This final post may not be actually final, but in order to get credit...it will be the final one for that.
I remember one morning just getting in the car going to school and flipping around the dial. I was probably in 6th grade and I heard a prank call. It had some foul poopy type jokes and I being the immature person I was, and still am I might add, decided to listen more. My parents hated it. And when parents don't want you to do something, you have extra incentive to do it. So I would take a walkman with me in the car and listen to that station I found for the next few days, and it grew on me.
Soon, it was summer. I didn't have school at 8 a.m. and tuned in on a daily basis and the show grew on me like a fungus. I was learning things, good and bad, I could never in a classroom. They had some woman come in and give one of the retards on the show his first ever sexual experience. I could not believe what I was hearing, but I continued to listen. There were mornings where I didn't have to wake up until whenever, but I did at 5:50 a.m. so I could catch the beginning of the show.
When school started again in the fall, I needed to listen to them no matter what. So I had my grandma record between 8-10 in the morning. I had that routine from 6th grade up until my 2nd year of college. Ever since then, mornings just haven't been the same. Without the Dog House, it may sound stupid, but I don't have happy mornings. I figured out I'm not a morning person to begin with, but without them on the radio, I just can't find the motivation. That's why sometimes when I would've been in a good mood before class, I really have no mood. I'm not angry, but I'm not happy either. It sucks. When will it end?
Words probably couldn't express how a simple radio show has influenced my life. So much that they were the reason I wanted to get into radio. Luckily, I had a slot on the school station, which nobody listens to I might add, this semester. So if you have time, go download a show or two of mine, and let me know how it is. Even if you listen for five minutes, great. And if you want more, it's all there for the taking.
bshow.blogspot.com
That is the website with all the shows.
On a closing note, I really hope The Dog House pops up somewhere I can listen to them. Mornings are not the same. And if you never gave them a shot, give them one if they ever make it back into the airwaves.
The next time you see a post here, will probably be when The Dog House returns...
So let's hope that is soon. Thank you for reading, and please, if you get a chance, listen to my show...
Friday, May 25, 2007
So that's why they got fired...Free-FM is dead!
Last week, Free-FM here in San Francisco decided to kill its format, FM talk and go back to KFCR 106.9. Late last year, KFRC 99.7 became Movin' 99.7.
Free-FM did not work here because nobody cared who was on. There was no incentive to start listening. Nobody was local. Adam Corolla, Opie and Anthony, Tom Leykis, etc...all did not broadcast from the Bay Area. The Dog House filled in for a few months when Free-Fm launched, but they had a deal with Corolla, so the dogs went to the east coast on the New York Free-FM. If they had the Dog House, that could've gotten them some ratings initially and could've used them to build an audience. They had John London for a while, but they fired him also for some insensitive remarks. They never showed up in the ratings book and now, they flip back to KFRC, basically conceding that they really f'd up.
Now in New York, they flipped back to their original format as well, K-Rock, Howard Stern's original station. They fired all the jocks on the station, except for the morning show. So it is possible the Free-FM in New York was ready to get rid of Elvis and JV regardless, but had a reason to because of the "offensive" prank call. At least this way, legally, maybe they wouldn't have to pay the rest of their contract.
But really a weird few weeks of radio. Rarely will companies admit they are wrong and go back to what it changed from originally.
Free-FM did not work here because nobody cared who was on. There was no incentive to start listening. Nobody was local. Adam Corolla, Opie and Anthony, Tom Leykis, etc...all did not broadcast from the Bay Area. The Dog House filled in for a few months when Free-Fm launched, but they had a deal with Corolla, so the dogs went to the east coast on the New York Free-FM. If they had the Dog House, that could've gotten them some ratings initially and could've used them to build an audience. They had John London for a while, but they fired him also for some insensitive remarks. They never showed up in the ratings book and now, they flip back to KFRC, basically conceding that they really f'd up.
Now in New York, they flipped back to their original format as well, K-Rock, Howard Stern's original station. They fired all the jocks on the station, except for the morning show. So it is possible the Free-FM in New York was ready to get rid of Elvis and JV regardless, but had a reason to because of the "offensive" prank call. At least this way, legally, maybe they wouldn't have to pay the rest of their contract.
But really a weird few weeks of radio. Rarely will companies admit they are wrong and go back to what it changed from originally.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
You're my satellite...
With the Dog House off the air, for now, it brings up the question whether they will go to satellite radio. Howard Stern, once again, the pioneer, went to Sirius at the beginning of this year and if you consider the millions of listeners that once listened to him religiously, not many have followed him.
A satellite radio costs approximately $9.95/month and not many people are willing to pony up the extra money on a monthly basis.
