Astroturfing

There is a little dirty secret among some surviving drive time radio shows. Those cute little awkward bits you would hear involving listeners being put into uncomfortable situations for the sake of a laugh are actually scripted. There was a time however, when shows would pull those stunts off entirely through organic methods. It was more difficult to do and the outcomes were generally surprising but the payoff was usually big.

Not so much any more. In this episode, Ric talks about how radio consultants would push the notion of scripting an other wise naturally occurring incident for the sake of having a guaranteed payoff everytime. It came from the rise of reality TV and it is so bad now, listeners cringe over the notion. This is what astroturfing is all about.

Also, Ric and The Immigrant went to the fair and spent some time with circus people. Plus, the unpopular thought of the week.



NEXT WEEK: Just exactly, what is censorship?

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Terrestrial Zombies

In a very sad way, FM has become this weird little zombie. Still propped up by the corporate stiffs as something that is still sort of viable. This is quite sad, frankly. There was a time when traditional radio was a fantastic medium, or so we thought. Once everyone was given an actual choice as to what they could listen to, the world sort of changed.

Now, terrestrial radio is sort of a sad joke. In this episode, Ric will expand on this by telling you about a conversation he had with a couple of people. One who was in the business and now is out doing his own thing, and one who is still in the scene and how he compares the current state of terrestrial radio to Weekend at Bernie's. A very sad analogy but so true on so many levels.

Plus, Ric went to the dentist and it was quite the mouthful. Also, Ric prepares to be without adult supervision as The Immigrant leaves town for a few days.



NEXT WEEK: The Sarcastic Cynic

FM Sucks

Pretty blatant statement that I think most of you agree with. At least those I talk to seem to be repeating at every conversation. In what has become a series of episodes examining the impact of the internet on all things in our society, media is certainly one of those things.

The problem here is the corporate stiffs have no clue how to adapt to this brave new media world.

Plus music from Davis Coen.



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NEXT WEEK: It's like a Shakespearean tragedy. Plus music from Al Kapone.

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The Impact of a Podcast

Don't be mistaken, I don't think From Radioland has that much of an impact. Having said that, there is a definite impact the medium has had on the broadcasting industry. That is what this episode is all about. Consider it another peek behind the curtain.

Corporate radio (for the most part) has turned its back on the world of podcasting. Even though they may offer "on demand" programming, it isn't specific to the medium of podcasting, if that makes any sense. What does make sense to me, at least, is these companies continue to ignore the impact of podcasting on the level it exists now, they are going to get bit in the ass.



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A little note on the production is warranted here. For the past 89 episodes, we have been blessed to have the work of Jaeci King as the show announcer. Jaeci is now living in Los Angeles, California and is involved in some pretty exciting projects. Jaeci will always be a member of the Pirate Radio Studios family and if he finds his way back in Memphis, he will always have a home in some capacity.

The new announcer for this show is Joel Martin. He is voice guy here Memphis and is doing some great stuff for Radio Memphis and we are glad to have him step into this very important role.

NEXT WEEK: The Queens of The Nile

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Welcome to "The Beach"

The beach is a great place. As we wind up summer and find ourselves in the early days of fall, dreams of the beach can be nice. However, the beach I speak of here is not always a great place. This beach is where broadcasters wind up when their services are no longer required.

In this particular scenario, a Memphis station flipped its format and blew out its talent. Thereby putting pretty much all of their on air staff out on the beach. It happens.

This episode talks about the theories behind format changes and how it affects the people who work at the station and how it really affects the fans of the station who just flipped their format.

There is also a closer look at the AM/FM situation as it stands right now here in Memphis. This episode should be of interest especially to all of you who are still employed in the terrestrial world and to those who are on the outside looking in... either as a former radio person or someone who has a little more than passing interest in this industry.



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NEXT WEEK: Preconceived notions, perceptions and cannibalism. Yeah, that discussion occurred.

Stay tuned...