knuckleheads in The News." Then they had the nerve to say that they are THE place for political news during the presidential election...this would be that station that didn't bother to send a single reporter to the conventions. Pathetic. Warning: by sending this, I've guaranteed that the Mailbag will be flooded with "Christy King rocks!" and "I can relate to Bob Marbourg" and "They bill a lot!" messages for the next 24-36 hours. My apologies. But it would do this town a lot of good to get a REAL news station so we could set these giggling amateurs on the shelf, where they belong. (9/15/08) What did The Globe expect with its "World Class" experiment? By keeping the same old classic rock 90% of the time and filling in the rest with a handful of currents, most of which (Colbie Calliat, Sara Barialles, John Mayer) are basically Hot AC staples, all you're doing is alienating everyone. I realize I can't expect a commercial station to do something like Minnesota Public Radio's The Current or Seattle's KEXP. But if they tried to be WRNR, or even LA's Indie 103, and played interesting new stuff like Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, The National, etc., in steady enough rotation to familiarize the songs, would they really do worse than they already are? The World Class format isn't evidence that new music doesn't work; it's evidence that a half-ass job at several things pleases no one. (9/15/08) Bob Schieffer, host of CBS' Face the Nation, appears tonight, 10:06-11PM on the Jim Bohannon Show, 1500 on the AM dial, to talk about the campaign, the debate he moderates 10/15, and his new book. (9/15/08) Re: "Nothing exciting or compelling there. they can call them McCain and Obama whatever, but those 2 stations will remain what they are...a non issue. they haven't had any ratings of any meaning for years." Not to question an obviously factual statement, but...for the short term? Great idea. It'll actually give 570/1260 some temporary buzz through the election. It certainly doesn't fix the long-term problem for these two anemic signal stations, but why not take the ride along with the white hot interest in the campaign? (9/15/08) RE: Line up "tweaks" at 1260 and 570. Nothing exciting or compelling there. they can call them McCain and Obama whatever, but those 2 stations will remain what they are...a non issue. they haven't had any ratings of any meaning for years. and if you look at 3WT's failure (similar line up, but with bigger names and much better distribution) there is no reason for hope at RZ. It is ironic that Tantum ended up there. however, with those line-ups and weak signals, unfortunately he may be in for more talk radio misery. (9/15/08) Dave's response: Snyder needs to treat 570 and 1260 as one signal, since the coverage of both is crappy, particularly at night. PD Tantum needs to pick "the best of" (yeah, ha ha ha) what's on both signals and make one talker on two signals. That's the only hope of generating any ratings "traction"..... AMC is gone from Baltimore County analog cable, too. Comcast does *not* alert anyone when they decide to remove a channel from the analog 'service'. If you call them, they will simply tell you "we did not remove AMC, it's still available with digital cable". Which means they expect you to pay more to receive what you had been receiving, wait around all day for an installer who probably knows less than you do about how to install it, etc., etc. Since you have to go through all that anyway (if you don't want to settle for constantly whittled away selection at the same price), it's a good time to look at the satellite companies. DirecTV and Dish Network have slightly different channel choices, both of which are more attractive, IMO, than Comcast's. (9/15/08) Dave's response: It depends on the franchise agreement Comcast has with a locality. I'm pretty sure that my Comcast system has to provide a mailing giving subscribers 30-days notice of any change to basic or expanded basic analog service. But that requirement might not exist in Baltimore County..... Maybe not getting the Redskins broadcast stations right is Washington Post's way of getting back at Dan Snyder for his criticism of the Post's coverage of the Redskins. Meeoow...I love a good catfight. (9/15/08) Any ideas why AMC on Comcast Montgomery has been off the air since Friday last? Did Comcast jump AMC to digital without alerting the paying public? Or is Ike was the problem? (9/15/08) Dave's response: Nope, the Movie Butcher is coming in fine here in Reston, where Comcast gives us three feeds of AMC - standard-def analog, standard-def digital, and high-def digital. Three of the same AMCs and still no Fox Movie Channel. Hmmm..... XM Radio is plugging