Just Plain Nuts

Another Stupid Unfounded Generalization

Liberal radio talk show hosts are nearly as extinct as the T. Rex, but I remember Boston's legendary Jerry Williams saying long ago, "By their words shall you know them."   He was talking about the fringe element callers who made for lively if crazy conversation.   Now, right wing talk hosts facing their own aging and declining audiences justify their own existence by routinely embracing the fact-check challenged ditto-heads.   From time to time, that strategy blows up in their faces the way their love of government-subsidized deadbeat rancher Cliven Bundy turned into a disaster with Mr. Bundy's publicly professed nostalgia for the good old days of African American slavery.    

We don't have to go to Nevada to get stupid comments from people with narrow political agendas.   Just yesterday, I heard a caller to a local radio station mention the fatal Milford school stabbing and reach for the ridiculous reaction of, "This may not sound nice, but now they're gonna want to ban all knives."   The host applauded her comment.   First of all, can the caller and host at least take a breath to express sadness over this tragedy before going off on interpreting the only constitutional amendment they seem to care about?    Let's be clear.   Nobody realistically expects to confiscate all guns, even in a state hit by the killing of 26 people in one school on one day.   The Milford stabbing had nothing to do with gun control.   Nothing.   It's not even about you.   Then again, what can a listener expect when another talk host often says thousands of dollars are wasted sending kids to colleges controlled by liberal professors that "brainwash" students?   That generalization is almost as crazy as denying global warming because we had a cold winter.   

Six For Six

I can now truly say I've done shows on all six Hall Communications radio stations here in eastern Connecticut.  That totally mind-blowing feat (to me, anyway) was accomplished last week when I subbed doing news on the Pete Nichols Breakfast Club on WILI-FM Willimantic, better known as i98.3.   I was told ahead of time that Pete might just interrupt me in the middle of what's more of an information update for something totally silly or edgy.   That really wasn't the case.   Pete's sense of timing and knowing how far he can push the envelope are better than that.    If you're looking for hard hitting, in-depth coverage of the weighty issues of the day, this station may not be your ultimate destination.    If you expect to hear talk about whether my wife thinks I've got "enough junk in the trunk" or phony phone calls to a place called "Transitions" revealing his regular newsman's sex change operation, then you've come to the right place.   It all may sound like he's flying by the seat of his pants, but Pete knows exactly what he's doing.  He's a seasoned entertainer who understands his target audience.   The more time I spend at WILI, the more impressed I get with the talent pool inside that building.

A Blow To A Brand

Former CT Gov. John Rowland

Former Connecticut Governor John Rowland abruptly stepped down last week from his afternoon radio show on WTIC News/Talk 1080.   Now we are learning of his indictment on federal charges in a campaign financing scandal.    This is the second time the once popular three-term Republican governor has faced the prospect of a prison sentence.   As a follower of political news, I think another conviction should take Rowland off the comeback trail for good.   As a broadcaster, I feel this is a serious problem for a once mighty radio station owned by a company that should know better.    Who will replace Rowland?   How much damage has been done to WTIC's image?

CBS isn't the only company to own a powerful heritage AM station that has transitioned to primarily conservative talk, but as a group they have kept things relatively classy.   Their WCBS/New York, WBZ/Boston, KYW/Philadelphia and other information outlets have stayed above the fray of bombastic right wing talking points.   Why can't WTIC do some variation closer to what these other CBS stations do so well?   It is the only 50,000 watt AM signal in Connecticut and used to get some of the highest shares of audience in any market.   Those exceptional days are long gone as moderate and liberal voices are excluded from all programs except newscasts.   Right wing ranters who champion Tea Party extremism are falling out of favor with younger adults and advertisers.   Does WTIC have no alternative other than Rush Limbaugh and Connecticut versions of him who fail to speak to the fastest growing groups in our society?    Now that Rowland's gone, maybe he can take Limbaugh with him.   Good riddance.