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Edited by Dave Hughes. Send posts to dcrtv@dcrtv.com.

Put "MAILBAG" on the subject line. DCRTV can't take responsibility for message content, although we attempt to edit for taste and fairness. Each posting is solely the opinion of the person who wrote it. DCRTV cannot verify the factual accuracy or authorship of posts. If you see a message that's in poor taste or unfair to someone, contact us and it will be removed. Messages that don't deal with local media issues may not get posted. We can't forward messages to posters..... Support DCRTV and the world famous Mailbag! Just a few bucks a month is all we ask! Click here. Thanks: Stephen, Tom, Rich, Rob, Steve, Mark, Gary, Brian, Carol, Bob.....

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Latest messages listed first.....
\/ July 29 Messages \/

I can't say much for this guy's taste in talk radio programs, but I must say that he's got a valid point when it comes to the commercial breaks. www.freerepublic.com (7/29/10)

To the unsigned poster who thinks it's clever to call the President names and imply that he's a Muslim terrorist: I gave up name calling just after high school so charitably, will assume you're either still in the 11th grade, mentally challenged, or a card carrying member of the Tea Party. Perhaps all three. ACH (7/29/10)

A morning show that all the Boogins can agree on....even the boss! It's Davy Jones and the Breakfast Zunts on KHZTV. (7/29/10)

Don't forget, Sunday night is the deadline to vote for nominees to the Radio Hall of Fame, including DC broadcasters Tony Roberts and Carl Kassel. www.radiohof.org (7/29/10)

As soon as I check out the mailbag on vacation after a week on a NH lake, I see Dukies, or an underling, write "Mike in Fairfax" about TEM. Enough! Ratings are not earned here. Take your ratings and have your salesmen (and women) sell on the the "meat". OOBBEE (7/29/10)

Interesting news on Sir Paul's comments about "W". Tonight, PBS aired his concert @ the White House. He played "Michelle" for the First Lady. I was waiting for for "Blackbird" for Osama O'Bummer! (7/29/10)

(RE: Jennifer Gladstone was at the Allbritton station - WHTM - in Harrisburg today. Seeing how THE AM anchor is leaving in 3 weeks... she was probably interviewing for the job. THE Asst. ND used to work with her back during Sinclair's NewsCentral days, so that will surely help her chances.) Gladstone either didn't get or take the job. (7/29/10)

To the "Boogin", maybe you shouldn't watch WKHZ.com. Paul Bicknell's show is just a selection of Youtube 1980's music videos with occasional clips of an old man dancing in the studio. That's why I never tuned back in after less than an hour. Perhaps Paul, with all his dancing, is trying to take over the TV ad spokesperson spot for Six Flags. As far as them "developing something", that's already been done. Herm and Rayce have been doing a similiar format in the region before Paul was allegedly trailblazing. And, if you've bothered to read this Mailbag in the past, you'd know that Paul is allowed to judge you but him saying that his show "it is not ready to be judged" is not a contradiction. This is referred to as Bicktation in this forum. Be sure to know this before you dive into the deep end with the big boys again. Sincerely, James (7/29/10)

/\ July 29 Messages /\

\/ July 28 Messages \/

Just saw former WJLA reporter Andrea McCarren on 7:00pm newscast on WUSA 9. I hope 9 continues this trend and hires another former WJLA McReporter recently removed after his showdown with Lord Bill... (7/28/10)

Debbi Taylor is simply awful... I am watching sports, and this dullard kills my buzz. Jeez... (7/28/10)

ANY UPDATE ON MCKELWAY? (7/28/10)

"Paul and Bill and all, are developing something and it is not ready to be judged." -Then perhaps Paul should stop spamming the mailbag with self-promotion of his "station". If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. (7/28/10)

Dave...I'm impressed...You're the only site I know that has a dead DJ (Rick Sklar) sending in mailbag submissions. Let's see Fishbowl top THAT! (7/28/10)