an all-AC/DC channel this morning on Ch.53 – not sure if that’s where it’s going or if it’s replacing the all-Metallica channel. Honestly, while I don’t like all of the bands they do this for (Coldplay) I DO like that they’re willing to do this. (9/15/08) Dave's response: Oh, DC's 94.7 is still running its all-Stones format on its HD2. It would be better to put those cool deep tracks on the main signal, and slap the Ted Nugent/Styx/Journey/Kansas crap from the main signal to the HD2..... Am I the only one who thinks the audio mix on NBC's coverage of tonight's Pittsburgh-Cleveland game is AWFUL? Crowd noise is burying the commentary (which, tonight, isn't necessarily a bad thing since it's obscuring the old windbag John Madden). (9/15/08) How nice to see Lehman headed for bankruptcy. Along with, quite probably, their golden child, Sirius. I said, back in 2000, as Lehman was handing them $200M loans like candy AND writing glowing investor guidance of them, that Sirius was a stock fraud and that Lehman's lending practices should be investigated by the SEC. Remember Sirius has nearly filed bankruptcy more than once, is now a penny stock and was voted "Worst Stock of 2007" by one writer of investment advice. Watching those two twist in the wind, one slowly, the other with hurricane force speed, has proven that every dog has his day. Good things take time, and their time has come. Both hopefully will soon be gone. (9/15/08) Ray said - "I haven't seen a list or heard who specifically was eliminated from the staffs yet but there are a few on air staff that I wouldn't miss (including a certain too-tan giggler) one bit" YAHTZEE, Ray. I couldn't agree more. Miles (9/15/08) "WYPR has got to clean up and synch up its two signals on 88.1 Driving from Columbia to Olney on Friday, the new southern signal -- the one that's encroaching on WMUC-FM -- was about 2 second delayed from the Baltimore site" What "southern signal"? The FCC says they just have Baltimore and Frederick transmitters. I suspect you are hearing poor synchronization between the analog and digital signal on the same transmitter. In other words, your radio is reverting to the analog signal now and then as you drive along. A few radios allow locking to the analog signal to avoid this common problem in digital fringe areas. This problem is yet another "benefit" of HD radio. (9/15/08) Re, Dave: "Anybody know of a battery-powered digital TV, or a radio that can pick up digital TV audio? I thought not....." Most Radio Shack stores have a little 7-inch portable Accurian digital model that at least looks really good in the store. I haven't tried one out, though, and it's expensive ($199!). It'd probably work for home use when the power goes out, though I have no idea how long the rechargeable battery would last. And the telescoping antenna built-in wouldn't do squat for reception of digital signals, though it will allow you to use a different antenna. As for the radio, not yet that I've heard. And moving DTV reception is pretty much out, due to the nature of the current digital TV standard...they are working on grafting a mobile video standard onto ATSC, but it's still in the testing phases. Whenever this happens, that'll probably open the door for TV audio radios, too. (9/15/08) This whole computer & local TV station live streaming, cell phone video, internet debate does prove one simple point I've always suspected and it is now officially confirmed I think........ While many of the people posting on this topic might be highly inteliigent people, who knows, maybe even controlling our airwaves or broadcasting their faces on it.............. Most people in the mainstream media, EVEN the MEDIA ELITE, just like the general public, are TECH STOOOOOPID! I laugh my ass off at every column The Baltimore Sun's TECH/COMPUTER columnist writes and often wonder if he can even screw in a lightbulb. I am, however, quite certain he could write HOW-TO instructions and/or write a news story ABOUT screwing in a light bulb. BIG DIFFERENCE! Get the picture? :-) (9/15/08) The "voices" on WCTN were Bill Parris, Jason Michaels, Paul Bicknell, and Jim Cooke. (9/15/08) This is the second week in a row that those gasbags on the Comcast Redskins Post Game Show have cut away from Coach Zorn's post game press conference after 90 seconds or so to bloviate and pontificate and listen to the sound of their own recycled ideas and opinions. I wouldn't like it, but I'd understand if they were cutting away for spots, but they just went back to the set for more ex-jock-eying . . . of which there was going to be a full two hours! For the first time since Marty was here, this town has a coach who has something to say, and his postgame presser is