Talk Radio

[Gail Simone]

Okay.

I've gotten in huge trouble with some Bendis folks who STILL haven't forgiven me for snotty comments I've made about Howard Stern. I only say that in the interest of full disclosure, so that it's clear that I am aware some people here are very sensitive and protective about the guy, and other radio shows they like. My intention here is NOT to further offend those guys.

But I just don't get it. And not just Stern. I really don't get any of it. Some smart people I know like Howard, and some smart people I know like Opie and Anthony, or they like certain political radio shows.

And I admit again, I don't get it. I don't care about any of it. It just bores me. Conversely, I love podcasts, good podcasts are about my favorite thing in the world.

So I'm going to try an experiment, which I will explain later, but it involves me giving talk radio a clean slate and a fair shot to see if my opinion has changed.

In the meantime, please tell me, with no judgments from me...what is it I am missing? I am willing to acknowledge that it may be totally me.

Do you like or hate talk radio, and why? And if you love it, tell me who is doing it that you most enjoy, please.

No judgments, I just am interested for my experiment!

[stevapalooza]

You should check out Ron and Fez. They're very funny without being as hard edged as Stern or O&A.

I like them all because I appreciate any long-form entertainment to fill the long hours of drawing. Podcasts are great, but usually short. I generally avoid the political stuff because I think you have to enjoy getting riled up to listen to that stuff, and I don't. I know people who regularly visit websites and forums devoted to political ideas they despise. They do it just to get angry. Makes no sense to me. I don't want to be angry.

[dasNdanger]

I like informative talk radio, like NPR. I used to listen to Stern - god...YEARS ago...back around the time he made his movie. He was pretty good back then. Sure, a bit offensive, but it was well-balanced with other things. Then...then he just got stupid. I think after he split with the missus he went apeshit crazy. Just my two cents, but he's just no longer funny to me, and listening to that stuff is a bit of a waste. (Same could be said of wasting time on internet forums, but at least my fingers get a workout at the keyboard!)


das

[Lester C.]

The on air personalities of most radio hosts are too abrasive for me.

[Phantom Eagle]

I loved Stern way back in the early 90s, when I lived in New York. His show was as much a part of a morning in Manhattan as buying the Post or Daily News and reading it backwards (sports page first, ftw!) or getting a cup of coffee "regular, to go" in one of the ubitious Greek-American diner white-columns-on-blue-paper cups (with the white plastic lids).

His voice in the background on those mornings working in a fourth-floor building with a man-sized freight elevator was as much a part of the city as the honking of yellow cabs stuck on the side streets or the sound of a trumpet bouncing off subway tile a block-and-a-half away.

And, he was actually funny and relevant, then, too. I moved away in early '01, and had stopped listening when his schtick went all-porn, all the time. Around the time he got the TV show. Video killed that radio star, for me, personally. He became as topical or as shocking as Dice Clay. That is, done. Over. Superseded by the stuff on prime-time cartoon family sitcoms.

As far as talk radio, I couldn't care less. I don't listen to it, unless it's something local like KBOO, and I'm in my car, and there is literally nothing else I feel like listening to at that point. Once a year. Twice, maybe.

Podcasts which include interviews with comics creators? Love 'em. Can't get enough. Big ups to sonnylarue.

[Lester C.]

What I like about talk radio is that the listeners have a great suspension of disbelief. Everyone knows recording and broadcasting someone without their permission is illegal, thus paving the way for lawsuits, and yet no one questions the authenticity of the supposed crank calls.

[Weeto]

I listen to a lot of shows where there is a mixture of music and chat and have actually been on radio as a caller, on a backwater rock station called Total Rock.

[dasNdanger]

I loved Stern way back in the early 90s, when I lived in New York. His show was as much a part of a morning in Manhattan as buying the Post or Daily News and reading it backwards (sports page first, ftw!) or getting a cup of coffee "regular, to go" in one of the ubitious Greek-American diner white-columns-on-blue-paper cups (with the white plastic lids).

His voice in the background on those mornings working in a fourth-floor building with a man-sized freight elevator was as much a part of the city as the honking of yellow cabs stuck on the side streets or the sound of a trumpet bouncing off subway tile a block-and-a-half away.