Hey Mike In Fairfax: I heard that "Sports Fix" too and both Sheehan and Loverero inexplicably failed to mention the death of Abe Pollin and the transfer to Ted Leonsis of the Wiz and the Verizon Center. That will have an effect on more people for a longer period of time than anything involving Shanahan, McNabb, Strasburg etc. Also, I heard Bill Rohland apologize for talking hockey in July last night before he went into the story about the Pittsburgh player calling Ovie a "douche." He also said they won't generally talk hockey during football season. Someone ought to tell him that there are plenty of people that WANT to talk hockey during July, football season or any other time. Those comments were something that I would expect to hear on ESPN 980. The FAN is such a wasted opportunity to effectively serve the DC sports fan............. (7/28/10)

I have been getting a ton of emails about that Parnelli DeChucko WINX 1996 aircheck. People are telling me, "GOD, PARNELLI DECHUCKO IS AWFUL". Well, yes, I am awful; that's why I'm not in radio anymore. Anyway, the aircheck has been re-edited by Kris Earl Phillips (of B-104/Baltimore, back in the 80s) and is now shorter, cleaner and loads faster: Here's the URL: www.davidtate.com. Go ahead: waste your time and listen to it. Stay tuned, Parnelli DeChucko, Dallas, TX. Please don't email me. I already know I suck. (7/28/10)

Heard Haynie in with Mark and the Bulldog this morning. He's apparently going to work with them throughout training camp...then who knows? Sounded pretty good. I'd love to hear a one-shot Haynie/Conn/Weinman/Cunningham/Willett/Wilson "alumni show" where they could share all those great stories of working on Hart Rd. If only Rob could phone in...Howie (7/28/10)

3:45 EDT/ 12:45 PDT Donnie G is singing Tower of Power live on the air??? Thanks Mr. Sorce (by the way nice leather jacket while you water ski) If the move to Sacramento wasn't enough of a clue, this last break that started with his singing followed by a review of Master Chef by Don and M.O.M. junior makes it official... in the words of UFC's Mike Goldberg "IT's OVER"!!! (7/28/10)

Yes, oh yes. Please do cut Ed Norris loose from that loser station, and let him team back up with Maynard someplace where management is not suffering such a staggeringly obvious case of painful, cranial rectal insertion. It’ll be fun to watch his new show beat whatever time slot he’s up against at 105.7 like a drum. All (the same old) sports, all the time. Blech. What dreg. C’mon over, Ed. We’ll keep the light on for you. John, in Baltimore (7/28/10)

To the Boogin writing about the Zunts: Maybe you just shouldn't watch KHZTV. I know that my life has improved since I stopped working for a station with Rush Limbaugh. Paul and Bill and all, are developing something and it is not ready to be judged. If it ever becomes what they want, I'll let you know. Rick Sklar (7/28/10)

Elliot Talks with Doug McKelway: eitmfans.blogspot.com (7/28/10)

Apparently no one has reported here that 950 AM has been off the air for several days now. KOF (7/28/10)

Hey Mike in Fairfax, I was driving home around 7:00 and WJFK was all over the Strasburg story from about 7:05 until about 7:30. They began the 7:00 show with the Donavan McNabb story but then switched to Strasburg the moment the word came in. They went back to McNabb once there simply was no more new info to get out at Nats Park. I am not a big fan of The Fan, but at least they are live/local most evenings so can cover stuff like that as it breaks. WTEM remains saddled with the O's games. . .they have GOT to get out of that and cover DC sports in the evenings! (7/28/10)

Any update on Doug McElway's status? (7/28/10)

Dave's response: Nope! Gee, nothing in the WaPo about it. I thought that Paul Farhi was all chummy with Bill Lord. Maybe too chummy. Ha ha ha.....