the best place to hear it. With exclusive access to it, you'd think that Comcast would cover the whole thing the first time out, and then maybe cut it down into soundbites for the later hours of the show. It would also be great to see a few highlights packages and game recaps somewhere in the two hours, especially for those folks returning from the game. It also makes no sense to me that they've stopped showing the league leaders in running, passing, etc at the bottom of the screen. That was great information for fans of the whole league, not just those locally obsessed with the Redskins. Whoever is producing that show needs to re-think this stupid decision. Nobody tunes in to see Chic or Brian Mitchell. We tune in for the football, and there's too damned little of that in the Comcast Redskins Postgame show. (9/15/08) WYPR has got to clean up and synch up its two signals on 88.1 Driving from Columbia to Olney on Friday, the new southern signal -- the one that's encroaching on WMUC-FM -- was about 2 second delayed from the Baltimore site . . . which resulted in the signal being unlistenable for about a 15 mile stretch, where the two sites overlap. This only works if YPR can synch up its two signals. Otherwise, this is a bust. (9/15/08) Ahhh, the broadcast game. I was due for a live interview on the Maggie Pascal show on WCBM tonight at 7:00PM. Showed up ready the show was pre-empted due to a conflict. We did roll tape the show will be aired two weeks from tonight at 7PM. We had set up video cameras and still recorded for Maggie. Read Street Sound and Video is putting together a Marketing package for her. It was a fun interview and I think it’s worth catching, she’s a really good interviewer. To say I’m a little P’OD is putting it mildly. Ahhh, the broadcast game. Now I know why I don’t do it anymore. PLB:0( (9/15/08) /\ September 15 Messages /\ \/ September 14 Messages \/ Hi Dave, that is a given that the nostalgia format would only be a transitional format until Bill Parris finds a broker(s). BTW - what exactely is his role with the station other than his voice on liners? You mentioned that it is owned by Koreans. I was under the impression that he owned the place and leased the place. (9/14/08) Dave's response: No, Parris does not own CTN. I was told that it was Paul Bicknell who did the station announcements. I assume that Parris provides studio facilities that are used by those who purchase time on area radio stations (a la 950, 1390, 1160, 1600, and the like). Although he doesn't own any of the DC area stations..... As for someone saying that Westwood One (specifically Metro traffic) kept the Washington DC office because "Jim Russ is a good manager" - DUDE, get real. Business decisions are made based on one thing and one thing alone: the almighty dollar. The Washington DC office must be turning a profit and therefore they are spared. I haven't seen a list or heard who specifically was eliminated from the staffs yet but there are a few on air staff that I wouldn't miss (including a certain too-tan giggler) one bit. Ray (9/14/08) "world class newspaper" Hell the only reason they know it's not on WBIG is your website. (9/14/08) Earth to Bob in Forrest Hill from The DUH Police...... The topic was getting the Houston TV stations' or any local TV news video streams on various platforms, not a Clarence Darrow debate or a Mac vs. PC debate or a Clinton vs. Bush vs. Carter debate. GEEZ! Apple doesn't sell just a cell phone OR or even a PDA at ALL! Ummm, they just sell a SMARTPHONE, a different category to measure sales & marketshare. So all of your stats are bogus. Not to mention the iPhone is outpacing sales of all other smartphones as we speak, so the true #s are not in and I suspect when they are, you're gonna have LOTS of egg on your face buddy. And, Apple has been ANTI-DRM from day 1. It's only MS and the media elites on boards like this who promote & defend DMCA & DRM restrictions, and these Clarence Darrow types who are still basking in the faded Reagan glow and can't get Carter off their nursing home brains not to mention starting these bloviating pompous legal arguments that seem quite intelligent but are completely off the subject. That's how lawyers win cases I guess. But its not the truth by any stretch of the imagination. Sure maybe Carter may be to blame for our 3rd world cell phone tech standards, but that had nothing to do with the original post, that Bush-supported monopoly MICROSOFT is STILL pushing WMP DRM down people's throats making internet VIDEO content incompatible with many LINUX & MAC computers and various smartphones, iPhone included. Apple on the other hand is pushing for NO DRM on music and is using HDTV standards based video on