Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV DCRTV Mailbag - February 8 to February 17, 2010 Latest messages listed first..... \/ February 17 Messages \/ Why is WTEM superior to WJFK?? HUGE trade with Antawn Jamison going to Cleveland - and the Wizards FLAGSHIP has *nothing* on this... on air, or online. WTEM is all over it! Ticker running on the homepage, WTEM Facebook all over it, WTEM Twitter all over it. Where is WJFK? Running a Wizards game on air, not talking about the trade, and nothing on their "new media." Keep dropping the ball, guys. The cart decks are in the corner. (2/17/10) Re call screeners: I suggest lying to the screener. I think it is good for the talent and screener to have someone catch them off guard. Probably better radio too. (2/17/10) grazing around the dial and checked in with Lavarr and Dukes which I like, but I heard a promo going into the ad break for Mike Wise...can anyone say if this has been a regular thing? Then I heard one for the Junkies...that is the kiss of death... it means management doesn't think people are staying with the station. Given CBS's track record of staying with changing formats...it's the kiss of death. (2/17/10) "You are correct, Kornheiser is lying. The Caps prices are comparable to the Wizards." You know, Kornheiser has demonstrated repeatedly, in a variety of venues, that he doesn't know that much about sports. Are you sure he's "lying," rather than just uninformed/wrong? (2/17/10) Oh inquisitive one,......you seem to be the one that started the blackllist rumor. It is a false rumor, as to whom the PD was. None of your business-By the way the Blacklist ended in the late 50's.Another AFTRA/SAG Member (2/17/10) Yawn...another fake named anti-Geronimo post...How original. Someone must not have too many voice over gigs to get to!! (2/17/10) I don't get something. Hundreds, perhaps thousands write in to criticize Anita Marks and the poor job she did on the Baltimore airwaves, but a Sun writer says there are "sociolgical undercurrents" to the criticism. Maybe she was just bad at her job and over four years, given every chance by her company, just never got better. Plenty of women have done well on the Baltimore airwaves and in that marketplace. Dating back to Andrea Kirby up to current day where recently Heather Dinich was excellent at the Sun and Amber Theoharris is excellent on MASN. It's about being good, not being a woman. Some ad folks may be unhappy Anita is gone. But ask just about anyone else in that building how they feel. If they could honestly answer, you'd get a different picuture. She was said to be tough to work with and did little homework for her shows, I'm told. It showed in her interviews and lack of knowledge when engaging callers. She never seemed interested in really learning about Baltimore sports but, as I understand, was given every chance. She seemed to want to spend time on personal paid appearances, her many fantasy leagues and trying to get TV jobs. Bottom line. She was given an amazing oppurtunity on TV and radio and given every chance to really become a star and embraced by the fans of Baltimore. She fumbled the chance badly. She was here much longer than better talents I have listened to and watched in Baltimore. She was supported and promoted often, but she fumbled the chance. If other major stations are looking at her, good for her. My guess is they'll get someone more interested in personal gain, endorsments and fantasy leagues, than someone that will do a good job as a TV or radio pro. (2/17/10) Speak for yourselves where WHFS is concerned. Everyone who finds out I'm an hfs freak says the same thing: Bring It Back. That reaction comes from metalheads,danz fans and of course alternative lovers. One hell of a spread on the age group too. The suits just don't want to acknowledge this and what's new? They never cared about reality. The term 'Underground' has a factual meaning that 'The Establishment' never understands. So until my lungs cave in I'll keep screaming NIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNETYYYYY NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNE OOOOOOOOOOOONE H Fucking S, HABLA?!?!?????Donnie (2/17/10) Dave's response: A well-programmed progressive rocker would, indeed, attract everyone from teenage punks to aging hippies. It would be wonderful. But, yeah, it probably wouldn't be "PPN friendly." Today, tadio is run by corporate bean counters, and they program stations to reach specific, and easily-definable demos that advertisers demand. The more and more I think about it, a reborn HFS just wouldn't work in today's PPM straightjacket. Sad - but true..... Don Geronimo - Joke of the day from his twitter page. Sorce tweets "Front door to front door NYC to OC, 4hrs." Had CBS been providing you a limo, you wouldn't care. Shit, Dave Hughes will drive you. Ya, that's it. The Mike & Dave Show...podcasted commentary, entertainment & humor from the back seat of a Chevy or whatever Dave drives. Hell, you could even have guests drive with you...traffic & weather go together too. Does a non-compete extend to the backseat of a car? Sorce, since CBS Radio management has left you scratching your radio butt like my dog does when he slides his ass in circles across my driveway, better give this idea a serious thought...at this rate, you are one embarrassing dj step away from hitch-hiking 2 NY & back. AHHHHHHH (2/17/10) Dave's response: Gawd..... Last week while being snowed in, I watched the noon news and saw that JC Hayward was still anchoring..Thought she had retired..Has that been put on hold? (2/17/10) To the unsigned poster who questioned why my (or any reporter) using an iPhone app for reporting is worth caring about: Think about it -- fifteen years ago, WTOP reporters cut reel-to-reel tape in the newsroom, carried bag phones weighing 15 pounds and alligator clips, and two Marantz cassette recorders to do montages in the field. Since then, laptops with Adobe audio editing software and minidiscs/digital recorders has made it possible to produce studio-quality pieces in the field. Thanks to our forward thinking management (and especially newsroom tech guru Brian Oliger) we now carry Comrex Access units, which use voice-over-internet-protocol to allow excellent quality live reports. The iPhone, outfitted with an inexpensive and tiny microphone and a multi-track editing application that costs $5.99, is in the early stages of being the most helpful tool a multi-media reporter could use. I'd imagine that soon other phones will compete. That's why it's worth caring about, for journalists (and why several local and national reporters have already reached out to me with questions after reading the dcrtv blurb). Cheers, Neal Augenstein (2/17/10) Wow!!! I started a firestorm with my previous post about 94.7. I’ve read some of the posts following mine, and I certainly failed to mention some of the other Baltimore/DC legendary personalities that could host shows on 94.7, if they switched to an oldies/classic hits format. Alan Lee must be added to this list. As for the Baltimore/DC market, there is an audience for an oldies/classic hits station. If that’s not the case, why does 101.1 LITE FM have a flashback weekend? Although I’m a fan of 50’s and early 60’s music, I know that playing these songs on a regular basis may not feasible. However, there is an oldies/classic hits station 94.9 KCMO FM in Kansas City (one of my hometowns) that features 50’s and early 60’s music on Sunday nights from 7 to Midnight. The ratings must be good, otherwise they would have discontinued the show by now. With that being said, perhaps 94.7 could do the same; if they changed formats. Even though we can express our opinions on this site, please stop the Davy Jones hating. What did he do to stir up such mean spirited and hateful comments? Oh, by the way, I am Ed Jones from Bel Air MD. (2/17/10) IAS Not only is Meyer Emco biting the dust but I believe Sound Images over in Falls Church is no longer shopping at the Piggly Wiggly or some expression like that. I believe Sound Images was the last of the fumes from old Audio Associates. Is Matt Brock gone from WJLA channel 7 or moved to evenings? And I thought Ms. Bunyon was jettisoned from the 11pm broadcast to save money but hasn't channel 7 brought back a female anchor on the developing breaking 11 pm newscast? I thought old Pat Collins over at channel 4 did some hilarious bits during his snow coverage. I remember one early Saturday morn in midst of the blizzard some lady of questionably mental faculties but somewhat attractive came out to speak with old houndstooth hat Pat in some leggings and one of them round fur hats that fa-fa ladies wear don't you know. Whats the deal with channel 4's newsdesk they have another power failure and had to go with a standby set. Hmmm close up shots of the Czarniak with bags under the meow. Frankly, I could care less about HD newscasts I'd rather they do actual news instead of everything being like a B movie these days. And finally if we've had relatively mild winters the last number of years what happened to the snow removal budgets from those years? Do they carry it over to the next and don't allocate new money or does it keep piling up year after year if the winter ain't too bad. No newsmun couldn't ask? And Metro and it's huge budget woes then whats the deal with all the relatively new looking Suv's and vans I saw stuck on city streets on tv during the blizzard? And the huge radio ad campaign touting a new attitude by Metro employees. couldn't the money for the lame ad campaign go towards safety weaknesses in the system. And poor old Metro employees can't drive 5 year old Suv's and vans? (2/17/10) ".....that is a rumor started by a former Program Director from WMAL." Which one? (2/17/10) (RE: "hey, only radio people will listen to TOP40 on AM!") ...and no one outside the bidness longs to bring back WHFS, just like no one outside the bidness gives a crap about old DJ's. Actual PPM-carrying listeners really don't care. You armchair wanna-be PD's can pine away all you want for the glory days, they're gone and they ain't coming back. I'm gonna puke next time I see another suggested line-up of old DJs for the rumor-du-jour W-whatever that might change format. Get the trashcan handy... (2/17/10) Hey Morrisey in Shirlington : there is no jock, past or present that is Blacklisted in the DC Market, that is a rumor started by a former Program Director from WMAL. It is false- AFTRA Member (2/17/10) A AI Has Been was on with The Junkies? Was there news coverage of this top tier booking? WOW. That should have been breaking news all over town that The Junkies are dynamos with those amazing bookings. AND this doofus even said he banged ANOTHER AI Has Been. A-Fucking-Mazing! Paul (2/17/10) You, Dave, probably agree with Chris Matthews and enjoy his pontificating. Only a tool like you would not agree with Tony K. I can't stand Kornheiser but he's right about Chris Matthews. How much of a dork are you? - Jonathan Miller (2/17/10) Dave's response: Both Tony and Chris seem to be rather obnoxious people as people go, but I tend to agree with the overall rantings of both, both socially and politically. They both seem to be ego maniacs, as many high-profile radio and TV people are..... Maybe you didn't get on Geezer and Gopher this morning because if you talk anything like you type, it would be dreadful radio. (2/17/10) RE:"When someone farts in OC-the station goes off" - oh yea let the HATE begin !!! Love from downy ocean hon ! Hitman & Company" Hey Hitman, it's not hate, it is just us major market personalities glad that we work for corporate companies and not someone that floats wild ideas of TOP40 on AM...hey, only radio people will listen to TOP40 on AM! (2/17/10) Sullivan On WaPo: "Sordid Death"- nice to see mr. power glutes has found time to comment on something other than sarah palin's uterus. (2/17/10) "Jocks have walked out on stations all over the US." -This is true! But what our poster fails to mention is that that is why they are "blacklisted" -Morrisey in Shirlington (2/17/10) "From our beloved Davy Jones HATER" Holy shit...someone is paranoid. (2/17/10) Tom Gavin's response: Watch it..... This morning, Grandy & Andy interviewed JD Hayworth about running against John McCain in the Arizona primary. Afterwards, they floated the question, “is the Republican Party ‘conservative’ enough?” I called up, and their screener asked me what I wanted to say. I mentioned conservatism and “intelligent design,” conservatives and Jack Abramoff, conservatives like Hayworth bilking Indian tribes, conservatives and “birthers,” and we should put them next to Republicans and see who is saner. I then asked her if they thought Jack Abramoff was a conservative. I didn't get on the air. WMAL is not a “talk radio town hall” as Grandy claimed just this morning. It is propaganda crap. Speaking of propaganda bullsh&t, Sean Hannity has a crappy book coming out, designed for the stupid, which will present false information about Obama’s “socialist” roots. If you recall, Hannity was the first to have on the radio the fake birth certificate story, and he had it on three different times (courteously of Corsi). Hannity also pounded away that Terri Schiavo could be saved given the right doctor, and he wrote in his last book, "After all, liberalism and war leadership have rarely been linked, either in history or in public mind." Were his researcher off that day, or did he just feel the need to exclude, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Kosovo? With a faulty statement like that, I bet everyone can’t wait for Sean’s next book. By the way, if Sean gives the caller Freedom Concert tickets, it is usually one of his planted scripted calls. If you are in the mood for crap, tune into 630 WMAL. (2/17/10) Dave's response: I wouldn't be surprised if WMAL's call screener is a paid employee of the Heritage Foundation..... For the “hater”. Jocks have walked out on stations all over the US..WKBW Buffalo,WMEX, Boston, WPRO, Providence, WBIG…., never mind…BTW, Jones finished the shift before bolting. I for one, thought it was a great bit!!!!!! (2/17/10) From our beloved Davy Jones HATER ( Re: Robert Smith- Interesting lineup..What safeguards would be in place to stop a DJ from walking out mid-shift and say....show up at a rival station an hour later?? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, AND THERE NEVER HAS BEEN!!plb/Davy Jones (GET A FREAKIN LIFE) (2/17/10) Will The Next State Dinner Feature the Sarkozys? www.caroljoynt.com (2/17/10) Re: Robert Smith- Interesting lineup..What safeguards would be in place to stop a DJ from walking out mid-shift and say....show up at a rival station an hour later?? (2/17/10) Burt, valid points but I cannot agree. "Today's DJs" not being able to cut it is a blanket condemnation of an entire workforce that could well be capable in an Oldies (or any other) format. It is unnecessary to "know the music", as long as an entertaining and engaging personality is at the helm to talk about everything else *BUT* the music. I don't like Country music, but I successfully P/T'd for a prominent Country station for 3 years because I was able to sell it to an audience that did like it. Jocks from the past will tend to stay in the past when dropped into a familiar setting -- remember when Greaseman came back to 94.7 in the mid-late 90s, and all his gags were still about "Deliverance" and Clint Eastwood? A full 10 to 20 years past shelf life. Further, not every anecdote on the air has to be about the time the jock got high backstage with Foghat - I will wager that those stories go over well with format freaks, but for most listeners it is a yawning festival. A proper Oldies operation - IMO - is one that doesn't fling listeners back into the past and make them wish it was 1978 again, but one that says, "I'm a big boy now, I love my life where it is, and this is MY music." I think a legacy jock or two coming back for fun is a cool "oh wow" idea, but I would not wrap a multi-million dollar operation around a whole shop filled with them, because the things that made them a hit back then have changed and the magic won't be there anymore. -- Turning off my bullhorn now. (2/17/10) I should clarify: I was watching Channel 4 and saw the interaction previously described. I was not personally at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Fessendon Street. This like-fest was being broadcast as part of the day's snow coverage. -- Carl in Olney (2/17/10) Mike in Fairfax: You are correct, Kornheiser is lying. The Caps prices are comparable to the Wizards (and just announced, will increase next season), their attendance is better and their TV numbers are better. Kornheiser appears to have a bug up his ass about Leonsis, just as he does half of the population of the DC area. But why do you listen to him? His show is pathetic and he's just a bitter, declining old man................ (2/17/10) "Bringing in today's DJs to play yesterdays hits seems to make no sense at all. An oldies station in the Baltimore/Washington area with a good FM signal would really do well if you brought back the old DJs, Bob Duckman,Johnny Dark, Steve Rouse,Ken Merson, Alan Fields, Jack Edwards, just to name a few." But the oldies they would play to be successful would not be 50's and 60's (which I would love). They would be 70's, 80;s and 90's. To be successful in radio your need 25-54 audience. (2/17/10) I am interested in the portable HD radio from Best Buy. I do however have a concern. Considering HD Radio has 1/3 to 1/2 the range of analog radio, what stations can I pick up in the Leesburg, VA area? Is it even worth it? Thanks. (2/17/10) Dave's response: It depends on your antenna. I can get almost all of the DC area FMers via HD Radio here in Reston using a plain old set of rabbit ears. But I can't get any Baltimore, Frederick, Winchester, or Fredericksburg stations' HD Radio channels. Out there in Leesburg, you might have trouble picking up DC FMers' digital sigs...... I'd love to hear a real odies station with some real "oldies" dj's doing what they did best. Pat Murphy (Murphy in the Morning) for mornings, Johnny Dark - Mid- days, Davey Jones - Afternoons, Dave Kellogg-evenings and Barry Richards on All nights. A station with that line up would own the market. These were the best on air talents that DC ever saw. What a shame its all been taken over by voice-tracking/impresonal BS. No wonder the radio industry is going down the tubes. Robert W. Smith - Arlington (2/17/10) There is great talent out there….Mom and Pops all over the US still play to the audience and young men and women are honing their skills. The big problem is there are no longer mentors, teachers or pros that care to help these young people. For the most part formats are “LINERS”…play lists are rigid and predictable and the learning curve is stifled. There are many reasons to bring back the legends. Big names of yesterdays big stations playing the music of their decade will still draw both audience and cash. That’s the reason the names are always touted when a “rumor” surfaces. I would love to hear some young talented jocks hit the DC market and revitalize radio. But, I don’t think that will happen. Too much format, not enough creative.PLB/Davy Jones (2/17/10) Walt Crawford memorial info - The viewing for Walt Crawford is at Adams and Green Funeral Home, Saturday Feb 20th, 1 to 3pm and 5 to 7 pm. The service starts at 7 pm. 721 Elden Street, Herndon, VA (2/17/10) “TOP's Augenstein Uses Apple Ap” … And I should care… why?" Any serious Journalist....radio, TV, print or multi-media would care because it is a revolutionary new tool for us to report and produce from anywhere. (2/17/10) "And in the PPM world, that product doesn't have to be terrific (no offense to WTOP) as long as you flood the airwaves with it. The more frequencies you're on, the more chances that you'll hit someone with a meter." That is so not true! In fact, WTOP gets no credit when somebody listens to 1050 AM because it is not a 100% simulcast. 1050 splits for some Bonneville sports obligations. The only frequencies WTOP probably needs are 103.5 and 107.7 FM. (2/17/10) (The trend was the last week of December, a post-holiday week when listening patterns were abnormal) It's been three weeks now, pal. Know your Arbitron. My hands are now back around my crotch. We'll see what shakes out. (2/17/10) To the person who wondered why does having an oldies station start the talk about bringing back the oldies DJs, who else is going to know this music as well as the oldies DJs of the past. Not only that, but there are many stories to be told as well. Either do it that way or have no DJs at all, like Jack 102.7. Bringing in today's DJs to play yesterdays hits seems to make no sense at all. An oldies station in the Baltimore/Washington area with a good FM signal would really do well if you brought back the old DJs, Bob Duckman,Johnny Dark, Steve Rouse,Ken Merson, Alan Fields, Jack Edwards, just to name a few. Also, recently I have seen Jerry Springer as a pitchman for Liberty Ford. With all the talent in the Baltimore area, why did they hire someone from outside the area (Ed McMahon was a pitchman for them before Springer). I do not see why they could not have hired someone like Steve Rouse, who did commericals for Fox Cheverolet for a long time. Burt in Denton (2/17/10) "The only right format choice CBS could make in DC would be to put Alt Rock HFS back on 99.1 HD1" Wow did I have a Tyler Durden moment and post in my sleep? Even though it's not 10:30 yet I raise my coffee mug to you and say "THIS caffiene's for YOU!!! AAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! DAMN good...and HOT!" THANK you Sir. Thank you from the bottom of my misfit heart. Donnie (2/17/10) "Jumbotron" marriage proposal in NYC was a hoax! sports.yahoo.com... We dun got rooked! (2/17/10) During an interview this morning (Feb. 17) on The Sports Junkies Taylor Hicks confirmed he dated WJLA's Carolyn Lyders prior to her arrival in Washington, DC www.acesshowbiz.com. He also coughed twice when asked if he ever bedded Katharine McPhee. (2/17/10) Jim Williams: Brokaw a surprise hit on NBC Olympic coverage - www.washingtonexaminer.com (2/17/10) (excerpt) There is good talent out there---Name some of them (tprecxe) Unnecessary and irrelevant for me to do so. Known: radio stations exist outside of DC. Implied: some of them may still be staffed. Further implied is the possibility some of said staff are good enough to make it in DC, just as has been the case for the past 60 years (Grease, Elliot and Howard all came from somewhere else, right?). Put out the word that DC is hiring and the audition packages will roll in. Only THEN can you determine who and what the good talent is. Otherwise, I know of local public-access jocks, actors, musicians and just flat-out funny-ass people that would be fantastic on the air, if given the shot. They sure couldn't suck any worse than some of the syndi fare that passes for talent today. (2/17/10) “TOP's Augenstein Uses Apple Ap” … And I should care… why? (2/17/10) If Keith Olbermann is so bent out of shape about diversity, how about MSNBC putting a black on in prime time or a woman on at 9PM? (2/17/10) Dave's response: Well, they do have Rachel Maddow. She's a "twofer" diversity-wise..... I really don't think a Classic hits/Oldies station would work on 94.7. Other than the old Oldies100 or Oldies Big 100.3. There's no heritage station to put Classic Hits on, there's only one frequency & one set of calls with the right selection of DJ's that could pull off the flip to Oldies/Classic Hits and that's 102.7 WQSR. Mainly because whether the shit box diary showed it or not it was still one of Baltimore's most popular stations even in towards the end of the run, 102.7 & the WQSR calls has heritage to make it work. However sitting in 6th in PPM's & now being owned by CC that will never happen. The only right format choice CBS could make in DC would be to put Alt Rock HFS back on 99.1 HD1 & use the station's heritage to drive it back to the top once again, otherwise anything else they do is irrelevant to the ratings. HFS back to 99.1, El-Zol to 1580 & 94.7 HD-2 sending The Big Talker to the Big dumpster it belongs in. How to run Alt rock on 99.1 isn't that hard to figure out either because the station did better in ratings minus The Flunkies and B'O & D. Those two shows are enough to drive any radio station in the country into the ground. When it comes to Alt Rock it's all about the MUSIC. (2/17/10) 1) To the clown who thinks Fresh 94.7 is the new WLTW because it had one good week, get your hand out of your pants. The trend was the last week of December, a post-holiday week when listening patterns were abnormal. When the full January numbers come out, WIAD will return to being the market's 17th-ranked station in all dayparts and demographic cells. 