When the Dog House first left the Bay Area, JV said that he did not believe in satellite radio and didn't think people should have to pay for their radio.
The good things about satellite are there are pretty much no commercials and so many specialty stations, with just a specific genre. They don't have to worry too much about ratings and therefore just appeal to a certain target demographic.
That brings up the question, should we pay for radio like we do for tv? Conveniently, there is a poll below. I know I would definitely pay to listen to the Dog House. But judging by the number of listeners that bought a Sirius set for Stern, it's unlikely many will do so for the Dog House. But keep hope alive.
A satellite radio costs approximately $9.95/month and not many people are willing to pony up the extra money on a monthly basis.
When the Dog House first left the Bay Area, JV said that he did not believe in satellite radio and didn't think people should have to pay for their radio.
The good things about satellite are there are pretty much no commercials and so many specialty stations, with just a specific genre. They don't have to worry too much about ratings and therefore just appeal to a certain target demographic.
That brings up the question, should we pay for radio like we do for tv? Conveniently, there is a poll below. I know I would definitely pay to listen to the Dog House. But judging by the number of listeners that bought a Sirius set for Stern, it's unlikely many will do so for the Dog House. But keep hope alive.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
TV vs Radio
What I find so strange is that television seems to get a free pass when it comes to edgy material. I also want to say that I don't think TV should be restricted. Is it fine the way it is? No. But is it horrible? Also, no.
What I am trying to say is that nobody seems to care about what is said on TV, or at least it seems like it is acceptable in society. You have stand-up comedy, which has had a huge push in the 2000s, where people constantly poke fun at races, joke after joke. Racial slurs are used repeatedly and racial stereotypes are brought to attention. But all this is ok, because it is in the comedy genre.
Well, then how the hell is that different with shows like Imus or the Dog House? These are both comedic shows. It isn't like this ran on a news station. The demographic this radio station is catering to is the 18-34 male. Not people who do not have jobs, and sit and wait to protest about anything offensive.
Bottom line is I do not get why it's such a big deal when someone says something on the radio. They reach far less people. Plus, ask yourself...when is the last time you saw something offensive in the last year on TV? And then ask yourself when is the last time you even listened to the radio?
For a lot of people, offensive items on the screen outweigh even the times they flick on a radio switch...
Glenn Beck isn't too happy, if you have time, check out his thoughts. I'll be back with more tomorrow...
What I am trying to say is that nobody seems to care about what is said on TV, or at least it seems like it is acceptable in society. You have stand-up comedy, which has had a huge push in the 2000s, where people constantly poke fun at races, joke after joke. Racial slurs are used repeatedly and racial stereotypes are brought to attention. But all this is ok, because it is in the comedy genre.
Well, then how the hell is that different with shows like Imus or the Dog House? These are both comedic shows. It isn't like this ran on a news station. The demographic this radio station is catering to is the 18-34 male. Not people who do not have jobs, and sit and wait to protest about anything offensive.
Bottom line is I do not get why it's such a big deal when someone says something on the radio. They reach far less people. Plus, ask yourself...when is the last time you saw something offensive in the last year on TV? And then ask yourself when is the last time you even listened to the radio?
For a lot of people, offensive items on the screen outweigh even the times they flick on a radio switch...
Glenn Beck isn't too happy, if you have time, check out his thoughts. I'll be back with more tomorrow...
Saturday, May 19, 2007
You are a hypocrite...
I am Asian and did not find the Dog House bit offensive, maybe because I am a flat-out homer or perhaps I know when something is a joke. In no way shape or form was that prank call mean spirited.
I do have a problem with some of my friends who are Asian and say that the bit was offensive. Well, let me ask you. When you laugh at all the racist jokes on television, i.e. Chappelle Show, it's ok right, because it is not about your race or nationality. However, when the arrow points at you, it's no longer funny. And that isn't just with this bit.
It seems like more often than not, people can't handle jokes that are about them or affiliated with them. But when it is about someone else or something not related to them, they can die of laughter.
Please, if it is offensive, it should either be offensive all the time and not just when you are the butt of the joke. So when you do laugh at someone else's expense, and won't play along when it's on you, you're the one who looks like the ass.
A whole lot more ranting in the days to come...
I do have a problem with some of my friends who are Asian and say that the bit was offensive. Well, let me ask you. When you laugh at all the racist jokes on television, i.e. Chappelle Show, it's ok right, because it is not about your race or nationality. However, when the arrow points at you, it's no longer funny. And that isn't just with this bit.
It seems like more often than not, people can't handle jokes that are about them or affiliated with them. But when it is about someone else or something not related to them, they can die of laughter.
Please, if it is offensive, it should either be offensive all the time and not just when you are the butt of the joke. So when you do laugh at someone else's expense, and won't play along when it's on you, you're the one who looks like the ass.