the iPhone & Macs, once again, something MICROSOFT has NOT done with its cell phone initiative or within Windows' totally DRM-locked/restricted / DMCA solution. These things are facts, not opinion, and most of the other comments here are completely off the topic regarding the ability to watch the Houston TV stations or any online content on any computer or on any smartphone. These problems are caused by the Clinton DMCA, MS & Media corporations' DRM, & the BUSH supported Microsoft monopoly that Europe (with better cell phone infrastructure I might add) are STILL fighting yet Bush has said UNCLE! There is plenty of blame to go around. But sorry dude, last I checked iTunes, iPOD, iPhone were both Mac AND PC compatible, the DRM restrictions are light or non-existent (meaning much iPOD/iPHONE/Mac content can be played on Win machines & other media players) and Apple has an open iPhone App development program, I should know, I'm in the iPhone developer program myself! iTUNES, iPOD, iPHONE, Safari, Quicktime, HDTV MP4 video are all Mac/PC compatible & standards based as much as the MS dominated & Media industry would allow. Are Windows Media Player, IE Explorer, or Zune or Xbox or the Windows-based smartphones Mac-compatible or even compatible with EACH OTHER or LINUX? AHAHAHAHA! I rest my case Clarence Darrow. Microsoft is the KING OF DRM / DMCA content restrictions! Sorry DUDE, YOUR GETTIN A DAMN DELL SHOVED DOWN YOUR THROAT AND YOU'RE GONNA DAMN WELL LIKE IT! Or, as they say on MTV, NEXT... LOL (9/14/08) For the first time in recent memory, upon turning on the Redskins radio broadcast on 107.1 in Cambridge, I found that the broadcast was pretty much even with the action on Fox TV. It was better than hearing the TV guys. Burt in Denton (9/14/08) Regarding the DUDE's posting about the iPhone, particularly the comment " Apple is selling MILLIONS & MILLIONS of these phones and it might just become the biggest selling phone of all time." You need to get off the Mac boards and stop reading Apple's PR. The iPhone is a good product, no doubt (though, as I said a while back, it does little new and few things well, but is packaged beautifully). But please check the market share reports out this month (here's one: www.betanews.com )... Apple's peak market share in the cell/PDA arena was under 6%. It is now about 2.8%, with RIM and other's grabbing from them with more enterprise-ready devices. And all the hubub about iPhone as an OS shows that it has 0.31% of the OS market. Yes, 0.31%. Until Apple makes the iPhone truly enterprise-ready, RIM and Motorola and Nokia will continue to eat their lunch. As for all the DMCA crap, I agree with the other posters that is definitely goes back to Carter and the AT&T breakup, with DMCA and more recent rulings/legislating confusing matters further. As for DUDE trying to blame MS for everything...again, get off the Mac message boards. In reality, while MS certainly likes to control content (and has to in order to comply with the law and contracts with content providers), Apple has the most proprietary mainstream platforms out there...Mac OS was loced to proprietary hardware until just a few years ago, and they lock iTunes purchases up just like MS does on their WM platform...hell, the iPhone itself is lcoked up in all sorts of ways. Things only work well WITHIN the proprietary iPhone ecosystem. It is all about protecting the copyright owner. Apple, MS and others HAVE to do this in order to be able to access and deliver that privately developed content. Your local TV station, the networks and movie studios do not create PUBLIC content...it's private and they protect their interests. This is a complex area with telecommunications, IP rights and platform issues intersecting constantly. It is clear that DUDE guy doesn't understand any of it. Bob in Forest Hill (9/14/08) Billick: "Natural Broadcaster" BS COUGH BS !!!! I'm already screaming at him for saying some of the stupidest things. And having him teamed up with Baldinger makes it even worst. (9/14/08) (From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) RADIO SALES FOR TRAFFIC REPORTS - A local traffic reporting service is looking for sales people. This is a part-time commission job that can be done from your own home. This could eventually lead to a full-time position. We are looking for someone experienced in selling sponsorships for traffic reports and/or news reports, however other sales experience will be considered. This is a small operation that is growing bigger; our traffic reports can currently be heard on radio stations in different parts of the country, and we are constantly trying to expand our operation. We are looking for team-players and individuals who are