2) Should CBS flip 94.7 to classic hits/oldies, rest assured it will be done on the cheap with as much voicetracking as the AFTRA contract will allow. Put your fantasies of a station stocked with local radio "legends" to rest right now. Ain't gonna happen dreamers. (2/17/10) /\ February 17 Messages /\ \/ February 16 Messages \/ Carl in Olney: show some class. If those two individuals found a spark, how is it possibly any of your business? Furthermore, How can you possibly spew your "details" on a public website? You really ought to be ashamed of yourself. What a clown. (2/16/10) ".......There's a really GOOD 'oldies' operation in Hagerstown/ Martinsburg on 95.9...its packaged with local inserts...but, it has great jingles, sweeps and local voices..it works!...." Hmmm WICL? What "local voices"? Granted since I live in Cumberland I can't pick them up at my house but I do business in Hagerstown quite often, and I can tell ya its been YEARS since I heard anyone live on that station not since their "Cool 95.9" days. Also according to WICL's website www.oldies959fm.com... The ONLY live jock they have is on the air Sunday nights from 7pm to Midnight, ah so that explains it. I have to be in Hagerstown only on Sunday nights between 7pm and Midnight to hear anybody live on WICL !!! If WICL has other "voices" they sure aren't promoting it at least on their website anyway. As far as "it works", ah I think its a safe bet to say the only reason why they are oldies in the first place is that WICL really can't do anything else since the Hagerstown-Chambersburg-Martinsburg market is pretty much well covered with most formats. OK..well I take that back, no CHR in the Hagerstown area but if such a format couldn't make it on a powerful stick like 101.5 ( remember Magic 101.5 ?), it won't do much on a smaller stick like 95.9 either. I guess oldies is a "safe haven" for them anyway. (2/16/10) JD Hayworth, former disgraced Republican Congressman turned right wing AM radio shocker, announced last week he is running against John McCain in the Arizona Republican Primary. Mr Hayworth's stupid comment yesterday is already making right wing radio talk hosts look bad. The following is not a joke, Repeat, Not a joke. Mr. Hayworth, on CNN, said yesterday of the Obama birth certificate; “all I'm saying is, for every race cross the country, especially with identify theft in the news; it would be great that people can confirm who they say they are." Ha Ha Ha Ha! He merged “Identity theft” into “the birther movement!” He was showing us the right wing radio guy trying to find the talking point common denominator with a radio commercial for “Life Lock!” Does he realize how stupid he looked? What is next; in speeches will he will merge “Finally Hear” hearing aids with he is “finally here?” Will Mr. Hayworth on the stump do “buy gold” comments when talking about the recovery? Will Mr. Hayworth merge together “are you having problems with the IRS” with talks of tax cuts or smaller government? Will he mention “pajamagrams” when talking about family values? Wow! There will be no need to listen to WMAL anymore; I can just read in the newspapers what this clown Hayworth says while capmpaigning! BTW, Mark Levin, the liar, endorses Hayworth, close friend of Jack Abramoff, over John McCain. (2/16/10) WIAD 'Fresh' 94.7 to flip to Oldies? Or not. Or maybe. Didn't CBS kill off Oldies 102.7 WQSR in favor of a droid that plays what it wants? How about.....ohhhfuckit they haven't done a damned thing right since the 90s. Donnie (2/16/10) It's taken awhile for me to get this out, but a few days ago, WRC-TV's Lindsay Czarniak was "interviewing" parent network NBC's Luke Russert at (if I remember right) Connecticut Avenue and Fessenden Street, NW, during the 2nd big snowstorm. The snow was melting around them during their extended interview. It seemed like they were just waiting to head over to the TV van and pull down the shades. If they are just old friends and their significant others are reading this, I could be very wrong (they are professional TV personalities after all). But it would be a TV power couple that could double the wattage on Channel "4" (48) just by holding hands near the transmitter. Or they could have one of those couple-type morning radio shows that used to be on WOR-710 in New York ("Dorothy and Dick", "the McCanns at Home", etc) [You could look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about]. If I have guessed correctly, you read it here first!-- Carl in Olney (2/16/10) To the poster questioning the placement of the hockey game, I suspect if it ended up on NBC, we would be subjected to commercial breaks in the middle of the game, so for that reason alone I am happy it was farmed out to USA. Also, less likelihood of the telecast being interrupted so we can “get to know” one of the players better. How would you like to live on the west coast for these games, by the way. The Americans’ quarterfinal match is set for 3 p.m. next Wednesday (on NBC). It will be shown on tape delay on the west coast at, you guessed it, 3 p.m. At least the stuff farmed out to cable is live to all time zones... Charles in Winchester (2/16/10) The "Ed Jones" who posted earlier was not me; probably the one from Bel Air. However, I agree that an oldies station should have DJs who worked with the music when the music was new. They know how to fit together the elements into a product worth listening to. Otherwise, the station might as well be another automated robot playing the burned-out top 400. Ed Jones, Columbia, MD (2/16/10) Yes, there are no doubt several of us who remember Bruce Houston. Especially from his days at WRC. Now, lets add one more name into the pot with Chaconas, the Eatons, etc.: Jerry Lyman! (2/16/10) Thanks, someone, for posting the YouTube video of old commercials, one of which showed an RCA portable radio easily surviving being dropped from a ladder. (2/16/10) ok, it's 4:45pm on Tuesday. Im watching the USA hockey game on USA. Meanwhile, there are also olympics on NBC now. And what are they showing? Biathalon! Now let me say, I am one who likes to watch as many events as I can. I would also understand in primetime showing figure skating over hockey on NBC because it will get better ratings, but its the middle of the afternoon and it's the USA men's opener! Why not put that on NBC??? (2/16/10) Fresh FM isn't going anywhere. The trend released yesterday, P 18-34, W 18-49, morning drive - WIAD BEATS WASH. That's right - a morning show, with no "show." 25-54, they are very close. Same deal 7 to midnight 18-34. Striking distance 25-54. Last week, WIAD actually BEAT WASH 25-54 at night. That's what happens when Clear Channel settles for mediocrity, and CBS actually starts to try. Again - 94.7 isn't going anywhere... but up. (2/16/10) Dave's response: Poor Loo..... Folks who remember Jerry Strong from WMAL (or WRC, WNBW, WTTG, WEAM, or WINX before that) can learn some details of his life and career at: DCMemories.com (1/16/10) We are all very sad to report TV photographer Walt Crawford passed away over the weekend. Walt was a 28 year employee at WJLA-TV. He had just placed first in the lighting catagory, for the White House News Photographer Association annual competition, which earned him a trip to the Oval Office. He will be sorely missed! (2/16/10) More detail on the sale of the two Warrenton AMs - fcc.gov... The APA attachment shows the breakout of the value of the license ($1.9M) and the value of the real estate ($800K). Also the payment arrangements. And you're sure about the current format on WKDL, the 1250? The Inside Radio database shows it simulcasting with the AM that Metro Radio is NOT selling - WKDV (1460), which also does regional Mexican. But the way you have it makes more sense, because two AM stations in Warrenton wouldn't be able to simulcast - and we know that WKCW (1420) IS simulcasting w/ WKDV, the 1460... Be well - Tom (2/16/10) Dave's response: I just checked and 1250 seems to be running English religion (brokered probably) while 1460 and 1420 are running DIFFERENT Spanish music formats. I do remember 1250 adopting a classic country format a year or so ago, but that was probably just filler for the non-sold time..... Ed Jones, there is no jock, past or present that is Blacklisted in the DC Market, that is a rumor started by a former Program Director from WMAL. It is false-AFTRA Member (2/16/10) re: “psychopathic lunatic GM’s in DC." That's pretty strong language. However, does anybody remember Bruce Houston from WEZR? (2/16/10) "There is good talent out there---Name some of them? Well...let's see....Johnny Dark, Cerphe, Don Geronimo, Kasey Kasem, Johnny Holliday, Davy Jones....wait, no...scratch that last one. (2/16/10) To the person who posted about the “psychopathic lunatic” GM’s in DC: Did you forget about Pierre Eaton? I’m sure people who read DCRTV have some stories about him. In fact, he had a rather interesting family. I read that after his father, Richard, got divorced and then remarried, he insisted his ex-wife join him and his current wife on their vacations. Roddy Freeman (2/16/10) Maaann I sure hope you are right with 94.7! But to be honest, all the formatfliporama on that frequency is getting kinda old, but if ANYTHING gets rid of the crap being played on there right now, I'm all for it. Won't this be the 5th format flip in less than 4 years??? Let's hope it would suceed if it happens. CBS would finally get rid of the worst mistake they made in DC. (Nevermind they're worst mistake was killing WJFK)... Travis (2/16/10) "And in the PPM world, that product doesn't have to be terrific (no offense to WTOP) as long as you flood the airwaves with it. The more frequencies you're on, the more chances that you'll hit someone with a meter." What? You could put an awful product on ten different radio signals and get no measurable ratings....UNLESS people choose to listen to the product. PPM measures what people acttually hear, for at least 5 minutes at a time in each of the discrete quarter hours. :People wearing mor carrying the mketer have to choose to listen to the station for any listening to be detected. (2/16/10) All you oldies nuts getting boners over the possibility that 94.7 is changing should just chillax. While Fresh ratings are mediocre they are enough to gain advertising. They have virtually no air staff. They aren't paying big bux for promotions or marketing. Why would they change and start all over? As Dave continually points out, CBS' other FMs are not red hot (I think they're doodley squat...) El Zol does ok but how much Hispanic money is out there? The Fan is a nice alternative to WTEM but carries quite the high price tag and is not exactly killing in the ratings. And, WPGC has some decisions to make. Strange as it may seem, Fresh is the least of their concerns. If that isn't an indictment of the sad state radio is in today - nothing is. (2/16/10) Re: Ed Jones- Perhaps, except one of the names you mentioned is blacklisted in the DC market. So, might want to remove him. I suggest replacing him with...Kathy Whiteside. (2/16/10) Snippet(Why is it whenever there's a tease or rumor of some new station or format coming to the DC area, it becomes a reason to "bring back" a pile of former air personalities? There is good talent out there---Name some of them? Espjargonmeister-08~ (2/16/10) RE: "No shortage of talent to bring back: Don Geronimo, Goldy, Johnny Dark, Dave Adler"... and don't forget STEVE ALLAN at the helm!!! Sorry but, I'm no longer available! (I can hear the haters now, "we said TALENT, AL!") federAL SANTOS (2/16/10) I think it would be a good move for 94.7 to go to an oldies/classic hits format because DC is void of an oldies station. There was a post that suggested that they stream CBS FM if the change was made. While that may be a good idea, if they place a similar format on 94.7, it would be good to have local personalities there to increase the ratings. If they hire personalities like Johnny Dark, Ken "The Merson Person" Merson, R. C. Allen, Davy Jones, "Big" Don O'Brien, this station's ratings would possibly go through the roof. The above personalities have a knowledge of the music; because they played the music when it was new, and their presentations would be excellent. Just a thought... Ed Jones (2/16/10) Why is it whenever there's a tease or rumor of some new station or format coming to the DC area, it becomes a reason to "bring back" a pile of former air personalities? There is good talent out there in all shapes, sizes and ages, and many under-appreciated lokes or people completely new to the area can be real standouts in a town that desperately needs it. An Oldies station doesn't necessarily obligate the rehiring of jocks from an earlier day, and I think it would do more harm than good. Do you see Jay Leno looking to pull Doc Severinsen out of mothballs when he returns to the Tonight Show? (2/16/10) Dana who? (2/16/10) For Tony Kornheiser to largely treat the Capitals like gum on the bottom of your shoe (to steal a phrase from Al Koken) since returning to WTEM's airwaves last fall is bad enough, but he simply can't be allowed to get away with making blatantly inaccurate statements to try and support his points. On yesterday's show while discussing the efforts by Ted Leonsis to take over ownership of the Wizards, he stated that Caps ticket prices are a lot lower on average than those for the basketball team (not true - they're comparable) and went on to call the Wizards "a much more important player in this town than the Capitals have ever been." I'm sorry - that's pure, unadulterated baloney as proven beyond a doubt by the recent attendance figures and TV ratings for the two teams. While the overall basketball interest in DC may be greater than that for hockey, it's divided among the professional, collegiate and high school levels and the recent incident involving Gilbert Arenas bringing firearms into Verizon Center hasn't exactly been a public relations bonanza for the local pro team. Kornheiser's clear intent was to disparage and diminish everything Leonsis has accomplished over the past five or six years in building the Caps into a legitimate Stanely Cup contender by suggesting that it's rinky dink stuff mattering to far fewer people in the DC area than the upcoming task of turning the Wizards into a winner. Fortunately, he doesn't have the only sports radio show in Washington and others (including Sports Fix, Sports Reporters and Arrington/Dukes) seem to ramping up their hockey coverage. Over the past few weeks, Chris Russell's been hosting from 10-12 most weeknights on 106.7 The Fan and has provided the type of heavy duty, in depth discussion of Caps related issues that may be par for the course in places like Boston, Philly and Buffalo but has been sorely lacking around here for a long time (apparently he used to work for XM's Home Ice channel). Getting back to Kornheiser, thus far the scheduled 7-9 PM rebroadcast of his show on 980 has been preempted more often than its aired due to play-by-play of Georgetown, VA Tech and other college basketball games - and assuming the station still has the Orioles radio rights it'll rarely get replayed more than once per week once baseball season starts. Mike, Fairfax (2/16/10) (HD Radio has been a failure due to the low power of the digital signals and poor distribution of digital radio receivers.) That's not entirely supportable as such a flat statement. They've sold over a million HD Radios and more and more cars are being amde with them installed. You ought to try out the new $50 Insiginia portable HD Radio. Insignia is the house brand for Best Buy. A very, very cool toy for just $50! (2/16/10) Dave's response: Part of the problem for HD Radio is that it's just getting "crowded out" of a busy tech marketplace. There are limited consumer dollars out there with the recession, and people have lots of other things to acquire, including mobile devices (fancy cell phones, iPhone, etc.), HDTV/cable/satellite, BluRay, iPods and personal music devices, net-based notebook computers, even satellite radio. HD Radio with its technical problems and poor marketing is simply at the end of a very long que on consumers' wish lists..... ("Dave, maybe there is hope for urban WPGC it was 9th in the January PPM i know that it is only one month but that is the highest i have seen there ratings since the PPM started in 08") January PPM does not come out until Feb 24th. Only weeklies have come out so far. No doubt big, splashy Donnie Simpson exit could give them a nice boost. (2/16/10) Sure hope you're right with 94.7. WCBS-FM and WOGL-FM are top 5 stations (and, by the way, were the first stations in the nation to adopt oldies as a format). No accident WCBS was a bottom dweller when it switched to Jack, and went back into the top 5 when it went back to classic hits. No shortage of talent to bring back: Don Geronimo, Goldy, Johnny Dark, Dave Adler, and even Bob Shannon's True Oldies Channel or some other syndicated program for overnights and weekends to save on expenses. Or add Bob O'Brien, Ken Merson and Steve Rouse from WQSR when it was a real radio station, reaching out to both Baltimore and Washington and broadening the station's appeal. (2/16/10) Dave- Have you heard anything snout WEBR being heard throughout the Olympic Village in Vancouver? (2/16/10) Dave's response: No..... your Fresh FM post makes sense.... "especially with Ken Merson in the wings doing weekends and "brushing up" after being off the air for a while... (2/16/10) Dave's response: I think that Merson would be a great fit on an oldies formatted 94.7..... Re: Rumored Changes At 94.7...I'd be all for an oldies/classic hits station here. However, didn't True Oldies 105.9 basically show that this type of format unfortunately won't work here in this market. Tom In Snowy Wheaton (2/16/10) Dave's response: I think it would work here in DC if it was properly marketed and had live and local content/personalities, something that Citadel was too cheap to do with True Oldies 105.9..... Roddy.... Harry Averill's posted picture is from about 1963 when he was younger and much taller than when you saw him in '69. Russ/R.C. (2/16/10) Dave, maybe there is hope for urban WPGC it was 9th in the January PPM i know that it is only one month but that is the highest i have seen there ratings since the PPM started in 08. Unless there is a major backlash because of Donnie Simpson maybe there is hope being in the top 10 with the PPM is a good thing right? There is still a lot of song repetition however Micheal Saunders has added a lot of older urban hip-hop songs to the play list which has helped the stations stale sound. Do you know if there is any news on them naming" Live In the Den"- w Big Tigger as the new morning drive show he only makes sense as the morning driver his salary is in the six-figures as well so it makes sense. (2/16/10) Dave's response: No, it's been pretty silent on the PGC news front of late. I do think some of the "bump up" in its ratings of late is due to the news about and added listening to Donnie's last shows..... Ref: "When someone farts in OC-the station goes off" - oh yea let the HATE begin !!! Love from downy ocean hon ! Hitman & Company (2/16/10) WJFK 106.7 The Fan is to become Washington's 1st higher power HD-Radio station. The new FCC ruling on HD-Radio might be of particular importance to 106.7 since even their analog signal is poorly received in places like College Park towards Laurel. I wonder if it will help enough though with the HD-Radio reception problems in those places. Seems kind of doubtful to me, but I guess they felt they had to try it. Baltimore Media Blog (2/16/10) Dave's response: I don't think it'll do much for 106.7 coverage of the northeast DC suburbs. The reason 106.7's signal sucks there is because of the heavy bleed-through from Baltimore's 106.5. Unless someone collectively drags Baltimore, and its radio stations, about 40 miles to the north or northeast, there isn't much that can be done to improve 106.7's Fairfax-based signal (analog or HD Radio digital) to College Park and Laurel..... I’m curious as to when Robert C. Allen’s photo of Harry Averill was taken. I saw Mr. Averill once on a station tour in 1969, and I remember him looking more like the other (older Mr. Averill) photo that someone posted. Roddy Freeman (2/16/10) What did I tell ya when they changed to 'Fresh?" Those Bozos at CBS have NO clue as to the DC market....Another 'oldies' station?! There are a couple of good ones around...but they are based in markets where 'oldies' are very popular....KRTH in LA or WCBS in NYC...but Washington DC demos are NOT like either one of those markets, even like Philly! Another 'sorta oldies' station without the 'pizzaz' of RTH or CBS won't make it. There's a really GOOD 'oldies' operation in Hagerstown/ Martinsburg on 95.9...its packaged with local inserts...but, it has great jingles, sweeps and local voices..it works! If CBS doesn't want to spend the money..do that...if they DO want to spend $$ to make $$ come up with a format that DC doesn't already have...or make it better than those already fighting it out on the airwaves here in Northern Virginia and DC....leave the Maryland inside the beltway and parts of DC to PGC --and HUR, they'll never steal that audience...go for the $$$ and the WTOP commuters'---an ADULT alternative. (2/16/10) The picture of Harry Averill posted by my good