A whole lot more ranting in the days to come...
Friday, May 18, 2007
Dog House Update: FIRED!
This has been a very bad week:
From the AP:
NEW YORK: One month after CBS Radio fired radio host Don Imus for broadcasting sexist and racist gibes, it has permanently pulled the plug on a pair of suspended New York shock jocks for a prank phone call rife with offensive Asian stereotypes.
"The Dog House with JV and Elvis," hosted by Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay, "will no longer be broadcast," CBS Radio spokeswoman Karen Mateo said Saturday.
The cancellation of the show on WFNY-FM, nearly three weeks after the hosts were suspended, was another indication of the increased scrutiny on radio hosts and the heightened management sensitivity to complaints in the wake of the Imus firing.
CBS Radio dismissed Imus in April for his racist and sexist remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
Vandergrift and Lay broadcast a call to a Chinese restaurant in which the caller, in an exaggerated accent, placed an order for "shrimp flied lice," claimed he was a student of kung fu, and compared menu items to employees' body parts.
The initial airing of the call went unnoticed, but a rebroadcast after Imus's firing prompted an outcry from Asian-American groups. Vandergrift and Lay were initially suspended without pay, but Asian-Americans quickly demanded the same penalty applied to the much higher-profile Imus.
"This is a victory not only for the Asian-American community, but for all communities who find themselves constant targets of racist and sexist programming," said Jeanette Wang, an executive with the Organization of Chinese Americans.
Mateo would not comment on the status of the DJs' contracts or whether they were still on the CBS payroll.
Imus plans a $120 million (€89 million)breach of contract suit against CBS Radio.
More on this tomorrow...
From the AP:
NEW YORK: One month after CBS Radio fired radio host Don Imus for broadcasting sexist and racist gibes, it has permanently pulled the plug on a pair of suspended New York shock jocks for a prank phone call rife with offensive Asian stereotypes.
"The Dog House with JV and Elvis," hosted by Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay, "will no longer be broadcast," CBS Radio spokeswoman Karen Mateo said Saturday.
The cancellation of the show on WFNY-FM, nearly three weeks after the hosts were suspended, was another indication of the increased scrutiny on radio hosts and the heightened management sensitivity to complaints in the wake of the Imus firing.
CBS Radio dismissed Imus in April for his racist and sexist remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
Vandergrift and Lay broadcast a call to a Chinese restaurant in which the caller, in an exaggerated accent, placed an order for "shrimp flied lice," claimed he was a student of kung fu, and compared menu items to employees' body parts.
The initial airing of the call went unnoticed, but a rebroadcast after Imus's firing prompted an outcry from Asian-American groups. Vandergrift and Lay were initially suspended without pay, but Asian-Americans quickly demanded the same penalty applied to the much higher-profile Imus.
"This is a victory not only for the Asian-American community, but for all communities who find themselves constant targets of racist and sexist programming," said Jeanette Wang, an executive with the Organization of Chinese Americans.
Mateo would not comment on the status of the DJs' contracts or whether they were still on the CBS payroll.
Imus plans a $120 million (€89 million)breach of contract suit against CBS Radio.
More on this tomorrow...
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Dog House Update: Still SUSPENDED
The Dog House has been suspended for what will be 3 weeks come tomorrow, for a prank call that has been done over and over and over in radio.
In case you missed it, here's the prank:
The weird thing was this prank call was played originally when The Dog House was in San Francisco. They happened to play the bit the day after the entire Imus fiasco. At that time, the Imus situation did not hit the fan, so they thought it would be ok.
Then for some apparent reason, whether it was their choice or not, the bit was replayed a few weeks later. Now the OCA, Organization of Chinese Americans, is demanding that like Imus--The Dog House get fired. At this point, it looks that way. 3 weeks for a silly little prank that was not mean spirited or hateful.
Here is a clip of the woman who is representing the OCA on Hannity and Colmes, and thankfully she was put in her place...
What do you think? More on this topic that irks me on a daily basis coming within the next few days...
In case you missed it, here's the prank:
The weird thing was this prank call was played originally when The Dog House was in San Francisco. They happened to play the bit the day after the entire Imus fiasco. At that time, the Imus situation did not hit the fan, so they thought it would be ok.
Then for some apparent reason, whether it was their choice or not, the bit was replayed a few weeks later. Now the OCA, Organization of Chinese Americans, is demanding that like Imus--The Dog House get fired. At this point, it looks that way. 3 weeks for a silly little prank that was not mean spirited or hateful.
Here is a clip of the woman who is representing the OCA on Hannity and Colmes, and thankfully she was put in her place...
What do you think? More on this topic that irks me on a daily basis coming within the next few days...
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