dedicated to their craft. We are easy-going but still dedicated to producing quality work. Sound Interesting? e-mail your resume to trafficsales1066@comcast.net (9/14/08) A poster wrote "Apple owns neither wireless or wired services, they just make a PHONE that can play AWESOME STREAMING VIDEO from YouTube and plenty of other internet places, EXCEPT many of our favorite local TV stations!" Still not quite seeing the Bush nor Microsoft connection here. What you fail to understand is your own words, which betray your ignorance. A TV station, a broadcaster licensced to serve a community, is NOT an Internet place nor does it produce content of the quality found on YouTube. If YT/Inet quality is that is all you want, fine. But a TV station has significant costs to produce content, not the least of which is the required local studio prescence and transmission facility, which advertisers then pay only a part of. The remaining cost is covered by various other revenue. The ability to seek revenue from a published product is the basis of copyright law. In the electronic media, where copying is far easier, that copyright protection is enforced by DMCA. DMCA exists to be sure that anyone who produces content electronically is compensated. I am sure even the pinko liberals who write about an open Internet are enforcing their copyrights, and just not telling you that they are hypocrites. Perhaps you should ask your friends at the networks and TV stations, which are largely populated by liberals, when they will release their copyright enforcement so that local stations can be seen on your phone. BTW, I had no problem seeing Houston stations on the net. Again, your phone is not getting such content because your buddies at Apple are not installing the hi-cap circuits necessary to acquire this content, nor are they providing the server cache needed to distribute the content in such a manner that it plays when requested without problem. The cell sites are not the issue, but rather how data gets to them. And why is Apple blocking that? Its more than a DMCA issue. Its because Apple has ways to collect revenue from some content that you seek, such as the unprotected YouTube, but Apple cant collect revenue from material copyrighted by others. You would think those Clintonian liberals would want to distribute DMCA protected content for free and pay the networks their rightly due fee. Guess Not. Sucks to be you. All that expense for a phone and it wont do what you want, in the public good, because Apple wont pay for. Don't let tech reality delude your misguided bitterness if it works for you. (9/14/08) Hey college poster DUDE... the world didn't begin when you started (community) college. Court decisions and laws are based on legal precedent and those decisions are what the earlier posters were, correctly, referencing. Clarence Darrow (9/14/08) Is it just me, or does WRC's audio and video look out of sync this morning via the digital dignal? (9/14/08) It is interesting to read this morning, in the Washington Post, www.msnbc.msn.com the following. "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were...key players in the CLINTON administration's drive to expand homeownership. But...Treasury officials feared the companies had grown so large that, if they stumbled, the damage to the U.S. economy could be staggering. Few officials had ever publicly criticized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but Gensler concluded it was time to urge Congress to rein them in (which he testified at on March 22, 2000). The Bill failed." We can stop blaming Bush for the housing mess too!! What is interesting is just how close FAM and FRM are to Channel 9 Broadcast House and a few other broadcasters. It sounds like this story had plenty of traction during that adminstration, which obviously was not thinking about tomorrow, but somehow this coverup of corporate greed disguised as helping the middle class was missed by the media. Why is this a story now, and it is really several stories, being made to look like some sort of legacy of the Bush administration and yet, with public evidence of corruption in the Clinton administration, which condoned the behavior, and even seems to have encouraged it, this was not a story then? I really had to wonder what story of Republican greed made the headlines on the day Gensler testified before Congress. I tried to read about it, in The Washington Post. In the period in question, from two days before the date of the Gensler transcript, until two days after the transcript date, there is ONE story that covers this testimony. It was given 656 words on Page E1, Finance, on Friday March 24, two days after the testimony. And yet, in that same period