Putting the stink in your bicycle seat. It's Davy Jones and the Morning Zunt Crew only on KHZTV! (7/28/10)

Re: “The problem with Scott Garceau is he's never played ANY sport except for maybe softball, he talks down to callers that disagree with him, and he sucks up to every athlete or guest and he has no sense of humor whatsoever nor does he laugh at his co-host's (ANY OF THEM) jokes hardly ever! Anita Marks was more likely to ask a tough question of a guest, and while she often argued with callers, she never dismissed them or their opinions like Garceau does daily” You sure you aren’t talking about Chad Dukes? Replace the name and you have the exact same story. Odd how that works at CBS. (7/28/10)

Re: The show I want to hear...Add Brian Mitchell and you could call the show "The Incoherents" They should also re-name "The Sports Fix" as the "Unlistenables". Between Sheehan's constant stammer and his mispronunciation of literally dozens of words and Loverro's god-awful AFLAC voice this show is most unlistenable. Regards Biff (7/28/10)

Grant Paulsen has been named the new Redskins beat reporter for WJFK, replacing Chris Russell who jumped to WTEM last week. I learned that from listening to Bill Rohland's evening show yesterday where Paulsen made a guest appearance. Apparently he's something of a whiz kid in the sports broadcasting business, having hosted a weekly baseball show on XM while still a freshman at George Mason University and worked a number of assignments for various local and national media outlets prior to that. I'm a bit surprised that Frank Hanrahan didn't get the gig given his previous experience covering the Skins for WTEM, but perhaps he wasn't interested in doing that job again. Speaking of ESPN 980, yesterday was the first anniversary of Sports Fix and to mark the occasion, Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro prepared separate lists of the top five or six sports stories they've covered on the show over the past year. After Loverro cited the hiring of Mike Shanahan as Redskins head coach and Stephen Strasburg's debut with the Nationals as his #1 and #2 stories (respectively), Sheehan said that Strasburg had never even entered his mind while compiling his list. That oversight almost defies belief - how could someone who's spent his entire career in the DC sports media have a complete mental block regarding one of the biggest stories of the year (not just from a local perspective but nationally as well)? Of course Strasburg getting pulled from his scheduled start against Atlanta last night was a big news item, and I was disappointed to tune in 106.7 The Fan around 7:30 for reaction and hear no mention of the story until the station's 8 PM sports update. Instead, Rohland and his co-host were kicking around some McNabb related issue when they should have been all over the unfolding drama at Nationals Park. Mike, Fairfax (7/28/10)

Re: Newsblues editor Mike James comment regarding Erin Andrews appearance on Capitol Hill. I can't believe you have not issued a "Rant" regarding his sexist comments in the quote he did. It was making fun of her stalking incident and her work on the football sidelines. I am all for free speech, but this was over the line. Shame on him and shame on you for not taking up for her. (7/28/10)

RE: 105.7 The Fan... Wow, the Labrozzi / Philips team have failed again, who would have thunk it? LOL I was the 1st person to predict that ratings would drop after Anita Marks was let go unceremoniously and ignorantly by CBS radio. Everyone else here in the mailbag kept making jokes about Anita Marks and god knows she was not a sports genius. However Anquan Boldin?, she was taken out to the woodshed for that suggestion by Garceau, but look what happened. And now the results are in on ratings too, I was right, you were all wrong. The problem with Scott Garceau is he's never played ANY sport except for maybe softball, he talks down to callers that disagree with him, and he sucks up to every athlete or guest and he has no sense of humor whatsoever nor does he laugh at his co-host's (ANY OF THEM) jokes hardly ever! Anita Marks was more likely to ask a tough question of a guest, and while she often argued with callers, she never dismissed them or their opinions like Garceau does daily and she was just more fun to listen too even when she was completely f'ing WRONG! In a nutshell, her rants were entertaining even when goofy! Garceau is just very arrogant and not a people person. You couldn't tell that on WMAR ABC 2 news, but it really shows on live unscripted radio. And if ever there were a boxing match for charity between Anita & Scott, my Vegas money would be on Anita! -- Joe in Essex :-) (7/28/10)

I am so happy I am not the only one who thinks Lavar Arrington is incoherent. Lavar is so cringe worthy that it is unbelieveable that he is still on the air. It should be Chad Dukes' show because Lavar is pointless and clueless. (7/28/10)

