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10/26: Porn Czar speaks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Porn Czar (aka Tim Andrews), the former producer of 96rock, questions the usage of the term “shock jock” or “shock radio” as a journalistic crutch, that it’s not what Larry & Eric were at all. I agree with Tim that it is journalistic shorthand. But it’s recognizable to the average person and the reason most jocks hate the term is because it is pejorative and vaguely insulting. I know Larry and Eric hate the term and I’m sorry it was in there. But that’s the tradeoffs we make when summarizing what’s going on.
Here’s what Tim wrote cogently on his blog. What are you doing in radio, Tim? You should be a writer!
*Did anyone in Atlanta read Rodney Ho’s article, Potty Talk Ends Shock Radio Era in Atlanta this morning?
I read it, and while the Yogi y Panda bathroom “stunt” spelled the end of the Regular Guys Show on 96rock, it hardly spells the end of the Regular Guys Show, or any type of facsimile thereof, and…I can’t imagine anyone thinking TRG show was helmed by two so-called “shock jocks.â€? Not by a long shot, and anyone who thinks so, wasn’t a listener.
The term “shock radio” is ridiculous. It means absolutely nothing. It’s a crutch journalists (print and television) have used to describe the nefarious antics of wacky morning shows since the 1970s. But it doesn’t actually describe anything because not all morning shows are created equal.
For instance, Atlanta’s Star 94 is anchored by Steve & Vikki, a milquetoast, vanilla type of morning show for the easily amused and those with a vapid sense of humor. They are good at what they do, they serve their audience well, but they have no substance, which in my opinion serves Atlanta well; see Jezebel magazine if you don’t understand what I mean. It’s all steak, no sizzle. It’s what I call “oh you� radio – the male co-host says something silly, the female co-host says “oh you� and the soccer-mom giggles her way to the tennis club. Nothing too controversial, i.e., they don’t talk about anything.
Now, I pose a question, what’s so shocking about discussing things people do? Everyone screws (when, and if, they can), everyone farts, everyone picks their nose, and everyone takes a dump (some people even do it with their co-workers, at the same time, and chuckle like school boys).
Men, white men, aged 35-54 care about a lot of things besides sports. They like to talk politics, they like to discuss hot women, TV shows, movies, beer, music, porn, and yes, even farts. Farts are funny, man. You show me a guy who’s grossed out by a fart and I’ll show you a picture of Eric Von Haessler (he doesn’t like the smell, but I’ve seen him chuckle at one of my rips).
I grew up listening to the Howard Stern Show, and let me tell you, I was never shocked by anything they did. Truth be told, I laughed a lot and that’s shocking because very few things make me laugh. Opie and Anthony are funny guys, their show is good, and they talk about things that interest me without apologizing for it. Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler are funny guys (and great bosses), were funny pre-2004 and during the second go round.
In order for radio to remain successful, they need to embrace “more is more� (a play on my previous employer’s “Less is More� sales initiative) – more talent = more ratings = more money. Currently, Clear Channel embraces less talent + less commercials (which isn’t true, they’re have the same amount of spots only they’re thirty-seconds instead of sixty) = More REVENUE. I’m not good at math but anyone with a modicum of sense can tell that the numbers aren’t “adding up.�
Returning to Rodney Ho’s AJC article: He’s probably correct in assuming “shock radio� is dead in Atlanta. And, even though the statement is altogether wrong, commercially successful morning talk shows with a sense of humor featuring a group of people who don’t take themselves too seriously are dead in Atlanta.
We’re no better than you, the listener, and we never pretended to be. Note I say we because after a year on-air and after being fired, I feel I’ve earned the proper pronoun. The listener is just another member of the show, the gang, the group of pals. I felt that way in my teens and early 20s when I listened to Stern, and I felt that way two weeks ago when I was doing Michael McDonald during Regular Guys Squares.
The next morning show to be embraced by so many non-specific ethnicities without an entitlement mentality to be successful in this city will deserve the moniker “shock jocks� because it’ll be shocking to see such a thing actually happen.
