Good radio sounds easy even though it isn't. I do a weekly show and whether you think it's ok or you think it sucks doesn't matter; it is *not* easy and it's *very* time consuming. We're not talking about people who have STAFF here; we're talking about ordinary folks who work a regular job to pay the bills.
I don't have interesting guests hammering my telephone for ear-time and neither do the regulars on RadioFR so that means a lot of scrounging and research that would ordinarily be done by STAFF at a commercial station. A 10:1 ratio of prep to air-time is not out of line for a good show. These are not sports shows where people can babble endlessly about nothing and there's always more nothing to talk about.
Far be it from me to suggest that the ladies wouldn't be up to a more frequent show; but it would be nicer if you made a suggestion for your favorite show with a smile instead of wise-cracks from your arm-chair about the shows you don't like. This entire operation runs virtually as a philanthropy for everybody involved except the listeners and the hosts are hardly in a position to act as philanthropists, myself included. If you want to see any particular show succeed, it would be more productive to make your criticisms known to the appropriate parties responsible for RadioFR privately.
The fact that RadioFR has attracted guests like, David Horowitz; Pat Buchanan; Gary Aldrich; David Shippers; Art Linkletter; Frank Gaffney; Grover Norquist; and Col David Hackworth (schedule permitting), is testimony to our effort and the attractiveness of the audience.
Doing a talk show is anything but easy, and certainly not for the thin skinned.
As you and BobJ have said, constructive criticism is much appreciated.
I'm aware of this. That is why you should put people on the air who DO make it sound easy as opposed to those that don't.
I do a weekly show and whether you think it's ok or you think it sucks doesn't matter; it is *not* easy and it's *very* time consuming.
You don't care if people think your show sucks? I think you do. Otherwise, why do it? Certainly you hope that the audience is enjoying the program.
We're not talking about people who have STAFF here; we're talking about ordinary folks who work a regular job to pay the bills. I don't have interesting guests hammering my telephone for ear-time and neither do the regulars on RadioFR so that means a lot of scrounging and research that would ordinarily be done by STAFF at a commercial station. A 10:1 ratio of prep to air-time is not out of line for a good show. These are not sports shows where people can babble endlessly about nothing and there's always more nothing to talk about.
Once again, I understand all this. I simply do not believe Anna and Merc would turn down a more frequent show for those reasons and until it is stated outright that they did I will continue to think so. The point is that you have one show on Radio FR that actually sounds professional. If I heard Anna and Merc on a commercial station, I wouldn't bat an eye. If I heard some of the others on the lineup, I would wonder what the program director was smoking. The difference in quality is clear. It isn't simply a matter of opinion. It is objective reality. I don't see why with an expansion you wouldn't seek to exploit obvious and unique talent instead of continuing to give voice to the mediocre.
Far be it from me to suggest that the ladies wouldn't be up to a more frequent show; but it would be nicer if you made a suggestion for your favorite show with a smile instead of wise-cracks from your arm-chair about the shows you don't like.
Whether my tactics are sound or not, the point remains that a question was posed and not answered. While a weekly show would certainly tax the time and might stress out the LA duo, I find it hard to believe that they would turn down an offer such an offer. There must be another reason, other than the ones stated, why a weekly show was not considered. I cannot imagine what the reason could be but I would like to know. I think the audience is entitled to know.
This entire operation runs virtually as a philanthropy for everybody involved except the listeners and the hosts are hardly in a position to act as philanthropists, myself included.
Yes, I know. All the more reason to showcase the best talent you have rather than waste everyone's time with folks who obviously can't cut it.
If you want to see any particular show succeed, it would be more productive to make your criticisms known to the appropriate parties responsible for RadioFR privately.
Okay, so I am wrong tactically. Private or public, the point remains the same and the question of why Anna and Merc are not on more frequently is still pending.