The show that I want to hear on WJFK is Lavar and The Coach (Thompson) with Rick "Doc" Walker. Now that would be something worth listening to! (7/28/10)

Rumblings from the walls at CBS Radio. 105.7 talking to Bob Haney about a co-host job with Scott Garceau, which would move Jeremy Conn to the morning slot with Steve Davis when Ed's contract expires. Some higher ups at CBS aren't fond of Conn's sexual inuendo on the air, particuarly in how it contrasts with Garceau's straight and narrow style. The numbers aren't getting better and some of that is the Orioles season taking a toll, but Philips and Labrozzi haven't found the right combination in the afternoon since Anita left nor in the morning since they decided to go with an all-sports theme. (7/28/10)

The previous poster on Dukes-Arrington had it pegged quite nicely. Lavar Arrington is manifestly inarticulate and frankly incoherent at times. I can hear about 10 minutes of the show only in the afternoon on the way to my second job. Just in that time I've heard Arrington say things like he's in "agreeance" with Dukes on something or that he saw something that's "airie" (his way of saying errie). If anything, it should be the Chad Dukes Show with Arrington as co-host or bumbler or whatever. It is Dukes who carries the program and tries to help out Lavar which is really a losing proposition. I'd prefer hearing the tedious and humorless Ken Beatrice over Arrington. How are program directors at JFK paid? Could Andy Parks take over for Arrington if he's not too pro-Snyder, his fellow Republican. (7/28/10)

WELCOME BACK Big O and Dukes and of course Drab T-Shirt. You were missed. (7/28/10)

The Lavar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes: I truly don't understand how Lavar is still on the radio....yes he played for the Redskin ( I get it) but the show is an embarrasment. He is not co-herent in his thought process and Chad tries to help him with a thought that makes more sense but to no avail .... it is just horrible. I think Chad Dukes is trying to make the best out of a terrible situation. Sometimes, Chad ,sometimes, has a weird forced laugh, when Lavar is trying (and I mean trying) to be funny, that is sad. Quick question, does Lavar have naked pics of the CBS Radio bosses? I know you are probably think, that listen (I seem to know alot of the show )or something and that is a big fat NOOOO!!!! I will listen to a segment once in a while, just to see how long I can stand an uncomfortable situation. I do love Chad and Drab..... (7/28/10)

[RE: No more Washington Business tonight? I loved that show! The anchor was fantastic! She was so witty, smart, savvy and sophisticated. Her quiet, understated delivery was easy to watch. I am really going to miss Beverly Kirk.] Umm...Beverly Kirk was booted from Newschannel 8 several months ago. Besides, she never anchored WBT - the primary anchor was Rebecca Cooper. -BG (7/28/10)

(First, tell me no one's noticing the data hits on the transmission line of ESPN980. Just an un-listenable show on AM) "data hits"? What are you talking about? I've heard nothing, as a die-hard AM'er... (7/28/10)

No Mike Sorce...or maybe it's Tom Sater himself. Re...Watched former Fox 5 and Gurvir Dhindsa's husband Tom Sater doing the weather on Channel 9 this past Saturday a.m. Ron, Potomac Falls, VA ... and ?? You got a chubby ? (7/28/10)

What is going on at CNN (9:00pm Tues.)? Twice during the first five minutes of Larry King's interview with Michael Moore they cut to commercials in the middle of the interview. They don't seem to have been scheduled commercial breaks. It was weird. -- Bobbie (7/28/10)

/\ July 28 Messages /\

\/ July 27 Messages \/

Dave: First, tell me no one's noticing the data hits on the transmission line of ESPN980. Just an un-listenable show on AM. Anyway, I caught five minutes of the 12noon show and thought it was funny how Sheehan was defending his use of the English language. Kevin, lose the almighty attitude and learning how to read car spots, and not say "fin-nancing." It's really apparent that no one from management dares to question Coach Thompson and the way he conducts himself. At this point, with low ratings and bad talent, Mr. Snyder needs to take a hands-on approach and make some changes. By the way, why isn't Knoche a permanent host on the 4p show? He's the most convenient fill-in and is a good upgrade from Pollin or Czaban. Finally, will someone tell Czaban we don't care about his website or his appearances on the Milwaukee radio station. Any other station owner wouldn't allow this self-promotion unless there's something in-it for 980. (7/27/10)