Right on,
Curtis Washington (AKA Porn Czar, AKA Tim Andrews)*
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By WhatDoIKnow
October 26, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Tim:
Rodney is right, you certainly do know how to write. I am gonna miss you guys … Best to all of you!
By scribe
October 26, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this
96 rock just lost a faithful listener. The truth lay somewhere in between and it would cost a whole bunch of money to figure out who is at fault.
Someone please hire these guys.. You may not agree with them, but they do make you think. Which is more than trying to find the best new beauty products on the market, like some other morning shows….
By covingtonredneck
October 26, 2006 1:00 PM | Link to this
any news n virgin murray’s feeling about this? maybe he can hook them up at playboy
By RedSeaPedastrian
October 26, 2006 1:49 PM | Link to this
Very eloquently written Tim. And it is true about making us feel like we were all part of the show. Hell you all let me be part of the show by battling wits with SS Steve for twenty minutes(BTW, Steve is great I just liked rattling his chains). I am still in denial. We have no MALE morning radio anymore.
By bud
October 26, 2006 2:16 PM | Link to this
Pornie knows how to write…who would have guessed?
I won’t miss the RG’s. I hope ClearChannel won’t pay any more money to Larry and Eric and we can hear some Rock & Roll music in the morning.
FM is for MUSIC AM is for TALK
‘nuff said.
By Indiana Jones
October 26, 2006 2:40 PM | Link to this
What is it with guys that want them gone. I liked them, why do you want to get rid of something I like. I don’t care what you like, that you like it is enough for me, I am not going to mess with what you like. Please just listen to something else and leave me alone.
By KeepingIndianaJonesDown
October 26, 2006 3:20 PM | Link to this
That’s exactly why…Good riddance!
By bud
October 26, 2006 3:49 PM | Link to this
Indiana…if we had 50 different morning radio shows in Atlanta, I would agree completely. But we have maybe 10 or so, and only 2 that play classic rock. The RG’s were taking up a slot that could be better used by somebody else. Normally, it’s the free market that dictates these decisions, but if you get in legal trouble every 6 months or so, you can’t be too suprised if your boss fires you.
By Indiana Jones
October 26, 2006 4:28 PM | Link to this
bud thank you for your descent response. But it’s like alcohol on Sunday’s, that law is in effect by people that don’t drink, and think I should not drink on Sunday, not cool. Why do people enforce thier morality on me, why not just don’t do what you think is wrong and leave me alone, I am not hurting anybody, and I am making my contribution to society by going to work everyday, anybody and paying may taxes. They were fired by CC and not fined and this time the crime has been alleged. Aren’t they innocent until. Live and let live, something again has been taken away from me that I like and I am very frustrated, guess that I just don’t get it, I am cool with what anybody wants to do of course unless it really hurts someone else.
By IndianaJones
October 26, 2006 4:35 PM | Link to this
KeepingIndianaJonesdown maybe you are a lot smarter than me cause that didn’t make any sense to me. ‘That’s exactly why’ what?
By Will
October 27, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
I agree with Tim that it is journalistic shorthand. But it’s recognizable to the average person and the reason most jocks hate the term is because it is pejorative and vaguely insulting. So Rodney, you just couldn’t be bothered to come up with something more accurate and instead used an insulting shorthand? This is what is expected of reporters at the AJC?
By bud
October 27, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
IJ…my differences with the RG’s are purely aesthetic…I just don’t think they are that funny. I’ve never found anything particularly offensive about their schtick (the first amendment applies to them as well as me) And the blue laws about buying booze on Sunday are dumb.
They made OK ratings…it sounds to me like Larry & Eric brought a lot of this onto themselves…with the backward masking porn voice that accidently played forward….playing a recorded voice from a setting that may reasonably be considered private.
We all have rules at the office to follow…they aren’t an exception.
By Lisa Rary
November 1, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
Curtis…we’ll miss you. Yeah, mmm hmmm yeah. LOTS of talent you have, so I know your not worried. Take care…