friend Robert C. Allen brought back a great number of WEAM memories. Harry brought me back to Washington from Baltimore in 1965 and I worked at Crimmins Lane for about 15 months, then WCAO made me a great offer to return and I did. Although the Harry Averill stories that have made the rounds would fill a book, I never had a problem with him. I do remember that Harry had a hall closet with many red jackets ("Red Coats") hanging there. When you were dismissed by Harry, one of the first things you had to do was turn in your red jacket....There definitely was a good side to Harry Averill. In 1965, around Thanksgiving, Jack Alix wanted WEAM to partner with him on a concert that he was promoting at the Alexandria Roller-rink. Harry agreed to do so. The concert was a big success and WEAM got its piece of the action. A couple of weeks later, Harry called me into his office. By that time, I was the program director. On his desk was several piles of money. He wanted me to help him divide it up among the staff members including the newsmen. Since Harold Thoms, WEAM's owner, forbid Christmas bonuses of any kind, Harry saw this as a way to reward his air-staff without ownership ever knowing.....Johnny Dark (2/16/10) The 1965 WEAM aircheck was fun to hear, but I'm wondering where the jingles are? I remember them using the PAMS Series 27 "Jet Set" jingle package, from 1964. Maybe they were edited out of this aircheck, though that doesn't really make sense. For those not familiar with this group of jingles, here's a link to hear some of them, from the WABC version. www.pams.com (2/16/10) I still don't understand how the FCC and the industry missed the most important aspect of the digital transition! Most remaining over-the air users were either mobile devices, or TV sets in places like vacation homes, beach houses etc. A high percentage of those mobile users already were TVs in RVs and boats. I have a friend with an RV that is several years old, that he still uses regularly. When the digital transition occurred, he faced this delemma: He had a TV set in his RV that ran on 12V DC. It was a small color set. He had to either use a digital converter that ran on 115V AC, which would have ment either leaving the generater on anytime he wanted to watch TV, whether or not ANYTHING ELSE justified it, Installing an inverter, which wold have placed enough load on the electrical system that a considerable upgrade would have been needed, or tracking down a digital converter that could run on 12V DC. That is what he eventually did. In order to do that, he had to forgo any warrenty coverage, because he was using a "non-standard" power supply. So far, he has it working. a little tighter on space than he would like, but it works. For now. How does the FCC and the industry completely "Blow off" all of those "non-household" users? Just declared them non-existant!!! Completely insane! (2/16/10) I would love if 94.7 just simulcast WCBS-FM. I listen to them streaming everyday. It's surprising to me how they could do it so right in NYC and in DC both are not worthy of a #9 market. I vote YES! Charlie / Springfield (2/16/10) I'll always have tremendous respect for Tom Marr. I was working for 96 Rock/WETT when Tom was in OC for an All-Star Break/3 day quick get-a-way. Tom took time out from his brief in season respite and came over to our studios unannounced, asked if the production room was being used, asked for a big reel of tape and an Orioles pocket schedule for that season since we were an affiliate. Tom plunked himself down behind the mic and proceeded to give updated promo's for every remaining game..."Hi this is Tom Marr, Join Jon Miller and me tomorrow night from Tiger Stadium....." etc. What a mench! What a pro!! (2/16/10) Bob Allen's picture of Harry Averill served to refresh my memory of the shocking number of psychopathic lunatics who were GMs of DC area radio stations in the '60s & '70s. In addition to Averill, the list includes Bob Howard at WPGC (and station owner Mac Richmond), Nick Chaconas at WHMC, and Richard and Pierre Eaton of WINX. Can anyone think of another major market that had such a vast array of management madmen? (2/16/10) And behind that smile of Harry w. Averill was an evil genius. For going up to Boston to record WRKO for a week to steal enough of the essence of the formatics of the "Drake format", and applying it to WEAM in such a way as to not have to pay one cent of royalties, he effectively kept the "real Drake format" out of the D.C. market. Not that it would've really fit anywhere else at the time. The big Harry Averill story is why nobody knows where he's buried... -Unsigned Corporate Suit (2/16/10) Speaking of WEAM ... There are very few airchecks online (that I've been able to find anyway). Here's one that is mis-dated. It's a Sunday Gold show with Terry Knight. At the very end, there is a start of a newscast that refers to the death of Sir Winston Churchill, who died January 24, 1965. airchexx.com (2/16/10) Anybody remember Jerry Strong on Channel 7’s local news? He was the entertainment reporter. His set was “backstage.” He’d sit on a stool and was surrounded by ladders and standing lamps. The animated open was a four sided kaleidoscopic rendering of newsprint flowing through presses. North, East, West, and South morphed into NEWS. Circa 1959 in heavy rotation was a promo WMAL-TV ran in which a chorus sang “Ah ah. Don’t touch that dial.” It was very popular with my crowd at summer camp. (2/16/10) Don Geronimo - Sad clown Part XVI. Mike Sorce tweets "Lots o phone calls 2nite on CBSfm. What a great station! I'm in heaven here. " How many fuckin' times have we heard this? On the otherhand, maybe locking Sorce into a studio late at night so that he doesn't spread his radio cancer to the rest of the station might be the solution. Either way, CBS Radio Suits 100. Sorce 0. Anybody have a picture of Sorce in N.Y. crawling back to CBS Radio on his knees? AHHHHHHHHH (2/16/10) (regarding a previous post) Thank you Russ Wheeler/Robert C. Allen, for the photo of Mr. Averill. I never met him, but his was the official signature on my "Alix Allies" card, (0035) offered by the late Jack Alix. I only visited WEAM once, in the very late 60s. I think I recall the transmitter being down in the basement, but I can't remember what the main studio, news and production room set-up was like, there on Crimmins Lane. If you have any photos of those, please send them to Dave Hughes so he can post them. I have many fond memories of The WEAM Team Redcoats, from the early 60s, on. I even took a ride on the WEAM Flying Saucer, when it "landed" at the S.S. Kresge store on Duke Street in Alexandria. This would have been in '65 or so (it may have been there for the grand opening, which was about that time). (2/16/10) Re: "For some crazy reason, I want to see Sue Palka's tits bust (or slide) out her bra, live...Sue Palka's tits...I like sex..." /// Another downside to the obsessive snow coverage by the local weather teams. This is the weakest material the PenisIsMightier has submitted for months. Btws "tits bust" is at the very least redundant. I'm guessing it should be "tits burst." And tits just don't slide out of a bra, live or otherwise, without a little prompting. But that's OK, I'm guessing your first pair will feel like a bag of sand. (2/16/10) "For some crazy reason, I want to see Sue Palka's tits bust (or slide) out her bra, live...Sue Palka's tits...I like sex..." I totally agree. She is a one hot MILF. In her younger days, when she would hit the streets during snowstorms, she was just off the hook hot. Even now, when she cracks that smile that melts butter, she still brings the wood. Sue Palka is just a fun, enthusiastic, warm, and friendly weatherwoman who not only knows her weather but is delicious when she delivers it. --Chris in DC (2/16/10) Care to explain your selective posting of letters in the MAILBAG? I've asked twice for a bio of you so we can all adequately judge your qualifications to comment on local radio and TV. I've also challenged you on your attempts to ruin the careers of several people at WJFK, in particular some of the Junkies, who you made unfounded accusations about. Do you just have that little integrity that you take the letters that challenge you and selectively lose them? (2/16/10) Dave's response: It's my site and I get to select which posts get posted. Look, WJFK is a radio station that reaches thousands of folks. All DCRTV does is allow those folks to "talk back." If the Junks don't want their personal lives discussed here in the Mailbag then they shouldn't discuss them on the air. I wasn't aware that any careers of the Junks have been "ruined." All four still get paid quite handsome salaries for jobs that require relatively little talent, other than being rabid sports fans, and have them back home by 11 AM. I've always liked the Junks, but, judging by the overall lack of ratings traction at 106.7 lately, it might be better to do something new in mornings (Al Koken, Brian Mitchell, and Lindsay Czarniak) and move the Junks to afternoons..... Nice flashback photo of WEAM's Harry Averill. (Personally, I never would have recognized him.) Now, let's see if any one can recognize this laid-back 67-year-old gent. His era of maximum media exposure was the swingin' '60s. I'll post a before and after photo tomorrow.(2/16/10) /\ February 16 Messages /\ \/ February 15 Messages \/ Maybe Hitman's return to 1590 was hampered because the station was off the air. When someone farts in OC-the station goes off. Wait, can you still hear it in OC? (2/15/10) "Sue Palka's ***s" ... wouldn't that be a slammin' name for a DC-based punk band? (2/15/10) Bob A--you are correct on my comments about Marr's humility re: his baseball broadcasting career. I have been listening to Tom Marr on the radio in Baltimore for darn near 40 years. While I rarely agree with his point of view on certain political issues, when it comes to discussing his radio career--particularly in regards to baseball--he has always remained extremely humble and--from what i recall hearing--has considered himself fortunate to have worked with greats like Chuck Thompson and Jon Miller. He was much better behind the mic than he gives himself credit for, and I stand by my preference for him over Hunter and Manfra. Politics aside, he's a great radio talent and must have been doing something right to have stayed on the air in this town for over 40 years, and only on 2 radio stations. That kind of job security is unheard of in this business. I'd love to have had that radio career, and so would most others in the radio broadcasting biz. (2/15/10) Was it Groundhog Day at ESPN? During this evening's 6:30 replay of Pardon The Interruption on ESPN2, the entire email segment was repeated. Sure hope somebody brings this up on Mr. Tony's radio show tomorrow. If it does, please share his reaction with the rest of the class. (2/15/10) Melissa G's comparison of Arbitron's PPM audience measurement to a game of chance is flawed in more ways than one. Unlike blackjack, where cards are shuffled and dealt, the PPM generally reflects the listening seleced by the person carrying the meter. It is not a random act. And in blackjack, you do not bet on numbers. It is a game of cards between the player and the house (dealer). You bet on numbers in roulette and craps. Melissa G just rolled snake eyes. (2/15/10) While looking through some old pictures, I came across a smiling face that all who passed through the halls of the exciting WEAM RADIO studios on Crimmins Lane in Falls Church will never forget. For about four years during the mid-sixties, I was a WEAM TEAM member doing mostly the morning show and had the opportunity to work with many, many, talented jocks known as WEAM REDCOATS. "THE REDCOATS ARE COMING". It seems quite a few former WEAM jocks post on DCRTV, and I thought you might again enjoy seeing our leader and GM Harry Averill. Russ Wheeler / aka: Robert C. Allen (2/15/10) For some crazy reason, I want to see Sue Palka's tits bust (or slide) out her bra, live...Sue Palka's tits...I like sex... (2/15/10) Dave's response: Get some therapy. Now..... Re: Tom Marr and humility. Both seemingly-opposed bloggers are correct. Blogger 1 is correct because he called Tom Marr "humble" but meant it only in the context of his sports announcing ("When it comes to his baseball broadcasting career, Marr has always been very humble...). But Blogger 2 -- who didn't realize Blogger 1's "humble" comment was restricted to sports -- is also correct when he called Marr "Bitter. Angry, Out of Touch" in the context of his talk radio show. Now when is the last time Tom Marr made everyone happy? Bob A. in Pikesville, MD. (2/15/10) Dave, You mention it's "very rare for a station to be #1 in every single daypart including nights and weekends." True. But it's equally rare for a station to buy up half of the airwaves to accomplish that goal. What other market do you know of where an FM station has three additional FM frequency repeaters and one AM frequency repeater? WTOP isn't dumb. They're simply saturating the dial with their product. And in the PPM world, that product doesn't have to be terrific (no offense to WTOP) as long as you flood the airwaves with it. The more frequencies you're on, the more chances that you'll hit someone with a meter. That's all that counts. It's Vegas, baby. The more chips you place on the blackjack board, the better the odds that you'll hit a winning number. Melissa G., Germantown, MD (2/15/10) Here's where you can watch the RCA Victor Non-Breakable Radio commercial with Vaughn Monroe. It starts at about 2-min. 19-sec. into this YouTube clip. (2/15/10) just heard.... UVA radio feed of UVA/UMD will on WTEM/980, not WTNT/570. (2/15/10) Yea, Tom Marr is lots of things, but HUMBLE? Don't think so. Bitter. Angry, Out of Touch. Maybe. But HUMBLE? Heard from many that he doesn't play well with others. How can you with an ego so big you don't need to listen to anyone but yourself? Thats too bad because talk radio is supposed to be two -way, you listen, and respond. He only reads other peoples stories on the air. Steals ideas and has no original thoughts. Too old for my tastes. (2/15/10) Regarding the gossip about the dc sports fan site -- whoever is even considering buying this piece should be aware that the content on their dc sport fan site can be found on others websites like the Washington Post, Max Preps, Rivals, ESPN, etc, and is free on those sites for the most part, and the monetary valuation for an enterprise like dc sports fan is very low. They make a little money selling t-shirts to high schoolers. It was probably created as a rumor on the message board to stir up traffic during a snow week. (2/15/10) Dave's response: Hey, maybe I could stir up some rumors about someone "big" buying DCRTV? "Big" like Mike O'Meara? Ha ha ha. Oh nevermind..... Dave, Among the many people you have listed on the high school sports site (dcsportsfan.com)buying list another possible buyer is Rivals.com the leader in covering high school and college sports. They have a huge following and also are big time partners with ESPN. So they could be in the hunt they have bought up sites in other areas of the country might make sense to do the same in the high school rich DC area. Cheers, Jim (2/15/10) Dave, I noticed your front-page blurb linking to a City Paper story and thought I'd ask if you saw last week's issue in print anywhere. By "last week's issue," I mean the issue that would have been distributed Thursday. I realize we had an epic snowstorm, and I didn't expect to find the City Paper at all of the usual distribution points I normally find it. But I went to one outside my office, to one at the Ballston Metro, and to one at the Record & Tape Exchange in Fairfax during the course of Friday and Saturday, and there were no copies at any of those places. Did you get your hands on a copy of the print edition, or do you rely on the paper's Web site exclusively? Christian (2/15/10) Dave's response: I haven't seen a print City Paper in ages. Many of the freebie newspapers, including the DC Agenda, the Fairfax County Times, the Herndon Observer, and the Washington Examiner, are available here in Reston at the Fairfax County Public Library near Town Center. But not the Washington City Paper, which I can only find at the Fairfax Borders. And since Borders is basically a mere shell of what it was, I rarely make it there any more..... Ref: "JJ Hitman McKay and Glenn L. Martin return to the airwaves in Ocean City, Maryland" Because of snow and crappy weather their new start date is Monday Feb 22nd 7-10am on 1590KHZ, The return of the HITMAN & CO. weekday mornings coming soon.Dats an up-date from OC via Fast Eddie OC, Md. (2/15/10) To the Tom Marr hater--here's a history lesson, junior. WFBR held the broadcast rights for the Orioles from 1979 through 1986. In fact, Jon Miller was actually HIRED by WFBR when he first came here. Miller came to Baltimore in 1983 (replacing Chuck Thompson), and was indeed partnered with Tom Marr at WFBR---for 4 seasons actually. When it comes to his baseball broadcasting career, Marr has always been very humble, as most true professionals are. He did indeed struggle at first in 1979, but did a great job calling the post season that year. Just listen to the replay of Lowenstein's walk-off HR in the '79 ALCS, and numerous highlights from the 1983 season. Marr became a solid pro behind the mic for baseball, and some of the most memorable moments from the "Oriole Magic" era were called by Marr. He wasn't the greatest, but we have had much worse. And I still say he was better than both Jim Hunter and Fred Manfra. Tom was partners with Jon Miller all the way til the end when the O's signed another station for the '87 season (Miller was an employee of the Os by that time). BTW, that station was NOT WBAL, but rather WCBM ironically (before Marr even got there). WCBM only carried the O's for that one season. The following year, WCBM went out of business, and at about the same time, WFBR was sold and changed formats from news/sports/talk to "Oldies Music." The entire WFBR staff (Marr, Les Kinsolving, Ken Maylath, Stan the Fan, Frank Luber, Joe Lombardo, etc.) were all let go after the format change. Local buinessman Nick Mangione, who was an avid fan of the old WFBR, purchased the defunct WCBM, kept the call letters, and brought practically the entire displaced WFBR staff and personalities, and ressurected WFBR's format. I believe they even brought over WFBR's longtime GM Harry Shriver to run the new WCBM (although i could be wrong on that). (2/15/10) How are the Terps playing Virginia on ESPN 980 instead of 106.7 The Fan tonight? (2/15/10) Dave's response: Tonight's game will air on WJFK (106.7 FM) and WTNT (570 AM) in the DC market..... Someone has a real “hard on” for WCBM. You don’t seem to know too much about the operation. Some did stay through the storm. Maybe not happily, but they delivered. Not a pleasant stay, unheated rooms, keys that didn’t work….all bad. But, in defense of the staff…Frank Luber is a broadcast legend, and the Traffic Reporter (Chuck Whittaker) is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He’s been a fixture at the station for decades and is part of the family and does a hell of a job. You mentioned the kitchen, hey at least they have one. WCBM did an outstanding job throughout the storms that hit our area and some of the people that work there did their overtime and delivered. I for one, totally enjoy listening to Sean and Frank, local, informed, funny and controversial. Espjargonmeister-08~ (2/15/10) I'm not exactly politically aligned with Tom Marr, but he is a Baltimore radio icon. However, even he has said he was not so good at play by play. I remember as a kid listening to his Orioles broadcasts, and he often had the players names wrong on various plays, etc. He was really bad. I can't imagine anyone saying he was great, even him. It was just not his thing. He found his calling in talk radio though and consistently draws ratings on WCBM, but still he goes down as one of the worst ever Orioles play by play guys ever. And I don't remember Tom Marr ever doing the games with Jon Miller, maybe my memory is faulty, but Tom Marr worked for WFBR, then WCBM, and Jon Miller didn't come to the Orioles broadcasts until WBAL took over again with Orioles broadcasts if I remember correctly. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong... Was Tom Marr on WBAL too? (2/15/10) ("Dave's response: I still miss George's....." What, you didn't like Dalmo? OK, everybody sing along: "Buy George, you know you'll buy for less. Buy George, you know you'll get the best. Buy George, the dealer who's the leader, George's discount supermart. Credit on the spot, you'll save a lot, when you buy George!" So appropriate for President's Day.) That's getting so far back I can't remember which was which. I believe my first radio, an all-American five-tube RCA Victor, came from Dalmo. For its advertising campaign back then, RCA had Vaughan Monroe stand on a ladder and drop the radio on the ground. The radio survived the fall and worked just fine, demonstrating how rugged it was. This must have been about 1958. A filter capacitor went bad in the radio after a few years, but a radio repairman fixed it. How in the world did he know what was wrong with it? It was a mystery to me. Nuvistors were a big deal around then, according to RCA, but my radio didn't have them. I learned that I could attach a length of wire to one of the antenna terminals and get a few shortwave stations. I know I had the radio at least until 1969. It was thrown out years ago. We used to buy records at a shop in Clarendon. You could listen to them first to see if you wanted to buy them. My copy of Stan Freberg's "A Child's Garden of Freberg" came from there, I think. Maybe it was from somewhere else. It has been so long.... (2/15/10) Mea culpa! My aging memory had forgotten the Louie Allen left WMAL before his death. It always seemed to me that Allen was a permanent fixture in the ‘MAL family and his name was synonymous with the word “Weather.” So much so that our weathercasts always started with “Louie Allen says we’ll get a dusting of snow…” We rarely used the National Weather Service and Allen’s forecasts were sent by Telex (remember those) on a dedicated machine next to the AP and UPI machines in a hot and oily smelling closet at the transmitter. (Our studios were at the Green Tree road site until 1974.) Tom Gauger (2/15/10) Dave, Frank Hanrahan (formerly of ESPN 980) is now on 106.7 The Fan. 1. Is he a part of the Mike Wise show permanently? 2. [blank] (2/15/10) Dave's response: As for #1, I think Frank is freelancing for 106.7. No idea what your #2 question was. Perhaps you forgot it..... re: "WCBM's regular news crew couldn’t make it in to the station...