Watta surprise! Not only were the O'Kaysions a lily-white group, but their lead singer was a cro-magnon Steve Martin. (7/27/10)

No more Washington Business tonight? I loved that show! The anchor was fantastic! She was so witty, smart, savvy and sophisticated. Her quiet, understated delivery was easy to watch. I am really going to miss Beverly Kirk. (7/27/10)

Is reporter Jennifer Davis working for the FOX network or the local FOX5?..I've seen her do reports, mostly from Capitol Hill and sometimes signs off with her name and FOX News and others with FOX5 News. (7/27/10)

KHZTV - Where DJ's with lame nicknames nickname their nicknames! Did ya get all that? (7/27/10)

Interesting that WFRE, WUSQ and WAYZ all top their respective markets. Yet, ol' WMZQ is merely a blip on the arbitron radar screen. Wonder why that could be? After all, you can hear WMZQ in Fredneck and most of Winchester, too. Could it be, oh maybe...I don't know - the fact that those LOCAL stations are LOCAL and appealing to their LOCAL communities? Those LOCAL stations actually have LOCAL personalities on the air...in real time....It wasn't that long ago that WMZQ was a market leading radio station. And, one could make the argument that country music is more mainstream today than it was back then. As I recall, the glory days of WMZQ featured...what is the word I'm looking for...right - LOCAL personalities that were concerned about what was going on LOCALLY. I smell a theme here. Alas, this will not change in a market this size as long as the corporate overlords have decreed that voice tracking and keeping what little on air talent there is on a very short leash is what we drones want to hear. After all, we listeners hate anything that isn't music, right? That's why the #1 station in town doesn't play sawngs. (7/27/10)

Ratings for 980 AM are down. Kewl! Let's party. Hey, this means less people are listening to that awful, alleged sports station. Finally, people who are sports fans are tired of the 'korny krap' they have on that station. It may cash in, but I checked out a long, long time ago. WJFK is fine. Sure, could be better. But WJFK IS better than that one over at 980 AM. (7/27/10)

"August through February, when pro football is in flower, and the Skins rule the (radio) roost, WTEM gets it done." Except from August through Oct. when they run Orioles games at night, or Tuesday through Friday from August through Feb. when they run Mike and Mike in the morning, or every day when Kornheiser is talking about American Idol or politics, or every day when John Thompson is mumbling about nothing. It's a terrible station. If not for being owned by the Redskins, they'd be out of business. (7/27/10)

Vincent in Lynchburg nailed it re: WTEM . . . I mock that station as much as anyone (and it's unlistenable a lot of the time . . . Hello, Coach Thompson!), but from August through February, when pro football is in flower, and the Skins rule the (radio) roost, WTEM gets it done, in ratings and cash. The station makes money. Period. Sincerely, TMU (7/27/10)

With the sucess of "classic hits" stations in NYC, LA, Philly, and so many other cities under PPM, could someone please explain to me why no one tries it in DC? Yes, True Oldies failed, but that was syndicated and never promoted. Surely a classic hits station could do than "Fresh." (7/27/10)

Dave's response: DC does have WBIG, which is kinda "classic hits".....

