Commentary: Another Fail For CBS Radio

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Donnie Simpson left the airwaves at 12:10pm EST in the Washington area on WPGC; he exuded class, he didn't utter one negative word about his now-former employers, and for six hours this morning, I listened to free-to-air radio that was riveting, emotional, funny, sad, and touching.

12:10pm, January 29, 2010. Mark this date down. The last, best DJ in the CBS Radio wheelhouse in the Washington Metropolitan Area or the DMV is gone. And with it, goes CBS Radio's credibility in the Mainstream Urban format in this area, too.

Today, a legend left the air, because of meddling mid-management hellbent on generating profit and chasing audience cumes. Yes, that's the radio business, as I understand it. And if I understand the business the way I think I do, I also understand this: CBS Radio is terrible at it.

Because if this is how you treat a person, your biggest on-air talent, on his way out the door, how good are you at this business?

Initial Reaction to Donnie Simpson's Final Show on WPGC-FM

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12:10pm EST officially closed the Donnie Simpson era at CBS Radio's WPGC-FM, as the longtime morning man made, in my opinion, one of the classiest exits from a radio station ever.  Not one bitter word spoken by him.  Great job.

Not Willing to Pay For Radio, But for Pandora, Jere?

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Wednesday, I wrote a piece about Jere Hester, who writes for NBCWashington.com, and his sage advice for SiriusXM talker Howard Stern, and how stupid such advice was.

Here's what he said in part of his column:

There are a lot of great things about satellite radio: channels dedicated to artists and genres, a lack of commercials and quality sound. But while Stern boosted subscriber rolls, a lot of folks still aren’t willing to pay for radio, especially with iPods and Internet services like Pandora providing the soundtrack to many lives.

Except, while Hester was breathlessly proclaiming how great an idea it would be for Stern to return to free-to-air radio, he left out a gaping hole of a fact: while Pandora provides a "soundtrack to many lives", it isn't exactly free, either.

Laurel Commons: A Ghost Town in a White Elephant

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While I had a moment waiting for a bus today, I ventured into the local mall, out of curiosity.

I don't know why it's still open, but really...they need to start on this renovation project, and soon, or just close the place and get rid of it already.  Here's what is in the Laurel Commons (nee Mall) as of this morning: A Macy's, Burlington Coat Factory, Payless Shoes, GNC, a Post Office, an ATM and soda machines...and not much else worth talking about.  That's it.  Seriously.

State of the Union, In Brief

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President Obama:

Look, guys...people are hurtin' out there.  They need jobs, and I want a jobs bill NOW!  Also, could you find a way to get that darned healthcare package passed?  That would be nice.  [Heath Shuler, if you don't wake up, I'm going to send the Dallas Cowboys to blitz you.] Hey, SCOTUS...nice job; now I have to demand Congress to pass Campaign Finance Reform, and now.  [Shut up, Alito.]

Still Floating That Trial Balloon, Eh?

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Jere Hester has advice for SiriusXM's Howard Stern:

...Stern, who likes to talk, might want to give Clear Channel a listen: a return to the terrestrial airwaves, for all his past, bitter battles with the FCC, could be good for radio, fans – and for him.

Stern would get to re-establish himself as a major pop-cultural force – reclaiming a mass audience as he secures and builds upon his legacy as a maverick who changed radio and comedy.

More fans would get to hear him. There are a lot of great things about satellite radio: channels dedicated to artists and genres, a lack of commercials and quality sound. But while Stern boosted subscriber rolls, a lot of folks still aren’t willing to pay for radio, especially with iPods and Internet services like Pandora providing the soundtrack to many lives.

Commercial radio, meanwhile, could use the breath of funny, fiery air. Talk radio these days is generally a mix of lame Stern imitators and political commentators pandering to listeners' worst instincts.

How many times can these people write the same stupid piece?

James O'Keefe, Dumbass.

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CBS/Associated Press:

A conservative activist who posed as a pimp to target the community-organizing group ACORN and the son of a federal prosecutor were among four people arrested and accused of trying to interfere with phones at Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's office.

Activist James O'Keefe, 25, was already in Landrieu's New Orleans office Monday when Robert Flanagan and Joseph Basel, both 24, showed up claiming to be telephone repairmen, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office said Tuesday. Letten says O'Keefe recorded the two with his cell phone.

This is what I call, "Getting In Over Your Head."

NFC Champions: New Orleans Saints

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WHO DAT?  THEY DAT!

Ahem.  Sorry.

AFC Champions: Indianapolis Colts

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Well, for a moment there, it looked like the New York Jets were going to pull off another monumental upset...and then they ran out of gas.

Championship Sunday: My Picks

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The NFL's Conference Championships are taking place today, and I am going to make my picks of the participants for Super Bowl XLIV in two weeks.