(end snip) I've worked for four radio stations and two television stations in my career. The news department was required to move in before the storm arrived. We were provided with cots, and the buildings were equipped with kitchens and provisions purchased by station management. " This is just how embarrasing the news/traffic department is at WCBM. They have no news department, just three people that rip and read. No reporting. The traffic is fed from out of town. The douche that does the traffic now can barely pronounce the streets and highways, let along understand him under his hillbily mumble. Not to mention, have you seen the kitchen at WCBM? I wouldn't cook a bag of popcorn there!! And the funny thing is, the station is located in the Pikesville Hilton. HELLO!! Why couldn't the news people just STAY THERE!! (2/15/10) RE: Rachel Maddow & [ " Dave's response: Followed by Shep and Anderson..... " ].... HAHA! I couldn't have said it better. It's not like people don't KNOW! OMG, Ellen shops for her clothes in the Boys Suit Dept for christ sakes yet gets great ratings, Anderson Cooper is a former Calvin Klein model, and Sheppard Smith was holed up in a gay bar in the French Quarter during Katrina! (no pun intended, umm, well maybe a little LOL) It's not like people don't know or get it, DUH! And if they don't, then they are damn stupid. And anyway, who cares? You can count on your hands the # of people who watch Rachel Maddow or MSNBC! Boy does Comcast have a re-tooling project there at NBC News for sure. If not for Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams and epic failure Katie Couric, think about it, NBC News and MSNBC would have gone under already. Jesus, Charlie Gibson was beating Katie Couric and didn't even have a clue about the ACORN story, yet STILL BEAT her in the ratings! I think it's hysterically funny to watch the "old world" news networks fumble around to compete against FOX News, yet they're all declining from a combination of the domination of cable news over network news but to add insult to injury, such poor personnel decisions, too numerous to name. Seriously, Dan Rather (and I'm not a big fan of his at all) would get better ratings for the CBS Evening News right now than Katie Couric. More people in America think of Bill O'Reilly as a serious journalist than Katie Couric. Go figure. (2/15/10) On New York Social Diary today I visit the set of "Cupcake Sisters," and reflect on reality TV in Washington; a night with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater (plus video); a small lunch honoring the "Greensboro Four," and one last nod to the demise of the Washington Antiques Show. www.nysocialdiary.com... I hope to announce a new Q&A Cafe soon. An invitation has been made to Mayor Fenty to talk about the Blizzard of 2010. For now, here's an interesting thread grading his performance: www.caroljoynt.com... Carol (2/15/10) I'm sorry, did someone suggest we have to "out" Rachel Maddow? Hilarious. How about outing Michael Musto and Carson Kressley next? Here's a clue for you -- there's no need to "out" gay people who are already out. Sheesh. Sincerely, TMU (2/15/10) I have an idea for Rachel Madcow. How about full disclosure of her bias in reporting on don't ask, don't tell. Since liberals love full disclosure, let's start by outing her. (2/15/10) Dave's response: Followed by Shep and Anderson..... Thanks for posting the pictures of Paul Anthony and Matt Servitto...I rest my case. -- Bobbie (2/15/10) (RE:Ah yes, WCBM's Tom Marr. Anyone remember his rather excitable demeanor when he called Oriole games in the late 70's &early 80's?...) Rusty, I recall driving that day back to Easton from Long Island where I had lived for about 5 months. One of the things I wanted to do that night after unpacking, as to relax after dinner and listen to that game. However. I fell asleep early in the evening and missed the whold broadcast..I have heard Tom Marr's description of Tippy picking up those runners off base and it was awesome. Almost as bad was the night Ripken broke Gehrig's steak; I could not get off work because my boss scheduled a team meetng that night! Maybe the house has fallen on her too,lol. Burt in Denton (2/15/10) I know Deborah and Kate got switched during Dixon trial coverage because of the conflict of interest, Arnold Weiner being Deborah's father. Are the two ever going back to their normal shifts? Given 11 still uses Weiner in the morning show promos it's weird she doesn't do her own show. (2/15/10) Louis Allen was married to the ex-wife of Hall of Famer Bucky Harris. At his funeral they played weather music: tunes like "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," "Stormy Weather," "Sunny;" you get it. (2/15/10) Ah yes, WCBM's Tom Marr. Anyone remember his rather excitable demeanor when he called Oriole games in the late 70's &early 80's? Reportedly he and Jon Miller couldn't stand each other. Though I'll never forget hearing him describe the action when O's reliever Tippy Martinez picked off 3 Toronto base runners in the same inning. A game that I had tickets for but couldn't attend due to having a boss who wouldn't let me off work early. I've often wondered if she cried when the house landed on her sister. Rusty Gibson, WEBR RadioFairfax (2/15/10) The chef in the Campbell's Sea Salt commercial is played by Matt Servitto, who also portrayed the detective that Tony kept meeting in the car in "The Sopranos." (2/15/10) Former WBAL'er Melissa Carlson in now anchoring at KNRV,' Channel 4, in Reno, Nevada.as of 2/11. (2/15/10) /\ February 15 Messages /\ \/ February 14 Messages \/ Re: Did WBAL's Kate Amara and Deborah Weiner switch anchor shifts?? - I know Deborah and Kate got switched during Dixon trial coverage because of the conflict of interest, Arnold Weiner being Deborah's father. Are the two ever going back to their normal shifts? Given 11 still uses Weiner in the morning show promos it's weird she doesn't do her own show. (2/14/10) I've been enjoying the reminiscenses about the days of Louis Allen and "Bowl the Champ," but to change the subject, has anybody else noticed the resemblance between the chef in the Campbell's Soups ads and Paul Anthony (once a local tv personality)? -- Bobbie (2/14/10) The most recent HughesNet TV commercial actress (as of late 2009) is 36-year-old Kimberley Joseph. She was also "Jo Ellison" in Cold Feet and also made some appearances as "Cindy Chandler" in Lost. SOURCE: wiki.answers.com (2/14/10) Yes, I was wrong about how long Louis Allen was ar WTOP-TV the second time around. He was brought in when Nine wanted a "reinforcement" for its "Eyewitness News" powerhouse. Speaking of Fred Knight, whatever happened to him? Didn't he leave broadcasting to help w/his daughter's doughnut chain, "Pam E K's"? -Unsigned Corporate Suit (2/14/10) A bit of research uncovered a surprising (to me) fact that Steve Gilmartin was hired in March 1960 as a DJ/staff announcer at WMAL, not a sportscaster. For a while, he had a "record show" on weekends, before eventually being assigned the Monday through Saturday mid-day AM 63 shift. In fact, according to a Washington Post TV column, Evening Star Broadcasting loaned him out for a couple of weeks to American Bandstand as a fill-in for Dick Clark. Gilmartin didn't assume his full-time sportscaster role until 1964. He dropped his weekday record show when Johnny Wilcox arrived in town. (2/14/10) Good old Louie Allen. Back when he was still at Channel 9, he announced at the start of the snow season a contest to see which viewer could guess the day of the first snowfall of the season. Participants were to send postcards to "Louie's Snow" at Broadcast House with their contact info and prediction date. I was young then but I saw the flaw in his contest. After the newscast, I called Channel 9 and asked for Louie. They put me right through to him. I asked. "Mr. Allen, is there any restriction on the number of entries I can make?" He said no. I said, "So, I can send in a postcard for every date for the next three months?" He said yes. Given that postcards were only two or three cents apiece at that time, sending 90 postcards would not have been expensive. The prize was worth far more. Alas, I didn't follow through. Years later, I almost had the winning postcard for the "WPGC Mystery Message" $5,000 prize. Given that the statute of limitations has expired, maybe one day I'll tell that story. (2/14/10) A correction on the Louis Allen info from Tom Gauger, Louis returned to WTOP-TV 9 in 1974 and was Chief Meteorologist until his death in 1976. A regular feature on his weathercasts were stick figure drawings on the “Woodle Board” which was sponsored by Washington Gas. Gordon Barnes was lured from CBS Radio in New York to become his replacement. Tom in DC (2/14/10) In reference to the previous posts about Louie Allen, I am pretty sure he was working for ch. 9 when he died. I distinctly remember Fred Knight being called in at the last minute to fill in on the 11. (2/14/10) (snip)...WCBM's regular news crew couldn’t make it in to the station...(end snip) I've worked for four radio stations and two television stations in my career. The news department was required to move in before the storm arrived. We were provided with cots, and the buildings were equipped with kitchens and provisions purchased by station management. (2/14/10) For Bobbie and TWIMC... Washington weather wizard Louis Allen actually started on television at Channel-4, WNBW-TV in 1948 as an unpaid freelancer. He moved to WOIC, Channel-9 in 1950, spending 5 years at Broadcast House. He left broadcasting temporarily on July 1, 1955 reportedly to spend time building his navigation weather business, "Louis Allen Associates", before skating over to the WMAL at the Chevy Chase Ice Palace in August 1955. (Channel-9 replaced him with John Douglas from Florida.) Allen made Channel-7 his home for 19 years until WTOP-TV9 lured him back in October 1974. (Channel-7 replaced him with Barry ZeVan from Minnesota.) Allen died of a heart attack at his Kensington home on May 9, 1976. After Allen's untimely passing, Gordon Barnes was hired by WTOP (from New York) with a starting date of August '76. Read more at: DCMemories.com (2/14/10) Still looking for former WPUV employees form the late 70’s. I have news for you!! (2/14/10) IIRC, Louis Allen had left WMAL-TV and returned to WTOP-TV mere weeks (seemingly only days) before he passed away. So long for now... -Unsigened Corporate Suit (2/14/10) Make a "VD" donation? Might be better to spell it out. Just sayin...BC (2/14/10) Storm takes WCBM's Marr back to newsman roots: The recent history making snowstorm forced WCBM talker Tom Marr to return to his roots as a radio newsman for the first time since 1978. He told the talk radio digest NTS Media Online that when WCBM's regular news crew couldn’t make it in to the station, he and moring host Sean Casey shared the newscast duties on the hour and the half-hour through the evening. Marr, a former newsman and sportscaster with the old WFBR Radio in Baltimore, said "I’ve been in radio for half a century this year and I have never seen anything like this.” www.ntsmediaonline.com (2/14/10) Unisgned Corporate Suit - congratulations! A post using fewer than 50 words. See, it can be done. (2/14/10) Any word/sign of Fox 45 increasing their signal strength? I can’t even get a flicker in Waldorf and according to the FCC maps, it should be as strong as channel 2 that comes in no problem. Thanks, Paul (2/14/10) If memory serves....Louie Allen called his stick figures "Woodle." I remember him drawing them as he did his forecast. KJ, Laurel MD (2/14/10) Thanks, Tom, for the correct information about Louis Allen. I couldn't remember if he was on WTOP or WRC. Your mention of the WMAL studio on Connecticut Avenue brought back other memories. They used to have a show called "Bowl the Champ," where contestants would bowl on the station's bowling lane against top-ranked DC-area duckpin bowlers. My mom was one of those top bowlers and my sisters and I went to watch the show when she bowled. It was hosted by Johnny Batchelder and Steve Gilmartin at different times. Good memories... -- Bobbie (2/14/10) Does anyone know the name of the lady who does the HughesNet TV commercials? She looks like Catherine Bell from "JAG," but I don't think it's her. (2/14/10) AccuWeather has replaced Jim Kosek's latest Baltimore forecast antics with him predicting 3-6 inches of snow on Monday as a block of cheese with a newer forecast, but it can still be found floating around... (2/14/10) Quick note to Bobbie: Louie Allen was on WTOP-TV in the very early 1950’s and was seen in a 30-minute introduction to Broadcast House. He later moved his entire (huge) operation to WMAL-TV in the old Chevy Chase Ice Palace at 4461 Connecticut Ave NW where he remained until he died. He was a great mentor to those of us TV newbies in the late 1960’s who were made to fill-in for Allen on weekends and vacation relief. His company provided oceanic weather routing for ships in addition to local weather for WMAL AM, FM & TV. Tom Gauger (2/14/10) NOTE: Comcast went to all-black screens with white text for a 2 min period, while DIRECTV didn’t do anything... February 13, 2010 - 9:43pm - WASHINGTON - Maryland Police have issued an Amber Alert for 11-year-old Karina Elizabeth Garcia from Prince George's County. Garcia is described as hispanic, 4 feet, 10 inches tall, 110 pounds with black hair. She was last seen wearing a red shirt with yellow stars and blue jeans. She is believed to have been abducted by Elmer Velaya, a latino man who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 175 pounds. Police believe he is driving an orange tractor with a flatbed trailer carrying a Virginia registration. The license number was not made available. (2/14/10) /\ February 14 Messages /\ \/ February 13 Messages \/ DCRTV Front Page reported on Jan 27 that Nelson Lewis took on senior producer duties for Laura Ingraham. On Feb 8, Craigslist DC began running an ad for a new board op. Are these two different positions, or did Nelson bail on the gig after less than two weeks? (2/13/10) Congrats Laura Evans! I thought Shawn Yancey was going to have to deliver the baby for her during the snowcast! Also, for TV's, etc., it was MEL'S TV! (2/13/10) Dave, your note makes troubleshooting a bit easier. I was receiving WJLA on my Haier portable DTV without using cable. Most of the CATV's here use a fiber feed from the broadcaster which has the video and audio taking a different path than found in over the air transmission. Sounds like WJLA may be sending a better signal (in this regard) to cable than for OTA reception. -Unsigned Corporate Suit (2/13/10) The 2010 Early Television Convention will be held on Friday, April 23, Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25 at the Early Television Museum in Hilliard, Ohio U.S.A.. The buffet lunch, presentations, and banquet will be at the Makoy Center, a conference facility about 2 blocks from the museum. There will be live and silent auctions of vintage receivers, parts, and other historic materials. In addition to new acquisitions for the Museum, special convention displays will include: A "no-wheel" CBS tri-color CRT set, and a "Butterfield" color TV camera. Once again, there will be live video coverage of the presentations on the internet. On display at this year's convention: Scheduled presentations this year include: History of home videotape from 1956 to 1976... · Selecting color filters from modern materials for restorations or re-creations of color wheel receivers... · A discussion of efforts to rebuild examples of the first mass-produced color TV picture tube, the 15GP22... · A re-examination of John Logie Baird's 30-line mechanical TV system from 1926... · The RCA TJ-48 Mobile Production Van... For further information, visit www.earlytelevision.org, or call the museum at 614-771-0510. (2/13/10) Note to WJLA: Next time you have an engineer look at things, how about getting the audio to sync-up with the video on your RTN sub-channel? If you can't do ATSC right, turn back the license or sell it to the Mouse or someone else who will. -Unisgned Corporate Suit (2/13/10) Dave's response: Just checked RTV via Comcast ("McMillan & Wife" - cool!) and not seeing a sync problem. I am not an engineer, but I've found that most digital TVs feature a several second "buffer" of the signal, which can result in out-of-sync audio and video if there's a signal interruption, which, as we all know, is very common in over-the-air reception. Sometimes, just tuning away from and back to the broadcast channel can "fix" the "problem"..... "Dave's response: I still miss George's....." What, you didn't like Dalmo? OK, everybody sing along: "Buy George, you know you'll buy for less. Buy George, you know you'll get the best. Buy George, the dealer who's the leader, George's discount supermart. Credit on the spot, you'll save a lot, when you buy George!" So appropriate for President's Day. (2/13/10) re: earlier post regarding weather guy on NBC4 in the '70s...would that be Louis Allen? I seem to remember he used to draw stick figures to illustrate his weather report. -- Bobbie (2/13/10) When I read that Myer-Emco was going out of business I went to their web site to check the prices looking for a good deal on a television or stereo receiver. None of the inventory is listed on the web site. Don't want to make a trip to the store to find out they don't have what I'm looking for or they have it but it's not in my price range. (2/13/10) Dave, I got to meet the famous Michael Hughes this week at work. He was very nice and not like Don and Mike talked about him. He came in our store was telling about getting a generator to keep WRNR on the air during a power outage. Stay Safe! Ron (2/13/10) The Post is late to a story once again. The Jim Kosek forecast videos have been floating around since before the first snowstorm. Obviously, The Post found out about this from DCRTV, yet any credit? They also missed 2 of his funniest videos, his 2nd snowstorm forecast for Baltimore here at Baltimore Media Blog and his most recent forecast for Baltimore for Monday as a block of cheese here at AccuWeather.com I suggest watching the AccuWeather one quick, they get updated/replaced during the day. (2/13/10) Speaking of Jim Koseck and his antics, anyone remember the weather guy on NBC4 years ago who also had an entertaining way of giving the weather?..I can't remember his name, but looked forward to his forecasts..I want to say it was in the 70's.. (2/13/10) Weather map from TV3 Winchester. Al McGilvray (2/13/10) NBC continues to trash some pretty nice events by having motor-mouth and well-known gasbag Bob Costas insist on voicing the obvious. Tonight’s coverage of the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics with a sportscaster was a dumb decision. Matt Laurer was wise to stay out of most of it. (2/13/10) check out tonight's ch. 4 '11pm' news, after the olympics opening at 12:31 (time stamp lower right). look at the right side of the screen...... yawn.... I'm getting sleepy..... (2/13/10) I'm sorry to hear about Myer-Emco. I bought my first loudspeakers from Myer-Emco, a pair of KLH 6 speakers. That was back in 1974. I got them secondhand. The tweeter in one was defective, and Myer-Emco replaced it at no charge. I still have the speakers. Audio Associates has been gone for years, and Shrader Sound for longer than that. There was a McIntosh dealer out in Rockville. DKL Sound Lab, Ezekial Speakers, gone too, are they not. Is DejaVu the last independent dealer left? (2/13/10) Dave's response: I still miss George's..... Did you already report this DUI about former WMZQ 98.7 Ben Campbell. Formerly part of the Ben and Brian Morning Show. (2/13/10) Dave's response: Yeah, we ran a blurb back in January..... Former Washington Post Orioles beat writer is returing to his old paper to take over the Nationals beat, replacing Chico Harlan who will be moving overseas as an Asian correspondent for the paper: www.bostonsportsmedia.com. (2/13/10) Attention:Robb of Capitol Heights - Since you were the first to respond to my posting about the demise of MyerEmco I feel compelled to answer you. Your little rant about Best Buy Geek Squad protection is typical of people that no ZILCH about PC's or laptops. First of all if you had taken the time to read the materials given you which explains the "protection" you paid for, you would have known it doesn't cover viruses. Why you ask? Once a PC or laptop leaves the store we have NO control over what websites the customer visits. That's why we always URGE you to use a Virus protection program. If you used one of the freebies out there or one of those inexpensive programs than you get what you pay for. Let me put it this way, would you sue the people that delivered your daughter because she came down with some childhood desease that could have been prevented with a simple vacination? As she got older in life would you again bring legal action against the hospital because she fell victim to some smooth talking guy and found herself knocked up? Of course not! Remember there are "pills" to take care of "those kinds of maladies (ha ha!) The biggest piece of advice I can ever give you is to pick up a copy of Laptop for Dummies along with any book that will give you a good introduction to either Vista or Windows 7. They will provide you with excellant information on how to get better aquainted with your laptop. When I bought my laptop last year I bought the same books! Guys like you that want to hold the store responsible for your mistakes come a dime a dozen. No wonder the guy that waited on you was a little perturbed! Signed "Common Sense In A Blue Shirt" (2/13/10) [Washington DC buy or lease station in recession proof market, not full market coverage but high pop count, ideal for minority or niche broadcaster, minimal studio, very low rate LMA @ $9,500 per month For INFO contact Harold Bausemer 781-848-xxxx ~ e-mail- radio@beld.net (anytime)] It isn't a Multicultural property, this much I know. I personally know of 3 in market stations that are actively shopping for brokers in the $20K range, but would happily take $10K a month. Full market signals. The 2 million dollar station is likely WURA, AM 920 - worth about 500k - and only with current transmitter site included. You can't assign a high price to a "rimshot" AM that has never had billing...ever. (2/13/10) /\ February 13 Messages /\ \/ February 12 Messages \/ Re: Winchester a stone’s throw from DC? OK, maybe you’d need to pick it up and throw it a second time (like when we used to play “Hit the Bat” in northeastern Pennsylvania), but it’s a reasonable distance from town. I can be in Manassas in less than an hour and unless the traffic is bad, 75 minutes gets me to the beltway and Metro, and all of that is obeying the speed limit (please, let’s get 70 out there on I-66...please). Charles in Winchester (2/12/10) A $10,000 broadcast audio console from ... shall we say a few floors *lower* than heaven? ebay.com (2/12/10) The ad for the DC station for sale or lease includes the description "minimal studio". WCTN has had a long established studio location. On the other hand, WZHF 1390 Arlington has been parked in an industrial zone off Randolph Ave for ages with a really minimal setup. I want to believe it's WDMV 700 Walkersville, because they've had up to three or four studio locations in the past eight years, and the latest tall