And, he was actually funny and relevant, then, too. I moved away in early '01, and had stopped listening when his schtick went all-porn, all the time. Around the time he got the TV show. Video killed that radio star, for me, personally. He became as topical or as shocking as Dice Clay. That is, done. Over. Superseded by the stuff on prime-time cartoon family sitcoms.



That's pretty much my same experience with Stern. At one time he was funny and relevant...but then it all went south. I tried to listen to him in later years, but by then his show had turned into one obnoxious frat party, and it just wasn't cool anymore.


das

[Stupendous Man]

I listen to a lot of sports talk radio. Mostly local guys, but I do enjoy Mike and Mike on ESPN Radio.

[Copper]

If I may, this internet radio station has helped me through many a workday:

Mystery Play I-Radio (http://st1.webradioworld.net:8088/)

[Gregory]

Try the Stephanie Miller Show (9-12 eastern) available to stream through her website (stephaniemilller.com) or the Mike O'Meara Show available free through iTunes.

[Corrina]

I like informative talk radio, like NPR. I used to listen to Stern - god...YEARS ago...back around the time he made his movie. He was pretty good back then. Sure, a bit offensive, but it was well-balanced with other things. Then...then he just got stupid. I think after he split with the missus he went apeshit crazy. Just my two cents, but he's just no longer funny to me, and listening to that stuff is a bit of a waste. (Same could be said of wasting time on internet forums, but at least my fingers get a workout at the keyboard!)


das

This is my impression of Stern. it was hard to get away from him when I lived in NJ, especially pre-internet days and such. He used to do some interesting, if obscene, political commentary, such as the bit with Marge Schott and how she referred to African-Americans by a name we won't speak.

Stern has someone playing her and he asked her "what did you learn from this?"

And she said "Don't say (obscene & insulting word) when the camera's on."

That was fairly profound commentary on the state of the media as well as Schott, who's mostly forgotten now.

But the comments about women were frequently over the top sexist, as if my gender was some sort of evil enemy. It really went around the bend when the divorce happens, as you said. Can't stand him now nor do I have any interest in what he has to say. He kinda makes my skin crawl.

I don't have time to listen to other talk radio or media any more and don't commute, so I don't hear it.

[Benel Germosen]

I don't understand the appeal of radio.


Hope that helps.

[suedenim]

Try the Stephanie Miller Show (9-12 eastern) available to stream through her website (stephaniemilller.com) or the Mike O'Meara Show available free through iTunes.

The Don and Mike Show (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_and_Mike_Show) was amazing. The show was technically in the "shock jock" category, but was really "just two guys on the radio" talking about whatever they felt like. Due to a variety of reasons (mostly related to the death of Don's wife in an auto accident), they're going their separate ways now.

As mentioned above, Mike and the rest of the crew did The Mike O'Meara Show (http://www.mikeomearashow.com/), which is currently a podcast. And just a few months ago (after waiting out two years of non-compete from his old contract), Don got back into radio in Sacramento: The Don Geronimo Show (http://khtk.cbslocal.com/shows/don-geronimo/).

[dasNdanger]

This is my impression of Stern. it was hard to get away from him when I lived in NJ, especially pre-internet days and such. He used to do some interesting, if obscene, political commentary, such as the bit with Marge Schott and how she referred to African-Americans by a name we won't speak.

Stern has someone playing her and he asked her "what did you learn from this?"

And she said "Don't say (obscene & insulting word) when the camera's on."

That was fairly profound commentary on the state of the media as well as Schott, who's mostly forgotten now.

But the comments about women were frequently over the top sexist, as if my gender was some sort of evil enemy. It really went around the bend when the divorce happens, as you said. Can't stand him now nor do I have any interest in what he has to say. He kinda makes my skin crawl.

I don't have time to listen to other talk radio or media any more and don't commute, so I don't hear it.

Yeah, exactly. I remember back in the day he used to bust on politics and celebrity and it was funny. He used to talk about his tiny Jewish penis. He used to slap around his co-workers in a rough, but playful, manner. Then...he just got mean and disgusting, and his exploitation of women is just downright revolting.


das

[southsidejohnny]

Yeah, exactly. I remember back in the day he used to bust on politics and celebrity and it was funny. He used to talk about his tiny Jewish penis. He used to slap around his co-workers in a rough, but playful, manner. Then...he just got mean and disgusting, and his exploitation of women is just downright revolting.


das
i have been listening to stern since nbc days. his lesbian/porn phase was a little too much. since his move to satellite, his new marriage, etc. the show has evolved and he has grown up somewhat (havent we all?)
relevant? not like he used to be obviously, but what does that have to do with enjoying a good, entertaining show.
he is still the best interviewer out there and i dont mind rush-hour traffic as long as he is on.