of time, the Front Page of TWP had 23 stories about Bush and 13 stories about McCain. This is an excellent example of the sort of media bias that conservatives have to put up with every day. Remember who cost you your house when you select a candidate for the White House. (9/14/08) The most important news of the Ravens/Texans game TV and game date fiasco is that ONCE AGAIN the NFL FUCKED UP and ALSO SCREWED BALTIMORE OVER LIKE THEY DO EVERY YEAR IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER! Yes, Ravens lose their BYE week. FU Mr. Goodell & the NFL, you complete dumbass and idiot, you will now be forever put in The Baltimore Tagliabue Build a Museum Hall of Shame! Do you not even have Weather.com at your fucking disposal like ME, Mr. Goodell ?!?! And for those thinking I'm heartless to those in need in Houston, gimme a break, the only thing the NFL is doing here is PROTECTING THEIR SEASON TICKET MONEY AND CONSCESSIONS SALES MONEY! Nothing else, the NFL couldn't give a frikkin RATS ASS about Houston and they made that perfectly clear in the last 5 days with this stupid round of changed decisions that even Geraldo Rivera could have predicted would have left the NFL falling down into skunky water just like him. LOL (9/14/08) I loved the Jim Zorn Show tonight on Channel 4...I don't think he didn't want to be there, it was more like George Michael didn't want to be there...Zorn didn't put up with George's pseudo-confrontational, faux-dramatic, fake-apologetic speil the way Joe Gibbs did (Gibbs always played along whether he wanted to or not). Unlike Gibbs, Zorn didn't play George's game...he answered George's "confrontational" questions directly and honestly. To one of George's fake confrontational questions, prefaced by a fake apology for being too confrontational, Zorn said "Go for it." Love his style. I hope he calms George down. Sonny asks reasonable questions and has reasonable comments. George tries too hard. I hope Zorn is as successful as the coach of the Redskins as he is at answering all of George's "controversial" questions, and putting George in his place, like he did tonight. If he is, we're headed for the Super Bowl. -- Bobbie (9/14/08) It's time now for, "IDIOTS IN THE NEWS! The earlier poster who wrote about the Bell Decision, Judge Green and Jiminy Carter got it right... spot on! I know that Carter is still alive, but has Green been kind enough to grace us with his death? The NFL debacle over the Houston/Ravens game is reminiscent of the decision to play the 49'ers game the night that the entire city was reeling from the assassination of the city's Mayor, George Alioto, and City/County Board of Supervisors' President, Harvey Milk. Say what you will... this poster still says that it was Supervisor Dan White's hatred of both men and his homophobia over Milk, and no friggin' Twinkie, that caused him to commit that heinous double murder! Someone mentioned Metro's reluctance to close the DC traffic center because "Jim Russ is such a good manager." If that's the case, why are union rules constantly flaunted, why are schedules posted and revamped at the last split second ... ? In yesterday's cuts, several loyal, long time employees were given the gate while several of Jim's new "discoveries," who exhibit little or no talent for the media, kept their jobs. Good management. Sure. Let's hear it for Jim Russ and the whole remarkable gang at Westwood One! Wouldn't you love to have those biting little badgers in YOUR foxhole in a crisis? (9/14/08) Even though I myself think Jimmy Carter was possibly the worst president in my lifetime (still remember waiting in line for hours to buy gas in the car with my Dad as a small child), the Jimmy Carter slammer about cell phones needs to WAKEUP to 2008 DUDE! Or just have the assisted living nurse put that drip feed tube back in. Apple owns neither wireless or wired services, they just make a PHONE that can play AWESOME STREAMING VIDEO from YouTube and plenty of other internet places, EXCEPT many of our favorite local TV stations! And the reason has absolutely NOTHING to do with Jimmy Carter, it has to do with the DMCA laws and Microsoft monopoly supported and backed by the Bush administration. But, unlike in some other cases where government has failed us, there is hope. Apple is selling MILLIONS & MILLIONS of these phones and it might just become the biggest selling phone of all time. Websites that are iPHONE-compatible are getting tons more hits than non-iPHONE compatible websites, so if I were a TV station web designer, hmmmmm, I'd take a hint before you lose your job to a punkass college DUDE w/ an iPHONE in his pocket. :-) (9/14/08) /\ September 14 Messages /\ Jump to the Mailbag Archive Index.....