tale was that the station is just a computer parked somewhere in Maryland, picking up Detroit over the Internet. Of greater interest is this description, also on Harold Bausemer's website: "Washington DC AM CP. 7kw days, 1000w nights. Diplex at existing site, high pop count, low market entry cost (CP only) $2,000,000 (seller in the process testing, on-air in 2010)" Sounds like our friends at 920AM in Dumfries? (2/12/10) So, is this WCTN or who? - "Washington DC buy or lease station in recession proof market, not full market coverage but high pop count, ideal for minority or niche broadcaster, minimal studio, very low rate LMA @ $9,500 per month For INFO contact Harold Bausemer 781-848-xxxx ~ e-mail- radio@beld.net (anytime)" (2/12/10) Off topic, but I can't resist commenting on Best Buy & other stores' extended warranties.... Most studies have shown them to be a complete waste of money unless you as a consumer are dumb as a rock and bought a complete piece of junk on purpose out of stupidity. I think the study showed that the vast majority of people who bought an extended warranty never had to use it. I don't remember the % but it was extremely high non-usage rate. Conversely to a previous post, I've had a far better experience dealing directly with manufacturers. When my HP PC hard drive failed, I immediately hit the web and contacted HP by phone. Even though the PC was like more than a year out of the manufacturer's warranty, HP replaced the hard drive for free. Now of course, this assumes that a person is capable of installing a new hard drive in their PC, but it was a far better experience then dealing with the big box store warranties since it cost me virtually nothing and they even sent a newer bigger hard drive and Windows install CDs too, basically just for shipping cost. (2/12/10) "It is very easy to see why News4 ran away with the ratings during for the severe weather coverage. They had a shtick." I don't know - perhaps the DC and Baltimore network affiliates need to have serious discussions over the summer months as to whether or not wall-to-wall coverage of snowstorms (even ones as extreme as we've seen this week) is really necessary. Channel 4 has no problem devoting time to coverage of snowball fights but somehow can't find thirty seconds for Dan Hellie or Lindsay Czarniak to update viewers on local sports? - give me a break. The weekend storm was quickly dubbed the "Blizzard of 2010" by the station (much like the one in December was the "Blizzard of 2009" - how original), but actually only the the latest blast on Tuesday and Wednesday ("Blizzard of 2010, Round 2") fit the technical definition of the term. I've always believed snow and the Redskins to be the two most overhyped topics on local TV news, but apparently the former trumps the latter by a wide margin because the story of Russ Grimm's election into the pro football Hall of Fame got little or no play on Saturday's newscasts. A few years ago, I happened to be in New York when more than a foot of snow fell there - not only did none of the TV stations preempt any regular daytime programming but the 6 PM newscast I was watching managed to wrap up its snow coverage within five or six minutes and move on to other stories. Chad Dukes (on WJFK's LaVar Arrington show) had the best comment I've heard thus far concerning this issue - for whatever reason, these severe winter weather events seem to cause much more angst and distress in the Washington area than the typical major market and a lot of it's unjustified. Mike, Fairfax (2/12/10) JJ Hitman McKay and Glenn L. Martin return to the airwaves in Ocean City, Maryland on WEDNESDAY FEB 17th 7-10am on KHZTV.COM and 1590KHZ, The return of HITMAN & CO. weekday mornings.Dats wuzzup in OC from Fast Eddie Ocean City, Maryland. (2/12/10) NBC 25's newscast (since this morning) got a new set re-design, and a name change from "NBC 25 News" to "WHAG News". Earlier in the week, the news originated from the "AccuWeather" set area (which hasn't changed like the main news set). The on-air graphics and headline ticker bar look very identical to the NBC graphics package that WRC is using. (2/12/10) It is very easy to see whey News4 ran away with the ratings during for the severe weather coverage. They had a shtick. It was not just one person, but a group of individuals with chemistry who were fun to watch. Pat Collins, Jim Vance, Doreen Gentzler, Wendy Rieger and Bob Ryan were all part of it. Each an integral link. Another reason News4 was #1 was habit. News4 dominates the mornings, so that is where people turned Wednesday. Channel 7 is usually in third or fourth place weekday mornings, so out of habit, people did not tune into them. FOX5 also does well in the morning, but Holly Morris was the only one with a shtick. When she was on, it was fantastic. Channel 9, in recent years has been a disappointment with brandless reporters and anchors (some shipped in to cover the strom from Florida). WUSA seemed more focused on how long they could stay on, rather than the coverage they were presenting. As far as weather people go, Bob Ryan was Bob Ryan, he was in his element. Just the facts, none of the garbage. The rest of the News4 weather team was focused and concise. Shit, we all knew it was snowing outside! The two guys on Channel 7 in the morning were confusing and talked technical garbage. When Doug Hill showed up, it was a breath of fresh air. FOX5’s Sue Palka, a Washington weather sweetheart was easy and fun, Gary McGrady only made her shine brighter because he is so stiff and awkward. In closing, News4 is a creature of habit. Like smoking or eating sweets, habits are hard to break. (2/12/10) Please, to the BestBuy apologist, chill out and stop hatin' on Walmart. I suppose Dave could have said the demise of MyerEmco rests with all big-box stores without naming Best Buy and that would probably more accurate as yes, Walmart and Target and maybe even the Big K surely took a bite out of their business, too. But the 'blame' doesn't rest with any of them, really, not even Best Buy. The consumers made a choice and they opted to shop elsewhere. I don't cheer the demise of MyerEmco anymore than I blame another store for drawing consumers of audio/video components. But I certainly don't plan on hatin' Walmart and praisin' BestBuy, either. To make the world a better place, the BestBuy person might start with their service agreements. I bought my daughter a laptop and paid for the three-year 'covers everything' service plan, only to have--a few months later-- the geeks at the service counter tell me that my plan covered only hardware, not a virus, and that, golly, they have told the salespeople to make that clear and that, well, I could purchase an additonal plan to cover virus recovery. And to make matters worse, the geek was a jerk about it as I stood there with my daughter at my side. I don't shop at BestBuy anymore because of that filthy experience. Thanks, Dave, for your fantastic work and I hope your new year is off to a great start! Robb of Capitol Heights (2/12/10) Speaking of Laura Ingraham...this video is SO funny--and it screams true of her! She treats her staff like dog shit.... www.youtube.com (2/12/10) Don't be so quick to put the blame on MyerEmco's demise on Best Buy! I happened to work at a Best Buy store part time in the Home Theatre department. People that come back there to buy audio equipment to compliment their flat screens don't give a rat's ass about "knowledge". All they want is the cheapest thing that comes with five speakers and a sub woofer. Why, that mentality? It all starts with Wal-mart! You don't know how often I get questions about not what Best Buy carries but what Wal-mart has. Wal-mart refugees have no idea on how the retail world spins. All they know is "the lowest price" everything else be damned. Wal-mart refugees all dress the same way. They are not all all hard to spot! Like that article stated the retail world has changed but today with all the info at hand all I get is people that still quote what "Consumer Reports says". I mention websites to them like the "Cnet" and they look at me like I'm speaking a foreign dialect. MyerEmco can't blame all their woes on Best Buy. It's the idiots that come in there looking for audio equipment and just from listening to them you know their knowledge is still rooted back in the '70's. (2/12/10) The following was forwarded to DCRTV..... I want to thank everyone at the station (WTOP) for doing such a phenomenal job during the snow storms. For much of the time, we lost either or both power and Comcast, and WTOP was our only news link to the outside world. You have been a truly community station, with constant updates on PEPCO, Metro, Comcast, the roads, etc. etc. We always listen to WTOP in good weather or bad throughout the year, but we feel that the station has really gone above and beyond the call of duty in how you have helped the region get through this past week. Thanks to all of you!!!! (2/12/10) UPDATE: The NOT FOUND error pic on BaltimoreSun.com that was at the end of every single Baltimore Sun story for weeks is officially gone without any comment by The Baltimore Sun. That makes one wonder if The Sun has now officially lied to its customers & readers & banned all COMMENTS at BaltimoreSun.com permanently. When The Sun banned comments on daily stories initially, the newspaper claimed it was a technical glitch that would be fixed soon. And yes, The Sun posted that statement on their website for all to see, but has since retracted it. Has The Sun has changed its mind? More at Baltimore Media Blog Oh, one more funny Accuweather Jim Kosek video is there too. The man never stops. This is the video of him singing the Styx song "Snowblind." It's been deleted by Accuweather and is not on Youtube by the way, so it's worth checking out. Speaking of funny, Jim Williams of The Washington Examiner accidently sent me pink flowers for Valentines Day on Facebook. Do I have a secret man-crush admirer or was that a Facebook glitch on Jim's part? I'm thinking the later. LOL (2/12/10) This morning Imus mentioned that Laura Ingraham once got revenge on a guy who she thought had done her wrong, by putting a garden hose through his window and turning it on. Does anyone know anything more about this "garden hose incident"? I've checked online, but was only able to find this video that made a veiled reference to it. ww.lauraingrahamsucks.com (2/12/10) I would also like to extend deepest sympathy to G. Gordon Liddy and his family on the passing of his wife Frances. I was truly saddened when I read the news here on DCRTV. It was great when Frances was a guest on the show when it aired on WJFK and I enjoyed hearing all about her experiences teaching in the public schools of D.C. While I do not totally agree with Gordon on everything, I must say that he is very intelligent, articulate and it was a thrill when he read one of my letters on the air. He treated my views with the utmost respect and was incredibly kind. Mrs. Liddy was also very articulate and truly a dedicated wife, mother and educator. She will be missed. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (2/12/10) it's official, "Cupcake Sisters" begins filming tomorrow www.caroljoynt.com (2/12/10) While I can't think of anyone whose politics and philosophy I disagree with more, that notwithstanding, may I express sincere condolences to G. Gordon Liddy and his family, at the death of wife and mother, Frances Liddy. May the Good Lord sustain you all, in this time of sorrow and loss. www.legacy.com (2/12/10) Finally had time to post after the recent storms. First, as for CC, they have some really fine people working for a really terrible company. You have to feel sorry for them. However, for the poster who lambasted Bob Marbourg for sleeping in the station and possibly watching the clock anticipating going back to work, Bob deserves respect for being there and providing a service to the listeners when the chips were down. He could’ve easily gone to the hotel room Bonneville no doubt booked for him. But, he chose not to. He chose to stay on-air to share his expertise and experience with the audience. That is the mark of professionalism, something which is becoming scarce in this business. As for “anticipating going on the air”, if you are not enthused and excited about your work and your employer at least 75% of the time, you’re either in the wrong job or with the wrong employer (or both) and need to get out. I believe that to be true whether you’re in broadcasting or selling tractor supplies. When I reached major market AM drive, show prep took longer than the show itself. And, in the “majors” that quality was demanded as much (if not more) by your peers as it was by your management or audience. (But the days of Eve Freyman and Tom Powers are long gone, alas. Am I the only one on the board who remembers them?) That’s why you see such a supporting cast beyond just a Producer today for the better AM drive major market shows. The quality product demanded is more than what one person can handle and produced so much burnout. Including my own. Which is why I changed careers within the industry. Nobody told me to do it. Fortunately, there have been group owners who encouraged growth to a greater extent than is usually the case today. As for sleeping in a radio station… I’ve heard some say that it gives “character”. I disagree. All sleeping on the lobby couch ever gave me was a sore back! If anything in this business gave me “character” it was cold calling clients after my airshift as what we’ve graciously called an “AE” for the last couple of decades or so. It was there that I learned that regardless of your market, you are programming for your advertisers as much as for your audience -if not more. One of my favorite tales is a small market TV station in Kansas that carried Notre Dame football highlights weekly in season because the owner of a large local business was a Notre Dame alumnus. In selling him on “buying” the weekly football show, they conditioned it on a substantial ROS buy. He took it and the rest was history. That is why there is currently no sound business case for a “resurrected” WHFS. Don’t you think that if CBS had a client base for such a format, it would’ve been done by now? If not by CBS, then a “clone” by CC or Citadel? Hell, even Bonneville would do it if they had the signal. And, the clients. Finally, if you can’t sell the station on format, you have to sell it on productive repetitive and retained exposures of the advertiser’s message. That is why some are freaking-out on the PPM. The old diary system was so dependent upon loyalties, habits, peer pressure, and such that if, with all due respect, Harden and Weaver were still doing AM drive on WMAL, they would likely still be #1 in a diary system while the PPM would have them lower. Why the emphasis on the business side? Because that’s what it is. It’s not a charity. Even NPR stations want to see revenue and surpluses (They can’t call it a “profit”!) as opposed to deficits. –Unsigned Corporate Suit (2/12/10) I'm sorry, but when you have 2 blizzards in 2-3 major east coast cities affecting multi-millions of people in one week that break all historic records since record keeping has occurred in the U.S. and you choose to run a "pig farming antibiotic" story, it's somehow juvenile to criticize DC media pixie Katie Couric? I'm repeating this rant for the hearing impaired since apparently one "Mailbagger" (not to be confused with a "Teabagger") seems to think that story was a great idea to run during SNOWPOCALYPSE 2010 on the CBS Evening News! LOL (2/12/10) EVERY OTHER DAY IS HALLOWEEN (the documentary on "Count Gore," "Captain 20" and "Bozo The Clown") comes out on DVD April 20, but pre-sales are available now. Lots of new content is always being added to the Facebook fan page, including a glimpse of how Dick Dyszel (sporting his "Count Gore De Vol" t-shirt) survived the Blizzard of 2010, as well as a special Valentine's video of what "The Count" has to go through for a date will also be added this weekend. www.facebook.com (2/12/10) Mike O'Meara:: Stay pod-cast inspired. The Aceman Cometh For Adam Carolla, comedy is a business--and business is good. www.entrepreneur.com (2/12/10) In reference to previous posts "ABC's "Nightline" on Tuesday, February 9, led with a story about the snowstorm's effect on the Midwest and East. They included a montage of weathercasters from the areas. Was DC ABC 7's Doug Hill part of the montage? No, they used DC CBS 9's Topper Shutt instead! .."..ah I can do one better. I have several friends who live in Phoenix and from what they had told me, who do you think was seen on Arizona TV on clips of the DC/Baltimore snow coverage? Topper? Doug? Bob? WBAL? No it was Lauryn Ricketts from "TV3 Winchester". Go figure !!!!"....Out with the old, in with the new I say!..I am a resident of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and was a frequent viewer of ABC 7--now I have switched to watch Lauryn Ricketts on TV3 Winchester and her forecasts...surprisingly I have found that she is more accurate than most the DC forecasters combined!!! My wife and I thoroughly enjoy her and glad to see that she is gaining some recognition...she has quite a big following out here in the forgotten valley....Chuck, Stephens City (2/12/10) I would rather work for 7-11 than the low life Channel 9 WUSA. Sleazebag anchors selling themselves out to People magazine stories, rookie reporters who can’t spit out a story without tripping over words and last place ratings can’t get worse. (sorry to offend 7-11 workers). Remember when you RULED Washington DC, it wasn’t that long ago. Now Judge Judy and cartoons rule you! Sara Walsh was kept under the thumb of the ego maniac Brett Haber. Run Sara!! You deserve better, no wonder you wear high heels, so you don’t step in the shit in the newsroom. Clean the newsroom out and start over, you only have a dozen folks watching anyhow. (2/12/10) /\ February 12 Messages /\ \/ February 11 Messages \/ Winchester VA is a "stone's throw" from DC and Baltimore? Mr. Beddow must have Popeye arms... (2/11/10) (If you want to find a group of people who hate their employers, they are all working at 1801 Rockville Pike) ...and one of those BlackBerry's at that fun table at Phillip's had a camcorder going! Now, isn't this going to be fun??!! (2/11/10) Has WTOP's master clock gotten bogged down by the snow? The CBS "World News Tonight" started at 7:01:00 rather than the usual 7:00:18 (caused by analog/HD synchronization). (2/11/10) (From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) 104.9/105.5 the Bone in Winchester VA is hiring a full time Announcer/Producer. Duties include: - Producing the Free Beer and Hot Wings show... - News and Sports reading and gathering... - Voice tracking a daily shift... - Commercial production... - Promotions assistance... - Assisting the news department... The ideal candidate will: - have prior commercial radio experience, preferably in a digital environment... - be comfortable working with automation and editing software... - understand how to contribute to and thrive in a team oriented environment... - have excellent organizational skills... This is the perfect opportunity for someone looking for his or her first full time radio job. 104.9/105.5 The Bone is a Heritage Rock in Winchester VA just a stone’s throw from Washington DC and Baltimore. We offer a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package. Please send audio, cover letter, resume, references and salary requirements to: Brian Beddow, WXBN/WXNB Program Director, 520 N. Pleasant Valley Rd, Winchester, VA 22601. Email packages to brian@rockthebone.com. Please call me to introduce yourself once you have sent a complete package: 540-667-2224 Brian Beddow. Centennial Broadcasting II, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. (2/11/10) From a previous post..."ABC's "Nightline" on Tuesday, February 9, led with a story about the snowstorm's effect on the Midwest and East. They included a montage of weathercasters from the areas. Was DC ABC 7's Doug Hill part of the montage? No, they used DC CBS 9's Topper Shutt instead! .."..ah I can do one better. I have several friends who live in Phoenix and from what they had told me, who do you think was seen on Arizona TV on clips of the DC/Baltimore snow coverage? Topper? Doug? Bob? WBAL? No it was Lauryn Ricketts from "TV3 Winchester". Go figure !!!! (2/11/10) Re: "...that crazy nut Katie Couric did an extended story on PIG FARMING & antibiotics last night and I was like scratching my head. Has she been outside, did she know it was a blizzard out? What a crazy time to pick to run a nutty PETA-esque PIG FARMING STORY! Too funny!" Hey, do you, like, think that even national news needs to, like, OBSESS about local weather stories? I read your post and I was like scratching my head trying to figure out how you figured out how to use email. Probably got help from mom I, like, guessed. (2/11/10) ABC's "Nightline" on Tuesday, February 9, led with a story about the snowstorm's effect on the Midwest and East. They included a montage of weathercasters from the areas. Was DC ABC 7's Doug Hill part of the montage? No, they used DC CBS 9's Topper Shutt instead! (2/11/10) Jim Kosek of Accuweather's Washington DC Snowpocalypse forecast... (2/11/10) www.wkze.com... Hey Dave and DCRTV Nation… I happened upon 98.1 KZE earlier today thanks to Facebook. It states on their site that WKZE is “Celebrating Musical Diversity”. WKZE-FM serves the Hudson Valley/Catskills region of Upstate New York. Now this is a cool radio station! Dean in Snowy SOMD. (2/11/10) Clear Channel put all their dj's and producers up at a hotel for several days. There were also a bunch of TV people and crews staying in the same hotel. If you want to find a group of people who hate their employers, they are all working at 1801 Rockville Pike. No one in that bar had anything good to say about CC local or corporate. (2/11/10) Dave, Just ran across this…. Doesn’t appear to be anywhere close to being “On the Air” yet, but does look interesting for those who like “Free to Air” TV… Bob freedbs.org (2/11/10) I've been helping my mother shovel snow, etc. over the last week and, because she's in her 80s, she listens to WTOP. Here's some of the things WTOP has described as "dangerous," "extremely dangerous" and/or "really, really dangerous" in the last few days: snow, wind, sunlight, traffic, cold, warmth, fog, sledding, walking, parking, ice, snowplows, electricity, animals, batteries, candles, cooking, drive-thru windows, shopping, refrigeration, eyeglasses, the Potomac river and "thinking you can do it." Jeezus H. Christ, couldya get a freakin' grip on reality already? Just because something is different than the norm does NOT mean it's going to kill everybody. It IS possible to report on weather and traffic without playing up every situation like it's the end of civilization. Yes, we had a lot of snow--but now everything is dangerous? EVERYTHING?!? There's a phrase that everybody at the Gas Enclosed Nerd Center needs to become familiar with: "Responsible Journalism." (2/11/10) Sara Walsh - but never made the same impact on the local sports market," a source tells us..... Well, she certainly made an impact with someone at ESPN! (2/11/10) ABC7"s Greta Kreuz did some good reports from Georgetown after the blizzard near-whiteout conditions. She stopped cars to ask if the driver knew his headlights were not on and that made him invisible in the snowstorm. As each rolled down the window, you could hear they were listening to music. "No, I didn't realize it," said one. Anybody in this town who drives in severe conditions like that fails an IQ test if they are not listening to WTOP. Love 'em or hate 'em, that is a situation you NEED TOP. (2/11/10) "Check out [Jon Stewart's] call to the home of Cal Ripken to get a weather update" - You did watch the piece, right? Jon Stewart didn't actually call Mrs. Ripken -- the joke was that FoxNews beat him to it. (2/11/10) Kudos to WBAL TV 11's Rob Roblin for making the NBC Nightly News briefly last night while ABC's World News Now did an extended clip from WMAR 2 surprisingly. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but so far, no sign of FOX 45 on FNC or WJZ on CBS. And the later is kind of weird considering CBS OWNS them. In fact, that crazy nut Katie Couric did an extended story on PIG FARMING & antibiotics last night and I was like scratching my head. Has she been outside, did she know it was a blizzard out? What a crazy time to pick to run a nutty PETA-esque PIG FARMING STORY! Too funny! Oh, and the Jim Kosek of Accuweather videos were actually originally posted on Accuweather.com, so they are legit, but Accuweather quickly pulled them. Kosek did 2 different videos, one for each storm in the last week, I can't find the 2nd one anymore. He sang the STYX song Snowblind during the forecast. It was hysterical. I tried to upload the videos multiple times and both Facebook and Youtube keep yanking them, so if you find them, watch them or save them while you can. Apparently, Accuweather wants them to disappear quick. Speaking of disappearing, it looks like NBC is trying to erase all clips of Conan O'Brien from the web. I read recently that NBC pulled all Conan O'Brien clips from Hulu.com (both Late Night & Tonight Show) and is attempting to have all clips of Conan removed from Youtube as well. Meanwhile the Conan O'Brien Facebook fan sites now have over 1 MILLION fans & 1 of Leno's fan sites turned on him into an ANTI-LENO site! HAHA! Gotta love it. The bad news continues for NBC. :-) (2/11/10) WRC photog=FAIL!! MSNBC went to a live shot with a WRC field reporter discussing Snowmageddon!! Unfortunately the photog had the camera mic on and not the reporters mic. As the camera panned to show the snowy streets all you heard was nat sound from the cars passing by. You could barely hear the reporter rambling on. The MSNBC anchor eventually broke in and said the cold weather must be affecting the audio..... (2/11/10) "I want you to show that piece of Tucker Barnes running like a girl". - Traffic Woman on Fox5 "I wanna see the Traffic Woman on Fox5 lose weight" - Glass house (2/11/10) There shouldn't be any who is questions when there is google and wikipedia. The Puttermans were plastic robots that duracell used as an answer to the energizer bunny. BTW the media's overkill/overcarriage of the blizzard is really boring. Channel 4 is gotten as bad as channel 9's cheeseball puff pieces. Les no longer in CP. (2/11/10) Regarding the WJFK comment, I'm not sure why Ted Leonsis should feel the need to purchase a radio station to expect some factual accuracy. It simply isn't true that more people watch the Wiz than the Caps (either on television or in the arena). That's just wrong. Now, if you want to argue who would be the more watched if both teams were of the same quality, that's a different discussion. But if WJFK is saying more people watch the Wiz than the Caps, that's just flat out erroneous. (2/11/10) Great ... We know who Flo is, who the Geico gecko is, we pinned down Sabine Ehrenfeld as the Overstock.com chick and got to know Turtle Lady from The Room Store. So how come we still can't figure out who the hell the Puttermans were? (2/11/10) wtop.com gets quoted all over the globe - kyiv.proua.com (2/11/10) One thing I will always remember was the unbelievable hype on TV news about weather. I think for at least a few meterologists the experience was better than sex! Now, can they best Accuweather? This has to be a spoof! Weather coverage is tame here in SW Virginia, were we geet much more ice. Tom Conroy WZBB-FM (2/11/10) RE: "Al: I don't know what WJFK was talking about. The Caps had better ratings on CSN than the Wiz last year and they have better ratings than the Wiz this year. So the premise of WJFK's discussion was completely wrong. Morons." Look, everyone is happy for the Caps but you have to look at it from a business decision. Without any numbers, I'm gonna assume the Caps are doing the best financially than all the other teams in town. Ted Leonsis can either A) Pay Dan Snyder of CBS to have one of his hand picked announcers employed by TEM or JFK for more informed, concise conversations or 2) Buy his own station. (2/11/10) Come on, Dave. That's a photoshopped pic of Stephanie Courtney and a bad one at that. (2/11/10) Lavar sleeping in studio = 980 going to ESPN network = WJFK (Dukies??) covering asses over last week's ass kicking during Super Bowl coverage (See those TV ratings....will DCR concur?) (2/11/10) I read you column at work and noticed an abundance of not so work ready pictures posted in your mailbag. I don't know how any of this relates to DC media. The "Room Store" lady and the "Progressive Insurance" lady? Is soft porn the new standard for DCRTV? (2/11/10) Some of my fondest broadcast memories included being stranded and on the air during big snowstorms. You had a great connection with the listeners as you were in the same boat. As broadcasters, we craved the opportunity. I remember well at WASH in the late 70's, during a big storm, the air staff held up at a local hotel to be near the station. Even the venerable Eddie Gallaher was there. The hotel's restaurant was nearly out of food as we went in to try to get something to eat. Eddie, as only he would do, asked to see the wine list. The waiter's reaction was priceless. So kudos to Bob M, Julie W and all the others for a job loved and well done. BD (2/11/10) /\ February 11 Messages /\ \/ February 10 Messages \/ Baltimore's ABC Channel 12 and NBC Channel 11 are showing their soaps on their subchannels (204 and 208, respectively) on Comcast. (2/10/10) Glad to see I kickstarted the perverts with the Chicken Lady/Room Store reference. Now here's the picture of Stephanie Courtney, better known as Flo from Progressive Insurance. Looks like the kinda deep dish pie one could enjoy on a snowy winter's night. Now if anyone has pictures of the cueball Jake Wood (the current voice of the Geico gecko, replacing Kelsey Grammer and Dave Kelly) getting his "head" shined I'm sure there are takers for 15 minutes or more of slithery fun. Back to my nap. (2/10/10) Al: I don't know what WJFK was talking about. The Caps had better ratings on CSN than the Wiz last year and they have better ratings than the Wiz this year. So the premise of WJFK's discussion was completely wrong. Morons. (2/10/10) Dave: A belated Happy Birthday since I'm now stuck down here in Birmingham for another few days. Anyway, I was checking-out both sportstalk stations the past few days on the internet and yes, both have a terrible product. How anyone at ESPN980 can let Sheehan get away with talking about his man-crush on the "weather" is beyond me. Any half-professional program director would have yanked him off the radio year's ago. His weather hobby is more important than the Capitals' winning streak? It's utterly disgusting what this radio market has to put-up with and unfortunately, things will never change. WJFK isn't much better but they do have some decent talent. Problem is, Mr. Snyder is paying good money to people who are "fooling" him. Meaning, they think they know it-all but are just there for the money. Just like his football team, Mr. Snyder is being taken to the bank by some pretty bad radio personnel. (2/10/10) To the Marbourg defenders who are getting their knickers in a knot, take a chill pill. Thank goodness there's an old coot like him into traffic reporting. I worked for Metro once upon a time and it was the most uninteresting BS kind of work for me. But for a guy like Marbourg, he probably gets a woody when there's a crash. Good for him. He's doing what he is supposed to be doing in this life. Not everybody is that lucky. C'mon, lighten up, ya gotta admit ... the line about "By the way Bob, Supercuts called and it's time for your $6 bowl-cut" was pretty dead-on. (2/10/10) Re: "What a cop out by ESPN 980. They have been running ESPN Radio network crap instead of local programming ALL DAY" I am a Kornheiser fan and was disappointed but not surprised he wasn't on today. The state of Maryland had pulled snow plows and state police of the roads this morning due to white out conditions, and we had heard Mr Tony's description of Rockville Pike after the first blizzard. I wonder however, what a talent's contract specifies. I could imagine that the employer could have written that "we pay you (talent) to do the program" and "it's up to you how you plan or pay for service to get your behind in here." And Korny is such a diva... However, I took advantage of Mike O'Meara's show pre-recording today's show and releasing it early this morning. I have become quite fond of this show and look forward to it every day. As has been well discussed, talk radio like this is sadly missed here now that it's gone. I have been catching up with past programs and listening to two or three at a time. I am so looking forward to the breakfast meat program for Friday 12/18/09 after listening to Mon thru Wed for this week (and a shout out for Robb's Taylor Pork Roll and Scrapple!!). These guys have a lot more spirit and hilarious fun than they did on their former station. I heard them reference this when they talked about their previous bad situation, described as a "gun to the head" and after awhile one just wants them "to go ahead and pull the trigger." Robert, Arlington (2/10/10) WTEM did go local from 4 to 7 PM. The Sports Reporters discussed Buster Douglas' knockout of Mike Tyson since today is the 20th anniversary of that fight. WJFK is replaying Lavar and Dukes in the 6:00 hour since I heard the same Wizards trade talk segment from the 2:00 hour at 6:45. I guess nobody else could get in, they don't have Wizards (All-Star Break) or Terps (PPD) games tonight. Still little or no substantial talk about the Caps, except on WJFK. Their hockey topic was...reasons people watch the Wiz more than the Caps. Pathetic. No wonder WTEM and WJFK can't crack the top 15 in the PPMs. -Al (2/10/10) In as much as no one else has said it... real nice job by Carol Joynt on the "Wednesday White Out" YouTube video. (2/10/10) Interesting to read another Mailbag post on ESPN 980's programming today. I streamed it around 10 and didn't hear Kornheiser, who's been on a tear the past couple days, demanding a driver to and from the studio and ripping local elected officials in Maryland who haven't cleared the roads. I figured ESPN 980 had given in to his demands and found a substitute show for Kornheiser only. No other local programming? That's a joke. Anyway, Korny had been quite good this week, so his absence is disappointing. Christian (2/10/10) Dave's response: I'm sure that Tony was just snowed-in this morning and will be back tomorrow..... Ha ha... "Chicken Lady"...I've heard her called "Turtle Lady" as well. If we're going to refer to her, at least do it with the proper respect: She's actress Kristen Swanson (the bondage bikini pic) and we talked about her in DCRTV back in 2008. Whatever you do, don't confuse her with actress KRISTY Swanson (the blonde pic, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), otherwise that blind date will be a major shock. (2/10/10) I've actually been enjoying the coverage of today's snowstorm (on Channel 4), warm and cozy in my condo...but I admit, I have a high threshold of boredom. -- Bobbie (2/10/10) Dave's response: I went over to my neighbor lady's and played Scene It with her and her son. And I won! Cynne`Simpson is a very good looking woman indeed. Would love to be snowed in a warm house with her. (2/10/10) When any local TV station is reduced to talking to small children over the phone about the snow, it's time to move the fuck on. Paul (2/10/10) Did someone just say "bootleg bondage video of the Chicken Lady from The Room Store commercials?" (2/10/10) What a cop out by ESPN 980. They have been running ESPN Radio network crap instead of local programming ALL DAY. What a joke. (2/10/10) (RE: Since he singed on Tuesday, Bob Marbourg has been telling us over and over how dedicated he is by preparing to spend the night. How modest. Whoopee-de-doo. This is a guy who probably sits around watching the clock, WAITING to go to work to yammer on about Father Hurley Blvd. Oh by the way Bob, Supercuts called, it's time for your $6 bowl-cut.) It figures...people sitting at home stuffing themselves full of tastycakes and beer, blasting a legend like marbourg and others who are doing a great job. I know for a fact that many of these people on air and behind the scenes are pulling 12 and 13 hour shifts and maybe more to help keep others safe and informed. So for you ungrateful souls and fools who have little else to do either put up or shut up! You are totally clueless!. Fed up with fools in easton and other places. (2/10/10) (RE:Dear Lazy Anchors, Producers and Technical Types: The storm this weekend was so much work. I feel so bad for you. It really sucks you have to work again super hard on Wednesday and will once again have to sleep in a four star hotel bed and be away from your families. Suck it up, fools. People are fighting a war half way around the world and won’t see family members for six or 12 months. Complain a little more. Do your jobs a shut-up. You are getting paid handsomely to do so.) And you are probably sleeping late..and drining beer...get a life ! (2/10/10) Re:Reiger - listen pal you'd be lucky to get a "Savannah Creampie" much less hit that thing. Now go back to jacking it to fake pics of Flo from Progressive Insurance & that bootleg bondage video of the Chicken Lady from The Room Store commercials. I need a nap. (2/10/10) (“Not all of us are in four-star hotels. Instead we're working stupid hours and retreating to basic hotel rooms, and getting paid shit to do it while your fat ass sits at home and bitches about the work we're doing. The glory days of high paid broadcasting jobs, for most of us, are not close to reality. Eat a dick.”) It’s hard to understand why such an articulate person as yourself is stuck in a low paying, dead end job. (2/10/10) Washington Blizzard of 2010; Wednesday White Out by Carol Joynt (2/10/10) (I am writing on behalf of The Washington Post, which is the copyright owner of the photo displayed on your website under the heading "'Just Say No To TV Snow "Scareclowns.'" I am advised that this photo is being used without our permission.) Well, there's your daily dose of sheer pettiness. And the newspapers wonder why there is such a lack of respect for them and why a number have or are going el foldo. (Shawn in DC) (2/10/10) Just tuned in to NBC4. At the risk of being unkind, poor Wendy Rieger has completely jumped the shark. She looks like she's been [expleted]. Can someone introduce her to an organic hairbursh and makeup? Wow! (2/10/10) Why are WRC and WJLA not putting regular programming on the sub channel like WUSA is doing? (2/10/10) Since he singed on Tuesday, Bob Marbourg has been telling us over and over how dedicated he is by preparing to spend the night. How modest. Whoopee-de-doo. This is a guy who probably sits around watching the clock, WAITING to go to work to yammer on about Father Hurley Blvd. Oh by the way Bob, Supercuts called, it's time for your $6 bowl-cut. (2/10/10) Dear first emailer of the day... Not all of us are in four-star hotels. Instead we're working stupid hours and retreating to basic hotel rooms, and getting paid shit to do it while your fat ass sits at home and bitches about the work we're doing. The glory days of high paid broadcasting jobs, for most of us, are not close to reality. Eat a dick. (2/10/10) More snow? More crappy weather? Things could be worse. I was DX listening to a Chicago AM station around 5 this morning, and they had a small earthquake on top of their snowfall. No real damage other than some jostled dishes, but how much does THAT suck? (2/10/10) (regarding a previous post) "Wow: WTOP’s 'Mention WTOP for your Free Gift' risqué ad is pretty wild looking." Well, the Bonneville station edited the ad using this, more traditional undergarments image, but they just weren't getting many hits. (2/10/10) Kalea Seitz Clark, The Washington Post, Assistant Counsel:: Ms. Clark, your porn star/stripper name aside, rest assured that as an employee of The Washington Post, this picture is not copy protected so no legal threat on your part is needed...however, considering the current status of the newspaper industry, it does have that "email Dave Hughes @ DCRTV while looking for another job" feel to it though. FYI, DCRTV has an excellent & affordable classified ad section...be worth your investment to post your resume...you know, considering that you work for the Washington Post and all. For more information go to paulfarhiwisheshewasdavehughes.com AHHHHH [Who dat, who dat just had a great B-Day] (2/10/10) Dave's response: Technically, the Post is correct. They own the copyright for the DC weathercasters pic, which graced the cover of TV Week, what, three or four years ago? And if they ask me to pull it, I will. And I did. Looks like a nerve was touched. You know, about 98 percent of the time when DCRTV "borrows" stuff from the Post, usually articles, we say where we got it. Frequently, when Post reporters and researchers "borrow" stuff from DCRTV or other web-based sources, they often simply pretend they developed/originated it themselves, giving little or no credit to the source. What does that say about the Post's ethics? Hmmm..... Hey John Ford: Any relation to former late 1970's WEAM jock "Ty Ford"? Rusty Gibson (PLEASE no slams on MY WEBR show or "mailbag" posts) (2/10/10) Wow: WTOP’s “Mention WTOP for your Free Gift” risqué ad is pretty wild looking! Can “Doc Johnson Marital Aids” pop-ups be far behind? (2/10/10) Dear Lazy Anchors, Producers and Technical Types: The storm this weekend was so much work. I feel so bad for you. It really sucks you have to work again super hard on Wednesday and will once again have to sleep in a four star hotel bed and be away from your families. Suck it up, fools. People are fighting a war half way around the world and won’t see family members for six or 12 months. Complain a little more. Do your jobs a shut-up. You are getting paid handsomely to do so. (2/10/10) /\ February 10 Messages /\ \/ February 9 Messages \/ I think that WTMD would get a better PPM number if they moved away from the mellow Tori Amos / Sarah Mcglochlan music and went full-on alternative rock. My guess is that since they are a non-comm, they are bringing in the donations with that very niche format. As for WRNR, they have been going a bit more "rock" over the past few weeks and hopefully will move away from the Sheryl Crow / Tori Amos stuff the WTMD has proven doesn't work in Baltimore. WRNR covers about half of the Baltimore market, and WTMD covers most of it, so a .5 for both just shows that the AAA format in the wimpy form just doesn't work - especially since WRNR is more "rock" than WTMD, so with half the signal, they are tieing them when it shouldn't even be close. (2/9/10) Marcella A. Holland, the administrative judge for Baltimore City who made the decision to ban "the use of any device to transmit information on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or any other current or future form of social networking from any of the courthouses within the Circuit Court for Baltimore City." can suck my First Amendment loving teet. CHALLENGE FLAG THROWN! (2/9/10) I am writing on behalf of The Washington Post, which is the copyright owner of the photo displayed on your website under the heading "'Just Say No To TV Snow "Scareclowns.'" I am advised that this photo is being used without our permission. We request that you either contact us to discuss the terms of a licensed use of the photo, or promptly remove it from your website. Please confirm receipt of this e-mail and let me know what you intend to do. Thank you. Kalea Seitz Clark, The Washington Post, Assistant Counsel (2/9/10) Dave's response: The photo is gone..... Paul F sez "I also don't have a battery-powered radio at home" Paul, hit Radio Shack and pick up an Eton FR160 generator radio. It's maybe 30 bucks, receives AM, FM and WX bands, has a flashlight and solar panel, and can charge a cellphone with a coupla cranks of the built-in magneto. I got one for Christmas and it gets more use than any present I received this past year. It ain't a high-fidelity monster and the charge fizzles out fast if you don't park it in the sun, but its a handy receiver to own. www.radioshack.com (2/9/10) Dave's response: Just checked, I have nine battery-powered radios (including one of those crank/solar panel thingos), a battery-powered TV (analog, so I pretty much can watch only Daystar 23 on it), a battery-powered DVD player, and a battery-powered laptop..... These are my outside antennas covered with snow on Saturday. Bob Fairfax (2/9/10) This is a nice piece in “Radio World” about WTOP engineering. On the same web site is a link to a kinescope taken from a live show introducing Broadcast House to Washington TV viewers. Good nostalgia… and hosted by people you may well remember. Go here: radioworld.com... Tom Gauger (2/9/10) Arrington's self-righteous shout-fest yesterday was embarrassing and wrongly self-serving. He said that it isn't about the money and he doesn't need to flount his bling, cars, and ho's, I take exception to that remark. I regularly saw his color-changing Lincoln Navigator bounding around Loudon County, no doubt to check on his Ferrari's three-month clutch jobs. I think putting color-changing paint, at $1500 per gallon, on your big Navigator qualifies as "trying to attract attention." Lavar is the pot calling the kettle black. Oh, and I'm waiting for someone on WJFK besides Mike Wise to point out that Lavar is on the air in no small part in order to help pay off lingering debts from his bankrupt restaurant business. -Chainsman (2/9/10) For 3 full days after last weekend's blizzard, my main routes into D.C. (River Road to Western to Mass. Ave all the way from Westmoreland Circle to downtown has been treacherous. No plows seen, little evidence of plow activity, lots of frozen ice ruts that make me think these main thoroughfares were seriously neglected. And yet the local TV "journalists" praise the D.C. Govt. for doing an