[dasNdanger]

i have been listening to stern since nbc days. his lesbian/porn phase was a little too much. since his move to satellite, his new marriage, etc. the show has evolved and he has grown up somewhat (havent we all?)
relevant? not like he used to be obviously, but what does that have to do with enjoying a good, entertaining show.
he is still the best interviewer out there and i dont mind rush-hour traffic as long as he is on.

To be fair, I stopped listening a long time ago and haven't heard his show in a while. I just remember the stuff that drove me away, and that was before his move to satellite. Would I give him another shot? Maybe, but I'm not sure I really want to.


das

[southsidejohnny]

To be fair, I stopped listening a long time ago and haven't heard his show in a while. I just remember the stuff that drove me away, and that was before his move to satellite. Would I give him another shot? Maybe, but I'm not sure I really want to.


das

i think alot of people would be pleasantly surprised. its such a difference, that i cant listen to the classic best-of when its on.

[Gail Simone]

I was kinda hoping some supporters of the show might comment, I'm trying to find what it is that people really like about that show, and other talk radio shows of note.

[Corrina]

I can tell you why Stern used to be good but that's it. I lived in NJ and had a commute. He was frequently more interesting than other stuff on the radio. But I could only take about a half-hour or so at the most.

I think that was the point, though. If millions tuned in for just a half-hour, then he'd done his job.

He also used to talk about his wife a great deal and how awesome she was and how she was so supportive and one got the feeling that his comments about female, uh, anatomy was part of an act for the male audience.

It became clear after a while that it was not.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Do you consider This American Life and American Radioworks to be talk radio?

They're fantastic.

[ShaunN]

Okay.

I've gotten in huge trouble with some Bendis folks who STILL haven't forgiven me for snotty comments I've made about Howard Stern. I only say that in the interest of full disclosure, so that it's clear that I am aware some people here are very sensitive and protective about the guy, and other radio shows they like. My intention here is NOT to further offend those guys.

But I just don't get it. And not just Stern. I really don't get any of it. Some smart people I know like Howard, and some smart people I know like Opie and Anthony, or they like certain political radio shows.

And I admit again, I don't get it. I don't care about any of it. It just bores me. Conversely, I love podcasts, good podcasts are about my favorite thing in the world.

So I'm going to try an experiment, which I will explain later, but it involves me giving talk radio a clean slate and a fair shot to see if my opinion has changed.

In the meantime, please tell me, with no judgments from me...what is it I am missing? I am willing to acknowledge that it may be totally me.

Do you like or hate talk radio, and why? And if you love it, tell me who is doing it that you most enjoy, please.

No judgments, I just am interested for my experiment!

Look, let's face it - Howard Stern is utterly repulsive. Whether his behavior is an act or not, he is incredibly crude in his treatment of women and his antics have contributed to the general low-browing of American culture.

Gail, you have nothing to apologize for. If there are people here on the Bendis Boards who "can't forgive you", that is entirely their problem.

[dasNdanger]

I was kinda hoping some supporters of the show might comment, I'm trying to find what it is that people really like about that show, and other talk radio shows of note.

Well, what I used to like about Stern's show was how he'd pick apart the political or social news story of the day. Back when I listened, he seemed to be the only guy who could tell bullshit from truth, and I appreciated that.

However, there are many now who can do the same thing, but without being crude, obscene, and insulting. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart both come to mind. I'd much rather listen to them any day of the week.


das

[Hate_Prime]

I no longer listen to radio or satelite radio. I'm sure if I listened to Stern or Bubba again, I'd enjoy it like I've always had, but I've weaned myself off of them now.

As for poscasts, it's just easier to get in to shows about one or two topics that you are interested in, gets to it immediately, and you listen to it at your convenience. Versus shows that just talk about whatever, have 3-4 hours to fill everyday, and if you're new, you likely won't know what the hell they're talking about and all the in-jokes go over your head. The hosts have to really be good to keep you tuned in.

Also Howard Stern's the man and that's not a wig.

[stealthwise]

CBC is good informative radio with lots of podcasts worth checking out