(snip) Does anyone know what Doug McKelway said that led to his demise? (end) How about, "You're all a bunch of poopyheads"? Everyone's so thin-skinned today... (7/27/10)

"Dave, what's your take on WTEM trending down so much lately? They've been down in every month since Feb. And the weeklies so far in July have them 12th and 14th in Men 25-54, their target demo." Shed no tears for WTEM. The only thing it gives a damn about is just around the corner. -- Vincent in Lynchburg (7/27/10)

I guess we can add "Zeke" to the long list of Paul Bicknell aliases in the Mailbag. What is Mark Allan's on-air resume to give him the coveted morning drive time slot? - AHHHHmen (7/27/10)

Man, Sportstalk980 is a finely tuned machine . . . not. They just played a couple of minutes of commercials OVER Colin Cowherd's irritating voice, who's on ESPN Radio right now, and isn't even carried on Sportstalk980 while Mr. Tony's on the air. Oy. Sincerely, TMU (7/29/10)

I'm sad if Doug McKelway really has been fired. He's a good anchor, which I like watching on ABC7 mornings. They've not removed his bio from their website: www.wjla.com... As you know, he came from Channel 4. (7/29/10)

I want to no also. What did Doug McKelway say, that was so bad? (7/29/10)

Hmmmm...Zeke types very similar to former mailbag instigator/troll/has-been Paul Bicknell. Get back in the coffin, Hit Me. (7/27/10)

Does anyone know what Doug McKelway said that led to his demise? (7/27/10)

"Seems KHZTV.com has a new morning man" -Sure hope he's better than the hack on at 7am Sacramento time! AHHHH (7/27/10)

Seems KHZTV.com has a new morning man, Mark Allan. He’s fitting in VERY well after a shaky first day. The staff is expanding. BIG news coming very soon. The HOSPICE is on adrenaline, like WTTR..LOL-Zeke (7/27/10)

Hack away, you nerdy b*st*rds! Its legal now! news.yahoo.com (7/27/10)

If we're going to broach the subject, break-out your bell-bottoms 'cause my candidate for starfish puckering is ideal for late July boardwalk loitering. And don't be ashamed to admit that you thought the O'Kaysions were a black group, (just like the rest of us!) (7/27/10)

Dave, WJFK bumps up in this book, how about the target demos for them? If the overalls are up then the 25-54 Male and 25-54 overalls must be up! (7/27/10)

Dave: More about the negativity of the Comcast proposed merger with NBC. Thought you'd be interested. www.multichannel.com (7/27/10)

Dear Dave Hughes, King Of Radio News: Sir, this one is just for you. You may put it in your "Airchecks" bin on the premium service of dcrtv.com, if you wish. The aircheck is self-explanatory. I was having a bad day on-the-air and was simply, "screwing-around". But, it is an interesting, although tiny, "period piece", in the history of Washington, D.C. radio. Click below on the following link to listen, or simply right-click on the link to download ("Save As") the file: www.davidtate.net... Warm regards from Dallas, TX, The Radio Jingle Capital Of The World, david tate, Microsoft .NET Software Engineer, On Assignment from Analytical Associates Of Bethesda, MD, Member, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber Of Commerce (7/27/10)

Dave's response: Thanks! Me? The King Of Radio News? Wow.....

@MBE: The NWS did indeed issue a tornado warning on Sunday afternoon. Check it out here: kamala.cod.udu. The warning was issued at 3:18 and valid until 3:45; fortunately, despite the devastation caused by the storms, there was no confirmed tornado. WTOP did mention the warning several times - one of the complaints in my initial email was that Ron Riley on one or two occasions mistakenly said WATCH instead of WARNING. -BG (7/27/10)

Dave, what's your take on WTEM trending down so much lately? They've been down in every month since Feb. And the weeklies so far in July have them 12th and 14th in Men 25-54, their target demo. (7/27/10)

Dave's response: I dunno. Maybe most listeners are just sick of listening to sports talk this time of year.....

Regarding WTOP not reporting the storm in a timely fashion, it should be noted that, at regular intervals, WTOP announced that they were having difficulties with their telephone lines, including the call-in hotline, and are working with Verizon to correct the problems. This would likely have affected the news ingest desk which naturally relies on incoming phone calls, internet message, and other telecommunications that no doubt were failing along with Verizon. I sure hope Farley doesn't depend on one network provider for their ingest desk, then we'd have to start calling it an IN JEST desk. -Chainsman (7/27/10)

/\ July 27 Messages /\

Messages from July 16 to July 26 can be reached HERE.....