Saturday, July 03, 2004
OKAY FOLKS, GET OVER IT (SAID IN A NICE WAY)
Wow, the reaction has been rather kind...some have kicked me a little and that's okay too...but mostly a positive send-off, and I thank all of you.
As long as this is a confession of a radio talk show host, let me tell you how these things happen:
1. Yes, it was a surprise to me as much as most of you. It's how things are done in this business though...secretly, covertly, and behind the scenes. I understand that because I've been on the other side of the table too. For instance, we were secretly dealing for more than a month to secure a big fish (as a previous example). Two things had to be accomplished or the deal we were working on wouldn't have happened. The competition couldn't know, and only a few select people sworn to secrecy could know what we were attempting. As I said, I'm not bitter or angry...I'm disappointed, sure, but that's a very personal reaction related to my family needs and my pride.
2. Once you're gone, you're gone. It is extremely rare for an individual leaving a station for one reason or another to be able to say anything like a goodbye. In some cases, it might violate compensation and severance agreements - in others, it's in bad form. When a station wants to move in a different direction, the WORST thing that could happen is to have reminders and emotional barriers to hurdle. You have to erase the chalkboard or the new direction will take longer to accomplish and be a detriment to the new host who will have to overcome a lot more than the "newness" nervousness. Again, I've been on the other side of the table...most of us have gotten pretty good at identifying station promos, liners, music, website, and other reminders well beforehand for instant deletion once it's done.
3. Listeners don't understand a whole lot of the biz. Even after being married for as long as I have, my wife STILL doesn't get most of why things are the way they are in radio. Longevity is unusual, loyalty is non-existent, business is business, and it's a SHOW. I understand all of that and did when I got into it...sure, some of it you experience along the way, but it's part of the craft. I once got fired for wearing shorts to work on a Saturday while in the middle of Chemo treatments. You'd think that someone would have a heart, but that's just the way it is...so this adventure is no different.
4. Performance is more than just ratings. I happened to be more than just a three hour a day show host. I was also Program Director...and one of the few News Talk Program Directors who was also attempting to do a good three hour talk show. My days were very long...three hours of show prep, and 4-hours to work on Programming issues, then 3-hours of a show. Looking back, I burned out. My first duty was to the radio show in my mind, and I neglected a lot of the programming issues, primarily communicating a plan to the staff. Of course, listeners never knew about any of this outside of an occasional "on-air" goof of some kind. There were days when I only found enough time to prepare for a three hour show 1/2-hour before it aired.
I'll share more in the future, but I wanted to thank everyone who has responded with some very kind words. To those of you who relish the news because of some disagreement or loyalty elsewhere, think about that for a minute.
My family will be fine...I'm confident. While it is severely difficult with another child due in September, we'll manage. I've been through some very tough situations before, but I've got a great family support system and others willing to be there for us.
That which does not destroy you, only makes you stronger.
Wow, the reaction has been rather kind...some have kicked me a little and that's okay too...but mostly a positive send-off, and I thank all of you.
As long as this is a confession of a radio talk show host, let me tell you how these things happen:
1. Yes, it was a surprise to me as much as most of you. It's how things are done in this business though...secretly, covertly, and behind the scenes. I understand that because I've been on the other side of the table too. For instance, we were secretly dealing for more than a month to secure a big fish (as a previous example). Two things had to be accomplished or the deal we were working on wouldn't have happened. The competition couldn't know, and only a few select people sworn to secrecy could know what we were attempting. As I said, I'm not bitter or angry...I'm disappointed, sure, but that's a very personal reaction related to my family needs and my pride.
2. Once you're gone, you're gone. It is extremely rare for an individual leaving a station for one reason or another to be able to say anything like a goodbye. In some cases, it might violate compensation and severance agreements - in others, it's in bad form. When a station wants to move in a different direction, the WORST thing that could happen is to have reminders and emotional barriers to hurdle. You have to erase the chalkboard or the new direction will take longer to accomplish and be a detriment to the new host who will have to overcome a lot more than the "newness" nervousness. Again, I've been on the other side of the table...most of us have gotten pretty good at identifying station promos, liners, music, website, and other reminders well beforehand for instant deletion once it's done.
3. Listeners don't understand a whole lot of the biz. Even after being married for as long as I have, my wife STILL doesn't get most of why things are the way they are in radio. Longevity is unusual, loyalty is non-existent, business is business, and it's a SHOW. I understand all of that and did when I got into it...sure, some of it you experience along the way, but it's part of the craft. I once got fired for wearing shorts to work on a Saturday while in the middle of Chemo treatments. You'd think that someone would have a heart, but that's just the way it is...so this adventure is no different.
4. Performance is more than just ratings. I happened to be more than just a three hour a day show host. I was also Program Director...and one of the few News Talk Program Directors who was also attempting to do a good three hour talk show. My days were very long...three hours of show prep, and 4-hours to work on Programming issues, then 3-hours of a show. Looking back, I burned out. My first duty was to the radio show in my mind, and I neglected a lot of the programming issues, primarily communicating a plan to the staff. Of course, listeners never knew about any of this outside of an occasional "on-air" goof of some kind. There were days when I only found enough time to prepare for a three hour show 1/2-hour before it aired.
I'll share more in the future, but I wanted to thank everyone who has responded with some very kind words. To those of you who relish the news because of some disagreement or loyalty elsewhere, think about that for a minute.
My family will be fine...I'm confident. While it is severely difficult with another child due in September, we'll manage. I've been through some very tough situations before, but I've got a great family support system and others willing to be there for us.
That which does not destroy you, only makes you stronger.
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Greg;
Sorry to see you go, I did not always agree, but I always enjoyed. Please keep up your blog file & let us know where you end up. I will give Murphy a couple of more days, but this guy isn't just Vanilla, he's fat free Vanilla! I think WSC management needs to hire a new company to figure out their demographics! Take care Greg.
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Sorry to see you go, I did not always agree, but I always enjoyed. Please keep up your blog file & let us know where you end up. I will give Murphy a couple of more days, but this guy isn't just Vanilla, he's fat free Vanilla! I think WSC management needs to hire a new company to figure out their demographics! Take care Greg.
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