I've had a thousand thoughts and opinions rumble through my head since I last updated this blog. It is true, I probably won't drone on about politics very much, anymore. As much a s I would contribute to the national discussion, I'd rather make you laugh, or inquire your opinions. Most of the comments to my blogs have been spam from overseas websites of...dubious nature.
This month I'd really like some answers from everyone who reads my blathering and blithering. Because I need an answer.
"The Radio" has been my career for three decades, now. For those of you who share this profession, a long recounting of what has changed in broadcasting (and changed for the worst) is not necessary. And those who are in the business also know that, to keep working and keep winning, we sometimes adjust our ideas to "go-along and get-along." But I must ask all of you, fellow broadcasters, personalities, friends or just the person who still flips on the radio for a little music or talk:
Do you still like a little humor with the presentation of your favorite songs?
Among the many ways the radio biz has gone south in the last decade has been the purge of humor from the delivery of music. Some of this approach comes from "perceptuals," or "polling" by consultants. The lighter the fare, the less humor. The younger the music...the less humor.
Write a comment to this post if you enjoy a laugh with music as its presented. It's not a real Focus Group, not a scientific poll, but it goes a long way to proving what I believe: That well placed zingers augment the music and enhance the station.
What say you?
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4 comments:
Wit always works. Not drop-your-pants stuff, but clever wit still
.....has merit...
Radio's never ending suicide comes from it's being "consulted" to death. As it has become devoid of personality (except in commercials of course) it has slowly become less tolerable on all counts. Yes humor is good (great actually) if it's part of your personality. Then there are guys like kevin & bean who use humor on their show... but they're never funny... they fill their days with inside jokes about nothing. Drop your pants will work if the audience is there with you. As always the death of radio came when the bean counters/dollar suckers were determined to have all the answers in regard to programming. (instead of how it should be). Radio's never ending suicide will finally be complete when the whole world solution finally comes about... terrestrial, internet, satellite, phone it'll all be one soon... personality and content will once again bring people to the table... that's one man's opinion. (and i'm correct)
Humor will always have a place in people's lives. As the world gets harder to live in, humor allows stressed people to laugh, if only for a second or two. Radio, when truly successful reflects society. Society in turn gravitates toward content that speaks to them. Humor is only part of the equation. The "Personality" of any particular radio station is what compels return visits. If a listener feels good about what he or she hears, they crave more and will come back. If a station is devoid of said personality...the listener can find this cookie cutter sound in a dozen locations on the dial. As the entertainment arena gets more and more splintered, as the generation turns over to one that is used to instant gratification and plenty of choices, radio will cease to exist as we know it today. Just as MTV has abandoned the format that made them an overnight success, radio, too, will find itself sucking exhuast from those that adapted to the NEW media revolution. Radio will be searching for an identity that no longer works anyway. Humor? (wait for it)...Don't make me laugh...
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