heroic job, totally buying into the P.R. from the city. In my 37 years here (as a broadcast journalist) I have never seen 1) a worse job of plowing the main arteries, and 2) more praise for the great job the city is doing. Whatever happened to journalists holding public officials accountable? (2/9/10) Ref: MSNBC "The last one out the door at MSNBC turn off the lights, The party is over" Love from your friends at FOX news channel. (2/9/10) For all of you who think The Mike Wise show with Bill Rowland is terrible. Surely you will give him another try after listening to Bill Rowland and Liz Drabick today. Did they not have ANYONE they could have sit in for Mike today. Liz at the top of the hour (good) Liz for four hours going back and forth with Bill Rowland (bad). Is someone picking the line up with Darts and a Mask over there? (2/9/10) I find it interesting that WTMD and WRNR are tied in PPMs. Could the low numbers be due to signal strength? If PPMs were to rate everything people listened to I'm sure Alternative and Adult Alternative would show up thanks to lots of MP3 players. Unfortunately they don't and fans of these genres are left relying on thier own 'devices'. Question:Will PPMs ever detect HD2 and HD3 channels? Plenty of stations now carry Alternative subchannels yet these also go unrated. The indifference of broadcasting companies where Alternative is concerned is plain to see when they aren't even counted among 'official signals' and the whole rating system is beginning to look more and more like the 'hanging chads' fiasco. Subchannel stations like HFS and Y-Rock,in Philly,deserve to be counted. Their fans certainly like them and leave a hole in PPMs that is ignored in this lopsided system of exclusive judging. Donnie (2/9/10) re: Rant - It's easy to turn off the TV when Pepco isn't providing you any electricity. My 80+ year old parents were w/o power for about 48 hours. Luckily, the house temp went down to _only_ the 55 degrees Saturday night when the outside temp fell below 10 degrees outside in MoCo. After two days of cycling their portable gas generator on/off in the vented garage and using the gas stove for daytime heat, the carbon monoxide detector went off (Dad is the careful type, too, but it was too cold inside to open windows to get enough airflow to vent the stove). Thankfully, nothing worse happened. So they weren't subjected to the scareclowns on TV (or any TV) and only sporadically on the radio - to conserve the batteries in the transistor radio. All a matter of perspective, I suppose. Consider yourself luckier than some. If Dominion Power didn't do it for you, just use the off button on your functioning remote control when you can't stand it anymore. For myself, I only had to worry about the 3-4" tree branches that snapped off no more than 5' from my townhouse and one still drooping on top of my chimney stack. The current neighborhood attraction is the 30+ foot pine tree fallen atop the roof of a car in the parking lot. -- Call me an Old Fart (2/9/10) Limbaugh used the snowplows-out-of-commission story in the opening segment of his 1:00 hour today. He didn't credit WTOP by name, simply attributed it to "the website of an all-news radio station in Washington." - Mark Segraves broke that story... Rush must have seen it on Drudge (2/9/10) HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE....FAMOUS ACTRESSES ADORING BOY TOY!!!!!!! GOTTA GIVE HIM THE BIG BUCKS TO MAKE HIM SMILE IN HIS ROCKER IN HIS WXXXX T-SHIRT and whatever !!!! HAVE A HAPPY, DAVID!!!!!!! Can't wait for next DISCLUSIVE...!!!!.... Bill Quinn .....MQA, Michael Q Anthony (2/9/10) Dave's response: Oooookay..... (RE:regarding the News Item) "Colts 31, Saints 17. That's how the Virginian-Pilot reported the Super Bowl's final score on its front page and again on page 9." Hell, Fox News has been getting stuff wrong for years - deliberately - so the Virginian-Pilot shouldn't worry!) Fox News gets it wrong? Oh give me a break! MSNBC Keith Ogermann keeps saying how great his ratings are. Fox blows them all away. MSNBC is failing. Who is the one telling the truth? Not the loudmouth pinheads at MSNBC! (2/9/10) Arrington's tirade against Portis has all the signs of a guy who is desperate for ratings and is looking to create a stir. Fact is, Portis and Arrington deserve each other. Both are (were) overrated, overpaid prima donnas. (2/9/10) Florida talk host Greg Knapp is filling in today for G Gordon Liddy on the Radio America network, and is openly discussing the G-Man's loss of his wife, including a reading of her obit. You'd have to go far & wide to find a woman tougher or more dedicated to her man than Mrs. Liddy, after all he and she have been through. Rest, Mrs. L., and thank you. (2/9/10) Agree with the Rant 100%, and I think WTOP is top on the list of scareclowns doing their utmost to promote panic. No matter what the weather, WTOP is always warning of "what you need to worry about" outdoors, and when it snows they go into hyperdrive to paint a worst case scenario. They also give advice for morons. In the past few days I've been told by WTOP scareclowns that if I get cold I should "put on warm clothes" and when there's bad weather to "use common sense." Idea: Give the weather, report on traffic, tell me what time it is and then shut the fuck up. (2/9/10) (regarding the News Item) "Colts 31, Saints 17. That's how the Virginian-Pilot reported the Super Bowl's final score on its front page and again on page 9." Hell, Fox News has been getting stuff wrong for years - deliberately - so the Virginian-Pilot shouldn't worry! (2/9/10) Happy Birthday... thanks for keeping all of us in local television aware of the walls falling down around us... have a great celebration. (2/9/10) Dave's response: They're still coming in even though my birthday was yesterday! Again, thanks to all for the kind wishes..... Isn't it time for the WTOP self promoting, pat on the back slapping, love affair to stop? They are not the only ones providing the information about the snow storms. All of the local television networks have been on call and on air 24/7. All of the other radio stations have provided entertainment and sports coverage which is much needed after minute by minute updates about how much snow we are getting. How about all of the solid traffic, news and sports coverage by the folks at Metro Traffic throughout the storm? How about the solid reporting at Washingtonpost.com? Heck, even my local community has provided great information via email throughout the storms. WTOP is solid as usual, but they are far from the only ones getting us through this historic mess. For the love of God , shut up already! (2/9/10) Sky team 11 HD debuted (Monday) on 11 news at 5pm. See picture of the new chopper... (2/9/10) Is the five-minute NBC-Comcast merger message posted online anywhere? I'd like to see it. (2/9/10) Cellphone and cable/satellite fees add up for families. In 2004 the average American spent $770.95 annually on services like cable television, Internet connectivity and video games, according to data from the Census Bureau. By the end of this year, it is expected to have grown to $997.07 -- with another $1,000 or more for cellphone service. www.nytimes.com (2/9/10) Channel 4 news this morning: yep, they are definitely in a temporary news set. It reads like something normally seen in a market like Utica NY. Good thing they don't spend a lot of time in there and are constantly cutting to graphics. Looking forward to the HD transition. (2/9/10) A belated happy birthday Dave! Hope it was a good one for you. Does anyone know what might be going on with WEMD? They are still doing a simulcast with WCEI. Or is it because of transmitter problems or for storm coverage? Inquiring minds would like to know. Burt in Denton (2/9/10) Yo Mr. DCRTV - Did NBC 4 get a new set? Everything looks different? Great site! Jeff, Arlington, VA (2/9/10) craigslist.org... Once again Laura Ingraham is advertising for a Board Op on Craigslist. This is the sixth time in less than four months that this ad has been placed. She must be the biggest bitch to work for if a simple board op slot is open so often. Avoid this job like assless leather chaps on a windy winter day. (2/9/10) “Did Ed Schultz, host of MSNBC’s “The ED Show”, and syndicated radio talk show host of “The Ed Schultz Show” stiff his TV production team? You be the judge. A production team headed by Michael Queen of NBC” Figures a gay, er, ah, a “guy” like Ed Schultz would “stiff” a gay, er, ah, “guy” named “Queen”. That’s because that fat load Sgt. Schultz is actually a male transvestite (“That’s NOT a man, baby!”). Don’t believe me? See for yourself that he’s actually Devine reincarnated (they have never been seen together in the same place at the same time). Ed Shultz: www.kcaaradio.com... Devine: www.nndb.com... (2/9/10) Happy Birthday Dave! Enjoy the snow... Hey, I thought the FCC said there would be no more snow after the digital transition! (Couldn't resist...) -Unsigned Corporate Suit (2/9/10) Happy Birthday Dave! Thanks for all of the updates! (2/9/10) Happy birthday. loving the dcrtv.com ball cap (2/9/10) On the eve of another Washington Blizzard 3.0, here's a look back at the one that just blew through. Plus, some stunning and sad news about the 55-year-old Washington Antiques Show. www.nysocialdiary.com... www.caroljoynt.com... Carol (2/9/10) Caught it just in time... Happy Birthday, Dave! (2/9/10) /\ February 9 Messages /\ \/ February 8 Messages \/ Kudos to the previous poster. Lavar, even if you have to sell all your mementos in your lovely home reminding you of your greatness, why don't you do the right thing and pay your former employees? You know, the ones you stiffed right before Christmas. You make such a big deal about respect and being admired in the community. Why don't you man up, act like you have a pair and pay them instead if hiding behind attorneys? (2/8/10) I'm watching "Access Hollywood" -- something I never do; I'm sick -- and just listened to a 5- or 6-minute announcement about the NBC/Comcast merger. Went on forever. Insane. Yet more informative than the 20-or-so minutes of "Access Hollywood" that preceded it. Christian (2/8/10) Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day! (2/8/10) Dave's response: A wonderful day! Thanks..... In the Sun article referenced in the mailbag and on your front page, “Democrats say Ehrlich broke FCC rules in spot last year”, someone please help me understand. Doesn’t the attorney general of the state investigate payola violations. And, please someone help me here, is what the former Governor is being accused of really “payola’? Is Ehrlich an employee of WBFF? Perhaps it would have been best to have disclosed the fact his employer represented the company in question, but is it really any kind of legal violation? Why (can’t) doesn’t the Sun do a better job reporting? (2/8/10) RE: "Almost missed it! Happy birthday DCRTV Dave! Thanks for the site..BC" - Happy B-Day Dave! Thanks for all you do. We appreciate it very much. My son turns 3 tomorrow so from now on I'll remember the date! Enjoy! BTW - How old now? (2/8/10) Dave's response: Younger than Rusty Gibson..... Jim Farley + Snow = Viagra grade erection ... oh, and happy birthday old man...will you be getting your 'candle' blown out this evening? ;-) (2/8/10) Why the heck is NBC4 taking over 5 minutes of regular broadcasting to read us some sort of statement regarding the NBC-Comcast merger??!!!.. (2/8/10) Almost missed it! Happy birthday DCRTV Dave! Thanks for the site..BC (2/8/10) I too noticed the NBC4 set looking somewhat different, but couldn't figure out what was going on.. (2/8/10) The Baltimore Sun and Maryland Democrats go after WBFF FOX 45 and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich for "payola charges" as Democrats (the monopoly rule/dictatorship party in Maryland) files FCC complaints against both. Of course since this is The People's Republic of Maryland, The SUN WILL ALLOW NO COMMENTS. Peoples Republic of Maryland.com Says a spokesperson for the Tribune owned Baltimore Sun, "This is Maryland, you have the right to REMAIN SILENT." Just for informational purposes only (i.e.: not important to The Sun), it should be noted that Maryland DEMOCRATS passed the "Slots Bill" in Maryland, NOT Republicans or former Gov. Bob Ehrlich, but The Sun will of course pretend otherwise. Meanwhile Democrats like Senate president Mike Miller have taken in MILLIONS in campaign donations related to slots. When The Sun was asked for comment, the response was "Resistance is futile, there will be NO COMMENTS on SUN STORIES EVER!" What's even more hysterically funny is that at the end of every BALTIMORE SUN story is this error... What are they referring to, the truth possibly? (2/8/10) Did Ed Schultz, host of MSNBC’s “The ED Show”, and syndicated radio talk show host of “The Ed Schultz Show” stiff his TV production team? You be the judge. A production team headed by Michael Queen of NBC, attorney Susan O’Connell and a DGA director won approval by the late Tim Russert (Senior VP NBC News, host of Meet the Press) to approach radio host Ed Schultz to develop a concept to expand his talent to TV. After taking a tour of the NBC studios in DC, later an excited Ed Schultz agreed to a partnership deal with Queen to launch his TV show (see below e-mail). Many months of planning, meetings with NBC and MSNBC brass, taping TV appearances, interviewing prospective guests, editing résumé reels, writing letters, shooting a TV pilot (paid for by producer’s home equity loan), arranging meeting with Ed and TV executives, signing rental agreement for the DC home of Ed and Wendy Shultz, providing free car for Big Eddy to drive for 3 months, hauling boxes of clothes Ed and Wendy Schultz sent to Queen to take to their new DC address, picking Ed and Wendy Schultz up at National Airport, taking them to speaking engagements, restaurants, etc. Finally, a solid offer from a former NBC exec to host on a local DC station for syndication and the accepted offer from MSNBC for Schultz to host 6 p.m. eastern at NY’s 30 Rock. Wow! Celebration time? Yes! Now, instead of broadcasting his radio show from Fargo, North Dakota, Shultz moves into to NBC’s 30 Rock headquarters, doing his radio show and his nationwide TV show on MSNBC in Manhattan! Way to go Michael Queen and Susan O’Connell, you did it!! Wow! Celebration time! Yes? Well, no, not quite. You see, Schultz after meeting with Queen on June 1, 2009 at NBC in Washington agreed to take care of his financial commitments to Queen and the rest of the production team. Only that was then, and this is now. Now, he refuses to speak to Queen or anyone else who helped him get his show. Now, he has what he wants, so “forget you!” Ed Shultz has not responded to any phone calls or e-mails, and his attorney has notified Queen that Mr. Schultz is not to be contacted under any circumstances. Two producers, after laboring for more than 18 months, have not been paid and are in debt for their work for Ed Schultz, and one of the producers is even a union member — NABET-CWA Local 31. The DGA Director of the pilot has not been paid a dime. On the air, Ed Schultz proclaims his allegiance to union workers everywhere! But to those who labored to make his dream job a reality, he is nowhere. (2/8/10) happy birthday to Mr. DCRTV! always enjoy your tweets :) (2/8/10) Happy Birthday Dave! Hope you had a great day...inside...nice and warm! (2/8/10) Dave Happy B'day. Caught the Lavar response to Portis...few thoughts. 1. Chad's clock/time management skills on par with Lavar's restaurant management skills. Way to start late. 2. Lavar really thinks highly of Lavar doesn't he? Not since Don G have we seen someone name drop and go swimming in "Lake Me" that much. 3. Good luck milking this "feud" until draft day and training camp; like a previous poster said, Lavar is gonna have a hard time going forward. 4. Chad, get a lumbar support belt...you're gonna need it carrying Lavar for the next 6 months (2/8/10) So Dave, I didn't want to wait until the end of this rant of Lavar's which seems to be going all over the place, not quite hitting the point of Clinton Portis' Accusation...but he speaks alot of being respected in the "community". Someone might want to take a poll outside his "Sidelines" Restaurant where he didn't pay employee's after it closed when this guy made ALOT of money in during his underwhelming stint in the NFL. So why not do the right thing and pay those folks, when you can afford it. You wont be able to hang your hat on putting Troy out of the game too long because he is in the HOF. You will never see that distinction. Lavar the ratings won't last as you already see, and Chad will be joining Mike O. and your boy Oscar on the couch doing internet radio real soon. I found it ironic you stated today that someone has the tag of being a douche. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? Enjoy your time young fellow, I hope you signed a good contract this go round since you didn't have one before. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday, Dave! And just for you... More SNOW! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Ahhhhhhh..... NBC4 is upgrading their downstairs studio and so they will be at their upstairs, smaller studio for a few weeks that is being used starting today. They just made the announcement on their 5PM news. (2/8/10) Dave, How about Oldies 63? Figure Grandy & Andy's average age.....without them, plus a bunch of oldies from the 50's, 60's & 70's ala old XM...Throw in old jingles, commercials and oldies news stories upon request!!! Whats old is new again?....What do ya think? Waldorf Dave (2/8/10) Dave's response: Cool..... Good Afternoon, Just wondering if you knew if NBC4 is getting a new set. I am watching the current broadcast and it looks like they are in a makeshift set? Thanks, Corey (2/8/10) Happy Birthday my friend! I hope you are having a great day…. (2/8/10) Dave's response: Again, thanks to all the wonderful folks who sent birthday wishes to me today. I love you all..... Have a fantastic birthday, Dave! Thanks for all your good work! (2/8/10) Hi Dave...happy birthday! Enjoy the snow, if you're not sick of it already. (2/8/10) What's up with MASN? No Scott Garceau Show today? It's 3:37 P.M. and they're still running ESPNNews! Happy Birthday to you, Dave; hope it's been a good one thus far. Tom in Denton, MD. (2/8/10) DAVE'S NOT HERE ...oh...er sorry...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE. Donnie in Cessle (2/8/10) Might WRC be starting construction on an HD set? Their 4pm newscast is using a different news set today... (2/8/10) happy birthday Dave! Have an awesome day. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday Dave. Thanks for your website. (2/8/10) happy birthday dave...thanks for all you do.. (2/8/10) The Chicks LOVE Dave...mmmmwwwwaaaaa.....cheers! Happy Day. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday Hugs :) (2/8/10) Hey Dave, Happy Birthday good man, Keep warm in safe out there in NOVA. Thanks for keeping us appraised as to the format of the moment nature of the DC and surrounding area radio market. Dean in Semi-Snowbound SOMD. (2/8/10) (Seriously Dave...Could you be any more classless? For a guy who repeatedly called for an end of the whole war with Bicknell, your rather blatant shot at me in a response to a post of his really shows your "bush league" colors and true motives.) The lack of class has been demonstrated and is continually demonstrated by you and PLB. The fact that you can't take a little poke clearly made in fun demonstrates the extent of your self absortion, complete lack of humor, vindictiveness, and general boorishness. Once again, just go away; no one wants to hear from you. (Shawn in DC) (2/8/10) Happy birthday DCRTV Dave -- On this date in 1922, I hear that President Warren G. Harding installed the first radio in the White House. All the best! (2/8/10) Hey Dave, happy birthday! Hope you have a good day :) (2/8/10) Hey Dave, Happy Birthday (2/8/10) The following was forwarded to DCRTV..... I got my power back yesterday after 38 hours. My house temperature was down to 41 degrees and we still don't have any phone service. If it wasn't for WTOP on our battery powered radio, I think I would have lost my mind. We kept the radio on even through out the night just so we did not feel alone. The tips you provided and the interviews with the power company kept us going. We followed the stories people were telling and what they were experiencing. I can not thank you enough for what you have given us in our darkest hours. We were cold, scared and hungry and your station gave us hope. You guys are amazing! Thank you. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday David. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday Dave. Thanks for providing us with such a great site. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday to my favorite news and gossip monger :) (2/8/10) Have a great birthday, my fellow PressBox-er! (2/8/10) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. DCRTV! (2/8/10) Looking for those who worked at WPUV in Pulaski, VA during the mid to late 70’s. (2/8/10) Greetings & salutations on this exceptionally grand (and snowy) observance of the anniversary of your most glorious and blessed arrival upon sweet Mother Earth... Also, Happy Birthday.. (2/8/10) Happy birthday, Dave!!! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Again, thanks to all for your birthday wishes today..... Even though you were full of crap on your man -boy Rant, Happy Birthday anyway. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday Super Dave! But on to Serious News. The Football Season is over. What's Lavar going to do now? If anyone notices he never really gives alot of attention to topics which arent football. I think he was more distracted which detracted from the show and he was more interested in being seen while on Radio Row. I use to think Wise had a chance with T.P. on the other channel, but he is truly corny and un-listen-able. Old man radio is good when T.P. does it but Wise can't pull it off and Im 27. To the Junkies body guard on here. You make it worse on them defending them. If they can tell their lives on air, they can get bashed off of it. Put their sack down. What will happen when some of these shows fail? Hire more WTEM AM 980 guys so the ratings can come further down? I dont envy that PD at all. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday! Been a big fan of yours since the geocities days. Digital friends? jm (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... have a great day dave...make it 'birthday week! (2/8/10) Noteworthy obit for Frank Magid, cited by the WaPo as the instigator of “happy news” on TV. Magid was actually among the very first to conduct audience research beyond quantitative ratings (“headcount”) and helped both TV stations and radio stations design content according to what viewers & listeners wanted—instead of just slapping on what we thought they should get. Magid helped launch the consulting career of longtime Washingtonian Alan Burns of Q107 fame and many other radio programming gurus. Frank’s ideas helped radio talents relate to the listener and positively shaped the biz during the seventies and eighties. Frank Magid was much more than “happy news.” (2/8/10) Baltimore Snow Coverage, here's my take... Rodgers Forge and Hampden are typical first Baltimore live news shots during big snowstorm stories for ONE SIMPLE REASON...... Hampden is close to TV Hill and Rodgers Forge is walking distance from WMAR's York road studios and Towson is close to WMAR too, so that's why you initially see these shots first. Yes they get reporters out to outlying areas as as soon as possible but those are the closest locations to the studios and the quickest to get up and running. This often puts WMAR at a disadvantage though since as you noticed, the new mayor of Baltimore made a grand tour of Hampden and the TV stations, 11, 13, & 45 made it appear as if it was like an accidental live shot. NOT SO! Obviously, the mayor KNEW they would be there and deliberately hunted them down! DUH! WMAR was at a disadvantage being located nowhere near TV Hill. I did catch 11's chopper in the air, but not sure it was the new one or not, but I did not see 13's. Considering they both fly out of the same airport, that seemed odd to me. My overall assessment of the Baltimore coverage was that I was surprised WBFF FOX 45 beat WMAR on the air Saturday morning and that even lead anchor Jeff Barnd was there at 6AM. WMAR didn't come on until 7AM, but WMAR's Jamie Costello is very solid, however Megan Pringle was late to get to WMAR from White Marsh. I think I heard Jeff Barnd mention that FOX 45 put them up in hotels near TV Hill overnight. Apparently WMAR did not. WBAL & WJZ obviously led the pack with the most reporters out in the field and they had both clearly prepared to have even weekday people available for the weekend. It's rare to see Tom Tasselmyer or Bob Turk on the weekends or even FOX 45's Vytas Reid, but I'll still give WMAR's Justin Berk lots of credit since he probably put in the most # of hours of them all having only 1 other person to back him up all day Saturday. (2/8/10) Regardless of what people think of The Who's performance, I've not seen this mentioned yet.... Wasn't it ironic that The SUPER BOWL WHO HALFTIME SHOW was basically a subliminal CBS CSI TV show advertisement? uh huh, think about it. :-) (2/8/10) (Clip about the Who) ...a 12 minute show without any real warm up (end clip) No warm up? What do you think they do deep inside the stadium or just outside in another venue a full hour before showtime? Compare laxative brands? (2/8/10) The following was forwarded to DCRTV..... Without power (Powerless in Potomac) for 45 hours, the only source of information we had was provided by your radio transmissions on our hand crank emergency radio. We applaud your fortitude and appreciate your companionship during these dark hours. Your broadcasts comforted us and warmed our souls knowing that you were on TOP of the situation. A long time listener to satellite radio, I am switching back to free radio and plan on patronizing your advertizers. This is a small price to pay in return for the help and concern you gave us in our time of need. Thank you WTOP! A BIG FAN, MaryLou, Potomac, MD (2/8/10) I thought also that Daltry was going to have an asthma attack halfway through "Who are you?" viewing Townends gut during his windmills didn't exactly ADD to the special effects show either. Cool floor stage lighting though! (2/8/10) Happy a great birthday, Dave! (2/8/10) Happy B-day, Dcrtv Dave. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday!!! Thanks for keeping us so well informed... (2/8/10) Dave's response: Again, thanks to all for the birthday wishes..... Happy Birthday Dave! In the words of another great American journalist, Ambrose Bierce: "Age--that period of life in which we compound for the vices that we still cherish by reviling those that we no longer have the enterprise to commit." Enjoy your compounding and reviling today despite the weather! (2/8/10) I'm always amazed that there are politically correct well educated liberals, some very highly educated (NAACP, NOW, HRC, etc) out there that still believe it's ok to say "dumb broad" or "teabagger" if it serves their political agenda. Where do they keep their political correctness compass? Is it like accidently next to a magnet or something and errantly pointing in the direction they want to go rather than reality? I don't even know any Republicans who think Sarah Palin is the sharpest tool in the shed, but the vitriol against her is quite amazing both on the local TV news and national main stream media and I think the reason she stays popular i exactly because of the vitriolic attacks, not in spite of them. (2/8/10) Need a TV break today? How about Globe Trekker shopping special on TV 26 at 1:30pm. Includes Rio's bikini fashions. =-p (2/8/10) Puhlease. I don't think the Who sucked at all. Given the time period they had to work with, I thought they did a good job. As did McCartney, the Stones, Petty, etc. The only one I thought truly sucked was Springsteen because his voice was terrible and way off key. But remember that these bands are trying to do something they aren't use to, which is a 12 minute show without any real warm up. It ain't that easy. (2/8/10) Dear Dave: Have a great one, my friend! xoxomarty (2/8/10) Dave's response: Shucks. Thanks..... Hey buddy....Happy Birthday. See you soon...Celebrate every day like it's your last, it could be!! PLB:0) (2/8/10) Dave's response: Ha ha ha. Thanks..... Dave, while your day of birth is impressive, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that it was I who began the act of announcing birthday wishes on the air. I have a gold record of "Happy Birthday to You" somewhere in a crawl space. Willard Scott and the Smuckers company stole my bit, and I have refused to acknowledge the weather or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches since 1957 as a result of their thievery! BLP ~8-P (2/8/10) Dave's response: You know what I want as a birthday tribute to me? Every station in the DC and Baltimore markets to play New Order's "True Faith" at 2 PM today. OK, the music stations like RQX, DC101, The Edge, 98 Rock, Hot 99.5, ZFT, Fresh FM, and QSR. TOP, MAL, and BAL don't have to. Ha ha ha..... What? No forced laughter during the banal "knuckleheads in the news" segment this morning on WTOP? No forced cutesy segues to Lisa Baden and Doug Hill? Thank you, Frank Herzog! Here's hoping the regular guy doesn't get plowed out until, oh, 2020 or so. (2/8/10) Happy birthday, DCRTV Dave! (2/8/10) Split List says Candy Girl was cool.!! You guys. you mean you played Skynnard, Jerry Jeff, The Stones, Ledzep.Canned Heat, Nitty Gritty..... The Dead & Lookin Glass on the same station ... WLPL...? . Thomas Groom on HFS, WINX ...or w/Murray Kaufman..on the ledge..... before "The Edge." Thought the early "edge city" was Viers Mill at the Pike at old diggs......or stone toss down or up the road a piece in doc yak"s cadillac. dudes & dudesses in Mont county seeya makin the angels in the snow....what's w/that on Gude Dr. ......'Manhattan Tranfer Wacky Fuss Class of 69.... no think it was 79....and that was Wacky Dust like SNOWMAN!!! Luv me or my MACK TRUCK? Better yet, love Dave & SHELL OUT THE BUCKS!!!!... yeah restin and a rockin in Reston........ (2/8/10) Good morning, and Happy Birthday, Dave. Just wanted to say that I can actually listen to WTOP this morning. Frank Herzog's natural good humor and facile banter is so pleasant to listen to (I mean, actually listen to) compared to, well, the forced and inane jocularity of that other guy he's filling in for. Hope everyone is somewhat safe and warm today. -- Uncle Frank in Arlington (2/8/10) Happy Barf Day to our esteemed webMaster. A guy who spells Class with a "C" instead of a "K"! Enjoy the day radio brother. Be thankful that you haven't reached the age where you can be labeled a "Crotchety Old Fart" (but you're clse) Rusty Gibson, WEBR RadioFairfax (2/8/10) Dave's response: Rusty is five months older than I am..... Baltimore Snow Coverage…This and That... Baltimore was fortunate to have 4, yes 4 TV stations to chose from for live coverage of the biggest snowstorm in history in the Baltimore area. The coverage was not without its faults however. CH45 has this “just in…new information” bar on the screen. Just in? The announcements were, in many cases, 24 hours old. You can only cry wolf so many times and people look somewhere else. Also on CH45, they were quick to pull the trigger on live coverage of news conferences. Fortunately other stations carried all. And those stations got breaking news with the Governor responding to reporter’s questions. And speaking of breaking news, CH11’s David Collins got an exclusive interview with a man rescued by a National Guard crew after his car had run off the road. Also heard complaints about the weather thing on CH45, that annoying flashing map. Tip: get rid of it. It was nice of the new Baltimore Mayor to make herself available so often appearing a couple of times on “live shots” in Hampden. Also favored for live shots Canton and Rodgers Forge. There are other neighborhoods. CH11’s chopper was back in the air on Sunday. Those images give real perspective to the situation. I’m told it was in HD but was watching in SD. CH11, CH13 and CH45 had their “cuties” out trying to come up with something to fill the hours. Some were OK, some informative, but three guys on an illegal ATV was just a little much. Now another snowstorm looms. How much can we take. Television plays a big role in keeping people informed. Baltimore is lucky to have stations truly dedicated to doing that job. For the little things mentioned, its hoped those in charge will work toward fine tuning. If you lost power, radio is your only choice. In Baltimore it’s WBAL and in DC it’s WTOP and both know how to do the job. (2/8/10) Have a great birthday! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... A very Happy Birthday, Mr. Dave! Many many more! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... The following staff memo was forwarded to DCRTV..... There are not enough superlatives in my vocabulary to adequately thank you for the superb job you are doing covering the Blizzard of 2010. Thanks to the people who have been living in hotels since last week, sleeping on floors at the station, working 6th and 7th days and long hours, and getting entire meals from the 3rd floor vending machine. Thanks to the volunteers who called in and reported from home. We made a difference in people's loves and they told us that quite specifically. "Huddled here in the cold listening to my only source of information, WTOP Radio." At the height of the storm 250,000 homes were without power. Depending on how many people live in each home, that's close to one million people. On Saturday, we made "The WTOP Pledge." We promised listeners we'd stay on the power companies until all of our listeners had their power and heat back on. That had an unintended consequence: the newsroom became something akin to the world's busiest suicide prevention hotline, with hundreds of people weary of the cold calling to us tell their stories. Newsroom staffers leaving Sunday were physically and mentally exhausted and emotionally drained! There's not even a ratings payoff for this: if people have no power, their people meters cannot report data to Arbitron. But we made a lot of friends and fans and it will pay off down the road. We helped people in so many ways, like getting people with 4 wheel drive vehicles to pick up emergency room doctors and nurses and get them to work. Last night every public school district and the federal government announced they would be closed today.....except DC schools which said they would open 2 hours late. Jim Russ and Bob Marbourg immediately recognized that was a bad and unsafe decision. We put Bob on the air saying that. We invited both the Mayor and the School Chancellor to come on the air and discus it. When both declined, we reported that. Within an hour, they reversed themselves and did the right thing, closing schools. The amount of snow we got might not impress people living in Buffalo or Chicago or Salt Lake. But Washington is a city below the Mason-Dixon Line (how many of you knew that is north of us, on the Maryland/Pennsylvania border?). This was historic by Washington standards. After some thawing yesterday, those mountains of snow on highways and streets are like concrete because it got so cold overnight. So thank you for helping people, making REAL differences in their lives. Get ready to keep doing it because we are under a Winter Weather Watch for tomorrow night. And let's keep the WTOP Pledge. Jim (2/8/10) Hello Beautiful Being. A little birdie said it was your birthday. They do have a tendency to roll around, I think you may have noticed. As one wag said, “Age is a number … and mine is unlisted.” Then Maurice Chevalier pointed out, “Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. Jack Benny was fond of saying, “Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” Another someone suggested, “Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.” Have a grand Happy Birthday. May each year bring more joy, deeper love, greater peace. n/ Joy … Ann (2/8/10) Dave's response: Awwwww..... Happy Happy Birthday Dave...(\o/) Hugs to you for a Great Year! (2/8/10) Happy Birthday, DCRTV Dave! A birthday "shoutout" at 9am on TalkRadio WRNR AM-740! (www.talkradiowrnr.com). Al McGilvray (2/8/10) Dave's response: Wow! Thanks Al. Just heard Andy and Grandy to a birthday "shout out" to me on WMAL and JP on WJFK. OK, kidding..... HaPpY BiRtHdAy, Mr. DcRtV - DaVe HuGhEs! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... THE BALTIMORE SUN IS STILL THE ONLY TRIBUNE OWNED NEWSPAPER TO BAN OR CENSOR ALL FORMS OF COMMENTS ON ITS NEWSPAPER WEBSITE! At first, The Baltimore Sun said it was a temporary problem regarding "technical issues" (most likely related to spam on Tribune sites). But now, The LA TIMES and other Tribune papers have ALL added COMMENTS ability back fixing that problem, but NOT The BALTIMORE SUN. WELCOME TO THE PEOPLES' REPUBLIC OF MARYLAND! There WILL BE NO DISSENSION IN THE RANKS! WHY DOES THIS STORY CONTINUE TO GO UN-REPORTED? FOX NEWS, ARE YOU THERE? (2/8/10) Hey Dave -- Happy Birthday Man (2/8/10) Dave's response: Older (but wiser) man..... Happy Birthday Dave. May you have many, many more. (2/8/10) Dave's response: As long as my imagination works and I can still "get it up"..... Happy Birthday Dave! Keep up the good work on DCRTV! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... Big, fat, happy birthday Dave; from another soul who also once trod the halls of the legendary Columbia-Lee Building at Bailey's Crossroads -- Al Peterson (former Tech Editor, Radio World Newspaper, 1995-1998) (2/8/10) Dave's response: Ah, the memories of Radio World-TV Tech. That old Columbia Pike building with windows that didn't open. There was a dental lab on our floor and the smells (sulfur? chemicals?) that came from it floated into our offices and couldn't escape. My office looked out over the telephone company's truck yard..... Happy Birthday, Dave...you also share a birthday with James Dean, who would have been 79 today...you're too young to remember him. Have a great day, and stay warm! -- Bobbie (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks. Wasn't James Dean in a Morrissey video? Hmmm..... Hey Dave, Tom and I wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Thank you so much for all of the great work with DCRTV. I can tell this is your passion and it shows. May you have many more birthdays filled with blessings and abundance. Also, birthday wishes to another broadcasting great and dear friend, Scott Fitzgerald. Scott, I can remember our days in paraochial school. I look up to you buddy. Always will. Thank you so much for your work as a firefighter/paramedic/dispatch. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... Many happy returns of the day, Dave. And a big "thank you" should go out to Ma Hughes and Pa Hughes - who made it all possible! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Awww, thanks. Ma and pa are happy up there in Heaven, where there's no snow..... Dave, enjoy your special day! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks. And thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes via Facebook this morning..... Happy birthday, Dave (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... HAppy Birthday Dave enjoy the day and stay warm...victoria (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... Have a great birthday...see...IF you were an old man there would be enough candles on the cake to melt some of this snow!!! haha (2/8/10) Dave's response: Ha ha ha. Thanks..... Happy happy birthday!!!!! :-) (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... Happy Birthday Dave! -- Joe in Essex (that guy who eats up all your bandwidth & gives nothing back!) :-) (2//8/10) Dave's response: Hey, you're not the only one. Thanks..... Happy B-day! (Hope you like 'em snowy.) Thanks for all your hard work. (2/8/10) Dave's response: I've had many snowy and icy birthdays, believe me. In fact, shortly after I was born at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC, the area got hit with a massive snowstorm. My parents took infant DCRTV Dave to my grandparents house in Hartsdale NY (since my dad was in the Army), where we were snowed in for a week, I'm told. I don't actually remember it..... Dave....let me be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday. What's it like to get younger, instead of getting older? My mother told me, once you hit a certain age, you go back in time, instead of forward. Anyway, Happy Birthday to the "Super Saint" that started DCRTV!!!!!! (2/8/10) Dave's response: One of my neighbor ladies is divorced and has a 10-year-old son. One day, we got to talking about how so many of our other neighbors are senior citizens. And I asked the kid how old did he think I am. He said "25." Hey, great kid! Also, I was walking around Lake Thoreau a few months ago, and passed a group of people taking a picture by the lake. I stopped, not wanting to get in their shot. When a 45-ish year old lady in the group actually asked me to pose with them because "you look so much like my son-in-law." She was serious. Wow..... Happy B-Day. DCRTV Rocks. (2/8/10) Dave's response: February 8th - me and Ted Koppel. Two damn handsome dudes, huh! Thanks..... FROM THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK DEPT. (FCC docs): WNWK AM 1260..... "Exhibit 34 Description: REASON FOR STA EXTENSION: WNWK HAS BEEN OPERATING FROM A TEMPORARY SITE SINCE LOSING ITS ORIGINAL TRANSMITTER SITE. THE LICENSEE IS ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR A NEW PERMANENT SITE THAT IT CAN LEASE OR PURCHASE." "Actively?" Did they even have the balls to type that word? They should get Jim Kosek of Accuweather to narrate this FCC application. Oh boy, WNWK hasn't had a permanent transmitter site for... ALMOST FIFTEEN RECORD BREAKING CRIPPLING YEARS!!!!!!! UGGGGGHHHHHHH! Oh boy. Prediction: The FCC will approve this complete waste of public airwaves yet again. The FCC doesn't even keep STA records on file long enough to even chart how long this radio station has been largely off the air or on such low power that nobody can receive it! In other FCC news, oh boy, WEMD AM 1460 Easton, MD was approved for it's most recent STA request. Oh boy, WEMD's "engineer" (hehe, like they really even have one, but let's just pretend for now) is diligently trying to diagnose a problem with its array.... FOR TWO AND A HALF CRIPPLING YEARS BUT CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT!!!!!!!!! Oh boy. Field mice report that the problem will be diagnosed within another HALF YEAR after an ACTUAL ENGINEER ACTUALLY VISITS THE FREAKING TOWER SITE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! Oh boy, then there will be THREE to TEN YEARS OF "DILIGENT" CRIPPLING RECORD BREAKING REPAIR WORK!!!!!!!! UGGGHHHHHHHHH! "No problem" says FCC. "Take your time, we don't give a rats ass anyways. It's only the public's airwaves, so who cares?" Oh boy, I'm Jim Kosek of Accuweather. Oh boy. :-) (2/8/10) happy bday (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks! More videos and pictures added to the EVERY OTHER DAY IS HALLOWEEN facebook page, including a never before seen Count Gore blooper/outcut from the 1980s. The DVD documentary of Dick Dyszel's career and impact comes out April 20! www.facebook.com (2/8/10) The rightwing has tried to make much of President Obama's use of a teleprompter. Sarah Palin even referred to it during her Tea Party speech in Nashville on Saturday night. "This is about the people and it's bigger than any king or queen of a tea party and it's a lot bigger than any charismatic guy with a teleprompter." But check out this video of her having to rely on crib notes, written on her hand -- during a Q&A session after her speech. www.youtube.com... And, the questions were pre-screened! The Teabaggers would love to see her run in 2012. That's fine with me - especially after seeing what a dumb broad she actually is! rawstory.com (2/8/10) HBD2U, Dave! All the best for a great day!!! (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... Hi Dave, I thought the idea behind DCRTV was Radio and TV in the DC area. The other day you had to take space and time about the Washington Post's ad section being delivered on Friday. Come on Dave...don't you think there are more important things to write about or not write at all? Steve (2/8/10) Dave's response: We cover radio, TV, and ALL local media, that includes newspapers like the Post..... Fox is worse then Drew Brees' combover. Why the shit do I have to watch Family Guy with their winter storm/closing backdrop?? Between this shit and the belly dancing attention whore and the corny ballerina brawd, Fox stinks - Although, they were kind to keep Holly Morris off the air during the snow storm...lol (2/8/10) Dave's response: Amen! I was trying to watch "The Office" on Fox5 over the weekend and simply couldn't stand all the "storm clutter" on the screen, which was a giant distraction. I used the zoom button on my cable TV remote to show just the center of the screen. Works pretty good..... Yeah, pretty sucky showing by half The Who during the Super Bowl halftime show. Lip-sync City, for one. Roger's lips went one way, the lyrics went another. Wont Get Fooled Again indeed! (2/8/10) Happy Birthday, Dave! Keep speakin' the truth. We need you :) (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... I have never wanted a Twitter account so bad as I want one tonight. Just so I can post on Chad Dukes Twitter page. I wonder if he will commit suicide on the air tomorrow? His man crush lost the Super Bowl. (2/8/10) Ref: "THE WHO SUCKED" I have to agree, But I loved the final score !!! JJ "Hitman" McKay Ocean City, Md. (2/8/10) Happy Birthday Dave! Hope you have a good day. (2/8/10) Dave's response: Thanks..... /\ February 8 Messages /\ Jump to the Mailbag Archive Index.....